Swing Release Aid

Abstract

One embodiment includes a swing aid to help athletes (e.g., golfers, batters, or tennis players) learn how to properly hinge their wrists during a swing of a golf club, bat, or racquet. A device comprises a plurality of weights (e.g., balls) included in a conduit. In a low first swing position the balls are located together at a distal end of the conduit. In a high second swing position the balls are located together at a proximal end of the conduit. When transferring from the second position to the first position the balls make a first sound (which indicates improper wrist action) or a second plurality of sounds (which indicates proper wrist action) based on when the user rotates the device about the proximal end of the conduit (e.g., unhinges the wrist). Other embodiments are described herein.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/386,888 filed on Dec. 17, 2010 entitled SWING RELEASE AIDE, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Athletes that play, for example, golf, tennis, baseball, softball, racquetball, squash, cricket, ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, and the like often wish to maximize power and control in their swings. Many believe one way to increase power and control is to maximize and control the force generated from their wrists. In other words, the athletes wish to harness the “wrist action” in their swing to produce a more powerful and controlled swing.

To address this wish, athletes must often wade through complex teaching methods that attempt to maximize wrist action. For example, golfers are asked to hinge their wrists in a certain direction, hinge their wrists with a slight upward hinge but without feeling as though he or she is actively hinging the wrists, and the like. The golfer is told to begin the backswing by breaking the wrist slightly back before moving his or her arms and keeping the wrists cocked during the backswing. During the swing forward the golfer is to break or turn the wrists into the shot, with the wrists reaching their original, straight position at contact. Slicing indicates that golfer left his or her wrists back too long. The golfer is then to turn his or her wrists and forearms over, immediately after contact. Examples of complicated instructions for proper wrist action are numerous and wide spread.

In other words, proper wrist action is difficult to articulate with words and consequently, is difficult to instruct.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims, the following detailed description of one or more example embodiments, and the corresponding figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates various embodiments of a swing aid.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-a-way view of an embodiment of a swing aid.

FIG. 3 includes a backswing in an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4-9 include downswings in embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10 includes another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth but embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. Well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring an understanding of this description. “An embodiment”, “various embodiments” and the like indicate embodiment(s) so described may include particular features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular features, structures, or characteristics. Some embodiments may have some, all, or none of the features described for other embodiments. “First”, “second”, “third” and the like describe a common object and indicate different instances of like objects are being referred to. Such adjectives do not imply objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. “Connected” may indicate elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other and “coupled” may indicate elements co-operate or interact with each other, but they may or may not be in direct physical or electrical contact. Also, while similar or same numbers may be used to designate same or similar parts in different figures, doing so does not mean all figures including similar or same numbers constitute a single or same embodiment.

One embodiment includes a swing aid to help athletes (e.g., golfers, batters, or tennis players) learn how to properly hinge their wrists during a swing of a golf club, bat, or racquet. A device comprises a plurality of weights (e.g., balls) included in or coupled to a conduit or handle. In a low first swing position the balls are located together at a distal end of the conduit. In a high second swing position the balls are located together at a proximal end of the conduit. When transferring from the second position to the first position the balls make a first singular sound (which indicates improper wrist action) or a second plurality of sounds (which indicates proper wrist action) based on when the user rotates the device about the proximal end of the conduit (e.g., unhinges the wrist). Other embodiments are described herein.

One embodiment of the invention includes a hand held device, which includes movable or transferable weights (e.g., spheres, plugs, slugs) to help the user comprehend the correct lever action needed to generate optimal head (e.g., club head) hitting speed. Proper lever action may result in increased hitting distance and/or power for athletes in golf, tennis, baseball, softball, racquetball, squash, cricket, ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, and the like. For example, the embodiment may address a “Class-3 Lever” action that concerns a lever system activated by the hinging of the wrist on the backswing, unhinging of wrist during impact, and hinging of the wrist on the follow through. Vertical hinging of the wrist can promote propelling an object (e.g., ball, hockey puck) a long distance. The embodiment helps the user better comprehend the mechanical sensation of Class-3 Lever actions.

