U.S. patent application number 10/304517 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-27 for extendable golf club having interlockable spacer segments.
This patent application is currently assigned to ON TRACK SPORTS, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Benson, Shawn B..
Application Number | 20040102255 10/304517 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32325235 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040102255 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benson, Shawn B. |
May 27, 2004 |
EXTENDABLE GOLF CLUB HAVING INTERLOCKABLE SPACER SEGMENTS
Abstract
An extendable golf club having threadably intercoupled upper and
lower shaft sections. The golf club can be extended by threadably
coupling one or more spacers between the upper and lower shaft
sections and tightening a set screw into engagement with a
spacer.
Inventors: |
Benson, Shawn B.; (Lenexa,
KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS LLP
2405 GRAND BLVD., SUITE 400
KANSAS CITY
MO
64108
US
|
Assignee: |
ON TRACK SPORTS, L.L.C.
|
Family ID: |
32325235 |
Appl. No.: |
10/304517 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/296 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/14 20151001;
A63B 53/00 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 53/06 20130101;
A63B 53/14 20130101; A63B 2225/093 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101;
A63B 2208/12 20130101; A63B 49/08 20130101; A63B 60/22 20151001;
A63B 60/28 20151001; A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 53/0466
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/296 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An extendable golf club comprising: a shaft including a first
section, a second section, and a set screw threadably received in
the first section; and a first spacer for lengthening the shaft,
said golf club being shiftable from a first configuration wherein
the first spacer is entirely detached and spaced from the shaft to
a second configuration wherein the first spacer is coupled between
the first and second sections to thereby lengthen the shaft
relative to the first configuration, said set screw engaging the
second section when the golf club is in the first configuration,
thereby releasably coupling the first and second sections to one
another, said set screw engaging the first spacer when the golf
club is in the second configuration, thereby releasably coupling
the first section and the first spacer to one another.
2. The extendable golf club of claim 1, said first and second
sections being threadably coupled to one another when the golf club
is in the first configuration, said first spacer being threadably
coupled to the first and second sections when the golf club is in
the second configuration.
3. The extendable golf club of claim 1, said first spacer including
a generally cylindrical barrel presenting first and second ends,
said first spacer including a male projection extending from the
first end of the barrel, said first spacer defining a female
opening extending inwardly from the second end of the barrel.
4. The extendable golf club of claim 3, said male projection
defining a circumferential recess, said set screw being received in
the circumferential recess when the golf club is in the second
configuration.
5. The extendable golf club of claim 4, said male projection
presenting a pair of spaced-apart sloping sidewalls at least partly
defining the recess, said set screw engaging at least one of the
sloping sidewalls when the golf club is in the second
configuration.
6. The extendable golf club of claim 4, said male projection
including an unthreaded portion proximate the first end of the
barrel and a threaded portion spaced from the first end of the
barrel, said recess being formed in the unthreaded portion.
7. The extendable golf club of claim 4, said second section of the
shaft including a male end portion having substantially the same
configuration as the male projection of the first spacer.
8. The extendable golf club of claim 7, said female opening of the
first spacer threadably receiving the male end portion of the
second section when the golf club is in the second
configuration.
9. The extendable golf club of claim 3, said first spacer including
an adhesive capsule disposed in the female opening.
10. The extendable golf club of claim 9, said adhesive capsule
including a non-liquid shell sealingly containing a liquid
adhesive, said shell being automatically ruptured to thereby
release the liquid adhesive when the golf club is shifted from the
first configuration to the second configuration.
11. The extendable golf club of claim 10, said liquid adhesive
being operable to permanently couple the first spacer to the second
section of the shaft after the golf club has been shifted into the
second configuration.
12. The extendable golf club of claim 3, said barrel of said first
spacer presenting a substantially smooth, generally cylindrical
outer barrel surface.
13. The extendable golf club of claim 12, said outer barrel surface
having generally the same diameter as the first and second sections
of the shaft proximate the outer barrel surface when the golf club
is in the second configuration.
