Golf Swing Training Device
A golf swing training device. A warning device is connected to a foot actuated switch and a sound actuated switch. A power source provides power to the warning device via the sound actuated switch and the foot actuated switch. The warning device emits a warning when it senses the sound of a golf club hitting a golf ball while simultaneously the foot actuated switch senses the pressure of the golfer's back foot heel. In a preferred embodiment, the power source is a battery. In a preferred embodiment the golf swing training device also includes a toggle switch that allows the golfer to bypass the sound actuated switch so that when the golfer lifts his heel the foot actuated switch allows power to flow to the warning device so that the golfer knows more precisely when he is lifting his heel. In another preferred embodiment a pneumatic bulb is connected to the foot actuated switch via tubing and the golfer activates the foot actuated switch by stepping on the pneumatic bulb with his heel. In another preferred embodiment instead of using a pneumatic bulb there is a wireless connection between a transmitting device on or near the golfer's foot and the foot actuated switch.
The present invention relates to sports training devices and, in particular, to golf swing training devices. This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/034,593, filed Mar. 7, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Golf SwingGolf is a very popular sport worldwide and is a sport that golfers can play throughout their life. Unlike many sports that require strong cardiovascular abilities (i.e., soccer, tennis or distance running) golf is a sport that depends primarily on learned skill. For example, a golfer who is in relatively poor physical shape but who has a very good golf swing can score better than a golfer who is an outstanding physical shape but who does not know how to properly swing a golf club. For this reason, golfers are constantly trying to improve their swing even as they age. An 80 yr old golfer can potentially be better than he was a 45 if he practices and improves his swing, even though he is not as physically strong and even though he has decreased cardiovascular ability and decreased flexibility. Or a 12-year-old golfer with a good, practiced swing can score better than a 28-year-old professional athlete with a poor or average swing even though the 12-year-old is much weaker physically.
The importance of a good golf swing is well recognized in the golf industry and consequently country club pros seem to always have a healthy cliental of all ages all trying to improve their swing at the driving range. In addition, golfers tend to seek out training aids that they can utilize on their own for practice and improvement. Private instruction is a preferred method of improving the golf swing because an expert can watch the golfer and give constant feedback and analysis regarding the swing. However, private instruction is very expensive and is often inconvenient because the golfer must travel to the instructor's location for his lesson. A training aid is also preferred because a good training aid will give feedback to the golfer so he can improve and adjust his swing on his own. Furthermore, once the training aid is purchased, there is usually no further significant costs required until the training aid brakes or needs replacement.
There are many elements of the golf swing, one of which is proper hip rotation during the downswing and through ball contact. To properly facilitate hip rotation, the back foot should pivot about the big toe joint of the foot and the back heel should rise so that any weight on the rear foot is all on the big toe joint of the foot.
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It may take only a few moments for a person of average intelligence to mentally understand the steps of a perfect golf swing. However, even after years of constant practice, only a relatively very few golfers are able to perfectly swing a golf club. A major problem for golfers is mastering the early weight shift to the front foot, which is facilitated by the hip rotation that is necessary for optimum power and control. As shown in
Sound actuated switches are known. A common sound actuated switch is known as a clapper or VOX (Voice Operated) switch. For example,
Pressure switches are known. A pressure switch is an instrument that senses a change in pressure and actuates an electrical switching element when a pre-determined pressure point is reached.
A water level control (WLC) is an example of a prior art pressure switch commonly used in a clothes washer.
There are 3 connecting terminals on a pressure switch 9 (
When at rest (
This arrangement is usually used to allow power to energize the water fill valve of a clothes washer until the internal diaphragm is activated. At that time power is disconnected from the fill and switched to the timer to allow it to advance through the rest of the cycles (wash, spin, etc.).
