U.S. patent application number 10/077534 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-27 for adjustable golf club with hydrodynamic lock-up.
Invention is credited to Dischler, Louis.
Application Number | 20020082104 10/077534 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46278850 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020082104 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dischler, Louis |
June 27, 2002 |
Adjustable golf club with hydrodynamic lock-up
Abstract
The various embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a golf
club head having adjustable loft and lie angles, wherein the loft
and lie angles are hydrodynamically locked during impact of the
club head with the ball.
Inventors: |
Dischler, Louis;
(Spartanburg, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOUIS DISCHLER
252 W PARK DR
DUNCAN PARK
SPARTANBURG
SC
29306-5013
US
|
Family ID: |
46278850 |
Appl. No.: |
10/077534 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10077534 |
Feb 15, 2002 |
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09619432 |
Jul 19, 2000 |
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6348009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/247 ;
473/326 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/06 20130101;
A63B 53/026 20200801; A63B 53/047 20130101; A63B 53/02 20130101;
A63B 60/00 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/247 ;
473/326 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/06 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, comprising: a strike plane; a sole line; a
pivot shaft comprising an axis mounted in the golf club head,
wherein said axis is not parallel to said sole line and/or said
strike plane; means for preventing rotation of the golf club head
about said pivot shaft; means for axially biasing said golf club
head on said pivot shaft into a rotatably locked position relative
to said pivot shaft; and means for generating a hydrodynamic bias
pressure, said bias pressure resisting axial movement of said club
head relative to said pivot shaft during impact of the golf club
head with a golf ball; whereby the loft and lie angles of the club
head remain unchanged during impact with said golf ball, and
whereby the loft and lie angles may be changed simultaneously by
rotating said surface about said pivot shaft.
2. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for
generating a hydrodynamic bias pressure comprises a first chamber
comprising a first variable volume, a second chamber comprising a
second variable volume, and a restrictive fluid conduit placing
said first chamber in fluid communication with said second chamber;
and wherein said first chamber, said second chamber and said
restrictive fluid conduit are filled with a substantially
incompressible fluid, whereby axial motion of the club head on said
pivot shaft flows said incompressible fluid between said first
chamber and said second chamber.
3. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 2, wherein said axial
motion of the golf club head on said pivot shaft creates a pressure
differential between said first chamber and said second chamber,
wherein said pressure differential tends to resist said axial
motion, and said pressure differential tends to increase as the
velocity of said axial motion increases.
4. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for
axially biasing said golf club head on said pivot shaft comprises a
spring.
5. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for
axially biasing said golf club head on said pivot shaft comprises a
third chamber comprising a variable volume, wherein said variable
volume comprises a compressible fluid under a pressure greater than
atmospheric pressure, wherein said compressible fluid urges the
club head into a non-rotatable position on said pivot shaft, and
wherein said compressible fluid pressurizes said incompressible
fluid.
6. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 5, wherein said
compressible fluid comprises a gas.
7. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 5, wherein said means for
preventing rotation of the golf club head about said pivot shaft
comprises axially aligned splines.
8. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 5, wherein said third
chamber comprises a piston slideably mounted within the golf club
head.
9. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 5, wherein said third
chamber is isolated from said second chamber by a flexible
diaphragm.
10. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 5, wherein said third
chamber comprises a metal bellows.
11. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 5, wherein said third
chamber comprises a flexible fluid cell comprising a continuous
surface.
12. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 5, wherein said flexible
fluid cell comprises a gas comprising a permeability through said
fluid cell surface that is less than that of either nitrogen or
oxygen.
13. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 11, wherein said fluid
cell comprises a sealed volume; wherein said continuous surface
comprises a permeable elastomeric, polymeric, or rubber material
surrounded by said incompressible fluid; and wherein said sealed
volume is inflated with a compressible fluid to a pressure greater
than atmospheric.
14. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 13, wherein said
compressible fluid comprises an inert, non-polar gas.
15. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, comprising: a first strike plane; a first
sole line corresponding to said first strike plane; a pivot shaft
comprising an axis mounted in the golf club head, wherein said axis
is not parallel to said first strike plane and/or said first sole
line; a first closed variable volume substantially filled with an
incompressible fluid; a second closed variable volume substantially
filled with an incompressible fluid; and at least one restrictive
conduit for fluid communication between said first closed variable
volume and said second closed variable volume whereby fluid in said
first closed variable volume may be flowed by the externally
applied compressive force into said second closed variable volume,
while said restrictive conduit preventing substantial fluid flow
while striking said golf ball; and wherein the golf club head
comprises a first and a second axial end orientations on said pivot
shaft; wherein said first orientation is distally oriented relative
to said second orientation; wherein said first orientation is
non-rotatable relative to said pivot shaft; and wherein said second
orientation is rotatable relative to said pivot shaft.
16. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 15, wherein said
incompressible fluid comprises a lubricating oil or grease.
17. A golf club head comprising an adjustable loft angle and an
adjustable lie angle, as recited in claim 15, further comprising a
second strike plane.
18. A club head comprising adjustable loft and lie angles,
comprising: a first surface for impacting a golf ball; first sole
line corresponding to said first surface; at least a second surface
for impacting said golf ball; a second sole line corresponding to
said second surface; a pivot shaft comprising an axis mounted in
the golf club head, wherein said axis is not parallel to said first
sole line and/or said second sole line; means for preventing
rotation of the club head about said pivot shaft; means for axially
biasing said club head on said pivot shaft into a rotatably locked
position relative to said pivot shaft; and means for generating a
hydrodynamic bias pressure, said bias pressure resisting axial
movement of said club head relative to said pivot shaft during
impact of the club head with said golf ball; whereby the loft and
lie angles of the club head remain unchanged during impact with
said golf ball, and whereby the loft and lie angles may be changed
simultaneously by rotating said surface about said pivot shaft.
19. A golf club head comprising adjustable loft and lie angles, as
recited in claim 18, wherein said means for generating a
hydrodynamic bias pressure comprises a first chamber comprising a
first variable volume, a second chamber comprising a second
variable volume, and a restrictive fluid conduit placing said first
chamber in fluid communication with said second chamber; and
wherein said first chamber, said second chamber and said
restrictive fluid conduit are filled with a substantially
incompressible fluid, whereby axial motion of the golf club head on
said pivot shaft flows said incompressible fluid between said first
chamber and said second chamber.
20. A golf club head comprising adjustable loft and lie angles, as
recited in claim 19, wherein said axial motion of the golf club
head on said pivot shaft creates a pressure differential between
said first chamber and said second chamber, said pressure
differential tending to resist said axial motion, and said pressure
differential tending to increase as the velocity of said axial
motion increases.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No.
6,348,009, issued Feb. 19, 2002, and entitled "Adjustable Golf Club
With Hydrodynamic Lock-up". All cited patents are incorporated by
reference in their entirety for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to golf clubs, and more
particularly relates to a golf club head having adjustable loft and
lie angles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In golf, clubs are used having varying loft angles to impart
greater or lesser distance or height to the ball. Drivers having a
slight angle from the vertical are used to drive the ball a great
distance horizontally with a relatively flat trajectory. A putter
with virtually no loft angle is used on the green itself. At
intermediate distances, irons having varying loft angles measured
from the vertical are used. Typically, larger loft angles are used
for shorter distances. Most golfers use up to 14 clubs (limited by
rule) with varying lofts at approximately four-degree increments,
with each loft angle typically associated with a lie angle. The
need for multiple clubs creates a number of disadvantages, such as
the high cost of a complete or partial set, and the need for
transportation of a bulky and heavy set of clubs, both to and on
the course.
[0004] A number of adjustable golf clubs have been developed with
the object of reducing the number of clubs required. Many designs
have used one or more sets of teeth or splines to key-in the
various desired loft angles. Adjustable club heads using splined
shafts are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 1,219,417 to Vories; U.S.
