U.S. patent application number 12/687635 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-26 for grip structure with weight and golf club.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nakaba Karube. Invention is credited to Nakaba Karube.
Application Number | 20110124431 12/687635 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42582548 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110124431 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Karube; Nakaba |
May 26, 2011 |
Grip structure with weight and golf club
Abstract
[Subject] The objective is to provide a golf club where a
separation of a weight for swingweight adjustment can be certainly
prevented and the weight can be easily detached/attached and
replaced; concurrently, the center of gravity is slanted toward the
shaft side, and the center of gravity position can be stabilized.
[Resolution Means] A golf club 10 has a grip part 16 and a weight
part 18. A threaded shaft 26 is established at the grip part 16
side, and a female screw part 22 is established in the weight part
18. In the gold club 10, the grip part 16 and the weight part 18
can be integrated in the state where a spring washer 30 is
interposed, by screwing a threaded shaft 26 with a female screw
part 22 under a condition where the spring washer 30 is mounted to
the threaded shaft 26.
Inventors: |
Karube; Nakaba; (Minoh-shi,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Karube; Nakaba
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
42582548 |
Appl. No.: |
12/687635 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/300 ;
473/297 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/22 20151001;
A63B 60/24 20151001; A63B 53/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/300 ;
473/297 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/14 20060101
A63B053/14; A63B 53/16 20060101 A63B053/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 20, 2009 |
JP |
2009-265215 |
Claims
1. A grip structure with a weight, comprising: a grip part, and a
weight part equipped with a weight for swingweight adjustment to be
detachably/attachably mountable to a tip of the grip part, wherein
the center of gravity of the weight part is substantially
positioned on the shaft center of the grip part.
2. The grip structure with a weight according to claim 1, wherein a
threaded shaft is established at either side of the grip part or
the weight part; a female screw part is established at the other
side of the grip part or the weight part where the threaded shaft
is not established; a spring washer is mounted to the threaded
shaft; and the grip part and the weight part can be integrated in
the state where the spring washer is interposed, by screwing the
threaded shaft with a male screw part.
3. The grip structure with a weight according to claim 1, wherein a
convex joining part is established on either one or both of end
surfaces of the grip part or/and the weight part; a concave joining
part that can form a joint structure by fitting into the convex
joining part, is established on either one or both of the end
surfaces of the grip part or/and the weight part; and the grip part
and the weight part are integrable by forming the joint structures
comprising a combination of the convex joining part and the concave
joining part at a plurality of sections.
4. The grip structure with a weight according to claim 1, wherein
the grip part has a cylindrical grip body and a weight connection
part; the weight connection part is placed at the end of the grip
part, and is equipped with a slot and is elastically deformable;
the weight part is equipped with a shaft-like insertion part to be
insertable into the slot, and the insertion part and the weight are
detachably/attachably integrated or integrated as incapable of
detachment/attachment; the insertion part has a diameter-enlarging
part whose external diameter expands to the size more than the
opening size of the slot gradually, and an engagement part that is
positioned at the weight side with regard to the diameter-enlarging
part, and that is engageable with the slot, and a step difference
is formed between the diameter-enlarging part and the engagement
part; and the grip part and the weight part are integrable by
inserting the insertion part into the slot and engaging the
engagement part with the slot.
5. The grip structure with a weight according to claim 4, wherein
the grip body is elastically deformable; and the weight connection
part is harder than the grip body.
6. A golf club equipped with the grip structure with a weight
according to claim 1.
7. The grip structure with a weight according to claim 2, wherein
the grip part has a cylindrical grip body and a weight connection
part; the weight connection part is placed at the end of the grip
part, and is equipped with a slot and is elastically deformable;
the weight part is equipped with a shaft-like insertion part to be
insertable into the slot, and the insertion part and the weight are
detachably/attachably integrated or integrated as incapable of
detachment/attachment; the insertion part has a diameter-enlarging
part whose external diameter expands to the size more than the
opening size of the slot gradually, and an engagement part that is
positioned at the weight side with regard to the diameter-enlarging
part, and that is engageable with the slot, and a step difference
is formed between the diameter-enlarging part and the engagement
part; and the grip part and the weight part are integrable by
inserting the insertion part into the slot and engaging the
engagement part with the slot.