14. The extendable golf club of claim 1; and a second spacer for
further lengthening the shaft relative to the second configuration,
said golf club being shiftable from the second configuration
wherein the second spacer is entirely detached and spaced from the
shaft to a third configuration wherein the second spacer is coupled
between the first section and the first spacer to thereby lengthen
the shaft relative to the second configuration, said set screw
engaging the second spacer when the golf club is in the third
configuration, thereby releasably coupling the first section and
the second spacer to one another.
15. The extendable golf club of claim 14, said first and second
sections being threadably coupled to one another when the golf club
is in the first configuration, said first spacer being threadably
coupled between the first and second sections when the golf club is
in the second configuration, said second spacer being threadably
coupled between the first section and the first spacer when the
golf club is in the third configuration.
16. The extendable golf club of claim 15, said first and second
spacers being substantially identical.
17. The extendable golf club of claim 1; and a golf club head
coupled to the second section; and a golf club grip coupled to the
first section.
18. The extendable golf club of claim 17, said second section being
at least twice as long as the first section.
19. The extendable golf club of claim 1, said first and second
sections being configured to substantially prevent telescopic
extension or retraction of the shaft.
20. An extendable golf club comprising: a shaft including first and
second sections; and a first spacer for lengthening the shaft, said
golf club being shiftable from a first configuration wherein the
first spacer is entirely detached and spaced from the shaft to a
second configuration wherein the first spacer is threadably coupled
between the first and second sections to thereby lengthen the shaft
relative to the first configuration, said first and second sections
being threadably intercoupled when the golf club is in the first
configuration, said first spacer including an adhesive capsule when
the golf club is in the first configuration, said adhesive capsule
adapted to rupture when the golf club is shifted from the first
configuration to the second configuration to thereby permanently
couple the first spacer to the second section.
21. The extendable golf club of claim 20, said first spacer
including a barrel portion presenting first and second ends, said
first spacer including a male projection extending from the first
end of the barrel, said first spacer defining a female opening
extending inwardly from the second end of the barrel, said adhesive
capsule being received in the female opening.
22. The extendable golf club of claim 21, said second section
presenting a male end portion threadably received in the female
opening of the first spacer when the golf club is in the second
configuration, said male end portion adapted to automatically
rupture the adhesive capsule when the golf club is shifted from the
first configuration to the second configuration.
23. The extendable golf club of claim 22, said adhesive capsule
including a non-liquid shell sealingly containing a liquid epoxy,
said non-liquid shell being ruptured by the male end portion when
the golf club is shifted from the first configuration to the second
configuration, said epoxy being operable to permanently lock the
male end portion in the female opening.
24. The extendable golf club of claim 22, said shaft including a
set screw threadably received in the first section, said male end
portion defining a circumferential recess, said set screw engaging
the male end portion and received in the recess when the golf club
is in the first configuration, thereby releasably coupling the
first and second sections to one another.
25. The extendable golf club of claim 24, said male projection of
the first spacer being substantially identical to the male end
portion of the second section, said set screw engaging the male
projection of the first spacer when the golf club is in the second
configuration.
26. The extendable golf club of claim 25; and a second spacer for
further lengthening the shaft relative to the second configuration,
said golf club being shiftable from the second configuration
wherein the second spacer is entirely detached and spaced from the
shaft to a third configuration wherein the second spacer is
threadably coupled between the first section and the first spacer
to thereby lengthen the shaft relative to the second configuration,
said second spacer being substantially identical to the first
spacer.
27. The extendable golf club of claim 26; and a golf club head
coupled to the second section; and a golf club grip coupled to the
first section.
28. The extendable golf club of claim 27, said second section being
at least twice as long as the first section.
29. The extendable golf club of claim 28, said first section,
second section, first spacer, and second spacer being
non-telescopically intercoupled.
