EP1641540A1

EP1641540A1 - Training apparatus for a golf swing

Info

Publication number: EP1641540A1
Application number: EP04738818A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dieter Thörmer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-02
Filing date: 2004-06-30
Publication date: 2006-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2024-06-30
Also published as: DE10355174A1; US20060160635A1; WO2005002687A1; US7556570B2; ATE425794T1; DE502004009181D1; EP1641540B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a training apparatus (1) for optimizing a golf swing. The apparatus consists of at least one guide ring, which is positioned on a plane that is inclined in relation to the vertical by means of a support. The apparatus is characterized in that it is provided with two guide rings (2, 3), which are arranged approximately on the same plane, and which are held at least in certain sections in a support (4) at a distance from one another. The two guide rings (2, 3) are approximately elliptical and are designed to support a golf club. The training apparatus (1) enables a golfer to improve his or her swing by maintaining contact between the golf club and the two guide rings when following the ideal line.

Description

Training device for golf swings

The invention relates to a training device for golf swings, consisting of at least one guide ring which is arranged by a holder in a plane inclined to the vertical.

As you know, you can learn the golf swing via the instructions of a trainer or with the help of a device. Golf swing training devices are usually based on restricting the golfer's musculoskeletal system in order to deprive him of degrees of freedom for executing non-ideal movements and thus to lead to an optimized golf swing. However, these devices have the disadvantage that the learning golfer often optimizes his technique only in the presence of this device and, in the absence of these golf swing training devices, can be misled into incorrect techniques without restriction of movement. For example, Japanese Patent JP 2,001,104,531 discloses a belt system which is carried around the waist by the learning golfer and severely restricts the learner's arms via a belt to the girdle in its degrees of freedom, so as to contravene the golf swing technique in too far a swinging out of the serve suppress. Furthermore, these systems leave the learner with too little degrees of freedom to optimize the response, swing, downswing and downswing under individual movements.

In order to learn the golf swing along a circular line with less movement restriction, there are golf swing training devices that remind of an inclined wheel and offer the learning golfer a guideline to support the golf club during the swing. However, these golf training devices have the disadvantage that the golf club can follow this ideal line along the shaft, but the position and the relative position of the golf club within this ideal line is not taken into account. Misjudgment is possible, which means that the learning effect that can be achieved is extremely low.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a training device which does not deprive the learning golfer of freedom of movement and which provides an ideal line for practicing the golf swing, the learner is given the opportunity to better control the angle of the golf club and in particular to optimize the downturn.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that there are two guide rings arranged almost in one plane, which are accommodated at least partially at a distance from one another in a holder, the two guide rings being approximately elliptical in shape and provided for engaging a golf club. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims.

The inventive design of guide rings enables a golf player to bring his golf club into contact along both guide rings and to perform the swing. Here, he can ensure that there is optimal club hold in both the lower and the upper area, whereby the practitioner can check whether the golf club is in contact with the guide rings at any time, in particular through constant frictional contact between the golf club and the guide rings. For this purpose, it is necessary to guide the golf club along the plane spanned by the two guide rings, while at the same time maintaining the individual response angle. Through this constant control of the practice swing, he can constantly improve and at the same time follow the predetermined ideal line, so that an extremely fast learning effect occurs in order to achieve a safe golf swing to achieve a maximum range with little force. Due to the simple construction of the training device, it is advantageously possible to set it up in a garden and to do the exercises without a ball, so that the device has also proven itself well for the area outside a golf course. Alternatively, the training device can be used together with a safety net so that this exercise can also be carried out with a ball. Due to its simple design, the training device can be adapted to the size of the exercising person and the required response angle and thus enables a wide range of uses.

The two guide rings are arranged so that they are the ideal line for a golf swing in terms of shape and size describe, while the golf club should be in constant contact with the two guide rings when exercising the golf swing.

