U.S. patent application number 12/075824 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-17 for golf club with interchangeable shaft.
Invention is credited to Ren Jei Liou.
Application Number | 20090233728 12/075824 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41063659 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090233728 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liou; Ren Jei |
September 17, 2009 |
Golf club with interchangeable shaft
Abstract
A golf club with an interchangeable shaft that allows
conventional shafts to be inserted into a golf club head. An
adaptor is securely attached to the bottom end of the shaft. The
adaptor is screwed into the hosel on the golf club head. A spacer
element is positioned between the adaptor and the hosel to provide
a surface against which the adaptor is tightened. A set screw
passes through the hosel to securely hold the adaptor and shaft in
place within the club head and keep the shaft from rotating with
respect to the club head.
Inventors: |
Liou; Ren Jei; (Rowland
Heights, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNECHTEL, DEMEUR & SAMLAN
525 W. MONROE STREET, SUITE 2360
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
41063659 |
Appl. No.: |
12/075824 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/288 ;
473/307 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/023 20200801;
A63B 53/02 20130101; A63B 53/027 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/288 ;
473/307 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/16 20060101
A63B053/16 |
Claims
1. A golf club comprising: a golf club head having a top portion, a
heel end, a toe end, a face, a bottom and a hosel extending up from
the top portion, the hosel having an open top and an internally
threaded bore, the bore extending longitudinally through the hosel
for providing a passageway into the golf club head, an adaptor
having a top, a center portion and a bottom, a ledge disposed
between the top and center portion, at least a portion of the
adaptor having exterior threads for threadedly engaging the
internally threaded bore for connecting the adaptor to the hosel,
the adaptor having a central passageway extending from the top to
the bottom of the adaptor, a golf club shaft having a distal end
received in the central passageway, mechanical locking means for
retaining the adaptor in the threaded bore, and spacer means
disposed between the open top of the hosel and the ledge on the
adaptor for providing an interface between the hosel and the ledge
against which the adaptor is tightened when screwing the adaptor
into the hosel.
2. The golf club of claim 1 wherein the golf club is a right handed
golf club and the exterior threads on the adaptor are left handed
threads causing the adaptor to tighten against the spacer means
during swinging of the golf club.
3. The golf club of claim 1 wherein the adaptor and head are made
of metals selected from the group of titanium, titanium alloys,
steel and steel alloys and the spacer is made of softer metal.
4. The golf club of claim 1 wherein the mechanical locking means
comprises a threaded passageway extending through a wall of the
hosel and into the threaded bore, a screw having complimentary
threads and received into the threaded passageway, the screw
engaging in locking relationship the adaptor.
5. The golf club of claim 1 and further comprising an adhesive for
securing the golf club shaft in the central passageway.
6. The golf club of claim 1 and further comprising a stop at the
bottom of the adaptor for providing a stopping point which the
shaft cannot extend beyond when the shaft is received in the
central passageway.
7. The golf club of claim 1 wherein a portion of the central
passageway in the adaptor extends from the top of the hosel into
the golf club head whereby the golf club shaft extends into the
golf club head when the adaptor is screwed into the hosel and
engages the spacer means.
8. The golf club of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the shaft is
a constant diameter and the central passageway is of constant
diameter to receive the distal end.
9. The golf club of claim 1 wherein the golf club is a left handed
golf club and the exterior threads on the adaptor are right handed
threads causing the adaptor to tighten against the spacer means
during swinging of the golf club.
10. A golf club comprising: a golf club head having a body with a
top portion, a heel end, a toe end, a face and a bottom, the body
having a hosel with an open top end and a bore, at least a portion
of the bore being threaded, the bore having a length extending from
the open end to the body, a golf club shaft having a proximal end
and a distal end, an adaptor having an open top, an outside wall
and a central passageway for receiving the distal end of the golf
club shaft, the adaptor further having exterior threads for
threadedly engaging the threaded portion of the bore, the adaptor
having a length longer than the hosel's length so that it extends
into the body when fully inserted into the hosel, mechanical
locking means engaging the adaptor for retaining the adaptor in the
bore, means disposed between the adaptor and the hosel for
providing an interface member against which the adaptor and hosel
can be tightened to securely attach the adaptor to the body.
