U.S. patent application number 10/404648 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-07 for golf club with two piece hosel.
Invention is credited to Poynor, Raymond.
Application Number | 20040198530 10/404648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33096961 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040198530 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poynor, Raymond |
October 7, 2004 |
Golf club with two piece hosel
Abstract
The exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a
non-contiguous hosel for attaching a golf club shaft to a golf club
head. In an exemplary embodiment, two inserts are used to form a
hollow shaft receptacle, or hosel. The two inserts are placed at
substantially opposite portions of the club head. The placement of
the inserts may be manipulated to vary the lie or loft angle of the
golf club. In other embodiments, the two inserts may be joined, or
multiple inserts may be used, in order to form a non-contiguous
hosel.
Inventors: |
Poynor, Raymond; (Oceanside,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SWIDLER BERLIN SHEREFF FRIEDMAN, LLP
3000 K STREET, NW
BOX IP
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Family ID: |
33096961 |
Appl. No.: |
10/404648 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/305 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0475 20130101;
A63B 53/028 20200801; A63B 53/023 20200801; A63B 53/0466 20130101;
A63B 53/02 20130101; A63B 60/54 20151001; A63B 53/0433
20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/305 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/02 |
Claims
1. A golf club, comprising: a club head comprising a body having a
face, a neck, a crown, and a sole; an elongate club shaft; a first
insert operatively connected to a first part of said club head to
pass said club shaft, said first insert comprising a first mass; a
second insert operatively connected to a second part of said club
head substantially opposite said first insert to pass said club
shaft, said second insert comprising a second mass; and wherein the
ratio of said second mass to said first mass is between 10:1 and
3:1.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second inserts form a non-contiguous hosel that covers only a
predetermined portion of said golf club shaft that passes through
said club head.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second inserts allow said club shaft to pass at a selectable lie
angle.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second inserts allow said club shaft to pass at a selectable loft
angle.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second inserts form a hosel from a substantially minimum amount of
material necessary to create a shaft receptacle.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first part of
said club head comprises a predetermined crown portion of said club
head.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second part of
said club head comprises a predetermined sole portion of said club
head.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second inserts are formed from one of a polymer, a metal, an alloy,
and a plastic.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second inserts are formed from at least one of cellulose,
glass-filled ABS, graphite, titanium, aluminum, or
thermoplastics.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second inserts are formed from substantially similar material.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second inserts are formed from substantially different
material.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second inserts are adhesively bonded to said club head.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said club shaft is
adhesively bonded to said first and second inserts.
14. A golf club, comprising: a club head comprising a body having a
face, a neck, a crown, and a sole; and a first and second insert
operatively connected to said body to form a receptacle for a club
shaft; wherein said first and second inserts form a non-contiguous
receptacle that covers only a predetermined portion of said club
shaft; and wherein said second insert comprises greater than 50% of
total weight of said first and second inserts.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said first and
second inserts allow said club shaft to pass at a selectable lie
angle.
16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said first and
second inserts allow said club shaft to pass at a selectable loft
angle.
17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said first and
second inserts form a hosel from a substantially minimum amount of
material necessary to create a shaft receptacle.
18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said first and
second inserts are adhesively bonded to said club head.
19. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said club shaft is
adhesively bonded to said first and second inserts.
20. A golf club, comprising: a club head comprising a body having a
face, a neck, a crown, and a sole; at least two inserts operatively
connected to predetermined parts of said body to form a
non-contiguous hosel inside said club head; an elongate club shaft
configured and dimensioned to pass through each of said inserts;
and wherein the ratio of the second mass to the first mass is at
least 2:1.
21. The apparatus according to claim 20, further including an
insulating material.
22. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said insulating
material covers a predetermined portion of said club shaft.
23. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said inserts have
one of: similar lengths; and different lengths.
24. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said inserts have
one of: similar thickness; and different thickness.
25. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said inserts
include perforations.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a golf club head with a
selectable loft and lie angle. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a golf club head that employs at least a two
piece, non-contiguous hosel that creates a shaft receptacle in a
club head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Golf club manufacturers are constantly changing golf club
designs with the primary purpose of improving a golf player's
performance. Manufacturers must design golf clubs to meet the needs
of players with a wide range of physical characteristics such as
height, arm length, and dexterity. In addition, a manufacturer must
be able to accommodate players with similar characteristics that
may prefer to use a club with variations such as different shaft
lengths, head design, head weight distribution, or head-to-shaft
angles and displacements.