The particular advantage of the training device according to the invention is that the two guide rings are provided for engaging a golf club which can be placed on the two guide rings and along which the ideal line is tracked. Ideally, the golf club should be in contact with both guide rings. This contact is perceived by the practitioner via the golf club, so that he can improve his golf swing through constant control and ultimately follows the ideal line.

In a further alternative embodiment it is provided that the two guide rings describe an inner and outer limit of a dynamic line guidance for a golf swing, wherein an element fastened on a golf shaft in the guide center of gravity can be arranged between the guide rings and should therefore always lie between the two guide rings and a deviation from this ideal line is perceptible when the element touches the guide rings.

The two guide rings can be fastened to a holder standing on the floor in such a way that the outwardly directed guide surfaces are freely accessible over the entire circumference, the two guide rings also being otherwise freely suspended at an angle of inclination to the horizontal, so that one on both Guide rings of golf clubs that are passed by lead to a noticeable contact.

The holder conveniently consists of a stand, which can be set up by at least one or two legs at an adjustable angle to the vertical, the guide rings and the holder being detachably connected to one another and in particular the holder being designed to be foldable. Alternatively, there is the possibility of folding the two guide rings into something in the center line above the holder. This means that the training device can be placed in a garage to save space. The two legs are pivoted to the bracket and can be loosely guided in a guide or held over a chain that the maximum Deflection limited. To change the response angle, the practitioner can adjust the response angle to suit his needs, even on uneven terrain, by lifting the training device on one side, for example on the guide rings.

Thus, an adaptation to the individual needs of the learning golf player can take place, wherein the holder allows a variable adjustment of the angle of inclination and the angular position, according to the response angle of the golf club between the plane described by the guide rings and the horizontal footprint, is optimally adjustable.

According to the invention, the training device also has a freely mountable switch which lifts a golf club sliding past the rings from the plane of the guide rings. This switch ensures that the golf club is lifted off the plane at the ideal position when swinging through, ie the part of the golf swing that follows the impact moment at which the club blade hits the ball. The ideal position is at head height, i.e. long after touching the ball, in order to influence the movement of the racket in such a way that the swing is carried out completely to the end point of the club position behind the back.

The switch is preferably attached to the training device by a plug-in mechanism which has two recesses and lies on the one hand on a fastening bolt and on the other hand with a stop on at least one guide ring and can thus be fastened to different positions of the golf swing training device. This ensures that the ideal position for the golf club to lift off the curve described by the rings can be set for the individual golfer.

The plug-in positions are particularly preferably arranged on the training device in such a way that the ideal position can be set for both left-handed and right-handed people. For this purpose, the plug positions are provided in mirror image on corresponding sides of the guide rings. The rings of the training device can have a T-profile, the rings being fastened with their horizontal base to a stand and the edge of the vertical profile guiding the golf club. Alternatively, the T-profile can also be attached to the support stand with the vertical base, the horizontal surface guiding the golf club. In both embodiments, the surface of the T-profile, particularly where there is contact between the golf club and the T-profile, can be provided with a polymer coating in order to reduce the sliding friction between the golf club and the profile.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least the outer guide rings at top dead center, deviating from the ellipse shape, have two symmetrically trough-shaped depressions. In these recesses there is a stop element which is pivotally attached at the top dead center of the guide rings, for example on an existing cross strut and with a stop projecting into the plane of the guide ring limits the movement of the golf club during the upswing. For the use of the training device for both left and right-handers, this stop is pivotable and comes in one of the trough-shaped recesses.

So that the swing is optimized, for example, in the vicinity of the response point, a braking element can also be provided which, if the swing is insufficient, leads to the braking of the golf club and inhibits the swing, so that the practitioner has to improve the use of force and the club speed. The braking elements can consist of magnets or of braking surfaces formed between the guide rings in the upper and / or lower area, which, for example, only respond in the direction of the swing to the golf ball and consist of inclined bristles or rubber lips.

To better assist the learning golfer, the guide rings have a magnetic surface, can be magnetized or are equipped with magnets that pull a metallic or magnetic field-reinforced shaft of the golf club against the guide rings, in the case of the magnetized rings the indifferent zone of the magnetized guide rings in the plane , which is spanned by the guide rings. This is ensures that the magnetic force to hold the golf club on the rings is evenly distributed along the golf swing.

