Golf swing assistance apparatus

Abstract

A golf swing assistance apparatus generates an electronic alarm sound at the top of a back swing and at a finish, during a golf swing, so that the golfer can be informed of a period of time during which the swing is temporarily stopped at the top of the back swing to maintain the feeling for swing rhythm and prevent a head-up during a down swing, to the finish and perform a golf swing with a good posture.

Description

This application claims priority from pending Korean Patent Application No. 2004-72615 filed on Sep. 10, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a golf swing assistance apparatus, and more particularly to a golf swing assistance apparatus adapted to generate an electronic alarm sound at the top of a back swing and at a finish, during a golf swing, so that the golfer can be informed of a period of time during which the swing is temporarily stopped at the top of the back swing to maintain the feeling for swing rhythm and prevent a head-up during a down swing, to the finish.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A golf swing can be divided into three periods of rhythm: ‘one’, a back swing action from an address posture; ‘two’, at the top of the back swing, at which the swing is temporarily stopped; and ‘three’, a down swing to a finish, at which the swing is instantly performed. Such a rhythm is indispensable for a good swing.

In particular: performing the back swing lightly, slowly, and with constant speed; temporarily stopping at the top of the back swing; and fixing the golfer's head during the down swing, to the finish, to avoid a head-up (raising the head hastily to see the flying ball) are important factors which determine whether the shot is good or not. However, a good swing is performed using much sense and is difficult to master even with much drilling and repeated exercise. It is even more difficult to constantly command a good swing in the field.

If a golfer can sense and be aware of the procedure from the top of the back swing, at which the swing is temporarily stopped, to the finish, he/she would be able to easily maintain a constant swing posture and perform a good shot.

The present applicant has proposed a golf swing assistance apparatus adapted to provide the golfer with a sound and a vibration, which a metal ball and an impact plate generate at the top of a back swing and at a finish, so that the golfer can be informed of the period of time during which the swing is temporarily stopped at the top of the back swing to maintain the feeling for swing rhythm and prevent a head-up during a down swing, to the finish, as disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2004-13875 (corresponding to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10-858425).

However, the golf swing assistance apparatus disclosed in the above patent application has a problem in that, since the apparatus simply uses a sound and a vibration which the metal ball and the impact plate generate when colliding with each other and informs the golfer of the period of time during which the swing is temporarily stopped at the top of the back swing, the collision sound generated by the metal ball and the impact plate may not be uniformly transmitted to the golfer depending on surroundings or service condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a golf swing assistance apparatus adapted to generate a uniform electronic alarm sound regardless of surroundings or service condition at the top of a back swing and at a finish, during a golf swing, so that the golfer can be informed of a period of time during which the swing is temporarily stopped at the top of the back swing to maintain the feeling for swing rhythm and prevent a head-up during a down swing, to the finish.

In order to accomplish this object, there is provided a golf swing assistance apparatus comprising a cylindrical body made of conductive material; a metal ball contained in a hole of the cylindrical body and adapted to move in the gravitational direction according to the slope of the cylindrical body; a contact portion positioned on an end of the cylindrical body to form an electrically connected circuit with the cylindrical body and the metal ball upon contacting the metal ball; an alarm device connected to the closed circuit in series to generate an alarm sound when the cylindrical body, the metal ball, and the contact portion establish a connected circuit; and a power supply for applying electric power to the closed circuit.

Preferably, the golf swing assistance apparatus further comprises a number of small metal balls between the metal ball and the contact portion for increased contact points.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf swing assistance apparatus comprising a cylindrical body made of conductive material; a metal ball contained in a hole of the cylindrical body and adapted to move in the gravitational direction according to the slope of the cylindrical body; first and second contact portions positioned on both ends of the cylindrical body, respectively, and adapted to contact the metal ball; a delay circuit connected to the second contact portion; an input gate connected to the first contact portion and the delay circuit and adapted to generate an actuation signal in response to a detection signal from the first contact portion after the delay circuit is turned on in response to a detection signal from the second contact portion and an alarm device adapted to generate an alarm sound in response to the actuation signal from the input gate.

Preferably, the golf swing assistance apparatus further comprising a number of small metal balls between the metal ball and the first contact portion for increased contact points.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows in brief the construction view of a golf swing assistance apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a cylindrical body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the operation of a golf swing assistance apparatus, during a back swing, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows the operation of a golf swing assistance apparatus, during a down swing, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an alternative cylindrical body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a cylindrical body according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows the construction of a golf swing assistance apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an alternative cylindrical body according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and so repetition of the description on the same or similar components will be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows in brief the construction of a golf swing assistance apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof.

