U.S. patent application number 13/363886 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-01 for setting indicator for golf club.
This patent application is currently assigned to COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED. The applicant listed for this patent is Karl A. Clausen, Andrew Curtis. Invention is credited to Karl A. Clausen, Andrew Curtis.
Application Number | 20130196784 13/363886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48870692 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130196784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clausen; Karl A. ; et
al. |
August 1, 2013 |
SETTING INDICATOR FOR GOLF CLUB
Abstract
The invention generally relates to a setting indicator for a
golf club having an adjustable attribute. The invention provides a
component to serve as a setting indicator or setting display device
for a golf club or a golf club having a setting indicator. The
setting indicator includes a window and an adjustment mechanism
configured to provide a golf club with a selected attribute while
also displaying an indicia through the window to provide
information about the selected attribute.
Inventors: |
Clausen; Karl A.; (Carlsbad,
CA) ; Curtis; Andrew; (Solana Beach, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Clausen; Karl A.
Curtis; Andrew |
Carlsbad
Solana Beach |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
CARLSBAD
CA
|
Family ID: |
48870692 |
Appl. No.: |
13/363886 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/242 ;
473/238 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/023 20200801;
A63B 53/10 20130101; A63B 60/50 20151001; A63B 53/02 20130101; A63B
60/00 20151001; A63B 2071/0694 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/242 ;
473/238 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/02 20060101
A63B053/02; A63B 53/00 20060101 A63B053/00 |
Claims
1. A golf club component comprising a setting display device, the
setting display device comprising: an aperture through a surface of
the component; an adjustment mechanism configured to provide a golf
club with a selected attribute setting thereby displaying an
indicia through the aperture to provide information about the
selected attribute.
2. The component of claim 1 further wherein the component is a club
head and the aperture is in a hosel area of the club head
configured to receive a removable shaft comprising a grip at a
distal portion and the indicia at a proximal portion.
3. The component of claim 2, wherein the shaft can be coupled to
the head in a plurality of positions.
4. The component of claim 3, wherein the indicia comprises marking
such that coupling the shaft to the head in one of the positions
reveals a portion of the marking through the aperture, the revealed
portion giving information about the selected attribute specific to
that position.
5. The component of claim 1, further wherein the aperture comprises
a transparent material.
6. The component of claim 5 wherein the transparent material is one
selected from the list consisting of glass, plastic, polymer and
crystal.
7. The component of claim 5 wherein the transparent material is
coupled to the component by one selected from the list consisting
of cement, adhesive, laser welding, heat stake, snap-fit,
press-fit, co-molding, a gasket, and threading.
8. The component of claim 1, further comprising a rotatable member
and further wherein adjustment of the attribute setting does not
substantially change an external shape of the golf club.
9. A setting display device for a golf club comprising a window
member comprising a window and configured to be positioned relative
to an indicator member thereby providing the golf club with a
selected configuration and revealing indicia on the indicator
member, wherein the revealed indicia provides information about the
selected configuration.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the window member is in a
hosel.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the hosel is further configured
to couple to a golf club shaft, and wherein the indicator member
comprises an end portion of the shaft configured to be received
within the hosel.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the two or more selectable
configurations provide a golf club having two or more different
face angles, and the revealed indicia provides information about
the face angle.
13. The device of claim 11, wherein the two or more selectable
configurations provide a golf club having two or more different
loft settings, and the revealed indicia provides information about
the loft setting.
14. The device of claim 9, further wherein the window member is
configured to be repositionably mounted on a golf club head such
that the club head has a first center of gravity with the window
member mounted in a first position and a second center of gravity
with the window member mounted in a second position.
15. The device of claim 9, wherein the window member comprises a
portion of a surface of a golf club head and further wherein the
indicator member is configured to be repositionably mounted within
the golf club head such that the club head has a first center of
gravity with the indicator member mounted in a first position and a
second center of gravity with the indicator member mounted in a
second position.
16. A golf club with a setting indicator, the golf club comprising
a shaft and a head and further comprising: an opening through a
portion of the head; and an adjustment mechanism, wherein the
adjustment mechanism provides a first configuration while revealing
a first indicia through the opening and provides a second
configuration while revealing a second indicia through the
opening.
17. The golf club of claim 16, wherein the adjustment mechanism
comprises a repositionable member capable of being repositioned
from the first configuration to the second configuration.
18. The golf club of claim 17, further wherein the repositionable
member is rotatable about an axis, and the repositionable member
has a member center of gravity spaced away from the axis such that
the first configuration provides a first club head center of
gravity and the second position provides a second club head center
of gravity.
19. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the repositionable member is
positioned between a sole of a club head and a crown of a club
head.
20. The golf club of claim 16 wherein the head comprises a
repositionable element mounted on a shell surface of a shell member
of a club head, and the repositionable element comprises the
opening and the first and second indicia are on the shell
surface.
21. The golf club of claim 16, wherein the first configuration and
the second configuration provide different values for a factor, and
further wherein the factor is one selected from the list consisting
of: loft; face angle; moment of inertia; center of gravity; bounce
angle; club length; and weight.