To analyze the golf swing, the guide rings can alternatively be equipped with electronic sensors, sensor sensors or electrical contact surfaces, for example conductor tracks on the sliding side of the rings, the contact surfaces being divisible into individual sectors and allowing electronic swing evaluation.

In order to increase the learning effect of the training device for learning the golf swing, a golf club is provided with an element in the center of gravity of the club, which consists of at least one, preferably two half shells and a recess for the club shaft, the two half shells being designed to be connectable to one another or the element for the golf club consists of one piece and is designed to be pluggable over the golf club. This element can serve to make the learning golfer feel haptically when the golf club leaves the ideal line during the swing.

Another embodiment of the training device for learning the golf swing is characterized in that the golf club is equipped with sensors or sensor sensors above and below the element, as a result of which the golf swing is monitored during the entire movement and subsequent checking is possible, so that the training device becomes one continuous improvement of the golf swing can be used with constant practice.

The training device can consist of different materials, for example the holder and / or the guide rings made of wood, a polymeric material, a composite material or metal.

The profiles of the guide rings can also be designed differently. For example, the guide rings can consist of a tubular profile, a T-profile, an H-profile, an L-profile, a half-shell profile or an X-profile, and the edges touching the golf club can be provided with a polymeric coating that reduces sliding friction. The exemplary embodiment described below is an example of the present invention, but is not restrictive.

It shows:

1 is a side view of a golf swing training device,

2 shows a further side view of the golf swing training device according to FIG. 1,

3 the two mutually arranged guide rings,

4 is a side view of the guide rings with a golf club,

5 a guide switch according to the invention for lifting the golf club from the rings,

6 a guide switch according to the invention in a perspective view in the installed state,

7 shows the guide switch according to the invention from FIG. 6 in a side view, FIG. 8 shows a stop element according to the invention in a side view and

FIG. 9 shows a stop element according to FIG. 8 in a side view.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the training device 1, with two guide rings 2 and 3 lying one inside the other, a stand 4 with a continuous angle adjustment and a response position 5.

The two guide rings 2, 3 are held by the stand 4, which consists of a cross-shaped struts to which two foldable feet 8 are hinged. An angular adjustment is made possible by means of an arcuate connecting element 9, which is connected in one piece to one of the two feet of the support frame 4.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the same embodiment of the training device 1 as known from Figure 1. In Figure 2, the inner guide ring 2, the outer guide ring 3 and the mounting positions 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the guide rings 2, 3 on the stand 4 can be seen.

FIG. 3 shows the front view of the same training device 1, with the support frame 4 omitted. Furthermore, the support points 14 and 15 of the golf club 6 on the two guide rings 2, 3 and the direction of swing and downswing of the golf club 6 can be seen in FIG. 3 essentially shows the ideal line for the golf swing, the golf club 6 having to be guided along the guide rings 2, 3 and leading to a noticeable contact. Alternatively, an element 7 can come to lie between the two guide rings 2, 3, which is attached to the shaft of the golf club, so that if the element 7 deviates from the ideal line, there is a noticeable contact of the element 7 with the guide ring 2, 3.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the golf club 6 and two magnets 16 and 17 attached to the golf club 6, which hold the golf club 6 on the two guide rings 2, 3 during the golf swing. The response angle A is also shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a guide switch 20 according to the invention, which has two recesses 21 and 22 and a curved guide element 23. The two recesses 21 and 22 comprise connecting elements 25, 26 which connect the two guide rings 2 and 3 to one another.

In Figure 6, the guide switch 20 is shown in a perspective view in the installed state. The recesses 21 and 22 encompass the connecting elements 25 and 26, which connect the two guide rings 2 and 3 to one another. When the golf club slides over the rings 2 and 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow, the golf club is lifted from the plane of the guide rings 2 and 3 by a guide element 23, so that the golf club is no longer guided through the two guide rings and the golfer must lead the golf club hands-free to the upper end position as a result of the swing.