Pat. No. 2,305,270 to Nilson; U.S. Pat. No. 1,429,569 to Craig,
U.S. Pat. No. 2,571,970 to Verderber, U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,399 to
Agens et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,666 to Hosoda. Clubs employing
multiple toothed rings for vernier adjustment are exemplified by
U.S. Pat. No. 2,882,053 to Lorthiois; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,840,231
and 5,538,245 to Moore. A ratcheting vernier adjustment is taught
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,553 to Divnick. Sealed containers having
permeable elastomeric sheets sealed together and inflated with a
gas having low permeability therethrough is taught in U.S. Pat. No.
4,287,250, to Rudy. A club head having variable loft and lie angles
is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 2,962,286, to Brouwer. The teachings of
the patents cited above are entirely incorporated herein by
reference.
[0005] As the impact of the club head with the ball generates large
forces and torques acting in unpredictable directions, various
auxiliary fastening devices such as nuts, screws and levers have
been used to lock-up the head so that the loft angle does not
accidentally change during use. These auxiliary devices are
undesirable, as they detract from the enjoyment of the game. They
are also prone to failure with repeated use, due to over or under
tightening, and to contamination or corrosion.
[0006] It would be desirable for a club to be self-locking, so that
no auxiliary devices would be needed. It would also be desirable
that the concentration of the golfer not be broken by the need to
make complicated adjustments to the club. And it would be most
desirable that the loft angle be changeable in one continuous and
smooth motion by the golfer
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a uniquely simple solution to
the problems associated with adjustable golf clubs, and does so
without requiring that the golfer remember arcane and complicated
adjustment procedures. Rather, the instant invention provides a
perfectly natural and aesthetically desirable look and feel for
both the club and the adjustment thereof, while also enhancing the
technical performance of the club.
[0008] An important feature of an adjustable club is that the loft
and lie angles, once set, do not change during use. First of all,
if the equipment is not reliable, the player's lack of confidence
can negatively effect his game, and second, a club head that moves
under impact conditions can damage the adjustment mechanism, and
ruin the club. In the present invention, the head, once set at the
desired loft and lie angles, is hydrodynamicly locked-up, and
cannot move into an unlocked position due to the collision of the
club with a ball. This lock-up is achieved automatically during
impact conditions.
[0009] As golf is an aesthetic game, it is important that the head
adjusts smoothly, substantially without noise or snap-back, and
without requiring tools. It is also important that the adjustment
is easily achieved without the need for calculation on the part of
the golfer.
[0010] The present invention accomplishes the above and other
objectives by dividing the working volume within the adjustable
club head into at least three chambers: first and second chambers
filled with an incompressible fluid, and a third chamber filled
with a compressible fluid. The third chamber may be a discreet
chamber, or may be the atmosphere.
[0011] The working volume within the club head comprises a splined
(toothed) pivot shaft which mates with a splined inner cylinder
surface fixed within the adjustable club head. It is desirable that
both the exterior splined surface of the pivot shaft and the
interior splined surface of the cylinder are segmented, with gaps
therebetween, so as to reduce the total axial motion required to
de-couple the splines while providing sufficient tooth area to
resist rotation. When not being adjusted, the splines are aligned
so as to prevent relative rotation, and the pressure of the gaseous
fluid within the third chamber maintains this coupled axial
alignment. The third chamber pressurizes the second liquid filled
chamber by means of a flexible diaphragm or floating piston
therebetween. The first chamber is pressurized by means of a fluid
conduit between the first and second chambers, so that, at rest,
the pressures in all three chambers are equal (and above
atmospheric). Most typically, all chambers are coaxial with the
pivot shaft, with the second chamber between the first and third
chambers. The pivot shaft is non-parallel to the either the sole
line, strike plane, or club head center line, so that the club head
center line generates a cone of revolution about the pivot shaft
when the club is rotated about the pivot shaft, thereby achieving
varying lie and loft combinations as the club head is rotated. A
description of the manner in which lie and loft angles are
associated is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 2,962,286 to Brouwer, and
entirely incorporated herein by reference.
