SWING CONTROL INDICATOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf generally, and in particular, to aids for improving the performance of a golfer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that the rhythm of the golf swing is an important factor in a successful and repeatable golf shot. Prior to striking the ball, a golfer completes a 'back swing' of his golf club, required to hit the golf ball with appropriate force. The back swing must, however, be properly controlled so that the ball is struck subsequently not only with a desired force, but with a number of physical parameters, all desired to obtain a shot of desired distance and position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an aid which will provide a golfer with an indication as to when he has reached the top of his swing, thereby to enable him to swing the golf club forward in a manner so as to produce a high quality, repeatable shot.

There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a swing control indicator device for a golfer, which includes: a sensor for sensing when a golfer has reached the top of his back swing; and an indicator, responsive to the sensor, for indicating to a golfer that he has completed his back swing.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the indicator is an audible indicator, for providing an audible indication to the golfer that he has completed his back swing.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device also includes apparatus for fastening the indicator to the forearm or wrist of a user so that upon completion of the back swing, the indicator is operative to emit an audible tone which is in hearing distance of the user, indicative to the golfer that he has completed his back swing.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device also includes a housing onto which the indicator is mounted, and wherein the apparatus for fastening is configured to fasten the housing onto the forearm of a user.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is operative to activate the indicator upon completion of the back swing, and wherein the device also includes apparatus for fastening the sensor in operative proximity to the grip of a golf club.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for fastening is apparatus for fastening the sensor to the forearm or wrist of a user.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device also includes a housing onto which the sensor and/or the indicator are mounted, and the apparatus for fastening is configured to fasten the housing onto the forearm or wrist of a user.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the indicator is an acoustic member and the sensor is a weighted striker mounted within the housing so as to adjust the striker's position in response to a change in the position of the device, and wherein the weighted striker is responsive, in response to a sudden change in the position of the device corresponding to a back swing of a golf club by a golfer, to strike the acoustic member so as to cause emission therefrom of an audible tone.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weighted striker is mounted for rotation about an axle extending through the housing, and the acoustic member is mounted within the housing so as to prevent angular rotation of the weighted striker therepast, and so as to be struck thereby in response to a sudden change in the position of the device corresponding to a back swing of a golf club by a golfer.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing is adjustably mounted onto a base member so as to permit selectable rotational adjustment of the housing and thus also of the striker and the acoustic member with respect to the base member, thereby to cause a corresponding adjustment in the angle through which the striker must rotate in order to strike the acoustic member.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device also includes a stop member mounted onto the housing, thereby to prevent striking of the acoustic member by the weighted striker when rotated in a rearward direction.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the acoustic member and the housing are a unitary tube, and the striker is a free weighted member adapted for end- to-end movement within the tube-like member so as to strike an end of the tube in response to a sudden change in the position of the device corresponding to a back swing of a golf club by a golfer, and to emit acoustic energy when so striking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram representation of the swing control indicator device of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of an angular swing control indicator device, constructed and operative in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the angular swing control indicator device of Fig. 2, when fully assembled;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the angular swing control indicator device of Figs. 2 and 3, with the cover removed;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the angular swing control indicator device of Figs. 2, 3 and 4, taken along line A-A in Fig. 3;

Figs. 6A and 6B show use of the device of Figs. 2-5 in an initial position, prior to a back swing;

Figs. 7A and 7B show use of the device of Figs. 2-5 in a final position, at the top of the swing;

Figs. 8A and 8B show use of a linear swing control indicator device constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention, in an initial position, prior to a back swing; and

Figs. 9A and 9B show use of the device of Figs. 8A-8B in a final position, at the top of the swing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to Fig. 1 , there is seen a block diagram representation of a swing control indicator device, referenced generally 10, constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention. As seen, the swing control indicator device 10 includes a sensor 2 for sensing when a golfer has reached the top of his back swing, such as illustrated in Figs. 7A and 9A, and an indicator 5, responsive to the sensor, for indicating to a golfer that he has reached the top of his back swing.

As will be appreciated from the description of the various embodiments below, the present invention provides an indication to the golfer, preferably audible, that he has completed his back swing. At this point, the golfer, who has learned to listen out for this indication, which will typically be a brief knock, or other brief tone, will pause for a fraction of a second, before starting his swing. This enables the golfer always to start his swing at the same point, thus rendering his swing repeatable, and assisting him in his swing technique.

It will be appreciated that while the drawings herein illustrate mechanical embodiments of the invention, other embodiments of the invention are also envisaged, employing non- mechanical components, tilt switches or other angular sensors. Furthermore, while both the sensor 2 and indicator 5 are provided in a single device, in alternative embodiments of the invention, these functions may be separated. Thus, by way of example, indicator 5 could be a small device for emitting a tone in response to reception of a signal from a signal transmitter associated with sensor 2. The present embodiments are thus specific, representative embodiments, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the invention by other means.