8. The grip structure with a weight according to claim 3, wherein
the grip part has a cylindrical grip body and a weight connection
part; the weight connection part is placed at the end of the grip
part, and is equipped with a slot and is elastically deformable;
the weight part is equipped with a shaft-like insertion part to be
insertable into the slot, and the insertion part and the weight are
detachably/attachably integrated or integrated as incapable of
detachment/attachment; the insertion part has a diameter-enlarging
part whose external diameter expands to the size more than the
opening size of the slot gradually, and an engagement part that is
positioned at the weight side with regard to the diameter-enlarging
part, and that is engageable with the slot, and a step difference
is formed between the diameter-enlarging part and the engagement
part; and the grip part and the weight part are integrable by
inserting the insertion part into the slot and engaging the
engagement part with the slot.
9. A golf club equipped with the grip structure with a weight
according to claim 2.
10. A golf club equipped with the grip structure with a weight
according to claim 3.
11. A golf club equipped with the grip structure with a weight
according to claim 4.
12. A golf club equipped with the grip structure with a weight
according to claim 5.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a grip structure where a
weight is mounted for a golf club or the like, and it has a special
feature in the fixation structure of swingweight.
BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY
[0002] Conventionally, a golf club where a weight for swingweight
adjustment secured to a shaft or grip with inserting or a screw has
been provided, and specifically, for example, golf clubs equipped
with a swingweight disclosed in Patent Literature 1 to Patent
Literature 3 are provided.
[0003] In the golf club disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a weight
for swingweight adjustment is mounted to a hosel placed for
mounting a club head and a shaft via adhesion. The weight adopted
herein has shape having a cylindrical body and a flange part, and
the weight is secured to a position at the tip side of the shaft
(at the club head side) by inserting the body into the shaft;
concurrently, by sandwiching the flange part between the end of the
shaft and a bottom surface of the hosel.
[0004] Further, the golf club disclosed in Patent Literature 2 is
configured to enable to accommodate many spherical weight materials
functioning as a weight for weight adjustment in a section
established inside the grip, and the swingweight can be adjusted by
adjusting the number of the weight materials.
[0005] In addition, the golf club disclosed in Patent Literature 3
is lack of the vicinity of centroid of the club head in the golf
club, and has a configuration where a weight having a shaft line in
a direction at intersected with with the shaft line of the grip
from the tip at the grip side in the golf club that is lack of the
vicinity of centroid of the club head is mounted.
PRIOR ART LITERATURES
Patent Literatures
[0006] [Patent Literature 1] Japenese Utility Model Registration
Publication No. 3018130
[0007] [Patent Literature 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication H5-220242
[0008] [Patent Literature 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication 2009-136641
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0009] When the weight for swingweight adjustment is secured by
inserting or screwing as in the conventional golf clubs, the
anchorage strength may be reduced because of gradual slackening of
the screw for securing the weight, due to an effect of oscillation
or fictitious force to be applied during using the clubs. Further,
if the golf club is continuously used under the condition where the
weight for swingweight adjustment is not firmly secured, there are
other problems that the weight may be lost or may cause injury
because the weight is separated (fixation).
[0010] Further, when the weight is mounted to the inside of the
hosel as in the golf club described in Patent Literature 1, there
is a problem that the weight cannot be easily replaced or adjusted.
When hitting a ball higher or stronger is considered, even though
it is desirable to slant the center of gravity to the shaft side,
if the configuration disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is adopted,
the center of gravity is slanted toward the club head side by
mounting the weight, and there is another problem that it becomes
difficult to hit a ball higher (attachment/detachment and
replacement).
[0011] In addition, when it is structured such that a weight
material is accommodated within a section formed inside a grip as
in the golf club disclosed in Patent Literature 2, if a cap
established for the purpose of closing an opening portion of this
section comes off, the spherical weight material flies off the
opening portion and it is possible to cause injury or loss of the
weight material.
[0012] In addition, in the golf club disclosed in Patent Literature
2, it is possible that the center of gravity position may be
slightly changed due to how much the spherical weight, which is a
weight material, is filled, and while a user repeats golf swing, it
is possible that the weight material may move or be eccentrically
located within the section established in the grip, and then, the
center of gravity position may be changed. In other words, there is
the problem from the viewpoint of [loss of] fixation in the golf
club disclosed in Patent Literature 2 as similar to the case of
Patent Literature 1.
[0013] Therefore, it is difficult to stabilize the center of
gravity position in the prior art golf clubs, and a poor usability
is a problem. Furthermore, in Patent Literature 3, how a weight is
specifically mounted to the tip at the grip side is not disclosed
at all.