What is needed is a training device to train a golfer to properly lift his rear heel while swinging his golf club.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a golf swing training device. A warning device is connected to a foot actuated switch and a sound actuated switch. A power source provides power to the warning device via the sound actuated switch and the foot actuated switch. The warning device emits warning when it senses the sound of a golf club hitting a golf ball while simultaneously the foot actuated switch senses the pressure of the golfer's back foot heel. In a preferred embodiment, the power source is a battery. In a preferred embodiment the golf swing training device also includes a toggle switch that allows the golfer to bypass the sound actuated switch so that when the golfer lifts his heel the foot actuated switch allows power to flow to the warning device so that the golfer knows more precisely when he is lifting his heel. In another preferred embodiment a pneumatic bulb is connected to the foot actuated switch via tubing and the golfer activates the foot actuated switch by stepping on the pneumatic bulb with his heel. In another preferred embodiment instead of using a pneumatic bulb there is a wireless connection between a transmitting device on or near the golfer's foot and the foot actuated switch.
Microphone 6 and buzzer 27 are attached to the side of box 21. Sound actuated switch 5, toggle switch 25, pressure switch 9 and battery 22 are mounted inside box 21. Sound actuated switch includes relay 24 and potentiometer 23. Pneumatic bulb 20 is connected to pressure switch 9 via tubing 26.
Operation of a Preferred EmbodimentOperation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be explained by reference to the drawings below. By utilizing toggle switch 25 the golfer can switch between “late mode” and “practice mode”. In order for the buzzer to sound during late mode operation, toggle switch 25 must be switched to the “late mode” position (
Late mode allows the golfer to hear a buzzing noise if he is too late to lift his rear heel. The golfer lifts his heel too late when he fails to lift it or lifts it after the club makes contact with the ball.
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An advanced golfer probably will have mastered the task of lifting the rear heel prior to hitting the ball with the golf club. However, the advanced golfer may still be interested in knowing more precisely when in relationship to his golf swing his rear foot is being lifted. He may be lifting it too soon. Ideally he should be lifting it just prior to making contact with the ball. For example, an advanced golfer may currently be lifting his heel 0.2 seconds prior to hitting the golf ball. He may wish to adjust his swing so that he is lifting his heel 0.1 seconds prior to hitting the golf ball. By switching the present invention to “practice mode” the advanced golfer can more accurately determine when his rear heel is lifting.
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It should be noted that although the above description of the preferred embodiments discussed utilizing the present invention to improve a golf swing, the present invention is also affective in improving a baseball batter's swing. For example,
Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the above preferred embodiments discussed the use of the present invention for improving a golf swing or a baseball batter's swing, it could also be used to improve the swing for other sports where it is important to turn the hips to dynamically perform the sports activity. The turning of the hips is signaled and detected by the lifting of the back foot heel when the player swings a ball hitting device, such as: a tennis player swinging a tennis racquet to hit a tennis ball, a squash player swinging a squash racquet to hit a squash ball, a racquetball player swinging a racquetball racquet to hit a racquetball ball, etc. Also, although the above described embodiments disclosed the utilization of a WLC pressure switch, it should be recognized that other types of foot actuated switches for sensing the presence or absence of a user's heel can also be used. For example,
Claims
1) A golf swing training device, comprising:
- A) a sound actuated switch,
- B) a foot actuated switch for sensing the pressure created by a user's heel,
- C) an warning device connected to said foot actuated switch and said sound actuated switch, and
- D) a power source to provide power to said warning device via said sound actuated switch and said foot actuated switch,
- wherein said warning device emits a warning when said sound actuated switch senses the sound of a golf club hitting a golf ball and when said foot actuated switch senses the pressure the pressure of the user's heel.
2) The golf swing training device as in claim 1, further comprising a relay switch controlled by said sound actuated switch, wherein said power source provides power to said audible warning device via said relay switch.
3) The golf swing training device as in claim 1, wherein said foot actuated switch is a pressure switch.
4) The golf swing training device as in claim 1, further comprising a microphone for detecting the sound of a golf club hitting a golf ball and for generating an electrical signal to be transmitted to said sound actuated switch.
