Title:
ARM STABILIZING DEVICE FOR GOLFERS
United States Patent 3658345
Abstract:
A U-shaped elongated rigid member is provided with a cushioning material, enclosed in a removable cover, and shaped to fit against the upper and lower arm across the elbow, on the side opposite the direction of pivotal movement of the lower arm. The rigid member is provided with apertures over its entire length for cooling and lightening purposes and aligned slots to accommodate three straps for holding the arm rigid during the golfing swing.
US Patent References:
Wrist supporting device for bowlers
Anderson - January 1964 - 3117786
GOLFING AID
Cox - January 1969 - 3423095
Golf-stroke-guiding device
Flint - April 1922 - 1414012
Wrist supporting device for bowlers
Anderson - January 1964 - 3117786
GOLFING AID
Cox - January 1969 - 3423095
Golf-stroke-guiding device
Flint - April 1922 - 1414012
Application Number:
05/041835
Publication Date:
04/25/1972
Filing Date:
06/01/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
A63B69/00; A63B69/36; A63B69/36
Field of Search:
273/183,189,54
Primary Examiner:
Marlo, George J.
Claims:
1. An arm stabilizing device for golfers comprising,
2. An arm stabilizing device as claimed in claim 1 in which,
3. An arm stabilizing device as claimed in claim 1 in which,
2. An arm stabilizing device as claimed in claim 1 in which,
3. An arm stabilizing device as claimed in claim 1 in which,
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The game of golf to be played proficiently, requires many controlled physical and muscular movements by the golfer. Many of these movements seem to the normal person to be contrary to their normally inclined muscular and physical movements in swinging a golf club. Yet the particular physical movements, whether natural or not to the average person, are required if one is to play the game proficiently. Because there are so many of these various movements and physical controls, it is very difficult for the average golfer and even the proficient golfer to remember each physical and muscular movement and control during a golf swing. Yet once a person learns to accomplish a few of the major muscular and physical restraints and movements, then one's golfing game improves considerably and further thought regarding these particular muscular and physical movements is not required and the golfer can concentrate on other physical and muscular movements and controls.
One of the very major physical or muscular controls in the golf swing is that of holding the left arm straight or substantially straight throughout the golf swing. The bending of the left elbow during the golf swing is generally characteristic of a poor golfer and it is generally accepted that golfers that bend their arms cannot effectively swing the golf club with sufficient skill to play a proficient game of golf. However, control of the arm to the extent of holding the arm stiff during the golfing swing, is difficult for the average golfer to observe and maintain. While the average golfer may believe he is holding his arm straight, motion pictures and photographs of him during his swing will surprisingly inform him that in fact he bends his arm.
Thus it is advantageous for golfers to have a simple and efficient means for holding the left arm rigid or substantially rigid during the golf swing, which device is simple in construction, is simple to install and use and that does not interfere with the golfer's swing in its other characteristics and movements. Such a device, will allow the golfer to be assured that his left arm is being held straight and will allow him to turn his concentration to other aspects of his golf swing. Continued use of such a device will cause the golfer's swing to become "grooved" so that he can eventually discontinue use of the arm stabilizing device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, a U-shaped, lightweight, elongated, rigid member is shaped to a substantially elongated U-shape to fit against the upper and lower arm of a golfer and across the golfer's elbow, on the side opposite the direction of pivotal movement of the lower arm. The elongated rigid member has a cushioning means at least at the point of contact of the elbow with the inner U-shaped surface to cushion such contact and avoid bruising. Three straps are provided for securing the elongated member to the arm with an upper strap fitting just above the biceps in the upper arm, a middle strap fitting across the elbow and a lower strap fitting around the lower arm. The entire member is covered with a suitable cover having a closeable opening such as a zipper or the like at one end that allows easy removal of the cover from the U-shaped member for cleaning purposes and the like.
The straps may be connected through openings in the U-shaped member and can have buckles or the like for securing the straps in the known manner, or the straps may be secured by sewing or the like to the cover at one side edge of the U-shaped portion and have known releasable fabric type gripping surfaces on each of the straps for looping over the arm and being attached to the other side of the U-shaped member. The U-shaped member is also provided with spaced openings throughout its length that provides air circulation and also to lighten the rigid structure.
