Golf swing training device

Abstract

A golf swing training device for regulating the distance of the elbow of the dominant arm from the side of the body of a user during a golf swing.

Claims

1. A golf swing training device comprising a shoulder strap assembly (2), an elbow restraint assembly (4) and a connecting strap member (6), configured to regulate a distance of an elbow of a dominant arm of a user from the side of a body, by resiliently biasing said elbow against the side of the body of the user, wherein an elbow restraint assembly (4) comprises two stretchable bands (24, 26), being adaptable for receiving the elbow of the dominant arm both above and below the elbow joint of the user, and wherein said shoulder strap assembly (2) comprises a shoulder loop (8), said shoulder loop (8) being adaptable for receiving a shoulder of the dominant arm.

2. A golf swing training device according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder loop (8) extends below an armpit and over the shoulder of the dominant arm of the user.

3. A golf swing training device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting strap member (6) is retained in a position in which it extends horizontally across in front of the body and couples said shoulder strap assembly (2) to said elbow restraint assembly (4).

4. A golf swing training device according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder strap assembly (2) comprises a further strap member (12), typically extending diagonally across in front of the body, around a lateral edge of the mid-ribcage and diagonally across a back of the body, said further strap member (12) connected to said shoulder loop (8) by a releasable connecting means (14).

5. A golf swing training device according to claim 4, wherein said releasable connecting means (14) comprises a side release buckle (14).

6. A golf swing training device according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder strap assembly (2), elbow restraint assembly (4) and connecting strap member (6) comprises any flexible material that is able to be shaped or fastened.

7. A golf swing training device according to claim 6, wherein the flexible material comprises leather, cotton, linen, flax, polypropylene and other woven plastics or fibres; optionally the material comprises webbing.

8. A golf swing training device according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder strap assembly (2), elbow restraint assembly (4) and connecting strap member (6) are adjustable to a user selected circumference.

9. A golf swing training device according to claim 8, wherein said shoulder strap assembly (2), elbow restraint assembly (4) and connecting strap member (6) are adjustable to a user selected circumference by an adjustable slide fastening means (16, 20, 22).

10. A golf swing training device according to claim 9, wherein said adjustable slide fastening means comprises a ladder lock buckle (16, 20, 22).

11. A golf swing training device according to claim 1, wherein the device is available for use by both left-handed and right-handed golfers without modification.

12. A method of developing a golf swing of a golfer comprising the steps of: a) providing a golf swing training device comprising: a shoulder strap assembly (2), an elbow restraint assembly (4) and a connecting strap member (6) coupling said shoulder strap assembly (2) to said elbow restraint assembly (4), wherein the connecting strap member (6) is configured to regulate a distance of an elbow of a dominant arm from a side of a body throughout the swing by resiliently biasing said elbow against the side of the body, and wherein the elbow restraint assembly comprises two stretchable bands (24, 26), being adaptable for receiving the elbow of the dominant arm of a user both above and below an elbow joint of a user; b) placing said elbow restraint assembly (4) around the elbow of the dominant arm; c) placing said shoulder strap assembly (2) around the shoulder of the dominant arm and torso of the user; and d) executing a golf swing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of the shoulder loop of the shoulder strap assembly of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a back view of the shoulder strap assembly according to the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a lateral view of the shoulder strap assembly and connecting strap member, demonstrating their coupling, according to the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a front view of the elbow restraint assembly, connecting strap member and diagonal shoulder strap member of the shoulder strap assembly according to the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the elbow restraint assembly according to the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a front view of the training device of the present invention, in use by the golfer at the top of the backswing.

(8) With reference to the drawings, the golf swing training device of the present invention comprises a shoulder strap assembly 2, an elbow restraint assembly 4, and a connecting strap member 6, extending horizontally along the front of the body, coupling the shoulder strap assembly 2 to the elbow restraint assembly 4.

