U.S. patent application number 12/282325 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for sporting article with adjustable weight configuration.
This patent application is currently assigned to POWER GOLF CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Ettore Casati, JR..
Application Number | 20100075773 12/282325 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38474576 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100075773 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Casati, JR.; Ettore |
March 25, 2010 |
Sporting Article With Adjustable Weight Configuration
Abstract
A sporting article having moveable weight members of various
weight values that may be positioned along a guide in various
configurations, for example, transversally, longitudinally and/or
diagonally, at various positions and angles on the sporting article
so that the user may properly adjust the weight distribution of the
sporting article to perform a desired shot or improve
maneuverability.
Inventors: |
Casati, JR.; Ettore;
(Brossard, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POLSINELLI SHUGHART PC
700 W. 47TH STREET, SUITE 1000
KANSAS CITY
MO
64112-1802
US
|
Assignee: |
POWER GOLF CORPORATION
Brossard
QC
|
Family ID: |
38474576 |
Appl. No.: |
12/282325 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
March 9, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA2007/000387 |
371 Date: |
November 4, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60780344 |
Mar 9, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/334 ;
473/519 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 5/075 20130101;
A63B 2053/0491 20130101; A63B 53/0466 20130101; A63B 60/52
20151001; A63B 49/02 20130101; A63B 53/14 20130101; A63B 59/00
20130101; A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 53/06 20130101; A63B 69/3638
20130101; A63B 60/22 20151001; A63B 60/24 20151001; A63B 60/04
20151001; A63B 53/04 20130101; A63B 60/54 20151001; A63B 60/02
20151001; A63B 69/3635 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/334 ;
473/519 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/06 20060101
A63B053/06 |
Claims
1. A sporting article comprising: at least one body portion
providing a guide, said at least one body portion defining a
generally longitudinal length, a generally transversal length and a
generally diagonal length thereof; and said guide comprising at
least two guide sections; and at least one moveable weight member
for being moveably engaged to said guide; wherein each of said
guide sections provides for selectively moving said moveable weight
member along at least one of said generally longitudinal, generally
transversal and generally diagonal lengths of said at least one
body portion.
2. A The sporting article according to claim 1, wherein said at
least two guide sections comprise discontinuous guide sections.
3.-5. (canceled)
6. A The sporting article according to claim 1, wherein said at
least two guide sections comprise contiguous guide sections.
7.-10. (canceled)
11. A The sporting article according to claim 1, wherein each of
said guide sections comprise a channel and wherein said moveable
weight member comprises: an external element for being positioned
externally relative to said channel; an internal element for being
positioned within said channel; and an intermediate element for
mounting said external and internal elements thereon near opposite
ends thereof; wherein when engaging said moveable weight member to
one of said channel, selective actuation of said intermediate
element provides for moving said external and internal elements
closer to one another along said intermediate element causing said
external and internal elements to respectively frictionally abut an
external surface said body portion and an internal surface of said
channel thereby locking said moveable weight member at a given
position along said channel.
12. The sporting article according to claim 11, wherein said
channel comprises a slot having a size smaller than the size of
said internal element, thereby preventing said moveable weight
member from being removed from said guide sections.
13. The sporting article according to claim 12, wherein at least
one of said guide sections has a slot comprising an opening having
a size greater than the size of said internal element, thereby
providing for the removal of said moveable weight member from said
at least one of said guide sections.
14. The sporting article according to claim 1, further comprising:
positioning indicators provided on said at least one body portion
along said guide; wherein said moveable weight member is configured
to be lockingly positioned at a desired position indicated by a
given said positioning indicators along said guide.
15. (canceled)
16. A sporting article comprising: a guide channel formed within at
least one body portion of said sporting article; and at least one
moveable weight member for being moveably engaged within said guide
channel, said moveable weight member comprising: an external
element for being positioned externally relative to said guide
channel; an internal element for being positioned within said guide
channel; and an intermediate element for mounting said external and
internal elements thereon near opposite ends thereof; wherein when
mounting said moveable weight member to said guide channel,
selective actuation of said intermediate element provides for
moving said external and internal elements closer to one another
along said intermediate element causing said external and internal
elements to respectively frictionally abut an external surface said
body portion and an internal surface of said guide channel thereby
locking said moveable weight member at a given position along said
guide channel.
