U.S. patent application number 10/030152 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-26 for golf club head with adjustable weights.
Invention is credited to Dammen, Per.
Application Number | 20020137576 10/030152 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19910864 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020137576 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dammen, Per |
September 26, 2002 |
Golf club head with adjustable weights
Abstract
It is described a golf club head comprising a front face (3) or
striking face, a bottom face (2) and a top face, said golf club
head is provided with one or more movable screws or weights (7) for
adjustment of the club heads balance. The weights or screws (7) are
made of a material with a relatively high specific gravity, and are
provided in tube sleeves (1) inside the club head. The screw (7)
can be adjusted to any desired position between the ends of the
tube sleeves (1) and thereby adjust the balance point of the club
head. The tube sleeves (1) are provided slanting from the front
face (3) of the club head down towards the rear part of the bottom
face (2) of the club head.
Inventors: |
Dammen, Per; (Bekkestua,
NO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACON & THOMAS, PLLC
625 SLATERS LANE
FOURTH FLOOR
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
|
Family ID: |
19910864 |
Appl. No.: |
10/030152 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
March 9, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NO01/00105 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/336 ;
473/337; 473/345 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2053/0495 20130101;
A63B 53/0466 20130101; A63B 53/06 20130101; A63B 53/04 20130101;
A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 53/0433 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/336 ;
473/337; 473/345 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/04; A63B
053/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 9, 2000 |
NO |
20001250 |
Claims
1. A metal golf club head with movable weights, which club head
comprises at least a bottom face (2), a front face (3) and a top
face, in which club head is provided one or more tubular sleeves
(1) extending from the rear part of the club and forward towards
the front face, in which tubular sleeves (1) may be provided screws
or weights (7), characterised in that the tubular sleeve or sleeves
(1) are provided at an angle from the centre line of the front face
(3) down towards the rear part of the bottom face (2), and that one
end of the tubular sleeve (1) opens onto the bottom face (2).
2. A golf club head in accordance with claim 1, characterised in
that the tubular sleeve or sleeves (1) are provided with internal
threads or grooves (6), a complementary shaped screw or weight (7)
is placed in each tubular sleeve (1), which screw (7) is
selectively adjustable to any position between the ends of the
tubular sleeve (1).
3. A golf club head in accordance with claims 1-2, characterised in
that the screws (7) are made from a material or a mixture of
materials with a high density, e.g. a metal or a metal alloy,
preferably tungsten.
4. A golf club head in accordance with one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that the opening of the tubular sleeve (1)
is provided with a lid (8).
5. A golf club head in accordance with one or more of the claims
1-3, characterised in that the screws (7) have a length that
essentially corresponds to the length of the tubular sleeve (1),
and that the screws (7) are in the form of externally threaded,
cylindrical bodies.
6. A golf club head in accordance with claim 5, characterised in
that one or more parts of the screw (7) consists of a metal or a
metal alloy and the remaining part of the screw (7) consists of
plastic, which parts are joined, preferably by gluing.
7. A golf club head in accordance with one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that the golf club head comprises two
tubular sleeves (1) placed approximately symmetrically about the
centre line of the striking surface (3), with associated movable
screws (7).
8. A golf club head in accordance with one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that the tubular sleeve or sleeves (1) are
integrally cast with the rest of the club head.
Description
[0001] The present invention regards a golf club head with
adjustable weights in accordance with the preamble of claim 1,
preferably a golf club head made of metal, such as a driver or a
wood.
[0002] Dimensions, appearance and choice of materials for golf
clubs are to a large extent determined by the rules of The Royal
and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and The United States Golf
Association. The rules of these organisations have been adopted by
most countries, and making changes to the golf clubs within the
framework drawn up by these rules can be somewhat difficult. The
above organisations have identical rules. An object of the present
invention is to be able to adjust the weight distribution and
thereby the balance of golf club head in such a manner that the
changes lie that which is allowed according to Rule 4 and Appendix
II.