More specifically, embodiments may help teach a user how to avoid inaccurate wrist action, such as premature casting or unhinging of the wrist during the downswing (which can lead to a loss of club, bat, stick, or racquet “head speed”). Thus, in one embodiment, when a user properly hinges his wrists then he may experience positive feedback. For example, feedback may include tactile sensation (e.g., vibrations, weight shifting) from weights as they move within a conduit, and sounds transmitted by the weights when they move in the conduit and contact each other. This feedback makes it easier for the user to comprehend proper lever action. Because of the moving weights, the user can feel, hear, and see correct and incorrect wrist lever action during the swing (e.g., backswing phase, downswing phase). Embodiments create a mechanical sensation of a Class-3 lever action. In addition, because of the moving weights, the user can feel, hear, and see correct and incorrect wrist lever action during the follow through phase.

As shown in FIGS. 1(a), (b), and (c) capsule 105 houses weights 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 and serves as a handle of device 100. Cavity 171 allows weights 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 to flow freely within capsule 105. Capsule 105 may be formed as a conduit. Conduit 105 may have a resealable opening such as a cap (not shown) that screws on/off at end 120 or 125. Moving weights 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 make the Class-3 lever action more tactile and obvious for the user (e.g., by way of better feel). Thus, various embodiments influence a proper lever system by correctly hinging the wrist in the backswing, reaching a point of maximum leverage, and maintaining that desired wrist hinge until (approximately) the moment of impact. FIG. 1(b) shows objects or weights with an octagonal cross section as opposed to the spherical ball structures of FIG. 1(a). FIG. 1(c) shows a spherical weight in a conduit including an octagonal cross-section. “Ball”, as used herein, is not limited to spherical cross-section objects but includes, for example, cross-sections that are oblong, octagonal, hexagonal, square, rectangular, and the like.

Conduit 105 need not be completely enclosed. For example, conduit 105 may have windows (e.g., uncovered holes or channels) in proximal end 125, distal end 120, and/or there between. Also, while weights 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 are shown in FIG. 1(a) other embodiments may use more than eight weights or less than eight weights including configurations with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 weights or more. Also, while objects 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 are referred to as weights there is no minimum or maximum weight necessarily associated with any of the objects. Also, weights may be solid, hollow, honey-combed, include dendritic channels, and the like. Further, weights may be composed of metal, alloys, plastics, ceramics, and the like. In an embodiment, handle 100 is comprised of a hard, rigid, impact resistance material such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride, metal (e.g., aluminum), ceramic, and the like.

The length of handle 100 provides immediate user feedback during the execution of the swing. In an embodiment, handle length 172 is compact and small, which allows the user to practice in smaller areas and store handle 100 in smaller places (e.g., a brief case). A short handle may promote better control and immediate feedback, but other embodiments may include longer handles and even full length instruments (e.g., golf club, baseball bat). Some handles may even telescope (using “Russian doll” series of tubes that telescope within from one another) from small to full length devices (e.g., from a 12 inch handle to a full length golf club).

The walls of cavity 171 may have relatively low friction and may include, for example, silicon slide strips to help weights 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 slide within conduit 105 (and better highlight proper level maintenance during the swing). In an embodiment, the impact of weights 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 against conduit 105 wall (e.g., end region 171and/or end region 125 and/or side walls located there between) may be helpful to the user. However, such impact may be replaced by, or made in addition to, the impact between the weights themselves that transmit sounds for the user or observer (e.g., golf instructor, batting coach) to better comprehend the wrist lever action needed to properly swing, for example, a golf club or a baseball bat. The moving weights may allow the user to better comprehend “lever release” action and “unhinging of the wrist.” Thus, the user comprehends the use of the device based, at least partially, on the mechanical and/or auditory sensation(s) the user feels when using the handle.