17. (canceled)
18. The sporting article according to claim 16, wherein said at
least one body portion defines a generally longitudinal length, a
generally transversal length and a generally diagonal length
thereof and wherein said guide channel provides for selectively
moving said moveable weight member along at least one of said
generally longitudinal, generally transversal and generally
diagonal lengths of said at least one body portion.
19. The sporting article according to claim 16, wherein said guide
channel comprises at least two guide channel sections.
20. The sporting article according to claim 18, wherein said at
least two guide channel sections comprise discontinuous guide
channel sections.
21.-23. (canceled)
24. The sporting article according to claim 18, wherein said at
least two guide channel sections comprise contiguous guide channel
sections.
25.-27. (canceled)
28. The sporting article according claim 19, wherein said guide
channel sections comprise a slot having a size smaller than the
size of said internal element, thereby preventing said moveable
weight member from being removed from said guide channel
sections.
29. The sporting article according to claim 28, wherein at least
one of said guide channel sections has a slot comprising an opening
having a size greater than the size of said internal element,
thereby providing for the removal of said moveable weight member
from said at least one of said guide channel sections.
30. The sporting article according to claim 16, further comprising:
positioning indicators provided on said at least one body portion
along said guide channel; wherein said moveable weight member is
configured to be lockingly positioned at a desired position
indicated by a given said positioning indicators along said guide
channel.
31. (canceled)
32. A sporting article comprising: a guide provided on at least one
body portion of said sporting article; positioning indicators being
provided on said at least one body portion along said guide; and at
least one moveable weight member for being moveably mounted to said
guide; wherein said moveable weight member is configured to be
lockingly positioned at a desired position indicated by a given
said positioning indicators along said guide.
33. (canceled)
34. The sporting article according to claim 32, wherein said at
least one body portion defines a generally longitudinal length, a
generally transversal length and a generally diagonal length
thereof and wherein said guide provides for selectively moving said
moveable weight member along at least one of said generally
longitudinal, generally transversal and generally diagonal lengths
of said at least one body portion.
35. The sporting article according to claim 34, wherein said guide
comprises at least two guide sections.
36. The sporting article according to claim 35, wherein said at
least two guide sections comprise discontinuous guide sections.
37.-39. (canceled)
40. The sporting article according to claim 35, wherein said at
least two guide sections comprise contiguous guide sections.
41.-44. (canceled)
45. The sporting article according to claim 32, wherein each of aid
guide sections comprise a channel and wherein said moveable weight
member comprises: an external element for being positioned
externally relative to said channel; an internal element for being
positioned within said channel; and an intermediate element for
mounting said external and internal elements thereon near opposite
ends thereof; wherein when engaging said moveable weight member to
one of said channel, selective actuation of said intermediate
element provides for moving said external and internal elements
closer to one another along said intermediate element causing said
external and internal elements to respectively frictionally abut an
external surface said body portion and an internal surface of said
channel thereby locking said moveable weight member at a given
position along said channel.
46. The sporting article according to claims 45, wherein said
channel comprises a slot having a size smaller than the size of
said internal element, thereby preventing said moveable weight
member from being removed from said guide sections.
47. The sporting article according to claim 46, wherein at least
one of said guide sections has a slot comprising an opening having
a size greater than the size of said internal element, thereby
providing for the removal of said moveable weight member from said
at least one of said guide sections.
48. (canceled)
49. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefits of U.S.
provisional patent application No. 60/780,344 filed Mar. 9, 2006,
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a sporting article with an
adjustable weight configuration. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a golf club head with an adjustable weight
configuration.
BACKGROUND
[0003] When practicing sports, the weight balance of a sporting
article may have an impact on the performance of the user, be the
sporting article be a golf club, racket, a hockey stick, a ski,
etc.
[0004] For example, when swinging a golf club at a golf ball, some
golfers have a swing such that the heel portion of the golf club
head tends to move faster than the toe portion. This results in the
heel portion arriving ahead of the toe portion at impact, causing
the impact surface to be misoriented. This is what is commonly
referred to as a "slice". Conversely, some golfers have a swing
such that the toe portion of the golf club head tends to move
faster than the heel portion. This results in the toe portion
arriving ahead of the heel portion at impact, causing the impact
surface to be misoriented. This is what is commonly referred to as
a "hook".