The straps are so positioned that one strap is slightly above the upper bicep muscle. So the spacing between this strap and the mid-strap is greater than the spacing between the lower strap and the middle strap. This allows the straps to be correctly positioned relative to the muscles so that the member can be secured to the arm and the arm can be moved in the golf swing without cutting off blood circulation in the arm.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and improved arm stabilizing device for golfers.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved arm stabilizing device for golfers, that is light-weight, can be worn during the normal game of golf, and that while holding the arm straight, does not interfere with the remainder of the golf swing.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved arm stabilizing device for golfers that provides a rigid hold on the upper and lower left arm or right arm of the golfer, depending upon whether the golfer is right handed or left handed and that allows the golf swing to proceed without cutting off blood circulation in the arm and yet that holds the arm in a substantially rigid, extended and unbent condition.
Other objects and many attendent advantages of this invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and an examination of the drawing wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout and in which:
FIG. 1 is a view, with parts broken away, of an embodiment of this invention positioned on the arm of a golfer.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment, with parts broken away, of the arm stabilizing device of this invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a modified construction that is representative of a sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2 of a modified construction.
FIG. 5 is a side view with parts broken away, of a modified embodiment of the arm stabilizing device of this invention.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, an arm stabilizing device 10 comprises a U-shaped member 22 that may be made of any suitable rigid material such as plastic, steel, aluminum or other suitable rigid material that preferably are of a light-weight, yet strong construction. The U-shaped member 22 has a general U-shape with an elongated length and has openings 26 through the wall that are spaced along the length thereof for reducing the weight of the member and also allowing for air flow therethrough as may be desirable for ventilation. Positioned inside the U-shaped elongated member 22 is a layer of cushioning material 24 that may comprise foam rubber, plastic foams or other synthetic foam cushioning material. This layer of cushioning material 24 may be secured to the inner surface of the U-shaped member in any suitable manner. The U-shaped member and the cushioning material 24 is enclosed within the form fitting cover 30 that may comprise any suitable material but is preferably made of good quality material having a backing that provides some cushioning and covering of the surface edges 28 of the U-shaped member 22. The cover 30 has a closeable opening, such as the zipper 32, at one end for permitting removal from the U-shaped member to be cleaned or repaired as necessary.
A plurality of straps 14, 16 and 18 are secured to the U-shaped member and loop over the arm of the user to securely hold the arm in a rigid non-bendable condition against the U-shaped member 10. These straps may have one end sewed to the cover, such as that at 34, with a wide strap 16 for contact with the arm and having an end portion 20 with an adhesive type surface for being removably secured by contact with the fabric cover 30 on the other side of the U-shaped member 10.
While in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cushioned material 24 extends throughout substantially the length of the member; in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the cushioning material 36 only has an area slightly larger than the elbow area to only provide cushioning for elbow contact with the U-shaped member 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the fabric 30 is sufficiently thick to provide overall cushioning as desired to avoid injurious contact, for example, between the arm and the edges 28 of the U-shaped rigid member 22.
It should be recognized that the cushioning patch 36 may also be used in addition to the cushioning material 24 to provide added resilient support between the U-shaped member 10 and the arm 12 of the user.
