U.S. patent application number 13/292683 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-01 for interchangeable shaft and club head connection system.
Invention is credited to Thomas Orrin Bennett, Michael Scott Burnett, Daniel S. Callinan, Noah De La Cruz, Charles E. Golden, Christopher D. Harvell, Scott A. Knutson, Stephen S. Murphy, Kenneth C. Scott.
Application Number | 20120052978 13/292683 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39854242 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120052978 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bennett; Thomas Orrin ; et
al. |
March 1, 2012 |
INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT AND CLUB HEAD CONNECTION SYSTEM
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a golf club including a shaft, a club head
and several devices for releasably connecting the shaft to the club
head.
Inventors: |
Bennett; Thomas Orrin;
(Carlsbad, CA) ; Burnett; Michael Scott; (Plano,
TX) ; De La Cruz; Noah; (San Clemente, CA) ;
Golden; Charles E.; (Encinitas, CA) ; Harvell;
Christopher D.; (Escondido, CA) ; Knutson; Scott
A.; (Escondido, CA) ; Murphy; Stephen S.;
(Carlsbad, CA) ; Scott; Kenneth C.; (San Marcos,
CA) ; Callinan; Daniel S.; (Carlsbad, CA) |
Family ID: |
39854242 |
Appl. No.: |
13/292683 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12477521 |
Jun 3, 2009 |
8057320 |
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13292683 |
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11958412 |
Dec 18, 2007 |
7878921 |
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12477521 |
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11734819 |
Apr 13, 2007 |
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11958412 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/307 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0466 20130101;
A63B 53/02 20130101; A63B 2053/0491 20130101; A63B 60/54 20151001;
A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 53/047 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/307 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/02 20060101
A63B053/02 |
Claims
1. A golf club comprising: a shaft; a club head; and a connection
system releasably connecting the shaft to the club head, said
connection system further comprises; a sleeve, distinct from the
shaft wherein the shaft partially passes through, that is connected
to a terminal end of the shaft, a hosel, distinct from the sleeve
wherein the sleeve partially passes through, that is integrally
formed into a heel portion of the golf club head, and a ring,
distinct from the sleeve and the hosel, that is disposed between
the sleeve and the hosel, wherein the ring is askew, altering at
least one of a loft angle and a lie angle of the golf club head
depending on the orientation of the ring, and wherein the sleeve
further comprises a first non-linear mating surface, located near
an external portion of the sleeve, the hosel further comprises a
second non-linear mating surface near a top of the hosel, and the
ring further comprises a third non-linear mating surface near a top
of the ring and a fourth non-linear mating surface near a bottom of
the ring.
2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the shaft, at least partially,
passes through the second non-linear mating surface.
3. The golf club of claim 1, wherein a first side of the ring and a
second side of the ring have different lengths.
4. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the first side of the ring is
opposite to the second side of the ring.
5. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the first non-linear mating
surface and the third non-linear mating surface are the only
contacting surfaces between the sleeve and the ring, and wherein
the second non-linear mating surface and the fourth non-linear
mating surface are the only contacting surfaces between the hosel
and the ring.
6. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the hosel creates a receptacle
that protrudes out from a crown of the golf club head.
7. A golf club comprising: a shaft; a club head; and a connection
system releasably connecting the shaft to the club head, said
connection system further comprises; a sleeve, distinct from the
shaft wherein the shaft partially passes through, that is connected
to a terminal end of the shaft, a hosel, distinct from the sleeve
wherein the sleeve partially passes through, that is integrally
formed into a heel portion of the golf club head, and a ring,
distinct from the sleeve and the hosel, that is disposed between
the sleeve and the hosel; wherein the ring has a top line and a
bottom line, wherein the top line is not parallel to the bottom
line, altering at least one of a loft angle and a lie angle of the
golf club head depending on the orientation of the ring.
8. The golf club of claim 7, wherein the ring is askew.
9. The golf club of claim 7, wherein a first side of the ring and a
second side of the ring have different lengths.
10. The golf club of claim 7, wherein the sleeve comprises a first
mating surface, located near an external portion of the sleeve; the
hosel further comprises a second mating surface near a top of the
hosel; and the ring further comprises a third mating surface near a
top of the ring and a fourth mating surface near a bottom of the
ring.
11. The golf club of claim 10, wherein the first mating surface and
the third mating surface are adapted to engage one another to
prevent axial rotation between the sleeve and the ring.
12. The golf club of claim 11, wherein the first mating surface and
the third mating surface are the only contacting surfaces between
the sleeve and the ring.
13. The golf club of claim 7, wherein the hosel creates a
receptacle that protrudes out from a top surface of the golf club
head.
14. The golf club of claim 7, further comprising the first side of
the ring having an angle .alpha. and the second side of the ring
having an angle .beta., wherein angle .alpha. is greater than angle
.beta., and the shaft coincides with a vertical axis, wherein the
shaft is shifted toward the first side of the ring by an amount
equal to |90.degree..beta.|+|90 .degree.-.alpha..
15. A golf club comprising: a shaft; a club head; and a connection
system releasably connecting the shaft to the club head, said
connection system further comprises; a first hosel part, distinct
from the shaft wherein the shaft partially passes through, that is
connected to a terminal end of the shaft, a second hosel part,
distinct from the first hosel part wherein the first hosel part
partially passes through, that is integrally formed on and near a
heel portion of the golf club head, and an annular member, distinct
from the sleeve and the hosel, that is disposed between the sleeve
and the hosel wherein the annular member has a top line and a
bottom line, wherein the top line is not parallel to the bottom
line, altering at least one of a loft angle and a lie angle of the
golf club head depending on the orientation of the ring.
16. The golf club of claim 15, wherein the first hosel part further
comprises a first congruent surface located near a bottom of the
first hosel part; the second hosel part further comprises a second
congruent surface located near a top of the second hosel part; and
the annular member further comprises a third congruent surface
located near a top of the hosel insert and a fourth congruent
surface located near a bottom of the hosel insert; wherein the
first congruent surface and the third congruent surface area
adapted to engage one another to prevent axial rotation between the
first hosel part and the annular member, and wherein the second
congruent surface and the fourth congruent surface area adapted to
engage one another to prevent axis rotation between the second
hosel part and the annular member.
17. The golf club of claim 15, wherein a first side of the annular
member and a second side of the annular member have different
lengths.
18. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the first side of the
annular member is opposite to the second side of the annular
member.
