GOLF TRAINING APPARATUS

Abstract

A golf training apparatus for providing fundamentals for making a proper shoulder turn while executing a golf swing. The apparatus includes a garment with at least one pocket secured to the garment. The at least one pocket has a plurality of openings, and a rod that can be inserted into the openings of the at least one pocket.

Claims

1. A golf training apparatus comprising: a garment; at least one pocket secured to the garment, the pocket having at least two openings; a channel formed between the at least two openings; and a removeable rod inserted into the channel.

2. The golf training apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first opening of the at least two openings on a first end of the at least one pocket.

3. The golf training apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second opening of the at least two openings on a second end of the at least one pocket, wherein the second end is opposite the first end.

4. The golf training apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the removeable rod is inserted into the channel through the first opening or the second opening, and wherein the removeable rod protrudes through an opening opposite the first opening or the second opening.

5. The golf training apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the channel extends from the first opening to the second opening, and any space between therethrough.

6. The golf training apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the rod has a diameter ranging from ⅛″ to 4″.

7. The golf training apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a surface area of an interior space of the channel is slightly larger than the diameter of the rod.

8. The golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the garment further comprises a sensor and a sensor attachment, wherein the sensor is configured to transfer data from a wearer of the golf training apparatus, to an application.

9. The golf training apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the garment comprises a piece of clothing for covering a torso of a human body.

10. The golf training apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the piece of clothing is selected from the group consisting of t-shirts, polo shirts, shirts, sweaters, jackets, and jerseys.

11. The golf training apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the garment is a shirt.

12. The golf training apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the channel extends in a lateral direction across a chest area of the shirt.

13. The golf training apparatus according to claim 12 wherein a length of the rod extends beyond the chest area of the shirt in at least one direction.

14. The golf training apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the rod has a length ranging from 1 inch to 50 inches.

15. The golf training apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the garment comprises a piece of clothing for covering a lower body.

16. The golf training apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the piece of clothing is selected from the group consisting of shorts, pants, and capris.

17. The golf training apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the garment comprises a hat.

18. A golf training apparatus comprising: a garment, wherein the garment is a piece of clothing configured to be worn on a torso of a human body; at least one channel secured to an inside of the garment, wherein the at least one channel comprises at least one section; a plurality of openings on at least one end of the channel, wherein the plurality of openings provide access to the at least one channel from an outside of the garment; and a rod configured to fit inside the at least one channel.

19. The golf training apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the at least one channel extends laterally across a chest section of the garment.

20. The golf training apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the rod comprises a length, wherein the length is greater than a lateral width of the at least one channel, and wherein the rod extends laterally across the chest section of the garment through the at least one channel, configured to protrude from at least one opening of the at least one channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a golfer using a golf training apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a golf training apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0015] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a golf training apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 4 shows a front view of a garment as part of a golf training apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a garment as part of the golf training apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

[0018] FIG. 6 shows an everted front view of a garment as part of the golf training apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

[0019] FIG. 7 shows a partial everted view of a garment as part of a golf training apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 8 shows a partial front view of a golf training apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 9 shows a partial front view of a golf training apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a golf training apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 11 shows a golf training apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; and

[0024] FIG. 12 shows a golf training apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The apparatus of the claimed invention includes an alignment stick or rod inserted into a garment. The rod provides visual feedback to a golfer as he or she is making a turn throughout a golf swing. The alignment stick/rod provides visual indicators that a proper golf turn is being accomplished by allowing a golfer to properly practice positions of backswing (left shoulder under chin), impact (shoulders parallel to the ground) and follow through or finish (left shoulder point left of target), among others.

[0026] When making a proper shoulder turn during a golf swing, an end of the rod points at the golf ball the golfer is aiming to make contact with. The end of the rod may also point slightly past the ball depending on the specific golfer's flexibility level. Visual cues provided by the golf training apparatus deliver immediate feedback that can be used by the golfer with or without a golf club, or while hitting golf balls.