[0012] The conduit between the first and second chambers restricts
the rate of fluid flow between them. This results in a small
pressure build-up within the first chamber relative to the second,
resulting in a resistance and a smooth axial motion of the club
head on the pivot shaft as the two are pressed together by the
golfer during adjustment. During a stroke, while under impact
conditions, the pressure build-up is much greater than it is during
adjustment, and tends to resist axial motion and the resultant
de-coupling of the splines. By way of example only, and not
limitation, if one pound of force applied for one second is
necessary to de-couple the splines during adjustment (this is the
hydrodynamic force generated by fluid flow in the conduit only, and
neglects the gas pressure in the third chamber, which must also be
overcome), then, during an impact of the golf head with a ball
lasting only one millisecond, a million pounds of force would be
required to move the fluid through the conduit and thereby
de-couple the splines. The force required is so much greater
because the hydraulic force generated varies inversely with the
square of the time period involved. If the impact period is three
orders of magnitude smaller than the adjustment period, then the
decoupling force required will be six orders of magnitude greater.
This force resisting de-coupling is so large that the head remains
effectively locked-up during the brief period of impact.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
adjustable golf club head so that lie and loft of the club can be
varied by the user without tools.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
adjustable golf cub head having hydrodynamic lock-up during impact
with a golf ball.
[0015] It is yet another object of at least one embodiment of the
present invention to provide an adjustable golf club head having a
plurality of strike faces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above as well as other objects of the invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the invention, when taken together with
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional exploded view of a pivot
cartridge showing the various elements of one embodiment of the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of an assembled pivot
cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention, with the
cartridge in the distal or engaged position.
[0019] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of an assembled pivot
cartridge as in FIG. 2A, with the cartridge in the proximal or
disengaged position.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled adjustable
head comprising a pivot cartridge according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention, with the head in the distal
position.
[0021] FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of an assembled
adjustable head according to an alternative embodiment of the
invention, wherein a fluid cell is substituted for the piston of
FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of an assembled
adjustable head according to an alternative embodiment of the
invention, wherein a diaphragm is substituted for the fluid cell of
FIG. 4A.
[0023] FIG. 4C is a partial cross-sectional view of an assembled
adjustable head according to an alternative embodiment of the
invention, wherein a spring is substituted for or supplements the
compressed fluid of FIG. 3.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled adjustable
head according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view of an assembled
adjustable head according to another embodiment of the invention,
shown in the distal orientation, and wherein the hosel is
integrated into the pivot shaft.
[0026] FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view of the assembled
adjustable head of FIG. 6A, shown in the proximal orientation.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled adjustable
head according to another embodiment of the invention, with the
head in the distal position, and with the pivot axis non-parallel
to the sole line.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a right side view of the adjustable head shown in
FIG. 7, with the pivot axis non-parallel to the strike face.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the pivot assembly.
[0030] FIG. 10A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an
embodiment of the plunger shown in FIG. 9.
[0031] FIG. 10B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an
alternative embodiment of the plunger shown in FIG. 10A.
[0032] FIG. 10C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of yet another
alternative embodiment of the plunger shown in FIGS. 10A and
10B.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] Herein, the following terms are given the following meaning:
"Strike plane" is the plane that best approximates the strike face
(e.g., removing any curvature thereof). "Sole line" is the line of
intersection of the strike plane with the ideally flat playing
surface (ground) when the club is oriented at the correct lie angle
and in contact with the playing surface. "Lie" and "loft" are given
the usual meanings.