19. The golf club of claim 15, further comprising the first side of
the annular member having an angle .alpha. and the second side of
the hosel insert having an angle .beta., wherein angle .alpha. is
greater than angle .beta., and the shaft coincides with a vertical
axis, wherein the shaft is shifted toward the first side of the
annular member by an amount equal to
|90.degree.-.beta.|+|90.degree.-.beta.|.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/477,521, filed Jun. 3, 2009, which is a
divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/958,412, filed
Dec. 18, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,878,921, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/734,819, filed Apr. 13, 2007, the disclosure of which are all
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to golf clubs, and more
specifically to golf clubs having an improved hosel connection that
provides interchangeability between a shaft with a club head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In order to improve their game, golfers often customize
their equipment to fit their particular swing. In the absence of a
convenient way to make shafts and club heads interchangeable, a
store or a business offering custom fitting must either have a
large number of clubs with specific characteristics, or must change
a particular club using a complicated disassembly and reassembly
process. If, for example, a golfer wants to try a golf club shaft
with different flex characteristics, or use a club head with a
different mass, center of gravity, or moment of inertia, in the
past it has not been practical to make such changes. Golf equipment
manufacturers have been increasing the variety of clubs available
to golfers. For example, a particular model of golf club may be
offered in several different loft angles and lie angles to suit a
particular golfer's needs. In addition, golfers can choose shafts,
whether metal or graphite, and adjust the length of the shaft to
suit their swing. Recently, golf clubs have emerged that allow
shaft and club head components, such as adjustable weights, to be
interchanged to facilitate this customization process.
[0004] One example is U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,646 to Wheeler for a Golf
Club Assembly. The Wheeler patent discloses a putter having a grip
and a putter head, both of which are detachable from a shaft.
Fastening members, provided on the upper and lower ends of the
shaft, have internal threads, which engage the external threads
provided on both the lower end of the grip and the upper end of the
putter head shank to secure these components to the shaft. The
lower portion of the shaft further includes a flange, which
contacts the upper end of the putter head shank, when the putter
head is coupled to the shaft. This design produces an unaesthetic
bulge at the top of the shaft and another unaesthetic bulge at the
bottom of the shaft.
[0005] Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,059 to Morell for a
Golf Club Having Removable Head. The Morell patent discloses a
putter golf club including a releasable golf club head and an
elongated golf club shaft. The club head hosel has a plug
containing a threaded axial bore. A threaded rod is retained on the
connector portion of the shaft, and is threaded into the axial bore
of the plug of the club head for operatively connecting the shaft
to the head.
[0006] Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,442 to Walker for
Golf Clubs with Quick Release Heads. The Walker patent discloses a
golf club in which the club head is secured to the shaft by a
coupling rod and a quick release pin. The upper end of the coupling
rod has external threads that engage the internal threads formed in
the lower portion of the shaft. The lower end of the coupling rod,
which is inserted into the hosel of the club head, has diametric
apertures that align with diametric apertures in the hosel to
receive the quick release pin.
[0007] Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,901 to Barron et al.
for a Releasable Fastening Structure for Trial Golf Club Shafts and
Heads. The Barron patent discloses a bayonet-style releasable
fastening structure for a golf club and shaft. The club head hosel
has a fastening pin in its bore that extends diametrically. The
head portion of the shaft has two opposing "U" or "J" shaped
channels. The head end portion of shaft fastens on the hosel pin
through axial and rotary motion. A spring in the hosel maintains
this fastenable interconnection, but allows manually generated,
axially inward hosel motion for quick assembly and disassembly.
[0008] Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,411 to Wood et al.
for a Hosel Coupling Assembly and Method of Using Same. The Wood
patent discloses a golf club including a club head, an
interchangeable shaft, and a hosel with an anti-rotation device.
The hosel contains an alignment member with an angular surface that
is fixed, by a stud, within the hosel bore. A sleeve secured on the
shaft end forms another alignment arrangement element and is
adapted to engage the alignment element disposed in the hosel bore.
A capture mechanism disposed on the shaft engages the hosel to fix
releasably the shaft relative to the club head.
[0009] Another example is U.S. Publ. Pat. App. No. 2001/0007835 A1
to Baron for a Modular Golf Club System and Method. The Baron
publication discloses a modular golf club including club head,
hosel, and shaft. A hosel is attached to a shaft and rotation is
prevented rotation by complementary interacting surfaces, adhesive
bonding or mechanical fit. The club head and shaft are removably
joined together by a collet-type connection.
[0010] Another example is U.S. Pub. Pat. App. No. 2006/0105855 A1
to Cackett et al. for a Golf Club with Interchangeable Head-Shaft
Connections. The Cackett publication discloses a golf club that
uses a sleeve/tube arrangement instead of a traditional hosel to
connect the interchangeable shaft to the club head in an effort to
reduce material weight and provide for quick installation. A
mechanical fastener (screw) entering the club head through the sole
plate is used to secure the shaft to the club head.
[0011] Still another example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,673 to Roark
for an Interchangeable Golf Club Head and Adjustable Handle System.
The Roark patent discloses a golf club with a quick release for
detaching a club head from a shaft. The quick release is a
two-piece connector including a lower connector, which is secured
to the hosel of the club head, and an upper connector, which is
secured to the lower portion of the shaft. The upper connector has
a pin and a ball catch that both protrude radially outward from the
lower end of the upper connector. The upper end of the lower
connector has a corresponding slot formed therein for receiving the
upper connector pin, and a separate hole for receiving the ball
catch. When the shaft is coupled to the club head, the lower
connector hole retains the ball catch to secure the shaft to the
club head.
[0012] Other published patent documents, such as U.S. Pat. No.
7,083,529 and U.S. Publ. Pat. App. Nos. 2006/0287125, 2006/0293115,
2006/0293116 and 2006/0281575, disclose interchangeable shafts and
club heads with anti-rotation devices located therebetween.
[0013] There remains a need in the art for golf clubs with an
improved connection that provides a method for quickly and easily
interchanging the shaft, removable weights and other attachments
with the club head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The invention is directed to a releasable connection system
for assembling a golf club. The inventive connection system
provides interchangeability between a shaft and a club head that
imparts minimal visual impairment and club mass fluctuation while
optimizing customization.
[0015] In one embodiment, the present invention includes a
connection system that comprises a two-part hosel, wherein a first
hosel part is connected to the shaft and a second hosel part is
connected to the club head, and an anti-rotation device is disposed
between the first and second hosel parts, and the anti-rotation
device is located above the club head. The anti-rotation device can
have a first serrated surface disposed on the first hosel part and
a second corresponding serrated surface disposed on the second
hosel part. The first and second serrated surfaces mate to minimize
relative rotation between the shaft and the club head.