Referring now to Figs. 2-5, there is seen an angular swing control indicator device referenced generally 100, constructed and operative in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is seen that device 100 includes a housing 1 onto which the sensor 2 and the indicator 5 are mounted, and further includes a strap 7 (Fig. 3), or other suitable fastening means, for fastening the housing 1 onto the forearm of a user. Preferably, as illustrated in Figs. 6A and 7A, device 100 is configured to be worn like a wristwatch, just above the wrist.

In the present embodiments, sensor 2 is a weighted striker mounted for pivoting motion about an axle 3 extending through a floor portion 8 of housing 1 , and acoustic member 5 is a bell or other resonating element, which is mounted at a fixed position 6 onto the floor portion 8 of housing 1. It is seen that weighted striker 2 and acoustic member 5 are coplanar, and that the

acoustic member 5, having a position which is fixed, will prevent angular rotation of the weighted striker 2 therepast, so as to be struck thereby responsive to a sudden change in the position of the device 100 corresponding to a back swing of a golf club by a golfer.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, housing 1 is rotatably mounted onto a base 18 (Fig. 5), and may be rotated relative thereto. Rotation of housing 1 relative to base 18 causes an adjustment of acoustic member 5 and striker 2 relative to the base 18, thereby causing a corresponding adjustment in the angle through which the weighted striker 2 must rotate in order to strike the acoustic member 5, and correspondingly causing a variation in the time taken to strike the acoustic member 5 during the back swing of a user. This enables each user to individually calibrate his device, in accordance with his own needs. Preferably, there is also provided a cover member 4 for enclosing striker 2 and acoustic member 5. Cover member 4 is preferably adapted to fit over base 8, so as to move therewith when base 8 is angularly adjusted relative to housing 1. As mentioned, the purpose of this angular adjustment is to calibrate the device for a specific user. Accuracy of this calibration may be assisted by the addition of calibration markings on the cover member 4, and by the optional provision of a transparent window (not shown) therein through which the position of acoustic member 5 may be observed.

There may also be optionally provided a stop member referenced 9, shown in Figs. 6B and 7B. While this is not crucial, it can be useful in preventing striker 2 from striking acoustic member 5 if rotated in a rearward direction.

Referring now to Figs. 6A-7B, it will thus be appreciated that device 100 is operative to provide an audible signal to a user, once he raises the golf club from a starting position, shown in Fig. 6A, through a back swing, and to the top of his back swing, as shown in Fig. 7A. The time taken to complete this back swing is very short, typically in the region of 1 second. Weighted striker 2 is free to pivot about axle 3, and is able to move only in a pivoting motion thereabout. Accordingly, when device 100 is moved suddenly from the orientation illustrated in Fig. 6B, corresponding to the initial position prior to the back swing, seen in Fig. 6A, within an instant, it takes on a new orientation, illustrated schematically in Fig. 7B, corresponding to the top of the back swing as seen in Fig. 7A. The relative rotation that the device 100 undergoes may be appreciated with reference to the corner locations labeled A, B, C & D.

As mentioned, the device 100 as a whole undergoes a relatively large angular translation, within approximately one second. The weighted striker 2 is mounted freely onto axle 3, and thus does not rotate with the entire device. However, the effect of the acceleration of the device 100 along the curved path along which device 100 is very rapidly moved, serves

to accelerate weighted striker 2 towards acoustic member 5, so as to strike it, thereby causing it to resonate and emit the above-described acoustic indication to the golfer, indicating to him that he has reached the top of his back swing, and that he should now pause slightly, prior to swinging forward in order to drive the golf ball.

Referring now to Figs. 8B and 9B, there is seen a linear swing control indicator device referenced generally 200, constructed and operative in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Device 200 is much simpler than angular device 100 (shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 2-7B). In the present embodiment, indicator 5 (Fig. 1) is provided by tube 25 and sensor 2 (Fig. 1) is provided by a free weighted member 27, adapted for end-to-end movement within the tube. The device 200 is adapted to be worn on the wrist of user, as shown in Figs. 8A and 9A, by means of a strap or other fastener 207, and, as in the embodiment described in conjunction with Figs. 2-7B, undergoes a rapid change in orientation during the back swing of the user. As a result of this rapid change in orientation, the free weighted member 27 moves rapidly from one end of the tube 25 to the other, as indicated by the arrow, so as to strike the distal end 35 (Figs. 8B and 9B), and thus to emit acoustic energy when so striking, indicating to the user that he has reached the top of his back swing, and that he should now pause slightly, prior to swinging forward in order to drive the golf ball.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been shown and described hereinabove, merely by way of non-limiting example. Rather, the present invention is limited solely by the claims, which follow.