Swing exercise device

Abstract

A swing exercise device is designed with a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central longitudinal axis, weighted to a specified mass. It features a handle connected via the proximal end of the body, aligned with the central longitudinal axis, and conforming to the dimensions of a golf club shaft. The majority of the mass resides near the distal end of the exercise device. In some embodiments, the device's overall mass can be equivalent to one-half that of a 7 iron golf club, while its length is less than half of a 7 iron golf club. The body can be cylindrical, ovoid, or rectangular, and made of wood, rubber or a metal. The handle can be composed of wood, metal, and composite materials like graphite.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0001] This present teachings relate to exercise devices, and more particularly, to a swing exercise device that mimics the weight and handle dimensions of a golf club, and in some additional embodiments, other hand-held devices used in various other sports such as, for instance, tennis, baseball, cricket, and lacrosse.Description of the Related Art

[0002] Golf is a sport that requires precision, strength, and technique. Players often seek ways to improve their swing, accuracy, and overall performance while away from the course. Traditional golf clubs are designed for actual play, so they are not ideal for practice or exercise routines. As a result, there is a demand for specialized training equipment that can help golfers refine their skills and build the necessary muscle memory without the need for a full-sized club.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present disclosure is directed to swing exercise devices tailored for golfers that simulate the feel and weight of a real golf club, and can provide targeted training benefits, allowing players to focus on specific aspects of their game, such as swing mechanics, grip strength, and balance. These devices can be particularly useful for indoor practice or in situations where space is limited. The development of compact and efficient swing exercise devices specifically for golf is crucial in meeting the needs of golfers who wish to improve their game through physical conditioning.

[0004] The present teachings relate generally to a swing exercise device having a body with a proximal end, a distal end, and a central longitudinal axis, which is weighted to a specified mass. A handle can be connected via the proximal end of the body and aligned with the central longitudinal axis. In some cases, the handle can pass through the body, and can be fastened to the distal end of the body. The handle can conform to and have the feel of a handle of a device used in a sporting activity, such as a golf club shaft. The overall mass and overall length of the swing exercise device are selected to simulate the centrifugal force generated by a specified device used in a sporting activity, for example, a golf club.

[0005] The present disclosure includes a swing exercise device having a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a central longitudinal axis, and a handle conforming to the dimensions of a golf club shaft, connected to the proximal end of the body, and aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the length of the device and the mass of the device are selected to match one-half of the centrifugal force generated by a desired golf club.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the teachings and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary non-limiting embodiments of the present teachings and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a plan view, not to scale, of one exemplary swing exercise device;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a plan view, not to scale, of one exemplary swing exercise device;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view, not to scale, of one exemplary swing exercise device;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a plan view, not to scale, of one exemplary swing exercise device, and

[0011] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are plan views, not to scale, of various features of the presently disclosed swing exercise devices.

[0012] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The presently disclosed swing exercise device can be utilized in exercises that mimic the swing of various sporting apparatus including a golf club, a baseball bat, a cricket bat, a tennis racket, and others. The presently disclosed exercise device can used in exercises to stretch and warm up muscles and joints prior to actually participating in the sporting activity. The exercises can also include practicing and improving technique and building up muscle and joint strength to improve performance.

[0014] Sporting activities refer to various physical activities including golf, tennis, baseball, and lacrosse to mention just a few. These sporting activities can be both leisure activities and competitive activities. Many of these activities involve a handheld device to, for example, hit, bat, catch, or throw a ball, puck, or shuttlecock. The presently disclosed swing exercise device can be utilized to improve one's performance in the targeted sporting activity.

[0015] The presently disclosed swing exercise device can help a user improve various aspects of physical activity including rhythm, timing, speed, coordination, flexibility, stability and strength, and mind-body connection to move and breath better. These aspects can be improved through all planes of bodily motion.

[0016] Particular body parts that are involved in the use of the disclosed exercise device include, but are not limited to, wrist, shoulder, and thoracic spine, and can be used to improve stability, mobility, rotation, and strength of the whole body, and particularly the listed body segments. Additionally, thoracic spine mobility and rotation, and spinal extension exercises utilizing the presently disclosed exercise device can be improved and strengthened.

[0017] In some embodiments, the disclosed swing exercise device can positively improve hip mobility and rotation, and teach a user to use her body to push her feet into the ground and use her hips as a powerhouse to improve swing characteristics.

