U.S. patent application number 11/519369 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for separable golf club system and methods of use.
Invention is credited to Louis Oberman, Philip G. Watkins.
Application Number | 20080064522 11/519369 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39170423 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080064522 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watkins; Philip G. ; et
al. |
March 13, 2008 |
SEPARABLE GOLF CLUB SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for providing a separable golf club are
provided involving a connector having a male connector and a female
connector configured to be selectively matable. The male and female
connectors are configured to facilitate assembly of the connector
with a reduced likelihood of damage to threaded portions of each
component by the presence of complementary engaging surfaces, such
as blunt tip and smooth alignment portions of the male connector.
Additionally, the male and female connectors each may have a
shoulder portion with a larger dimension than other portions of the
connector in order to provide a secure coupling of the
components.
Inventors: |
Watkins; Philip G.;
(Torrance, CA) ; Oberman; Louis; (Del Mar,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LUCE, FORWARD, HAMILTON & SCRIPPS LLP
11988 EL CAMINO REAL, SUITE 200
SAN DIEGO
CA
92130
US
|
Family ID: |
39170423 |
Appl. No.: |
11/519369 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/288 ;
473/305 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/047 20130101;
A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 53/06 20130101; A63B 53/00 20130101; A63B
2210/50 20130101; Y10T 403/556 20150115; A63B 53/005 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/288 ;
473/305 |
International
Class: |
A63B 55/00 20060101
A63B055/00; A63B 53/02 20060101 A63B053/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for connecting a first member of a golf club shaft
and a second member of a golf club shaft, the apparatus comprising:
a male connector having a male attachment portion, a protruding
portion, and a male shoulder portion therebetween, the protruding
portion comprising a tip section, a threaded section, and a smooth
section, the smooth section disposed between the threaded section
and the shoulder portion, the threaded section disposed between the
smooth section and the tip section, the tip section having a blunt
tip, the smooth section having an outer dimension that is greater
than or equal to an outer dimension of the threaded section, and
the male attachment portion dimensioned to be received in an
interior space of an end of the first member so that the male
shoulder portion abuts against the end of the first member; and a
female connector having an attachment portion, a shoulder portion,
and an interior space having first, second, and third cavities, the
female attachment portion dimensioned to be received in an interior
space of an end of the second member so that the female shoulder
portion abuts against the end of the second member, the female
connector having a relatively smooth interior surface defining at
least a portion of the first cavity and a threaded interior surface
defining at least a portion of the second cavity, and the third
cavity adapted to receive at least a portion of the tip section;
wherein the interior space is dimensioned to selectively receive at
least a portion of the smooth section in the first cavity and at
least a portion of the threaded section in the second cavity, and
wherein the protruding portion further comprisies a neck section
disposed between the threaded section and the smooth section, the
neck section having an outer diameter less than an outer diameter
of the threaded section.
2-5. (canceled)
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the third cavity has an
interior dimension that is less than an interior dimension of the
second cavity.
7. (canceled)
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second male
connector having a second male attachment portion, a second male
shoulder portion, and a second protruding portion, wherein the
second protruding portion is matable with the female connector.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second female
connector having a second female attachment portion, a second
female shoulder portion, and a second interior space, wherein the
second female connector is matable with the male connector.
10. A golf club system comprising: a first golf club shaft member
having an end and a first interior space; a second golf club shaft
member having an end and a second interior space; a club head
attached to one of the first or second golf club shaft members; a
male connector having a male attachment portion and a protruding
portion, the male attachment portion disposed in the first interior
space, the protruding portion comprising tip section, a threaded
section, and a smooth section, the smooth section disposed between
the threaded section and the male attachment portion and the
threaded section disposed between the smooth section and the tip,
the smooth section having an outer dimension that is greater than
or equal to an outer dimension of the threaded section, and the tip
section having a blunt tip; and a female connector having a female
attachment portion and a third interior space having first, second,
and third cavities, the female attachment portion disposed in the
second interior space, the female connector having a relatively
smooth interior surface defining at least a portion of the first
cavity, a threaded interior surface defining at least a portion of
the second cavity, and the third cavity adapted to receive at least
a portion of the tip section; wherein the interior space of the
female portion is dimensioned to selectively receive at least a
portion of the smooth section of the male connector in the first
cavity and at least a portion of the threaded section of the male
connector in the second cavity, and wherein the proturding portion
further comprises a neck section disposed between the threaded
section and the smooth section, the neck section having an outer
diameter less than an outer diameter of the threaded section.