[0005] Thus, golf club heads are configured in a variety of
geometries in order to move the weight of the golf club head to
points that enhance stability, i.e. more weight at either the heel
or toe portion slows down that portion during the swing. These
points differ from one model of golf club to another.
[0006] While common golf clubs operate satisfactorily, most of the
weighted golf club heads suffer from the limitation that their
weight distribution cannot be readily altered to customize the golf
club to the needs of a particular golfer. Other sporting articles
suffer from
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention relates a sporting article comprising
at least one body portion providing a guide, the at least one body
portion defining a generally longitudinal length, a generally
transversal length and a generally diagonal length thereof, the
guide comprising at least two guide sections, and at least one
moveable weight member for being moveably engaged to the guide.
Each of the guide sections providing for selectively moving the
moveable weight member along at least one of the generally
longitudinal, generally transversal and generally diagonal lengths
of the at least one body portion.
[0008] The present invention also relates to a sporting article
comprising a guide channel formed within at least one body portion
of the sporting article and at least one moveable weight member for
being moveably engaged within the guide channel. The moveable
weight member comprises an external element for being positioned
externally relative to the guide channel, an internal element for
being positioned within the guide channel and an intermediate
element for mounting the external and internal elements thereon
near opposite ends thereof. When mounting the moveable weight
member to the guide channel, selective actuation of the
intermediate element provides for moving the external and internal
elements closer to one another along the intermediate element
causing the external and internal elements to respectively
frictionally abut an external surface the body portion and an
internal surface of the guide channel thereby locking the moveable
weight member at a given position along the guide channel.
[0009] The present invention further relates to a sporting article
comprising a guide provided on at least one body portion of the
sporting article, positioning indicators being provided on the at
least one body portion along the guide and at least one moveable
weight member for being moveably mounted to the guide. The moveable
weight member being configured to be lockingly positioned at a
desired position indicated by a given positioning indicators along
the guide.
[0010] The present invention further still relates to a weight
member for a sporting article having a guide channel formed within
at least one body portion thereof, the weight member being moveably
engaged within the guide channel. The weight member comprising an
external element for being positioned externally relative to the
guide channel, an internal element for being positioned within the
guide channel and an intermediate element for mounting the external
and internal elements thereon near opposite ends thereof. When
engaging the weight member to the guide channel, selective
actuation of the intermediate element provides for moving the
external and internal elements closer to one another along the
intermediate element causing the external and internal elements to
respectively frictionally abut an external surface the body portion
and an internal surface of the guide channel thereby locking the
weight member at a given position along the guide channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Non-limitative illustrative embodiments of the Invention
will now be described by way of examples only with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a back view of a golf club head provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a
moveable weight member and a corresponding guide section in an
unlocked position;
[0015] FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of the moveable weight
member and corresponding guide section of FIG. 3A in a locked
position;
[0016] FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of
a moveable weight member and a corresponding guide section in an
unlocked position;
[0017] FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of the moveable weight
member and corresponding guide section of FIG. 4A in a locked
position;
[0018] FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of a third embodiment of a
moveable weight member and a corresponding guide section in an
unlocked position;
[0019] FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view of the moveable weight
member and corresponding guide section of FIG. 5A in a locked
position;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a toe side view of the golf club head of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a back view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 with
the adjustable weight configuration disposed in a first sample
configuration; and
[0022] FIG. 8 is a back view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 with
the adjustable weight configuration disposed in a second sample
configuration.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a back view of a golf club head provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a back view of a golf club head provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a third embodiment of
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a back view of a golf club head provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a fourth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a back view of a golf club head provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a fifth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a front view of a racket provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a sixth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a side view of the racket of FIG. 13;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a front view of a hockey stick provided with an
adjustable weight configuration according to a seventh embodiment
of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a top view of a ski provided with an adjustable
weight configuration according to an eight embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0031] FIG. 17 is a top view of a ski provided with an adjustable
weight configuration according to a ninth embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Generally stated, the illustrative embodiments of the
present invention provide sporting articles for users of all
calibers; from amateur to professional. The present invention
allows the user to adjust the weight distribution of the sporting
article in order to customize it to his or her particular needs.