In operation, the U-shaped member 10 is positioned on the arm as illustrated in FIG. 1 and the straps are secured in the manner previously described with the upper strap 14 fitting over the upper edge of the bicep of the arm 12 and the middle or midway strap 16 fitting over the elbow, and the lower strap 18 fitting over the lower portion of the forearm. This spacing of the straps 14, 16 and 18 to correctly position the straps on a normal user as previously described, requires that the spacing between the straps 14 and 16 as illustrated in FIG. 1, is slightly larger than the spacing between the straps 16 and 18. In an actual embodiment for an average size person, the distance B would be about 4 inches and distance A would be about 5 inches. After the U-shaped member 10 is secured to the arm as illustrated in FIG. 1, then the arm is swung in a normal golf swing and is held in a substantially rigid condition. The arm is not held in a locked position as the straps 14 and 16 and 18 along with the cushioned members 24 and 36 allow some slight unlocking movement of the elbow during the golf swing, but not a sufficient amount to cause the arm to be considered to be bent during the golf swing.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 has aligned opposing slots 42 that receive strap 46. Strap 46 passes through the openings 42 which have aligned openings in the cover 44 and which has a buckle end 48, for example, for being secured to the opposite end of the strap 46 extending through a similar opening 42 in the opposite side of the member 40. In operation, the embodiment of FIG. 5 functions and is employed in the same manner as previously described relative to FIG. 1.
The game of golf to be played proficiently, requires many controlled physical and muscular movements by the golfer. Many of these movements seem to the normal person to be contrary to their normally inclined muscular and physical movements in swinging a golf club. Yet the particular physical movements, whether natural or not to the average person, are required if one is to play the game proficiently. Because there are so many of these various movements and physical controls, it is very difficult for the average golfer and even the proficient golfer to remember each physical and muscular movement and control during a golf swing. Yet once a person learns to accomplish a few of the major muscular and physical restraints and movements, then one's golfing game improves considerably and further thought regarding these particular muscular and physical movements is not required and the golfer can concentrate on other physical and muscular movements and controls.
One of the very major physical or muscular controls in the golf swing is that of holding the left arm straight or substantially straight throughout the golf swing. The bending of the left elbow during the golf swing is generally characteristic of a poor golfer and it is generally accepted that golfers that bend their arms cannot effectively swing the golf club with sufficient skill to play a proficient game of golf. However, control of the arm to the extent of holding the arm stiff during the golfing swing, is difficult for the average golfer to observe and maintain. While the average golfer may believe he is holding his arm straight, motion pictures and photographs of him during his swing will surprisingly inform him that in fact he bends his arm.
Thus it is advantageous for golfers to have a simple and efficient means for holding the left arm rigid or substantially rigid during the golf swing, which device is simple in construction, is simple to install and use and that does not interfere with the golfer's swing in its other characteristics and movements. Such a device, will allow the golfer to be assured that his left arm is being held straight and will allow him to turn his concentration to other aspects of his golf swing. Continued use of such a device will cause the golfer's swing to become "grooved" so that he can eventually discontinue use of the arm stabilizing device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, a U-shaped, lightweight, elongated, rigid member is shaped to a substantially elongated U-shape to fit against the upper and lower arm of a golfer and across the golfer's elbow, on the side opposite the direction of pivotal movement of the lower arm. The elongated rigid member has a cushioning means at least at the point of contact of the elbow with the inner U-shaped surface to cushion such contact and avoid bruising. Three straps are provided for securing the elongated member to the arm with an upper strap fitting just above the biceps in the upper arm, a middle strap fitting across the elbow and a lower strap fitting around the lower arm. The entire member is covered with a suitable cover having a closeable opening such as a zipper or the like at one end that allows easy removal of the cover from the U-shaped member for cleaning purposes and the like.
The straps may be connected through openings in the U-shaped member and can have buckles or the like for securing the straps in the known manner, or the straps may be secured by sewing or the like to the cover at one side edge of the U-shaped portion and have known releasable fabric type gripping surfaces on each of the straps for looping over the arm and being attached to the other side of the U-shaped member. The U-shaped member is also provided with spaced openings throughout its length that provides air circulation and also to lighten the rigid structure.
The straps are so positioned that one strap is slightly above the upper bicep muscle. So the spacing between this strap and the mid-strap is greater than the spacing between the lower strap and the middle strap. This allows the straps to be correctly positioned relative to the muscles so that the member can be secured to the arm and the arm can be moved in the golf swing without cutting off blood circulation in the arm.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and improved arm stabilizing device for golfers.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved arm stabilizing device for golfers, that is light-weight, can be worn during the normal game of golf, and that while holding the arm straight, does not interfere with the remainder of the golf swing.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved arm stabilizing device for golfers that provides a rigid hold on the upper and lower left arm or right arm of the golfer, depending upon whether the golfer is right handed or left handed and that allows the golf swing to proceed without cutting off blood circulation in the arm and yet that holds the arm in a substantially rigid, extended and unbent condition.
