Practice Device For Golf And Other Sports

Abstract

A golf training device that is affixed to to the arm and hand of the golfer-in-training in order to control the range of hand movement during the downswing of a golf swing. The device having multiple embodiments that cooperatively controls hand to wrist angles in order to keep the hands in the proper position throughout the swing. More descriptively, the device allows complete range of motion of the hands except in the extended or downward direction ‘after’ initiation of the swing. In a golf swing it is important to disallow movement in the downward direction once the golf swing has been initiated, but it is also important to allow full and natural freedom of movement every other direction so a golfer-in-training does not feel uncomfortable or restriction while practicing. The present invention as constructed also allows the device to return to the natural address position upon completion of the swing.

1 . A wrist training device, comprising:
 a hand member having a first body portion, an index finger attachment member, a middle finger attachment member, and a ball member; the index finger attachment member and the middle finger attachment member extending from a first end of the first body portion, the ball member being attached to a second end of the first body portion;   first and second finger straps being coupled to the index finger attachment member and the middle linger attachment member, respectively;   a wrist member having a socket portion, a second body portion, a guide member, and upward facing wedges; the socket portion being coupled to a first end of the second body portion, the guide member being coupled to a top surface of the second body portion and defining a guide tunnel, the upward facing wedges being coupkxl to the top surface of the second body portion and being disposed between the guide member and a second end of the second body portion; the ball member being rotatably coupled to the socket portion; and   a strap member having a first strap portion, a second strap portion, and an intermediate strap portion disposed between the first and second strap portions; the intermediate strap portion having a first diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the second strap portion, and the intermediate strap portion having a first width that is smaller than a width of the second strap portion; the second strap portion having downward facing wedges, the first strap portion being coupled to the first body portion of the hand member, the second strap portion being disposed through the guide tunnel of the wrist member, such that when the downward facing wedges engage the upward facing wedges of the wrist member, the strap member prevents downward movement of the hand member with respect to the w rist member, and when the down ward lacing wedges are not engaged with the upward facing wedges, the strap member does not prevent downward movement of the hand member with respect to the wrist member.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The wrist training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a retention strap that is coupled to the wrist member and is disposed over the second strap portion when the downward facing wedges engage the upward facing wedges of the wrist member. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The wrist training device of  claim 1 , wherein the downward facing wedges are disengaged from the upward facing wedges by folding a hand rearward. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The wrist training device of  claim 1 , wherein the strap member has more than one engagement position relative to the wrist member. 
     
     
         11 . The wrist training device of  claim 1 , wherein the downward facing wedges of the strap member provide audible feedback when the downward facing wedges move over the upward facing wedges of the wrist member. 
     
     
         12 . The wrist training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a wrist strap coupled to the wrist member. 
     
     
         13 . The wrist training device of  claim 1 , wherein the strap member extends in a longitudinal direction from the first body portion of the hand member to the guide tunnel of the wrist member, and the first width is in a direction across a top surface of the strap member that is transverse to the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         14 . A wrist training device, comprising:
 a hand member having a first body portion, a first finger attachment member, a second finger attachment member; the first finger attachment member and the second finger attachment member extending from a first end of the first body portion;   first and second finger straps being coupled to the first finger attachment member and the second finger attachment member, respectively;   a wrist member being rotatably coupled to a second end of the first body portion of the hand member, the wrist member having a guide member and upward facing wedges; the guide member being coupled to a top surface of the wrist member and defining a guide tunnel, the upward facing wedges being coupled to the top surface of the wrist member; and   a strap member having a first strap portion, a second strap portion, and an intermediate strap portion disposed between the first and second strap portions; the intermediate strap portion having a first diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the second strap portion, and the intermediate strap portion having a first width that is smaller than a width of the second strap portion; the second strap portion having downward facing wedges, the first strap portion being coupled to the first body portion of the hand member, the second strap portion being disposed through the guide tunnel of the wrist member, such that when the downward facing wedges engage the upward facing wedges of the wrist member, the strap member prevents downward movement of the hand member with respect to the wrist member.   
     
     
         15 . The wrist training device of  claim 14 , wherein when the downward facing wedges are not engaged with the upward facing wedges, the strap member does not prevent downward movement of the hand member with respect to the wrist member. 
     
     
         16 . The wrist training device of  claim 14 , wherein the wrist member being rotatably coupled to the second end of the first body portion of the hand member utilizing a ball and socket hinge. 
     
     
         17 . The wrist training device of  claim 14 , wherein the strap member extends in a longitudinal direction from the first body portion of the hand member to the guide tunnel of the wrist member, and the first width is in a direction across a top surface of the strap member that is transverse to the longitudinal direction.