In an embodiment, when the user executes a good swing weights 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 collide with one another at a faster speed and may move independently of each other to create a unique “multiple clicking” sound based on multiple ball-ball contacts. The clicking may generate higher pitched (i.e., higher frequency) clicking than when slower ball movement occurs with poor unhinging. In other words, the sound generated by a good swing is distinctive (e.g., higher pitched) when compared with the sound generated by a bad swing (e.g., lower pitched). As another example, in an embodiment when the user executes a bad swing, the weights collide with one another at a slower speed creating fewer clicks, one click, or zero clicks. The sound generated by a bad swing is distinctive when compared with the sound generated by a good swing. Thus, when forces are applied differently the results are different. In contrast, during a good swing balls 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 may generate more speed resulting in a much different sound (e.g., higher pitched, louder) than that of a bad swing. During a bad swing the balls move at a slower rate of speed resulting in a much different sound (e.g., lower pitched, quieter) than that of a good swing. During a bad swing the weights are more likely to move together as one unit (e.g. en masse) or with several balls moving together as one unit, which results in one click or fewer clicks. For example, with eight balls in the conduit three balls may move together en masse and five balls may move together en masse. During a good swing the weights are more likely to move individually. For example, with eight balls in the conduit each of the first, second, and third balls may each move independently (i.e., not in contact) with any of the other balls. The result is several distinctive clicks based on the first, second, and third balls.

In an embodiment the user can generate different sounds during the swing. If the user unhinges the wrist too early during the downswing balls 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 may collide at a slower speed. The audible generated is distinctive in measure whereby a slower collision rate translates to an “off” rhythmical sound. In contrast, if the user maintains proper wrist position during the downswing and unhinges at the correct moment, balls 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 may collide at a higher speed. The audible it generates is distinctive in measure, whereby a faster collision rate may make a better rhythmical sound.

In an embodiment, performance may be changed by varying, for example, the weight of device 100, length 172 of device 100, the number of balls within the device, and the audible quality of the device. In an embodiment, a system including a set or kit may allow the user to vary the number of balls included in the device. A user may use fewer balls, which may provide for less weight and less clicking. However, a user may use more balls, which may provide for more weight and more clicking. Different weights may be representative of different clubs. For example, a user may mimic a heavier golf club with more balls and a lighter golf club with fewer balls. Embodiments may allow the user to telescope device length to further simulate different club lengths (e.g., a driver is longer than a pitching wedge), along with or separate from varying the number of balls or weights. Also, the diameter of the balls may be changed to vary effect (e.g., weight, how the balls travel within a conduit such as the handle). If the diameter of the balls are smaller, but yet have significant weight, the handle could resemble the circumference of an actual golf club, bat, stick, and the like.

A kit may include a series of different diameter conduits. A small conduit may include an inner diameter slightly larger than the weights within the conduit, thereby providing just enough room for the weights to slide within the conduit. Such a handle may mimic a golf club grip. The kit may include a larger diameter conduit which more closely resembles a baseball bat handle than a gold club handle. The larger diameter conduit may include a channel to receive the smaller conduit and the balls within the smaller conduit. However, the larger conduit may instead include an inner channel that includes an inner diameter just larger than the balls. Thus, even though the grip experienced by the user is larger than that of the golf grip, the user may use the same balls in each configuration. Consequently, one kit may allow a father to use the small orientation to practice his golf swing and daughter to use the same kit to practice her softball grip. As a further example, conduits may have different cross-sectional shapes. One conduit may include a shape similar to a handle for a hockey stick or tennis racquet instead of the round cross-section of a golf club. The hockey stick conduit may be able to encompass the golf club conduit, which may include balls for weight shifting.

An embodiment includes eight balls, each weighing one ounce. The total weight of the embodiment is generally one pound or less. Of course, other embodiments may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 or more balls and may weigh less or more than one pound, such as anywhere between 0.1 and 3.0 pounds with embodiments at increments of 0.1 within the range.