[0018] It is understood that by providing a specific grip on the presently disclosed swing exercise device numerous benefits are realized over using a randomly sized handle. One benefit of the device mimicking the sporting apparatus grip is providing exercise opportunities on a user's grip, and hand, wrist, and arm muscles to name a few.

[0019] This disclosure provides a swing exercise device that can include a body with proximal and distal ends, a central longitudinal axis, and a specified mass. This body can be cylindrical, ovoid, or rectangular, and made of various materials including wood, rubber, metal, such as steel, or a combination of materials. In some instances, the body can have a cavity filled with a weighted material like sand. The distal end of the body can be rounded, and the proximal end can have a threaded or mechanical connection system for attaching a handle. The handle can be aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the body. In some embodiments, the handle can conform to the dimensions of a 7 iron golf club shaft. This handle can be made of various materials including wood, metal, such as steel, or a composite material, such as graphite, and can, in some embodiments, be removably connected to the body. The handle can also be covered with a rubber grip.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present teachings, the overall mass of the swing exercise device can be equivalent to about one-half of the mass of a 7 iron golf club, or about 750 grams. The overall length can be less than half the length of a 7 iron golf club, or approximately 16 inches. The exercise device can be used for training purposes, offering a design that mimics the feel and weight of a golf club while being compact and versatile. In some embodiments, the majority of the overall mass of the swing exercise device can be located in the distal end of the body. In other embodiments, the majority of the overall mass refers to greater than 50%, or greater than 55%, or greater than 60%, or greater than 65%, or greater than 70%, or greater than 75%, or greater than 80%, or greater than 85%, and up to 90% of the overall mass can be located in the last 2 inches (5 cm), or the last 1.5 inches (3.75 cm), or the last 1.0 inch (2.5 cm) of the distal end of the body.

[0021] The swing exercise device includes a body that is defined by a central longitudinal axis, proximal and distal ends, and a specified mass. The central longitudinal axis can serve as a reference line for alignment and balance, while the proximal and distal ends define the boundaries of the body. The mass of the body can be specified to ensure the device's effectiveness in exercise routines. The body can be connected to a handle at the proximal end, with the handle aligned along the central longitudinal axis. The handle can conform to the dimensions of a golf club shaft in order to provide a familiar grip and feel similar to a golf club. The overall mass and length of the exercise device can be adjusted to match the centrifugal force equivalent to those of, in some instances, a 7 iron golf club. The device can offer a compact and efficient exercise tool that mimics the characteristics of a golf club, potentially enhancing the user's training experience. In some embodiments, the golf club handle and centrifugal force properties are both selected to mimic one or more of a pitching wedge, a gab wedge, a top wedge, a sand wedge, a 1 iron, a 2 iron, a 3 iron, a 4 iron, a 5 iron, a 6 iron, a 7 iron, an 8 iron, a 9 iron, a 1 wood, a 2 wood, a 3 wood, a 4 wood, a fairway wood, and a driver.

[0022] The connection between the proximal end of the body and the handle is preferably not easily disconnected by the user. In other embodiments, the connection can be a threaded connection, which can allow for the handle to be removably connected to the body. The handle can conform to the dimensions of a selected golf club, for instance, a 7 iron golf club shaft, which can provide a familiar grip and feel for golfers. The handle can be made of a material chosen from the group consisting of wood, metal, and composite materials, including graphite, which can offer a balance of strength and lightweight properties. Some possible woods for shaft construction include hickory, maple, ash, and other appropriate species. The overall mass of the exercise device can be equivalent to less than one-half the mass of the selected golf club, the overall length can be less than one-half the length of the selected golf club, and the majority of the overall mass of the exercise device can be located in the distal end of the body. This configuration can provide a compact and portable exercise device that can be used for strength training and swing practice. The handle can also feature a grip, potentially made of a rubber material, to enhance user comfort and control during use.

[0023] With the overall length of the exercise device being less than one-half the length of the selected golf club, use of the exercise device in confined spaces can be realized.

[0024] The exercise device can also feature a grip covering at least a portion of the handle, which can be made of a rubber material to provide a comfortable and secure hold during use.

