Passive hand move swing aid device for golf and baseball   

Abstract: Starting the execution of an athletic swing from the apex, an individual's hands should initially move passively down and allow the present invention, comprising of a protruding extension spring integrated with a mounting clamp and securely attached to either a baseball bat or golf club slightly above the grip of the hands, to touch and bend by the trailing forearm prior to rotating the body strongly into the ball. The contact of the spring to the forearm before ball impact will give immediate feedback to the individual that the club is ideally moving downward past the trailing shoulder and forearm and acquiring potential energy for the swing. If the spring does not touch the trailing forearm during the execution of the swing, the lack of contact will indicate that the club is moving over the top of the trailing forearm. This indicates a leaking of power during the swing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is general difficulty in hitting a ball for consistency and power in sports that require swinging with a club, bat or other hitting equipment in sports such as golf, baseball, etc. Consequently, many attempts have been made to assist in the formation of either a swing or stroke that is repeating and reliable. Examples, of such attempts in the form of training devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 760,161 by Smith (5/1904); U.S. Pat. No. 2,462,955 by Glancey (3/1949); U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,881 by Hurwitz (1/1975); U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,721 by Trask Jr. (11/1975); U.S. Pat. No. 3,954,271 by Tredway (5/1976); U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,812 by Lorang (5/1977); U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,054 by Stewart (3/1979); U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,356 by Banks (10/1979); U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,426 by Cox (4/1991); U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,575 by Leith (12/1992); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,143 by Brock (12/1998). These have been herein incorporated by reference for information that they disclose in this field of endeavor.

SUMMARY

This particular invention is related to aiding in the training of an athletic swing as it pertains to the sports of golf, baseball, and softball. It is also related to a training aid type that attaches to either a club or bat for the benefit of immediately providing feedback on the execution of a swing. In golf and baseball, the evolution of the swing for power and consistency is ongoing. One element that has been identified as critical for a powerful swing is the passive drop of the hands from the apex moving down in a gentle fashion. This is followed by the explosive rotational move of the lower and upper body to powerfully bring the bat or club in contact with the ball.

Attachment devices have been offered previously that provide feedback to an individual\'s body in some form from the swinging equipment used. However, one element that has not been addressed in these previous devices is the gentle drop move that brings the hands down from the top of the swing and in turn allows either a bat or golf club to progress down past the trailing shoulder and forearm of the individual involved in the swing of the aforementioned sports. This move ensures that the club is moving into the ball from underneath the trailing forearm and shoulder instead of over the top. It is the goal of the present invention to provide improved feedback in this regard. The contact of the spring portion of the device to the trailing forearm after the down swing has been initiated from the top will ensure the hands and club are passively dropping down prior to an individual rotating through to finish the swing by making contact into the ball. Also the spring of the current device is flexible that allows for a free flowing swing down past the trailing forearm from the apex. Since, the spring is not a rigid component, there is minimal outside interference by the present invention, even during contact with the trailing forearm, inhibiting the natural progression of the swing. Muscle memory is allowed to develop in a natural manner that is key to a smooth swing.

The objective of the present invention is to promote the passive dropping of the hands from the top of the swing. The analysis of the modern swing in both baseball and golf has revealed that the club angle flattens on the move through to the ball. This is initiated by a drop move down of the hands that sets either the bat or club on an inside path to the ball and moves either the barrel or the shaft down past the trailing shoulder and forearm. The move of the hands allows for the initiation of a powerful and consistent swing through the building of potential energy from the apex.

The performance of this subtle drop of the hands is promoted by the present invention. The clamp of the current device is attached to either a bat or golf club near the grip of the hands in a position that does not interfere with an individual\'s extremities. When the clamp is tightened, the spring extension of the device should point in a northeast manner for right-handed batters and golfers. Conversely, the spring should point northwest for left-handed individuals when the device is clamped in place on the hitting equipment and the hands properly grip the club. When the individual has taken the club back to the top of the swing, the spring component of the device should not be in contact with any portion of the body. For golfers who have brought a club to the top of their back swing, the extension spring should be pointing directly down for a full driver swing. For batters in baseball and softball, the spring generally should be horizontal to the ground as most individuals hold a bat in a vertical manner.

While progressing with the swing towards the ball, other factors such as the weight shift from the trailing foot to the lead foot and maintaining the steady position of the head and spine angle cannot be ignored in order for a proper swing to be achieved. However, the drop move of the hands from the top of the swing is the key to developing power and consistency.