[0003] Manufacturers must accommodate the preferences of individual
golfers while designing clubs that provide optimal accuracy and
distance. This is especially true for wood type clubs such as a
driver or a fairway wood. Improvements in technology have allowed
manufacturers to replace the wood head with a metal replacement.
The resulting club has been coined the "metal wood." Traditional
metal wood golf clubs have a head that is formed of a hollow metal
shell. In designs such as these, the shaft of the golf club is
inserted into a hosel that is formed in the head of the club. The
hollow metal shell allows a manufacturer to vary the weight
distribution of the head by adding additional material in
predetermined areas.
[0004] Manufacturers have devoted significant resources to
improving the distance and accuracy of metal woods by altering the
weight distribution of the head. For example, the resistance of a
club head to rotate about a vertical axis passing through the club
head's center of mass can affect accuracy. By altering the weight
distribution of the head, the center of mass can be manipulated in
order to maximize the accuracy of a club.
[0005] The hosel, or shaft receptacle of a club head can
significantly affect the weight distribution of a club head.
Typically, the hosel is manufactured near the face of a club head.
Many current designs use a solid hosel that passes through the head
of the club. The loft and lie angle of the club can then be
manipulated using a variety of methods. For example, most club
manufacturers use an insert that is placed inside the hosel. The
shaft of the club can then pass through the insert, and can be
fixed in place. However, this method of inserting a shaft into a
club head can cause a significant amount of weight near the face of
the head. The hosel weight limits the ability of a manufacturer to
optimally distribute weight in the head of the club.
[0006] A continuing need exists for an apparatus capable of
attaching a club shaft to a club head while minimizing the affect
on the weight distribution of the club head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is generally directed toward a golf
club head having at least two inserts operatively connected to the
club head to form a non-contiguous hosel. The shaft of the club can
be secured to the club head by inserting it through the
non-contiguous hosel. In an embodiment of the invention, a first
insert is operatively connected to a first location on the club
head and a second insert is operatively connected to a second
location on the club head. In a preferred embodiment, the first and
second hosel inserts are located in substantially opposite
locations on the club head.
[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and
second inserts form a non-contiguous hosel that covers only a
predetermined portion of said golf club shaft that passes through
the club head. Different sets of inserts may be interchangeably
connected to the club head during fabrication in order to achieve a
variety of lie and loft angles. Thus, in one embodiment the first
and second inserts allow said club shaft to pass at a selectable
lie angle, while a different set of inserts may be selected in
order to provide a different lie angle. Similarly, another
embodiment of the invention allows the club head loft angle to be
selected by selecting different sets of first and second hosel
inserts.
[0009] Preferably, the first and second inserts form a hosel from a
substantially minimum amount of material necessary to create a
shaft receptacle. The hosel inserts may be made of any suitable
material. For example, one or more of the inserts may be made from
a polymer, metals or alloys. In one embodiment, one or more hosel
insert is formed from at least one of cellulose, glass-filled ABS,
graphite, titanium, aluminum, or thermoplastics materials. While
the hosel inserts may be formed from different materials from each
other, it is preferred that the selected first and second hosel
insert be formed of substantially similar materials.
[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, the location of the
first hosel insert is at a predetermined crown portion of the club
head, while in another embodiment the location of the second hosel
insert is at a predetermined sole portion of the club head.
[0011] Once the first and second hosel inserts are selected, they
may then be operatively connected to the club head. Connecting the
hosel inserts to the club head may be achieved in any suitable
manner, such as by an adhesive, an interference fit, a fastener, or
the like. The shaft may then be inserted through the bores or
through holes of the hosel inserts and secured to the club
head.
[0012] Securing the shaft to the club head may be accomplished in
any suitable way, such as by operatively connecting it to one or
both of the hosel inserts. The shaft may be connected to the hosel
inserts, for instance, through use of an adhesive, an interference
fit, a fastener, or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the
shaft may be secured directly to the club head instead of to the
hosel insert.
[0013] Other and further embodiments and variations of the present
invention will be apparent from the following description, figures,
and claims, which further illustrate various features of the
present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first exemplary embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a metal wood golf club according
to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this
exemplary embodiment of the invention, two inserts can be combined
to form a non-contiguous hosel in a club head. The golf club
includes a head with a main body portion, a face portion, and a
neck portion. In some embodiments, the face portion may include
scoring. The head also has a crown portion, a sole portion, a toe
end, and a heel end. The head can be coupled to a mounting end of a
shaft with a hosel.