FIG. 7 shows the same guide switch as in FIGS. 5 and 6, but in a side view. The guide switch 20 encompasses the connecting elements 25 and 26 from different sides, so that it is pressed into the connecting elements 25, 26 when the golf club is loaded. A golf club which slides along on the plane or on the shape of the guide rings 2, 3 is lifted from this plane by the guide switch 20 and describes the path of the arrow shown. Alternatively, there is the possibility of providing self-clamping recesses 21, 22 or of holding the guide switch 20 by spring force between guide rings on the connecting elements 25, 26.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a stop element 30 according to the invention, which is pivotably attached to a cross strut 31 of the two guide rings 2, 3. The stop element 30 consists of a first profile piece 32, for example an angular or flat profile, which is mounted on the cross strut in a pivot point 33 and has a stop 34 at the diametrically opposite end. The stop element 30 can be transferred from the right-hand trough-shaped depression 27 into the left-hand trough-shaped depression 28, so that the training device 1 can be used by both right-handed and left-handed people. During the upswing, the golf club is moved along the guide rings 2, 3 up to the stop 34 before the backswing is initiated.

FIG. 9 shows the stop element 30 again in a plan view, from which it can be seen that the stop 34 protrudes from the plane of the guide ring 3.

A golf player sets up the training device 1 at his response angle A, which is described by the training device 1 and by the level of the guide rings 2, 3 and the horizontal, and assumes the response position 5 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the training device 1. To carry out a golf swing, the learning golfer glides with the golf club 6 to the along both guide rings 2 and 3 and feels a direct contact with both guide rings 2, 3. If an element 7 is additionally attached to the golf club 6, the golfer may not touch either the inner 1 or the outer guide ring 2 while the golf club shaft has both guide rings 2, 3. 3 in positions 14 and 15 touching along the guide rings 2, 3 in the direction of swing. A stop element 30 is provided to limit the upswing, while a guide switch 20 lifts the club from the guide rings 2, 3 to achieve the optimal position after the golf club has ended and causes movement behind the head of the practitioner.

In a preferred embodiment of the golf swing training device, either the golf club 6 in positions 16 and 17 has a magnet 18 and / or the guide rings 2, 3 are themselves magnetic, so that the magnetic force of the magnets 18 in positions 16 and 17 holds the golf club 6 on the guide rings 2, 3 holds and thus supports the learning golf player to find the ideal line and position of the golf club 6 in the swing. In addition, there is the possibility of providing a braking element in the upper and / or lower area which brakes the swing and thus causes the golf player or practitioner to execute a swing with a greater use of force and improved swing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 training device

2 guide ring

3 guide ring

4 stand

5 response position

6 golf clubs

7 element

8 pedestal

9 connecting element

10 mounting position

11 mounting position

12 mounting position

13 mounting position

14 contact point

15 support point

18 magnet

20 guide points

21 recess

22 recess

23 guide element

25 connecting element

26 connecting element

27 deepening

28 deepening

30 stop element

31 cross strut

32 profile piece

33 pivot point

34 stop

A response angle

Claims

claims

1. Training device (1) for golf swings, comprising at least one guide ring (2, 3) which is arranged by a holder in a plane inclined to the vertical, characterized in that two guide rings (2, 3) arranged almost in one plane are present, which are accommodated at least partially spaced apart from one another in a holder (4), the two guide rings (2, 3) being approximately elliptical in shape and provided for the engagement of a golf club.

2. Training device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two guide rings (2, 3) describe the shape and size of an ideal line for a golf swing.

3. Training device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two guide rings (2, 3) are provided for bearing a golf club, which can be placed on the two guide rings (2, 3) and guided along the ideal line, the golf club in Ideally, the two guide rings (2, 3) should be in contact.