[0003] All golf clubs have a common feature; that of having a low
centre of gravity in order to give the ball an underscrew and
thereby a high trajectory. At the same time, the actual striking
surface must be rigid in order for the ball to go far. I order for
the golf club head to be stable, it is also important that the
masses on either side of the centre of the striking surface (the
sweet-spot) is approximately equal. To achieve the largest possible
sweet-spot, it is important to position most of the mass as far
away from the centre of the striking surface as possible. The
reason for this is that the golf club head becomes more stable or
forgiving, because the inertia of the club about the centre of the
striking surface becomes greater. Positioning the mass far down and
forward, i.e. near the striking surface, would result in the club
head not having sufficient stability
[0004] From U.S. Pat. No. 1,133,129 there is known a golf club head
made of wood or solid iron, which head has one or more threaded
sleeves in which can be provided weights or leads in order to
adjust the centre of gravity of the club head in a direction across
the axis of the club handle. The weights or the leads can only be
moved in the horizontal direction, which means that the
possibilities of varying the centre of gravity of the club head are
limited.
[0005] From U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,094 there is known a wooden golf
club head into which has been screwed threaded sleeves. Plugs may
be screwed into these sleeves in order to alter the balance and/or
the swing weight of the club head.
[0006] From U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,211 there is known a metal golf
club head having a threaded sleeve in which can be placed a body
for compression of the striking surface of the club head.
[0007] Further, a putter head incorporating adjustable weights is
known from UK patent application no. GB 2 334 454 A, and a similar
putter head with an adjustable weight is known from international
patent publication WO 96/32165.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to be able to adjust
the centre of gravity of the club head, and thereby the trajectory
of the ball.
[0009] Another object is to be able to adjust the centre of gravity
of the club head according to the skill and playing style of the
individual.
[0010] These objects and advantages are achieved by means of a
metal golf club head with adjustable weights, which club head
includes at least a bottom face, a front face and a top face, in
which club head is provided one ore more tubular sleeves extending
from the rear part of the club forward to the front face, in which
tubular sleeves may be provided screws or weights, characterised in
that the tubular sleeve or sleeves are provided at an angle from
the centre line of the front face down towards the rear part of the
bottom face, and that one end of the tubular sleeve is open to the
bottom face
[0011] The tubular sleeve or sleeves are preferably equipped with
an internal thread or grooves, a complementary shaped screw or
weight arranged in each tubular sleeve, which screw is selectively
adjustable to any position between the ends of the tubular
sleeve.
[0012] Preferably, the screws are manufactured from a material or a
mixture of materials with a high density of mass, e.g. a metal or
metal alloy, preferably tungsten.
[0013] The opening of the tubular sleeve may in accordance with one
embodiment be provided with a lid.
[0014] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the screw has a
length that essentially corresponds to the length of the tubular
sleeve, and the screw is preferably in the form of a cylindrically
shaped, externally threaded body.
[0015] Preferably, one or more parts of the screw consist of a
metal or a metal alloy, with the remaining part consisting of
plastic, which parts are preferably joined by gluing.
[0016] The golf club head may include two tubular sleeves
positioned approximately symmetrically about the centre line of the
striking surface, with associated moveable screws.
[0017] Preferably, the tubular sleeve or sleeves are cast
integrally with the rest of the club head.
[0018] In the following, the invention will be explained in greater
detail by means of nonlimiting examples of embodiments, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a sectional side view of a golf club head in
accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a top section of a golf club head in accordance
with FIG. 1, showing the positioning of two tubular sleeves with
screws provided at the bottom of the tubular sleeves;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a golf club head according to
FIG. 2, in which the screws are arranged at the opening of the
tubular sleeves;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a golf club head according to
FIGS. 2 and 3, in which the screws are arranged diagonally in
relation to each other;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a sectional top view of a golf club head showing
the club head with a tubular sleeve positioned at the centre of the
club head and an associated screw;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective drawing showing the club head from
the rear, with a tubular sleeve and associated screw; and
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective drawing showing the club head from
the rear, with two tubular sleeves and associated screws.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a club head termed a driver
or a wood. The club head shown includes a front face 3 and a bottom
face 2. In the embodiment shown, the bottom face 2 includes one or
more tubular sleeves 1 attached to the bottom face 2 by means of
appropriate fixing means, such as welding, gluing or integrally
cast with the club head. The tubular sleeve or sleeves are
positioned in a manner such that the opening of the tubular sleeve
is located at the rear part of the bottom face of the club head and
are positioned at an angle up towards the centre 4 of the striking
surface (front face). As shown in FIG. 1, which shows a vertical
cross section of the club head, the tubular sleeves will be
approximately diagonal. The tubular sleeve is provided with an
internal thread or grooves 6. A complementary shape screw or weight
7 made from a material, preferably metal, with a relatively high
density or mixture of several materials, such as tungsten, may be
screwed into the tubular sleeve 1. The length of the screw 7 is
shorter than the length of the tubular sleeve, so as to allow it to
be screwed back and forth in the tubular sleeve as desired. In the
state shown in FIG. 1, the screw 7 is screwed in almost to the
bottom of the tubular sleeve 1, however it is obvious that the
screw may be placed at any position between the ends of the tubular
sleeve 1. A lid 8 may be fastened to the opening of the tubular
sleeve 1, which prevents grass and earth from penetrating into the
tubular sleeve 1. Preferably, this lid is screwed to the opening of
the tubular sleeve 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
tubular sleeve is arranged at an incline from the bottom face 2 and
up towards the centre line 4 of the front face (striking surface)
3.
