U.S. patent application number 10/918415 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-10 for apparatus for altering swing weight of a golf club.
Invention is credited to Oldenburg, Jon E..
Application Number | 20050054459 10/918415 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34228588 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050054459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oldenburg, Jon E. |
March 10, 2005 |
Apparatus for altering swing weight of a golf club
Abstract
The method of adjusting the swing-weight of a golf club by
moving a weighted insert within a hollow shaft of the club,
preferably in the butt end portion of the shaft, to different
longitudinal positions and holding the insert releasably in each
selected position. One embodiment uses a split sleeve as the
insert, and expands and contracts the sleeve by a screw-operated
expansion and contraction mechanism including a tool inserted
through the open butt end of the shaft, the tool being releasably
coupled to the sleeve to move it along the shaft in the contracted
condition. A second embodiment uses a lead screw on which the
insert is threaded to adjust the position of the insert along the
screw, which is mounted in fixed bearings in the shaft, turned by a
removable hand crank from the open butt end of the shaft, and held
against inadvertent movement by friction applied by the
bearings.
Inventors: |
Oldenburg, Jon E.; (Poway,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH, STEWART, KOLASCH & BIRCH, LLP
10940 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES
CA
90024-4450
US
|
Family ID: |
34228588 |
Appl. No.: |
10/918415 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60495612 |
Aug 14, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/297 ;
473/316 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/22 20151001;
A63B 60/24 20151001; A63B 53/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/297 ;
473/316 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/14 |
Claims
I claim as my invention:
1. The method of adjusting the swing-weight of a golf club having
an elongated hollow shaft comprising the steps of: providing a
weighted insert; providing means for adjustably positioning the
insert within the shaft; and adjusting the position of the insert
along the shaft to adjust the swing-weight of the club
2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the insert is positioned
in the butt end portion of the shaft.
3. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the club is a putter and
the swing-weight is adjusted for varying environmental
conditions.
4. In a golf club having an elongated hollow shaft formed with a
tip end and a butt end, an apparatus for selectively altering the
swing-weight of the golf club, comprising: a weighted insert in
said shaft comprising an elongated radically expandable and
contractible sleeve, and sleeve having an outside diameter that is
contractible for size smaller than the interior of the shaft so as
to be moveable longitudinally therein; mechanism for selectively
expanding and contracting a wedge mechanism within said sleeve
including a screw actual or having a drive connector accessible
from one end of the sleeve and operable to expand and contract the
sleeve upon turning of the drive connector in opposite directions;
and a connector tool having a stem for extending into the shaft
from one end of the shaft, and a driver on said stem releasably
engageable with said drive connector and operable, upon turning of
the tool in opposite directions, to turn the drive connector in
opposite directions to expand and contract said sleeve; and a
releasable detent acting between said tool and said sleeve to move
the O sleeve longitudinally ion the shaft when the tool is engaged
with the drive connector and is moved longitudinally of the shaft,
thereby to position the sleeve in the shaft in the contracted
position of the sleeve and to hold the sleeve in the selected
position while the connector tool is turned to expand the sleeve
into tight engagement with the shaft.
5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said insert is
positioned in the butt end portion of the shaft and the shaft has
an open butt end for insertion of said connector tool.
6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said connector tool has
an elongated item insertable in the shaft through said open end, a
handle on the outer end for turning of the tool, and a drive socket
on the inner end forming said driver.
7. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said sleeve comprises
longitudinally split sections defining a hole having outwardly
flared end surfaces forming cams of said mechanism, and said screw
actuator is an elongated screw extending through said sleeve and
threaded into an expansion nut at one end of the sleeve and having
a head and an expansion cam at the other end of the sleeve whereby
said sleeve is expanded as said nut is drawn toward said head
during turning of the screw actuator.
8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said mechanism also
includes spring means for yieldably contracting the sleeve to hold
the end surfaces against the expansion nut and the screw head.