[0014] Then, in order to solve the problems, the objective of the
present invention is to provide a grip structure with a weight for
certainly preventing separation of the weight for swingweight
adjustment, for enabling to stabilize the center of gravity
position by certainly slanting the center of gravity toward the
shaft side, and for enabling to easily attach/detach and replace
the weight.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM
[0015] In order to solve the problems, the present invention
provides the grip structure with a weight, comprising:
[0016] a grip part, and
[0017] a weight part equipped with a weight for swingweight
adjustment to be detachably/attachably mountable to a tip of the
grip part, wherein
[0018] the center of gravity of the weight part is substantially
positioned on the shaft center of the grip part.
[0019] According to such configuration, it is possible to certainly
prevent the separation of the weight for swingweight adjustment,
and to stabilize the center of gravity position by certainly
slanting the center of gravity toward the shaft side, and, a grip
structure with a weight where the weight can be easily
attached/detached and replaced can be realized. In particular,
because the center of gravity of the weight part exists on the
shaft center of the grip, the swingweight can be easily adjusted so
as to position the center of gravity at an appropriate balance
point. Further, a grip structure with a weight that can stabilize
the center of gravity position and excels in usability can be
provided.
[0020] It is preferable that the grip structure with a weight
relating to the present invention has a configuration where a
threaded shaft is established at either side of the grip part or
the weight part and a female screw part is established at the other
side of the grip part or the weight part where the threaded shaft
is not established (First Embodiment).
[0021] In the grip structure with a weight relating to the present
invention having such configuration, a spring washer is mounted to
the threaded shaft, and it is possible to integrate the grip and
the weight in the state where the spring washer intervenes by
screwing the threaded shaft with the male screw.
[0022] Further, it is preferable that the grip structure with a
weight of the present invention has a configuration where a convex
joining part is established on either one or both end surfaces of
the grip portion or/and the weight part, and a concave joining part
where a joint structure is formable by fitting with the convex
joining part (Second Embodiment).
[0023] The grip structure with a weight of the present invention
having such configuration enables to integrate the grip part and
the weight part by forming the joint structure comprising a
combination of the convex joining part and the concave joining part
at a plurality of sections.
[0024] Further, the grip structure with a weight of the present
invention is preferably characterized such that
[0025] the grip part has a cylindrical grip body and a weight
connection part;
[0026] the weight connection part is placed at the end of the grip
part, and is equipped with a slot and is elastically
deformable;
[0027] the weight part is equipped with a shaft-like insertion part
to be insertable into the slot, and the insertion part and the
weight are detachably/attachably integrated or integrated as
incapable of detachment/attachment;
[0028] the insertion part has a diameter-enlarging part whose
external diameter expands to the size more than the opening size of
the slot gradually, and an engagement part that is positioned at
the weight side with regard to the diameter-enlarging part, and
that is engageable with the slot, and a step difference is formed
between the diameter-enlarging part and the engagement part;
and
[0029] the grip part and the weight part are integrable by
inserting the insertion part into the slot and engaging the
engagement part with the slot (Third Embodiment).
[0030] Further, the grip structure with a weight of the present
invention is desirably characterized such that
[0031] the grip body is elastically deformable; and
[0032] the weight connection part is harder than the grip body.
[0033] Further, the present invention provides a golf club equipped
with the grip structure with a weight of the present invention.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0034] According to the grip structure with a weight of the present
invention, it is possible to certainly prevent the separation of
the weight for swingweight adjustment and to certainly slant the
center of gravity toward the shaft side and to stabilize the center
of gravity position, and, the weight can be easily
attached/detached and replaced. In particular, since the center of
gravity of the weight part exists on the shaft center of the grip
part, the swingweight can be easily adjusted so as to position the
center of gravity at an appropriate balance point. Further, a golf
club where the center of gravity position can be stabilized, and
that excels in usability upon golf swing can be provided.
[0035] In First Embodiment of the grip structure with a weight of
the present invention, a spring washer is mounted to a threaded
shaft established at either side of the grip part or the weight
part, and the grip part and weight part can be integrated by
screwing the threaded shaft with the screw part established at the
other of the grip part and the weight part. When the grip part and
the weight part are integrated as described above, because the
spring washer intervenes between both, even if the use is continued
throughout a long term, the anchorage strength of the weight part
will not be decreased. Therefore, in the First Embodiment of the
present invention, even if this is used throughout a long term,
inconvenience, such as separation from the grip part due to loosing
the weight part, will hardly occur.