[0017] The present invention can be used with any type of club
head, such as metal wood heads, fairway metal woods, hollow irons,
and the like. The club head can be formed by any means known to one
skilled in the art. For instance, portions of the club head may be
formed form cast, forged, stamped, or molded components. The head
is preferably formed of metal such as titanium. In the preferred
embodiment, the face portion of the club head can be forged from a
high strength forging titanium alloy such as 10-2-3 (Ti-10% V-2%
Fe-3% Al) or 15-3-3-3 (Ti-15% V-3% Cr-3% Sn-3% Al), or stamped from
as-rolled sheet stock. Alternatively, the face portion may be cast.
The main body portion may be produced from a different titanium
alloy from that of the face portion, preferably by casting a 6-4
alloy (Ti-6% Al-4% V).
[0018] In alternate embodiments, other forging and casting alloys
may be used such as stainless steel and aluminum. By forming the
face portion by stamping or forging, the face portion may be thin
yet still have sufficient strength to withstand repeated impact
with a golf ball without failure. In turn, by forming the face
portion as thin as possible while still meeting the desired
mechanical performance standards, weight may be redistributed to
other parts of the club head.
[0019] The club head is configured and adapted so that it can
receive a first and second hosel insert as described herein.
Preferably the configuration allows for a wide variety of inserts
to be operatively connected to the club head in order to provide an
acceptable range of variability of the club head loft angle and/or
lie angle through the selection of different inserts. In this
manner, a first and second hosel insert is selected from a
plurality of inserts so that a desired lie and loft angle can be
achieved. Once selected, the inserts may then be operatively
connected to the club head.
[0020] Preferably, the inserts may be placed in opposing locations
on the club head. As shown in FIG. 1, for instance, one of the
inserts 20 is located on the top head of the club head, while the
other insert 22 is located at the lower head portion so that the
inserts are positioned in substantially opposite locations. The two
opposing points can be chosen to allow the shaft of a golf club to
pass through, and be fixed to, the head 24 of the club. The two
opposing points on the club head 24 can be, for example,
predetermined points at the crown and the sole of the club head
103, preferably near the head and club face.
[0021] Once the inserts are positioned, the club shaft 104 can be
inserted and secured to the club head. The club shaft 104 passes
through a bore or through hole in each insert 101-102 at a
predetermined angle. The locations of the two inserts 101-102, and
thus the angle of insertion, can be changed to achieve, for
example, a desired loft or lie angle. More preferably, however, the
bore in the inserts through which the shaft is placed may be angled
or moved such that the lie and loft of the club can be adjusted
without changing the location of the inserts.
[0022] In the exemplary embodiment, the two inserts 101-102 form a
hollow receptacle for a club shaft 104. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1, the inserts cover a substantially minimum amount of the
club shaft 104 that is inside the club head 103. This can reduce,
for example, the amount of weight required to form the hosel. The
inserts 101-102 may be formed out of a substantially minimum amount
of material necessary to hold the club shaft 104 in place. The
amount of material used to form the hosel should allow the club
shaft 104 to be held in place despite repeated impact with a golf
ball.
[0023] Factors to consider when determining the appropriate amount
of material that should be used to form an insert may include the
insert 101-102 strength required to maintain the club shaft in a
fixed position through the useful life of the club, the materials
selected to form the inserts, the hosel construction, the manner in
which the hosel insert is connected to the club head, and the
manner in which the shaft is connected to the hosel insert. For
instance, when the inserts 101-102 are formed from a strong
material such as a metal or high strength alloy, the amount of
material needed may be less than the amount needed if the hosel
insert is made from plastic. Conversely, in applications where the
inserts 101-102 are formed from a weaker material, for example,
plastics, the amount of material needed to form the inserts 101-102
may be increased.
[0024] The amount and type of material used to form the inserts can
be chosen to vary the distribution of materials in the club head
103. In one embodiment, the ratio of the mass of the material used
to manufacture the inserts 101-102 may be varied. The ratio may be
varied to alter club properties including volume, weight
distribution, center of gravity, or specific gravity. Preferably,
the ratio of the mass of the bottom insert 102 to the top insert
101 is between 2:1 and 1.5:1. More preferably, the ratio is between
3:1 and 2:1. Most preferably, the ratio is between 5:1 and 3:1.