9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said spring comprise at
least one resiliently extendable and retractable ring around said
sleeve
10. Apparatus is defined in claim 7 wherein said expansion cam at
the other end of said sleeve is on a second expansion nut freely
moveable relative to said screw head, and further including spring
means yieldably acting between said expansion nuts to spread them
apart, thereby holding the cam surfaces on the nuts against said
sleeve.
11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said spring means is a
coiled compression spring disposed around said screw between said
expansion nuts.
12. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 further including wedge-shaped
cams on said expansion nuts and opposed cam surfaces on said sleeve
for co-acting to expand the sleeve.
13. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said releasable detent
comprises a spring-loaded ball detent connection between said
driver and said drive connector.
14. In a golf club having an elongated hollow shaft formed with a
tip end and a butt end, an apparatus for selectively altering the
swing-weight of the golf club, comprising: a weighted insert in
said shaft comprising an internally threaded nut having an outside
diameter sized to fit movably in the shaft; and mechanism for
selectively positioning the insert within the shaft comprising an
elongated lead screw threaded through said insert and rotatably
supported in the shaft in a longitudinally fixed position, said
lead screw having one end accessible at one end of the shaft, and
an actuator at said one end for turning the lead screw selectively
to position the insert in different longitudinal positions within
the shaft, thereby to adjust the swing-weight of the golf club.
15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said insert and said
lead screw are disposed in the butt end portion of the shaft and
the shaft has an open butt end for access to said one end of the
lead screw.
16. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said lead screw is
supported in longitudinally fixed bearings in the shaft.
17. Apparatus as defined in Claim 16 wherein said apparatus has
parts sized to hold the insert snugly but movably in each selected
position, thereby to avoid inadvertent movement of the insert.
18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said bearings tightly
engage the lead screw to apply frictional resistance to turning of
the lead screw.
19. Apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said actuator is a
hand tool that is removably engageable with said one end of said
lead screw.
20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said actuator is a
hand crank having a releasable coupling for engaging said lead
screw, and is removable during play.
21. In a golf club having an elongated hollow shaft formed with a
tip end and a butt end, an apparatus for altering the swing-weight
of the golf club, comprising a weighted insert disposed in said
shaft; and means for moving said insert selectively along the shaft
and holding the insert in different longitudinal positions, thereby
to adjust the swing-weight of the shaft.
22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said means comprise a
screw mechanism having an actuator releasably coupled to the insert
and operable upon turning of the actuator to move the insert to
different selected positions.
23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said insert is an
expandable and contractible sleeve, and said screw mechanism is
operaable to contract the sleeve for movement along the shaft and
to expand the sleeve into tight engagement with the shaft.
24. Apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein sleeve is movable by
said actuator to different longitudinal positions when the sleeve
is contracted.
25. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said actuator is a
lead screw that is rotatably supported in said shaft in a
longitudinally fixed position, and said insert is threaded onto
said lead screw for movement along the screw to different
longitudinal positions.
26. Apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said actuator is a
hand crank releasably engageable with one end of said lead
screw.
27. Apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said insert is held
frictionally in each selected position in said shaft.
28. Apparatus as defined in claim 21 whereon said golf club is a
putter.
29. In a golf club having a shaft having a hollow butt end portion,
apparatus for selectively adjusting the swing-weight of the club,
comprising: a weighted insert disposed in said hollow butt end
portion and movable therein to different longitudinal positions;
means operable from outside the golf club to move the insert to a
selected longitudinal position within said butt end portion of and
means for holding the insert in each selected position, and
permitting movement of the insert to a different portion when a
different swing-weight is desired.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority of copending U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/495,612 filed on Aug. 14,
2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to golf clubs, and more particularly
to the provision of means in or on a golf club for altering the
"swing-weight," or balance, of the club. The invention has
particular reference to the selective alteration of the
swing-weight of a golf putter.
[0003] In the golf industry, the term "swing-weight" refers to the
relative distribution of the weight in a club, from the various
components of the club (head, shaft, grip, tape, etc) which produce
movements around a fulcrum that is established at twelve or
fourteen inches from the butt end of the shaft. The preferred
standard uses a fourteen-inch fulcrum. A conversion table is
provided in the golf industry for indicating numerical
swing-weights with alpha numeric code designations using the
letters "A" to "G" and the numbers "0" and "9", producing
recognizable designations such as "C9" or "D0". Reference is made
to the websites www.bs-sports.com. Basics of golf club, and
www.gcfs.com for additional details.
