Golf support sleeve

Abstract

A support sleeve assists a golfer in keeping the golfer's arm straight during a golf swing. The support sleeve has a sleeve having at least one pocket extending along the length of the sleeve, and a rod retained inside the at least one pocket. The sleeve is worn on the elbow region of the golfer's leading arm, and the rod inhibits bending of the golfer's arm at the elbow region during a golf swing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to golfing accessories, and in particular, to a support sleeve that can be worn on a player's elbow to assist the player in keeping his or her arm straight during a golf swing.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is the dream of every golfer to have a perfect golf swing. In this regard, it is well-known that a good golf swing requires that the leading arm (e.g., the left arm for a right-handed golfer) be as straight as possible on a backswing and downswing. Unfortunately, this is one of the hardest instructions for any new golfer to follow.

Therefore, there remains a need for a device which can help a golfer to maintain his or her leading arm as straight as possible during a golf swing.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

To accomplish the objectives set forth above, the present invention provides a support sleeve that assists a golfer in keeping the golfer's arm straight during a golf swing. The support sleeve has a sleeve having at least one pocket extending along the length of the sleeve, and a rod retained inside the at least one pocket. The sleeve is worn on the elbow region of the golfer's leading arm, and the rod inhibits bending of the golfer's arm at the elbow region during a golf swing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support sleeve according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a plurality of rods that are used with the support sleeve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the support sleeve of FIG. 1 in use on the elbow portion of a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a support sleeve 10 according to the present invention. The sleeve 10 includes a fabric-like material 12 formed into a tubular configuration. The material 12 has a degree of elasticity that allows the sleeve 10 to be slid on to the arm of a player to the elbow region and then retain the sleeve 10 at the desired position without slipping or falling off. Examples of such materials 12 can include nylon, elastic, cotton and neoprene.

A plurality of pairs of aligned and elongated pockets 14a, 14b can be stitched to the outer surface of the sleeve 10. Each pair of elongated pockets 14a, 14b is sized and configured to receive and hold a support rod 16. Each pair of pockets 14a, 14b is arranged so that they are aligned in a straight line along the length of the sleeve 10, with a space 18 between them, and with the openings 20a and 20b to the pockets 14a and 14b, respectively, facing the space 18. As a result, the rod 16 can be inserted into the pockets 14a, 14b by first inserting, for example, one end 22 through the opening 20a into the pocket 14a, then bending the sleeve 10 slightly, and then flexing the rod 16 to insert the other end 24 through the opening 20b into the other pocket 14b. Adjacent pairs of pockets 14a, 14b can be arranged in a parallel manner and spaced apart from the other pairs of pockets 14a, 14b by a spacing 30. The spacing 30 can be uniform between adjacent pockets 14a, 14b, or varied to accommodate the anatomy of the elbow region.

Each rod 16 has a stiffness which functions to help maintain the elbow as straight as possible. Since the only joint along a human being's arm is at the elbow region, that is the location where a golfer is most likely to bend or flex his or her arm. As a result, each rod 16 is preferably sized and configured to provide just enough support to help the player keep the elbow region straight. For example, each rod 16 preferably has a diameter that ranges between 0.25 inches and 0.5 inches, and a length that ranges from 8 inches to 12 inches. In addition, the rods 16 are made from materials that have good stiffness, yet allow for a slight flex to prevent injury or discomfort to the player and to allow the rod 16 to be inserted into the pockets 14a, 14b. Examples of such materials include plastic, nylon and spring steel. In addition, the rods 16 can be provided with the same length and diameter, yet with different stiffness, so that a player can replace existing rods 16 with rods 16 of different stiffness as desired. For example, a golfer may start using the sleeve 10 with a certain set of rods 16, and as he or she improves, he or she may desire a set of rods 16 that have less stiffness.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the provision of three rods 16 and three pairs of pockets 14a, 14b, though the number of rods 16 and pairs of pockets 14a, 14b can be varied depending on how much stiffness is needed by the particular player. For example, a better golfer may only need one rod 16, while beginners may need more rods 16. Also, the number of rods 16 can be dictated by the comfort of the player, as it is useless to provide too much stiffness if the player who is wearing the sleeve 10 does not feel comfortable, thereby hampering the swing. For example, the sleeve 10 can be provided with three pairs of pockets 14a, 14b, yet the player may choose to only use one, or two or all three rods 16. The player can also use rods 16 of different stiffness on the same sleeve 10 to achieve different effects. For example, the player may desire a less stiff rod 16 at the pockets 14a, 14b closest to the inner elbow region, and a stiffer rod 16 at the pockets 14a, 14b closest to the outside elbow region.

FIG. 3 illustrates the sleeve 10 in use on a player's elbow region E. As shown in FIG. 3, the rods 16 help maintain the elbow region E as straight as possible during a golf swing.

As an alternative, the rods 16 can be secured to the outer surface of the sleeve 10 without the use of the pockets 14a, 14b. For example, the rods 16 can be irremovably attached to the sleeve 10 by stitching, glue or similar means, or tie members (not shown) can be used to removably attach the rods 16 to the sleeve 10.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of assisting a golfer during a golf swing, comprising, comprising:

a. providing a support sleeve having: a sleeve having an outer surface and a length, and at least one pocket extending along the length of the sleeve; a rod retained inside the at least one pocket;

b. wearing the sleeve on the elbow region of the golfer's leading arm; and

wherein the rod inhibits bending of the golfer's arm at the elbow region during a golf swing.

2. The method of claim 1, further including:

providing each of the at least one pocket with a pair of first and second pockets stitched to the outer surface of the sleeve, the first and second pockets extending along the length of the sleeve, with a space defined between the first and second pockets, and each of the first and second pockets having an opening that faces the space.

3. The method of claim 1, further including:

providing the at least one pocket with a plurality of parallel pockets; and

retaining a separate rod inside each of the plurality of parallel pockets.

4. The method of claim 3, further including:

providing the separate rods with separate stiffnesses.

5. The method of claim 2, further including:

providing the at least one pocket with a plurality of parallel pockets; and

retaining a separate rod inside each of the plurality of parallel pockets.

6. The method of claim 1, further including:

providing the sleeve in a fabric material that contains a degree of elasticity.

7. The method of claim 1, further including:

providing the rod in one of the following materials: plastic, nylon, or spring steel.

8. A method of assisting a golfer during a golf swing, comprising, comprising:

a. providing a support sleeve having: a sleeve having a length; a rod attached to the sleeve and extending along the length of the sleeve;

b. wearing the sleeve on the elbow region of the golfer's leading arm; and

wherein the rod inhibits bending of the golfer's arm at the elbow region during a golf swing.

9. The method of claim 8, further including:

providing a plurality of separate rods attached to the sleeve and extending parallel to each other along the length of the sleeve.

10. The method of claim 9, further including:

providing the separate rods with separate stiffnesses.

11. The method of claim 8, further including:

providing the rod in one of the following materials: plastic, nylon, or spring steel.