Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPORTING ARTICLE WITH ADJUSTABLE WEIGHT CONFIGURATION
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefits of U.S. provisional
patent application No. 60/780,344 filed March 9, 2006, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a sporting article with an
adjustable weight configuration. More specifically, the present invention
relates to a golf club head with an adjustable weight configuration.
BACKGROUND
[0003] When practicing sports, the weight balance of a sporting article
may have an impact on the performance of the user, be the sporting article
be a golf club, racket, a hockey stick, a ski, etc.
[0004] For example, when swinging a golf club at a golf ball, some golfers
have a swing such that the heel portion of the golf club head tends to move
faster than the toe portion. This results in the heel portion arriving ahead
of
the toe portion at impact, causing the impact surface to be misoriented. This
is what is commonly referred to as a "slice". Conversely, some golfers have a
swing such that the toe portion of the golf club head tends to move faster
than the heel portion. This results in the toe portion arriving ahead of the
heel
portion at impact, causing the impact surface to be misoriented_ This is what
is commonly referred to as a"hook".
[0005] Thus, golf club heads are configured in a variety of geometries in
order to move the weight of the golf club head to points that enhance
stability, i.e. more weight at either the heel or toe portion slows down that
portion during the swing. These points differ from one model of golf club to
another.
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[0006] While common golf clubs operate satisfactorily, most of the
weighted golf club heads suffer from the limitation that their weight
distribution cannot be readily altered to customize the golf club to the needs
of a particular golfer. Other sporting articles suffer from
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention relates a sporting article comprising at least
one body portion providing a guide, the at least one body portion defining a
generally longitudinal length, a generally transversal length and a generally
diagonal length thereof, the guide comprising at least two guide sections, and
at least one moveable weight member for being moveably engaged to the
guide. Each of the guide sections providing for selectively moving the
moveable weight member along at least one of the generally longitudinal,
generally transversal and generally diagonal lengths of the at least one body
portion.
[0008] The present invention also relates to a sporting article comprising a
guide channel formed within at least one body portion of the sporting article
and at least one moveable weight member for being moveably engaged
within the guide channel. The moveable weight member comprises an
external element for being positioned externally relative to the guide
channel,
an internal element for being positioned within the guide channel and an
intermediate element for mounting the external and internal elements thereon
near opposite ends thereof. When mounting the moveable weight member to
the guide channel, selective actuation of the intermediate element provides
for moving the external and internal elements closer to one another along the
intermediate element causing the external and internal elements to
respectively frictionally abut an external surface the body portion and an
internal surface of the guide channel thereby locking the moveable weight
member at a given position along the guide channel.
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10009] The present invention further relates to a sporting article
comprising a guide provided on at least one body portion of the sporting
article, positioning indicators being provided on the at least one body
portion
along the guide and at least one moveable weight member for being
moveably mounted to the guide. The moveable weight member being
configured to be lockingly positioned at a desired position indicated by a
given positioning indicators along the guide.
[0010] The present invention further still relates to a weight member for a
sporting article having a guide channel formed within at least one body
portion thereof, the weight member being moveably engaged within the guide
channel. The weight member comprising an external element for being
positioned extemally relative to the guide channel, an internal element for
being positioned within the guide channel and an intermediate element for
mounting the external and internal elements thereon near opposite ends
thereof. When engaging the weight member to the guide channel, selective
actuation of the intermediate element provides for moving the extemal and
internal elements closer to one another along the intermediate element
causing the external and intemal elements to respectively frictionally abut an
external surFace the body poreon and an internal surface of the guide
channel thereby locking the weight member at a given position along the
guide channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Non-limitative illustrative embodiments of the Invention will now be
described by way of examples only with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0012] Figure 1 is a back view of a golf club head provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
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[0013] Figure 2 is a top view of the golf club head of Figure 1;
[0014] Figure 3A is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a
moveable weight member and a corresponding guide section in an unlocked
position;
[0015] Figure 3B is a cross sectional view of the moveable weight
member and corresponding guide section of Figure 3A in a locked position;
[0016] Figure 4A is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of a
moveable weight member and a corresponding guide section in an unlocked
position;
[0017] Figure 4B is a cross sectional view of the moveable weight
member and corresponding guide section of Figure 4A in a locked position;
[0018] Figure 5A is a cross sectional view of a third embodiment of a
moveable weight member and a corresponding guide section in an unlocked
position;
[0019] Figure 58 is a cross sectional view of the moveable weight
member and corresponding guide section of Figure 5A in a locked position;
[0020] Figure 6 is a toe side view of the golf club head of Figure 1;
[0021] Figure 7 is a back view of the golf club head of Figure 1 with the
adjustable weight configuration disposed in a first sample configuration; and
[0022] Figure 8 is a back view of the golf club head of Figure 1 with the
adjustable weight configuration disposed in a second sample configuration.
