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Golf swing training devices and methodsRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Practice Swingable Implement Or Indicator Associated With Swingable Implement, With Lighting (e.g., Laser, Etc.) Means Attachable To Or Integral With ImplementGolf swing training devices and methods description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070142119, Golf swing training devices and methods. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/750,909, filed Dec. 16, 2005, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to devices and methods for assisting golfers in improving their golf swing and in particular to providing a light emitting device, such as a laser device, mounted to a strategic position on the body or clothing of a golfer to provide visual training cues. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Proper golf swing mechanics are required in order to strike a golf ball solidly so that the golf ball travels in a desired direction. A golf swing includes several components, including but not limited to stance, hand position, backswing, weight shift, swing plane, downswing, follow through, finish and swing tempo. According to some experts the golf swing includes over twenty different aspects, wherein incorrect execution of any one will result in imperfect striking of the ball. Most golf swing aid devices focus on addressing only one aspect of the golf swing, however, to date, none have provided a device capable of addressing most of the major swing flaws. Thus there is a need for a device that assists golfers in correcting major swing flaws. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] A golf swing aid device, system and a method for using the same to assist a golfer in tracking a golf-swing is described. A device in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes at least one light emitting device, such as a laser, to provide a visual aid to a golfer. The visual aid assists the golfer in tracking at least one component of his golf swing through a swing plane. Multiple light emitting devices may be used together in a system by the golfer to assist in training the golfer to use proper form while performing the golf swing. In at least one embodiment of the invention, one of the light emitting devices emits a rotatable visual aid such as but not limited to a cross shape. In this embodiment, the light emitting device is secured to the golfer's wrist and the visual aid enables the golfer to detect rotation of his hands while performing the golf swing. In another embodiment, a device in accordance with the present invention is securable to the midsection of a golfer providing a visual aid enabling the golfer to detect incorrect movement of the body with respect to the golf ball. In yet another embodiment, the device is securable to the head area of the golfer and the visual aid enables the golfer to detect head movement or other movement of the body reflected in the movement of the visual aid. A system in accordance with the invention is provided employ any combination of devices to assist a golfer in improving his or her golf swing. The device may be ergonomically shaped to conform to different attachment points of the golfer or her clothing. The device may also be adjustable to control direction of the light beam. [0005] In one embodiment the system includes multiple light emitting devices for providing multiple visual aids to the golfer to assist the golfer in tracking a golf swing. In another embodiment a mat is provided including indicia that are usable in conjunction with devices in accordance with the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. [0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with the present invention; [0008] FIG. 1A is a front view of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of a device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; [0010] FIG. 2A is a front view of a device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of a golfer employing one or more embodiments of the present invention; and [0012] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0013] In the following description for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the present invention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to phrases such as "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of phrases such as "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. [0014] Now referring to FIG. 1, in one aspect the present invention includes a light emitting device 2 having a housing 4 and a light emitting end 6 having an aperture 8 capable of producing a light beam 30, and a securing device 12. One example of a suitable light emitting device 2 is a laser pointer commercially available from companies such as ZHUMELL of Proctor, Minn. and APOLLO of Palo Alto, Calif. The housing 4 may be made of hard materials such as plastic, metal, wood, resin, acrylic, polycarbonate and polyacrylate. Light emitting device 2 preferably includes a timer (not shown). Securing device 12 is adapted to secure the light emitting device 2 to the clothing or body of a golfer at a selected position. The securing device 12 may be any suitable securing device such as but not limited to a strap, a clip, a cuff, a clamp, a band such as a VELCRO band, or the like. [0015] Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 2A, in one embodiment the light emitting device 2 comprises a pivoting arm 14 extending therefrom so that the angle of the beam 30 is adjustable and includes a securing device 12. For example, in one embodiment a light emitting device 2 is adapted to be mounted to the mid-section of a golfer, preferably the waist or belt area. In such an embodiment light emitting device 2 may comprise a pivot arm 14 and a securing device 12 whereby the securing device 12 can be secured to a waist band or a belt by tucking behind the belt, or by clipping thereto as will be apparent to the skilled artisan, and the light emitting device 2 and pivot arm 14 extending therefrom is adjustable to aim a beam 30 at a golf ball at address or another desired location. A pivot arm locking knob 18 may be included to maintain the pivot arm 14 at an angle selected by the golfer. In this manner, the light emitting device 2 is fixed so as to track a beam 30 reflecting the golfer's hip rotation and movement to determine whether there is a deviation from the proper swing. The proper swing should trace the beam 30 through the golf ball. [0016] Now referring to FIG. 3, in accordance with one embodiment, in practice, a waist mounted light emitting device 2B ("B" signifying "belt") is preferably a laser and is attached for example to a belt 50 of a golfer. The golfer turns on the laser 2B at address and positions the laser to point a beam 30B ("B" signifying "belt beam") directly over the golf ball prior to the start of the swing. The beam 30B moves back consistent with the back swing of the golfer a short distance and as the turn is made by the golfer, the beam 30B makes a path P.sub.B roughly tracking a semicircle as seen in FIG. 4. In the down swing the beam 30B ideally follows the same path P.sub.B back to the ball in order for a proper swing to be executed. The beam 30B should take roughly the same path on the forward swing as it did on the backswing. In other words, the beam 30B will track a semicircular or arcuate pattern as shown in FIG. 4, preferably at no time diverting from the path P.sub.B. The beam 30B will track a path that is incorrect if the golfer changes a knee or spine angle. It is well known that a majority of golfers, in the downswing, do not maintain a knee or spine angle and therefore, move several inches to a foot or more away from the ball, thus causing a slap or weak shot (to the right for right-handed golfers, to the left for left-handed golfers) because the club head is open (not square). Many golfers will "top" the ball as a result of improper motion and movement away from proper knee or spine angle, which results in a loss of distance and accuracy. It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that the waist-mounted device 2B is intended to detect changing knee and/or spine angle during the swing, or other flaws that cause the golfer to "come off" the ball during the swing. Accordingly, while the discussion of the proper track of the beam 30B refers herein to a semicircle or arc shape, the precise shape of the track may vary among individual golfers. [0017] Employing a laser 2B positioned along the mid-section of the golfer's body, a practice tool is provided in which a golfer can familiarize himself with the moves the body should make during a proper golf swing. The golfer is able to see the beam 30B track the proper swing path P.sub.B while the golfer is actually making the swing, training via muscle memory the golfer to become familiar with the proper swing. In another embodiment, using the help of a swing professional a golfer can mark the ground with the proper swing path P.sub.B beam 30B should follow. Now referring to FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment, a practice mat 100 is shown that includes indicia representing path P.sub.B and path P.sub.W described hereinbelow. Mat 100 may further include indicia 110 for proper foot placement and/or indicia 120 for aligning a beam 2C and beam 30C, described in detail hereinbelow. [0018] Now referring to FIG. 3, a further embodiment comprises a device 2C adapted to be secured via a clip or other suitable attachment device 12 to headgear 60 such as a headband, cap or hat to assist a golfer in maintaining proper head position. In one embodiment, device 2C is secured in a pocket formed in a sleeve (not shown) from which extends the securing device 12. The sleeve may be made from any suitable material such as but not limited to cloth, elastic fabric, neoprene or spandex and may be formed integrally with the headgear 60. Continue reading about Golf swing training devices and methods... Full patent description for Golf swing training devices and methods Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Golf swing training devices and methods patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Golf swing training devices and methods or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Billiard cue chalk having a scuffer with a scuffer guard Next Patent Application: Golf club Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Golf swing training devices and methods patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.13076 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , 174 |
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