[0027] While utilizing the golf training apparel apparatus, a golfer is able to feel how the upper body (the shoulders and chest) should properly turn in relation to the lower body (hips, legs and feet) to create proper resistance for a successful golf swing. The golf training apparatus allows the golfer to feel the proper torque needed to generate an increase in club head speed using the muscles of the golfer's torso. The muscles of the lower body, head and neck, are also important and can be monitored by the apparatus as well.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a golf training apparatus 100 being utilized by a golfer during a golf swing. The golf training apparatus 100 provides indicators of proper alignment and other form to maintain and/or improve a golf swing and stance. As shown in FIG. 2, the golf training apparatus 100 primarily includes a garment 102 (shown as a shirt 152 in this embodiment covering a torso portion 150 of the body), and a removeable rod 108 that is removably integrated with the garment 102. The removeable rod 108 may also be referred to as an alignment stick or rotational rod. When the rod 108 is added to the garment, the rod 108 provides and teaches proper alignment fundamentals on how to square up a golfer's body to a target line by adding a rigid placement that pushes against a user's shoulders when executing a golf swing. The rod provides the golfer with the ability to properly align his or her shoulders to their feet by making sure the shoulders and feet are parallel or square to the target line.

[0029] The garment 102 includes a plurality of openings 106 across a chest area 128 of the torso 150. The plurality of openings 106 provide access point(s) on the garment 102 through which the rod 108 can be inserted. A length 140 of the rod 108 protrudes through openings 106a and 106b, so that the length 140 of the rod 108 extends past shoulders of a wearer. A portion of the rod 108 sits inside a channel 110 on the garment 102. The channel 110 holds the rod 108 in place when the apparatus is in use by a golfer. The rod 108 may vary in length depending on the size of the golfer and subsequent garment 102. The rod 108 acts as an alignment stick that may be inserted into the channel 110 to maintain a rigid appearance across the chest of the golfer wearing the golf training apparatus 100.

[0030] The length of the accompanying rod can range anywhere between 1 inch and 50 inches, preferably 6 inches to 48 inches in length. The rod may be even greater in length depending upon the specific sport and training exercise the apparatus is being used for. For example, a longer rod may be desired to interact with a user's shoulders when making a full (long drive) golf swing. A shorter rod may be used for shorter game practice (such as putting or chipping). For shorter game practice, a shorter rod may be placed in the garment and may not protrude all the way through the channel. In such a case, a rod can be desirably placed on only the right of left side of the channel. Additionally, the rod is preferably cylindrical, although other shapes such as triangular, rectangular, or oval may be used. In additional embodiments, the apparatus may include more than one rod at variable lengths, diameters, and shapes.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows the apparatus 100 with a garment 102 according to one embodiment of the invention where the rod 108 is visible on an outside of the chest area 128 of the garment 102 through openings 106. This embodiment does not necessarily include a channel.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a shirt 152 according to the apparatus, without the rod. As shown, the channel 110 and openings 106 appear as merely an aesthetic feature of the shirt 152 when the rod is not being used. Such a feature can include a stripe, as shown, or any other aesthetically pleasing design such as, but not limited to, a screen-printed design on the channel. Such aesthetics help conceal the alignment features of the garment when the apparatus is not in use. The openings can also be concealed in the aesthetic features of the garment. The openings can also be manufactured to stand out against the garment so as to better identify the openings against the channel and/or garment, such as with a screen-printed identifying mark or colored stitching 170 as shown in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the openings include elastic loops or other elastic pieces at entrances to the openings on the channel. This elastic feature can aid to conceal the openings when not in use, and can also hold the rod more tightly in place inside the channel when in use. A lateral width 148 of the channel 110 extends across at least a portion of the chest area 128. The shirt 152 can also be any suitable garment to wear while golfing such as, but not limited to: t-shirts, polos, pull-overs, vests, jackets and sweaters. Therefore, the subsequent channel and openings may vary in size and shape based on the garment selected for wear.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows an outside 144 of a garment 102 also without the rod. As shown, the garment 102 includes at least one pocket 104 imbedded on the garment 102. The at least one pocket 104 houses the channel 110 through which the rod can be placed. In this embodiment, the garment 102 includes two pockets 104. The two pockets 104 are split along a center of the garment 102 to account for the aesthetic features of the garment 102 (such as a V-neck or polo shirt). As such, the channel 110 is divided into two sections 142. The channel 110 is therefore adjacent to four openings 106a, 106b, 106c, and 106d. While this garment 102 has a divided channel 110 and two pockets 104, the channel and pockets remain uniformly aligned so that a rod 108 (not shown here) can be inserted through all the openings 106, from a first end 112 of a pocket 104, through a second end 114 of a pocket 104 (or vise versa).