[0016] In another embodiment, the connection system comprises a
hollow sole insert affixed in a hosel bore proximate a sole of the
club head, wherein a first key is disposed on an internally
threaded distal end of the shaft and a second corresponding key is
disposed on the sole insert. As a fastener is inserted through the
sole insert and into the threaded distal end of the shaft to
connect the shaft to the club head, the first and second keys mate
with each other to minimize relative rotation between the shaft and
the club head.
[0017] In another embodiment, the connection system comprises a
spring loaded bayonet mount, wherein the spring has a spring
constant from about 5 pounds-force to about 100 pounds-force and
wherein the spring loaded bayonet mount is located above the club
head. The bayonet mount comprises at least one post disposed on the
shaft and at least one corresponding channel disposed on a hosel of
the club head and the bayonet mount further comprises a spring
disposed within the hosel. The channel may have a reduced diameter
section sized and dimensioned to releasably retain said post.
Alternatively, the bayonet mount comprises two or more posts
disposed on the shaft and two or more corresponding channels
disposed on a hosel of the club head.
[0018] In another embodiment, the connection system comprises a
hosel rotatable connection comprising a first hosel sheath, a
second hosel part and an anti-rotation device. The first hosel
sheath is connected to the shaft; the second hosel part is
preferably made integral to the club head, and an anti-rotation
device is disposed between the first and second hosel parts, and
the anti-rotation device is preferably located above the club head.
The anti-rotation device can have a first serrated surface disposed
on the first hosel sheath and a second corresponding serrated
surface disposed on the second hosel part. The first and second
serrated surfaces mate to minimize relative rotation between the
shaft and the club head. The hosel sheath has distal internal
threads that threadably mate with the external threads on the
second hosel part connected to the club head to hide the
anti-rotation device to preserve the esthetics of the club head. In
another embodiment, the first rotatable hosel sheath is connected
to the hosel.
[0019] In another embodiment, the connection system comprises two
or more legs of uneven lengths connected to the shaft. One of the
legs is an affixing leg and the other leg is a non-affixing leg.
Corresponding receiving areas are provided in the hosel. The two or
more legs cooperate to minimize relative rotation between the shaft
and the club head. The affixing leg preferably is threaded to the
hosel.
[0020] Preferably the threaded connections of the embodiments of
the present invention comprise multiple parallel threads to
maintain the thread count of the connection, thereby improving the
strength of the connection, while minimizing the time required
connecting the threaded connectors together.
[0021] In another embodiment, the connection system comprises a
wedge hosel connected to the shaft, a club head insert disposed
within the club head and a wedge screw threadedly connected to the
wedge hosel through the heel of the club head to retain the wedge
hosel to the club head and to the club head insert. The
anti-rotation device comprises a first serrated surface disposed on
the wedge hosel and a second corresponding serrated surface
disposed on the club head insert. The wedge screw also minimizes
club head rotation relative to the shaft.
[0022] In another embodiment, the connection system comprises a
bendable hosel, club head insert, and anti-rotation device. The
bendable hosel is connected to the shaft, and the shaft-hosel
assembly is connected to the club head via a screw. The connection
system further comprises a cap disposed below the screw head to
retain the screw within the club head during connection and
disconnection. An anti-rotation device is also provided.
[0023] A hosel insert adapted to change the loft and/or lie angle
of the club is also provided. A dampener or spring can be placed
within the connection system to minimize vibration during
impacts.
[0024] In another embodiment, the anti-rotation device comprises
first tapered projections operatively connected to the shaft and
second tapered projections operatively connected to the club head,
wherein the first and second tapered projections are sized and
dimensioned so that when the shaft is connected to the club head a
gap is formed between at least some of the tapered projections and
the shaft or club head. This gap assists the two projections to fit
flush together when assembled.
[0025] The inventive connection system may also comprise a threaded
connection, wherein said threaded connection comprises a first
threaded surface operatively connected to the shaft, a
corresponding second threaded surface operatively connected to the
club head and a helical coil insert adapted to fit between the
first and second threaded surfaces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the
specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in
which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in
the various views:
[0027] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary driver club
showing a shaft, a club head and a first embodiment of the
inventive connection system;
[0028] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the two-part hosel of the
connection system of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled shaft;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connection
system of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled driver club of
FIG. 1;
[0032] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views another embodiment of
the inventive connection system;
[0033] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an exemplary driver club and
another embodiment of the inventive connection system; FIG. 8A is
an alternative of the embodiment of FIG. 8;
[0034] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an alternative of the
embodiment of FIG. 8 illustrated with an iron club;
[0035] FIG. 10A is an exploded view of another embodiment of the
inventive connection system; FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the
assembled club head, sheath, shaft, and inserts of FIG. 10A; FIG.
10C is an exploded view of inner shaft insert, sheath, and outer
shaft insert of FIG. 10A; and FIG. 10D is an exploded view of shaft
inserts, sheath, and assembled shaft and club head of FIG. 10A;
[0036] FIG. 11A is an exploded view of another embodiment of the
inventive connection system; FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the
assembled club head, reverse sheath, shaft and insert of FIG. 11A;
FIG. 11C is an exploded view of shaft insert and shaft of FIG. 11A;
and FIG. 11D is an exploded view of iron insert, reverse sheath,
and club head of FIG. 11A;
[0037] FIG. 12A is an exploded view of another embodiment of the
inventive connection system; FIG. 12B is a perspective view of
shaft insert of FIG. 12A; FIG. 12C is a partial rear, exploded
hosel and club head of FIG. 12A; FIG. 12D is an exploded view of
shaft and shaft insert of FIG. 12A; and FIG. 12E is a partial
cross-sectional view of assembled iron club of FIG. 12A;
[0038] FIG. 13A is a force-flow through a set of threaded
fasteners; and FIG. 13B is a single threaded right-hand and double
threaded left-hand fastener;
[0039] FIG. 14A is a partial cross-sectional view of a club head
adapted for use with another embodiment of the inventive connection
system; FIG. 14B is an enlarged perspective view of a wedge hosel
of FIG. 14A; FIG. 14C is an exploded view of shaft and wedge hosel;
FIG. 14D is a perspective view of assembled shaft and wedge hosel
of FIG. 14A; FIG. 14E is an enlarged perspective view of wedge
screw; and FIG. 14F is a partial cross-sectional view of assembled
club of this embodiment; FIG. 14G is a cross-sectional view of
another embodiment of the wedge hosel; FIGS. 14 H-I are top views
of alternatives of the head of the wedge shown in FIG. 14G; FIG.