11. The golf club of claim 10 wherein the bottom of the golf club
head rests on a flat horizontal surface and the golf club shaft
when mounted in the hosel defines a lie angle with respect to the
flat horizontal surface.
12. The golf club of claim 12 wherein the central passageway has a
longitudinal axis that is offset by a predetermined angle with
respect to the outside wall of the adaptor for adjusting the angle
of the golf club shaft with respect to the hosel thereby changing
the lie angle.
13. The golf club of claim 13 wherein the longitudinal axis is
offset by an angle with respect to the outer wall of the adaptor by
1/2 degree to 21/2 degrees.
14. The golf club of claim 10 and wherein the means disposed
between the adaptor and the hosel for providing an interface
comprises spacer means disposed the open top end of the hosel and
the adaptor.
15. The golf club of claim 10 wherein the mechanical locking means
comprises a threaded passageway extending through a wall of the
hosel and into the threaded bore, a screw having complimentary
threads and received into the threaded passageway, the screw
engaging in locking relationship the adaptor.
16. The golf club of claim 15 wherein the adaptor and head are made
of metals selected from the group of titanium, titanium alloys,
steel and steel alloys and the spacer is made of softer metal.
17. The golf club of claim 15 wherein the golf club is a right
handed golf club and the exterior threads on the adaptor are left
handed threads causing the adaptor to tighten against the spacer
means during swinging of the golf club.
18. The golf club of claim 10 and further comprising an adhesive
for securing the distal end of the golf club shaft in the central
passageway.
19. The golf club of claim 10 and further comprising a stop at the
bottom of the adaptor for providing a stopping point which the
shaft cannot extend beyond when the shaft is received in the
central passageway.
20. The golf club of claim 15 wherein a portion of the central
passageway in the adaptor extends from the top of the hosel into
the golf club head whereby the golf club shaft extends into the
golf club head when the adaptor is screwed into the hosel and
engages the spacer.
21. The golf club of claim 15 wherein a portion of the central
passageway in the adaptor extends from the top of the hosel into
the golf club head whereby the golf club shaft extends into the
golf club head when the adaptor is screwed into the hosel and
engages the spacer.
Description
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to golf clubs and more particularly
to a golf club having an interchangeable golf club shaft by which
any of a plurality of golf club shafts can be installed in the club
head.
II. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Improvements in golf clubs enable golfers to customize their
clubs to their particular swing. For example, modifications in the
angle of the shaft to the club face can adjust the loft or the lie
of the club. Similarly, different shafts have different
characteristics that are better suited to a particular swing.
Shafts are made from different materials, with the most popular
being steel or graphite with different amounts of flex that are
better suited for a given swing speed. Golf clubs that allow a
player to easily change the shaft while utilizing the same club
head allow a player to easily change the characteristics of a golf
club without necessarily purchasing a completely new set of
clubs.
[0003] Applicant's invention allows the player to easily change the
playing characteristics of the golf club by changing the shaft
attached to the club head. A standard diameter shaft is used
eliminating the necessity for using specially manufactured shafts.
The shaft has an adaptor mounted to the distal or bottom end of the
shaft. The adaptor is threaded on the outside. The hosel on the
golf club head has an internal bore that has complementary threads
to threadedly receive the adaptor. The adaptor is screwed into the
hosel so that the adaptor and the shaft are securely received into
the club head. A spacer ring made of a softer metal than the hosel
is placed between the hosel and a collar on the adaptor so that the
adaptor is screwed down tightly against the spacer rather than
against the hosel. This allows the shaft to be unscrewed when the
shaft is to be changed. The shaft extends into the head so that it
maintains the same feel and playability as a standard attached
shaft. A set screw passes through the hosel and locks against the
adaptor to securely retain the shaft in the club head.
III. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf
club with interchangeable golf shafts. It is a related object to
provide a golf club that uses a golf club shaft with an adaptor
attached to its distal end, the adaptor received in the golf club
head.
[0005] It is another object to provide a golf club in which the
golf club shaft can be unscrewed from the golf club head and
replaced with another golf club shaft having different
characteristics.