11-14. (canceled)
15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the third cavity has an
interior dimension that is less than an interior dimension of the
second cavity.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the male connector further
comprises a male shoulder portion disposed between the male
attachment portion and the smooth section, the male shoulder
portion dimensioned to abut against the end of the first golf club
shaft member.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the female connector further
comprises a female shoulder portion adjacent the female attachment
portion and dimensioned to abut against the end of the second golf
club shaft member.
18. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a third golf club
shaft member having a second club head, the third golf club shaft
member selectively matable to one of the first or second golf club
shaft members.
19-20. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for
providing separable golf clubs. A number of heads may be used with
a single handle, facilitating the portability of the clubs. The
invention may be incorporated into a full or partial set of golf
clubs, and may be used in the conversion of single shaft golf clubs
to separable shaft golf clubs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Golf is a sport that has been enjoyed for many years and
enjoys growing popularity in recent times. As is well known,
golfing involves the use of a number of different clubs when
playing a course, and golfers typically will use two or more
different clubs per hole. As a result, golfers generally carry a
heavy set of clubs that include drivers, irons, wedges and a
putter.
[0003] Caddies and golf carts may facilitate the transportation of
a set of golf clubs over a course. But, a golfer who travels must
still tote this large and heavy collection through airports or
other travel centers. As a result, business travelers and other who
wish to enjoy golfing when away from home typically transport large
bulky sets of clubs with them.
[0004] Unfortunately, carrying a large set of clubs may not always
be practical. For example, an airline passenger may be limited by
luggage weight or the number of items allowed onboard the plane.
Likewise, the ever-increasing airport security restrictions may
impose other burdens on golfers that result in making the
transportation of golf clubs inconvenient or perhaps even
impermissible. As a result, the golfer may not choose to travel
with a set of clubs and may miss the opportunity to play golf or
practice swinging.
[0005] When a golfer does not play golf or have another opportunity
to practice swinging, that golfer's game may suffer. Magazines and
other publications discussing golf commonly report that practicing
the swing is important in maintaining the golfer's abilities. In
particular, publications have identified the "short game" of
putting, pitching, and chipping as a part of the game that requires
a significant amount of practice in order to maintain and improve
one's golfing skills around the green. Accordingly, it is desirable
to provide one or more golf clubs that may be easily transported
for this purpose.
[0006] In attempts to provide portable golf clubs, others have
devised various golf clubs that may be separated into two or more
components. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,565,069 is an early
example of such an attempt. This patent discloses a golf club
having an enlarged central portion with a threaded connector.
Although separable, this club involved the use of a conspicuous
sleeve in the central section.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,227 illustrates another example of a
separable club. That patent describes two portions of a club having
a threaded connector in which a threaded portion is adjacent to the
open end. One disadvantage of this design is that the connector may
become damaged due to improper assembly.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,923 illustrates another example of a
separable club. That patent describes two portions of a club having
a threaded connector in which the shaft ends overlap when
connected. One disadvantage of this design is that the club may be
shortened due to the overlapping of the two shaft ends.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,659 describes an interchangeable shaft
golf club in which the head is removable from the shaft. A
disadvantage of such a design is that the golfer must still
accommodate a relatively long shaft when transporting the club.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,404 describes a separable-shaft golf
club. This patent describes hollow male and female connector
members that connect first and second hollow shaft members
together. Disadvantages of this design include the increased
manufacturing costs associated with the hollowed components and the
susceptibility of damaging the threaded components during
assembly.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,116 describes a separable-shaft golf
club that uses a threaded connector to connect first and second
shaft members together. In particular, the connector may be placed
on the exterior of a graphite club shaft. Disadvantages of this
design include the conspicuous connector located in a central
portion of the shaft.
[0012] In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide
apparatus and methods of allowing selective separation of a golf
club to facilitate portability.
[0013] It further would be desirable to provide apparatus and
methods of providing portability of numerous golf clubs while
reducing the weight of the full or partial set of clubs.
[0014] It would be further desirable to provide apparatus and
methods of connecting separable golf clubs that reduces the
concentrated areas of stress between components of the system.
