WO2021181069A1

WO2021181069A1 - Improved golf club

Info

Publication number: WO2021181069A1
Application number: PCT/GB2021/050545
Authority: WO
Inventors: Elliott HOWARD
Original assignee: Trispeed Ltd
Current assignee: Trispeed Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-11
Filing date: 2021-03-04
Publication date: 2021-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-11
Also published as: GB2586298B; GB202003540D0; GB2586298A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a golf training aid, said golf training aid comprising: an adapter; a detachable training weight, and a fixing means, wherein said adapter is configured to be fixed on a distal end of a golf club shaft and to receive the detachable training weight, the fixing means configured to secure the detachable training weight to the adapter, wherein the fixing means is a hand-operated fixing means, configured such that manual manipulation of the hand-operated fixing means allows the securing of the detachable training weight to the adapter, and manual manipulation of the hand-operated fixing means allows the release of said hand-operated fixing means, thereby allowing the removal of said detachable training weight from the adapter.

Description

Improved Golf Club

Technical Field

The present invention relates to devices for use in golf training, particularly to weighted devices for golf swing training.

Background

Golf is a popular sport at both the amateur and professional level. Golf involves players using a club to hit balls into a series of holes on a course.

Many golf players, both professionals and amateurs, work to improve their swing. The swing is a combination of movements prior to and including hitting the ball with the golf club. A variety of factors can affect a person's swing, such as the speed at which the club is moved and the strength of impact between the club and the ball.

One way in which golfers can train to improve their swing is by training with weighted golf clubs to build strength in the muscles involved in the swing movement. Ultimately, this enables players to increase the force at which they are able to strike the ball with the golf club during play and to swing the club at a faster speed. As a result, players are able to hit the ball further.

Currently, golf clubs are available which comprise different weights, allowing players to gradually increase the weight they train with over time. When a player wishes to train with a different weight, a different club is required. This means players have to buy and transport multiple different clubs of different weights. Summary of the Invention

A golf training aid, said golf training aid comprising: an adapter; a detachable training weight, and a fixing means, wherein said adapter is configured to be fixed on a distal end of a golf club shaft and to receive the detachable training weight, the fixing means configured to secure the detachable training weight to the adapter, wherein the fixing means is a hand- operated fixing means, configured such that manual manipulation of the hand-operated fixing means allows the securing of the detachable training weight to the adapter, and manual manipulation of the hand-operated fixing means allows the release of said hand- operated fixing means, thereby allowing the removal of said detachable training weight from the adapter.

Advantageously, the golf training aid allows weights of different masses to be used with a single golf club shaft. Further, no additional tools are required to attach and remove the weights.

Optionally, the hand-operated fixing means comprises a fixing portion and a finger grip portion; said fixing portion configured to fix or secure the detachable weight to the adapter; said finger grip portion configured such that when in use, the application of force by hand to said finger grip portion in a first direction results in the tightening of said fixing portion and the application of force by hand to the finger grip portion in a second direction results in the loosening of said fixing portion.

Advantageously, the finger grip portion of the hand-operated fixing means provides a convenient means for the user to grip on to and operate the hand-operated fixing means.

Optionally, the finger grip portion comprises at least one protruding surface or wing element. Advantageously, the at least one protruding surface or wing element provides a surface on which the user can apply force to operate the hand-operated fixing means.

Preferably, the finger grip portion comprises two protruding surfaces or wing elements on opposing sides of the hand-operated fixing means.

Optionally, the fixing portion comprises a threaded pin and the adapter comprises a threaded hole; said internally threaded hole of the adapter configured to receive said threaded pin of the fixing portion.

Advantageously, the threaded pin of the fixing portion and the internally threaded hole of the adapter provide a secure mechanism by which the detachable training weight can be fitted to the adapter. Further, this reduces the likelihood that the detachable training weight will become loose from the adapter during use.

Optionally, the detachable training weight comprises an opening, said opening being configured to receive at least part of the adapter.

Advantageously, the opening provides a convenient mechanism for securely fitting the detachable training weight to the adapter.

