GOLFING AID

Abstract

A kit of pieces is provided comprising a buckle (1), a pair of braces and at least one elongate guide stick. The buckle comprises a first portion (2), a second portion (3), and a clamp portion (4). The first portion (2) is situated in front of the second portion (3) when the buckle (1) is in use. The clamp portion (4) is configured to clamp a first end of a belt against the second portion (3), and the first portion (2) is configured to clamp a second end of the belt against the second portion (3). Further, the first portion (2) comprises at least one groove (6).

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A buckle is provided comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a clamp portion, wherein the first portion is connected to the second portion and wherein the first portion is situated in front of the second portion when the buckle is in use, wherein the clamp portion is configured to clamp a first end of a belt against the second portion, and wherein the first portion is configured to clamp a second end of the belt against the second portion, wherein the first portion comprises at least one groove.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the buckle is a belt buckle.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the at least one groove extends horizontally across the first portion.

20. The device according to claim 17, wherein the at least one groove is shaped as a semicircle, provided such that an approximately semicircular space between the first portion and the second portion is formed.

21. The device according to claim 17, wherein the at least one groove is adapted to receive an elongate object when the buckle is in a closed position.

22. A kit for practicing golf comprising a buckle according to claim 17, and at least one elongate guide stick.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Embodiments of the invention will be described in the following; references being made to the appended diagrammatical drawings which illustrate non-limiting examples of how the inventive concept can be reduced into practice.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a belt buckle according to one embodiment,

[0022] FIG. 2 is a side view of the belt buckle,

[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the belt buckle,

[0024] FIG. 4 is a front view of the belt buckle in a clamping position with a pen,

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the back of the belt buckle in an open position,

[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a user carrying a belt with the belt buckle with a guide stick attached,

[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a detail of a brace strap according to one embodiment,

[0028] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of braces according to one embodiment,

[0029] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the braces in FIG. 9,

[0030] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the braces in FIGS. 9 and 10,

[0031] FIG. 11 is a detail of the braces of FIGS. 9-11,

[0032] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a user carrying both the belt with the belt buckle with a guide stick, and the braces with a guide stick,

[0033] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a user carrying the belt with the belt buckle and the braces with a guide stick attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, certain embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention, such as it is defined in the appended claims, to those skilled in the art.

[0035] FIGS. 1-5 show a belt buckle from different directions according to one embodiment. The buckle 1 comprises a mainly rectangularly shaped first portion 2 and a mainly rectangularly shaped second portion 3. Both the first portion 2 and the second portion 3 are mainly rectangular, but they need not be of the same dimensions. In other embodiments they may have a different shape, e.g. oval, square or circular. The first portion 2 is provided with a tiger head, but may in other embodiments be plain, or provided with e.g. text or a different logo.

[0036] In use, the first portion 2 is provided in front of the second portion 3 and the two parts are interconnected by e.g. a hinge mechanism (not shown) such that the buckle 1 can be opened and closed. Hence, hereafter the first portion 2 is also referred to as the front portion 2 and the second portion 3 is also referred to as the rear portion 3.

[0037] Further, the rear portion 3 is interconnected with a clamp portion 4, e.g. via a hinge mechanism (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4 a first end 17 of an elongate belt 5 is clamped between the rear portion 3 and the clamp portion 4. Thus, the belt 5 and the belt buckle 1 are connected. In use, a second end 18 of the elongate belt 5 is inserted between the front portion 2 and the rear portion 3 and the buckle 1 is locked, by pushing the front portion 2 and the rear portion 3 against each other. The second end 18 of the belt 5 is thus kept in place by e.g. friction.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, where the belt buckle 1 is seen from the side, the front portion 2 comprises a horizontal groove 6. The groove 6 is provided from a first vertical side portion 7 to a second vertical side portion 8 of the front portion 2, thus forming an elongate channel 6. The cross section of the groove or channel 6 is semicircular with the flat and open side facing towards the rear portion 3. Thus, the groove 6 and the rear portion 3 form a semicircular hollow space, the benefit of which will be explained later.

[0039] The groove 6 is provided at the middle of the vertical side portions 7, 8. In other embodiments the groove 6 may be provided at different vertical heights. The front portion 2 may in other embodiments be provided with more than one vertical groove. If so, the grooves may, but are not required to, be parallel to each other.