[0015] It still would be further desirable to provide apparatus and
methods of converting single shaft golf clubs to golf clubs having
separable shafts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In view of the above-listed disadvantages of the prior art,
it is a feature of the present invention to provide apparatus and
methods of allowing selective separation of a golf club to
facilitate portability.
[0017] It is a further feature of the present invention to provide
apparatus and methods of providing portability of numerous golf
clubs while reducing the weight of the full or partial set of
clubs.
[0018] It also is a feature of the present invention to provide
apparatus and methods of connecting separable golf clubs that
facilitates connectivity and reduces the likelihood of damage to
the connector.
[0019] It still further is a feature of the present invention to
provide apparatus and methods of converting single shaft golf clubs
to golf clubs having separable shafts.
[0020] These and other advantages may be accomplished by providing
a golf club system having a connector system that allows the clubs
to be disassembled for compact storage. The connector system
includes a male connector that may be affixed to one section of a
golf club shaft, and a female connector that may be affixed to
another section of a golf club shaft. The male connector may be
selectively mated with the female connector in order to assemble
the golf club for use.
[0021] The male connector has a first portion that couples to a
section of a golf club shaft and a protruding section that is
engagable with a female connector. The protruding section has a
blunt tip, and a smooth portion, with a threaded portion
therebetween. Assembly of the golf club shaft is facilitated and
the likelihood of damage to the threaded area is reduced.
[0022] The female connector couples to another section of a golf
club. The female connector has a first cavity, a second cavity, and
a third cavity adjacent to one another and configured to receive
the smooth portion, threaded portion, and blunt tip of the male
connector, respectively.
[0023] The connectors are adapted to connect the shaft of a golf
club having at least two members. In a preferred embodiment, the
golf club has a hollow steel shaft, where each of two members of
the shaft has a cavity. As such, the first portion of the male
connector is dimensioned to be received in the cavity of one member
of the golf club shaft and the second portion of the female
connector is dimensioned to be received in a cavity of another
member of the golf club shaft. The first and second shaft members
may then be selectively coupled and uncoupled, thereby allowing
assembly and disassembly of the club.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the male connector is threaded
over at least a length of the protruding section, and the female
connector has a matching threaded portion over at least a length of
the second cavity. When the male connector is mated with the female
connector, the protruding section of the male connector is received
in the female connector. In a preferred embodiment, the blunt tip
portion and the smooth portion of the male connector engage the
complementary cavities of the female connector prior to the
engagement of the threaded portions. Accordingly, the male portion
and the female portion thereby may be axially aligned so as to
reduce the likelihood of damage to the threaded portions due to
improper assembly, as may occur if the golf club members are not
aligned properly as in known systems.
[0025] Additionally, a plurality of club heads may be provided with
connectors adapted to be selectively mated with a single grip,
thereby reducing the weight and bulk of the clubs. For example, a
grip portion of a golf club may be attached to a connector that is
adapted to couple with connectors in three corresponding wedges and
a putter, so that a golfer may travel with a compact set of clubs
and practice his or her "short game" without the need to carry four
full sized clubs.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, referred to as the "4-in-One"
system, a grip portion of a golf club shaft is matable with three
separate wedges and a putter. In the 4-in-One system, the grip
portion of the handle is coupled to one of either a male or female
portion, and each of the club head portions is coupled to a mating
connector portion. For example, the grip portion may be coupled to
a male portion, and each of the wedges and the putter may be
coupled to a respective female portion. In such an embodiment, a
golfer may travel with the 4-in-One system to "take the short game
on the road", and thereby be able to play or practice in remote
locations without the burden of carrying four full size clubs.
[0027] It will be appreciated that a golfer who has become
accustomed to a particular set of clubs may prefer converting that
set into a separable set of clubs rather than acquiring a new set
of separable clubs. Thus, in accordance with another aspect of the
present invention, a method is provided for converting a single
shaft golf club shaft into a golf club having a separable shaft.
This method involves separating the shaft of the single shaft golf
club into at least two sections, and attaching a male connector to
one section and a female connector to another section.
[0028] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be appreciated from review of the following detailed
description of the invention, along with the accompanying figures
in which like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The above and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout, and in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a golf club system of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
male connector of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
male connector of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a male
connector of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
female connector of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
female connector of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a female
connector of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a
female connector of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector
for a golf club system of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
connector for a golf club system of the present invention; and
[0040] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along an axis of an
embodiment of a connector in a golf club of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] The present invention is directed to a golf club set having
a club with a shaft that is separable into at least two members.