14J is a cross-sectional view of an alternative of the body of the
wedge shown in FIG. 14G;
[0040] FIG. 15A is a partial cross-sectional view of a club head
for use with another embodiment of the inventive connection system;
FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a bendable hosel; FIG. 15C is an
exploded view of the shaft, bendable hosel and shaft insert; FIG.
15D is an exploded view showing the club head of FIG. 15A and the
assembled shaft and hosel of FIG. 15C;
[0041] FIG. 16A is an exploded view of FIG. 15D with a system for
retaining the screw in the club head; FIG. 16B is a partial
cross-sectional view of the assembled golf club; FIG. 16C is an
enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of the retaining
system; FIG. 16D is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the club
head bore adapted to receive the retainer of FIG. 16C; and FIG. 16E
is an enlarged perspective view of another embodiment of the
retainer;
[0042] FIG. 17A is a partial cross-sectional view of a club head
for use with another embodiment of the inventive connection system;
and FIG. 17B is a partial cross-sectional view of the assembled
golf club with a translucent window;
[0043] FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a club head of FIG. 5 with
an hosel insert; and FIG. 18B is an enlarged view perspective view
of the hosel insert;
[0044] FIGS. 19A-C are perspective views of an alternative to the
anti-rotation feature of the present invention; FIG. 19D is a
schematic view of another serrated anti-rotation surfaces; and
[0045] FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the present invention; FIGS. 20B-C are cross-sectional views of
variations of the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A; FIG. 20D is a
cross-sectional view of a damper/spring usable with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] The present invention is directed to a quick connection
system for connecting the shaft to a club head and for changing the
shaft or the club head to optimize the golfer's strength to the
playing conditions. Such a system can be utilized or customized for
various applications, including, but not limited, to the shaft-club
head connection, the insertion of adjustable weights in the club
head, and the connection of a sole plate to the club head. Several
embodiments of the present invention are described below.
[0047] Inventive connection system 10 is designed for club fitters
to repeatedly change shaft or club head combinations during a
fitting session. Inventive connection system 10 is designed to give
fitting accounts maximum fitting options with a system that is fast
and easy to use.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, connection system 10 releasably
connects club head 12 to shaft 14, such that different shafts 14
can be connected to different club heads 12. Connection system 10
comprises a two-part hosel, i.e., shaft serrated hosel 16 and
driver serrated hosel 18 and internally threaded shaft insert 20.
Serrated surface 17 of shaft hosel 16 and serrated surface 19
driver hosel 18 are sized to mate with each other to minimize or
prevent relative rotation between shaft hosel 16 and driver hosel
18. Preferably, each serrated surface comprises a plurality of
corresponding teeth. Connection system 10 further comprises driver
sole insert 22 and screw 24, which are connected to club head 12 on
the sole side, as shown.
[0049] As best shown in FIG. 3, shaft 14 is at least partially
hollow and is sized and dimensioned to receive and retain
internally threaded shaft insert 20 therewithin. Preferably, shaft
insert 20 is securely attached to shaft 14 by means of adhesives,
epoxies or similar materials. Shaft serrated hosel 16 is sized and
dimensioned to fit on the outside of shaft 14. A predetermined
length 26 of shaft 14 is positioned below shaft serrated hosel 16
for insertion into club head 12. The internal threads of shaft
insert 20 are adapted to receive the external threads of fastener
24, such as screw 24.
[0050] As best shown in FIG. 4, driver serrated hosel 18 has
external threads, as shown, and is threaded into the top of bore 28
of club head 12. Adhesives or epoxies can also be used to affix
driver serrated hosel 18 to bore 28. At the bottom of bore 28,
driver sole insert 22 is inserted into bore 28 and affixed therein.
Preferably, driver sole insert 22 is serrated or threaded on the
outside surface to increase the surface area to adhesives or
epoxies. The assembled shaft 14 with shaft insert 20 and shaft
hosel 16 as shown in FIG. 3 is inserted through driver hosel 18 and
into bore 28. Screw 24 is inserted through driver sole insert 22
and is threaded into shaft insert 20 to secure shaft 14 to club
head 12. Preferably, distal tip 30 of shaft 14 is spaced apart from
the top of driver sole insert 22 and shaft 14 and driver sole
insert 22 is separated by gap 32. Gap 32 ensures that screw 24 can
fully pull shaft 14 downward toward the sole of club head 12 so
that serrated surfaces 17 and 19 fully engage each other to
minimize relative rotation between the two hosels 16 and 18 thereby
minimizing relative rotation between shaft 14 and club head 12. In
other words, gap 32 ensures that screw 24 does not "bottom out"
inside threaded shaft insert 20 so that serrated hosels 16 and 18
can fully mate with each other.
[0051] Optionally, bore 28 has ledge 34 shown in FIG. 4 formed
integrally thereon, e.g., through the casting process, to abut
driver sole insert 22 to provide additional structural support for
driver sole insert 22 and screw 24. Alternatively, driver sole
insert 22 can be formed integrally on bore 28. These alternatives
are applicable to all of the embodiments described herein.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 5, a fully assembled golf club is shown.
Serrated hosels 16 and 18 form a single hosel and the serrated
lines 17 and 19 separating the two hosels are preferably located
above the top of club head 12. The advantage of locating the
anti-rotation device, i.e., shaft serrated hosel 16 and driver
serrated hosel 18, above the club head is that no additional mass
is added, thereby preserving the mass properties of the club head
and eliminating a protrusion at the shaft/hosel intersection. The
anti-rotation device uses a standard hosel to make both the shaft
serrated hosel and the driver serrated hosel. This means there is
no weight gained or lost from the device, which in turn means no
change in moment of inertia or center of gravity. Furthermore,
serrated lines 17 and 19 add a visual distinction to the golf club
and readily identify the golf club as an interchangeable golf
club.