[0036] Further, as described above, in the First Embodiment of the
present invention, the spring washer is interposed between the grip
part and the weight part, and then the weight part can be secured
to the grip part only by screwing the threaded shaft with the
female screw part. Therefore, in the First Embodiment of the
present invention, the weight part can be easily attached/detached
and replaced, and the swingweight can be easily adjusted. In
addition, because the weight part is mounted to the grip part in
the golf club of the present invention, the center of gravity can
be easily and certainly slanted toward the grip side.
[0037] Further, in Second Embodiment of the grip structure with a
weight of the present invention, because it is possible to form the
joint structure where the convex joining part placed on either one
or both end surfaces of the grip part and the weight part is fitted
into the concave joining part at a plurality of sections at a
plurality of sections, it can certainly prevent rotation and
separation of the weight part from the grip part. Further, in
Second Embodiment of the present invention, since the weight part
is mounted onto the end surface of the grip part, the center of
gravity position can be eccentric not at the club head side but
toward the grip side. Therefore, in Second Embodiment of the
present invention, it becomes possible to easily adjust the golf
club so as to position the center of gravity at an appropriate
balance point based upon the user's golf swing, by adjusting weight
of the weight part.
[0038] In addition, in Second Embodiment of the present invention,
the joint structure can be formed by inserting the convex joining
part into the concave joining part, and it is possible to
attach/detach the weight part to/from the grip part.
[0039] In Third Embodiment of the grip structure with a weight
relating to the present invention, since a weight connection part
placed at the grip body side is elastically deformable, while an
insertion part is inserted into the slot, if suppress strength is
further applied to the weight part in the axial direction of the
insertion part, while the slot is pushed and expanded by the
diameter-enlarging part, the insertion part is gradually inserted.
Further, when the weight part is pushed until an engagement part
passes a step difference and reaches the slot, the opening size of
the slot is restored due to elastic force of the weight connection
part, and the engagement part is firmly engaged into the slot.
Therefore, in Third Embodiment of the present invention, the weight
part can be firmly secured by merely pressing the weight part
axially in the state where the insertion part is inserted into the
slot. Further, in Third Embodiment of the present invention,
because the weight part is mounted to the end of the grip body, the
golf club can be easily adjusted so as to have the center of
gravity position reach a desired position on the shaft center of
the grip part as similar to the grip structure of the present
invention.
[0040] Further, the grip structure with a weight of the present
invention enables to further solidly secure the weight part by
using a harder material than the grip body for the weight
connection part.
[0041] Since the golf club of the present invention is equipped
with the grip structure with a weight of the present invention,
separation of the weight for swingweight adjustment can be
certainly prevented, and the center of gravity position can be
easily adjusted and the weight can be easily attached/detached and
replaced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0042] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing the golf club
relating to First Embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the grip part
and the weight part of the golf club shown in FIG. 1.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a main part enlarged cross-sectional view showing
a modified example of the golf club shown in FIG. 1.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view showing the golf club
relating to Second Embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the grip
part and the weight part of the golf club relating to Second
Embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIGS. 6 (a) and (b) are exploded cross-sectional views
showing modified examples of the grip part and the weight part of
the golf club shown in FIG. 4, respectively.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a front view showing the golf club relating to
Third Embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 8 includes cross sectional views of the golf club shown
in FIG. 7, and (a) shows a state before mounting the weight part,
and (b) shows a state after mounting the weight part.
[0050] FIG. 9 is a main part enlarged perspective view showing a
state before mounting the weight part in the golf club shown in
FIG. 7.
[0051] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing the weight
part.
[0052] FIGS. 11 (a) to (d) are detached states of the grip part and
the weight part relating to the modified examples of the golf club
showing in FIG. 7, respectively.
[0053] FIG. 12 is schematic perspective view showing another mode
of a disc part 88a having a slot 90 within a weight connection part
88.
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0054] Subsequently, as preferred embodiments of the grip structure
with a weight of the present invention, embodiments of the golf
club equipped with the grip structure with a weight of the present
invention (First Embodiment and Second Embodiment) are explained in
detail with reference to drawings.
First Embodiment
[0055] A golf club 10 relating to First Embodiment of the present
invention is explained with reference to drawings. As shown in FIG.