The golf club employs a connector that may be used to provide
selective coupling between a grip and one or more club heads. The
connector comprises a male connector and a female connector, each
adapted to attach to a section of a separable golf club shaft.
[0042] The connector facilitates assembly of a club by providing an
alignment mechanism by which the male connector is aligned with the
female connector, and preferably one in which this alignment occurs
prior to the engagement of respective threaded portions on each
connector portion.
[0043] This alignment may be achieved by providing the male
connector with a protruding portion having a blunt tip section, a
threaded section, and a smooth alignment section. The female
portion has an interior space comprising at least three cavities,
wherein one cavity receives the blunt tip section, another cavity
receives the smooth alignment section, and yet another cavity has a
threaded portion that receives the threaded section of the
protruding portion of the male connector. Preferably, the smooth
section of the protruding portion engages the female connector
before the respective threaded sections are engaged. In this
manner, the threaded portion of the male connector is aligned by
the smooth section of the male connector. The blunt tip section may
also assist in the axial alignment by engaging the female connector
prior to the engagement of the respective threaded sections.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 1, a golf clubs system in accordance
with the present invention is described. It will be appreciated
that a golf club system comprises one or more separable club
components. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, system 100 comprises
a single grip section 110 of a golf club shaft, as well as four
club head sections 120, 130, 140, and 150 of golf club shafts. Grip
section 110 may be selectively attached to club head section 120,
130, 140, or 150 by connector 160.
[0045] Connector 160 comprises male connector 170 and female
connector 180. Male connector 170 is attached to grip section 110,
and female connector 180 is attached to club head section 120. Club
head sections 130, 140, and 150 each are attached to additional
female connectors 180, such that they may be interchangeably
coupled to grip section 110. Male connector 170 and female
connector 180 are described in greater detail below.
[0046] In a preferred embodiment, grip section 110 comprises a
first shaft member 190, and club head section 120 comprises a
second shaft member 200. Shaft members 190 and 200 preferably are
hollow steel or other metallic substance. The exterior of male
connector 170 is attached to grip section 110 at an interface with
the interior of first shaft member 190, whereas the exterior of
female connector 180 is attached to club head section 120 at an
interface with the interior of second shaft member 200.
[0047] It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that
modifications could be made to system 100. For example, the set
could comprise greater or lesser number of club heads or grips.
Likewise, the female connector may be attached to the grip section,
whereas each of the club head sections may be attached to a
respective male connector. It is intended that all such
modifications be within the scope of this invention.
[0048] Optionally, system 100 may further comprise ball 195. Ball
195 may be a previously-known golf ball or a practice ball such as
that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,275. It will be appreciated
that it may be desirable for ball 195 to comprise a non-regulation
or practice golf ball if golf system 100 is to be used for
practice.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, an embodiment of a male
connector in accordance with the present invention is described.
Male connector 170 comprises attachment portion 210 with outer
dimension MOD1, shoulder portion 220 with outer dimension MOD2, and
protruding portion 225. Protruding portion 225 includes threaded
section 230, tip section 240, and smooth section 250.
[0050] Attachment portion 210 of male connector 170 is dimensioned
to fit within a cavity of a golf club shaft member. Attachment
portion 210 may have a surface that is relatively smooth,
irregular, threaded, dimpled, or otherwise configured to engage the
interior of the golf club shaft member.
[0051] Shoulder portion 220 of male connector 170 is an optional
component that, when present, preferably is dimensioned such that
MOD2 is at least as wide as the end portion of the golf club shaft
member to which male connector 170 is attached. Shoulder portion
220 may have a circular cross section, such as may provide an
aesthetically pleasing appearance, or have another shape, such as
hexagonal to allow manipulation by a wrench.
[0052] Threaded section 230 of protrusion portion 225 of male
connector 170 preferably is threaded over all or at least a portion
of its exterior surface. Threaded section 230 has an outer
dimension MOD3.