[0034] A garment with multiple sections can mean certain embodiments of the apparatus can include multiple rods, channels, and pockets and/or different length rods and orientations. For example, a singular, one-piece channel may be used for a shirt with no separation across the chest area or neckline (such as a standard t-shirt). A channel with two sections may be used for a shirt, such as a polo, that has buttons, hook and loop closure, or zipper portions across the chest area of the shirt. A channel with two sections may have two uneven sections, such as quarter, half or ¾-sized sections in relation to the overall garment. Certain garments will require specific size and locations of sections of channels depending on training requirements and apparel logistics.

[0035] The overall fit of the garment 102 on the golfer is preferably a snug, tapered fit with minimum free-flowing movement of the garment fabric. This insures that the rod 108 will stay relatively in place when the golfer utilizes it for proper alignment techniques (as opposed to more loosely fitted clothing). However, the overall fit of the garment 102 may vary in size, fit, and also in fabric such as cotton, polyester, wool, elastane, spandex and any combination thereof. Likewise, the material of the at least one pocket 104 may be designed to further aid in holding the rod 108 securely in place while the golfer practices swinging or hitting golf balls. Such an example includes using a fabric with a higher elastic or elastane content for both the pocket(s) and/or channel(s).

[0036] FIG. 6 shows the garment 102 everted, showing an inside 146 of the garment 102. An interior space 116 of the channel 110 includes a surface area 118 that is sized and shaped slightly larger than a diameter of the rod (shown in more detail in FIG. 7). Therefore, when the rod is inserted through the channel(s) 110, the rod fits snuggly in place to accommodate movement of the wearer when executing a golf swing or other movements. The openings 106 may be accessed directly, or they may also be opened and closed via hook and loop closures, snaps, buttons, magnetic components and the like. The rod 108 may be inserted at any one or more openings 106 on the garment 102. The channel 110 can hold and fit a rod 108 the measures anywhere from ⅛ in to 4 inches thick in diameter, preferably ¼ in. to 5/16 in. The diameter of each channel pocket needed to hold the accompanied rod can therefore also vary and may range anywhere from ¼ in to 5 inches in diameter, preferably ¼ in to 3 inches.

[0037] The placement and size of channel(s) and/or pocket(s) can vary based upon apparel type, and the diameter and length of the accompanied rod(s). The channel pockets can also vary based on a weight of rod(s), the technological advancement of (or use of) an additional general alignment stick (as known in the art, discussed above), and positioning made relative to a specific sport (such as sports other than golf). For example, different weights, placements, and alignments can be attained for jerseys or other uniforms for sports like football, baseball, basketball, tennis and soccer (among others). The apparatus can provide trainers and athletes alike from any number of sports or activities with fundamental teachings for making a proper body rotation, turn, or move, ultimately resulting in effective athletic movements.

[0038] When using the apparatus 100 in conjunction with an additional alignment stick, a first alignment stick may be placed on the ground and run parallel to a golfer's feet so that the feet are in a straight line. When the alignment stick on the ground and the golf training apparatus are aligned, there can be an indicator or signal that the player's feet and shoulders are aligned parallel to a target.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows a close-up view of a portion of the inside 146 of the garment 102. The pocket 104 and channel 110 are sewn into the garment from the inside 146. The channel is designed to be attached into a piece of apparel using various methods and materials. These materials may include, but are not limited to, stitching with various materials, buttons, and hook and loop closures. These materials may also be considered for placement into an external strap, harness, or by other means necessary to provide maximum training performance. The channel(s) and pocket(s) that are attached to the garment are built in a way that allows for easy insertion and removal of the rod by a trainee and/or individual user.

[0040] The materials that can be used to create the channels and pockets can vary and be of any type of fabric such as: cloth, spandex, and neoprene material, among others. The material used should be best suited to provide maximum training performance for the desired activity or sport, while maintaining ease of use and feel for the wearer. Regardless of the materials used, the garment preferably includes a dual-layer construction. As such, the materials used to attach the pockets/channels to the inside of the garment are separate pieces from the overall materials to make the whole garment. Therefore, the openings do not protrude through the entire garment—this keeps the overall garment intact, and does not require the rod to make contact with a user's skin or the inside of the garment.