[0025] The overall mass and overall length of the exercise device can be selected in order to generate the equivalent centrifugal force of a 7 iron golf club. This equivalence can serve to compare the mass and length to a 7 iron golf club providing a familiar feel to users accustomed to such equipment. The exercise device can be designed to have an overall mass that is equivalent to one-half the mass of a 7 iron golf club, which can be between 600 to 900 grams, with a target mass of 750 grams. Additionally, the overall length of the exercise device can be less than one-half the length of a 7 iron golf club, measuring between 13 to 18.5 inches (33 to 47 cm), with a target length of 16 inches (40 cm). This design can allow the exercise device to mimic the weight and balance of a 7 iron golf club while maintaining a more compact form factor. The equivalence in mass and length can be achieved through the use of specific materials and construction techniques, such as a body made of metal, possibly steel, and a handle made of composite materials like graphite. The handle can be aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the body and can conform to the dimensions of a 7 iron golf club shaft.

[0026] In another embodiment of the present teachings is taught an exercise device including a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a central longitudinal axis, and a handle conforming to the dimensions of a golf club shaft, connected to the proximal end of the body, and aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the length of the device and the mass of the device are selected to match one-half of the centrifugal force generated by a desired golf club.

[0027] This embodiment of the presently disclosed exercise device conforms to a 7 iron golf club as the desired golf club, and produces one-half the centrifugal force generated by a 7 iron golf club. The exercise device can have length and mass values measuring about 41.9 cm and about 750 g, respectively. These values of length and mass can generate one-half the centrifugal force of a 7 iron golf club. In addition, the presently disclosed exercise device comprises a handle which conforms to the dimensions of a 7 iron golf club shaft.

[0028] For the presently disclosed exercise devices, it is desirable to produce one-half the centrifugal force generated by the selected or desired golf club since when in use on a golf course, a golf club is gripped with and interacts with both hands and arms of a golfer. Thus, the presently disclosed exercise devices generate one-half of the centrifugal force of the desired club, and is swung or manipulated with only by one hand / arm combination. In some embodiments of the present device, it is desirable to locate the majority of the mass of the device towards the distal end of the body in order to more closely mimic the mass distribution of a device for a sporting activity, for example, golf.

[0029] In the various embodiments of the presently disclosed device, the body can be attached or connected to the handle (or shaft) in a variety of ways including a threaded joint, a pin and mill joint, an adhesive joint, or other suitable joining mechanisms. In some embodiments, the handle can extend through the length of the body along the central longitudinal axis, and have an attachment mechanism at the distal end of the body. Preferably, the attachment mechanism would be flush with, or even recessed from the surface of the distal end of the body. The attachment mechanism can include parts that are weighted appropriately such that an increased amount of the overall mass of the device is located at, or closer to, the distal end of the body. In some cases, these weighted parts can be appropriately sized washers to provide an increase in the mass compared to the material comprising the body.

[0030] In some cases, the attachment can easily detach to allow for exchanging the body or handle for a different respective body or handle. In other cases, it is preferable to make the attachment more permanent in nature.

[0031] Various factors were identified as important to determining arm length, shaft weight, shaft length, head weight, and reference club length. The centrifugal force produced by a golf club, and the presently disclosed exercise devices can be calculated by the centrifugal force equation: F=mv2 / r where F is the force expressed in newtons; m is the mass of the object; v is the velocity, which is squared in this equation, and r is the radius. In the present instance, it is assumed that the velocity of the spinning object will be the same for both a golf club head and the presently disclosed exercise device.

[0032] As an example, for typical human with an arm length of 67 cm, and a typical 7 iron golf club, the shaft length is 94 cm, the mass of the shaft is 95 g, and the mass of the shaft head is 263 N. The force produced by the shaft mass was approximated by using one-half of the shaft length (47 cm) and a weightless string. The force produced by the shaft head mass was determined by using the shaft length and a weightless string of 94 cm. These two values were added to determine the force for a typical 7 iron golf club. This value (3 Nm) was divided in half since the presently disclosed exercise device is used with a single arm and not two arms as required by an actual golf club. This example leads to a device length of 40 cm (16 inch) and mass of 750 g (1.65 pound). It will be recognized by one of skill in the art that a variety of possible combinations of length and mass are possible to generate the desired centrifugal force, and that various factors will guide one to the appropriate combination for the desired device.

[0033] Four representative devices are illustrated, respectively, in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0034] The handles 101 on these representative devices are covered with a material to provide enhanced grip. Each handle 101 is attached to a body 103 which provides the majority of the mass of the device. The length of the device is determined by the measurement from the proximal end of the handle 101 to the distal end of the body 103.

[0035] The two devices illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 have the handle shaft passing through the respective bodies 103 to the distal end thereof. A fastening mechanism is further illustrated in FIG. 5B with a set screw fastened into the distal end of the handle 101, and further holding in place a weighted washer 207. The washer 207 adds extra mass to the far distal end of the body 103 to more closely match the weight distribution characteristics of a sporting activity device, such as, a golf club.