[0053] Driver sole insert 22 and shaft threaded insert 20, as well
as hosel insert 16 and/or hosel insert 18, can be made out of
aluminum, stainless steel or titanium. Screw 24 can be any threaded
screw, and is preferably a TORX.TM. drive flat head screw and the
sole insert 22 is tapered so that the head of screw 24 can be
flushed with sole insert 22, as best shown in FIG. 4.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of connection
system 10 is shown. In this embodiment, the two-part hosel of the
first embodiment is replaced by a keyed anti-rotation device. This
keyed anti-rotation device comprises angled cut-out 36 on the
distal tip of shaft 14. Shaft 14 is also hollow and has threaded
shaft insert 20 inserted therein and conventional hosel 40 disposed
thereon. Driver sole insert 22' has angled surface 38 sized and
dimensioned to match cut-out 36. In this embodiment, shaft 14 is
inserted into driver sole insert 22', and angled cut-out 36 is
keyed to angled surface 38 as screw 24 is threaded into shaft
insert 20 to minimize or prevent relative rotation between shaft 14
and driver sole insert 22'/club head 12. An advantage of this
embodiment is that an anti-rotation device can be added without
adding substantial weight to the club head thereby minimizing the
effect on the club's swing weight.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of connection system
10 is shown. In this embodiment, bore 28 does not extend though
club head 12. Club head 12 has hosel 42, which has at least one and
preferably two or more channels 44. Channel 44 has entry leg 46 and
locking leg 48. Leg 46 is adapted to receive post 50 on shaft 14.
After post 50 travels through entry leg 46, it passes transverse
leg 47 before being received and held in locking leg 48. Disposed
within hosel 42 is spring 52 that exerts an upward force on shaft
14 to hold securely post 50 in locking leg 48. Spring 52 is
selected so that it can exert a sufficient force to hold post 50
within channel 44. Preferably, spring 52 has a spring constant from
about 5 to about 100 pounds-force/inch. More preferably, the spring
constant can be in the range of about 20 to about 75
pounds-force/inch and most preferably about 33 pounds-force/inch. A
golfer can conveniently insert shaft 14 into hosel 42 after
aligning post 50 to leg 46. Thereafter, shaft 14 is rotated along
transverse leg 47 and afterward spring 52 pushes shaft 14 up
locking leg 48. Post 50 and channel 44 is also known as a bayonet
mount or connection.
[0056] Although channel 44 is illustrated as a "J-shaped" channel,
it can have any shape, e.g., "U", "L", "S", "V" or "W" shape. Also,
preferably leg 46 is preferably deep so that as post 50 is moved
down into hosel 42, more of shaft 14 overlaps hosel 42 to increase
mechanical stability. Alternatively, the top of locking leg may
have a reduced diameter section to hold post 50 by press-fit or by
increased friction. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the reduced diameter
section can be a triangular section. The reduced diameter section
can also be a figure-eight or waist section.
[0057] FIG. 9 illustrates another variation of the embodiment of
FIG. 8, where hosel 42 has two or more channels 44. Channels 44 can
have the shapes or configurations of those described in FIGS. 8 and
8A. An advantage of this embodiment is that having two or more
locking legs 48 prevents twisting at the lower end of the leg and
it offers a back up should one of the locking legs 48 fail.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10D, another embodiment of
connection system 10 comprises a first rotatable hosel sheath 70
with internal threads and a second threaded, hollow hosel part 72,
which is fixedly attached to club head 74. Preferably, second
threaded hosel part 72 is made integral to club head 74, and hosel
sheath 70 and hosel part 72 are sized and dimensioned to threadably
attach to each other to connect shaft 14 to club head 74.
Connection system 10 further comprises an anti-rotation device,
made up of first serrated surface 76 disposed on inner shaft insert
80 and corresponding second serrated surface 78 disposed on second
threaded hosel part 72.
[0059] To assemble the club, upper end 82 of inner shaft insert 80
is inserted into the threaded end of rotatable hosel sheath 70, as
shown in FIG. 10C. End 82 is sized and dimensioned to pass through
aperture 84 of hosel sheath 70, but the top portion of serrated
surface 76 is retained within hosel sheath 70. End 82 is then
inserted into aperture 86 and finally attached to outer shaft
insert 88. After end 82 of inner shaft insert 80 is fixedly
connected to outer shaft insert 88, there is sufficient clearance
for first hosel sheath 70 to be freely rotatable to connect to
second hosel part 72. Preferably, the length of end 82 is
dimensioned so that once end 82 is fully inserted into aperture 86,
there remains sufficient clearance between outer shaft insert 88
and hosel sheath 70 for hosel sheath 70 to rotate freely. Outer
shaft insert 88 is then inserted into shaft 14. Alternatively,
inner sheath insert 80 is inserted into and attached directly to
shaft 14 and outer sheath insert 88 can be omitted.
[0060] Although this embodiment of the present invention is
particularly suited to hosel sheath 70 made of metal, hosel sheath
70 can be made of high impact transparent or translucent materials.
Suitable materials include, but are not limited to,
polymethacrylate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polycarbonate
(Lexan.RTM.), and glycol modified polyethylene teraphthalate.
[0061] Afterward, as shown in FIG. 10D, shaft 14, with decorative
ferrule 90, hosel sheath 70 and both shaft inserts 80 and 88, is
assembled with club head 74. More specifically, lower end 83 of
inner shaft 80 is inserted into second hosel part 72 to allow
corresponding threads of hosel sheath 70 and hosel part 72 to mate
and connect shaft 14 to club head 74. End 83 may extend partially
or fully into club head 74. Serrated surfaces 76 and 78 also mate
to minimize relative rotation between the shaft and the club
head.
[0062] Referring to FIGS. 11A to 11D, another embodiment of
connection system 10 comprises a rotatable hosel reverse sheath 92
with internal threads and a threaded, hollow shaft insert 94, which
is fixedly attached to shaft 14. Hosel reverse sheath 92 and shaft
insert 94 are sized and dimensioned to threadably attach to each
other to connect shaft 14 to club head 98. Connection system 10
further comprises an anti-rotation device, made up of first
serrated surface 100 disposed on club insert 102 and corresponding
second serrated surface 104 disposed on shaft insert 94.
[0063] To assemble the club, upper end 96 of shaft insert 94 is
inserted into and fixedly connected to shaft 14 for example by
adhesive or epoxy, as shown in FIG. 11C. Preferably, the length of
end 96 is dimensioned so that there is a sufficient bond between
shaft insert 94 and shaft 14. Threads 106 and second serrated
surface 104 should remain outside of shaft 14 and next to
decorative ferrule 108.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 11D, lower end 110 of club insert 102 is
inserted into reverse sheath 92. End 110 is sized and dimensioned
to pass through aperture 112 of reverse sheath 92, but the bottom
portion of serrated surface 100 is retained within rotatable
reverse sheath 92. End 110 is then inserted into hosel 114 and is
attached thereto. End 110 may extend partially or fully into club
head 98 so long as there is sufficient clearance for reverse sheath
92 to rotate freely. To assemble the club, the assembled version of
FIG. 11C is inserted into the assembled version of FIG. 11D.
