Practice Device For Golf And Other Sports

Abstract

A golf training device that is affixed to to the arm and hand of the golfer-in-training in order to control the range of hand movement during the downswing of a golf swing. The device having multiple embodiments that cooperatively controls hand to wrist angles in order to keep the hands in the proper position throughout the swing. More descriptively, the device allows complete range of motion of the hands except in the extended or downward direction after initiation of the swing. In a golf swing it is important to disallow movement in the downward direction once the golf swing has been initiated, but it is also important to allow full and natural freedom of movement every other direction so a golfer-in-training does not feel uncomfortable or restriction while practicing. The present invention as constructed also allows the device to return to the natural address position upon completion of the swing.

Claims

1. A wrist training device, comprising: a hand member having a first body portion, an index finger attachment member, a middle finger attachment member, and a ball member; the index finger attachment member and the middle finger attachment member extending from a first end of the first body portion, the ball member being attached to a second end of the first body portion; first and second finger straps being coupled to the index finger attachment member and the middle linger attachment member, respectively; a wrist member having a socket portion, a second body portion, a guide member, and upward facing wedges; the socket portion being coupled to a first end of the second body portion, the guide member being coupled to a top surface of the second body portion and defining a guide tunnel, the upward facing wedges being coupkxl to the top surface of the second body portion and being disposed between the guide member and a second end of the second body portion; the ball member being rotatably coupled to the socket portion; and a strap member having a first strap portion, a second strap portion, and an intermediate strap portion disposed between the first and second strap portions; the intermediate strap portion having a first diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the second strap portion, and the intermediate strap portion having a first width that is smaller than a width of the second strap portion; the second strap portion having downward facing wedges, the first strap portion being coupled to the first body portion of the hand member, the second strap portion being disposed through the guide tunnel of the wrist member, such that when the downward facing wedges engage the upward facing wedges of the wrist member, the strap member prevents downward movement of the hand member with respect to the w rist member, and when the down ward lacing wedges are not engaged with the upward facing wedges, the strap member does not prevent downward movement of the hand member with respect to the wrist member.

2. (canceled)

3. The wrist training device of claim 1, further comprising a retention strap that is coupled to the wrist member and is disposed over the second strap portion when the downward facing wedges engage the upward facing wedges of the wrist member.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. The wrist training device of claim 1, wherein the downward facing wedges are disengaged from the upward facing wedges by folding a hand rearward.

9. (canceled)

10. The wrist training device of claim 1, wherein the strap member has more than one engagement position relative to the wrist member.

11. The wrist training device of claim 1, wherein the downward facing wedges of the strap member provide audible feedback when the downward facing wedges move over the upward facing wedges of the wrist member.

12. The wrist training device of claim 1, further comprising a wrist strap coupled to the wrist member.

13. The wrist training device of claim 1, wherein the strap member extends in a longitudinal direction from the first body portion of the hand member to the guide tunnel of the wrist member, and the first width is in a direction across a top surface of the strap member that is transverse to the longitudinal direction.

14. A wrist training device, comprising: a hand member having a first body portion, a first finger attachment member, a second finger attachment member; the first finger attachment member and the second finger attachment member extending from a first end of the first body portion; first and second finger straps being coupled to the first finger attachment member and the second finger attachment member, respectively; a wrist member being rotatably coupled to a second end of the first body portion of the hand member, the wrist member having a guide member and upward facing wedges; the guide member being coupled to a top surface of the wrist member and defining a guide tunnel, the upward facing wedges being coupled to the top surface of the wrist member; and a strap member having a first strap portion, a second strap portion, and an intermediate strap portion disposed between the first and second strap portions; the intermediate strap portion having a first diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the second strap portion, and the intermediate strap portion having a first width that is smaller than a width of the second strap portion; the second strap portion having downward facing wedges, the first strap portion being coupled to the first body portion of the hand member, the second strap portion being disposed through the guide tunnel of the wrist member, such that when the downward facing wedges engage the upward facing wedges of the wrist member, the strap member prevents downward movement of the hand member with respect to the wrist member.

15. The wrist training device of claim 14, wherein when the downward facing wedges are not engaged with the upward facing wedges, the strap member does not prevent downward movement of the hand member with respect to the wrist member.