30. An extendable golf club comprising: a shaft including a first
section, a second section, and a set screw threadably received in
the first section; and a first spacer for lengthening the shaft,
said golf club being shiftable from a first configuration wherein
the first spacer is entirely detached and spaced from the shaft to
a second configuration wherein the first spacer is threadably
coupled between the first and second sections to thereby lengthen
the shaft relative to the first configuration, said first section
including a female end portion, said second section including a
male end portion, said male end portion being threadably received
in the female end portion when the golf club is in the first
configuration, said set screw engaging the male end portion when
the golf club is in the first configuration, said first spacer
including a male projection and a female opening, said male end
portion being threadably received in the female opening when the
golf club is in the second configuration, said male projection
being threadably received in the female end portion when the golf
club is in the second configuration, said set screw engaging the
male projection when the golf club is in the second configuration,
said first spacer including an adhesive capsule located in the
female opening when the golf club is in the first configuration,
said adhesive capsule adapted to be ruptured by the male end
portion when the golf club is shifted from the first configuration
to the second configuration, thereby permanently fixing the first
spacer to the second section.
31. The extendable golf club of claim 30; and a second spacer
substantially identical to the first spacer, said golf club being
shiftable from the second configuration wherein the second spacer
is entirely detached and spaced from the shaft to a third
configuration wherein the second spacer is threadably coupled
between the first section and the first spacer to thereby lengthen
the shaft relative to the second configuration.
32. The extendable golf club of claim 31; and a third spacer
substantially identical to the first spacer, said golf club being
shiftable from the third configuration wherein the third spacer is
entirely detached and spaced from the shaft to a fourth
configuration wherein the third spacer is threadably coupled
between the first section and the second spacer to thereby lengthen
the shaft relative to the third configuration.
33. The extendable golf club of claim 32, said set screw engaging
the second spacer when the golf club is in the third configuration,
said set screw engaging the third spacer when the golf club is in
the fourth configuration.
34. The extendable golf club of claim 30; and a golf club grip
coupled to the first section; and a golf club head coupled to the
second section.
35. The extendable golf club of claim 30, said first section
including a generally tubular handle presenting an inside diameter
that is untapered proximate the female end portion.
36. A method of lengthening a golf club having threadably
interconnectable first and second shaft sections, said method
comprising the steps of: (a) loosening a set screw threadably
received in the first shaft section, thereby shifting the set screw
out of engagement with the second shaft section; (b) unscrewing the
second shaft section from the first shaft section, thereby
decoupling the shaft sections from one another; (c) threadably
coupling a first spacer between the first and second shaft
sections, thereby lengthening the golf club; and (d) tightening the
set screw into engagement with the first spacer, thereby releasably
locking the first spacer to the first shaft section.
37. The method of claim 36, step (c) including rotating the first
shaft section and the first spacer relative to one another, thereby
threadably connecting the first shaft section and the first spacer,
step (c) including rotating the second shaft section and the first
spacer relative to one another, thereby threadably connecting the
second shaft section and the spacer.
38. The method of claim 36, step (c) including rupturing an
adhesive capsule disposed in the first spacer with the second shaft
section, said adhesive capsule containing an adhesive operable to
permanently lock the first spacer to the second shaft section.
39. The method of claim 35; and, subsequent to steps (a)-(d) (e)
loosening the set screw out of engagement with the first spacer;
(f) unscrewing the first spacer from the first shaft section,
thereby decoupling the first shaft section and the first spacer
from one another; (g) threadably coupling a second spacer between
the first spacer and the first shaft section, thereby further
lengthening the golf club; and (h) tightening the set screw into
engagement with the second spacer, thereby releasably locking the
second spacer to the first shaft section.
40. The method of claim 39, said second spacer being substantially
identical to the first spacer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to athletic
equipment having shafts which can be adjusted in length. In another
aspect, the invention concerns a golf club having a shaft which is
extendable to accommodate a user's increased height.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The game of golf is becoming increasingly popular with both
adults and children. As a result of golf's popularity among
children, manufacturers now produce golf clubs in a variety of
lengths to accommodate people of all sizes. However, purchasing a
golf club of a shorter length does not allow a growing child to use
the club for very long. As the young golfer grows, he or she must
continually replace the club as it becomes too short for proper
use.
[0005] Prior art golf clubs employing extendable shafts typically
have one or all of the following disadvantages: (1) The extendable
shaft is not strong enough to withstand repeated impacting of a
standard golf ball; (2) the extendable shaft is too heavy compared
to high quality non-extendable shafts; (3) the extendable shaft is
not sufficiently flexible relative to high quality non-extendable
shafts; (4) the extendable shaft is difficult to properly extend;
and/or (5) the extendable shaft is not as aesthetically pleasing as
a standard shaft due to the irregular shape of the shaft segments
and the joints between shaft segments.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide an extendable golf club having a shaft that is similar in
weight, strength, flexibility, and appearance to a standard,
non-extendable, high quality golf club shaft.