[0006] Yet another object is to provide a golf club with an
interchangeable shaft that uses a spacer between the adaptor and
the hosel on the golf club head so that the adaptor is securely
tightened against the spacer rather than directly against the golf
club head.
[0007] Still another object is to provide a golf club that has a
set screw passing through the hosel to secure the shaft
mechanically within the golf club head.
IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view with portions removed
of the inventive golf club illustrating the various components
including the shaft, club head, adaptor, spacer and set screw.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the adaptor.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the adaptor and hosel
with portions removed showing the shaft removed from the adaptor
and the adaptor screwed against the spacer into the hosel, and the
set screw screwed into the hosel.
[0011] FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view with portions removed of
an alternate embodiment in which the shaft is at an angle with
respect to the longitudinal axis of the adaptor to increase the lie
of the golf club head.
[0012] FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view with portions removed of
another alternate embodiment in which the shaft is at an angle with
respect to the longitudinal axis of the adaptor to decrease the lie
of the golf club head.
V. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Turning first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the first
embodiment of a golf club 10 of the present invention. There is a
conventional shaft 12 that is preferably made of steel or graphite.
The shaft 10 has an upper or grasping end 14 and a bottom or distal
end 16. The diameter of the shaft is also of conventional design,
with the bottom or distal end having a constant diameter.
[0014] A club head 18 can be a wood, iron, hybrid or any other golf
club head as the invention is not restricted to being used on any
one particular golf club head. The club head has a top portion 20,
a toe, 22, a face 24, a heel 26, and a bottom 28. There is a hosel
30 extending up from the top portion where it joins with the heel
26. The hosel 30 has a diameter "D" that is greater than those of
conventional golf clubs as will be described later.
[0015] The hosel 30 has a bore 32 with interior threads 34. There
is a top 36 which defines the end of the hosel and its length above
the top portion 20 of the club head 18. Preferably the bore 32
extends from the top 36 into the club head 18 beyond the top
portion 20.
[0016] An adaptor 40 provides the interface between the shaft 12
and the hosel 30. The adaptor is preferably made of metal, but it
can be made of hard plastic or other suitable material having the
desired characteristics to accomplish the purpose of an interface
piece. Looking at FIGS. 2 and 3, the adaptor 40 is substantially
cylindrical in design. There is a passageway 41 extending from a
top portion 42 to a bottom portion 50. There is a pair of opposite
flats 44 on the top portions 42 to provide a surface which can
easily be engaged by a wrench or pliers. Below the top portion 42
is a center cylindrical portion 46 which has exterior threads 48.
Below the center portion 46 is the cylindrical bottom portion
50.
[0017] As seen in FIG. 3 there is a shoulder 52 in the bottom
portion 50 of the passageway 41. A stop 54 is inserted into the
passageway 41 through the top portion 42 and pushed down to the
shoulder 52 where it provides a fixed bottom plate.
[0018] The golf club 10 is assembled as follows. The distal end of
the shaft 16 is inserted through a tapered sleeve 55 which provides
a clean transition from the top portion 42 of the adaptor 40 to the
shaft 12. This is not required to practice the invention, but gives
an aesthetically pleasing look to the finished club. The distal end
16 is then inserted into the passageway 41 in top portion 42 of the
adaptor 40. A small amount of glue or adhesive is placed in the
passageway 41 or on the distal end of the shaft 16. This helps in
securely retaining the shaft in the adaptor, yet can be loosened by
a skilled club maker to insert a different shaft. The distal end 16
is pushed into the adaptor 40 until the distal end 16 engages the
stop 54. This completes the assembly of the adaptor onto the end of
the shaft.
[0019] A spacer 56, which is a circular ring with a central hole,
is placed over the bottom portion 50 of the adaptor. The central
hole is slightly larger than the diameter of the center portion 46
of the adaptor so that the spacer can be slid up over the bottom
portion 50, past the center portion 46 and up to the top portion
42. There is a ledge 58 separating the top portion 42 and the
center portion 46. The ledge 58 provides a shoulder which the
spacer 56 engages and is secured against, and restricts any further
lateral movement of the spacer 56 along the adaptor 40.