[0040] The belt buckle 1 in use is shown in FIG. 6. Here is a golfer 16 shown, wearing a waist belt 5 provided with the above described belt buckle 1. An elongate guide stick 10 is inserted into the groove 6, such that approximately equally long portions of the stick 10 extend to the left and to the right of the buckle 1. When the player 16 initiates his swing he can easily check his hip position thanks to the elongate guide stick 10, which extends in the same direction as his hips. It is much easier to control the position of the hips by using the extended line provided by the stick 10 than measure by eye directly on the hips how they are turned.

[0041] The guide stick 10 is further useful for the player 16 during the backswing and forward swing as well as during the ready and completed swing. The guide stick 10 provided in the groove 6 makes the position of the hips clear to the player 16, and also for an assisting coach (not shown) who easily can point out the position of the guide stick 10. The player 16 can himself in a visual manner see the position and direction of the guide stick 10 in real time, and may, if necessary, adjust accordingly in order to optimize his own personal swing.

[0042] In FIG. 4 another use of the belt buckle 1 is shown. A pencil 9 is provided in the hollow space formed by the groove 6 such that the player 16 has it readily accessible when he is to mark his scorecard. In one embodiment (not shown) the buckle 1 comprises more than one, e.g. two, grooves in which a pencil can be put in one of them, and a guide stick in the other. Alternatively, two, or more, guide sticks 10 may be used at the same time.

[0043] In FIGS. 7-11 a second embodiment, comprising a set of braces 11, is shown. The braces 11 comprise two elongate straps 12, 13, preferably comprising a fabric. A first end of each strap 12a, 13a is provided with Velcro. Second ends 12b, 13b of the straps 12, 13 are joined to a common end portion 21 to form a V-shaped set of braces 11. Also the joint end 21 is provided with Velcro. The Velcro allows for connecting the braces 11 to the belt 5 described above. The Velcro-portion is bent around the belt 5 and attached to itself. This provides for a flexible solution by which the braces 11 may be put on and taken of quickly and easily. Thus, the belt 5 can be used both separately, and together with the braces 11. The Velcro portions may in other embodiments be replaced by e.g. buttons, snap fasteners or any other suitable connection means. The Velcro could in other embodiments be attached to belt loops on e.g. a pair of trousers.

[0044] As best seen in FIG. 11, a portion 20a, 20b is provided with loops 14 sewn onto the first 12 and the second 13 strap of fabric. A large number of loops 14 are provided along the straps 12, 13, starting on the upper half of the back of a player 16 wearing the braces 11, and continues over the shoulders and along the upper body of the player 16. A guide stick 10 is insertable into a pair of loops 14, one on each strap 12, 13. Preferably, the loops 14 used are located on the same height on the strap 12 and on the strap 13, such that the guide stick 10 is provided horizontally. Between the loop portions 20a, 20b and the end portions 12a, 13a an intermediate portion 19a, 19b is provided which is used to adjust the length of the braces 11 such that they can be comfortably used by wearers 16 of different sizes and shapes.

[0045] The large number of loops 14 provides for the possibility to attach the guide stick 10 at different heights such that an adaption to different people's 16 differing body proportions is achieved. Further, more than one stick 10 may be used. Alternatively, one stick 10 may be provided at the chest of the player 16, and another stick 10 on the player's 16 back. Further, the straps 12, 13 are provided with adjustment slides 15a, 15b, such that the length of the braces 11 becomes adjustable.

[0046] In one embodiment the measures of the parts of the braces 11 are according to the following: [0047] The end portions 12a, 13a provided with Velcro are about 90 mm long when folded in half, forming loops for the belt 5. [0048] The width of the end portions 12, 13 is about 28 mm. [0049] The portion 20 provided with loops 14 are about 410 mm long. [0050] The length of the intermediate portion 19 is adjustable between about 230-410 mm. [0051] The width of the straps 12, 13 is approximately 35 mm. [0052] The length of the elongate loops is approximately 28 mm. [0053] The diameter of the loops 14 is about 8 mm.

[0054] In FIG. 12 a user 16 is shown wearing a belt 5 with the belt buckle 1 and the braces 11.

[0055] He has inserted a first guide stick 10a into the horizontal groove 6 of the buckle 1, and another guide stick 10b into one of the pairs of loops 14 arranged on the braces 11. Thereby, he may use the direction of the guide stick 10a to e.g. adjust his hip position, and the guide stick 10b to e.g. adjust his aiming.