As shown in the drawings, a golf swing assistance apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a cylindrical body 12 made of conductive material and a metal ball 16 inserted into a hole 14 of the body 12 and having a size suitable for movement therein. One end of the body 12 is open but the other end thereof is blocked lest the metal ball 16 should escape from the body 12 when it is moved between both ends thereof due to its own weight, as the slope of the cylindrical body 12 changes. The blocked end of the body 12 may be fabricated together with the body 12 during molding or may be blocked using a separate cap.

The open end of the body 12 is sealed by a cap 18 of nonconductive material. The cap 18 has a contact portion 20 extending through the center thereof, which electrically connects the cap 18 with the body 12 upon contacting the metal ball 16. As such, the body 12 and the contact portion 20 establish an electrically closed circuit. A power supply 22 and an alarm device 24 for generating an electronic alarm sound are connected to the circuit in series.

The operation of a golf swing assistance apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, configured as above, will now be described.

FIG. 3 shows the operation of the golf swing assistance apparatus, during a back swing, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, (a) corresponds to a perspective view of the apparatus at a back swing and (b) corresponds to a perspective view at the top of the back swing.

When the apparatus is turned on and the golfer takes an initial address posture, as shown in FIG. 3, the metal ball 16 is spaced from the contact portion 20. He then performs a back swing (a) from the address posture lightly, slowly, and with constant speed and posture change. Therefore, even when the metal ball 16 is moved and positioned on a reverse slope surface, it maintains its initial position due to the centrifugal force. At the top of the back swing, at which the swing is stopped for a very short period of time, the metal ball 16 drops due to its own weight and gravity and contacts the contact portion 20.

The metal ball 16 then electrically connects the cylindrical body 12 to the contact portion 20. This establishes a connection circuit and causes the alarm device 24 to generate an electronic alarm sound. After sensing the alarm sound, the golfer can proceed to the down swing.

As such, the golf swing assistance apparatus according to the present invention enables a golfer to perform a back swing (a) light, slowly, and with a constant speed; to be informed of a period of time during which the swing is temporarily stopped at the top of the back swing (b) by means of an alarm sound; and to proceed to the down swing. In this way, he can maintain the swing speed and the feeling of swing rhythm in the course of address, back swing (a), top of the back swing (b), and down swing.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the golf swing assistance apparatus, during a down swing, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, (c) corresponds to a perspective view of the apparatus right after a down swing is performed and (d) corresponds to a perspective view at a finish posture.

As shown in FIG. 4, the metal ball 16 is moved to the opposite side of the contact portion 20 in the hole 14 of the cylindrical body 12 right after a down swing is performed (c). Even when the metal ball 16 is positioned on a reverse slope surface, it maintains its position until the finish, at which the swing is ended, due to the centrifugal force. At the finish (d), when the swing is stopped, the metal ball 16 drops due to gravity and contacts the contact portion 20 again. The metal ball 16 then electrically connects the cylindrical body 12 with the contact portion 20 and an electronic alarm sound is generated. After sensing the alarm sound, the golfer can turn his head to see the flying ball. This prevents a head-up.

An alternative golf swing assistance apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, comprises a cylindrical body 12, a metal ball 16, a contact portion 20 positioned on and end of a hole 14 of the body 12, and a number of small metal balls 26 positioned between the metal ball 16 and the contact portion 20. The small metal balls 26 are electrical connection members and increase the contact points among the body 12, the metal ball 16, and the contact portion 20 for better connection. When the metal ball 16 is moved to the contact portion 20 due to gravity, the small metal balls 26 maintain good electrical connection.

In order to maintain good contact between the metal ball 16 and the contact portion 20 or between the metal ball 16 and the small metal balls 26, contact activation agent is preferably applied to the interior of the cylindrical body 12 which is hermetically sealed in order to avoid leakage.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a golf swing assistance apparatus 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The golf swing assistance apparatus 30 comprises a cylindrical body 32 made of conductive material; a metal ball 36 inserted into a hole 34 of the body 32 and having a size suitable for movement in the hole 34; nonconductive caps 38 and 38′ sealing both ends of the body 32, respectively; and first and second contact portions 40 and 40′ extending through the center of the caps 38 and 38′, respectively.