22. The golf club of claim 16, further wherein the adjustment
mechanism: reveals only the first indicia while providing the first
configuration; reveals the first indicia only while providing the
first configuration; reveals only the second indicia while
providing the second configuration; and reveals the second indicia
only while providing the second configuration.
23. A golf club comprising a head and a shaft and further
comprising an adjustable attribute, the head comprising a window
member configured to reveal a first indicia of an adjustment
mechanism when the mechanism is in a first position to establish a
first value for the attribute and reveal a second indicia of the
mechanism when the mechanism is in a second position to establish a
second value for the attribute.
24. The golf club of claim 23, wherein the window member is further
configured to reveal a third indicia of the adjustment mechanism
when the mechanism is in a third position to establish a third
value for the attribute.
25. The golf club of claim 24, wherein the attribute is face angle,
the first value is open, the second value is neutral, and third
value is closed.
26. The golf club of claim 23, wherein the indicia comprise
markings on a surface.
27. The golf club of claim 26, wherein the window is in a hosel of
the head and the adjustment mechanism comprises a portion of the
shaft, and further wherein the hosel is configured to receive the
portion of the shaft and further wherein the first and second
indicia are on a surface of the portion of the shaft.
28. The golf club of claim 23 wherein the adjustable attribute
comprises a center of gravity of a club head and the adjustment
mechanism comprises a weight member repositionably coupled to the
club head.
29. The golf club of claim 23, wherein the adjustment mechanism
comprises a rotatable member.
30. The golf club of claim 24, wherein the window member is further
configured to reveal a fourth indicia of the adjustment mechanism
when the mechanism is in a fourth position to establish a fourth
value for the attribute.
31. The golf club of claim 31, wherein the window member is further
configured to reveal a fifth indicia of the adjustment mechanism
when the mechanism is in a fifth position to establish a fifth
value for the attribute.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention generally relates to a setting indicator for a
golf club having an adjustable attribute.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Existing golf club technology offers players a variety of
ways to adjust attributes of their clubs. For example, some club
heads are designed to be coupled to interchangeable or
repositionable shafts that let a player select a certain loft or
face angle. Some golf clubs let a player adjust the center of
gravity or moment of inertia of the club head, for instance, by
including repositionable weight members in the club head.
[0003] Providing a golf club with an adjustable attribute presents
a number of problems. Some setting adjustments involve no big
changes to an overall shape of a club, and thus present no obvious
visual indication of the effective setting. For example, closing a
face angle may involve only a slight rotation around a shaft.
Shifting a center of gravity may involve moving a weight contained
entirely within a club head. When such settings are adjusted, some
indication is needed of the effective setting.
[0004] Further, a golfer may not know enough physics to know the
right weight distribution or face angle to improve his or her game.
Even if a golfer does know, for example, that a slice can be
corrected by closing the face angle, the golfer may not use the
adjustment mechanism if it offers a number of settings and no clear
indication of the purpose of each one.
[0005] Providing a graphic or scale as a setting indicator does not
fully solve the problem. Generally, a scale or graphic is provided
showing every possible setting, thus giving too much information.
In some cases, the only indication of the effective setting is a
small pointing mark that moves relative to the scale (e.g., FIG. 2
of U.S. Pat. No. 2,451,262, FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 2,495,444, or
FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,096,982). In other cases, a golfer is
apparently expected to know that a specific position within a scale
indicates an effective setting. U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,969 reports an
adjustable head with a scale located outside of and above the club
head, wherein the mechanism is very large and clumsily protrudes
from the club, causing a very high center of gravity at address, as
well as requiring a coupling mechanism separating a shaft into more
than one component, with a resulting decrease in strength and
playability. In more modern clubs, a scale is sometimes printed
very small and appears to include only arcane technical details.
Some golfers perceive these as vestiges of manufacturing and ignore
them. Thus, while much research and development effort goes into
developing mechanisms for adjusting golf clubs, much potential
benefit of this effort is not yet realized due to existing setting
indicators.
SUMMARY
[0006] The invention provides a setting indicator that presents
information to a golfer about the effective setting of an
adjustable attribute of the golf club. By including a window
through a portion of an adjustment mechanism that moves relative to
another portion that underlies it, markings can be put on the
underlying portion such that a specific marking is revealed through
the window while the golf club is in a specific configuration. The
specific marking can communicate an effect of the adjusted setting
in terms that aid the golfer, for example, in using the adjustable
club to improve his or her game.
[0007] The invention provides a setting indicator that helps a
golfer realize the full potential benefit of an adjustable
attribute, particularly, for example, where an adjustment mechanism
does not otherwise substantially affect the appearance of a golf
club. As more adjustment mechanisms operate without an obvious
visual affect on club configuration--for example, by moveable
weights inside of a club head; rotation of disks, shafts, or other
elements with rotational symmetry around their axes; or very subtle
changes in shaft angles--a setting indicator of the invention
communicates information about an effective setting to a
golfer.
[0008] A further advantage of setting indicators according to the
present invention is that they can be configured so that they
innately reveal the present, effective setting of a golf club
(i.e., a user does not have to set the golf club, and then
separately set the indicator to indicate the golf club setting).