4. Training device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the two guide rings (2, 3) describe an inner and outer boundary of a dynamic line for a golf swing, an element (7) fastened on a golf shaft in the guide center of gravity being designed to be guided between the guide rings (2, 3).

5. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two guide rings (2, 3) are fastened in such a way to a stand (4) standing on the floor that the outwardly directed guide surfaces are freely accessible over the entire circumference ,

6. Training device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the two guide rings (2, 3) are otherwise freely suspended at an angle of inclination to the horizontal which corresponds to the response angle (A) of the golf club (6).

7. Training device according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a golf club (6) guided past both guide rings (2, 3) leads to a noticeable contact.

8. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the holder consists of a stand (4) which is arranged by at least one pedestal (8) at an adjustable angle to the vertical or has two independent pedestals (8) which are loosely guided by a connecting element (9) or by a Chain are restricted in their mobility.

9. Training device for golf turns according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide rings (2, 3) and the holder (4) are detachably connected to one another and in particular the holder (4) is designed to be collapsible and / or Guide rings (2, 3) are designed to be foldable via a hinge.

10. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a guide switch (20) is arranged on the guide rings (2, 3) which lifts a golf club sliding past from the guide rings (2, 3).

11. Training device for golf turns according to claim 10, characterized in that the guide switch (20) has recesses (21, 22) for plug-in mounting and on the one hand rests on a fastening bolt and on the other hand rests with a stop on at least one guide ring (2, 3).

12. Training device for golf turns according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that different mounting positions, preferably mirror-symmetrical mounting positions, are present.

13. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the guide rings (2, 3) consist of a T-profile, which are attached to a carrier with their horizontal base and a golf club with the edge of the vertical base.

14. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the guide rings (2, 3) consist of a T-profile, which are attached to a carrier with their vertical base and a golf club with the horizontal base to lead.

15. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the surface of the guide rings (2, 3), which touches the golf club during the swing, is provided with a polymer coating that reduces sliding friction.

16. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the outer guide ring (2, 3) has two symmetrically arranged trough-shaped depressions (27, 28) at top dead center from the elliptical shape.

17. Training device for golf turns according to one or more of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that in the top dead center of the guide rings (2, 3) a stop element (30) is provided which is pivotally attached to an existing cross strut (31) and with a stop (34) projecting into the plane of the guide ring (2, 3) limits the movement of the golf club during the upswing.

18. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that in the upper and / or lower region of the guide rings (2, 3) or in certain segment sections, magnets (18) are arranged, the holding force of which when the Racket to be overcome.

19. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that between the guide rings (2, 3) at least in an upper and / or lower area braking surfaces are formed which, for example, only respond to the golf ball in the swing direction and from inclined bristles or rubber lips.

20. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the guide rings (2, 3) have a magnetic surface or are magnetizable or are equipped with magnets (18) which have a metallic or magnetic field-reinforced shaft of the golf club (6) against the guide rings (2, 3).

21. Training device for golf turns according to one or more of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the indifferent zone of the magnetized guide rings (2, 3) lies in the plane spanned by the guide rings (2, 3).

22. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the guide rings (2, 3) are equipped with electronic sensors, sensor sensors or electrical contact surfaces, for example conductor tracks, on the side perpendicular to the plane normal, the contact surfaces can be divided into individual sectors and an electronic swing evaluation can be carried out.

23. Training device for golf turns according to one or more of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that a golf club (6) is provided with an element (7) in the center of gravity, which consists of at least one, preferably two half-shells and a recess for the club shaft , wherein the two half-shells are designed to be interconnectable.

24. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the element (7) for the golf club (6) consists of one piece and is designed to be pluggable over the golf club (6).

25. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the golf club (6) above and below the element (7) is equipped with sensors or sensor sensors.

26. Training device for golf swings according to one or more of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the holder (4) and / or the guide rings (2, 3) are made of wood, a polymeric material, a composite material or metal.

27. Training device for golf turns according to one or more of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the guide rings (2, 3) from a tubular profile, a T-profile, an H-profile, an L-profile, a half-shell profile or an X Profile exist.