1, in the golf club 10, a club head 14 is mounted to the tip side
of a shaft 12; concurrently, a weight part 18 is mounted to a grip
part 16 placed at the end side. The shaft 12 is formed with a
hollow shaft body as similar to the known prior art, and the club
head 14 is formed with the similar one to that of the known prior
art.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the grip part 16 is a
substantially-cylindrical portion to be gripped by a user. An
axially-penetrated female screw part 22 is placed in a
substantially-center of an end surface 20 of the grip part 16. The
female screw part 22 is communicated with the hollow portion of the
shaft 12, and the weight part 18 is an integration of a weight for
swingweight adjustment and a threaded shaft 26 in the golf club 10.
The weight 24 is a cylindrical member having substantially the same
diameter as the grip 16, and the threaded shaft 26 is secured to
the weight 24 and almost perpendicularly protrudes from the end
surface 28 side of the weight 24.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the weight part 18 is for
mounting a spring washer 30 to the threaded shaft 26; concurrently,
is integrated with the grip part 16 by screwing the threaded shaft
26 with the female screw 22 established at the grip part 16
side.
[0058] Due to this design, the spring washer 30 is sandwiched
between the end surface 20 of the grip part 16 and the end surface
28 of the weight part 18, and the grip part 16 will never loosen
but is firmly secured to the weight part 18. Therefore, even if the
gold club 10 is used throughout a long term, the joint strength at
the joint structure part formed with the female screw part 22 and
the threaded shaft 26 will not be decreased, and the weight part 18
will not be separated from the grip part 16. Further, because the
weight part 18 is not separated, a loss of the weight part 18 and
any collateral damage, such as user's injury due to the weight part
18 becoming a projectile.
[0059] With the golf club 10, the weight part 18 can be mounted to
the grip part 16 only by screwing the threaded shaft 26 with the
female screw part 22 while the spring washer 30 is mounted.
Therefore, with the golf club 10, the weight part 18 can be easily
detached/attached and replaced, and a swingweight can be easily
adjusted.
[0060] Further, since the golf club 10 is mounted to the grip part
16 positioned at the end side of the shaft 12, it is possible to
easily and certainly slant the center of gravity toward the grip
side. Therefore, the golf club 10 can easily and certainly respond
to a [user's] desire to hit a ball much higher or stronger.
[0061] Further, in the golf club 10, since the shaft center
positions of the weight part 18 and the grip part 52 are
substantially the same and the center of gravity of the weight part
18 exists at a position passing through the shaft center of the
grip part 52, a swingweight can be easily adjusted so as to
position the center of gravity at an appropriate balance point.
Further, since the weight part 18 is firmly secured at the
above-mentioned position, the center of gravity position of the
golf club 10 is always stable and the golf club 10 excels in
usability.
[0062] Furthermore, taking release of the end portion of the
threaded shaft 26 screwed with the female screw part 22 into
consideration, the configuration where the threaded shaft 26 is
placed at the weight part 18 side and the female screw part 22 is
placed at the grip part 16 side, and the hollow portion formed
inside the shaft 12 is communicated with the female screw part 22
is exemplified in the present embodiment, but the present invention
shall not be limited to this configuration.
[0063] For example, contrary to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3,
it may be configured such that the female screw part 22 is placed
at the weight part 18 side and the threaded shaft 26 is placed at
the grip part 16 side. Furthermore, in the case of such
configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, it is desired to establish a
concave part 32 that can release the threaded shaft 26 to the
weight part 18 side.
Second Embodiment
[0064] Sequentially, a golf club 50 relating to Second Embodiment
of the present invention is explained in detail with reference to
drawings. Furthermore, any portions in common with those in the
golf club 10 are marked with the same symbols, and detailed
explanations are omitted.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 4, the golf club 50 has substantially the
same configuration as the golf club 10, and configurations of a
grip part 52 and a weight part 54 are different. In addition,
specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, two holes 58 (convex
joining parts) are established in an end surface 56 of the grip
part 52. The holes 58 are communicated with a space 60 formed
between the end surface 56 of the grip part 52 and the end of the
shaft 12.
[0066] The weight part 54 is an integration of a
substantially-cylindrical portion functioning as a weight 60 for
swingweight adjustment of the golf club 10 and the joining shaft 62
(convex joining part). The joining shaft 62 protrudes substantially
perpendicularly from the end surface 64 of the weight part 54, and
a folded engagement part 68 is established at the tip,
respectively.
[0067] The engagement parts 68 are substantially conically-shaped,
and they hook the holes 58 by intruding into the space 60 formed
within the grip part 52 from the holes 58, respectively, and have a
function to prevent the separation of the joining shaft 62 from the
holes 58, respectively. The joining shafts 62 are placed in two
sections on the end surface 64.