Optionally, the adapter comprises at least one tooth portion and the detachable training weight comprises at least one recessed element; said at least one recessed element of the detachable training weight being configured to receive the at least one tooth portion of the adapter; such that in use, the interaction between the at least one recessed element of the detachable training weight and the at least one tooth portion of the adapter reduces the rotational movement of the detachable training weight. Advantageously, the interaction between at least one tooth portion of the adapter and at least one recessed element of the detachable training weight reduces the rotational movement of the detachable training weight on the adapter during use. This reduces the risk that the rotational movement of the detachable training weight on the adapter during use will loosen the fixing of the hand-operated fixing means.

Optionally, the adapter comprises two tooth portions and the detachable training weight comprises two recessed portions.

Optionally, the detachable training weight has a mass between 50g and 300g.

Optionally, the adapter and detachable training weight are manufactured from stainless steel.

A golf training device, said golf training device comprising a golf training aid, and a shaft portion, wherein the adapter is disposed on distal end of the shaft portion.

Optionally, the shaft portion and adapter are manufactured as a single integrated unit.

Optionally, the adapter is fixed to the shaft portion by adhesive means. A golf training kit, comprising a golf training device and a plurality of training weights, wherein each training weight of the plurality of training weights has a different mass. Various further features and aspects of the invention are defined in the claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention belongs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which:

Figure 1 is a simplified schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a golf training aid according to certain embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 is a simplified schematic diagram showing an alternative view of a golf training aid according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a simplified schematic diagram showing a partial exploded view of a golf training aid according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a golf training device according to certain embodiments of the present invention; and

Figure 5 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a golf training kit according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Figure l is a simplified schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a golf training aid according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The golf training aid 101 comprises an adapter 102, a detachable training weight 103 and a hand-operated fixing means 110.

The adapter 102 and detachable training weight 103 are manufactured from stainless steel. The detachable training weight 103 has a mass between 50 grams and 300 grams. The adapter 102 comprises a head section 104 and a body section 105. The body section 105 is substantially cylindrical and is connected to the head section 104 at a first end. Centrally located on the second end of the body section 105, there is an internally threaded bore or hole 107 which extends into the body portion 105 and extends partially down the longitudinal axis.

It would be understood that whilst it is preferred that the body section is substantially cylindrical, other configurations could be considered.

Two tooth portions 106 are arranged on the border between the head section 104 and the body section 105, as best shown in Figure 3. The tooth portions 106 are small protrusions extending outwards from the wall of the body section 104. Each tooth portion 106 extends partially around the circumference of the body section 105. The tooth portions are manufactured as an integral part of the adapter 102.

The head section 104 is substantially frustoconical in shape. The head section 104 is connected to the body section 105 at a first end. The first end of the head section 104 has a diameter larger than that of the body section 105. This forms an abutting surface against which the detachable weight 103 can abut. The second end of the head section 104 is configured to connect to the distal end golf club shaft. The second end of the head section 104 has a diameter smaller than that of the first end of the head section 104.

It would be understood that in some embodiments the second end of the head section 104 is permanently attached to and/or integrally formed with the distal end golf club shaft. The detachable training weight 103 is substantially cylindrical and has a through-hole 108 extending through its longitudinal axis. The through-hole 108 has a first opening on a first end 115 of the detachable training weight 103 and a second opening on a second end 116 of the detachable training weight 103. The second opening has a circumferential collar or flange section. Therefore, the first opening is larger than the second opening, and the second end of the body section 105, which has the internally threaded hole 107, can pass through the first opening and abuts against the inner surface of the second opening. The first end of the detachable training weight 103 comprises recessed elements 109 which are formed as part of the inner wall of the first opening of the through-hole on detachable training weight 103. The recessed elements 109 are configured and shaped to substantially correspond with the tooth portions 106 on the adapter 102 such that, when in use the interaction between the tooth portions 106 and recessed elements 109 reduce or prevent the rotational movement of the detachable training weight 103 on the adapter 102.

The hand-operated fixing means 110 is manufactured from stainless steel. The hand- operated fixing means 110 is comprised of a fixing portion 111, configured to detachably fix the detachable training weight 103 to the adapter 102, and a finger grip portion 112, configured to allow a person to tighten or loosen the hand-operated fixing means 110 by hand. When in place, the finger grip portion 112 is arranged to be on the outside of the detachable training weight 103 and adapter 102, whereas when assembled the fixing portion 111 is arranged to be within the detachable training weight 103 and adapter 102.