The first and second contact portions 40 and 40′ are connected to the first and second A/D converters 42 and 42′, respectively. The second A/D converter 42′ is connected to a delay circuit 44, which is connected to an input gate 46 composed of an AND circuit. The input gate 46 is connected to an alarm device 50 via a control unit or an alarm device driving means 48, such as an alarm device driver.

When the golfer takes an address posture, the metal ball 36 contacts the second contact portion 40′. The body 32, the metal ball 36, and the second contact portion 40′ are then connected to one another and generate a signal. The signal is subject to data transformation by the second A/D converter 42′ and is transmitted to the delay circuit 44. Suppose that the golfer makes a back swing action while the delay circuit 44 is turned on and thereby the metal ball 36 is moved in the body 32 by gravity and contacts the first contact portion 40. Alternatively, suppose that the delay circuit 44 is turned on again as the metal ball 36 contacts the second contact portion 40′ during a down swing and the metal ball 36 is moved in the body 32 by gravity and contacts the first contact portion 40 during a finish action. Then, the body 32, the metal ball 36, and the first contact portion 40 are connected to one another and generate a signal, which is transformed by the first A/D converter 42 and is transmitted to the input gate 46. The input gate 46 then generates an actuation signal and causes the alarm device driving means 48 to generate an alarm sound via the alarm device 50.

Accordingly, even when the metal ball 36 contacts the first contact portion 40 again while the body 32, the first contact portion 40, and the metal ball 36 are connected to one another in an unstable manner due to an impact during a swing, the alarm device 50 generates only a single alarm sound and avoids unnecessarily generating any additional alarm sound, as long as the metal ball 36 has not contacted the second contact portion 40′ beforehand.

An alternative golf swing assistance apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, comprises a cylindrical body 32; a metal ball 36; first and second contact portions 40 and 40′ positioned on both ends of a hole 34 of the body 32, respectively; and a number of small metal balls 52 positioned between the metal ball 36 and the first contact portion 40 to act as electrical connection members for better connection.

In order to maintain good contact between the metal ball 36 and the first and second contact portions 40 and 40′ or between the metal ball 36 and the small metal balls 52, contact activation agent is preferably applied to the interior of the cylindrical body 32 and hermetic seal is preferably maintained to avoid leakage.

The golf swing assistance apparatus according to the present invention may be fabricated as a wrist watch, a wrist protector, or a wristlet so that it can be worn on a wrist of the golfer, fastened on a golf glove or on the sleeve portion of upper wear, or positioned in an internal space of the grip portion of a golf shaft.

As mentioned above, the golf swing assistance apparatus according to the present invention provides a golfer with an electronic alarm sound in a uniform manner regardless of surroundings or service condition and informs him of the movement of a metal ball due to gravity at the top of a back swing (b), during a golf swing, so that he can be informed of a period of time during which the swing is temporarily stopped at the top of the back swing (b) to maintain his feeling for swing rhythm. He can also prevent a head-up by fixing his head until an electronic alarm sound is generated at a finish, when the swing is stopped (d).

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A golf swing assistance apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical body made of conductive material;

a metal ball contained in a hole of the cylindrical body and adapted to move in the gravitational direction according to the slope of the cylindrical body;

a contact portion positioned on an end of the cylindrical body to form an electrically connected circuit with the cylindrical body and the metal ball upon contacting the metal ball;

an alarm device connected to the closed circuit in series to generate an alarm sound when the cylindrical body, the metal ball, and the contact portion establish a connected circuit; and

a power supply for applying electric power to the closed circuit.

2. A golf swing assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a number of small metal balls between the metal ball and the contact portion.

3. A golf swing assistance apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical body made of conductive material;

a metal ball contained in a hole of the cylindrical body and adapted to move in the gravitational direction according to the slope of the cylindrical body;

first and second contact portions positioned on both ends of the cylindrical body, respectively, and adapted to contact the metal ball;

a delay circuit connected to the second contact portion;

an input gate connected to the first contact portion and the delay circuit and adapted to generate an actuation signal in response to a detection signal from the first contact portion after the delay circuit is turned on in response to a detection signal from the second contact portion; and

an alarm device adapted to generate an alarm sound in response to the actuation signal from the input gate.

4. A golf swing assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a number of small metal balls between the metal ball and the first contact portion.