[0068] The joining shaft 62 is in a positional relationship
corresponding to the hole 58 at the grip part 52 side,
respectively. When the joining shafts 62 are inserted into the
holes 58 until becoming the state where the engagement parts 68
protrude toward the space 60 side, the joint structure 66 is formed
with the hole 58 and the joining shaft 62, respectively, and the
weight part 54 and the grip part 52 are integrated.
[0069] As described above, in the golf club 50, the joint
structures 66 with a combination of the hole 58 and the connecting
shaft 64 are formed at a plurality of sections (two sections in the
present embodiment) by inserting, fitting and joining the joining
shaft 64 established at the weight part 54 side into the hole 58
established at the grip part 52 side, respectively. Therefore, even
if inertial force is applied to the golf club 50 on the occasion of
golf swing, any failures, such as relative rotation of the weight
part 54 relative to the grip part 52 or separation of the weight
part 54 from the grip part 52, will never occur.
[0070] Further, in the golf club 50, the weight part 54 is mounted
to the end surface 56 of the grip part 52, and the center of
gravity position can be slanted toward the grip part 52 side rather
than the club head 14 side. Therefore, the golf club 50 enables
easy adjustment so as to position the center of gravity at an
appropriate balance point with consideration of the user's golf
swing by adjusting the weight of the weight part 54.
[0071] As described above, in the golf club 50, the joint
structures 66 can be formed by inserting and fitting a plurality of
the joining shafts 62 into the holes 58 established at the
corresponding positions at the grip part 52 side, respectively.
Further, with the golf club 50, if the weight part 54 is pulled
toward the direction away from the grip part 52 side, it is
possible to easily detach the weight part 54 and to replace the
weight part 54. Therefore, with the golf club 50, a swingweight can
be easily adjusted.
[0072] In the golf club 50, the shaft center positions of the grip
part 52 and the weight part 54 are substantially in common and the
center of gravity of the weight part 54 exists at a position where
the grip part 52 passes through the shaft center of the grip part
52. Consequently, in the golf club 50, a swingweight can be easily
adjusted so as to position the center of gravity at an appropriate
balance point even if the weight part 54 is mounted. Further,
according to the joint structures 66, the weight part 54 is firmly
secured to the grip part 52, and the weight part 54 will not
rotate. Therefore, the golf club 10 has a stable center of gravity
position and excels in usability.
[0073] In the present embodiment, the configuration where the holes
58 are placed at the grip part 52 side and the joining shafts 62
are placed at the weight part 54 side is exemplified, but the
present invention shall not be limited to this configuration, and
as long as the joint structures 66 are formable at a plurality of
sections, the arrangement of the holes 58 and the joining shaft 62
can be any way.
[0074] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), a
configuration where the holes 58 are established at the weight part
54 side and the joining shafts 62 are established at the grip part
52 side is also acceptable. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (b),
another configuration where the holes 58 and the joining shaft 62
are established at both the grip part 52 side and the weight part
54 side so as to be in the mutually-fittable positional
relationship. Even in the case of such configurations, while the
weight part 54 is attachable/detachable as similar to the golf club
50, the weight part 54 can be firmly secured.
[0075] Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration where
two each of the holes 58 and the joining shaft 62 are placed and
the joint structures 66 are formed at two sections is exemplified,
but the present invention shall not be limited to this
configuration, and the joint structures 66 are formable at much
more sections. Further, regarding the holes 58 and the joining
shaft 62, one example of concave joining part and one example
convex joining part were merely indicated, but another
configuration is also acceptable as long as they are fitted into
each other and the joint structures are formable.