In an embodiment, the shaft is lengthened to resemble a golf club, bat, or the like. Still, in such an embodiment the weights may still be included in a handle or grip portion of the club, bat, and the like. Thus, a full length device may help the user visually while the mechanical and auditory advantages linked to the handle are maintained. In an embodiment, the club may have a telescoping feature whereby the club has segments that collapse into or around the handle for storage, but may be telescoped out for use of the device (with a length corresponding to regular bat or club length). In other embodiments, however, the weights may be included mid shaft or at the head of the club, bat, stick, etc. In still other embodiments, weights may be included in various positions. For example, a first group of weights is included in the handle, a second group of weights is included mid shaft, and a third group of weights is included at the head. In another embodiment, a single weight is included in the handle, a second weight is included mid shaft, and a third weight is included at the head. Varying locations of individual weights (or sets of weights) along the device may help the user better understand what is happening at varying locations along the device at varying times during the swing.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-a-way view of an embodiment of swing aid 100 in an embodiment of the invention. Balls 210, 211 are included in a channel within conduit 205.

FIG. 3 includes a backswing in an embodiment of the invention. User 350 takes device 300 in the backswing “L” position. User 350 starts radial deviation of both wrist and conduit 305, which includes weights 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317. As user 350 cocks or hinges his wrists weights 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, due to gravity, slide down to proximal end 325 (as shown in FIG. 3). The weights collide with one another as weight 317 contacts end region 325. The collision of weights 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 signals to user 350, via tactile and auditory sensations, that the correct “L” position has been obtained, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 4-9 include a downswing in an embodiment of the invention. User 450 maintains the “L” position (with weights 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417 still compacted against proximal region 425) while moving device 400 in a downward swing. Weights 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417 should remain at region 425. If not, one or more of weights 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417 move towards region 420. This sliding (and any consequent clicking based on ball contacting one another) signals to the user that he has unhinged too quickly. This may be referred to as casting, which results in a non-ideal swing. FIGS. 5 and 6 show close ups of the proper hinged “L” position during downswing. Again, properly hinged wrists keep the weights near the proximal region of the device (e.g., FIG. 4).

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the wrists just before unhinging (i.e., wrist release or rotation) occurs during the downswing. FIG. 9 shows when user 950 gets to the bottom of the downswing and allows his wrists to unhinge and rotate. At the start of the wrist rotation user 950 releases or uncocks the “L” of his wrists. This causes the distal region 920 to rotate about proximal region 925 (not shown) and for weights 910 (not shown), 911 (not shown), 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, and 917 to transfer from region 925 to region 920. In doing so weights 910 (not shown), 911 (not shown), 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917 make tactile and auditory feedback for user 950 to understand when he unhinged his wrists. As described above, proper hinging may result in multiple clicking (balls moving independently of each other).

In an embodiment the device may be a conduit (e.g., hollow or solid) with weights coupled to the device, but not necessarily within the device. The weights may be strung along a rod that couples to the outside of the conduit or handle (e.g., see FIGS. 10(a) and (b)).

In one embodiment the device includes a chamber for receiving a video game controller. As a result, when a user swings the device the video game controller may translate data to a game console while also providing the tactile and/or auditory feedback described above.

Thus, in an embodiment an apparatus comprises a conduit including proximal and distal ends; and a plurality of balls (e.g., having spherical, oblong, ovular, and rectangular cross-sections) included in the conduit; wherein (a) in a low first swing position (e.g., FIG. 9) the balls are located together at a distal end of the conduit, (b) in a high second swing position the balls are located together at a proximal end of the conduit (e.g., FIG. 3), and (c) when transferring from the second position to the first position the balls make one of a singular sound (e.g., sound as balls move together en masse) and a plurality of sounds (e.g., multi-clicking as balls move separately from one another) based on when the user rotates the distal end about the proximal end. The singular sound may have a lower frequency than any of the plurality of sounds. The plurality of sounds may include a plurality of frequencies that respectively correspond to the plurality of sounds. For example, contact between balls 917, 916 may produce a click of a first frequency while contact between balls 914, 913 may produce a click of a second frequency unequal to the first frequency. When transferring from the second position to the first position the balls may separate from one another (e.g., see space 981 between balls 913, 914 and space 982 between balls/weights 912, 913).