[0004] It is well known that variations in swing-weight produce
variations in the "feel" of the club, and "feel" is a very
important factor in club selection and performance and in the
design and construction of custom-made clubs. Further, club
manufacturers are able to introduce variations in swing-weights
into their clubs by varying components in the manufacturing
process, so that purchasers will have a selection to suit their
taste and needs. Some manufacturers have provided head inserts of
different specific gravities for varying the weights of club heads
and thereby modifying the swing-weights of the clubs to suit
individual users. For example, see www.serigraph.com website
regarding inserts for clubs sold under the PING trademark.
[0005] The commonly used approaches for swing-weight adjustments
are:
[0006] Reduce the assembled club length to lower the swing
weight.
[0007] Increase the assembled club length to increase the swing
weight.
[0008] Add weight to the grip end of the club to decrease the
swing-weight.
[0009] Add weight to the club head or tip end of the shaft to
increase the swing weight.
[0010] Club manufacturers and custom club builders typically use
these methods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention resides in a novel method, and
apparatus for practicing the method, of altering the swing-weight
of a golf club selectively preparatory to making a particular shot,
or for use under a particular set of conditions leading the golfer
to desire a change in swing-weight. The invention is particularly
well suited for use in putters, to satisfy the needs of golfers who
wish to change the swing-weight for various reasons, including
variable environmental conditions affecting the "speed" of
greens.
[0012] For thee purposes, the invention provides a movable weighted
insert in the shaft of the club, preferably in the butt end portion
thereof, and a mechanism for selectively adjusting the position of
the weighted insert along the shaft and locking the insert in
different selected positions. For compliance with the rules of
golf, the mechanism can be made to be usable only in a manner that
is visible to other players, so that those players will know about
any adjustment. A separable adjustment tool preferably is provided,
to be removable after adjustments are made, or the tool may be
built into the club.
[0013] The apparatus for practicing the method may take various
forms, basically comprising the weighted insert disposed in the
hollow shaft of the golf club, and a means for positioning the
insert in different selected positions within the shaft and holding
it in the selected position during use of the club. The presently
preferred apparatus comprises an expandable and contractible insert
that is movable longitudinally of the shaft in the contracted
condition, a connector for moving the insert in contracted
condition to different longitudinal positions in the shaft, and a
mechanism for selectively expanding and contracting the insert to
fix the insert in a selected longitudinal position and to release
the insert for movement to a different position. The preferred
mechanism for these purposes is a screw mechanism actuated by a
manually operable tool that is releasably connectable to the insert
and serves as the connector for moving the insert to different
selected positions. The tool is removed prior to play.
[0014] A second embodiment of the invention comprises an insert in
the form of an internally threaded weight that is adjustably
positioned within the hollow shaft on an elongated lead screw that
extends through a selected range of possible adjustment for the
insert and is designed to remain in place in the shaft, with one
end of the screw accessible at the end of the shaft. The insert is
non-rotatably mounted in the shaft, and the lead screw is rotatably
supported in fixed bearings so as to move the weight along the
screw in different longitudinal directions during turning of the
screw in different directions. Inadvertent turning of the screw is
prevented by frictional resistance in the bearings. A hand actuator
is provided at the accessible end of the lead screw, preferably a
hand crank that can be coupled releasably to the lead screw at an
open end of the shaft. A rotating cap on the end of the shaft can
serve the same function.