[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide an
extendable golf club employing a relatively simple method of
extending the length of the golf club shaft.
[0008] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide an extendable golf club that utilizes substantially
identical shaft-lengthening spacer segments, thereby reducing the
overall cost of manufacturing the extendable golf club.
[0009] It should be understood that the above-listed objects of the
present invention need not all be accomplished by the invention
claimed herein. Further objects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiment, claims, and drawing figures.
[0010] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided an extendable golf club comprising a shaft and a
first spacer for lengthening the shaft. The shaft includes a first
section, a second section, and a set screw threadably received in
the first section. The golf club is shiftable from a first
configuration wherein the first spacer is entirely detached and
spaced from the shaft to a second configuration wherein the first
spacer is coupled between the first and second sections to thereby
lengthen the shaft relative to the first configuration. The set
screw engages the second section when the golf club is in the first
configuration, thereby releasably coupling the first and second
sections to one another. The set screw engages the first spacer
when the golf club is in the second configuration, thereby
releasably coupling the first section and the first spacer to one
another.
[0011] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided an extendable golf club comprising a
shaft and a first spacer for lengthening the shaft. The shaft
includes first and second sections. The golf club is shiftable from
a first configuration wherein the first spacer is entirely detached
and spaced from the shaft to a second configuration wherein the
first spacer is threadably coupled between the first and second
sections to thereby lengthen the shaft relative to the first
configuration. The first and second sections are threadably
intercoupled when the golf club is in the first configuration. The
first spacer includes an adhesive capsule when the golf club is in
the first configuration. The adhesive capsule is adapted to rupture
when the golf club is shifted from the first configuration to the
second configuration to thereby permanently couple the first spacer
to the second section.
[0012] In a further embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided an extendable golf club comprising a shaft and a first
spacer for lengthening the shaft. The shaft includes a first
section, a second section, and a set screw threadably received in
the first section. The golf club is shiftable from a first
configuration wherein the first spacer is entirely detached and
spaced from the shaft to a second configuration wherein the first
spacer is threadably coupled between the first and second sections
to thereby lengthen the shaft relative to the first configuration.
The first section includes a female end portion, while the second
section includes a male end portion. The male end portion is
threadably received in the female end portion with the set screw
engaging the male end portion when the golf club is in the first
configuration. The first spacer includes a male projection and a
female opening. The male end portion of the second section is
threadably received in the female opening of the first spacer and
the male projection of the first spacer is threadably received in
the female end portion of the first section when the golf club is
in the second configuration. The set screw engages the male
projection of the first spacer when the golf club is in the second
configuration. The first spacer includes an adhesive capsule
located in the female opening when the golf club is in the first
configuration. The adhesive capsule is adapted to be ruptured by
the male end portion of the second section when the golf club is
shifted from the first configuration to the second configuration,
thereby permanently fixing the first spacer to the second
section.