[0041] FIG. 8 shows a partial front view of the garment 102. Beneath a center of the channel 110, the garment includes a sensor 120. The sensor 120 can collect and/or transmit data obtained from the golf training apparatus 100. Any suitable sensor device may be used. The sensor 120 is removeable from the garment 102 via a sensor attachment 122 as shown in FIG. 9. The sensor attachment 122 can include button attachments, hook and loop attachments, and snap attachments, among others. The sensor attachment 122 allows the sensor to be added and removed from the garment with ease. In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor and/or sensor attachment are placed inside the channel. The channel can include placement for both the rod and the sensor and/or sensor attachment. The channel can also include a subsequent channel specifically for the sensor and/or sensor attachment apart from the channel that houses the rod. As such, the sensor may still collect and/or transmit data with or without the rod inside the channel.

[0042] The garment may include other aesthetic features such as buttons 160 as shown in FIGS. 8-9. The buttons do not interfere with the ability of the apparatus to maintain proper alignment. A preferred placement of the channel 110 on a polo shirt (a common shirt worn for golfing) with buttons 160 as shown on the chest area includes placement of the channel in between the top button and second-most top button (approximately 1-2 inches below the neckline of the garment). Other placements may be used as well.

[0043] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary schematic where data 124 is obtained from movement of the rod 108 on the apparatus 100. The data 124 is collected by the sensor 120 and transmitted to a separate application 126. The rod acts as an indicator and informs the golfer that his shoulders hips, and feet are square to a target line. Not only will the rod, when activated, measure the shoulder or rotation turn, it will also provide a signal from the sensor (in the form of a beep, light or other acceptable form of communication) that a shoulder turn has gone past certain parameters. This further aids the golfer to ensure proper rotation and alignment.

[0044] A rotational swing, such as used in golf, also relates to other sports. The training apparatus according to embodiments of this invention can therefore also provide instructions to create effective swing releases and proper torque in various activities and movements. A rotation by a user can provide feedback to the user on making a greater rotational turn to increase torque and swing speed. The data may also measure a ball spin rate to increase travel distance and launch angles.

[0045] FIG. 10 showcases the various data locations 124 where the rod may be placed from the perspective of a golfer as the rod relates to the alignment and swing of a golf club. The sensor and a central processing unit (CPU) can combine to capture swing information and then feed the data 124 wirelessly to the application 126 for further processing.

[0046] Algorithms stored within a website and/or user applications can use the information provided by the sensor, collected and communicated by the CPU, and calculate various swing metrics for reporting to the user. The website or application can then report instant feedback to the user such as, but not limited to: symmetry and alignment score, actual rotational angles and speed of swing. The application may feature a “beep” response, if the user chooses to use it, where there is a quick feedback sound that indicates a level of success (or correction needed) at each phase of a swing.

[0047] Ultimately, the application may store historical metrics and allow for a user to share these metrics and progress directly with a coach for review. Live sessions may also be available for real-time training and coaching sessions as an extended service offered to a subscribed network of certified professionals, school teams and other professional coaches.

[0048] Applications of this invention include, but are not limited to: shirts, vests, sweatshirts, jackets, pullovers, hoodies, pants, shorts, socks, shoes, belts, hats, caps, sports equipment bags and backpacks.

[0049] FIG. 11 shows a golf training apparatus 200 according to one embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 200 includes a garment 202 to be worn on a lower part of the body 154, such as pants or shorts as shown. The apparatus 200 includes a rod 208 that can be distributed across a hip area 228 of the body so as to monitor proper hip placement during a golf swing or other action.

[0050] FIG. 12 shows a golf training apparatus 300 according to one embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 300 includes a garment 302 to be worn on the head (a hat 156 as shown). The apparatus 300 includes a rod 308 that is an inverted “T” shape. The rod 308 can be distributed across a brim of the hat 156 so as to monitor proper head and neck placement during a golf swing or other action.

[0051] One or more rods according to the claimed invention can be stored or transferred in a storage sleeve or a sheath. The storage sleeve or sheath can attach externally or fit internally into a golf bag or other carrier/tote, including: backpacks, softball or baseball carry totes, or any other sports or leisure related carrier or tote.

[0052] The storage sleeve is preferably made of material that protects and secures the rod while being transferred and can include storage for other alignment/rotation stick accessories (such as sensors). The design of the storage sleeve or sheath can provide ease of access while practicing or training as well as provide ease of storage.

[0053] While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the device and placard are susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.