Golf swing practicing device and method

• US 6,966,844 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2004
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raymond Welles
• Original Assignee: Raymond Welles
• Inventors: Welles, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US10/752,907
• Publication Number:
  US 20050148402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 473/219, 473/221, 473/226, 473/224, 473/257, 473/234, 473/256
• US Class Current: 473/224
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 15/00 Clubs for gymnastics or the like , e.g. for swinging exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2060/464 Means for indicating or measuring the pressure on the grip
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3635 with sound-emitting source

Abstract

Device and method for enabling practice of the turning-over movement of wrists during a golf swing without using a standard-size golf club. The device includes a shaft having a grip at one end and a length one half or less than the length of the standard size golf club and a golf ball attached to an opposite end of the shaft. By gripping the grip and swinging the shaft, the turning-over movement of the wrists during swinging of a standard-size golf club can be practiced. However, the device is smaller than a full size golf club and thus can be used in more situations, e.g., when sitting down in a chair or seat. The device can be provided with a voice-output capability to provide golf tips to the golfer practicing his or her swing.

Claims

1. A device for enabling practice of a golf swing without using a standard-size golf club, comprising:

a shaft having a grip at a first end, said shaft having a length about one half or less than the length of the standard-size golf club;

a termination member attached to a second end of said shaft opposite to said first end, said shaft, grip and termination member comprising a rigid structure which does not flex in use, whereby by gripping said grip and swinging said shaft, swinging of a standard-size golf club can be practiced; and

audio generating means arranged in said shaft to generate a plurality of different audible words, phrases or sentences which relate to instructional information about the golf swing,

said audio generating means comprising a processor, an audio speaker coupled to said processor, a battery for powering said processor and said speaker and a plurality of pressure sensors coupled to said processor for detecting use of the device, each of said sensors being arranged to activate said processor when use of the device is detected to cause said processor to direct said speaker to generate one of the plurality of different audible words, phrases or sentences each time said sensor detects use of the device,

each of said sensors causing said processor to direct said speaker to generate an audible word, phrase or

sentence selected from a respective subset of the plurality of different audible words, phrases or sentences, the subset including words, phrases or sentences which relate to a particular, different aspect of the golf swing,

each of said sensors including an associated indicia related to the subset of words, phrases or sentences generated by said speaker when pressure is applied to said sensor,

whereby by applying pressure to said sensors prior to the golf swing, words, phrases or sentences relating to the different aspects of the golf swing are generated.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said termination member is a golf ball, further comprising attachment means for removably attaching said golf ball to said second end of said shaft.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said shaft has a length of about 17.5 inches.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said grip has a length of about 11.5 inches.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said device has a total length of about 18.5 inches.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein said attachment means comprise screw threads formed at said second end of said shaft and a recess in said golf ball including screw threads arranged to engage with said screw threads at said second end of said shaft.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a switch arranged on an exterior surface of said shaft for controlling power provided by said battery.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said termination member is fixed to said second end of said shaft.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising attachment means for attaching said termination member to said shaft.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the termination member comprises an outer coating, said outer coating is made of an elastomeric material.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising attachment means for removably attaching said termination member to said second end of said shaft opposite to said first end.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said attachment means comprise screw threads formed at said second end of said shaft and a recess in said termination member including screw threads arranged to engage with said screw threads at said second end of said shaft.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to select a word, phrase or sentence from each subset randomly.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to direct said speaker to generate one of the plurality of different audible words, phrases or sentences as a function of the pressure detected by said pressure sensors.