5) The golf swing training device as in claim 4, further comprising a potentiometer for adjusting the sensitivity of said microphone.
6) The golf swing training device as in claim 1, further comprising a toggle switch to route the flow of electricity to either said sound actuated switch or said foot actuated switch.
7) The golf swing training device as in claim 6, wherein when said toggle switch routes the flow of electricity directly to said foot actuated switch said warning device emits a warning when said foot actuated switch senses that the golfer has lifted his heel.
8) The golf swing training device as in claim 1, wherein said pressure switch is a water level control pressure switch.
9) The golf swing training device as in claim 3, further comprising a pneumatic bulb connected to said pressure switch via tubing wherein the golfer activates said pressure switch by stepping on said pneumatic bulb with his heel.
10) The golf swing training device as in claim 1, wherein said warning device is a either a audible warning device, a visual warning device or a combination audible and visual warning device.
11) The golf swing training device as in claim 1, wherein said power source is a battery.
12) The golf swing training device as in claim 1, wherein said sound actuated switch is a VOX or audio-actuated switch.
13) A golf swing training device, comprising:
- A) a sound actuated switch,
- B) a foot actuated switch for sensing the pressure created by a user's heel,
- C) a warning device electrically connected to said foot actuated switch and said sound actuated switch, and
- D) a power source to provide power to said warning device via said sound actuated switch and said foot actuated switch,
- E) a toggle switch to route the flow of electricity to either said sound actuated switch or said foot actuated switch,
- wherein when said toggle switch routes the flow of electricity to said sound actuated switch said warning device emits a warning when said sound actuated switch senses the sound of a golf club hitting a golf ball and when said foot actuated switch senses the pressure of the user's heel, and wherein when said toggle switch routes the flow of electricity to said foot actuated switch said warning device emits a warning when said foot actuated switch senses that the golfer has lifted his heel.
14) A swing training device for sports training, comprising:
- A) a sound actuated switch,
- B) a foot actuated switch for sensing the pressure created by a user's heel,
- C) an warning device connected to said foot actuated switch and said sound actuated switch, and
- D) a power source to provide power to said warning device via said sound actuated switch and said foot actuated switch,
- wherein said warning device emits a warning when said sound actuated switch senses the sound of a ball hitting device contacting a ball and when said foot actuated switch senses the pressure the pressure of the user's heel.
15) The swing training device as in claim 14, wherein said ball hitting device is a golf club and said ball is a golf ball.
16) The swing training device as in claim 14, wherein said ball hitting device is a baseball bat and said ball is a baseball.
17) The swing training device as in claim 14, wherein said ball hitting device is a tennis racquet and said ball is a tennis ball.
18) The swing training device as in claim 14, wherein said ball hitting device is a racquetball racquet and said ball is a racquet ball.
19) The swing training device as in claim 14, wherein said ball hitting device is a squash racquet and said ball is a squash ball.
20) A swing training device, comprising:
- A) a sound actuated switch,
- B) a switch means for sensing the presence or absence of a user's foot,
- C) an warning device connected to said switch means and said sound actuated switch, and
- D) a power source to provide power to said warning device via said sound actuated switch and said switch means,
- wherein said warning device emits a warning when said sound actuated switch senses the sound of a golf club hitting a golf ball and when said switch means senses the presence of the user's heel.
21) The swing training device as in claim 20, wherein said switch means is an on/off switch.
22) The swing training device as in claim 20, wherein said switch means is a pressure switch.
23) The swing training device as in claim 20, wherein said sound actuated switch, said switch means and said audible warning device are electrically connected via wire.
24) The swing training device as in claim 20, wherein said sound actuated switch, said switch means and said audible warning device are wirelessly connected.
25) The swing training device as in claim 20, wherein said warning device is a visual lamp.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 4, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 10, 2009
Inventor: Larry Dean Whitaker (Rancho Santa Fe, CA)
Application Number: 12/062,816
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101); A63B 69/00 (20060101);