[0034] An exploded view of a pivot cartridge for insertion into an
adjustable club head according to a preferred embodiment of the
instant invention is shown generally as numeral 3 in FIG. 1, and
the assembled pivot cartridge is shown in the engaged (distal)
position generally as numeral 1 in FIG. 2A and in the disengaged
(proximal) position generally as numeral 1' in FIG. 2B. Referring
now to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, the pivot shaft 11, comprises a bearing
surface 10 and a shaft extension 16. A plurality of exterior spline
(toothed) segments 12 are spaced apart by exterior gap segments 14.
A splined shaft 8 and threaded shaft extension 6 are provided for
attachment with a hosel (not shown). The pivot shaft 11 mates with
cylinder 30, comprising a bearing surface 22, having a diameter
slightly larger than the diameter of the bearing surface 10 of the
pivot shaft 11. Interior spline segments 24 engage exterior spline
segments 12 when in the engaged position illustrated in FIG. 2A. A
bushing 31 has a bushing ID 33 for press fitting or otherwise
attaching to shaft extension 16, and a bushing OD 32, slightly
smaller than the diameter of the bearing surface 28 of the cylinder
30, so that it may freely rotate and slide therein. A seal 18 fits
into groove 20 of cylinder 30, and prevents fluid leakage from
between the mating bearing surfaces 22, 10. Piston 60 having seal
64 fitting into groove 62 floats in bearing surface 28. Tapered
hole 66 is plugged by tapered pin 68. Seal 17 fits in the groove 27
of the exterior surface of the cylinder 30.
[0035] In FIG. 2A, chamber 100 constitutes the first chamber, which
is filled with a substantially incompressible fluid. This
incompressible fluid may be any liquid or gel; but oil or grease
are preferred, due to the lubricating action and prevention of
corrosion of the internal components of the cartridge. In FIG. 2A,
the pivot cartridge 1 is in the engaged (distal) position, while
the pivot cartridge 1', shown in FIG. 2B, is in the disengaged
(proximal) position. ("Distal" and "proximal" refer to the relative
position of the club head with inserted pivot cartridge, to the
hosel.) In FIG. 2B, fluid has been driven from the chamber 100 of
FIG. 2A through the engaged interior and exterior spline segments
24, 12, which together constitute a restricted conduit, to chamber
102. If the bushing OD 32 is larger or equal to the diameter of the
bearing surface 10, chamber 102 constitutes the second chamber. If
the bushing OD 32 is smaller than the diameter of the bearing
surface 10, then fluid is also forced between the mating surfaces
of the bushing OD 32 and the bearing surface 28 (a restricted
conduit in series with the engaged interior and exterior spline
segments) into chamber 106, which then constitutes the second
chamber. In moving between the distal to the proximal positions,
the fluid pressure in the first chamber increases by an amount that
is generally proportional to the square of the rate of movement,
and this increased pressure acts to resist the motion of the pivot
shaft 11 relative to the cylinder 30. The primary purpose of
chamber 106 is to provide volumetric compliance for the changing
volume of the first chamber during motion. The first and second
chambers and restricted conduit(s), i.e., the volume bounded by
seals 18, 64, may be filled with an incompressible fluid by
immersing the assembled cartridge 1 (sans piston 60) in the fluid
and drawing and releasing a vacuum. The piston 60 may then be
inserted so that air escapes through tapered hole 66, which is then
sealed with tapered pin 68. Other means such as screws may be used
to seal the hole 66, and the piston 60 may be also installed under
vacuum so that no hole is necessary.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 3, the club head, generally indicated by
numeral 200, comprises the pivot cartridge 1, shown inserted in the
engaged or distal position into the club support 13, which supports
club strike face 7. The pivot cartridge 1 is shown mounted to hosel
4 by means of nut 2. Hosel 4 is the interface to handle shaft 5, by
which the club is gripped and swung. Chamber 104, formed by the
piston 60, the bearing surface 28 and the blind hole 108, is filled
with a compressible fluid, preferably a gas or gas and liquid
and/or gel mixture. This compressible fluid may be compressed and
trapped during the installation of the pivot cartridge 1, as it is
preferably press-fit into the blind hole 108. The compression of
this fluid may be regulated by the position of the seal 17 along
the cylinder 30, with excess fluid vented by means of groove 109
until the seal 17 makes contact with the open end of the blind hole
108, at which point further leakage is prevented. Knurled surface
23 is provided on the exterior of cylinder 30 to prevent rotation
of the cylinder 30 within the blind hole 108. A heavy press fit,
adhesives, pins, keys or brazing may also be used to prevent
rotation. Insertion is facilitated by the prior assembly of the
pivot cartridge 1.
