Training apparatus for improving a golf swing

• US 7,815,518 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2008
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert S. Doyle
• Original Assignee: Robert S. Doyle
• Inventors: Doyle, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu; Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US12/287,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20090105006A1
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 473/207, 473/208, 473/219, 473/227, 473/266, 473/274
• US Class Current: 473/274
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/026 stabilised by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4003 to the head; to the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0059 worn by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3621 Contacting or non-contacting mechanical means for guiding the swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3629 Visual means not attached to the body for aligning, positioning the trainee's head or for detecting head movement, e.g. by parallax

Abstract

In the basic embodiment, the golf training device is a support rod, a first end of which is secured to a hinged mechanism, the hinged mechanism being secured to a support, the opposing end of the support rod having secured thereto a head piece or helmet which is engageable with the upper portion of the head or skull of an individual, the support rod extending a sufficient distance from its support and hinge mechanism to allow an individual to execute a golf swing while the head piece is positioned on the golfer'"'"'s head.

Claims

1. A golf training apparatus for providing tactile feedback to a golfer in detecting movement of the head of a golfer while a golfer executes a golf swing, the training apparatus comprising:

a support frame including a pair of horizontal base supports in spaced apart parallel relationship, each base support having a first end and a second end, said first ends secured to upstanding leg supports, said upstanding leg supports forming an acute angle with said base supports, said upstanding leg supports terminating in a cross member extending between said upstanding leg supports, and

a swivel hinge mounted to said cross member, said swivel hinge rotatable about said cross member, said swivel hinge having secured thereto a first end of an extended support arm, and

a head piece, said head piece comprising a hollow spherical section adapted to fit about the forehead and upper head portion of a golfer, said head piece secured to a second end of said extended support arm allowing said golfer to execute a golf swing.

2. The golf swing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said swivel hinge is T-shaped and said extended support arm is adjustable in a vertical plane to accommodate golfers of varying heights.

3. The golf training apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said head piece allows said golfer'"'"'s head to rotate laterally when making a golf swing.

4. The golf training apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said acute angle formed between said upstanding supports and said horizontal base supports is between 70°

and 85°

.

5. The golf training apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second end of said base supports extend arcuately upward from said underlying support and are secured to said respective upstanding legs.

6. The golf training apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said base support legs are formed with receptacles for receipt of stabilizing weight.

7. The golf training apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said head piece is positioned within a golf cap.

8. The golf training apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said head piece is secured to said extended support arm by a resilient, flexible connector secured within said extended support arm, said connector having a flexible, resilient depending arm securing a flexible, resilient base member having a plurality of apertures for securing said connector to said head piece.

9. A golf training apparatus for providing tactile feedback to a golfer in detecting movement of the head of the golfer while the golfer executes a golf swing with a golf club, the training apparatus comprising:

a support arm having a first end and a second end, said first end of said support arm secured to a hinge member, said hinge member secured to a support, said hinge member permitting said support arm to angularly rotate in a vertical plane, said second end of said support arm having a head piece secured thereto, said head piece comprising a hollow spherical section adapted to fit about the forehead and upper head portion of a golfer, and providing tactile feedback to the golfer regarding head movement during the execution of a golf swing, said head piece is secured to said extended support arm by a resilient, flexible connector secured within said extended support arm, said connector having a flexible, resilient depending arm securing a flexible, resilient base member having a plurality of apertures for securing said connector to said head piece.

10. The golf training apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said head piece allows said golfer'"'"'s head to rotate laterally when making a golf swing.

11. The golf training apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said head piece is positioned within a golf cap.