During the transitional phase as the weight of the body begins to move from the trailing foot to the lead foot, the subtle drop of the hands should begin as well. These moves must continue until the club has immediately past the trailing shoulder and forearm. That moment can be defined as the critical point when the person engaged in the swing begins the rotation of the upper and lower body in unison. The strong centrifugal force created by this rotation brings either the bat or golf club into the ball. However, the club needs to be brought correctly to the crucial slot for the rotation of the body and ultimately the entire swing to be effective. To ensure that the individual identifies this critical point in the swing when the club has been brought into the slot and plane that closely coincides with the position of the trailing forearm, the present device has been invented. When the current invention is applied to a club, and the hands drop the club from the top of the swing, the spring portion of the device touches the trailing forearm to alert the individual that the club has reached the crucial slot when the rotation of the body can begin.

During the rotation of the body the hands should not be moved in an active fashion. This means that the spring portion of the device should remain in contact with the forearm until the rotational force carries the club along with the present invention away from the body during the follow through of the swing.

The present invention has been constructed in a way so that it can be used consistently during swing practice. The device can remain attached to any club and bat until muscle memory of a preferred swing is achieved. It has also been devised to be compact in form to allow for easy storage and mobility.

FIG. 1 is a component view in perspective of all the items in unassembled form that comprise the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of all the components of the present invention in assembled form.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention attached and secured to a baseball bat.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention attached to a golf club.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention attached and aligned to a right-hand golf iron.

FIG. 6 is an outline drawing of a right-handed golfer standing in a right profile and holding a golf club with the attached invention at the top of the back swing also described as the apex.

FIG. 7 is an outline drawing of the golfer initiating the downswing by a downward drop of the hands.

FIG. 8 is an outline drawing of the golfer at the point where the spring portion of present invention is touching the trailing forearm.

FIG. 9 is an outline drawing of the golfer beginning the body rotation of the downswing with the present invention remaining in contact with the trailing forearm and the golf club in a position down past the trailing shoulder and forearm.

FIG. 10 is a frontal outline drawing of a right-handed batter holding a bat with the attached invention and initiating the swing with a drop down move of the hands.

FIG. 11 is an outline drawing of the right-handed batter beginning the body rotation segment of the baseball swing with present invention in contact with the trailing forearm and with the baseball bat moved down past the trailing shoulder and forearm.

FIG. 12 is an outline drawing that superimposes the various stages of a golf swing and identifies an ideal path of the club dropping down past the trailing shoulder and forearm in route to the impact of a ball. A dashed arrow signifies the correct virtual path of the club head of a golf club.

FIG. 13 is an outline drawing that identifies the various stages of an incorrect golf swing path. The club moves over top the right shoulder and forearm and the present invention does not make contact with the trailing forearm. A dashed arrow is illustrated to identify the incorrect virtual route of the club head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference numerals have been implemented in the drawings to identify corresponding parts that are visible in either one or several illustrations and are directly detailed in the descriptions below.

The perspective view in FIG. 1 identifies the clamp component (1) that is used to attach the present invention, once fully assembled, to either a golf club or a bat. The clamp bolt (2) and wing nut (3) are fastened together as well as threaded through the clamp holes (4) and tightened when the invention has been properly positioned on either a baseball bat or golf club. The clamp bolt is used for initial fastening and the wing nut is utilized for final tightening to the handle portion of the swinging equipment. The main assembly bolt (5) is threaded through the main mounting hole (6) of the clamp. The main assembly bolt is fastened to the clamp using the main assembly nut (7). The extension spring (8) is threaded and tightened onto the exposed threads of the main assembly bolt. The coil spirals of the extension spring have similar properties to the main assembly nut with regards to the inner diameter that allow for the main assembly bolt to be fastened. Flexible tubing (9) finalizes the unit by covering the exterior of the coils of the extension spring and shrunk to size by heating to tightly blanket the spring.

FIG. 2 reveals the present invention in assembled form (10) and the flexible tubing after being conformed to size over the extension spring through heat treatment. The tubing provides a sturdy but pliable covering for the coils that allows the spring to remain flexible and to not inhibit the swing of the individual during use with either a club or bat.

FIG. 3 offers the general placement of the present invention (10) on the handle portion of a either a softball or baseball bat (11).

FIG. 4 illustrates the general positioning of the present invention (10) near the grip area of a golf club (12) and away from the toe (13). The device is affixed roughly the length of an individual\'s finger away from the grip of the hands as to not inhibit the motion of the hands during the progression of a swing.

In FIG. 5 the toe of a golf club (13) and the present invention (10) can be observed in this top-view illustration. The toe of the club is oriented north and the device is affixed in a northeast direction. This is the ideal position of the present invention for use by either a right-handed golfer or batter. Conversely the present invention would be affixed in a northwest direction to be in the ideal position for a left-handed swinger.