[0053] Tip section 240 preferably has an elongated extension with a
blunt tip and a circular cross section. Tip section 240 has an
outer dimension MOD4, where MOD3 is greater than MOD4. Tip section
240 is provided to assist in properly orientating male connector
170 to female connector 180 when assembling connector 160. It will
be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the ease of aligning
male connector 170 to female connector 180 is related to the length
that tip section 240 extends from threaded section 230.
[0054] Smooth section 250 preferably has a relatively smooth
exterior surface and a circular cross section. Additionally, smooth
section 250 has an outer dimension MOD5, where MOD5 is preferably
greater than MOD4.
[0055] Optionally, neck section 255 is disposed between smooth
section 250 and threaded section 230. Neck section 255 has an outer
dimension that is less than one or both of MOD5 and MOD3.
[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, an embodiment of a female
connector in accordance with the present invention is described.
Female connector 180 has shoulder section 270 having outer
dimension FOD1, attachment section 280 having outer dimension FOD2,
first cavity 290 having interior dimension FID1, second cavity 300
having interior dimension FID2, and third cavity having interior
dimension FID3. First cavity 290, second cavity 300, and third
cavity 310 are preferably adjacent and define an interior space of
female connector 180.
[0057] Shoulder section 270 of female connector 180 preferably is
dimensioned such that FOD1 is at least as wide as the end portion
of the golf club shaft member to which female connector 180 is
attached. Shoulder section 270 may have a circular cross section,
such as may provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, or have
another shape, such as hexagonal to allow manipulation by a wrench.
It will be appreciated that FOD1 may, but need not, be selected to
be the same size as MOD2.
[0058] Attachment section 280 of female connector 180 is
dimensioned to fit within a cavity of a golf club shaft member.
Attachment section 280 may have a surface that is relatively
smooth, irregular, threaded, dimpled, or otherwise configured to
engage the interior of the golf club shaft member.
[0059] First cavity 290 of female connector 180 preferably is
defined at least in part by a relatively smooth surface of female
connector 180 and preferably is dimensioned such FIO1 is
substantially similar to MODS. In this regard, all or part of
smooth section 250 may be disposed in first cavity 290 when male
connector 170 is mated with female connector 180.
[0060] It will be appreciated that the axial length of first cavity
290 may be selected to be longer than the axial length of threaded
section 230 of male connector 170. In this regard, during assembly
smooth section 250 may engage female connector 180 before threaded
section 230 engages the threaded portion of the interior surface of
female connector 180 defining second cavity 300.
[0061] Second cavity 300 of female connector 180 preferably is
threaded for at least a portion of its length. In particular, FID2
and MOD3 preferably are selected so that threads of threaded
section 230 on male connector 170 mate with threads on an interior
surface of female connector 180 defining second cavity 300. The
direction, or cut, of the threads may be selected based on the type
of golf club with which connector 160 is utilized. For example, in
a right handed set of clubs, connector 160 preferably is
constructed with reverse (left-handed) threads. Conversely, in a
left handed set of clubs, connector 160 preferably is constructed
with conventional (right-handed) threads. Accordingly, male
connector 170 and female connector 180 are urged together when a
user hits a golf ball with the club head regardless of whether the
golf club system is designed for right-handed golfers or
left-handed golfers.
[0062] Female connector 180 further comprises third cavity 310
having interior dimension FID3. Third cavity 310 of female
connector 180 preferably is dimensioned such that FID3 is
substantially similar to MOD4. In this regard, tip section 240 may
be disposed in third cavity 310 when male connector 170 is mated
with female connector 180.
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 9-10, connector 160 is described with
male connector 170 axially aligned with female connector 180. In
this orientation, protruding portion 225 may be inserted in the
space defined by female portion. In particular, tip section 240 of
protruding portion 225 is first inserted into first cavity 290,
then into second cavity 300, and then into third cavity 310.
[0064] When male connector 170 is mated with female connector 170
of connector 160, smooth section 250 is disposed at least in part
in cavity 290, threaded section 230 is disposed at least in part in
cavity 300, and tip section is disposed at least in part in cavity
310. Such a configuration is depicted in FIG. 11.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 11, a sectional view of an embodiment
of connector 160 is depicted in which male connector 170 is
attached to first shaft member 190 and female connector 180 is
attached to second shaft member 200. In this embodiment, shoulder
portion 220 of male connector 170 is round and is dimensioned such
that MOD2 is substantially the same length as that of the end
section 320 of first shaft member 190. Likewise, shoulder section
270 of female connector 180 is dimensioned such that FOD1 is
substantially the same length as that of end section 330 of second
shaft member 200, and slightly greater than that of MOD2. Shoulder
portion 270 of female connector 180 may be beveled at the interface
with shoulder portion 220 of male connector 170 to prevent exposing
a golfer to sharp edges and also for aesthetical purposes.