The fixing portion 111 is a threaded pin, configured to fit into and engage with the internally threaded hole 107 of the adapter 102. The finger grip portion 112 extends outwards from the fixing portion 111 and has two wing elements 113a, 113b which extend substantially horizontally from the centre of the hand-operated fixing means 110 with the elements being positioned on opposing sides of the hand-operated fixing means 110. The wing elements 113a, 113b provide engaging surfaces using which the hand-operated fixing portion 110 can be manually manipulated by the application of force to the wing elements 113a, 113b in order to effect the rotation of the fixing portion 111, and in turn loosening or tightening the hand-operated fixing means 110. Each wing element 113a, 113b has two opposing engaging surfaces, such that manual force can be applied to either attach or detach the hand- operated fixing means 110 to the adapter 102.

When in use, the detachable training weight 103 is fitted to the adapter 102 such that the body section 105 of the adapter is located within the through-hole 108 of the detachable training weight 103. The detachable training weight 103 can then be rotated to align the tooth portions 106 of the adapter 102 with the recessed elements 109 of the detachable training weight 103. As the length of the body section 105 is selected to extend substantially all of the way through the through-hole to abut the inner wall of the circumferential flange, the internally threaded hole 108 is visible through the second opening of the training weight 103. The hand-operated fixing means 110 is inserted through the second opening in the detachable training weight 103 and is screwed into the internally threaded hole 108. The hand-operated fixing means 410 is manually manipulated by means of a rotational force being applied by hand in a first direction to the wing elements 113a, 113b resulting in rotation of the fixing portion 111 in the internally threaded hole 107 causing the tightening of the hand-operated fixing means 110. When the user wishes to remove the detachable training weight 103, the hand-operated fixing means 410 is manually manipulated by means of a rotational force is applied by hand to the wing elements 113a, 113b in a second direction, resulting in the rotation of the fixing portion 111 in the internally threaded hole 107 causing the loosening of the hand-operated fixing means 110. Once loose, the hand-operated fixing means 110 can be removed from the adapter 102 and the detachable training weight 103 can then be removed from the adapter 102.

Figure 2 is a simplified schematic diagram showing an alternative view of a golf training aid according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a view of the surface of the second end 116 of the detachable training weight 103.

The hand-operated fixing means 110 comprises a fixing portion (not shown) and a finger grip portion 112. The finger grip portion 112 projects from the surface of the second end 116 of the detachable training weight such that it is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the second end 116 of the detachable training weight 103. The finger grip portion 112 comprises two wing elements 113a, 113b which extend outwards from the centre of the finger grip portion 112.

Located centrally within the finger grip portion 112 is a tool connection point 117. The tool connection point 117 is a star shaped indentation in the finger grip portion 112 of the hand- operated fixing means 110, suitable for connecting a tool such as an Allen key or hex key.

An Allen key or hex key may be used to secure or loosen the hand-operated fixing means 110 from the adapter 102 in cases where a user lacks the strength to manipulate the hand- operated fixing means 110 by hand, or in cases where the user wishes to tighten the hand- operated fixing means 110 further than they can do so by hand.

Figure 3 is a simplified schematic diagram showing a partial exploded view of a golf training aid according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The adapter 102 is shown partially in place within the through-hole of the detachable training weight 103. Arranged on the border between the head section 104 and body section 105 of the adapter is a tooth portion 106. The tooth portion 106 protrudes from the wall of the body portion 105 and has a rounded symmetrical semi-circular shape which is configured to fit into the recessed element 109 on the first end 115 of the detachable training weight 103.

Figure 4 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a golf training device according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The shaft portion 414 is elongate and substantially cylindrical, resembling the shaft portion of a conventional golf club. The shaft portion 414 is manufactured from graphite. The shaft portion 414 further comprises a grip portion 418. The grip portion 418 is comprised of rubber and provides an increased friction surface for the user to hold during use to ensure a more secure grip.

The adapter 402 is fixed to the distal end of the shaft portion 414 by an adhesive such as epoxy glue. The detachable training weight 403 is detachably fixed to the adapter 402 by the hand-operated fixing means 410. Figure 5 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a golf training kit according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The golf training kit comprises a shaft portion 514 which resembles the shaft of a conventional golf club. Located at the proximal end of the shaft portion is a grip portion 518. On the distal end of the shaft portion 514, there is an adapter 502.

Also provided in the golf training kit are three detachable training weights 503a, 503b, 503c. The first detachable training weight 503a has a mass of 100 grams, the second detachable training weight 503b has a mass of 150 grams, and the third detachable training weight 503c has a mass of 200 grams.

The golf training kit also comprises a hand-operated fixing means 510 for fixing the detachable training weights 503a, 503b, 503c to the adapter 502.

In use, a user may wish to start training with the first detachable training weight 503a, as it has the lowest mass. In order to do so, the user would fit the first detachable training weight 503a onto the adapter 502 and secure the first detachable training weight 503a in place on the adapter 502 by the hand-operated fixing means 510. When the user wishes to increase the mass, the hand-operated fixing means 510 is removed from the adapter 502, allowing the first detachable training weight 503a to be removed. The user can then fit the second detachable training weight 503b or third detachable training weight 503c to the adapter 502, and secure the second detachable training weight 503b or third detachable training weight 503c in place on the adapter by use of the hand-operated fixing means 510.

In alternative embodiments, the shaft portion and adapter may be manufactured as a single integrated unit.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" or "comprising" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). It will be opprecioted that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A golf training aid, said golf training aid comprising: an adapter; a detachable training weight, and a fixing means, wherein said adapter is configured to be fixed on a distal end of a golf club shaft and to receive the detachable training weight, the fixing means configured to secure the detachable training weight to the adapter, said adapter comprising at least one tooth portion and said detachable training weight comprising at least one recessed element; said at least one recessed element of the detachable training weight being configured to receive the at least one tooth portion of the adapter; such that in use, the interaction between the at least one recessed element of the detachable training weight and the at least one tooth portion of the adapter reduces the rotational movement of the detachable training weight, wherein the fixing means is a hand- operated fixing means, configured such that manual manipulation of the hand-operated fixing means allows the securing of the detachable training weight to the adapter, and manual manipulation of the hand-operated fixing means allows the release of said hand-operated fixing means, thereby allowing the removal of said detachable training weight from the adapter.

2. A golf training aid according to claim 1, wherein the hand-operated fixing means comprises a fixing portion and a finger grip portion; said fixing portion configured to fix the detachable weight to the adapter; said finger grip portion configured such that when in use, the application of force by hand to said finger grip portion in a first direction results in the tightening of said fixing portion and the application of force by hand to the finger grip portion in a second direction results in the loosening of said fixing portion.

3. A golf training aid according to claim 2, wherein the finger grip portion comprises at least one wing element.

4. A golf training aid according to claims 2 to 3, wherein the fixing portion comprises a threaded pin and the adapter comprises a threaded hole; said internally threaded hole of the adapter configured to receive said threaded pin of the fixing portion.

5. A golf training aid according to any previous claim, wherein the detachable training weight comprises an opening, said opening being configured to receive at least part of the adapter.

6. A golf training aid according to any previous claim, wherein the adapter comprises two tooth portions and the detachable training weight comprises two recessed portions.

7. A golf training aid according to any previous claim, wherein the detachable training weight has a mass between 50g and 300g.

8. A golf training aid according to any previous claim, wherein the adapter and detachable training weight are manufactured from stainless steel.

9. A golf training device, said golf training device comprising a golf training aid according to any of the previous claims, and a shaft portion; wherein the adapter is disposed on distal end of the shaft portion.

10. A golf training device according to claim 9, wherein the shaft portion and adapter are manufactured as a single integrated unit.

11. A golf training device according to claim 9, wherein the adapter is fixed to the shaft portion by adhesive means.

12. A golf training kit, said golf training kit comprising a golf training device according to claims 9 to 11, and a plurality of training weights; wherein each individual training weight of the plurality of training weights has a different mass.