[0020] The club head as illustrated in FIG. 1 is a right handed
club. Normally one would expect the adaptor 40 with the shaft
inserted into it, to be screwed into the hosel by turning the shaft
clockwise, such as required with right handed threads. However, the
exterior threads 48 and the complementary interior threads 34 are
left handed threads. This means that the shaft 12 is rotated
counter clockwise in order to screw the adaptor into the hosel 30.
The shaft 12 is rotated until the ledge 58 on the top 42 securely
engages the spacer 56 against the top of the hosel 36. In this
manner the spacer, which is preferably made of a softer metal than
the adaptor or the hosel, absorbs the force of tightening. This
allows the shaft to be more easily unscrewed when it is desired to
change shafts. If one were to have a hard metal interface between
the adaptor and the hosel, such as if the adaptor ledge 58 and the
hosel 30 were both made of titanium or steel, then it would be
extremely difficult to unscrew the two pieces after the golf club
was used. The reason is that with left handed threads, each time
the club strikes a ball, the impact transmits a tightening force to
the adaptor. With the soft metal spacer 56 between the hosel and
the adaptor, the spacer provides a shock absorber and interface
which restricts the ultimate tightening forces between the adaptor
and the hosel. In the case of a left handed club, the threads on
the adaptor and the hosel will be right handed threads.
[0021] A mechanical securing means is provided in order to assist
in securing the adaptor 40 in the hosel 30. As seen in FIGS. 1 and
3, there is a hole 62 radially disposed in the hosel 30. The hole
62 is threaded and receives a set screw 64. Once the adaptor 40 is
screwed into the hosel 30 to the fullest extent, the set screw 64
is turned and tightened against the center portion 46 of the
adaptor 40. To release the adaptor 40 from the hosel 30, the set
screw is merely reversed and unscrewed from engaging the center
portion 46.
[0022] In order to align the adaptor with the hosel when fully
inserted, an indicator mark 66 is placed on the adaptor. A
complementary indicator mark 68 is placed on the hosel. When the
shaft 12 is properly and completed screwed into the hosel 30, the
two indicator marks, 66, 68 will be in alignment. The indicator
marks also can be used to properly align a golf club grip on the
shaft 12 with the club head 18.
[0023] As can be seen, the shaft is of standard design and
dimensions. For this reason, the passageway 41 of the adaptor must
be properly dimensioned to receive the distal end 16 of the shaft
12. The diameter of the center portion 46 will be greater than the
diameter of the distal end 16. Furthermore the diameter of the bore
32 in the hosel 30 will be the same as the diameter of the center
portion 46. This allows the use of standardly available shafts.
When the adaptor 40 is screwed into the hosel 30, the distal end 16
of the shaft 12 extends into the body of the golf club head 18.
This allows the golfer to have the same feeling as a conventionally
mounted shaft. Furthermore the weight of the adaptor 40 is
negligible so there is not substantial weight addition to the golf
club 10.
[0024] In the alternate embodiment as seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the
lie of the club can be adjusted. If a golfer tends to not place his
hands or body in the proper position, it is possible that the
bottom 28 of the club 18 will not lie flat on the ground. In order
to compensate for this, it is possible to use a modified adaptor
40. As seen in FIG. 4A, the hosel 30 has a center line 70 which
runs longitudinally through the center of the hosel. However, the
passageway 41 is not formed along the center line of the adaptor.
Instead it is offset by a predetermined amount in order to
compensate for the players swing. Generally this will be one or two
degrees. This is illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B as the angle
between lines 70 and 72 which represent the center line of the
hosel and the center line of the passageway. As seen, the lie of
the club 18 can be varied by increasing the lie by two degrees as
illustrated by arrow "B" in FIG. 4A and decreasing the lie by two
degrees as illustrated by arrow "C" in FIG. 4B.
[0025] In order to make sure that the lie is properly adjusted, the
shaft is screwed into the hosel so that the indicator marks 66, 68
are aligned. This will insure that the club face is perpendicular
to the direction which the player desires to hit the ball. Other
angles can be formed in the adaptor 40 to accommodate the
golfer.
[0026] Thus there has been provided a golf club with an
interchangeable shaft that fully satisfies the objects and
advantages set forth herein. While the invention has been described
in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.
Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of
the appended claims.
* * * * *