Carnival Game or Swing Trainer? You Be The Judge
Recall those great old “test your strength” carnival games that have you swing a sledge hammer as hard as possible in an effort to project a weight vertically, hopefully out of the “sissy” zone, and possibly ring a bell? If not, and you need a good laugh, watch this 15 second video (it is worth it). Well, if you like those games then you will love a golf related invention that is disclosed in patent application that recently published as US Pub. No. 20110151984 titled “Golf Swing Trainer.”
A golf practice and exercise device has an elevated arm from which an impact object is suspended for swinging movement. The object is positioned with a clubhead impact target in position for striking by the clubhead of a golf club swung by a golfer. The resistance to the impact of the golf club is adjustable. A sensor detects the magnitude and velocity of the striking force, and a display displays an indication as to how far a golf ball would have gone after being struck with a force and velocity of the detected magnitude.
OK, who wants to hit their new custom fit driver with “special upgrade” shaft at this thing?
The application explains:
[0006] One aspect of this invention is directed to a golf practice and exercise device that includes an upright support for supporting the device on a floor or on the ground. The upright support has stakes that are staked directly into the ground, or that are received with a friction-fit in a base that rests on the floor. The upright support also has an outwardly extending elevated mounting arm from which an impact object is swingably suspended in position for striking by a golf clubhead during a normal practice golf swing. The impact object has a golf clubhead impact or target surface that presents a sufficiently large target so that a golfer can swing freely without having to closely concentrate on striking a small target, such as a golf ball. The impact object also has a mass sufficient not only to provide resistance to the impact of a golf club to impose muscular strain on the golfer for muscle development, but also to allow the golf clubhead to swing the object sufficiently for the golf clubhead to ultimately pass under the object and allow the golfer to complete a follow-through of the golf swing.
[0007] This invention enables the resistance to the impact of the golf club to be adjusted. In one embodiment, a tensioned spring exerts a spring force on the object, and the spring force is adjusted by manually turning a knob, thereby changing the impact resistance. In another embodiment, a taut elastic strap is mounted between the upright support and the object, and the strap exerts a restraining force on the object. Multiple elastic straps of different elasticity are provided, and the user selects the strap having the desired elasticity, thereby changing the impact resistance. A sensor, such as a velocimeter, is also provided in the object for detecting the magnitude and velocity of the striking force, and for outputing an electrical signal to a display for displaying an indication as to how far a golf ball would have gone after being struck with a force and velocity of the detected magnitude. Thus, the device of the present invention provides for practicing the technique of the golf swing, as well as provides progressive muscle development to develop and improve the striking force exerted by the golfer when striking a golf ball. Golfers of different ages and muscle strengths are accommodated by adjusting the spring or restraining force exerted on the object. The display and the sensor provide feedback as to how hard the object has been struck.
I am sure there is no way you could hurt yourself, or your golf swing, using it!
Dave Dawsey – Keeping an Eye on Innovative Golf Products