Moveable weight members of various weight values may be positioned
along a guide in various configurations, for example,
transversally, longitudinally and/or diagonally, at various
positions and angles on the sporting article so that the user may
properly adjust the weight distribution of the sporting article to
perform a desired shot or improve maneuverability.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an example of a
sporting article in the form of a golf club head 100 having a hosel
11, to connect the golf club head 100 to a golf club shaft (not
shown), a crown portion 12, a sole portion 13, a toe portion 14, a
heel portion 15, a face portion 16 with an impact surface 17 and a
rear portion 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the golf club head
100 includes two moveable weight members 40 and 50, which may be
positioned in various configurations along transversal 22 and
longitudinal 24 guide sections. It is to be understood that in
alternative embodiments the number of moveable weight members may
vary as well as the number of transversal and longitudinal guide
sections, and may also include diagonal guide sections.
[0034] Furthermore, in this particular example the illustrated golf
club head 100 is that of a driver. However, it is to be understood
that the adjustable weight configuration may be applied to any
other type of golf club head such as, for example, irons, wedges
(pitching (pw), gap (gw), sand (sw), lobe (lw)) or a putter, made
of whatever type of material.
[0035] The first moveable weight member 40 is generally displaced
along the transversal guide section 22, which runs on the rear
portion 18 of the golf club head 100 from its toe portion 14 to its
heel portion 15, while the second moveable weight member 50 is
generally displaced along the longitudinal guide section 24, which
runs on the rear portion 18 of the golf club head 100 from its
crown portion 12 to its sole portion 13. It is to be understood,
however, that both moveable weight members 40 and 50 may be
displaced along either or both the transversal guide section 22 and
the longitudinal guide section 24.
[0036] The moveable weight members 40 and 50 typically weigh
between 0.2 g and 1.0 g. However, it is to be understood that the
weight value of the moveable weight members 40, 50 are given as
examples only; other weight values may be used depending on the
desired weight distribution, the type of club, gender and size of
the golfer, etc. It is further to be understood that the weight
values may also vary depending on the type of sporting article and
its intended use.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, there is shown a cross
sectional view of the interaction between the first moveable weight
member 40 and the transversal guide section 22. It is to be
understood that the first moveable weight member 40 may similarly
interact with the longitudinal guide section 24 and that the second
moveable weight member 50 may similarly interact with either or
both of the transversal 22 and longitudinal 24 guide sections.
[0038] The first moveable weight member 40 includes an external
element 40a, an intermediate element in the form of a locking
element 41, which includes a head portion 43, a threaded body 45
and a blocking portion 47, and an internal element 49. The threaded
body 45 operatively engages the internal element 49, which has a
complementary thread pattern. The blocking portion 47 ensuring that
the internal element 49 remains operatively connected to the
locking element 41.
[0039] The first moveable weight member 40 may be engaged to the
golf club head 100 by inserting the internal element 49 into the
transversal guide section 22, which forms a channel within the golf
club head 100, through an opening 26 which is located near the heel
portion 15, the locking element 41 protruding from a slot 22a in
the transversal guide section 22 such that the external element 40a
rests on the outer surface 10 of the golf club head 100. It is to
be understood that the opening 26 may be located at the toe portion
14, along the longitudinal guide section 24 or may be absent
altogether in an alternative embodiment were the moveable weight
members 40 and 50 are not removable.
[0040] Although not illustrated, it is to be understood that the
second moveable weight member 50 may be described in a similar
fashion as the first moveable weight member 40. Furthermore, the
second moveable weight member 50 may be engaged to the transversal
22 and longitudinal 24 guide sections in a fashion similar to the
first moveable weight member 40.
Locking
[0041] Rotating the head portion 43 of the locking element 41 in a
first direction results in the external element 40a and the
internal element 49 moving towards each other. The size of the
external 40a and internal 49 elements being greater than the slot
22a of the transversal guide section 22, the external 40a and
internal 49 elements respectively frictionally abut the outer
surface 10 of the golf club head 100 and part of the internal
surface 22b of the transversal guide section 22, thereby locking
the first moveable weight member 40 at a given position along the
transversal guide section 22, as best seen in FIG. 3B.