[0036] The device of FIG. 2 features a body 103 composed of a hard rubber material which can be attached to handle 101 by means of a pin and mill joint as illustrated in FIG. 5A. The metal insert 203 into the handle 101 is held in place by set screws 205.

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a representative device with a barrel-shaped wood body 103 with a weighted washer 207 (not shown) at the distal end of the body 103 and fastened to the handle 101 to increase the mass at the end of the body 103.

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates a device with a handle composed of wood, in this example, hickory, fastened to an ovoid-shaped body 103 which can be composed of a composite material. The hickory handle is fastened to the body 103 by an internal dowel screw (also known as a double-ended screw) located within and between the handle and the body.

[0039] The dowel screw can be further secured with the application of an adhesive compound, such as, glue or an epoxy-based adhesive.

[0040] FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate the relative difference in size between a regulation 7-iron golf club 240 having a handle 241, a shaft 243, and a club head 245 with the presently disclosed swing exercise device 242. The device 242 has the majority of its overall mass located at the distal end of the body 244. In some cases, the majority of the overall mass is located distal to the line 246.

[0041] The presently disclosed exercise device can be utilized in exercises that mimic the swing of various sporting apparatus including a golf club, a baseball bat, a cricket bat, a tennis racket, and others. The presently disclosed exercise device can used in exercises to stretch and warm up muscles and joints prior to actually participating in the sporting activity. The exercises can also include practicing and improving technique and building up muscle and joint strength to improve performance.

[0042] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of the teachings is not limited by the embodiments or exercise descriptions discussed above. The teachings can be changed or modified with equivalent elements or exercise positions modified, without changing its scope. The scope of the teachings is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a central longitudinal axis, and weighted to a specified mass;a handle connected via the proximal end of the body and aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the handle conforms to the dimensions of the handle of a device used in a sporting activity.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the handle conforms to the dimensions of a 7-iron golf club shaft.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the overall mass of the exercise device is equivalent to about one-half of the mass of a 7 iron golf club, 4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the overall length of the exercise device is equivalent to about one-half of the length of a 7 iron golf club.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the body is made of one or more material selected from the group consisting of wood, rubber, metal, stone, and composite material.

6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the handle is made of one or more material selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, and composite material.

7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the sporting activity comprises one selected from the group consisting of golf, lacrosse, polo, cricket, tennis, baseball, and badminton.

8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the sporting activity comprises any sporting activity requiring use of a hand-held device.

9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the overall mass of the exercise device is between 600 to 900 grams.

10. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the overall length of the exercise device is between 30 to 50 centimeters.

11. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a grip covering at least a portion of the handle.

12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a cavity which can be filled with a weighted material.

13. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the majority of the overall mass of the exercise device comprises greater than 50%, or greater than 55%, or greater than 60%, or greater than 65%, or greater than 70%, or greater than 75%, or greater than 80%, or greater than 85%, and up to 90% of the overall mass located in the last 2 inches (5 cm), or the last 1.5 inches (3.75 cm), or the last 1.0 inch (2.5 cm) of the distal end of the body.

14. A swing exercise device comprising:a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a central longitudinal axis, anda handle conforming to the dimensions of a golf club shaft, connected via the proximal end of the body, and aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the body,wherein the length of the swing exercise device and the mass of the swing exercise device are selected to match one-half of the centrifugal force generated by a desired golf club.

15. The swing exercise device according to claim 14, wherein the desired golf club comprises a 7 iron golf club.

16. The swing exercise device of claim 14, wherein the length of the device and the mass of the swing exercise device range between 30 cm to 40 cm and the length of the swing exercise device ranges between 600 g to 900 g, respectively.

17. The swing exercise device of claim 14, wherein the handle conforms to the dimensions of a 7 iron golf club shaft.

18. A swing exercise device comprising:a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central longitudinal axis;a handle passing, from the proximal end to the distal end, through the entire body along the central longitudinal axis of the body;the handle passing through a washer having a central hole and located at the distal end of the body, anda fastener passing through the central hole of the washer and fastening into the end of the handle.

19. The swing exercise device according to claim 18, wherein the handle conforms to the dimensions of a golf club shaft,20. The swing exercise device according to claim 18, wherein the washer is weighted so that the majority of the mass of the device is located in the distal end of the body.

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