[0037] Turning now to FIG. 4A, wherein the club head is generally
indicated by numeral 201, an alternative configuration of the third
chamber containing the compressible fluid is shown as fluid cell
35, which comprises a hollow flexible. Fluid cell 35 may comprise
polymeric, elastomeric, rubber or other flexible materials
resistant to the incompressible fluid and substantially impermeable
to the compressible fluid. The fluid in the fluid cell 35 may be
compressed during insertion of the pivot cartridge 1 in the same
way as described above with reference to FIG. 3. While the
compressible fluid may consist entirely of air, or of gases such as
nitrogen, oxygen, argon, methane, ethane, propane, butane,
fluoroform, neo-pentane, and others, there are advantages that
accrue from using gases having intrinsically low diffusion rates
due to large size and symmetrical molecular shape. Use of such
gases would be especially valuable when used within a fluid cell
comprised of rubber, elastomer, or polymer. Such gases would
include perfluoropentane, perfluorohexane, perfluoroheptane,
octafluorocyclobutane, perfluorocyclobutane, hexafluoropropylene,
tetrafluoromethane, monochloropentafluoroethane,
1,2-dichlorotetrafluoroe- thane; 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2
trifluoroethane, chlorotrifluorethylene, bromotrifluoromethane, and
monochlorotrifluoromethane, hexafluoroethane, sulfur hexafluoride,
perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane and mixtures thereof. If the
fluid cell is filled with one of this group, and with a less than
atmospheric partial pressure of nitrogen and oxygen (and preferably
no nitrogen or oxygen), then any air that might leak into the club
head and mix with the incompressible fluid would, over time, tend
come into contact with the surface of the fluid cell 35 and would
diffuse into the fluid cell, as the fluid cell Composition may be
altered to allow a slow rate of permeability for the atmospheric
gases, while still preventing leakage of the inflatant gas. The
fluid cell would thus act as a scavenger to rid the incompressible
fluid of undesired compressible fluid, as the compressible fluid
would undesirably tend to reduce the bias pressures generated
during axial motion. For scavenging of air, the fluid cell
inflatant gas should preferably have a permeability relative to the
fluid cell of less than 0.1 times that of air, and preferably less
than 0.01 times that of air.
[0038] In FIG. 4B, wherein the club head is generally indicated by
numeral 202, the fluid cell is replaced with a diaphragm 37 held in
place with clamp 39, forming the flexible side of chamber 104. In
practice, the diaphragm 37 operates in the same manner as the fluid
cell 35. Alternatively, the diaphragm 37 may be comprised of a thin
gage metal, and the chamber would then be impermeable.
[0039] In FIG. 4C, wherein the club head is generally indicated by
numeral 203, the pressure supplied by the compressible fluid in the
third chamber is partially or completely replaced by a spring 34,
operating on piston 60.
[0040] Turning now to FIG. 5, the pivot shaft 11 is attached to
hosel 4 by means of a press fit with smooth shaft 9, which may also
be welded to the hosel. The pivot shaft 11 is inserted into a
through hole 110, into which external spine segments 24 are
directly formed. A piston 74 serves with end cap 72 to trap a
compressible fluid. Extrusion of the end cap 72 is prevented by
snap ring 70. The club head is generally indicated by the number
205.
[0041] In FIG. 6A, an alternative construction is shown wherein the
hosel 4 is integrated with the pivot shaft. The club head 204 is
shown in the distal or engaged position. In FIG. 6B, the club head
204 is shown in the proximal or disengaged position. This proximal
position also facilitates the reading the loft angle by way of the
indicia 90.
