Device for use in playing golf or similar games.

Application filed February 17, 1906. Serial No. 301,682.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Nelson O’Shaughnessy, a citizen of the United States, residing at Berlin, Germany, have invented a new and useful Device for Use in Playing Golf or Similar Games, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to device for use in playing golf or similar games.

The object of the invention is to provide means for aiding in delivering an effective driving blow with a golf or similar stick, club or bat.

A further object is to provide means for increasing the momentum under which a driving blow is delivered.

A further object is to provide means whereby the club, stick, bat or the like travels as fast or faster after impact with the ball to be driven than before impact therewith.

Other objects will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and arrangement of parts all as will be hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawing and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing and to the various views and reference signs appearing thereon; Figure 1, is a view in plan of the back of a glove having weights attached thereto, as one form of embodiment of the principles of my invention. Fig. 2, is a view similar to Fig. 1, parts broken off, showing a slightly modified arrangement embraced within the spirit and scope of my invention. Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of a hand inclosed within a glove to which weights are applied and embodying the principles of my invention.

The same part is designated by the same reference sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In the ideal stroke of a golf club or stick the club head should describe a perfect circle, and without hitch or stop, and the club should- travel as fast or faster after impact with the ball as before. This speed, after impact with the ball, is known in the golf parlance as the “follow through” and the secret of success in playing the game resides in the efficient attainment of this speed. It is among the special purposes of my present invention to provide means for attaining this speed or “follow through” in a most simple and efficient manner and without interfering with a hitch or stop in the circular sweep of the club head in the delivery of the .60 blow. I have discovered that the desired results are attained by increasing the weight of the hands of the player in which the club or stick is grasped, and that by so increasing the weight of the hands of the player the 65 blow is delivered to the ball with increased momentum and effectiveness and with a following up action in the direction of flight of the ball, the tendency of -which is to increase the speed of travel of the club after impact 70 with the ball and consequently to increase the distance through which the ball is driven by the blow, and without increasing the striking effort of the player. The accomplishment of this result, and the attainment 75 of the objects and purposes of my invention may be effected in a wide variety of ways. For instance, weights may be attached or applied to the hands of the player in any suitable or convenient manner. 80

In the accompanying drawing I have shown a most simple and efficient embodiment of my invention, and the best form in which I at present contemplate carrying the same into practical operation, but to which, 85 however, my invention is not to be limited or restricted in the broad and generic sense thereof, and wherein I employ a glove A, which may be weighted in any suitable or convenient manner. 90

As merely illustrative of one form of embodiment of my invention I have shown weights B, applied to the glove. In practice, and as shown the weights B, are preferably applied to the back of the glove so as to 95 avoid interference with the ready grasping of the golf stick or club by the player, and in order to avoid interference with the free opening and closing of the hand, and also to avoid a too great concentration of the added 100 weights, I propose to employ a number of weights and apply them to the glove in rows transversely across the back thereof adjacent to but removed laterally from the line of the knuckle joints of the fingers. In practice I 105 prefer to independently attach each weight to the glove so as to secure a desirable flexibility and freedom of movement of the hand.

The particular form, size and shape of the weight, the location thereof, or the manner of HO applying the same to the hand or to a glove, are, however, unimportant and non-essential

889,397 details, so far as the broad and generic scope and breadth of my invention is concerned, and may be varied throughout a wide range without departure from the spirit and scope of my invention. For instance in Fig. 1, I have shown the weights in the form of circular disks sewed to the glove. In Fig. 2 I have shown the weights in the form of bars B^l, suitably secured to the glove. If desired, and in order to conceal the weights, a covering, indicated at C,.may be applied over the weights. Of course, it is evident that the particular construction or shape of glove is wholly immaterial, so far as my invention is concerned, and may be dispensed with entirely and the weights applied in some other manner to the hands of the player. The application of the idea by means of a glove, however, affords a most simple and convenient form of practical embodiment of the invention. In the drawing I have shown the glove. provided with holes or openings D, therein to accommodate the knuckles therethrough.

One theory of operation of my invention is that by weighting the hands of the player the force applied in the delivery of a driving blow is augmented by the momentum developed by the added weight, and this momentum when derived from weights applied to the hands of a player becomes a live impelling force tending to cause the head of the club or part of the stick, bat or the like, which strikes the ball to “follow through,” or to follow the ball in the direction of impact and intended flight of the ball for as long a distance as possible and thereby obviate the tendency to pull and to slice the ball. The result is that with the augmented live impelling force due to the added weights applied to the hands of the player, and which is applied in a direction to follow up the ball in the direction of its intended flight, and in the initial flight thereof, the tendency is created to cause the ball to be driven a greater distance with the expenditure of the same effort or exertion on the part of the player than otherwise would be the case, and this, I have found by ex’ perience and in practical operation to be the result produced whatever may be the theory 50 of operation, and I have found that increasing or varying the weight of the golf club or other stick, bat or the like, or the handle part thereof, does not accomplish the desired results, and besides imposes a tiring strain upon 55 the muscles of the hands of the player, which is very, undesirable., whereas such is not the case with the application of weights to the hands of the player in accordance with my invention. θθ

While I have described my invention as a device for use in playing golf, it is to be understood that I do not desire to be limited in this respect, as it is obvious that the same results and beneficial advantages may be se- 65 cured in the use of my invention in connection with base ball bats, cricket sticks or clubs and similar games or situations where a driving blow is to be delivered.