[0042] Advantageously, the geometry of the internal element 49 may
be such as to be complementary to the geometry of the transversal
guide section 22 so as to maximize the contact between the internal
element 49 and part of the internal surface 22b of the transversal
guide section 22.
Unlocking
[0043] Rotating the head portion 43 of the locking element 41 in a
second opposite direction results in the external element 40a and
the internal element 49 moving away from each other, thus unlocking
the first moveable weight member 40 and allowing for a space 19 to
be created between the external element 40a and the outer surface
10 of the golf club head 100 so that the first moveable weight
member 40 may be moved along the transversal guide section 22, as
best seen in FIG. 3A. As previously mentioned, the blocking portion
47 ensures that in an unlocked position the internal element 49
remains operatively connected to the locking element 41.
[0044] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B show alternative embodiments of the
internal element 49', 49'' and corresponding transversal guide
section 22', 22'' having complimentary geometries. It is to be
understood that other geometries may be used as well.
[0045] It is also to be understood that other locking means may be
used in order to secure the moveable weight member 40 in a desired
position and to release it in order to modify the weight
configuration of the sporting article.
[0046] Although the above description makes reference to the
transversal guide section 22, it is further to be understood that
it may similarly apply to the longitudinal guide section 24 (or
even a diagonal guide section in an alternative embodiment).
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the transversal 22 and
longitudinal 24 guide sections may be of various length. For
example, in the illustrated embodiment the transversal guide
section 22 may be of a length such that the first moveable weight
member 40 may have a range of possible positions from line 62, at
the heel portion 15, to line 64, at the toe portion 14, of about
110.degree. along the rear portion 18. The extreme positions of the
first moveable weight member 40 are identified by numerals 40' and
40''. It is to be understood that the range of possible positions
may be other than 110.degree. , for example 120.degree. if we use
positions from line 62' to line 64.
[0048] The moveable weight members 40 and 50 may also include
transversal and/or longitudinal position indicators. In the
illustrated embodiment the first moveable weight member 40 includes
a transversal 42 and longitudinal 44 position indicator while the
second moveable weight member 50 includes a longitudinal position
indicator 34. Complementary transversal 32 and longitudinal 34
position markers may also be provided on the golf club head 100 so
that a golfer may remember the position of the moveable weight
members 40 and 50 in a desired weight configuration. Furthermore,
the user may wish to use various weight configurations depending on
the desired effect or shot.
[0049] It is to be understood that in the case of alternative
embodiments having diagonal guide sections, the moveable weight
members 40 and 50 may also include diagonal position indicators
(not shown).
[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there are shown two examples
of weight configurations. In particular, FIG. 8 shows a
configuration with only the first moveable weight member 40
present, which is positioned in the longitudinal guide section 24,
thus the presence of the longitudinal indicator 44. The FIG. 8
configuration illustrates that the first moveable weight member 40,
may be used in the longitudinal guide section 24 as well as the
transversal guide section 22 and that moveable weight members are
not restricted to a specific guide section.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, there are shown further
illustrative embodiments of gold club heads 200, 300, 400 and 500
having various combinations of transversal, longitudinal and
diagonal guide sections. More specifically, FIG. 9 shows a golf
club head 200 having a transversal guide section 22 and two
longitudinal guide sections 23, 25, a first longitudinal guide
section 23 biased towards the heel portion 15 and a second
longitudinal guide section 25 biased towards the toe portion
14.
[0052] FIG. 10 shows a golf club head 300 having a longitudinal
guide section 24 and two transversal guide sections 21, 22, a first
transversal guide section 21 biased towards the sole portion 13 and
a second transversal guide section 22 biased towards the crown
portion 12.
[0053] As for FIG. 11, it shows a golf club head 400 having two
transversal guide sections 21, 22 a first transversal guide section
21 biased towards the sole portion 13 and a second transversal
guide section 22 biased towards the crown portion 12, and two
longitudinal guide sections 23, 25, a first longitudinal guide
section 23 biased towards the heel portion 15 and a second
longitudinal guide section 25 biased towards the toe portion
14.