[0025] In other embodiments, the mass of the two inserts 101-102
may be varied in order to vary the total weight distribution of the
inserts 101-102. In a preferred embodiment it is preferable to have
a higher percentage of the total weight distribution in the lower
insert 102. In other embodiments it may be preferable to have a
higher percentage of the total weight distribution of the inserts
101-102 in the upper insert 101. Preferably, the lower insert 102
has between about 30% to about 40% of the total weight of the
inserts 101-102. More preferably, the insert 102 has between about
40% to about 50% of the total weight. Most preferably, the insert
102 has between about 50% to about 60% of the total weight.
[0026] The mass or weight of the inserts 101-102 may be varied in a
variety of ways. In one embodiment, the length of each insert
101-102 may be varied. In such an embodiment, the thickness of the
inserts 101-102 may be the same. Varying the length of each insert
101-102 would result in more material, and thus increased weight,
for a longer insert. In another embodiment, the lengths of the
inserts 101-102 may be the same, and the thickness of each insert
101-102 may be varied. By varying the thickness of each insert
101-102, the weight of an insert may be increased or decreased. In
other embodiments, the thickness and length of each insert 101-102
may be different. In such an embodiment, the thickness and length
may be varied to alter the percentage of the total weight
distribution of the inserts 101-102. In other embodiments, the
thickness and length may be varied to alter the ratio of the mass
of the inserts 101-102.
[0027] In another embodiment, inserts 101-102 may be comprised of
different materials. The weight distribution of the inserts 101-102
may be varied by using a different material for each insert
101-102. For example, a heavier material may be used to make the
lower insert 102 in order to lower the center of mass of a club. In
such an embodiment, the inserts may have the same length and
thickness. Using a lighter material for an upper insert 101 may
cause a lower percentage of the total weight of the inserts 101-102
to be in the lower insert 102.
[0028] In another embodiment, the type of material used to make an
insert 101-102 may be determined based on a desired ratio of the
total mass of the inserts 101-102. In such an embodiment, a
heavier, and thus more dense material, may be used to alter the
mass ratio of the inserts 101-102. In other embodiments, the length
and the thickness of an insert may be varied. The length and
thickness may be varied according to the type of material used to
make an insert 101-102. Any material known to those skilled in the
art may be used. Materials may include, plastics, metals, alloys,
synthetic materials, or any combination thereof.
[0029] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
weight distribution or the mass ratio of the inserts 101-102 may be
varied by perforating one or both of the inserts 101-102. The
perforations may be of any desired size or shape. In such an
embodiment, the length, thickness, and material of each insert
101-102 may be similar or different, as described previously.
Perforations may be useful in situations where a standard set of
manufactured inserts 101-102 are used in a plurality of golf clubs.
Different golf clubs may require different mass ratios or different
weight distributions. In such situations, perforating one or both
of the inserts 101-102 may allow a manufacturer to alter a standard
insert for use in a particular type of club.
[0030] In another exemplary embodiment, an insulating material may
be used along with one or both of the inserts 101-102. In one
embodiment, the insulating material serves as a vibration dampening
mechanism. The insulating material may be attached to a portion of
the shaft 104 such as the portion that is inserted into the club
head 103. In another embodiment, the insulating material may be
placed on the inner portion of each insert 101-102. The insulating
material may extend beyond the insert 101-102, along the club shaft
104, by a predetermined amount. In such an embodiment, the
insulating material may not completely cover the portion of the
shaft 104 that is inside the club head 103. In another embodiment,
the insulating material may extend along all or part of the club
shaft 104, including the portion of the club shaft that is not
inserted into the club head 103. The insulating material may
comprise any material known to those skilled in the art. One method
of applying insulating material to a club shaft is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,723 to Take, which is incorporated herein as
reference.
[0031] In a second exemplary embodiment, the present invention
comprises two non-contiguous inserts that are joined together. This
embodiment is shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the insert can
extend from, for example, the top heel portion of the club head 203
to, for example, the lower heel portion of the club head 203. In
this embodiment, the insert may have two openings that form a
hollow receiving shaft, as described with respect to FIG. 1. The
first opening can be located at, for example, the top heel portion
of the club head 103. The second opening can be located, for
example, at the lower heel portion of the club head 103. The
location of the openings are similar to the location of the
openings discussed with respect to the first embodiment.
[0032] In the second embodiment, the openings are located
substantially opposite each other, and function to connect the
shaft 205 to the club head 203. However, in the second embodiment,
the two inserts are preferably joined together. In this embodiment,
the portion that joins the two inserts together can replace, for
example, a wall portion 204 of the club head 203. In the second
exemplary embodiment, the portion that joins the two inserts
together does not have to be limited to the wall portion 204 of the
club head 203 shown in FIG. 2. The portion that joins the two
inserts can replace any wall portion of the club head 203. This
embodiment can be used in many applications, for example, when it
is undesirable to manufacture or keep track of two separate
inserts.