[0066] It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the
dimensions of protruding portion 225 of male connector 170, along
with the dimensions of the corresponding cavities 290, 300, and
310, of female portion 180, may be varied in an axial direction.
For example, as depicted in FIG. 11, the axial lengths of threaded
section 230 and smooth section 250 of male connector 170, and
cavity 290 of female connector, are selected such that a portion of
smooth section 250 and the threads on threaded section 230 may be
disposed in cavity 290. As such, smooth portion 250 aligns male
connector 170 with female connector 180 prior to engagement of the
threaded portions of each of those components. This alignment may
be further provided by the positioning of tip section 240 in one or
both of cavity 300 or cavity 310. Hence, there is a reduced
likelihood of damage to the threads caused by misalignment of the
male connector 170 and the female connector 180 during
assembly.
[0067] Next, a preferred method of manufacturing a set of golf
clubs in accordance with the present invention will be discussed.
In this example, the conversion of a previously known set of golf
clubs having hollow steel shafts is described, although it will be
apparent to one of skill in the art that other types of clubs may
be used or that a set of clubs in accordance with this invention
may be assembled from all new shaft member components (i.e., not
converted from a previously known golf club).
[0068] One step is providing a first shaft member and a second
shaft member. One shaft member may be associated with a grip
portion, whereas another shaft member may be associated with a club
head. These shaft members may be individually manufactured, but in
a preferred method, they are obtained through the conversion of a
single shaft golf club to a golf club having a separable shaft.
[0069] When converting an existing golf club, this step comprises
cutting the shaft of the existing golf club to provide a first golf
club shaft member and a second golf club shaft member. When cutting
an existing golf club shaft having a series of discrete steps of
decreasing diameter from the grip toward the club head, it is
desirable to cut the shaft at or near the transition point from one
step to an adjoining step.
[0070] Another step is providing a male connector. The male
connector comprises an attachment portion, a shoulder portion, and
a protruding portion. The protruding portion preferably has a
smooth section, a threaded section, and a top section.
[0071] The male connector is attached to the first golf club shaft
member. Preferably, this step comprises attaching the attachment
portion of the male connector to an interior portion of the first
golf club shaft member. This attaching may be accomplished in a
number of manners, including: providing threads on the first
portion of the male connector and screwing that component into the
first golf club shaft member; dimensioning the first portion of the
male connector such that a friction fit is provided with the first
golf club shaft member; using an epoxy to attach the first portion
of the male connector to the interior of the first golf club shaft
member; or by welding the first portion of the male connector to
the interior of the first golf club shaft member. It will be
appreciated that a number of other manners of attaching the male
connector to the first golf club shaft member exist that employ
known techniques.
[0072] Yet another step is providing a female connector. The female
connector comprises a shoulder portion and an attachment portion.
The female connector preferably has first, second, and third
cavities defining an interior space.
[0073] The female connector is attached to the second golf club
shaft member. Preferably, this step comprises attaching the second
portion of the female connector to an interior portion of the
second golf club shaft member. This attachment may be accomplished
in a number of manners, as discussed above.
[0074] Once the male and female connectors are attached to the
respective shaft members, the manufacture of the golf club system
may be complete and the shaft members may be selectively coupled
and uncoupled by engaging the screw threads of the male and female
connectors. Of course, the golf club system may comprise more than
one golf club. For systems having more than one club head section,
additional club head sections are provided, preferably from
different sizes of golf clubs, which are then attached to either a
male or a female connector, consistent with the other club or clubs
in the system. In this manner a golf club system may have a grip
component and a plurality of club head components. For example, the
system may comprise a first shaft member associated with a grip and
a male connector, as well as a plurality of second shaft members
each associated with a respective female connector and one of a
putter or wedge club heads.
[0075] Although preferred illustrative embodiments of the present
invention are described above, it will be evident to one skilled in
the art that various changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the invention. It is intended in the appended claims
to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the
true spirit and scope of the invention.
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