[0013] In a still further embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a method of lengthening a golf club having a
threadably interconnectable first and second shaft sections. The
method comprises the steps of: (a) loosening a set screw threadably
received in the first shaft section, thereby shifting the set screw
out of engagement with the second shaft section; (b) unscrewing the
second shaft section from the first shaft section, thereby
decoupling the shaft sections from one another; (c) threadably
coupling a first spacer between the first and second shaft
sections, thereby lengthening the golf club; and (d) tightening the
set screw into engagement with the first spacer, thereby releasably
locking the first spacer to the first shaft section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0014] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an extendable golf club
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention, illustrating the golf club in a fully retracted
configuration;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the extendable golf club,
illustrating the golf club in an extended configuration with a
plurality of spacers coupled to the shaft of the golf club;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged isometric assembly view of the upper
portion of the golf club shaft, particularly illustrating the
manner in which the spacers can be coupled to one another and
coupled between the upper and lower sections of the shaft;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the upper portion of the
shaft in an extended configuration, particularly illustrating the
manner in which the spacers are coupled to the upper and lower
shaft sections;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the connection
between one of the spacers and the upper shaft section,
particularly illustrating the manner in which a set screw
threadably received in the upper shaft section extends into and
engages a recess in the spacer; and
[0020] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the spacers,
particularly illustrating an epoxy capsule that is located in a
female opening of the spacer and suitable for permanently fixing
the spacer to a threaded male projection extending into the female
opening of the spacer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an extendable golf
club 10 is illustrated as generally comprising an extendable shaft
12, a golf club head 14 coupled to a normally-lower end of shaft
12, and a golf club grip 15 coupled to a normally-upper end of
shaft 12. Club head 14 and grip 15 can be any conventional golf
club head and grip known in the art. Shaft 12 is shiftable between
a retracted configuration (shown in FIG. 1) and an extended
configuration (shown in FIG. 2). When shaft 12 is in the extended
configuration (shown in FIG. 2), shaft 12 includes one or more
substantially identical spacers 16.
[0022] Shaft 12 generally includes a lower shaft section 18, to
which club head 14 is coupled, and an upper shaft section 20, to
which grip 15 is coupled. When golf club 10 is in the retracted
configuration (shown in FIG. 1), lower and upper shaft sections 18,
20 are joined to one another at a joint 22. It is preferred for
joint 22 to be located proximate grip 15 to thereby provide a
stronger and more flexible shaft 12. Preferably, joint 22 is spaced
less than 4 inches from the bottom end of grip 15, more preferably
less than 2 inches from grip 15, and most preferably less than 1.5
inches from grip 15. Further, it is preferred for lower shaft
section 18 to be at least 1.5 times longer than upper shaft section
20. Most preferably, lower shaft section 18 is at least twice as
long as upper shaft section 20.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, lower shaft section 18 includes
a flexible member 24 and a male end piece 26. Flexible member 24 is
preferably formed of a flexible material known in the art to be
suitable for forming high quality standard golf club shafts.
Preferably, flexible member 24 is a generally cylindrical tubular
member formed of steel or graphite. Male end piece 26 is rigidly
coupled to the end of flexible member 24 that is generally opposite
the end of flexible member 24 to which golf club head 14 is
attached. Male end piece 26 can be coupled to flexible member 24 by
extending an attachment projection 28 (shown in FIG. 4) of male end
piece 26 into an opening in the end of flexible member 24 and
permanently securing projection 28 to flexible member 24 using a
suitable adhesive, solder, weld, or other permanent attachment
means. It is preferred for male end piece 26 to be made of a
material that is more rigid than the material from which flexible
member 24 is formed. Preferably, male end piece 26 is formed of a
high-strength, low-weight metal alloy. More preferably, male end
piece 26 is formed of an aluminum alloy. Most preferably, male end
piece 26 is formed of 6061 aluminum alloy. Male end piece 26
includes a threaded projection 29 that will be described in detail
below.
[0024] Upper shaft section 20 includes a handle 30 (shown in FIG.
4) and a female end piece 32. Handle 30 is preferably formed of a
material that is similar to the material from which flexible member
24 of lower shaft section 18 is formed. Female end piece 32 is
rigidly coupled to handle 30 via extension of an attachment
projection 34 (shown in FIG. 4) into an opening in the end of
handle 30, and permanently fixing projection 34 in handle 30 with a
suitable adhesive, solder, weld, or other permanent attachment
means. Preferably, grip 15 covers substantially all of handle 30,
as well as the otherwise exposed joint between handle 30 and female
end piece 32. Female end piece 32 is preferably formed of the same
material used to make male end piece 26. Referring to FIGS. 3 and
4, female end piece 32 defines a threaded opening 35 adapted to
threadably receive either threaded projection 29 of male end piece
26 or a male projection 40 of a spacer 16. Female end piece 32
includes a set screw 36 that is threadably received in an opening
in the wall defining threaded opening 35 in female end piece 32.