In FIG. 6 the illustration portrays a golfer at the top of the backswing. The present invention (10) is attached to a golf club (12) and the extension spring portion is pointing down towards the ground. The spring element of the device is not in contact with any portion of the individual\'s body. This would hold true for a batter at the top of the swing as well.

FIG. 7 illustrates the golfer\'s hands dropping down from the top of the back swing. As a result, the present invention has also dropped to the point immediately prior to the spring element of the device (10) attaining contact with the trailing forearm (14) of the golfer. The golf club shaft is also on a path that passes down near the trailing shoulder (15). This position is an indication that the club is moving on an ideal swing plane to the ball for the purpose of generating a powerful shot with directional consistency. The body\'s weight has also shifted to the leading left foot.

The drawing in FIG. 8 reveals the critical point in the swing. The present invention (10) is in contact with the trailing forearm (14) and the spring element of the device is slightly bent which is an indication that the club is moving down past the trailing forearm and the device is not inhibiting the motion of the club and body during the swing. The shaft of the golf club has already past down the trailing shoulder. Since the spring element of the device has reached contact with the trailing forearm, the golfer is now aware of the proximity of the present invention to the right extremity through the sense of touch. This awareness is the indicator that the upper and lower body can begin a simultaneous rotation in a counterclockwise direction and bring the club to the hitting point with the ball. For a left-handed swinger, the rotation would be clockwise.

FIG. 9 reveals the rotation portion of the swing for a right-handed individual. The upper torso and hips are moving in unison and the body\'s right side is turning forward into closer proximity with the impact area. Conversely, the left shoulder and left hip are moving away from the target. The shaft of the golf club has moved down past the right forearm that indicates an ideal path of the club into contact with the ball. The present invention (10) is still in contact with the right trailing forearm which correctly indicates that the hands are not overpowering the swing. As in a powerful swing, the rotation of the body is driving the club into the ball and not the hands. As the protruding element of the present invention is an extension spring, the device does not inhibit the movement of the club down past the trailing forearm. This is illustrated in the bent position of the device (10) in both FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a frontal view of a right-handed batter. The batter\'s hands have dropped from the top of the swing. As a result, the present invention (10) has also dropped to the point immediately prior to the spring portion of the device reaching contact with the trailing forearm (14) of the batter. In these respects, a baseball swing is very similar to the swing in golf to generate power. The initial dropping of the hands from the top of the swing is critical. The barrel of the bat (11) is also on a path that passes down near the trailing shoulder (15). As with golf, this path is an indication that the bat is moving on an ideal swing plane for generating power by gaining potential energy and making contact with the ball with substantial velocity.

FIG. 11 reveals the rotation portion of the right-handed baseball swing in full progress. The upper and lower body have moved in unison and have brought the bat past down the trailing forearm. This position of the bat indicates an ideal path to the ball. The present invention (10) remains in contact with the right trailing forearm that indicates the body\'s rotation is powering the swing and the hands are passive. The spring element of the device is bent which by necessity prevents the present invention from interfering with the movement of the bat down past the trailing shoulder and forearm.

The dashed arrow in FIG. 12 indicates the proper virtual plane of a swing. The superimposed drawings illustrate snapshots during various moments of the swing. From the top of the swing, the shaft of the club moves down past the trailing shoulder and forearm. As noted previously, the present invention (10) while remaining in contact with the trailing forearm provides immediate feedback to the individual that the swing is on the correct plane to a ball to generate power and consistency. Also, the extension spring is bent indicating the contact is not inhibiting movement in the swing. Corroborating evidence that the swing is moving on an ideal path to the impact zone is the toe of the club (13) positioned underneath the trailing forearm (14).

In FIG. 13, the dashed arrow provides insight into to line of motion of a club during an incorrect swing plane. The illustration is a composite of superimposed snapshots of a golfer executing an over-the-top swing. The drawing reveals that the club does not pass down near the trailing shoulder and forearm during the individual\'s progression to the ball. Instead, the toe of the club has moved outside of the trailing forearm (14). This is a result of the passive drop move of the hands not being implemented at the top of the swing. The rotation of the shoulders has been used to initiate the down swing. This has brought the club on a swing plane much more vertical than shown in the illustration in FIG. 12. The over-the-top move leads to inconsistent shots and leaks power from the swing due to the drastic sideswipe move of the club into the ball. Throughout the swing, the present invention (10) does not fall in contact with the trailing forearm of the swing as indicated by its straightness. The present invention\'s lack of contact with the forearm provides feedback to the individual indicating that the downward progress of the swing was not initiated with a passive drop of the hands. This provides immediate feedback to the individual that the swing has moved on an incorrect swing plane.