On-plane golf prop

Abstract

The present invention discloses a golf swing trainer device, comprising an elongated body constructed of a resilient and elastic material. The elongated body includes a pair of handles for manipulation of the device by a user. Articulating joints for pivotally connecting each of the handles to the elongated body may be provided. The elongated body is configured to form a curved U-shaped member comprising an arch having an apex and a pair of upper arms extending axially from the apex to respective ends of the arch, and a pair of lower arms extending axially from respective ends of the arch. A plurality of grooves are arranged along the arch to increase flexibility of the U-shaped member. Additional hinges are optionally provided for 360-degree axial rotation of the handles.

1 . A golf swing trainer, comprising:
 an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated body constructed of a resilient and elastic material;   a first handle and a second handle, each of the first; and   wherein the first end is the bottom edge of the first handle and the second end is the bottom edge of the second handle.   
     
     
         2 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body forms a curved U-shaped member having a concave side and a convex side; and
 wherein the U-shaped member comprises:   (i) an arch having an apex, a first upper arm, and a second upper arm, the first and second upper arms extending axially from the apex to respective ends of the arch; and   (ii) a first lower arm and a second lower arm, the first and second lower arms extending radially from the respective ends of the arch.   
     
     
         3 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 2 , wherein the U-shaped member further comprises a plurality grooves including at least one groove located at the apex of the arch and two grooves oppositely positioned at the respective ends of the arch; and
 wherein the plurality of grooves are configured and sized to increase flexibility of the U-shaped member at the apex and respective ends of the arch.   
     
     
         4 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of grooves are sized and spaced apart sufficiently to enable bending of the U-shaped member into a coiled shape. 
     
     
         5 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , further comprising a first articulating joint and a second articulating joint;
 wherein the elongated body further comprises a midpoint, a first upper arm extending axially from the midpoint, a second upper arm extending axially from the midpoint, a first lower arm extending axially from the first upper arm, and a second lower arm extending axially from the second upper arm; and   wherein the first articulating joint pivotally connects the first handle to a lower end of the first lower arm and a second articulating joint pivotally connects the second handle to a lower end of the second lower arm.   
     
     
         6 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body has a generally tubular shape and is at least substantially hollow. 
     
     
         7 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 5 , wherein the elongated body is at least substantially hollow. 
     
     
         8 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body has a generally rod-like shape and is at least substantially solid. 
     
     
         9 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 5 , wherein the first articulating joint is a clevis joint comprising an axially extending first tang connected to the lower end of the first lower arm, an axially extending first clevis connected to the first handle, and a pivot pin configured to align through associated holes in the first tang and first clevis to pivotally interconnect the first tang and first clevis; and
 wherein the second articulating joint is a clevis joint comprising an axially extending second tang connected to the lower end of the second lower arm, an axially extending second clevis connected to the second handle, and a pivot pin configured to align through associated holes in the second tang and second clevis to pivotally interconnect the second tang and second clevis.   
     
     
         10 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 5 , wherein the first articulating joint is a ball joint comprising an axially extending first ball stud connected to a lower end of the first lower arm, and an axially extending first socket connected to the first handle;
 wherein the second articulating joint is a ball joint comprising an axially extending second ball stud connected to a lower end of the second lower arm, and an axially extending second socket connected to the second handle; and   wherein the first ball stud is pivotally connected to the first socket, enabling rotational movement between the first ball stud and the first socket; and   wherein the second ball stud is pivotally connected to the second socket, enabling rotational movement between the second ball stud and the second socket.   
     
     
         11 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 9 , wherein the first handle comprises a lower gripping portion and an upper connector portion, the upper connector portion being the first clevis of the first articulating joint; and
 wherein the second handle comprises a lower gripping portion and an upper connector portion, the upper connector portion being the second clevis of the second articulating joint.   
     
     
         12 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 10 , wherein the first handle comprises a lower gripping portion and an upper connector portion, the upper connector portion being the first socket of the first articulating joint; and
 wherein the second handle comprises a lower gripping portion and an upper connector portion, the upper connector portion being the second socket of the second articulating joint.   
     
     
         13 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 11 , wherein a lower hinge is provided between the gripping portion and the upper connector portion, the hinge configured to facilitate a 360-degree axial rotation of the gripping portion relative to the upper connector portion. 
     
     
         14 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 12 , wherein a lower hinge is provided between the gripping portion and the upper connector portion, the hinge configured to facilitate a 360-degree axial rotation of the gripping portion relative to the upper connector portion. 
     
     
         15 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 9 , wherein a first upper hinge is provided between the lower end of the first lower arm and an upper base portion of the first tang, the first hinge being configured to facilitate a 360-degree axial rotation of the upper base portion of the first tang relative to the lower end of the first lower arm; and
 wherein a second upper hinge is provided between the lower end of the second lower arm and an upper base portion of the second tang, the second hinge being configured to facilitate a 360-degree axial rotation of the upper base portion of the second tang relative to the lower end of the second lower arm.   
     
     
         16 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 10 , wherein a first upper hinge is provided between the lower end of the first lower arm and an upper end of the ball stud, the first hinge being configured to facilitate a 360-degree axial rotation of the upper base portion of the first ball stud relative to the lower end of the first lower arm; and,
 wherein a second upper hinge is provided between the lower end of the second lower arm and an upper end of the second ball stud, the second hinge being configured to facilitate a 360-degree axial rotation of the second ball stud relative to the lower end of the second lower arm.   
     
     
         17 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body has a length from about 30 inches to about 50 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body has a thickness from about 0.5 inch to about 2 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second articulating joints are configured to rotate along one axis from straight to nearly completely folded. 
     
     
         20 . The golf swing trainer of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second articulating joints are configured to rotate along one axis from straight to nearly completely folded.