16. The wrist training device of claim 14, wherein the wrist member being rotatably coupled to the second end of the first body portion of the hand member utilizing a ball and socket hinge.

17. The wrist training device of claim 14, wherein the strap member extends in a longitudinal direction from the first body portion of the hand member to the guide tunnel of the wrist member, and the first width is in a direction across a top surface of the strap member that is transverse to the longitudinal direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the golf wrist training device of the present invention, in the rest position (position when golfer in training is addressing the ball);

[0020] FIG. 2 is a plan of the preferred embodiment showing key visible components and identifying them with numbers. It is also in the rest position.

[0021] FIG. 3 is simplified side view of the golf wrist training device of FIG. 1 identifying key visible components (numbered) and is also in the rest position;

[0022] FIG. 4 is simplified side view of the golf wrist training device of FIG. 1 identifying key visible components (numbered). This view shows the invention approximately of full flexion approximately 22;

[0023] FIG. 5 is simplified side view of the golf wrist training device of FIG. 1 identifying key visible components (numbered). This view shows the invention in full flexion (appx 45);

[0024] FIG. 6 is an assembly/exploded view showing all components;

[0025] FIG. 7 is view of the full assembly on a golfers hand/wrist

[0026] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of assembled integrated ball and sockethinge.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a phantom view of full circular motion of swing depicting wrist anglesand golfer showing swing through impact.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a section rear view of strap under tunnel.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a section view of strap (upper) and wrist (lower) showing teeth engagement at predetermined angles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] A simplified assembly view of the preferred primary embodiment of the golf wrist training device [1] is shown in FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows each component in plan view, which includes a hand-attachment member [2], a wrist-attachment member [3], hook/loop, hand member firm strap [4], hook/loop, hand member elastic strap [21], hook/loop, wrist member front [5], hook/loop, wrist member rear [6], engagement strap [8], engage strap mounting screw [9], retention plate, hinge screws (3) [10], retention plate, socket [11], hook/loop attachment slots, wrist (4) [14], hook/loop attachment prongs, hand [15], retention strap [19], grommets (2) [22], integrated tunnel [23]

[0032] The current invention restricts forward motion of the right hand of a golfer-in-training buy strapping on this product shown in Fig 7. Hand member [2] and wrist member [3] are strapped on to the hand [17] and wrist [18] with firm hook/loop straps [4] or elastic strap [21], [5], and [6]. The hook/loop strap [4] or [21] of the hand member [2] is secured between prongs [15] and hand member [2]. Elastic strap member [21] is closed ended and requires no added tightening or loosening. Firm strap [4] is then wrapped around the golfer's hand/finger [17] and fastened onto itself. The hook/loop straps [5] and [6] of the wrist member [3] are inserted through the 4 slots [14]. They are then wrapped around wrist [18] and fastened onto themselves. It is preferable to have more than 1 strap to secure to a person's hand and wrist.

[0033] With the exception of the forward motion of the hand (after strap engagement), there is no resistance of hand movement while using this product. However, once the hand reaches various degrees of flexion (rearward motion), the engagement strap [8] travels through the guide tunnel [23] which engages the downward facing teeth of strap [8] with upward facing teeth of wrist member [3] providing resistance/locking of any extension of hand member [2].

[0034] FIG. 3 a side view of the preferred embodiment in the rest position showing all visible components numbered. In this view the hand member [2] is fully extended, and the engagement strap [8] has not travelled beyond it's rest point. Also the 2 padded components [12] of hand member [2] and [13] of wrist member [3] are shown for the first time as they are not visible in other views.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows the hand member [2] having been moved in the flexion (rearward) direction approximately 22 relative to the wrist member [3] or approximately of a full rearward motion. The engagement strap [8] has now travelled partially through guide tunnel [23] at a mathematically corresponding amount relative to the movement of the hand member [2], and secured by elastic band member [19] image of upward facing teeth wrist member [3] now shown in phantom [7]. This rearward movement will provide the resistance to move the hand member [2] forward again due to the mechanical teeth engagement of strap [8] and the teeth [7] of wrist member [3]. If teeth of strap [8] are engaged with the teeth [7] of wrist member [3], the golfer in training will have to lift the end of strap member [8] to return to rest position.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows the hand member [2] having been moved in the flexion (rearward) direction approximately 45 relative to the wrist member [3] which is approximately 100% of full rearward motion. The engagement strap [8] has now travelled to its approximate full range of motion through guide tunnel [23] at a mathematically corresponding amount relative to the movement of the hand member [2], and secured by elastic band member [19]image of upward facing teeth wrist member [3] now shown in phantom [7]. This rearward movement will provide the resistance to move the hand member [2] forward again due to the mechanical teeth engagement of strap [8] and the teeth [7] of wrist member [3]. If teeth of strap [8] are engaged with the teeth [7] of wrist member [3], the golfer in training will have to lift the end of strap member [8] to return to rest position.