[0015] Other aspects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a representative golf
club equipped with the present invention, with internal parts shown
in broken lines;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
longitudinally through the butt end portion of the representative
club in FIG. 1, with the addition of an optional end cap for the
club;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a further enlarged, exploded cross-sectional view
of the weighted insert and mechanism for expanding and contracting
the insert;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an end view of the expansion nut, taken along line
4-4 of FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of
FIG. 3, with the parts in assembled positions;
[0023] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line
8-8 of FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged isolated side elevational view
of the apparatus of the invention in the golf club in FIG. 1, with
a portion of the tool removed, and with a modified embodiment of
the mechanism for expanding the insert;
[0025] FIG. 10 is an exploded side elevational view of the modified
embodiment of FIG. 9, without the tool;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the modified
embodiment in assembled condition;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a prior art apparatus
for measuring "swing-weight", with a "wood" golf club shown during
a measuring operation;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a representation of a prior art conversion table
of swing-weight designations;
[0029] FIG. 14 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view
similar to FIG. 2 but showing a portion of a club equipped with an
alternative embodiment; and
[0030] FIG. 15 is an enlarged side elevational view of the weighted
insert in the alternative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT (FIGS. 1-8)
[0031] Shown in FIGS. 1 through 11 for purposes of illustration is
the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, for
altering the swing-weight of a golf club such as the representative
club 11. This club is basically conventional in construction,
comprising an elongated hollow tubular shaft 12 that is generally
cylindrical but often tapers slightly from a butt or grip end 13 to
a tip end portion 14, a club head 15 mounted on the tip end
portion, and a grip 16 applied to the butt end portion in a
conventional manner. The shaft 12 the club 11 may be composed of
various materials, usually composites or metal. The illustrative
club 11 has a putter head 15, this being the typical application
for the present invention.
[0032] As has been noted as background, an important characteristic
of golf clubs is referred to as "swing-weight", which refers to the
relative distribution of the weight in a club, or its center of
gravity along its length. FIG. 12 shows a conventional apparatus 17
for measuring swing-weight about a fulcrum at 18, which may be
fourteen inches from the butt end 19 of the club 20 shown in FIG.
12, through a scale 21 that holds down the butt end while the tip
end portion of the club 20 and the head 22 are supported cantilever
fashion beyond the fulcrum 18. Shown in FIG. 13 is a portion of a
conventional conversion table 23 that indicates the alphanumeric
code designations that produce recognizable swing-weight
designations, such as "C9" or "D0". The present invention provides
a golf club whose swing-weight is selectively adjustable along the
scale to different selected values for different conditions.
[0033] In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus 10
comprises generally a weighted insert, indicated generally at 25,
disposed in the hollow shaft 12, and means for positioning the
insert in different selected positions within the shaft, herein in
the butt end portion thereof, to vary the swing-weight of the shaft
selectively. This enables the golfer to make fine adjustments that
the golfer deems desirable for particular golfing conditions, and
is intended primarily for use in varying the swing-weight of
putters for different conditions of the greens, and can be
accomplished with a relatively simple, lightweight mechanism that
does not adversely affect the performance of the club.
[0034] More specifically, in the illustrative first embodiment of
the apparatus 10, the insert 25 is a generally cylindrical
elongated weight with an outside diameter slightly less than the
inside diameter of the shaft, and may have a slight taper matching
the taper of the inside surface 27 of the shaft, when the shaft is
tapered. This insert is adjustably positioned within the shaft by
means of an expansion and contraction mechanism within the insert,
indicated generally at 28 in FIG. 3, and a connector, indicated
generally at 29, for moving the insert in contracted condition to
different selected positions and then expanding the insert into
tight engagement with the shaft. The connector 29, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, is an elongated tool that can reach the insert
through the end 13 of the shaft and actuate the expansion and
contraction mechanism 28 to loosen the insert 25 and move it to a
different position.
[0035] As can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the insert 25
is a sleeve that is split longitudinally into two separable halves
30 that define a central bore 31 in the insert and two outwardly
flared end surfaces 32 and 33 at the ends of the bore. These
surfaces form cams in the insert for engaging complementary cam
surfaces 34 and 35 of the expanding and contracting mechanism 28.
The cam surface 34 is on the end of an expansion nut 37 that is
fitted into the flared end 32 of the bore 31 and is internally
threaded onto the free end portion of a screw 38 that extends
through the bore 31. The cam surface 35 is formed on the end 33 of
the head 39 on the opposite end of the screw and is disposed within
the flared end 33 of the bore 31 in the insert. The assembled
condition is shown in FIG. 2.