(9) The shoulder strap assembly 2 comprises a shoulder loop 8 which is adapted to be worn by the golfer around the shoulder of the dominant hand. For right-handed golfers, the shoulder loop 8 is worn around the golfer's right shoulder and similarly, for left-handed golfers the shoulder loop 8 is worn around the left shoulder. The shoulder strap assembly 2 comprises a further strap member 12 which is arranged to extend diagonally across the front of the body, around the lateral edge of the mid-ribcage and diagonally across the back of the body to the base of the shoulder loop 8, situated upon the rear shoulder blade of the dominant arm.

(10) Suitable means for connecting the shoulder loop 8 to the further strap member 8 include a side release buckle 14 comprising a female end connected to the shoulder loop 8 and a male end connected to the further strap member 12.

(11) At the male end of the side release buckle 14 there is included an adjustable slide fastener 16 attached thereto as shown in FIG. 1. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable slide fastener 16 is locatable on the front of the user's body and comprises a ladder lock buckle 16. This adjustable slide fastener 16 allows adjustment of the circumference of the further strap member 12, so as to achieve the desired fit around the chest/upper torso.

(12) Connected to the further strap member 12 at mid ribcage level on the opposite side to the dominant hand is a connecting strap member 6.

(13) The connecting strap member 6 is connected to the further strap member 12 via a D-loop ring 18, as shown in FIG. 3. This adjoins the two strap members via looped ends, stitched onto the ends of the connecting strap member 6 and further strap member 12. The connection point occurs at the mid-ribcage level at the back of the body. This ensures that tension is created in the connecting strap member 6 as it is pulled tight to the contours of the body, wrapping around the lateral edge of the non-dominant ribcage and extending horizontally across the front of the body to the elbow restraint assembly 4.

(14) The connecting strap member 6 comprises a band which extends horizontally across the body at mid ribcage level to an elbow restraint assembly 4 positioned around the elbow joint of the dominant arm. Further, the connecting strap member 6 is affixed to an adjustable slide fastener 20 that is slideable along an intermediate length of the connecting strap member 6. The length of the connecting strap member 6 is fully adjustable, to accommodate different size of person. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this adjustable slide fastener 20 is a ladder lock buckle 20. Further, the length of the connecting strap member 6 may be adjustable to regulate the distance of the dominant hand from the side of the body during the swing.

(15) The connecting strap member 6 is connected to the elbow restraint assembly 4 via a ladder lock buckle 22. This buckle 22 comprises three slots. One slot allows the connecting strap member to be threaded through, and the other two allow the stretchable bands of the elbow restraint assembly to be threaded through. This ensures the coupling of the elbow restraint assembly 4 and the connecting strap member 6.

(16) The elbow restraint assembly 6 comprises two stretchable straps 24, 26 which cradle the elbow both above and below the joint, whilst also allowing freedom of movement around the joint throughout the swing. A first stretchable band 26 encompasses the circumference of the lower triceps, directly adjacent the elbow joint and threads through the ladder lock buckle 22 situated at the medial front face of the elbow joint. A second stretchable band 24 encompasses the circumference of the forearm, directly adjacent the elbow joint and again threads through the ladder lock buckle 22 situated at the medial front face of the elbow joint.

(17) In operative use the training device is fitted upon the person and fully adjusted to the required dimensions. The elbow restraint assembly 4 is placed around the dominant arm and cradles the elbow both above and below the joint of the user. The shoulder strap assembly 2 is then secured around the torso and adjustably fitted to the user selected dimensions. The tension present in the connecting strap member 6 prevents any significant outward movement of the elbow of the dominant hand from the side of the body and resiliently biases the elbow thereto. Throughout the motion of the swing the biasing of the elbow of the dominant hand against the side of the body forces the elbow into a correct movement path and reinforces correct arm/body positioning at the top of the back swing, thereby providing a correct reference point for the start of the downswing. This prevents any out to in swing movement across the swing path.

(18) After the device has been worn for a comparatively short period of time, muscular coordination will have been developed and the correct movement may be performed without conscious effort.

(19) The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.