Other objects and many attendent advantages of this invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and an examination of the drawing wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout and in which:
FIG. 1 is a view, with parts broken away, of an embodiment of this invention positioned on the arm of a golfer.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment, with parts broken away, of the arm stabilizing device of this invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a modified construction that is representative of a sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2 of a modified construction.
FIG. 5 is a side view with parts broken away, of a modified embodiment of the arm stabilizing device of this invention.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, an arm stabilizing device 10 comprises a U-shaped member 22 that may be made of any suitable rigid material such as plastic, steel, aluminum or other suitable rigid material that preferably are of a light-weight, yet strong construction. The U-shaped member 22 has a general U-shape with an elongated length and has openings 26 through the wall that are spaced along the length thereof for reducing the weight of the member and also allowing for air flow therethrough as may be desirable for ventilation. Positioned inside the U-shaped elongated member 22 is a layer of cushioning material 24 that may comprise foam rubber, plastic foams or other synthetic foam cushioning material. This layer of cushioning material 24 may be secured to the inner surface of the U-shaped member in any suitable manner. The U-shaped member and the cushioning material 24 is enclosed within the form fitting cover 30 that may comprise any suitable material but is preferably made of good quality material having a backing that provides some cushioning and covering of the surface edges 28 of the U-shaped member 22. The cover 30 has a closeable opening, such as the zipper 32, at one end for permitting removal from the U-shaped member to be cleaned or repaired as necessary.
A plurality of straps 14, 16 and 18 are secured to the U-shaped member and loop over the arm of the user to securely hold the arm in a rigid non-bendable condition against the U-shaped member 10. These straps may have one end sewed to the cover, such as that at 34, with a wide strap 16 for contact with the arm and having an end portion 20 with an adhesive type surface for being removably secured by contact with the fabric cover 30 on the other side of the U-shaped member 10.
While in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cushioned material 24 extends throughout substantially the length of the member; in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the cushioning material 36 only has an area slightly larger than the elbow area to only provide cushioning for elbow contact with the U-shaped member 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the fabric 30 is sufficiently thick to provide overall cushioning as desired to avoid injurious contact, for example, between the arm and the edges 28 of the U-shaped rigid member 22.
It should be recognized that the cushioning patch 36 may also be used in addition to the cushioning material 24 to provide added resilient support between the U-shaped member 10 and the arm 12 of the user.
In operation, the U-shaped member 10 is positioned on the arm as illustrated in FIG. 1 and the straps are secured in the manner previously described with the upper strap 14 fitting over the upper edge of the bicep of the arm 12 and the middle or midway strap 16 fitting over the elbow, and the lower strap 18 fitting over the lower portion of the forearm. This spacing of the straps 14, 16 and 18 to correctly position the straps on a normal user as previously described, requires that the spacing between the straps 14 and 16 as illustrated in FIG. 1, is slightly larger than the spacing between the straps 16 and 18. In an actual embodiment for an average size person, the distance B would be about 4 inches and distance A would be about 5 inches. After the U-shaped member 10 is secured to the arm as illustrated in FIG. 1, then the arm is swung in a normal golf swing and is held in a substantially rigid condition. The arm is not held in a locked position as the straps 14 and 16 and 18 along with the cushioned members 24 and 36 allow some slight unlocking movement of the elbow during the golf swing, but not a sufficient amount to cause the arm to be considered to be bent during the golf swing.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 has aligned opposing slots 42 that receive strap 46. Strap 46 passes through the openings 42 which have aligned openings in the cover 44 and which has a buckle end 48, for example, for being secured to the opposite end of the strap 46 extending through a similar opening 42 in the opposite side of the member 40. In operation, the embodiment of FIG. 5 functions and is employed in the same manner as previously described relative to FIG. 1.