Serrated surfaces 100 and 104 mate to minimize relative rotation
between the shaft and the club head and reverse hosel sheath 92 is
rotated so that its internal threads mate with threads 106 of shaft
insert 94 to connect club head 98 to shaft 14.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 12A to 12E, another embodiment of
connection system 10 comprises hollow shaft insert 54 connecting
shaft 14 to club head 56. Shaft insert 54 comprises affixing leg 57
and non-affixing leg 58, which have uneven lengths, as best shown
in FIG. 12B. Hosel 55 has receiving area 59 adapted to receive
shaft insert 54.
[0066] To assemble the club, shaft tip 60 is maintained below
decorative ferrule 61 disposed on shaft 14, as shown in FIG. 12D.
Upper end 62 of shaft insert 54 is inserted into shaft tip 60, and
shaft insert 54 is fixedly attached to shaft 14.
[0067] Afterward, as shown in FIG. 12E, shaft 14, with decorative
ferrule 61 and shaft insert 54 is assembled with club head 56.
Specifically, lower end 63 of shaft insert 54 is inserted into
receiving area 59 to connect shaft 14 to club head 56. More
specifically, affixing leg 57 is inserted into aperture 64 and
threadably attached to sole nut 65 in bore 66 of club head 56,
while non-affixing leg 58 is mated to receiving area 59 to minimize
relative rotation between the shaft and the club head. Preferably,
non-affixing leg 58 is conical, wedge, or other key shape.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 12E and 14A to 15G, the embodiments
of the present invention are illustrated with various single thread
fasteners. These fasteners can be right-handed or left-handed and
can have single thread or multiple threads. These fasteners need to
be sufficiently strong to withstand repeated impacts between the
golf club and the balls. An impact can create a force of up to
2,000 lbs. and depending on the location of the impact on the
hitting face, connection system 10 may experience a torque load of
2,000x, where x is a distance between the impact location and the
neutral axis of the club. For example, a toe impact would produce
more torque than a center impact. A heel impact would produce more
torque (reverse direction) than a center impact. The density of
threads and the dimensions of the threads should be designed to
withstand the torque produced by toe and heel impacts.
[0069] FIG. 13A illustrates the force-flow lines 120 through a set
of threaded fasteners used to clamp two members together. (Further
detail can be found in Fundamentals of Machine Component Design by
Robert C. Juvinall, copyright 1983, by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)
Direct compressive stress, often called bearing, exists between
threaded fastener 122 and corresponding fastener 124. Stress
(.sigma.) is defined as load (P) 128 divided by the cross sectional
area (A) 130 that exists when the load is acting: .sigma.=P/A. In
this particular situation, the area used for the P/A stress
calculation is projected area 132 that, for each thread, is
.pi.(d.sup.2-d.sub.i.sup.2)/4, where d 134 is outer diameter of
fastener cylinder and d.sub.i 136 is inner diameter of fastener 122
contact with nut 124. The number of threads in contact is t/p,
where t is fastener length of engagement 138 and p is fastener
thread pitch, typically reported as inches per thread turn. (In
practice, thread pitch is known by its reciprocal of threads per
inch.) By substitution,
.sigma.=(4P/.pi.(d.sup.2-d.sub.i.sup.2))p/t. This equation
demonstrates the advantage of more threaded contacts in the present
invention, which is the strength of a set of threaded fasteners is
proportionately increased by increasing the threaded fastener
contacts. Preferably, fastener threads per inch is 12 to 36
threads/inch. More preferably, fastener threads per inch is 18 to
30 threads/inch and most preferably 24 threads/inch.
[0070] Increasing fastener contacts could increase the golfer's
fastener tightening and untightening time, which is undesirable to
a method for quickly and easily interchanging the shaft, removable
weights and other attachments with the club head. Typically,
threaded fasteners comprise a single helical groove 140 disposed on
a cylindrical rod from end thread 142, however if the helix angle
144 is increased other threads may be cut between the grooves of
the first thread, so fasteners can have two 146 or more parallel
threads, as shown in FIG. 13B. (Further detail can be found in
Fundamentals of Machine Component Design by Robert C. Juvinall,
copyright 1983, by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) A fastener thread
is assumed to be single thread, unless otherwise stated. Lead is
the distance a threaded fastener advances axially in one turn. On a
single threaded fastener 140, the lead 148 and pitch 150 are
identical; on a double thread fastener 146, the lead 152 is twice
the pitch 154, etc. The end result is that the threaded fastener
will advance twice as far in a single turn on a double thread
fastener than it would on a single thread fastener, etc., so
double, triple, or more threads are used whenever rapid advance is
desired. The advantage of multiple parallel threads is that the
thread count of the fastener connection can be increased to
strengthen the fastener connection while minimizing the golfer's
time to connect the threaded connectors together. Preferably,
fasteners will be multiple thread and have the same direction. More
preferably, fasteners will be double thread and have the same
direction.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 13B, a thread may be either right-hand 140
or left-hand 146. Almost all threaded fasteners tighten, or move
away from the viewer, when rotated clockwise; a left-hand thread
advances when turned counterclockwise. A fastener thread is assumed
to be right-hand unless otherwise stated. During use of an
assembled golf club, swinging the golf club and hitting the ball
tends to tighten or loosen threaded connections, depending on
whether the club is right- or left-handed and whether the thread is
right- or left-hand. For right-handed golf clubs, left-hand
threading would tighten during ball striking; for left-landed golf
clubs, right-hand threading would tighten during ball striking.
Preferably, fastener threading would be matched to loosening and
tightening needs, so that the club can be readily assembled and
disassembled before and after use.
[0072] Referring to FIGS. 14A to 14E, another embodiment of
connection system 10 comprises a wedge hosel 160 with tapered
receiving area 162, a hollow club head insert 164 that is fixedly
attached to club head 166, and a wedge screw 168 with a first
smooth tapered end 170 and a second threaded cylindrical end 172.
Tapered receiving area 162 of wedge hosel 160 is adapted to receive
tapered head 170 of wedge screw 168. Connection system 10 further
comprises an anti-rotation device, made up of first serrated
surface 174 disposed on wedge hosel 160 and corresponding second
serrated surface 176 disposed on club head insert 164.
Additionally, when tapered head 170 is inserted into receiving area
162, tapered head 170 also minimizes relative rotation between club
head 166 and shaft 14. Wedge screw 168 is preferably aligned
substantially perpendicular or orthogonal to the shaft.