[0027] FIGS. 2-4 all show sectional views of the club head seen
from above, with two tubular sleeves 1 and two associated screws or
weights 7. The difference between these three figures is the mutual
positioning of the screws 7. The purpose of being able to move the
screws 7 in the tubular sleeves is to be able to achieve the
desired balance of the club head. In the state shown in FIG. 2,
both screws 7 are positioned approximately at the bottom of the
tubular sleeves 1, i.e. as close as possible to the centre line of
the striking surface 3. This positioning of the screws 7 will
result in the underscrew-effect being reduced or neutralised, which
will give the maximum distance for the ball. At the same time, the
club head will be stable, because the weights, i.e. the screws 7,
are located as far to the side of the centre of the striking
surface as possible.
[0028] Practical experiments have shown that it is possible to
alter the striking angle or lift by .+-.1.degree. by adjusting the
position of the screw or screws 7 in the tubular sleeves 1. If the
screws are positioned at the middle of the tubes and give a
striking angle of e.g. 9.degree., it will be possible to change the
striking angle to 8.degree. by positioning the screw or screws at
the position furthest away from the front face 3 (FIG. 3);
correspondingly it will be possible to change it to 10.degree. if
the screws 7 are positioned as close to the front face 3 as
possible (FIG. 2).
[0029] In the position shown in FIG. 3, both screws 7 are
positioned at the farthest possible distance from and below the
striking surface 3. This would give the ball an underscrew and
thereby a high trajectory.
[0030] In FIG. 4, the screws 7 are positioned opposite each other,
i.e. one screw 7 near the striking surface 3 and the other screw 7
furthest away from the striking surface 3. In this situation, the
balancing point of the club head is displaced, thus making it
possible to prevent the occurrence of "slicing", i.e. when the ball
gains a screw and goes of the course.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a variation of the club head of FIGS. 2-4,
incorporating only one tubular sleeve and associated screw 7. The
longitudinal direction of the tubular sleeve 1 lies in the centre 4
of the striking surface 3.
[0032] In FIGS. 6 and 7, the club head with one and two tubular
sleeves respectively is shown in perspective from the rear. In
order to prevent earth and grass from penetrating into the tubular
sleeves, as well as to fulfil the previously mentioned requirements
regarding no open holes in the club head, the opening of each
tubular sleeve is covered by a lid 8. This lid may for instance be
screwed to the end of the tubular sleeves 1 and be provided with a
suitable groove or similar, so as to allow the lid to be removed by
use of an appropriate tool.
[0033] In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of
the present invention, the tubular sleeve or sleeves are integrally
cast with the rest of the club head. If the tubular sleeves are
cast simultaneously with the club head, the tubular sleeves will
form an integrated part of the club head, thus avoiding tension in
the material. This will in turn result in a more stable club,
without any loose, screwed or welded sleeves.
[0034] In accordance with a farther preferred embodiment, the
screws or weights 7 have a length that essentially corresponds to
the length of the tubular sleeve 1. The screws or weights 7 then
consist of an externally threaded, cylindrically shaped body of
which part is a metal or metal alloy and the remaining part is made
from a lighter material, for instance plastic. These two parts of
the body are joined e.g. by gluing, so as to achieve a continuous
body. An advantage of this embodiment over the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 is that the open end of the tubular sleeve will not have to
be shut by use of a lid. One end of the cylindrical body may be
made from e.g. tungsten, while the other part of the body is made
from plastic. The body may then either be inserted into the tubular
sleeve 1 with the metal part forward, i.e. closest to the striking
surface of the club head, or with the metal part to the rear. This
solution makes it possible to use one and the same cylindrical body
in order to move the centre of gravity of the club head both
forwards and backwards. Another possibility is for the middle
section to be made of metal and the two end parts of plastic.
* * * * *