US20040147333A1

US20040147333A1 - Sliding swing weight

Info

Publication number: US20040147333A1
Application number: US10/350,048
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan Clark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-24
Filing date: 2003-01-24
Publication date: 2004-07-29

Abstract

A unitary self-contained golf club weight, which is installed first by turning the product on, a horizontal angle to the shaft of the club slipped on and turned vertically to complete mounting. Two plastic screws are then tightened down on the shaft to secure. The Velcro strap is wrapped around the shaft, the swing weight and secured to itself for additional safety The weight can be positioned anywhere on the shaft from top to bottom and fastened accordingly. The weight is dipped in an elastomaric rubber material to help bond with the shaft to protect the product, and from anything that contacts it. The elastomaric rubber, the plastic screws and the Velcro strap, insures the sliding swing weight will not depart from the shaft.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a swing weight, specifically designed and used while fastened on the shaft of a club for warm up, stretching and training exercises.

BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Golfers often practice by swinging two or more golf clubs in their hands for added swing weight to help loosen their muscles and stretch out. However, two clubs are unbalanced and awkward to hold on to and could potentially damage clubs. Various types of weights have been proposed for this same purpose. Some of these weights attach to the face of the club which works for training exercises, but leaves your club feeling unbalanced and unstable when used for warm up prior to playing. Others slip over the top of the shaft, slide to the bottom and rely on gravity to hold them in place. These also only add weight to the head of the club and rattle around when swinging the club as they are not secured in place

SUMMARY

This invention relates to a unitary exercise where practice weight adapted to be quickly an easily SECURED onto a tapered or straight golf club shaft so that one may mount the weight on the shaft. A golfer using this device may place the weight of this invention at a location on the shaft suitable to the golfers individual swing and practiced to develop a balanced and rhythmic swing for distance and accuracy. Although the primary purpose of this invention is for warm up and golf swing training, the invention may be useful for developing powerful and rhythmic swings with shafts used in other sports.

A golf club weight in accordance with this invention comprises of a solid piece made from a high specific gravity material, preferably lead, that provides substantial weight with a minimum bulk. Material of lesser specific gravity maybe used for that desiring weight.

The S shape of the sliding swing weight form a slot opening to receive a shaft and enable the weight to be easily to installed onto the club shaft. The screws are used to create a substantial gripping pressure between the weight and the club shaft. The screws and Velcro prevent the weight from becoming free of the shaft. The gripping pressure of the screws is such that the weight is securely held at the desire location along the shaft. The ease attachment and detachment of the unitary weight of this invention is very important, as the weight must be adjusted up or down the club shaft to receive the full benefit. Also, it should be convenient to be removed from the pocket or bag and apply to the club shaft for practice swing prior to, or playing to keep loose.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The objects and advantages of the sliding swing weight over other inventions in the same field are:

(a) When used properly the sliding swing weight allows you to create an evenly distributed lighter feeling club

(b) Whether warming up or doing training exercises the sliding swing weight allows the golfer to move the swing weight up and down the shaft to achieve the right feel for his or her own needs.

Further objects and advantages of the sliding swing weight are to provide the golfer with a warm up and training device that attaches to every club and can be fastened down on the desired position on the shaft and feel secure.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a view looking through or down the shaft opening with the facing cut out down. [0011]
FIG. 2 is a view looking at the cut out that allows the shaft to be slid in the groove to sit horizontal on the shaft for the first step of the mounting position. [0012]
FIG. 3 is a top view of the cut out just described in FIG. 2 as well as the openings the screws go through to lock the weight in the desired position. [0013]
FIG. 4 is a view looking at the opening that the shaft fits into in the second mounted position when the shaft is perpendicular on the weight as well as the openings showing where the screws go through to be tightened on the shaft. [0014]
FIG. 5 is a view looking through or down the shaft opening with the facing cut out up. [0015]
FIG. 6 is the top and side view of the facing cut out. [0016]
FIG. 7 is a view of the Velcro witch is looped around the weight and sewn or Velcro attached to itself. The Velcro wraps around the weight and is attached to it. [0017]
FIG. 8 is view of the Velcro strap wrapped around and attached to it. [0018]
FIG. 9 is view of the Velcro wrapped around and attached to it and the screws that tighten down through the threaded cut out of the weight [0019]
FIG. 10 is a top view of the Velcro strap showing the back of the loop and the two pieces of hook Velcro. [0020]
FIG. 10[0021] a is a side view of the Velcro strap described in FIG. 10.
FIG. 11 is a top view of the face of the loop Velcro. [0022]
FIG. 12 is a view and description of the electrometric coating that surrounds the weight. [0023]
FIG. 13 is a view of the first step in mounting the weight on to the shaft. [0024]
FIG. 14 is a view of the second step of mounting the weight on to the shaft. [0025]
FIG. 15 is a view of the weight located at the bottom of the shaft. [0026]
FIG. 16 is a view of the weight located at the center of the shaft. [0027]
FIG. 17 is a view of the weight located at the top of the shaft.[0028]

SUMMARY

An object of this invention is to provide a golf club weight that is easily and quickly securely mounted on the desired location of the shaft and removed quickly and easily from any club shaft, whether straight or tapered. A further object of this invention is to provide such a weight that is compact yet quite heavy. [0029]

Claims

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A unitary golf club weight that does not require assembly or disassembly and having a generally planar surface with a shaft receiving groove extending axially from the top to the bottom thereof and having a contour for engaging a golf club shaft which may be either straight or tapered, an elastomaric material coating. surrounding sliding swing weight to protect the shaft and adds gripping power, the sliding swing weight is turned horizontally for first step of mounting and turned vertically to complete mounting process on to shaft. Fastened down onto the shaft with two plastic screws, Velcro is looped around the shaft and fastened with sliding swing weight for added safety and can be secured along the entire length of the shaft.