Third Embodiment
[0076] Sequentially, a golf club 80 relating to Third Embodiment of
the present invention is explained in detail with reference to
drawings. Furthermore, any portions in common with the golf clubs
10 and 50 are marked with the same symbols, and any detailed
explanation is omitted.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, the golf club 80 has substantially the
same configuration as the golf clubs 10 and 50, but configurations
of a grip part 82 and a weight part 84 are different. Specifically,
as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the grip part 82 has a grip body 86
and a weight connection part 88. The grip body 86 is a cylindrical
hollow portion to be gripped by a user, and the shaft 12 is
inserted from the opening established at one end side. The grip
body 86 is made from a polymer material (elastomer) having a
rubber-like elasticity, like any of rubbers, such as natural rubber
or synthetic rubber, and has elasticity at least radially.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the weight connection part 88
is disc-shaped (or ring-shaped) having a slot 90 substantially in
the center radially, and closes the end portion of the grip body
86. A disc portion 88a having the slot 90 out of the weight
connection part 88 is made from a polymer material (elastomer)
having rubber-like elasticity as similar to the grip body 86, and
this is designed to be harder than the grip body 86. Consequently,
the disc part 88a is more difficult to be deformed than the grip
body 86, and the inserted weight part 84 is firmly retained. For
the grip body 86, the disc part 88a is pre-formed and the disc part
88a is inserted into a mold, and then, the grip body 86 is formed
by integrally molding the grip part 82 with the disc part 88a using
injection molding. The slot 90 is formed from a hole having a
substantially circle opening shape, and this is a portion where an
insertion part 94 of the weight part 84 to be described in detail
later is inserted. It is needless to say, without using the disc
portion 88a as another material, the grip body 86 including the
grip part 82 and the weight connection part 88 can be integrally
molded with the same material.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, the weight part 84 has a
weight 92 and an insertion part 94. The weight 92 is a portion to
function as a weight for swingweight adjustment in the golf club
80. The weight part 84 can have an appropriate shape, such as a
rough cylinder, as similar to the weight parts 18 and 54 in the
golf clubs 10 and 50, respectively. In the present embodiment, the
weight 92 is disc-shaped having substantially the same diameter as
the external diameter of the weight connection part 88 of the grip
part 82, and a surface 92a is gently curved to rise toward the
center shaft position, and a rear surface 92b is flat shape.
[0080] The insertion part 94 is a shaft-like portion
substantially-vertically arranged relative to the rear surface 92b.
As shown in FIG. 10, the insertion part 94 is broadly divided into
three portions, a tip part 94a, a larger diameter part 94b and an
engagement part 94c, from the tip side. The tip part 94a is a
shaft-like portion having the same dimension or less of external
diameter compared to the opening diameter of the slot 94.
Consequently, the insertion part 94 can be smoothly inserted and
extracted into/from the slot 90 placed in the weight connection
part 88.
[0081] A diameter-enlarging part 94b is positioned between the tip
part 94a and the engagement part 94c, and has a taper-like portion
formed having an external diameter becoming enlarged from the tip
part 94a side toward the engagement part 94c. For the external
diameter of the diameter-enlarging part 94b, a portion at the
engagement part 94c is greater than the opening diameter of the
slot 90 established in the weight connection part 88. Consequently,
if the weight part 84 is further pressed radically under the
condition where the tip part 94a is inserted into the slot 90, the
weight connection part 88 is elastically deformed and the slot 90
is extended by force by the diameter-enlarging part 94b.
[0082] The engagement part 94c is positioned at a base end section
of the insertion part 94, i.e., between the diameter-enlarging part
94b and a rear surface 92b of the weight 92, and is a portion
engaged with the slot 90 placed in the weight connection part 88.
The outer diameter of the engagement part 94c is almost the same as
the opening size of the slot 90 or greater. Consequently, the
external diameter of the insertion part 94 is drastically changed
after the boundary portion between the larger diameter par t94b and
the engagement part 94c, and a step difference 94d is formed
between both. Further, the axial length of the engagement part 94c
is substantially the same as the thickness of the weight connection
part 88. Consequently, when the insertion part 94 is pushed into
the slot 90 and the engagement part 94c is engaged with the slot
90, the step difference 94d and the weight connection part 88 are
hooked with each other and the rear surface 92b of the weight 92
becomes substantially adhered closely and firmly to the weight
connection part 88. In addition, when the insertion part 94 is
inserted until the engagement part 94c reaches the slot 90, because
friction force acts on the occasion that the diameter-enlarging
part 94b passes through the slot 90 is released and they are
engaged, appropriate feeling of moderation can be obtained and a
user can feel a sensation where the weight part 84 is firmly
secured. Further, in the present embodiment, since the weight
connection part 88 is made of a material that is harder than that
of the grip part 82, the connection strength on the occasion of
connecting the weight part 84 is high.
[0083] Further, in the golf club 80 of the present embodiment,
since the grip body 86 is softer than the weight connection part
88, a gap can be easily widened by inserting a nail between the
rear surface 92b of the weight 92 and the weight connection part
88. Therefore, with the golf club 80 of the present embodiment, not
only mounting the weight part 84 but detachment of the weight part
84 for the purpose of replacement can be easily implemented.