Set screw 36 can be shifted into and out of engagement with a
threaded male projection (e.g., threaded projection 29 or male
projection 40) extending into female end piece 32 via rotation of
set screw 36 relative to female end piece 32.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 4, in order to insure that the connection
between handle 30 and female end piece 32 maintains sufficient
rigidity and structural integrity, it is preferred for the inside
diameter of handle 30 to be substantially parallel (i.e.,
untapered) at the location where attachment projection 34 is
inserted into handle 30. The untapered portion of the inside
diameter preferably extends at least one inch inward from the end
of handle 30 to which female end piece 32 is attached. More
preferably, the untapered portion extends 1.5 to 2.5 inches inward
from the end of handle 30. Most conventional golf club shafts have
tapered inside and outside diameters that get narrower toward the
head of the club. Similarly, it is preferred for the outside
diameter of shaft 12 to taper toward club head 14; however, the
inside diameter of handle 30 proximate female end piece 32 should
be untapered so as to provide a sufficiently rigid and durable
connection between handle 30 and female end piece 32. In a similar
fashion, it is preferred for the inside diameter of flexible member
24 of lower shaft section 18 to be untapered at the location where
male end piece 26 is coupled to flexible member 24 via attachment
projection 28.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 6, each spacer 16 is formed out of the
same material from which male end piece 26 is formed. Spacer 16
includes a barrel 38 and male projection 40. Barrel 38 preferably
presents a substantially smooth cylindrical outer surface. Male
projection 40 extends axially from one end of barrel 38. Male
projection 40 includes an unthreaded portion 42 proximate barrel 38
and a threaded portion 44 spaced from barrel 38. A circumferential
recess 46 is defined within unthreaded portion 42 of male
projection 40. Barrel 38 defines a female opening 48 that extends
into barrel 38 from the end of barrel 38 opposite the end of barrel
38 from which male projection 40 extends. Female opening 48
generally includes an unthreaded portion 50 and a threaded portion
52. It is preferred for female opening 48 to be configured so that
a male projection identical to male projection 40 can be snugly and
threadably received in female opening 48. An adhesive capsule 54 is
disposed in female opening 48 proximate threaded portion 52.
Adhesive capsule 54 generally includes a dried adhesive film 56
sealingly containing a liquid adhesive 58. Adhesive capsule 54 is
adapted to rupture when a threaded male projection (e.g., threaded
projection 29 or male projection 40) is threaded into female
opening 48 and punctures dried adhesive film 56. Preferably, liquid
adhesive 58 is an epoxy or other chemical bonding agent. One
example of a suitable adhesive that can be used to make adhesive
capsule 54 is available from Henkel Loctite Corporation of Rocky
Hill, Conn. under the commercial designation "Loctite.RTM. 204
Threadlocker."
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, threaded projection 29 of
male end piece 26 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) has substantially the
same configuration as male projection 40 of spacer 16 (shown in
FIG. 6). Threaded opening 35 of female end piece 32 (shown in FIGS.
2 and 4) preferably has substantially the same configuration as
female opening 48 of spacer 16 (shown in FIG. 6); however, threaded
opening 35 in female end piece 32 does not include an adhesive
capsule. Thus, when golf club 10 is in an extended configuration
(shown in FIGS. 2 and 4), male projection 40 of spacer 16 is
threadably received in threaded opening 35 of female end piece 32,
with set screw 36 engaging male projection 40 to thereby releasably
couple spacer 16 to female end piece 32 of upper shaft section 20.
When golf club 10 is in an extended configuration, threaded
projection 29 of male end piece 26 is threadably received in female
opening 48 of spacer 16a, and spacer 16a is permanently fixed to
male end piece 26 via adhesive from adhesive capsule 54.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, it is preferred for recess 46 in male
projection 40 of spacer 16 to be at least partly defined by first
and second sloped side walls 60, 62. When golf club 10 is in an
extended configuration, the end of set screw 36 is received in
recess 46 and contacts both sloped side walls 60, 62. Such a
configuration of set screw 36 engaging sloped side walls 60, 62 of
male projection 40 not only prevents rotation of spacer 16 relative
to female end piece 32, but also restricts axial translational
movement of spacer 16 relative to female end piece 32.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, when golf club 10 is in the
fully retracted configuration (shown in FIG. 1), threaded
projection 29 of male end piece 26 is threadably received in
threaded opening 35 in female end piece 32, with set screw 36
engaging threaded projection 29 of male end piece 26 to thereby
releasably couple lower shaft section 18 to upper shaft section 20.