[0023] Figure 9 is a back view of a golf club head provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
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[0024] Figure 10 is a back view of a golf club head provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0025] Figure 11 is a back view of a golf club head provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] Figure 12 is a back view of a golf club head provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a fifth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] Figure 13 is a front view of a racket provided with an adjustable
weight configuration according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] Figure 14 is a side view of the racket of Figure 13;
[0029] Figure 15 is a front view of a hockey stick provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a seventh embodiment of the
present invention;
[0030] Figure 16 is a top view of a ski provided with an adjustable weight
configuration according to an eight embodiment of the present invention; and
[0031] Figure 17 is a top view of a ski provided with an adjustable weight
configuration according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Generally stated, the illustrative embodiments of the present
invention provide sporting articles for users of all calibers; from amateur to
professional. The present invention allows the user to adjust the weight
distribution of the sporting article in order to customize it to his or her
particular needs. Moveable weight members of various weight values may be
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positioned along a guide in various configurations, for example,
transversally,
longitudinally and/or diagonally, at various positions and angles on the
sporting article so that the user may properly adjust the weight distribution
of
the sporting article to perform a desired shot or improve maneuverability.
[0033] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an example of a
sporting article in the form of a golf club head 100 having a hosel 11, to
connect the golf club head 100 to a golf club shaft (not shown), a crown
portion 12, a sole portion 13, a toe portion 14, a heel portion 15, a face
portion 16 with an impact surface 17 and a rear portion 16. In the illustrated
embodiment, the golf club head 100 includes two moveable weight members
40 and 50, which may be positioned in various configurations along
transversal 22 and longitudinal 24 guide sections. It is to be understood that
in alternative embodiments the number of moveable weight members may
vary as well as the number of transversal and longitudinal guide sections,
and may also include diagonal guide sections.
[0034] Furthermore, in this particular example the Illustrated golf club
head 100 is that of a driver. However, it is to be understood that the
adjustable weight configuration may be applied to any other type of golf club
head such as, for example, irons, wedges (pitching (pw), gap (gw), sand
(sw), lobe (1w)) or a putter, made of whatever type of material.
[0035] The first moveable weight member 40 is generally displaced along
the transversal guide section 22, which runs on the rear portion 18 of the
golf
club head 100 from its toe portfon 14 to its heel portion 15, while the second
moveable weight member 50 is generally displaced along the longitudinal
guide section 24, which runs on the rear portion 18 of the golf club head 100
from its crown portion 12 to its sole portion 13. It is to be understood,
however, that both moveable weight members 40 and 50 may be displaced
along either or both the transversal guide section 22 and the longitudinal
guide section 24.
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[0036] The moveable weight members 40 and 50 typically weigh between
0.2g and 1.0g. However, it is to be understood that the weight value of the
moveable weight members 40, 50 are given as examples only; other weight
values may be used depending on the desired weight distribution, the type of
club, gender and size of the golfer, etc. It is further to be understood that
the
weight values may also vary depending on the type of sporting article and its
intended use.
[0037] Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, there is shown a cross sectional
view of the interaction between the first moveable weight member 40 and the
transversal guide section 22. It is to be understood that the first moveable
weight member 40 may similarly interact with the longitudinal guide section
24 and that the second moveable weight member 50 may similarly interact
with either or both of the transversal 22 and longitudinal 24 guide sections.
[003$] The first moveable weight member 40 includes an external element
40a, an intermediate element in the form of a locking element 41, which
includes a head portion 43, a threaded body 45 and a blocking portion 47,
and an internal element 49. The threaded body 45 operatively engages the
internal element 49, which has a complementary thread pattern. The blocking
portion 47 ensuring that the internal element 49 remains operativeiy
connected to the locking element 41.
[0039] The first moveable weight member 40 may be engaged to the golf
club head 100 by inserting the internal element 49 into the transversal guide
section 22, which forms a channel within the golf club head 100, through an
opening 26 which is located near the heel portion 15, the locking element 41
protruding from a slot 22a in the transversal guide section 22 such that the
external element 40a rests on the outer surface 10 of the golf club head 100.
It is to be understood that the opening 26 may be located at the toe portion
14, along the longitudinal guide section 24 or may be absent altogether in an
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altemative embodiment were the moveable weight members 40 and 50 are
not removable.
[0040] Although not illustrated, it is to be understood that the second
moveable weight member 50 may be described in a similar fashion as the
first moveable weight member 40. Furthermore, the second moveable weight
member 50 may be engaged to the transversal 22 and longitudinal 24 guide
sections in a fashion similar to the first moveable weight member 40.
Locking
[0041] Rotating the head portion 43 of the locking element 41 in a first
direction results in the extemal element 40a and the internal element 49
moving towards each other. The size of the external 40a and intemal 49
elements being greater than the slot 22a of the transversal guide section 22,
the external 40a and internal 49 elements respectively frictionally abut the
outer surface 10 of the golf club head 100 and part of the internal surface
22b
of the transversal guide section 22, thereby locking the first moveable weight
member 40 at a given position along the transversal guide section 22, as
best seen in Figure 3B.
[0042] Advantageously, the geometry of the internal element 49 may be
such as to be complementary to the geometry of the transversal guide
section 22 so as to maximize the contact between the internal element 49
and part of the internal surface 22b of the transversal guide section 22.
Unlocking
[0043] Rotating the head portion 43 of the locking element 41 in a second
opposite direction results in the external element 40a and the internal
element 49 moving away from each other, thus unlocking the first moveable
weight member 40 and allowing for a space 19 to be created between the
external element 40a and the outer surface 10 of the golf club head 100 so
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that the first moveable weight member 40 may be moved aiong the
transversal guide section 22, as best seen in Figure 3A. As previously
mentioned, the blocking portion 47 ensures that in an unlocked position the
internal element 49 remains operatively connected to the locking element 41.
[0044] Figures 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B show alternative embodiments of the
intemal element 49', 49" and corresponding transversal guide section 22'.
22" having complimentary geometries. It is to be understood that other
geometries may be used as well.
[0045] It is also to be understood that other locking means may be used in
order to secure the moveable weight member 40 in a desired position and to
release it in order to modify the weight configuration of the sporting
article.
[0046] Although the above description makes reference to the transversal
guide section 22, it is further to be understood that it may similarly apply
to
the longitudinal guide section 24 (or even a diagonal guide section in an
alternative embodiment).
[0047] Referring to Figures 2 and 6, the transversal 22 and longitudinal 24
guide sections may be of various length. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment the transversal guide section 22 may be of a length such that
the first moveable weight member 40 may have a range of possible positions
from line 62, at the heel portion 15, to line 64, at the toe portion 14, of
about
110 along the rear portion 18. The extreme positions of the first moveable
weight member 40 are identified by numerals 40' and 40", It is to be
understood that the range of possible positions may be other than 110 , for
example 120 if we use positions from line 62' to line 64.
[0048] The moveable weight members 40 and 50 may also include
transversal and/or longitudinal position indicators. In the illustrated
embodiment the first moveable weight member 40 includes a transversal 42
and longitudinal 44 position indicator while the second moveable weight
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member 50 includes a longitudinal position indicator 34. Complementary
transversal 32 and longitudinal 34 position markers may also be provided on
the golf club head 100 so that a golfer may remember the position of the
moveable weight members 40 and 50 in a desired weight configuration.
Furthermore, the user may wish to use various weight configurations
depending on the desired effect or shot.
[0049] It is to be understood that in the case of alternative embodiments
having diagonal guide sections, the moveable weight members 40 and 50
may also include diagonal position indicators (not shown).
[0050] Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, there are shown two examples
of weight configurations. In particular, Figure 8 shows a configuration with
only the first moveable weight member 40 present, which is positioned in the
longitudinal guide section 24, thus the presence of the longitudinal indicator
44. The Figure 8 configuration illustrates that the first moveable weight
member 40, may be used in the longitudinal guide section 24 as well as the
transversal guide section 22 and that moveable weight members are not
restricted to a specific guide section.
[0051] Referring to Figures 9 to 12, there are shown further illustrative
embodiments of gold club heads 200, 300, 400 and 500 having various
combinations of transversal, longitudinal and diagonal guide sections. More
specifically, Figure 9 shows a golf club head 200 having a transversal guide
section 22 and two longitudinal guide sections 23, 25, a first longitudinal
guide section 23 biased towards the heel portion 15 and a second
longitudinal guide section 25 biased towards the toe portion 14.
[0052] Figure 10 shows a golf club head 300 having a longitudinal guide
section 24 and two transversal guide sections 21, 22, a first transversal
guide
section 21 biased towards the sole portion 13 and a second transversal guide
section 22 biased towards the crown portion 12,
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[0053] As for Figure 11, it shows a golf club head 400 having two
transversal guide sections 21, 22 a first transversal guide section 21 biased
towards the sole portion 13 and a second transversal guide section 22 biased
towards the crown portion 12, and two longitudinal guide sections 23, 25, a
first longitudinal guide section 23 biased towards the heel portion 15 and a
second longitudinal guide section 25 biased towards the toe portion 14.
[0054] Finally, Figure 12 shows a golf club head 500 having a transversal
guide section 22, a longitudinal guide section 25, biased towards the heel
portion 15, and a diagonal guide section 47, biased towards the toe portion
14.
[0055] It is to be understood that the illustrative embodiments of Figures 9
to 12 are not meant to be exhaustive and that many other embodiments
having various combinations of transversal and/or longitudinal and/or
diagonal guide sections may be used, as well as embodiments with
discontinuous guide sections.
[0056] Although a golf club head was used as an example of a sporting
article in the above description, it is to be understood that the adjustable
weight configuration may also be used with other sporting articles such as,
for example, racquets (tennis, badminton, squash, racquetball, ping pong,
etc.), hockey sticks, skis, curling brooms, polo sticks, baseball bats,
croquet
sticks, cricket sticks, lacrosse sticks or any other sporting goods where
repartition of the weight balance may have an impact on the user's
performance and/or use of the sporting article.
[0057] For example, Figures 13 and 14 show a racket 600 having a guide
section 692, with opening 696, running along a portion of the frame 662 of
the racket head 664. A moveable weight member 690, with locking element
691, is engaged to the guide section 692 and may be moved along the guide
section 692 so as to modify the balance of the racket 600 by locking it into
place using the locking element 691. The moveable weight member 690 may
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be engaged or removed from the guide section 692 using the guide section
opening 696.
[0058] In another example, Figure 15 shows a hockey stick 700 having a
guide section 792, with opening 796, running along a portion of the shaft 762
of the hockey stick 700. A moveable weight member 790, with locking
element 791, is engaged to the guide section 792 and may be moved along
the guide section 792 so as to modify the balance of the hockey stick 700 by
locking it into place using the locking element 791. The moveable weight
members 790 may be engaged or removed from the guide section 792 using
the guide section opening 796. It is to be understood that the guide section
792 may be positioned at different locations on the hockey stick 700 and that
multiple guide sections and/or moveable weight members may be used.
[0059] In a further example, Figure 16 shows a ski 800 having a guide
section 892, with opening 896, running along a portion of the upper surface
862 of the ski 800. A moveable weight member 890, with locking element
891, is engaged to the guide section 892 and may be moved along the guide
section 892 so as to modify the balance of the ski 800 by locking it into
place
using the locking element 891. The moveable weight members 890 may be
engaged or removed from the guide section 892 using the guide section
opening 896. It is to be understood that the guide section 892 may be
positioned at different locations on the ski 800 and that multiple guide
sections and/or moveable weight members may be used.
[0060] In yet another example, Figure 17 shows a ski 900 having a first
992 and second guide section 993, with opening 996, running along a portion
of the upper surface 962 of the ski 900, the first 992 and second 993 guide
sections crossing each other at an angle. A moveable weight member 990,
with locking element 991, is engaged to the guide section 992 and may be
moved along the either of the first 992 and second 993 guide section so as to
modify the balance of the ski 900 by locking it into place using the locking
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element 991. The moveable weight members 990 may be engaged or
removed from the guide section 992 using the guide section opening 996. 1t
is to be understood that the first 992 and second 993 guide section may be
positioned at different locations on the ski 900, at various angle and that
multiple guide sections and/or moveable weight members may be used.
[0061] It is to be understood that in the illustrative embodiments of
Figures 13 to 17 the moveable weight members 690, 790, 890 and 990 may
be permanently engaged to their respective guide sections 692, 792, 892 and
992, in which case openings 696, 796, 986 and 996 may be omitted. It is also
to be understood that although not shown, the locking elements 691, 791,
891 and 991 may be similar to the locking element 41 shown in Figures 3A to
5B.
[0062] It is further to be understood that the illustrative embodiments of
Figures 13 to 17 are not meant to be exhaustive and that many other
embodiments the adjustable weight configuration may be used with other
sporting articles and in various other configurations.
[0063] It is to also be understood that the various features of the various
embodiments described above may be combined in a variety of ways within
the context of the present invention.
[0064] Although the present invention has been described by way of a
non-limitative illustrative embodiments and examples thereof, it will be
apparent to persons skilled in the art that modifications may be applied to
the
illustrative embodiments without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