An embodiment may include a handle (e.g., solid or hollow conduit, rod, staff, and the like) including proximal and distal ends; and a plurality of weights coupled to the handle. The plurality of weights may include first, second, and third weights and when transferring from a second position to a first position the first and second weights collide making a first sound and the second and third weights collide making a second sound unequal to the first sound. The first sound may include a first frequency (e.g., high pitch) and the second sound includes a second frequency (e.g., lower pitch). The first sound may include a first decibel level (e.g., louder) and the second sound includes a second decibel level (e.g., quieter).

An embodiment may include a kit having several weights and/or conduits or handles. In a first configuration the conduit includes a first number of weights (e.g., fewer weights to simulate a lighter club) and in a second configuration the conduit includes a second number of weights (e.g., more weights to simulate a heavier club). The first configuration may use a conduit with a first outer diameter (e.g., smaller diameter similar to golf club) and in a second configuration the conduit includes a second outer diameter (e.g., larger and similar to a baseball bat).

While many of the above the embodiments are described in relation to golf, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other embodiments are useful beyond gold and may be applicable, without limitation, to tennis, baseball, softball, racquetball, squash, cricket, ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, and the like.

All optional features of apparatus(s) described above may also be implemented with respect to method(s) or process(es) described herein. While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications and variations there from. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a conduit including proximal and distal ends; and

a plurality of balls included in the conduit;

wherein (a) in a low first swing position the balls are located together at a distal end of the conduit, (b) in a high second swing position the balls are located together at a proximal end of the conduit, and (c) when transferring from the second position to the first position the balls make one of a singular sound and a plurality of sounds based on when the user rotates the distal end about the proximal end.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the balls are spherical.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the singular sound has a lower frequency than any of the plurality of sounds.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sounds includes a plurality of frequencies that respectively correspond to the plurality of sounds.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when transferring from the second position to the first position the balls separate from one another.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when transferring from the second position to the first position the balls move separately from one another and not en masse with each other.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit is coupled to a telescoping member.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a handle including proximal and distal ends; and

a plurality of weights coupled to the handle;

wherein (a) in a low first swing position the weights are located together, contacting each other, near a distal region of the handle, (b) in a high second swing position the weights are located together, contacting each other, near a proximal region of the handle, and (c) when transferring from the second position to the first position the weights separate from one another losing contact with each other.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein when transferring from the second position to the first position the weights move separately from one another and not en masse with each other.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of weights include first, second, and third weights and when transferring from the second position to the first position the first and second weights collide making a first sound and the second and third weights collide making a second sound unequal to the first sound.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first sound includes a first frequency and the second sound includes a second frequency unequal to the first frequency.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first sound includes a first decibel level and the second sound includes a second decibel level unequal to the first decibel level.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cross-sections of the weights are one of spherical, oblong, ovular, and rectangular.

14. A system including:

a conduit including proximal and distal ends; and

a plurality of weights coupled to the conduit;

wherein (a) in a low first swing position the weights are located together near a distal region of the conduit, (b) in a high second swing position the weights are located together near a proximal region of the conduit, and (c) when transferring from the second position to the first position the weights separate from one another.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein in a first configuration the conduit includes a first number of weights and in a second configuration the conduit includes a second number of weights unequal to the first number of weights.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein in the first number of weights weigh a first weight and the second number of weights weighs a second weight unequal to the first weight.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein in a first configuration the conduit includes a first outer diameter and in a second configuration the conduit includes a second outer diameter unequal to the first outer diameter.

18. The system of claim 14 including an additional conduit and a first configuration includes the conduit having a first outer diameter and a second configuration includes the additional conduit having a second outer diameter unequal to the first outer diameter.

19. The system of claim 14, including an additional conduit that is configured to receive the conduit within the additional conduit, wherein the conduit is configured to receive the weights.