[0042] Turing now to FIG. 7, yet another embodiment is shown
wherein the chamber 111 acts as the first chamber, and is filled
with an incompressible fluid. The motion of the plunger 76 into cup
78 as the club head 206 is moved from the distal to the proximal
position drives fluid into the second chamber formed by the gap
between piston 61 and cup 78. In this case, the third chamber
constitutes the volume between seal 64 and seal 18, and is filled
with a compressible fluid, which may comprise a gas, or gas and
liquid and/or gel mixture. Hole 80 facilitates the insertion of the
pivot cartridge by venting air during insertion. In FIG. 8, the
right end view of a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is
illustrated, showing strike surface 40 (shown as a planar surface,
and therefore coincident with the strike plane) having sole line
300. Strike surface 40 is oriented at angle B to pivot axis 15. As
is true in all embodiments herein, the cub head may comprise a
plurality of strike surfaces, such as second strike surface (and
strike plane) 40' comprising sole line 300', which need not be
oriented at the same angles (A and/or B) to pivot axis 15.
[0043] Turning now to FIGS. 9, three variations of the pivot
assembly 350 are shown that may be used with any of the
embodiments. First, hosel shaft 11 is continuous with and extends
from bearing surface 10 by way of transition 19. Second,
elastomeric spring 312 pressurizes incompressible fluid that
occupies cavity 310, and all other cavities within club support 13,
with the exception of cavity 314, which is in communication with
the atmosphere via port 318. (Alternatively, cavity 314 may be
filled with a flexible foam, thereby increasing the spring rate of
spring 312 and keeping out water, port 318 may be covered with a
porous material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, or a
sintered polymer or metal, or may be expanded in diameter so that
spring 312 is substantially fully exposed.) Spring 312 is held in
place by protective cap 316, and abuts plunger pin support 308, in
which is mounted plunger pin 304. And third, plunger pin 304
partially fills blind cavity 302 in the distal end of pivot shaft
11. Motion of plunger pin 304 into cavity 302 generates a hydraulic
pressure opposing this motion towards the proximal position.
[0044] Details of alternative embodiments of the plunger pin 304
are shown in relatively enlarged aspect in FIGS. 10A-C. While the
pin may be solid, so that the force generated in moving the pin in
either the proximal or distal direction is substantially the same,
a check valve of any configuration may be incorporated in the
plunger pin (or elsewhere in cavity 302). In FIG. 10A, conduit 306
extends from the distal end of plunger pin 304, and is in fluid
communication with conduit 307. Elastic band 308 acts as a check,
tending to restrict fluid from entering conduit 307 from the
proximal end, but expanding to more freely allow fluid passage from
the distal direction. The outside diameter of plunger pin 304 may
be adjusted to allow the desired degree of backflow. Alternatively,
grooves in the outside diameter may be provided, or an additional
smaller conduit 335 may be provided that bypasses the check valve
(not shown). In FIG. 10B, plunger pin 304' comprises a check valve
with ball 326 for blocking conduit 306, spring 324 for urging ball
326 into the blocked position, and retainer 329 comprising port
328. Backflow may be provided for by any suitable means, such as
groove 335. In FIG. 10C, plunger pin 304" comprises a check valve
with slider block 333 having proximal conduit 330 in fluid
communication with conduit 331. In the proximal position, slider
block 333 would reside against retainer 329, allowing fluid passage
through conduit 328 into conduit 330 and into conduit 306 via
conduit 331. In the distal position, flow into conduit 306 would be
blocked by contact with distal end 332. Back flow can be provided
by channel 334, or by a gap between the outside diameter of slider
block 333 and the inside diameter of cavity 302 (FIG. 9), or by a
groove in the outer surface of slider block 333, or by any other
means.
[0045] Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention
have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the
exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims,
means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures
described herein as performing the recited function and not only
structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.
* * * * *