[0073] To assemble the club, shaft tip 178 is maintained below
decorative ferrule 180 disposed on shaft 14, as shown in FIG. 14C.
Upper end 182 of wedge hosel 160 is sized and dimensioned to fit on
the outside of shaft 14, and wedge hosel 160 is fixedly attached to
shaft 14 by means of adhesives, epoxies or similar materials. Shaft
tip 178 is retained within wedge hosel 160, as shown in FIG. 14D.
Preferably, upper end 182 of wedge hosel 160 is flush with
decorative ferrule 180.
[0074] Club head insert 164 is inserted the top of bore 184 of club
head 166 and affixed therein with diametric aperture 186 of club
head insert 164 aligned with threaded side aperture 188 of club
head 166. Preferably, club head insert 164 is serrated or threaded
on its outside surface to increase the surface area to adhesives or
epoxies. Alternatively, club head insert 164 is made integral to
club head 166.
[0075] Thereafter, shaft 14 and wedge hosel 160 assembly, as shown
in FIG. 14F, is inserted the top of bore 184 of club head 166. The
interaction of serrated surfaces 174 and 176 of wedge hosel 160 and
club head insert 164 directs shaft 14 within bore 184 so that
tapered receiving area 162 of wedge hosel 160 aligns with side
aperture 188 of club head 166. Tapered end 170 of wedge screw 168
is inserted through side aperture 188 of club head 166 into
receiving area 162 of wedge hosel 160 and threaded end 172 of wedge
screw 168 is releasably fastened into threaded side aperture 188 of
club head 166.
[0076] Wedge 168 may comprise two components: wedge shell 169 and
threaded fastener 171, as shown in FIGS. 14G-J. Fastener 171 fits
within wedge shell 169 and is rotatably connecting hosel 160 to
club head 12. The two-component wedge is similar to the
one-component wedge, except that the threads are located on the
inner threaded fastener 171 and wedge shell 169 has substantially
smooth outer surface to fit snugly to receiving area 162. The end
of wedge shell 169 can be conical, as shown in FIG. 14H or tapered,
as shown in FIG. 14I. The conical end has an advantage of
self-centering as two component wedge 168 is being inserted into
hosel 160. The tapered end has an advantage of providing an
anti-rotation tendency between wedge 168 and hosel 160.
Alternatively, wedge housing 169 can have a cylindrical outer shape
as shown in FIG. 14J. In the cylindrical embodiment, all of outer
surface 173 is in contact with hosel 160 to provide enhanced
contact between these two parts. A cover 175 is optionally provided
to keep wedge 168 free of debris.
[0077] FIGS. 15A to 15D illustrate another embodiment of connection
system 10 with a bendable hosel 190. Hosel 190 is designed to bend
preferable at section 192, where the outer diameter of hosel 190
has a substantial change. Hosel 190 can be bent about section 192
to change the loft and/or lie angle of the golf club. Any bendable
hosel with predetermined bends or any hosel with a weakened section
can be used. Hosel 190 can be bent by automatic/motored or
hydraulic bending tools, commonly used in golf pro shops, e.g.,
Steelclub Angle Machine sold by Mitchell Golf Equipment Co., and
those used to bend pipes in the plumbing art. Suitable bendable
hosels are disclosed in commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/621,754, filed on Jan. 10, 2007, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Hosel 190 should
be bendable only by equipment made for bending hosels, and not by
impact with golf balls.
[0078] Similar to the embodiment in FIGS. 14A-14F, this connection
system also has an anti-rotation device comprising a first serrated
surface 194 on the hosel and a corresponding second serrated
surface 196 on hollow club head insert 198. To assemble the golf
club, shaft insert 200 with internal threads in first inserted into
shaft 14, and then bendable hosel 190 is attached to the outside of
shaft 14, as shown in FIGS. 15C-15D. The shaft and hosel assembly
is then inserted into club head 202. A screw 204 is inserted into
heel opening 206 of club head 202 and is threaded into shaft insert
200 to retain shaft 14 to club head 202, similar to the retaining
mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-4 and described above.
[0079] FIGS. 16A-16E illustrate a system for retaining screw 204
within club head 202 during the changing of hosel or club head. The
connection system shown in FIG. 16A is similar to that shown in
FIG. 15D, except for hollow screw cap 208. After screw 204 is
inserted into heel opening 206, as discussed in the preceding
paragraph, screw cap is inserted into heel opening 206 and is sized
and dimensioned to be positioned at a predetermined distance, l,
below the top of screw 204, as best shown in FIG. 16B. Distance l
is preferably greater than the depth of the teeth of serrated
surfaces 194 and 196. When a user wishes to change the hosel or
club head, the user would insert a screwdriver to similar tool into
heel opening 206, through hollow screw cap 208 to the top of screw
204. The user would then unscrew screw 204 to move screw 204 a
distance l, or until the top of screw 204 comes into contact with
screw cap 208. At this point, the user can pull shaft 14 upward to
disengage first serrated surface 194 of hosel 190 from the
corresponding second serrated surface 196 of club head insert 198.
The user then can freely rotate shaft 14 relative to club head 202
to separate shaft 14 from club head 202. The advantage of using
screw cap 208 is that screw 204 is kept within the club head and
the chance of misplacing screw 204 is minimized.
[0080] Screw cap 208, as shown in FIG. 16C, may have waist 210, and
heel opening 206 may have at least one ledge 212, as shown in FIG.
16D, adapted to be received within waist 210 to keep screw cap 208
securely within the club head. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16E
may have one or more protrusions 214, as shown in FIG. 16E, to
provide an interference fit between screw cap 208 and the walls of
heel opening 206.
[0081] In another embodiment, the club head may have an opening 216
formed on its heel as shown in FIG. 17A. Opening 216 is adapted to
receive a high impact transparent or translucent cap 218, which
allows the user to view the mechanisms of connection system 10, as
best shown in FIG. 17B. Suitable materials include, but are not
limited to, polymethacrylate, cellulose acetate butyrate,
polycarbonate (Lexan.RTM.), and glycol modified polyethylene
teraphthalate, discussed above.