[0036] The connector tool 29 is a manual actuator for the expansion
and contraction mechanism 28 and comprises an elongated stem in the
form of a rod 40 that is smaller than the interior of the butt
portion of the shaft 12. This rod is long enough to reach into the
shaft from the butt end 13 and become engaged at its inner end with
the expansion and contraction mechanism 28, wherever it is within
the range of adjustment designed for the insert 25. A handle 41 is
mounted on the outer end of the rod 40 to facilitate gripping and
turning of the rod, and the inner end has a releasable connection
42 for engaging the expansion and contraction mechanism. Herein,
this releasable connection is a simple square socket 43 in the end
of the head 39, the right end in FIGS. 2 and 9, and a complementary
square socket driver 44 on the end of the rod 40 for turning the
head as the rod is turned by the handle 41. This draws the
expansion nut 37 toward the head 39 in one direction of rotation,
causing the interacting cam surfaces 32, 34 and 33, 35 to expand
the insert into tight engagement with the shaft. In the opposite
direction of rotation, the screw 38 drives the nut 37 away from the
head 39 and permits the sleeve to contract or collapse. A spline
coupling between the shaft and the expansion and contraction
mechanism prevents rotation of the latter in the shaft, this
coupling being formed by a longitudinal rib 45 (FIG. 2) on the
inside surface of the shaft 12.
[0037] Two peripheral grooves 48 preferably are formed in the
insert, around both sleeve halves 30, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
and two resiliently flexible rings 49 (FIG. 2) are mounted in these
grooves to hold the sleeve halves against the expansion and
contraction mechanism and contract the insert when permitted by the
mechanism. Thus, the insert responds positively to both expanding
and contracting rotation of the connector tool 29. The rings may be
split wire rings with overlapped ends permitting expansion of the
rings.
[0038] The connector tool 29 has a releasable longitudinal coupling
for engagement with the insert 25 to move the latter along the
shaft to selected longitudinal positions while in the contracted
condition. A simple and convenient coupling for this purpose is a
spring-loaded ball detent 50 on one side of the socket driver 44,
as shown in FIG. 9, that is releasably engageable with a detent
recess 51 in one sidewall of the socket 43 when the driver is
inserted in the socket, each wall preferably having such a recess.
The detent ball 50 snaps into a detent recess and is held yieldably
in place by the spring 51 behind the ball, with sufficient force to
permit the tool to pull the insert along the interior of the shaft
to a new selected position close to the butt end 13. Alternatively,
a shoulder 52 on the rod 40, at the driver 44, engages the opposed
end 53 of the adjusting screw to push the insert farther into the
shaft. Then, after the insert is expanded and set in the selected
new position, the tool is uncoupled simply by pulling on the handle
with sufficient force to overcome the holding force of the ball
detent.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE MODIFIED EMBODIMENT (FIGS. 9-11)
[0039] A modified embodiment of the apparatus 10 is shown in FIGS.
9-11, and provides a specifically different insert and expansion
and contraction mechanism. This is intended for use with a tool
like the tool 29 of the first embodiment, which is not described
again at this time. The modified embodiment uses a weighted insert
60 similar to the insert 25 of the first embodiment and having an
actuating screw 61 that carries a head 62, similar to the head 39
of the first embodiment. The head has a non-circular socket 63, for
receiving the socket driver 44 of the placement tool 29, and detent
recesses 64 are formed in the inner walls of the socket for
engagement with the ball detent. The screw 61 extends loosely
through a first expansion nut 65 and a central coiled spring 67 and
is threaded into a second expansion nut 68 on the opposite side of
the spring, the two expansion nuts being positioned at the opposite
ends of a split sleeve similar to the sleeve 25. This sleeve
comprises two separate halves 70 and 71 that are fitted together
around the adjacent end portions of the two expansion nuts and held
together by a resiliently extendable ring 72 fitted in a groove 73
extending around the two halves. This ring may be a metal
C-ring.