[0056] The player 16 in FIG. 13 only uses the guide stick 10b inserted into one of the pair of loops 14 in the braces 11.

[0057] The belt 5 with the buckle 1 and the braces 11 are thus advantageous to use together as a practicing kit, but are also separable and may be used individually. The belt 5 with the buckle 1 is also advantageous to use in regular golf playing, used e.g. as a pen carrier.

[0058] Translation of the Priority Document

[0059] Descriptive functionalities in the patent application on belt buckle and braces comprising attachment device by a plurality of attachment points with loops for one or several guide sticks. The application refers to one or more guide sticks or anything else that is compatible with golf or golf equipment used for golf practice as one might attach to the body by means of my unique attachment device by the belt buckle or loops provided on the braces.

[0060] Function: The belt buckle and braces for attachment of guide sticks showing direction, position, base position as well as of assistance to see speed, plane of the swing, and that the hip is following correctly in swing. The belt buckle and braces are connected and are intended for one or more guide sticks in use. Belt buckle and braces can also be released and used separately as desired. The buckle of the belt can also be used during a game where you do not use guide sticks but which can be used to attach a marker pen for a scorecard.

[0061] 1. The belt buckle can one by opening the buckle attach one or more guide sticks to see the position of the hip in base position for initiation if swing, back swing as well as forward swing and finished and completed swing. The guide stick shows the position of the hip for the practitioner and for an assisting coach who easily may visually point at the direction of the guide stick and the practitioner can see this in real time himself and directly adjust to optimize his personal swing if necessary.

[0062] 2. The braces can attach one or more guide sticks as the braces comprises a plurality of loops, straps one insert the guide stick through to attach. These loops start at the upper portion of the back, the shoulders and continues down on the front side of the body in height with the chest.

[0063] 3. Braces and belt buckle can be used together or separately. Thus, may be released from each other completely according to the preferences of the user to improve his swing plane, swing track, direction, length, speed of the swing to obtain improved and simplified precision in his swing performance.

[0064] 4. The buckle of the belt may also be used to attach a marker pan for score board during a game when no guide sticks are used.

[0065] Device [0066] Attachment device for one or more guide organs or guide stick or marker pen for golfing. [0067] The structure, function, measures design of the belt buckle and braces with loops/channels function for attachment of guide organ or guide stick or marker pen in the belt buckle or braces with the same functionality or implementation. [0068] The loops/channels on braces with the intention of attaching guide organs or guide sticks one or more same is valid for belt buckle. [0069] The loops/channels attached to the braces with the dimensions or the intention for attachment solution of guide organ or guide stick on the upper body or lower body. [0070] Attachment solution for guide sticks or guide organ on hip or upper body in golfing. Applies to one or more guide organs or guide sticks or marker pens with the intention to attach on the body for the same functionality or use.

[0071] Use [0072] Attachment device for one or more guide organs or guide stick or marker pen for golfing. [0073] The structure, function, measures design of the belt buckle and braces with loops/channels function for attachment of guide organ or guide stick or marker pen in the belt buckle or braces with the same functionality or implementation. [0074] The loops/channels on braces with the intention of attaching guide organs or guide sticks one or more same is valid for belt buckle. [0075] The loops/channels attached to the braces with the dimensions or intention for attachment of guide organ or guide stick on the upper body or lower body. [0076] Attachment of guide sticks or guide organ on hip or upper body in golfing. Valid for one or more guide organs or guide sticks or marker pens with the intention to attach to the body for same functionality or use.

[0077] Method [0078] Production of attachment device with loops/channels attachment of belt buckle for one or more guide organs or guide stick or marker pen in golfing. [0079] The structure, function, measures design of the belt buckle and braces with loops/channels function for attachment of guide organ or guide stick or marker pen in the belt buckle or braces with the same functionality or implementation. [0080] The loops/channels on braces attachment functionality belt buckle with the intention of attaching guide organs or guide sticks one or more same is valid for belt buckle. [0081] The loops/channels attached to the braces with the dimensions or intention for attachment of guide organ or guide stick on the upper body or lower body. [0082] Attachment of guide sticks or guide organ on hip or upper body in golfing. Valid for one or more guide organs or guide sticks or marker pens with the intention to attach to the body for same functionality or use.