[0082] Another way to change the lie and/or loft angle of the golf
club is illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B. Here, golf club 10 which
includes club head 12, shaft 14 and hosel parts 16 and 17, shown
above in FIG. 5, has hosel insert 220 disposed between hosel parts
16 and 17. Hosel insert 220 have serrated surfaces on its top and
bottom to match the serrated surfaces of hosel parts 16 and 17, so
that hosel insert 220 would fit flush in between. To change the
loft/lie angle of club 10, first side 222 and second side 224 of
hosel insert 220 are different from each other, or top line 226 is
not parallel to bottom line 228, as illustrated by lines 226' and
228'. In other words, hosel insert 220 is askew. In one example, if
first side 222 is shorter than second side 224, then
angle .alpha.>angle .beta.
and .alpha.=91.degree. and .beta.=90.degree., then the shaft angle
has been shifted by 1.degree.. If the shaft coincides with the
vertical axis then the shaft would have been shifted toward first
side 222 by an amount equal to
|90.degree.-=|+|90.degree.-.alpha.|
In this example, if first side 222 and second side 224 are oriented
in the toe-heel direction, then hosel insert 220 can change the lie
angle. If first side 222 and second side 224 are oriented in the
front-rear direction, then hosel insert 220 can change the loft
angle.
[0083] It is noted that hosel insert 220 does not need to have the
serrated top and bottom surfaces as shown, so long as these
surfaces match the corresponding surfaces on hosel parts 16 and 17.
For example, if the corresponding surfaces of hosel parts 16 and 17
are linear or curvilinear, then the top and bottom surfaces of
hosel insert 220 can assume the same shape. Furthermore, hosel
insert 220 can be positioned above club head 12, as shown; however,
it can also be located inside the club head.
[0084] Furthermore, one of the hosel parts, can be made integral
with club head 12, as illustrated in FIG. 20A. The hosel parts are
preferably made from low density aluminum so that more mass can be
distributed elsewhere to improve inertia and center of gravity
properties. FIG. 20A is similar to FIGS. 1-5 and is illustrated
with similar reference numbers. As shown, hosel part 18 is made
integral to club head 12 and matching serrated surfaces 17 and 19
are positioned above club head 12, similar to the view shown in
FIG. 5. Furthermore, hosel insert 220, shown in FIGS. 18A-B, can be
used with this embodiment to change the lie and loft angle without
bending the hosel. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 20B, matching
serrated surface 17 and 19 are positioned internal to club head 12.
In this embodiment, serrated surface 19 may be formed directed on
club head 12 during the casting process, and hosel part 18 can be
omitted. Also, threaded shaft insert 20 can be omitted, when hosel
insert 16 has threaded internal surface 238, sized and dimensioned
to receive screw 24 to attach hosel 14 to club head 12, as shown in
FIG. 20C. An advantage of this embodiment, is that it has fewer
parts than the embodiments shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B and that
instead of the smaller contact surface between shaft insert 20 and
hosel 14, a larger contact surface between hosel 14 and hosel 16 is
available to be epoxied together to withstand the impact force
between club and golf balls.
[0085] To minimize the possibility of vibration caused by ball-club
impacts, a damper or a pre-load spring can be added, for example
between the shaft and the club head or portion thereof as shown in
FIG. 20D. FIG. 20D is an enlarged portion FIG. 20C, showing
damper/spring 240. It is noted that damper/spring 240 can be used
with any of the embodiments discussed and claimed herein. Part 240
can be an elastomeric or viscoelastic member designed to absorb
vibration caused by impacts, and can be compressed between the
hosel and the club head, as shown. Alternatively, part 240 can be
one or more spring washers being compressed between the hosel and
the club head to absorb the vibration. Suitable spring washers
include, but are not limited to, Belleville or cupped spring
washers, star spring washers, wave spring washers, curve spring
washers, and locking washers.
[0086] Also, any of the threaded connections described herein, can
be reinforced by a threaded helical coil, commercially available as
Helicoil.TM. from many sources, including Emhart Teknologies. These
coils are precision formed screw thread coils made from stainless
steel, titanium or other durable metals, that have a diamond shaped
cross-section. These coils are inserted into threaded holes, and
are adapted to receive threaded fasteners. These coils are designed
to be placed snugly between the threaded fasteners and threaded
holes, and are designed to spread the load evenly among the
threads. Typically, these coils are harder than the holes and the
fasteners to minimize the possibility of thread tripping.
[0087] Typically, shafts 14 are long and slender and their geometry
affects the number of teeth that can be present on serrated
surfaces 17 and 19, as shown generally in FIGS. 1-2, as well as the
geometry of these teeth. The size of the teeth also needs to be
sufficiently robust to withstand the stresses and torque applied to
the shaft. The cutting tools have their own limitation as to how
small they can cut the serrated teeth. The inventors of the present
invention have discovered that in one preferred embodiment three
teeth on each hosel insert 16, 18 can sufficiently perform the
anti-rotation function, as shown in FIGS. 19A-C. As shown, hosel
part 16 has three thick tapered teeth 230 and hosel part 18 has
three corresponding thin tapered teeth 232. Alternatively, thick
tapered teeth 230 can be associated with hosel part 18 and vice
versa. The slopes of tapered teeth 230 and tapered teeth 232 are
substantially the same and are from about 20.degree. to about
40.degree., preferably from about 25.degree. to about 35.degree.,
and more preferably about 30.degree.. Such angle extends the wear
of the teeth and allows debris and dirt to escape. Teeth 232 can be
from about 0.07 inch to 0.25 inch in height, preferably between
about 0.09 inch to about 0.20 inch in height, and more preferably
between about 0.10 inch to about 0.15 inch in height.
[0088] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
the tapered teeth (or prongs) on serrated surfaces 17 and 19, such
as teeth 230 and 232, do not come into contact with the opposing
hosel part, so that the tapered teeth or prongs don't bottom out or
come into contact with the opposing hosel part. In other words, a
gap 236 shown in FIG. 19A is present when hosel parts 16 and 18 are
assembled. This provides a manufacturing tolerance so that hosel
parts 16 and 18 can fit flush together. For example, if no gap 236
is allowed and one of the teeth is slightly longer than the rest,
then when assembled this longer tooth prevents the two hosel parts
from coming flush together. FIG. 19D illustrates another example of
gap 236 with tapered teeth 230 and 232 having substantially the
same size.
[0089] The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated
with driver-type or iron-type clubs. However, it is understood that
any type of golf club can utilize inventive connection system 10.
Additionally, connection system 10 can be used with non-golf
equipment, such as fishing poles, aiming sights for firearms,
plumbing, etc.
[0090] While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of
the invention disclosed herein fulfill the objectives stated above,
it is appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments
may be devised by those skilled in the art. Elements from one
embodiment can be incorporated into other embodiments. Therefore,
it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to
cover all such modifications and embodiments, which would come
within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *