Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RELEASABLE AND INTERCHANGEABLE
CONNECTIONS FOR GOLF CLUB HEADS AND SHAFTS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
101] This invention relates generally to golf clubs and golf club heads. More
particularly,
aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs having releasable connections
between
the golf club head and the shaft and/or head/shaft position adjusting features
to allow
easy interchange of shafts and heads and/or to allow easy modification of the
head/shaft positioning properties.
BACKGROUND
1021 Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players ¨ players of different
genders and
dramatically different ages and/or skill levels. Golf is somewhat unique in
the
sporting world in that such diverse collections of players can play together
in golf
events, even in direct competition with one another (e.g., using handicapped
scoring,
different tee boxes, in team formats, etc.), and still enjoy the golf outing
or
competition. These factors, together with the increased availability of golf
programming on television (e.g., golf tournaments, golf news, golf history,
and/or
other golf programming) and the rise of well known golf superstars, at least
in part,
have increased golfs popularity in recent years, both in the United States and
across
the world.
1031 Golfers at all skill levels seek to improve their performance, lower
their golf scores,
and reach that next performance "level." Manufacturers of all types of golf
equipment have responded to these demands, and in recent years, the industry
has
witnessed dramatic changes and improvements in golf equipment. For example, a
wide range of different golf ball models now are available, with balls
designed to
complement specific swing speeds and/or other player characteristics or
preferences,
e.g., with some balls designed to fly farther and/or straighter; some designed
to
provide higher or flatter trajectories; some designed to provide more spin,
control,
and/or feel (particularly around the greens); some designed for faster or
slower swing
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speeds; etc. A host of swing and/or teaching aids also are available on the
market that
promise to help lower one's golf scores.
[04] Being the sole instrument that sets a golf ball in motion during play,
golf clubs also
have been the subject of much technological research and advancement in recent
years. For example, the market has seen dramatic changes and improvements in
putter designs, golf club head designs, shafts, and grips in recent years.
Additionally,
other technological advancements have been made in an effort to better match
the
various elements and/or characteristics of the golf club and characteristics
of a golf
ball to a particular user's swing features or characteristics (e.g., club
fitting
technology, ball launch angle measurement technology, ball spin rates, etc.).
[05] Given the recent advances, there is a vast array of golf club component
parts available
to the golfer. For example, club heads are produced by a wide variety of
manufacturers in a variety of different models. Moreover, the individual club
head
models may include multiple variations, such as variations in the loft angle,
lie angle,
offset features, weighting characteristics (e.g., draw biased club heads, fade
biased
club heads, neutrally weighted club heads, etc.). Additionally, the club heads
may be
combined with a variety of different shafts, e.g., from different
manufacturers; having
different stiffnesses, flex points, kick points, or other flexion
characteristics, etc.;
made from different materials; etc. Between the available variations in shafts
and
club heads, there are literally hundreds of different club head/shaft
combinations
available to the golfer.
[06] Club fitters and golf professionals can assist in fitting golfers with a
golf club
head/shaft combination that suits their swing characteristics and needs.
Conventionally, however, golf club heads are permanently mounted to shafts
using
cements or adhesives. Therefore, to enable a golfer to test a variety of
head/shaft
combinations, the club fitter or professional must carry a wide selection of
permanently mounted golf club head/shaft combinations (which takes up a
considerable amount of storage space and inventory costs) or the club fitter
or
professional must build new clubs for the customer as the fitting process
continues
(which takes a substantial amount of time and inventory costs). The
disadvantages
associated with these conventional options serve to limit the choices
available to the
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golfer during a fitting session and/or significantly increase the expense and
length of
such a session.
SUMMARY
[07] The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in
order to
provide a basic understanding of the invention and various features of it.
This
summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but it
simply
provides a general overview and context for the more detailed description that
follows.
[08] Aspects of this invention relate to systems and methods for connecting
golf club
heads to shafts in a releasable manner so that the club heads and shafts can
be readily
interchanged and/or so that the angle and/or position of the shaft with
respect to the
club head body (and its ball striking face) can be readily changed. Golf club
head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with examples of this invention
may
include: (a) a cylindrical structure having a first end and a second end
opposite the
first end, wherein the first end includes a first opening that defines a
cylindrical
interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein an exterior surface
of the
cylindrical structure includes a rotation-inhibiting structure, and wherein
the second
end includes a securing structure; and (b) a securing system for releasably
engaging
the securing structure.
[09] Further aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs in which the shaft
is engaged with
the golf club head using a shaft/club head connection member of the type
described
above. Such golf clubs may include: (a) a golf club head having a shaft-
receiving
chamber, wherein a first end of the shaft-receiving chamber includes a first
rotation-
inhibiting structure and a second end of shaft-receiving chamber includes a
first
opening for receiving a securing member; (b) a shaft connection member
extending
into the shaft-receiving chamber of the golf club head, the shaft connection
member
including a structure as generally described above; (c) a shaft engaged in the
cylindrical interior chamber of the shaft connection member; (d) a securing
member
received through the second end of the shaft-receiving chamber of the golf
club head
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thereby releasably engage the shaft connection member with the golf club head;
and/or (e) a grip member engaged with the free end of the shaft.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a golf club head/shaft
connection assembly, comprising: a cylindrical structure having a first end
and a
second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end includes a first
opening that
defines a cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft,
wherein an
exterior surface of the cylindrical structure nearer to the first end than the
second end
includes a rotation-inhibiting structure, wherein the second end includes a
securing
structure, and wherein the cylindrical interior chamber extends towards the
second
end axially beyond the rotation-inhibiting structure; and a securing system
for
releasably engaging the securing structure, wherein the securing structure
includes a
threaded hole defined in the second end of the cylindrical structure and the
securing
system includes a threaded bolt element that engages the threaded hole,
wherein the
cylindrical structure extends in a first axial direction and the cylindrical
interior
chamber extends in a second axial direction that differs from the first axial
direction,
and wherein the threaded hole does not axially align with the second axial
direction.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a golf club, comprising: a golf
club head having a shaft-receiving chamber, wherein a first end of the shaft-
receiving
chamber includes a first rotation-inhibiting structure and a second end of the
shaft-receiving chamber includes a first opening for receiving a securing
member; a
shaft connection member extending into the shaft-receiving chamber of the golf
club
head, the shaft connection member including a cylindrical structure having a
first end
and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the shaft
connection
member includes a second opening that defines a cylindrical interior chamber
for
receiving a golf club shaft, wherein an exterior surface of the cylindrical
structure
nearer to its first end than its second end includes a second rotation-
inhibiting
structure that engages the first rotation-inhibiting structure, and wherein
the second
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end includes a securing structure, and wherein the cylindrical interior
chamber
extends toward the second end of the shaft connection member axially beyond
the
second rotation-inhibiting structure; a shaft engaged in the cylindrical
interior
chamber of the shaft connection member, wherein an end of the shaft extends
axially
toward the second end of the shaft connection member beyond the second
rotation-
inhibiting structure; and a securing member extending into the second end of
the
shaft-receiving chamber of the golf club head and releasably engaging the
securing
structure of the shaft connection member to thereby releasably engage the
shaft
connection member with the golf club head, wherein the cylindrical structure
extends
in a first axial direction and the cylindrical interior chamber extends in a
second axial
direction that differs from the first axial direction.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing a golf
club head/shaft connection assembly, comprising: producing a shaft connection
member as a cylindrical structure having a first end and a second end opposite
the
first end; producing an open cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf
club shaft
at the first end of the shaft connection member; forming a rotation-inhibiting
structure
as part of an exterior surface of the cylindrical structure nearer to the
first end than
the second end, wherein the cylindrical interior chamber extends toward the
second
end axially beyond the rotation-inhibiting structure; forming a securing
structure at the
second end of the shaft connection member; and providing a securing member for
engaging the securing structure, wherein the cylindrical structure extends in
a first
axial direction and the cylindrical interior chamber extends in a second axial
direction
that differs from the first axial direction, and wherein the securing
structure includes a
threaded hole that does not axially align with the second axial direction.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of assembling a golf
club, comprising: providing a golf club head having a shaft-receiving chamber,
wherein a first end of the shaft-receiving chamber includes a first rotation-
inhibiting
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structure and a second end of the shaft-receiving chamber includes a first
opening for
receiving a securing member; engaging a shaft with a shaft connection member,
wherein the shaft connection member includes a cylindrical structure having a
first
end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the
shaft
connection member includes a second opening that defines a cylindrical
interior
chamber for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein an exterior surface of the
cylindrical
structure nearer to its first end than its second end includes a second
rotation-
inhibiting structure that engages the first rotation-inhibiting structure, and
wherein the
second end of the shaft connection member includes a securing structure,
wherein
the cylindrical interior chamber extends toward the second end of the shaft
connection member axially beyond the second rotation-inhibiting structure, and
wherein an end of the shaft extends within the cylindrical interior chamber
and toward
the second end of the shaft connection member to a location axially beyond the
second rotation-inhibiting structure; placing at least a portion of the shaft
connection
member into the shaft- receiving chamber of the golf club head such that the
first
rotation-inhibiting structure engages the second rotation-inhibiting structure
to inhibit
rotation of the shaft connection member with respect to the golf club head;
placing a
securing member into the second end of the shaft-receiving chamber; and
releasably
engaging the securing member with the securing structure of the shaft
connection
member to thereby releasably engage the shaft connection member with the golf
club
head, wherein the cylindrical structure extends in a first axial direction and
the
cylindrical interior chamber extends in a second axial direction that differs
from the
first axial direction.
[10] The club head and shaft may be interchanged with respect to
one
another by releasing the securing system and interchanging the originally
present
parts (e.g., shafts, club heads, etc.) with different parts, e.g., having
different
characteristics. Furthermore, the shaft may be angled and/or the chamber for
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receiving the shaft in the shaft connection member may be angled or otherwise
offset
with respect to the axial direction of the shaft connection member so as to
allow
adjustment of the angle or position of the shaft with respect to the club head
(e.g., with respect to its ball striking face).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[11] A more complete understanding of the present invention and certain
advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following detailed
description
in consideration with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[12] Fig. 1 generally illustrates a front view of an example golf club
according to this invention;
[13] Figs. 2A through 2C illustrate various views of an example golf club
head/shaft connection member that may be used in accordance with examples of
this
invention;
[14] Figs. 3A through 3E illustrate example features of a connection
between a golf club head and a shaft utilizing a golf club head/shaft
connection
member in accordance with an example of this invention; and
[15] Figs. 4A through 6B illustrate various example features and structures
that allow adjustment of various characteristics of a golf club, such as loft
angle,
lie angle, etc., utilizing golf club head/shaft connection members in
accordance with
examples of this invention.
[16] The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily
drawn to scale.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[17] In the following description of various example structures in accordance
with the
invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part
hereof,
and in which are shown by way of illustration various example connection
assemblies, golf club heads, and golf club structures in accordance with the
invention.
Additionally, it is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts
and
structures may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be
made
without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the
terms
"top," "bottom," "front," "back," "rear," "side," "underside," "overhead," and
the like
may be used in this specification to describe various example features and
elements of
the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g.,
based on
the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations in
typical use.
Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific
three
dimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall within the
scope of this
invention.
A. General Description of Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection Assemblies
and Golf Clubs Including Such Assemblies According to Examples of
the Invention
[18] In general, as described above, aspects of this invention relate to
systems and methods
for connecting golf club heads to shafts in a releasable manner so that the
club heads
and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or repositioned with respect to one
another. More detailed descriptions of aspects of this invention follow.
1. Example Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection Assemblies and Golf
Club Structures According to the Invention
[19] One aspect of this invention relates to golf club head/shaft connection
assemblies for
securely, but releasably, connecting a golf club head and shaft. Such
assemblies may
include, for example: (a) a cylindrical structure having a first end and an
opposite
second end, wherein the first end includes a first opening providing access to
a
cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein an
exterior
surface of the cylindrical structure (e.g., nearer to the first end than the
second end)
includes a rotation-inhibiting structure, and wherein the second end includes
a
securing structure; and (b) a securing system for releasably engaging the
securing
structure. wfige a vanety ot different secunng structures and securing systems
may
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be used without departing from this invention, in some example structures
according
to this invention, the securing structure will include a threaded hole defined
in the
second end of the cylindrical structure, and the securing system will include
a
threaded bolt element that engages the threaded hole. The cylindrical interior
chamber and the threaded hole may be coaxial or non-coaxial, and optionally,
they
may be provided in the cylindrical structure completely independent from one
another.
[20] A variety of rotation-inhibiting structures and systems may be used
without departing
from this invention. In some example structures according to this invention,
the
rotation-inhibiting structure may include plural flat sides that extend in an
axial
direction of the cylindrical structure (optionally to form a polygon cross
section
having from 3-25 sides). In some more specific examples, the polygon cross
section
of the cylindrical structure that forms the rotation-inhibiting structure will
have at
least 4 flat sides (or even at least six or eight flat sides). Other non-round
cross
sectional configurations may be provided as part of the rotation-inhibiting
structure
without departing from this invention (e.g., star or asterisk shaped exterior
surfaces,
oval or elliptical shaped exterior surfaces, non-regular or non-symmetrically
shaped
exterior surfaces, etc.).
[21] The rotation-inhibiting structure may extend along any desired portion of
an overall
longitudinal (or axial) length of the cylindrical structure without departing
from this
invention. In some more specific examples, the rotation-inhibiting structure
will
extend less than 50% of an overall axial length of the cylindrical structure,
or even
less than 35% of the overall axial length. On the other hand, the rotation-
inhibiting
structure, when present on the exterior surface of the cylindrical structure,
will extend
a sufficient portion of the overall longitudinal or axial length of the
cylindrical
structure so as to provide a solid, non-rotational engagement and feel (e.g.,
at least 2%
of the overall axial length). In some more specific examples, the rotation-
inhibiting
structure will extend from 2-65% of the overall axial length of the
cylindrical
structure, or even from 5-50% or even 10-35% of the overall axial length.
[22] The exterior surface of the cylindrical structure and its cylindrical
interior chamber
may be coaxial. On the other hand, these cylindrical structures need not be
coaxial
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coaxial direction, etc.). By providing non-coaxial cylindrical interior and
exterior
surfaces (or through other features of the club head, shaft, etc.), various
properties,
positions, angles, and the like of the shaft with respect to the club head
ball striking
face may be changed, as will be explained in more detail below. If desired,
the
exterior surface of the cylindrical structure (e.g., at the first end thereof)
may includes
a rotational position indicator to allow a user to easily see the position of
the
shaft/club head connection member with respect to the club head when in use.
[23] Aspects of this invention further relate to golf clubs in which the shaft
is engaged with
the golf club head using shaft/club head connection members of the types
described
above. Such golf clubs may include: (a) a golf club head having a shaft-
receiving
chamber, wherein a first end of the shaft-receiving chamber includes a first
rotation-
inhibiting structure and a second end of the shaft-receiving chamber includes
a first
opening for receiving a securing member; (b) a shaft connection member
extending
into the shaft-receiving chamber of the golf club head, the shaft connection
member
including a cylindrical structure having a first end and an opposite second
end,
wherein the first end of the shaft connection member includes a second opening
that
defines a cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft,
wherein an
exterior surface of the cylindrical structure includes a second rotation-
inhibiting
structure that engages the first rotation-inhibiting structure, and wherein
the second
end includes a securing structure; (c) a shaft engaged in the cylindrical
interior
chamber of the shaft connection member; (d) a securing member extending into
the
second end of the shaft-receiving chamber of the golf club head and releasably
engaging the securing structure of the shaft connection member to thereby
releasably
engage the shaft connection member with the golf club head; and/or (e) a grip
member engaged with the free end of the shaft. The securing member may be
inserted into the shaft-receiving chamber of the club head through an opening
provided in the sole of the club head.
[24] The rotation-inhibiting structure of the club head may constitute an
opening having
side walls or edges of the same non-round construction (e.g., polygonal, flat-
sided,
non-regular, etc.) as the rotation-inhibiting structure of the shaft/club head
connection
member as described above. Alternatively, if desired, the club head's opening
or side
walls may be differently shaped from the rotation-inhibiting structure of the
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connection member, but it may include appropriately located retaining walls,
edges,
or other structures so as to securely hold the connection member in a non-
rotational
manner.
2.
Example Methods of Producing Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection
Assemblies and Golf Clubs Including Such Assemblies According
to the Invention
[25] Another aspect of this invention relates to methods of producing club
head/shaft
connection assemblies in accordance with examples of this invention (e.g., of
the
types described above). Such methods may include, for example: (a) producing a
shaft connection member as a cylindrical structure having a first end and an
opposite
second end (e.g., via casting or molding processes, via extrusion, etc.); (b)
producing
an open cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft at the
first end of
the shaft connection member (e.g., via drilling or machining processes, etc.);
(c)
forming a rotation-inhibiting structure as part of an exterior surface of the
cylindrical
structure, e.g., nearer to the first end than the second end (e.g., by
grinding,
machining, etc.); (d) forming a securing structure at the second end of the
shaft
connection member (e.g., by drilling, tapping, or machining processes, etc.);
and (e)
providing a securing member for engaging the securing structure (e.g., by
manufacturing it, from third party suppliers, etc.). If desired, the securing
structure
may be formed as a threaded hole defined in the second end of the cylindrical
structure and the securing member may be provided as a threaded bolt element
that is
engagable with the threaded hole. The assembly may be formed so as to include
any
of the various structures and/or configurations described above (and described
in
more detail below).
[26] Another aspect of this invention relates to methods of assembling golf
clubs using
club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with examples of this
invention.
Such methods may include: (a) providing a golf club head having a shaft-
receiving
chamber (e.g., by manufacturing it, from a third party supplier, etc.),
wherein a first
end of the shaft-receiving chamber includes a first rotation-inhibiting
structure and a
second end of shaft-receiving chamber includes a first opening for receiving a
securing member; (b) engaging a shaft with a shaft connection member, wherein
the
shaft connection member includes a cylindrical structure, e.g., of the types
described
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receiving chamber of the golf club head such that the first rotation-
inhibiting structure
engages a rotation-inhibiting structure provided with the shaft connection
member to
thereby inhibit rotation of the shaft connection member with respect to the
golf club
head; (d) placing a securing member into the second end of the shaft-receiving
chamber; and (e) releasably engaging the securing member with a securing
structure
provided with the shaft connection member to thereby releasably engage the
shaft
connection member with the golf club head.
[27] If desired, various characteristics or features of the club head may be
changed, e.g., by
changing a position of the shaft with respect to the club head (e.g., by
rotating the
shaft and its connection member with respect to the club head when the shaft
is bent
or when the cylindrical interior shaft receiving chamber of the connection
member is
non-coaxial with respect to its exterior cylindrical surface) to thereby
change the loft,
lie, offset, inset, or other features of the club head. Such methods may
include: (a)
releasing or disengaging the shaft connection member with respect to the golf
club
head; (b) changing a position of the shaft connection member with respect to
the golf
club head (e.g., by rotating them with respect to one another) to thereby
alter a
position of a free end of the shaft with respect to a ball striking face of
the club head;
and (c) releasably engaging the securing member with the securing structure of
the
shaft connection member to thereby releasably engage the shaft connection
member
with respect to the golf club head at the changed position.
[28] Additionally, or alternatively, aspects of the invention allow easy
interchange of one
shaft for another on the club head (or one club head for another on the
shaft). Such
methods may include: (a) releasing or disengaging the shaft connection member
with
respect to the golf club head; (b) engaging a second shaft with a second shaft
connection member, wherein the second shaft connection member may include the
various structures described above; (c) placing at least a portion of the
second shaft
connection member into the shaft-receiving chamber of the golf club head such
that
the first rotation-inhibiting structure of the shaft-receiving chamber engages
the
rotation-inhibiting structures provided on the second shaft connection member
to
thereby inhibit rotation of the second shaft connection member with respect to
the
golf club head; (d) placing the securing member into the second end of the
shaft-
receiving chamber; and (e) releasably engaging the securing member with a
securing
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structure provided with the second shaft connection member to thereby
releasably
engage the second shaft connection member with the golf club head. In a
similar
manner to that described above, a given shaft (and shaft connection member)
may be
readily disengaged from a club head and engaged with a different club head in
accordance with still additional aspects of this invention.
[29] Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below.
The reader
should understand that these specific examples are set forth merely to
illustrate
examples of the invention, and they should not be construed as limiting the
invention.
C. Specific Examples of the Invention
[30] Fig. 1 generally illustrates an example golf club 100 in accordance with
at least some
examples of this invention. This club 100 includes a club head 102, a
releasable club
head/shaft connection region 104 that connects the club head to a shaft 106
(which
will be described in more detail below), and a grip member 108 engaged with
the
shaft 106. While a driver/wood-type golf club head 102 is illustrated in Fig.
1,
aspects of this invention may be applied to any type of club head, including,
for
example: fairway wood club heads; iron type golf club heads (of any desired
loft, e.g.,
from a 0-iron or 1-iron to a wedge); wood or iron type hybrid golf club heads;
putter
heads; and the like. The club heads may be made from any desired materials, in
any
desired construction and/or in any desired manner, including from conventional
materials, in conventional constructions, in conventional manners, as are
known and
used in the art, optionally modified (if necessary, e.g., in size, shape,
inclusion of
structures, etc.) to accommodate the releasable club head/shaft connection
parts.
[31] Any desired materials also may be used for the shaft member 106,
including
conventional materials that are known and used in the art, such as steel,
graphite,
polymers, composite materials, combinations of these materials, etc.
Optionally, if
necessary or desired, the shaft may be modified (e.g., in size, shape, etc.)
to
accommodate the releasable club head/shaft connection parts. The grip member
108
may be engaged with the shaft 106 in any desired manner, including in
conventional
manners that are known and used in the art (e.g., via cements or adhesives,
via
mechanical connections, etc.). Any desired materials may be used for the grip
member 108, including conventional materials that are known and used in the
art,
such as rubber, polymeric materials, cork, rubber or polymeric materials with
cord or
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other fabric elements embedded therein, cloth or fabric, tape, etc.
Optionally, if
desired, the grip member 108 may be releasably connected to the shaft 106
using a
releasable connection like releasable connection 104 (examples of which will
be
described in more detail below).
[32] The releasable connection 104 between golf club heads and shafts in
accordance with
examples of this invention now will be described in more detail in conjunction
with
Figs. 2A through 3E. Figs. 2A through 2C illustrate an example club head/shaft
connection member 200 in accordance with this invention. As shown, the club
head/shaft connection member 200 includes a generally cylindrical body 202
having a
first end 204 and an opposite second end 206. The first end 204 defines an
opening to
an interior cylindrical chamber 208 for receiving the end of a golf club shaft
106. The
second end 206 includes a securing structure (e.g., a threaded hole 210 in
this
example structure) that assists in securely engaging the connection member 200
to a
club head body as will be explained in more detail below. In this example
structure,
as shown in Fig. 2B, the interior chamber 208 is not open to the threaded hole
210,
but if desired, the threaded hole 210 may extend to and open in to the
interior
chamber 208 in some structures in accordance with this invention.
[33] As shown, a least a portion of the first end 204 of the connection
assembly 200
includes a rotation-inhibiting structure 212. While a variety of rotation-
inhibiting
structures may be provided without departing from this invention, in this
example
structure, the rotation-inhibiting structure 212 constitutes a cylindrical
area having a
non-round cross section such that when it is fit into a close fitting and
similarly
shaped opening or chamber, the non-rounded sides and edges of the rotation-
inhibiting structure 212 will prevent rotation of the connection assembly 200
with
respect to the member into which it is fit (e.g., a golf club head, as will be
explained
in more detail below). While a variety of non-rounded cross sectional
structures may
be used without departing from the invention, in the illustrated example, a
portion of
the first end 204 of the cylindrical body 202 has a polygon shaped cross
section
having plural (eight) flat sides 212a.
[34] The rotation-inhibiting structure 212 may extend along any desired
portion of the
overall longitudinal length L of the connection assembly 200. For example, the
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length L of the connection assembly 200, and in some examples, it may be less
than
50%, less than 35%, or even less than 25% of the overall axial length L. On
the other
hand, rotation-inhibiting structure 212 may extend along any desired portion
of the
overall longitudinal length L of the connection assembly 200. For example, the
rotation-inhibiting structure 212 should be of sufficient length Ito enable
strong and
secure engagement with the club head in a non-rotational manner. As some more
specific examples, the length I may be at least 2% of the overall length L of
the
connection assembly 200, and in some examples at least 5%, at least 10%, or
even
least 20% of the overall axial length L. If desired, the rotation-inhibiting
structure
212 may extend from 2-65% of the overall axial length L of the connection
assembly
200, or even from 5-50% or 10-35% of the overall length L.
[35] Figs. 2A through 2C further illustrate that the first end 204 of the club
head/shaft
connection member 200 includes an expanded portion 214. As will be more
apparent
from Figs. 3A through 3E, this expanded portion 214 provides a stop that
prevents the
connection member 200 from extending into the club head body and provides a
strong
base for securing the connection member 200 to the club head body. Also, the
exterior shape of the first end 204 may be tapered to provide a smooth
transition
between the shaft 106 and the club head 102 and a conventional aesthetic
appearance.
1361 Other features of this example connection member structure 200 may be
seen from
Figs. 2A through 2C. For example, in this example structure 200, the threaded
hole
210 of the securing structure (in the second end 206 of the connection member
200) is
coaxial with the cylindrical interior chamber 208 (see common axial line 216)
and
coaxial with respect to the exterior surface 218. These features are not
requirements.
Rather, if desired, one of these cylindrical holes 208 and 210 may be offset
(and still
parallel) with respect to the other and/or with respect to the exterior
surface 218. As
another example, if desired (and as illustrated in Figs. 6A and 6B), one hole
may be
angled with respect to the other and/or with respect to the exterior surface
218. As
still another example, if desired, multiple threaded holes (or other securing
structures)
may be included at the second end 206 to enable engagement with multiple bolts
(or
other securing systems).
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[37] The connection member 200 may be made from any desired materials and from
any
desired number of independent parts without departing from this invention. In
this
illustrated example, the entire connection member 200 is made as a unitary,
one-piece
construction from conventional materials, such as metals or metal alloys,
plastics, and
the like. In at least some example structures according to this invention, the
connection member will be made from a titanium, aluminum, magnesium, steel, or
other metal or metal alloy material. The various holes (e.g., chamber 208 and
threaded opening 210) and/or surface structures (e.g., flat panels 212a,
expanded
portions) may be produced in the material in any desired manner without
departing
from the invention, including via production methods that are commonly known
and
used in the art, such as by drilling, tapping, machining, lathing, extruding,
grinding,
etc.
[38] One example of engagement of a golf club shaft 106 with a club head 102
utilizing
connection assembly 200 now will be described in more detail in conjunction
with
Figs. 3A through 3E. At some time during the head/shaft connection process, a
shaft
106 is engaged within the cylindrical interior chamber 208 of the connection
assembly
200. In this illustrated example structure 200, the shaft 106 will be
permanently
engaged in the chamber 208, e.g., via an adhesive or cement bond. Other ways
of
engaging a shaft 106 with the connection assembly 200 are possible without
departing
from this invention, including, for example, mechanical connections (including
releasable mechanical connections, such as threaded structures or the like);
welding,
brazing, soldering, or other fusing techniques; etc. Once connected to the
connection
assembly 200, the shaft 106 is ready for mounting to a golf club head 102.
Alternatively, if desired, the shaft 106 may be connected to the connection
member
200 later in the process, even as late as the final step in the connection
process.
[39] An example club head structure 102 now will be described in more detail,
particularly
in conjunction with Figs. 3A and 3B (Fig. 3B provides an overhead view of the
club
head 102, without a shaft 106 engaged therewith, looking down the hosel
opening).
In this example structure, the club head 102 includes a hose! area 302 that
provides
access to a shaft-receiving chamber 304 defined in the club head 102. The
shaft-
receiving chamber 304 in this example structure extends completely through the
club
head body 102 and produces an opening 306 at the sole of the club head 102.
This
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opening 306 allows access for insertion of a securing system 308 (e.g., a
threaded bolt
member) that helps secure the connection system 200 to the club head body 102,
as
will be described in more detail below. In this example structure, the shaft-
receiving
chamber 304 includes a mounting plate 310 with a hole 310a defined therein,
which
provides a support surface for securing the connection system 200 within the
club
head body 102, as will be explained in more detail below. If desired, the
mounting
plate 310 may be integrally formed as part of the club head structure, and it
may be
located at any desired position along the shaft-receiving chamber 304,
including right
at or near the opening 306. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, a plug
member
may be provided close to opening 306 (optionally a removable plug member) or
the
sole member may include a countersunk region to allow the bolt member 308 to
lie
flush or substantially flush with the club head sole.
[40] The upper opening for the shaft-receiving chamber 304 in this example
structure has
rotation-inhibiting structures 312. While a variety of rotation-inhibiting
structures
312 may be used without departing from the invention, in this example
structure, the
rotation-inhibiting structure 312 constitutes an opening having a plurality of
flat sides
or edges 312a that generally correspond to the size, shape, and location of
the
rotation-inhibiting structure 212 (and flat panels 212a) of the connection
member 200
(e.g., having a non-round opening, and in this illustrated example, a
polygonal
opening with flat sides or edges 312a). As noted above, a variety of rotation-
inhibiting structures 312 and/or 212 may be used without departing from this
invention.
[41] Connection of the connection assembly 200 (optionally with a shaft 106
already
engaged with it) to the club head 102 will be described in more detail in
conjunction
with Figs. 3A, 3C, 3D, and 3E. As shown, the cylindrical body 202 of the
connection
member 200 is inserted into the shaft-receiving chamber 304 of the club head
body
102 in an appropriate manner such that the rotation-inhibiting structures 212a
of the
connection member 200 engage the rotation-inhibiting structures 312a of the
hosel
302. At this location and in this arrangement, the second end 206 of the
connection
member 200 is seated against the mounting plate 310 and/or the expanded
portion 214
of the connection member 200 first end 204 is seated against the top surface
of the
hosel 302 opening.
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[42] Once inserted, the connection assembly 200 may be engaged with the club
head body
by inserting the securing system 308 through the opening 306 in the sole of
the club
head and engaging the securing system 308 with the securing structure 210
provided
with the connection member 200. If desired, the locations where the connection
member 200 meet the club head 102 (e.g., at mounting plate 310 and/or the
hosel
opening) and/or where the securing system 308 meets the club head 102 (e.g.,
at the
mounting plate 310) may include a flexible material (such as a washer, a
gasket, an o-
ring, an elastomeric washer or coating, etc.) to provide noise and/or
vibration
dampening, etc. This illustrated connection system is readily releasable,
e.g., by
twisting out the bolt member 308, to allow users to interchange different
shafts 106 on
a given golf club head 102 and/or to allow users to interchange different golf
club
heads 102 on a given shaft/connection member assembly. If desired, the bolt
308 and
mounting plate opening 310a may be structured so as to prevent the bolt 308
from
completely falling out of the opening 306 when the bolt 308 is released from
the
connection system 200 (e.g., by providing an enlarged ring on the free end of
bolt
308). The bolt may include a head having structures for engaging a
screwdriver, an
alien wrench, or another tool.
[43] As will be explained in more detail below in conjunction with Figs. 4A
through 6B,
adjustment of the rotational position of the connection system 200 (and its
attached
shaft 106) with respect to the golf club head 102 may be used in at least some
examples of this invention to adjust various features of the overall golf
club, such as
loft angle, lie angle, inset distance, offset distance, to fade bias, to draw
bias, etc. To
enable users to easily identify the club head's "settings" (e.g., the club
head body 102
position and/or orientation with respect to the shaft 106), any or all of the
shaft 106,
the connection member 200, and/or the club head 102 may include markings or
indicators. Figs. 2A and 3A shows an indicator 220 on the connection system
200
(e.g., on the expanded portion 214), and Fig. 3A shows plural indicators 320
on the
hosel area 302 of the club head 102. By noting the relative positions of the
various
indicators, a club fitter or other user can readily determine and know the
position of
the shaft with respect to the club head body 102 and its ball striking face.
If desired,
the indicators (e.g., indicators 320) may be associated with and/or include
specific
quantitative information, such as a specifically identified loft angle, lie
angle, inset
distance. offset distance. etc.
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[44] Additional aspects of this invention relate to utilizing releasable golf
club head/shaft
connection assemblies to enable club fitters (or others) to adjust various
positions
and/or angles of the club head (and its ball striking face) with respect to
the free (grip)
end of the shaft (e.g., lie angle, loft angle, etc.). Figs. 4A and 4B
illustrate one
example golf club head/shaft connection system 400 in which these angles can
be
controlled and adjusted. More specifically, Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate a
releasable
golf club head/shaft connection assembly 200 similar to that described above
in
conjunction with Figs. 1 through 3E (the same or similar reference numbers are
used
in Figs. 4A and 4B as those used in Figs. 1 through 3E to denote the same or
similar
parts). The shaft 402, however, in this example structure 400, is bent so as
to include
a first axial direction 404 extending coaxial with the interior chamber 208 of
the
connection member 200 and a second axial direction 406 extending along a major
portion of the shaft 402. The axial direction change region 408 (optionally an
abrupt
bend or a continuous and/or smooth change) transitions the shaft axial
direction from
the first direction 404 to the second direction 406.
[45] As evident from a comparison of Figs. 4A and 4B, the angle and/or
position of the
free end of the shaft 402 (at the location of the grip, remote from the
connection
assembly 200) may be altered with respect to the club head 102 (and with
respect to
the ball striking face) by rotating the connection member 200 with respect to
the club
head (note the changed location of the position indicator 220 of the
connection
member 200 in Figs. 4A and 4B). For ease in illustration, the club head
structure is
not shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, but its location with respect to connection
member 200
is readily evident from the previously described figures. This bent shaft
feature, along
with the releasable connection system 200 (e.g., via releasable securing
system
features 210 and 308), allows club fitters (or others) to freely and easily
adjust various
angles and/or positions of the shaft 402 with respect to the club head 102
(e.g.,
variable lie, loft, and face angle combinations) while still using the same
shaft 402
and head 102, which can help users more easily determine the optimum club
head/shaft combination and arrangement to suit their needs.
[46] The axial direction change region 408 may be located at any desired
position along
the shaft 402 without departing from this invention. In at least some example
structures 400 according to this aspect of the invention, the axial direction
change
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region 408 will be located in the lower half of the shaft 402 nearer to the
club head
102 than to the grip end. In some more specific examples, the axial direction
change
region 408 will be located in the lower quarter of the shaft 402 nearest to
the club
head 102, and even in the lower 10% or even 5% of the shaft 402 nearest to the
club
head 102. In some example structures 400 according to the invention, the bend
or
other axial direction change region 408 may be located as close to the
connection
member 200 or other portion of the club head as possible.
[47] Also, any desired axial direction change 0 (or bend) angle may be used
without
departing from this invention, e.g., at least 0.25 degrees, at least 0.5
degrees, at least 1
degree, at least 2 degrees, at least 4 degrees, or even at least 8 degrees. In
some
example structures, this bend or other axial direction change will be between
0.25 and
25 degrees, between 0.5 and 15 degrees, between 1 and 10 degrees, or even
between 1
and 5 degrees.
[48] Aspects of this invention are not limited to golf club shafts having a
single axial
direction change region. Rather, as illustrated by the structure 500 shown in
Fig. 5A,
the shaft 502 may have multiple axial direction change regions (e.g., regions
504 and
506 in Fig. 5A (in Fig. 5A, the same or similar reference numbers are used as
those
used in Figs. 1 through 4B to denote the same or similar parts)). This double
bend
feature allows further fine tuning or control of the position and/or angle of
the free
end of the shaft 502 (at the grip) with respect to the club head 102 and its
ball striking
face (e.g., to adjust positions to provide a range of inset, outset, onset,
and offset
positions and/or optionally to adjust lie, loft, and/or face angle features).
For
simplicity in illustration, the club head 102 is not shown in Fig. 5A.
[49] Fig. 5B illustrates another example structure 520 including a releasable
golf club
head/shaft connection assembly (e.g., like assembly 200) and a shaft 522
having two
(or more) axial direction change regions 504 and 506 like those illustrated in
Fig. 5A.
In this example structure 520, however, the shaft 522 has more abrupt
direction
changes as compared to the structure 500 and shaft 502 of Fig. 5A. This shaft
structure 522 also allows control of the position and/or angle of the free end
of the
shaft 522 (at the grip) with respect to the club head 102 and its ball
striking face (e.g.,
to adjust positions to provide a range of inset, outset, onset, and offset
positions
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[50] The axial direction change regions 504 and 506 in the various structures
(e.g.,
structures 500 and 520) may be located at any desired positions along the
shafts 502
and/or 522 and/or at any desired relative spacing with respect to one another
without
departing from this invention. In at least some example structures 500 and/or
520
according to this invention, at least one of the axial direction change
regions 504 and
506 (and optionally both) will be located in the lower half of the shaft 502
and/or 522
nearer to the club head 102 than to the grip end. In some more specific
examples, one
or both of the axial direction change regions 504 and 506 will be located in
the lower
quarter of the shaft 502 and/or 522 nearest to the club head 102, and even in
the lower
10% or 5% of the shaft 502 and/or 522 nearest to the club head 102. The axial
direction change regions 504 and 506 may be separated from one another by at
least
'A inch, at least 1 inch, at least 2 inches, or even at least 4 inches or more
without
departing from this invention.
[51] Also, any desired axial direction change (or bend) angles may be used for
each of the
two (or more) direction changes without departing from this invention, e.g.,
at least
0.25 degrees, at least 0.5 degrees, at least 1 degree, at least 2 degrees, at
least 4
degrees, or even at least 8 degrees. In some example structures, like those
shown in
Fig. 5A, these bends or other axial direction changes will be between 0.25 and
25
degrees, between 0.5 and 15 degrees, between 1 and 10 degrees, or even between
1
and 5 degrees. In other example structures, like those shown in Fig. 5B, these
bends
or other axial direction changes will be between 25 and 145 degrees, between
30 and
120 degrees, between 45 and 100 degrees, or even between 60 and 90 degrees. If
desired, one bend may be relatively slight (e.g., as shown in Fig. 5A) while
another is
more abrupt (e.g., as shown in Fig. 5B). The bends or axial direction changes
502 and
504 may be arranged so that the free ends of the shaft (and the shaft sections
524 and
526 including the free ends) lie on the same plane or on different planes.
Also, if
desired, more than two bends or axial direction change regions may be provided
in a
club head shaft structure without departing from this invention.
[52] Utilizing a shaft including one or more axial direction change regions is
not the only
manner in which the position and/or angle of the free (grip) end of a shaft
may be
altered with respect to a golf club head and/or its ball striking face. Figs.
6A and 6B
illustrate another example arrangement. In this example arrangement, the club
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head/shaft connection member 600 includes an "off-axis" or angled bore hole or
interior chamber 608 in which the shaft 106 (optionally a straight shaft) is
received.
More specifically, in this illustrated example, the outer cylindrical surface
618 of the
connection member 600 extends in a first axial direction 626, and the interior
cylindrical surface 628 of the bore hole 608 extends in a second axial
direction 630
that differs from the first axial direction 626. In this manner, while the
shaft
connection member 600 exterior maintains a constant axial direction
corresponding to
that of the interior of the club head hosel and its opening, the shaft 106
extends away
from the club head 102 at a different and adjustable angle with respect to the
club
head 102 and its ball striking face (the shaft position and/or angle may be
adjusted, for
example, by rotating the shaft connection member 600 with respect to the club
head
hosel). This may be seen, for example, by a comparison of the angles of Figs.
6A and
6B.
[53] While any desired angle may be maintained between the first axial
direction 626 and
the second axial direction 630, in accordance with some examples of this
invention,
this angle will be between 0.25 degrees and 10 degrees, and in some examples
between 0.5 degrees and 8 degrees, between 0.75 degrees and 6 degrees, or even
between 1 degree and 4 degrees.
[54] As another example, if desired, the axial directions 626 and 630 may be
parallel to
one another but offset such that these directions are not coaxial. In this
manner,
various characteristics of the club may be changed by rotating the connection
system
200 with respect to the club head (such as inset or outset dimensions, etc.).
[55] Many variations in the overall structure of the shaft, club head, and
club head/shaft
connection assembly are possible without departing from this invention. For
example, if desired, the connection system may be used to connect shafts to
other
elements of a golf club (or other) structure, such as connecting a golf club
shaft to a
grip element. Similar structures also may be used to connect shafts to other
pieces of
athletic equipment or other equipment, if desired (not limited to golf clubs).
The
various steps of the described assembly processes also may be altered, changed
in
order, combined, and/or omitted without departing from the invention.
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[56] Additionally, the releasable connection assemblies may be used in any
desired manner
without departing from the invention. The clubs with such connection
assemblies
may be designed for use by the golfer in play (and optionally, if desired, the
golfer
may freely change shafts, heads, and/or their positioning with respect to one
another).
As another example, if desired, clubs including releasable connections in
accordance
with the invention may be used as club fitting tools and when the desired
combination
of head, shaft, and positioning have been determined for a specific golfer, a
club
builder may use the determined information to then produce a final desired
golf club
product using conventional (and permanent) mounting techniques (e.g., cements
or
adhesives). Other variations in the club/shaft connection assembly parts and
processes are possible without departing from this invention.
CONCLUSION
[57] While the invention has been described in detail in terms of specific
examples
including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those
skilled
in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations
of
the above described systems and methods. Thus, the scope of the invention
should
be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
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