[0040] Each of the expansion nuts 65 and 68 has wedge-shaped cam
wings 74 on its opposite sides, and each cam wing has upper and
lower inclined cam surfaces 75 and 77 that are engageable with
opposed inclined cam surfaces 78 and 79 on the split sleeve. These
surfaces are designed to expand the split sleeve evenly along the
entire length as the expansion nuts are drawn into the sleeve ends
by the screw 61 and the cam wings 74 are simultaneously drawn into
engagement with the opposed cam surfaces 78 and 79. This also
compresses and loads the spring 67 between the expansion nuts.
[0041] As the screw 61 is turned in the opposite direction to
spread the expansion nuts, assisted by the spring 67, the cam
surfaces permit the sleeve to contract, assisted by the ring 72.
The result is smooth and uniform expansion and contraction of the
insert. In other respects, the modified embodiment is the same as
the first embodiment, and corresponding parts are indicated by the
same reference numbers used in the first embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT (FIGS. 14 and
15)
[0042] Shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is an alternative embodiment 80 of
an apparatus for altering swing-weight in accordance with the
invention, in which a moveable weighted insert 81 is adjustably
supported in the golf club shaft 12 on a lead screw 82 that is
rotatably supported on the shaft and has an accessible end at the
open end 13 of the shaft for engagement with a removable hand crank
84. The insert 81 is non-rotatably supported in the shaft, and
herein is spline-coupled to the shaft wall by a rib 45 fitted in a
longitudinal groove 47 in the insert, as in the first embodiment,
and is threaded onto the lead screw so that turning of the lead
screw 82 in one direction or the other moves the insert 81 back and
forth within the shaft.
[0043] To mount the lead screw 82 on the shaft 12 in this manner,
two bearings 85 and 87 are fitted tightly in the shaft at the
opposite ends of the screw, and permit rotation of the screw while
preventing longitudinal motion.
[0044] On the outer, or left, end of the screw at the end 13 of the
shaft, is a head 88 that forms a releasable coupling for driving
engagement with the hand crank 84. The crank, which may have a grip
89 at its free end, has a drive socket 90 for fitting over the head
88 as shown in FIG. 14. When thus engaged, turning of the crank
turns the screw to move the insert. To resist inadvertent movement,
the lead screw is fitted snugly in the bearings 85 and 87, which
frictionally resist turning of the screw until a substantial
turning force is applied by the hand crank 84. When the crank is
removed, the end 13 of the shaft may be covered by a cap (not
shown), similar to the cap shown on FIG. 2.
CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY OF THE METHOD OF THE INVENTION
[0045] It will be seen from the foregoing that the present
invention provides different relatively simple and lightweight
apparatus for adjustably positioning a weighted insert within the
shaft of a golf club to vary the swing-weight of the club
selectively and easily when desired. It also will be seen that the
apparatus that have been disclosed satisfy the requirement that
such adjustment be visible to other players. Apart from this
requirement, the hand crank of FIG. 14 could be replaced by a
permanent rotary cap coupled to the lead screw to make adjustments
in swing-weight without need for a separate tool.
[0046] While the steps in the method of the invention should be
evident from the foregoing descriptions of the mechanisms, the
following will provide a functional summary of the steps of the
method. The initial steps are: providing a weighted insert to be
fitted into the elongated hollow shaft of the golf club, and
providing a means in the shaft for adjustably positioning the
insert within a selected portion of the shaft in different selected
positions, different mechanisms have been disclosed for this
purpose. The preferred location of the insert and the mechanism is
the butt end portion of the shaft, within the twelve to fourteen
inches of the butt that typically are disposed on one side of the
fulcrum 18 when swing-weights are measured on a device of the kind
shown in FIG. 12. When these preparatory steps are complete, the
swing-weight is adjusted by using the adjustment mechanism to move
the insert from one position to another selected position, and
securing the insert in its new position. The result is a simple,
easy and effective adjustment of the swing-weight.
[0047] Although different embodiments have been disclosed and
described in detail herein, it will be apparent that modifications
and changes may be made by those skilled in the art within the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *
References