[0054] Finally, FIG. 12 shows a golf club head 500 having a
transversal guide section 22, a longitudinal guide section 25,
biased towards the heel portion 15, and a diagonal guide section
47, biased towards the toe portion 14.
[0055] It is to be understood that the illustrative embodiments of
FIGS. 9 to 12 are not meant to be exhaustive and that many other
embodiments having various combinations of transversal and/or
longitudinal and/or diagonal guide sections may be used, as well as
embodiments with discontinuous guide sections.
[0056] Although a golf club head was used as an example of a
sporting article in the above description, it is to be understood
that the adjustable weight configuration may also be used with
other sporting articles such as, for example, racquets (tennis,
badminton, squash, racquetball, ping pong, etc.), hockey sticks,
skis, curling brooms, polo sticks, baseball bats, croquet sticks,
cricket sticks, lacrosse sticks or any other sporting goods where
repartition of the weight balance may have an impact on the user's
performance and/or use of the sporting article.
[0057] For example, FIGS. 13 and 14 show a racket 600 having a
guide section 692, with opening 696, running along a portion of the
frame 662 of the racket head 664. A moveable weight member 690,
with locking element 691, is engaged to the guide section 692 and
may be moved along the guide section 692 so as to modify the
balance of the racket 600 by locking it into place using the
locking element 691. The moveable weight member 690 may be engaged
or removed from the guide section 692 using the guide section
opening 696.
[0058] In another example, FIG. 15 shows a hockey stick 700 having
a guide section 792, with opening 796, running along a portion of
the shaft 762 of the hockey stick 700. A moveable weight member
790, with locking element 791, is engaged to the guide section 792
and may be moved along the guide section 792 so as to modify the
balance of the hockey stick 700 by locking it into place using the
locking element 791. The moveable weight members 790 may be engaged
or removed from the guide section 792 using the guide section
opening 796. It is to be understood that the guide section 792 may
be positioned at different locations on the hockey stick 700 and
that multiple guide sections and/or moveable weight members may be
used.
[0059] In a further example, FIG. 16 shows a ski 800 having a guide
section 892, with opening 896, running along a portion of the upper
surface 862 of the ski 800. A moveable weight member 890, with
locking element 891, is engaged to the guide section 892 and may be
moved along the guide section 892 so as to modify the balance of
the ski 800 by locking it into place using the locking element 891.
The moveable weight members 890 may be engaged or removed from the
guide section 892 using the guide section opening 896. It is to be
understood that the guide section 892 may be positioned at
different locations on the ski 800 and that multiple guide sections
and/or moveable weight members may be used.
[0060] In yet another example, FIG. 17 shows a ski 900 having a
first 992 and second guide section 993, with opening 996, running
along a portion of the upper surface 962 of the ski 900, the first
992 and second 993 guide sections crossing each other at an angle.
A moveable weight member 990, with locking element 991, is engaged
to the guide section 992 and may be moved along the either of the
first 992 and second 993 guide section so as to modify the balance
of the ski 900 by locking it into place using the locking element
991. The moveable weight members 990 may be engaged or removed from
the guide section 992 using the guide section opening 996. It is to
be understood that the first 992 and second 993 guide section may
be positioned at different locations on the ski 900, at various
angle and that multiple guide sections and/or moveable weight
members may be used.
[0061] It is to be understood that in the illustrative embodiments
of FIGS. 13 to 17 the moveable weight members 690, 790, 890 and 990
may be permanently engaged to their respective guide sections 692,
792, 892 and 992, in which case openings 696, 796, 986 and 996 may
be omitted. It is also to be understood that although not shown,
the locking elements 691, 791, 891 and 991 may be similar to the
locking element 41 shown in FIGS. 3A to 5B.
[0062] It is further to be understood that the illustrative
embodiments of FIGS. 13 to 17 are not meant to be exhaustive and
that many other embodiments the adjustable weight configuration may
be used with other sporting articles and in various other
configurations.
[0063] It is to also be understood that the various features of the
various embodiments described above may be combined in a variety of
ways within the context of the present invention.
[0064] Although the present invention has been described by way of
a non-limitative illustrative embodiments and examples thereof, it
will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that modifications
may be applied to the illustrative embodiments without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
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