# US 2019/0111328 A1 · Hinge for golf training aid and method of manufacture

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- Number: US 2019/0111328 A1
- Document ID: US20190111328A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/951,100
- Filed: 2018-04-11
- Published: 2019-04-18
- Earliest claimed: 2017-04-12
- Assignees: Alignment Pro, LLC
- Applicants: Alignment Pro LLC
- Inventors: Thomas Nathanael Tolman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190111328A1

## CPC

- A63B 69/3667: {Golf stance aids, e.g. means for positioning a golfer's feet}
- A63B 69/3621: {Contacting or non-contacting mechanical means for guiding the swing}
- A63B 69/3623: {for driving (A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence)}
- F16C 11/103: {frictionally clamped}
- A63B 2071/024: {with screws or pins in the earth}
- A63B 2102/32: Golf
- A63B 2209/00: Characteristics of used materials
- A63B 2209/08: magnetic
- A63B 2210/50: Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
- A63B 2225/09: Adjustable dimensions
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

Hinges for multipurpose golf training aids, and more particularly, long-wearing, durable low-profile hinges for multipurpose golf training aids, and methods for manufacturing such hinges are disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A golf training aid hinge assembly, comprising:
a frictional brake, a hinge body element, and a friction surface;
the frictional brake, hinge body element, and the friction surface being biased together by an attachment mechanism;
the attachment mechanism having a biasing member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the frictional brake comprises copper-reinforced aramid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member comprises a spring washer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge body element comprises an anchoring pocket, the anchoring pocket having a cross-section, the cross-section having a width and a height, the width and the height being unequal.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a post and a hinge screw.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge body element comprises two hinge body elements; the first hinge body element having a curved surface, the curved surface matching a shape of the second hinge body element

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge body element comprises a fin.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein:
the hinge body element comprises a first hinge body element and a second hinge body element; and
further comprising a golf training aid body and a golf training aid end; and
wherein the golf training aid body attaches to the first hinge body element; and
the golf training aid end attaches to the second hinge body element.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 1, further comprising a weatherizing cap.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 1, further comprising separating mechanisms, the separating mechanisms being floating washers.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing element applies a biasing force; wherein the biasing force produces a torque between about 12 and 20 in-lbs.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein:
the hinge body element comprises a first hinge body element and a second hinge body element; and
wherein the first hinge body element contacts the second hinge body element and prevents the golf training hinge assembly from being bent more than about ninety degrees.

### Claim 13

A method of manufacturing a golf training aid hinge assembly, comprising:
providing a braking mechanism;
sandwiching a hinge body element about the braking mechanism; and
compressing the braking mechanism with a biasing member.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of manufacturing a golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 13, wherein the braking mechanism comprises:
a frictional brake contacting a friction plate.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method of manufacturing a golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 13, wherein the hinge body element comprises:
a gap reducing member, an anchoring apparatus, and a fin.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The method of manufacturing a golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
providing a golf training aid body and a golf training aid end; and
attaching the golf training aid body and the golf training aid end on opposing sides of the golf training aid hinge.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The method of manufacturing a golf training aid hinge assembly of claim 13, wherein the braking member further comprises:
a first frictional brake contacting a first friction plate, and a second frictional brake contacting a second friction plate.