[0084] In the present embodiment, the configuration where the
insertion part 94 is placed in the center of the weight part 84 and
the slot 90 is placed in the center of the weight connection part
88 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this
one but a configuration where the insertion part 94 and the slot 90
are placed at positions off the center of the weight part 84 and
the weight connection part 88, respectively, is adoptable. Further,
in the embodiment, the configuration where one of each of the
insertion part 94 and the slot 90 are placed is exemplified, but
for example, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), a configuration where a
plurality of components equivalent to the insertion part 94 and the
slot 90 are placed is also adoptable. According to such
configuration, it is possible to further improve the connection
strength between the grip part 82 and the weight part 84, and even
when the heavier weight 92 is used for the weight part 84, rotation
or separation of the weight part 84 can be prevented. Furthermore,
the disc part 88a is omitted in FIG. 11.
[0085] In the golf club 80 of the present embodiment, the grip part
82 and the weight part 84 can be positioned by inserting the tip
part 94a of the insertion part 94 into the slot 90, and a position
shift at the time of inserting the insertion part 94 can be
prevented. Furthermore, the configuration of the insertion part 94
is merely one example of the present invention, and for example, as
shown in FIG. 11 (b), a configuration without the tip part 94a is
also adoptable.
[0086] In the golf club 80 of the present embodiment, the weight
connection part 88 is made of elastomer, such as rubber, and since
the rear surface 92b of the weight 92 is substantially adhered
firmly to the weight connection part 88 by mounting the weight part
84, great friction force is applied to the weight 92. Consequently,
with the golf club 80 of the present embodiment, failures, such as
rotation or separation of the weight 92 in association with golf
swing, will never occur. Furthermore, the configurations of the
weight part 84 and the weight connection part 88 are not limited to
those mentioned above, but for example as shown in FIGS. 11 (c) and
(d), a configuration where protrusion parts 96a are placed at
either the weight connection part 88 or the rear surface 92b of the
weight 92 are established and concave parts 96b for fitting the
protrusion part 96a are established at corresponding positions is
also adoptable. According to such configuration, when the weight
part 84 is mounted, the protrusion parts 96a are fitted into the
concave parts 96b and it is possible to further prevent failures,
such as rotation or separation of the weight part 94b at the time
of golf swing.
[0087] In the weight part 84 exemplified in the present embodiment,
the external diameter of the diameter-enlarging part 94b
continuously expands as toward the base end side (weight side) from
the axial tip side of the insertion part 94, but the present
invention is not limited to this configuration, and any
configuration is adoptable as long as the external diameter expands
gradually, and for example, a configuration where the external
diameter of the diameter-enlarging part 94b expands by stages is
adoptable.
[0088] In the present embodiment, in order to improve the anchorage
strength of the weight part 84, the example where the weight
connection part 88 of the grip part 82 is made of a material harder
than the grip body 86 is exemplified, but the present invention is
not limited to this one, and both can have the same hardness.
Further, in the present embodiment, the method where the grip body
86 is produced by injection molding and the grip part 82 is
produced by integrating with the prepared weight connection part 88
is exemplified, but the grip part 82 can be produced by another
method.
[0089] As described above, the typical embodiments of the present
invention were explained, and various design changes are applicable
within the scope of technical concept of the present invention,
respectively. For example, in the embodiments, the modes where the
weight parts 18, 54 and 84 also function as a weight (in other
words, modes where they are integrated by disabling
detachment/attachment) are adopted, but for example, a weight may
be integrated with the weight part detachably, as another member.
According to such mode, it is also possible to appropriately
control the weight of the weight part.
[0090] Further, for the disc part 88a having the slot 90 out of the
weight connection part 88, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, a
star-shaped part 88b is also adoptable. If the disc part having
such star-shaped part is adoptable (for example, with a ratio of
one out of 10,000 units), it is preferable because a user feels
fortunate and the golf club is expected to provide a mentally
favorable impact on his/her game of golf.
[0091] The grip structure with a weight relating to the present
invention is applicable to all goods having a grip, such as golf
clubs or tennis rackets, and since the center gravity of the weight
part exists on the center shaft of the grip part in the goods
equipped with the grip structure having a weight relating to the
present invention, a swingweight can be easily adjusted so as to
position the center of gravity at an appropriate balance point and
the center of gravity position can be stabilized; therefore, goods
excelling in usability especially at the time of golf swing can be
obtained.
* * * * *