As described above with respect to the coupling of spacer 16 to
female end piece 32, when golf club 10 is in the retracted
configuration, set screw 36 preferably engages first and second
sloped side walls of the recess defined in threaded projection 29
of male end piece 26 to thereby restricting both rotational and
axial translational shifting of male end piece 26 relative to
female end piece 32.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-6 in combination, in operation, golf
club 10 can be incrementally extended from the fully retracted
configuration (shown in FIG. 1) to the fully extended configuration
(shown in FIG. 2) by incrementally adding spacers 16a-d to shaft 12
between lower and upper shaft sections 18, 20. In order to shift
golf club 10 from the fully retracted configuration (shown in FIG.
1) to a first extended configuration (where one spacer 16a is
received in shaft 12), set screw 36 is loosened out of engagement
with threaded projection 29 of male end piece 26, male end piece 26
is unthreaded from female end piece 32, first spacer 16a is
threadably coupled to male end piece 26 and female end piece 32,
and set screw 36 is tightened into engagement with male projection
40 of first spacer 16a to thereby releasably couple first spacer
16a to female end piece 32. When first spacer 16a is threadably
coupled to male end piece 26, threaded projection 29 of male end
piece 26 automatically ruptures adhesive capsule 54 in female
opening 48 of first spacer 16a. The liquid adhesive 58 released
from adhesive capsule 54 is operable to permanently fix first
spacer 16a to male end piece 26 of lower shaft section 18.
[0031] When it is desired to shift golf club 10 from the first
extended configuration to a second extended configuration (where
two spacers 16a, b are received in shaft 12), set screw 36 can be
loosened out of engagement with male projection 40 of first spacer
16a, female end piece 32 can be unthreaded from first spacer 16a,
second spacer 16b can be threadably coupled to first spacer 16a and
female end piece 32, and set screw 36 can be tightened into
engagement with male projection 40 of second spacer 16b to thereby
releasably couple second spacer 16b to female end piece 32. When
male projection 40 of first spacer 16a is threaded into female
opening 48 of second spacer 16b, adhesive capsule 54 of second
spacer 16b is ruptured by male projection 40 of first spacer 16a.
The liquid adhesive 58 released from epoxy capsule 54 of second
spacer 16b is operable to permanently fix second spacer 16b to
first spacer 16a.
[0032] Golf club 10 can be incrementally lengthened in accordance
with the above-described steps as the user of club 10 requires
extension of shaft 12. It is preferred for golf club 10 to be sold
in a kit that includes 2 to 8 spacers 16, more preferably 3 to 6
spacers 16, and most preferably 4 spacers 16. It is preferred for
barrel 38 of each spacer 16 to have a length in the range of from
about 0.25 to about 2 inches, more preferably in the range of from
about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches, and most preferably in the range of
from 0.75 to 1.25 inches, thereby providing optimal incremental
extension of shaft 12.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, it is also preferred for barrel
38 of spacers 16 to present a substantially smooth cylindrical
outer surface having a diameter that is substantially the same as
the diameter of lower and upper shaft sections 18, 20 proximate
spacers 16. Thus, even when golf club 10 is in the fully extended
configuration (shown in FIG. 2), shaft 12 has a substantially
smooth, regular outer surface with an appearance similar to that of
a standard non-extendable golf club shaft. Further, the threads on
threaded projection 29, male projection 40, threaded opening 35,
and female opening 48 should be configured such that the threaded
connections in shaft 12 are tightened by the torsional force
exerted on shaft 12 when club head 14 is used to strike a standard
golf ball.
[0034] The preferred forms of the invention described above are to
be used as illustration only, and should not be used in a limiting
sense to interpret the scope of the present invention. Obvious
modifications to the exemplary embodiments, set forth above, could
be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from
the spirit of the present invention.
[0035] The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the
Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair
scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not
materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the
invention as set forth in the following claims.
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