[0033] In an alternate embodiment, more than two inserts can be
used to form a non-contiguous hosel. For example, in some
applications it may be desirable to provide a support at a middle
portion of the club shaft that is inserted into the club head 203.
The present invention encompasses embodiments that include multiple
non-contiguous inserts. In embodiments with multiple non-contiguous
inserts, the placement of the inserts should still form a
substantially hollow hosel. As described with respect to FIGS. 1
and 2, the inserts should cover a substantially minimum part of the
club shaft 205 necessary to keep the shaft 205 attached to the club
head 203 despite repeated impact with a golf ball.
[0034] The inserts 101-102 can be formed out of any materials, for
example, plastics, metals, or alloys. For instance, the inserts may
be formed from a polymer, cellulose, glass-filled ABS, graphite,
thermoplastic or thermoset materials, titanium, or aluminum. In the
FIG. 1 embodiment, each insert 101-102 may be formed from
substantially similar materials or alternatively may be formed from
different materials. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art, the composition of one or both of the inserts 101-102 can be
changed to suit a particular application. For example, the
materials used to form the inserts 101-102 can be chosen to vary
the strength of the hosel, or as a way to vary the weight
distribution of the club head 103.
[0035] In the FIG. 1 embodiment of the present invention, the golf
club head 103 can be manufactured to allow room for the two inserts
101-102. In this embodiment, the inserts 101-102 may be
manufactured in pairs. Each pair of inserts 101-102 forms an
opening or bore through which a shaft is placed and which results
in a given lie or loft angle. In other embodiments, each pair of
inserts 101-102 can be manufactured to accommodate a combination of
lie and loft angles. In a preferred embodiment, the selection of
two inserts 101-102 can permit the selection of a lie angle between
about 40.degree. and about 70.degree. and more preferably between
about 45.degree. and about 60.degree., and the selection of a loft
angle of between about 5.degree. to about 40.degree., and more
preferably between about 7.degree. and about 15.degree..
[0036] With reference to FIG. 1, a method of attaching the inserts
101-102 to the club head 103 is discussed. In an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, the inserts 101-102 can be
bonded into place in their respective positions. Any type of
bonding method or apparatus can be employed, such as by an
adhesive, welding, or the like. In one embodiment, the outer
portion of the inserts 101-102 can be covered with an adhesive. As
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any type of
adhesive can be used. The inserts 101-102 can then be inserted into
and secured to the club head 103.
[0037] In another embodiment, the inserts 101-102 can be attached
to the club head 103 based on a "lock and key" system. In this
embodiment, the inserts 101-102 can be designed with, for example,
a non-planar protrusion that has a predetermined size and shape.
The portion of the club head that receives each respective insert
101-102 can have a receiving shaft for the non-planar protrusion.
By sliding the protrusion into the receiving shaft of the club head
103, the inserts 101-102 can be locked in place. While these
examples are illustrative of the concept of connecting the hosel
inserts to the club head, one skilled in the art would recognize
that there are several alternative ways to connect the insert to
the club head with out departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0038] As described above, one manner in which the inserts may be
operatively connected to the club head is by use of an adhesive. In
a similar manner, an adhesive also may be used to attach the club
shaft 104 to the inserts 101-102. However, the method used for
attaching the inserts 101-102 to the club head 103 does not have to
be the same as the method used to attach the club shaft 104 to the
inserts 101-102. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art, any method or apparatus can be used to bond the inserts
101-102 to the club head 103 or club shaft 104 to the inserts
101-102.
[0039] In another exemplary embodiment, a club shaft can pass
through a gimbaled attachment. The club shaft is then attached to
the gimbaled attachment using an adhesive, as previously described.
The gimbaled attachment may be located at a predetermined distance
from the end of the club shaft. This distance should be chosen so
that the club shaft can at least pass through the club head to
reach the sole. The gimbaled attachment can then be attached to
insert 101. By using the gimbaled attachment, any desired lie and
loft angle can be achieved. Once the desired loft and lie angles
are achieved, the portion of the club shaft that passes through the
club head to the sole can be attached to the second insert 102.
Optionally, the club head can be attached to the first insert, as
described previously. The various parts can be attached to each
other using the methods previously described.
[0040] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood to those
skilled in the art that the invention is capable of a variety of
alternative embodiments within the spirit of the appended
claims.
* * * * *