[0037] FIG. 6 is an exploded/assembly view showing all components.

[0038] FIG. 7 shows the invention on a golfers hand. The hand and wrist identified with numbers [17, 18] at the rest position.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a section view of ball/socket hinge showing the three (3) components in cooperation. Image of [24] is a section view of socket area (located at front) of wrist member [3]; Image of [16] is a section view of the ball area (located at rear) of hand member [2]; Socket Plate[11] is shown in section corresponding with [24] and [16].

[0040] FIG. 9 is pictorial of proper wrist position (for full shots) depicted in phantom on a complete circle with clock positional hand/wrist angles. Beginning with top-of-swing position at 12:00, wrists are fully cocked at approximately 45. That angle is maintained through impact at 6:00 and starts to straighten out at 3:00, then returns to 45 at the return of 12:00

[0041] FIG. 10 is a section view of strap member [8] shown inside of guide tunnel [23] of wrist member [3].

[0042] FIG. 11 is a section view of teeth engagement of wrist member [3] and strap member [8]. We are calling out components in this section as [20] being teeth of strap member [8] and [7] as being teeth of wrist member [3]

[0043] The current invention can also be preset at angles of a golfer's choice (within normal ranges of 0 to 45+). This is often a desirable training method for chipping, pitching, and puttingwhere a fixed hand position is necessary.

[0044] In a perfect technical golf swing, the address position will begin with the hands at rest [FIG 7]. During the backswing, the angles of the hand to wrist change such that, in a full swing, that angle will be approximately 45 at the top of swing.

[0045] During the downswing, however, the proper wrist angle (approximately 45) in the flexion direction is maintained at its position at the top of the swingthe energy being stored until the club contacts the ball. That motion allows the ball to be struck with the hands perpendicularly in front of the clubhead at impact. It is natural that the right hand will want to straighten out after the ball is struckdue to natural forcesbut it is not necessary for the straightening as the ball is gone. While this invention may restrain the hand from completely straightening out, the straps, foam, and the skin will allow some straightening (again it is not necessary). Importantly, this invention allows an ordinary golfer to feel a correct impact positionlargely only experienced by professional or top tier amateur golfers.

[0046] The device [1] alerts the golfer-in-training of engagement, or that the wrists have been set during the backswing. This is done as the hand [17] folds in flexion causing the rearward movement of strap [8] through guide tunnel [23], causing the teeth/wedges of strap [8] referred to as item [20] on FIG. 11, to mechanical engagement the teeth of wrist member [3]referred to as item 7 on FIG. [11]. As the wedges/teeth of the strap [8] travel through guide tunnel [23] and engage wedges of wrist member [3], audible clicking is evident to the golfer, and he/she knows the hands (and club) have been properly set.

[0047] While the wrist training device [1] of the present invention has been described in conjunction with attachment onto the following arm of the golfer-in-training, it will be evident to one skilled in the art that the device can be readily adapted to fit onto the leading arm of the golfer-in-training. Since both hands of the golfer-in-training are effectively joined at the golf club grip, when the following wrist is bent backward, the leading wrist is bent forward. Accordingly, the farther back the following wrist is bent, the farther forward the leading wrist is bent. If the device [1] is adapted to fit onto the following wrist of the golfer-in-training, the mechanics of engagement work essentially in reverse as engagement occurs when the leading wrist is bent forward at the top of the backswing.

[0048] Furthermore, it is evident that many other alternatives, modifications, and variations of the device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the metes and bounds of the invention be determined by the appended claims rather than by the language of the above specification, and that all such alternatives, modifications, and variations which form a functional or conjointly cooperative equivalent are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of these claims.