Setting indicators of the present invention can innately reveal an
effective setting of a golf club by including a window or aperture
through a portion of an adjustment mechanism that moves relative to
another portion, the other portion having indicia printed thereon
to be revealed through the window or aperture.
[0009] An advantage of setting indicators of the invention lies in
their ability to be integrated smoothly into a golf club having an
overall "standard", or familiar, appearance. Setting indicators
according to the present invention need not be associated with
clumsy or weighty add-ons, or awkward club constructions that would
result in a club with impaired properties such as a feeble shaft
incapable of full-force drives or a grossly unusual weight
distribution causing wonky, wall-eyed putts.
[0010] Another advantage of setting indicators results because the
invention exploits an aspect of adjustment mechanisms whereby one
portion of the mechanism move relative to another. By including
multiple indicia or a full scale on one portion, and a limiting
window or aperture on the other, the mechanism can reveal only the
indicia or portion of the scale relevant to the effective setting
of the club. The solid portion surrounding the window or aperture
can be configured to occlude any indicia other than that pertaining
to the effective setting, thereby solving the problem of too much
information, avoiding golfer confusion, and increasing a golfer's
ability to benefit from the advantages of an adjustable club.
[0011] The invention provides a window on a surface of a component
of a golf club head, the component overlaying an interior surface,
wherein the components participate in a golf club adjustment
mechanism. The mechanism allows the club to be adjusted between a
number N of different settings while simultaneously repositioning a
corresponding one of N indicia to be visible through the window,
thereby indicating to a user a current setting of the club
head.
[0012] In certain embodiments, the window is on the hosel revealing
indicia on an end of a shaft, and the shaft can be connected to the
club head in a number of positions each rotationally offset from
the other around a hosel axis. The portion of the shaft bearing the
indicia are inside of the hosel or the club head when the club is
in play, and one of the indicia is viewable through the window.
Thus, other than the window, the club bears no display of an
adjustment mechanism. The window the invention provides the
valuable benefit of communicating to a player a current setting of
a club in a easy-to-understand, foolproof way. A player can pick up
the club, and the only information visible reports the present
setting of the club. The window can be open (i.e., open-air or
pass-through) or enclosed by a transparent or translucent material.
The transparent or translucent material can include a lens-shaped
facet, for example to magnify or de-magnify a view through the
window. The indicia can be colored, luminescent, illuminated,
engraved, embossed, printed, etched, or any combination thereof or
characterized by any other useful property.
[0013] In certain aspects, the invention provides a component to
serve as a setting indicator or setting display device for a golf
club. The setting display device includes an aperture through a
surface of the component and an adjustment mechanism configured to
couple the component to a second component to provide a golf club
with a selected attribute setting while also displaying an indicia
through the aperture to provide information about the selected
attribute. The aperture can be in the hosel with the indicia
printed on the shaft or a sleeve-like member for receiving the
shaft into the hosel. The shaft can be, for example, a removable
shaft, with an indicia at a club-head end and a grip at a distal
end. In some embodiments, the shaft region of a golf club comprises
a monolithically formed shaft member including a proximal portion
configured to be within a hosel of a club and a distal portion
configured to be within a grip of a club.
[0014] In some embodiments, the invention supplies a club head for
a golf club, the club head including an aperture to provide a
setting indicator. The club head is configured to cooperate with a
shaft component, for example by receiving a proximal portion of the
shaft component within a hosel area such that indicia on the
proximal portion are displayed through the aperture. The indicia
can be on a surface of the shaft member that extends to the grip
region of a club, or the indicia can be on a sleeve member
configured to receive a proximal end of the shaft into a hosel,
wherein the sleeve member is repositionable relative to the club
head. Club heads, for example, according to these embodiments, are
provided that can be coupled to a variety of different shafts
(i.e., interchangeable club/shaft system), that can be coupled to a
shaft in a variety of positions (i.e., repositionable shaft
system), or both. In either system, the shaft or a cooperating
sleeve member can include indicia that, when the shaft is coupled
to the head to form a playable golf club, a portion (e.g., a
specific number, picture, or word) of the indicia is visible
through the aperture to reveal information about the attributes of
the assembled club.
[0015] The aperture can have the form of a window through the club
head. Window and aperture are generally used interchangeably.
Window generally highlights a see-through aspect of an aperture.
Aperture generally highlights an opening through a material for the
passage of light. For example, a transparent material having paint
on a surface surrounding a portion of the surface having no paint
provides an aperture or window. A material wall, or generally
planar (flat or curved) two-dimensional structure of any thickness,
having a discontinuity in material or a discontinuity in opacity
through which an image can be seen can provide a window or an
aperture. In some embodiments, a window or aperture is provided
including a region of transparent material set into a region of
surrounding material, regardless of the opacity or transparency of
the surrounding material. A suitable transparent material can be
glass, plastic, cellophane, or crystal, for example. A transparent
material element can be fixed into a surround element by any means
known in the art, including, for example, cement, glue laser
welding, heat stake, snap-fit, press-fit, co-molding, a gasket, and
threading.
[0016] The invention generally provides a component with a window
through it such that indicia on a second component can be viewed
through the window in an assembled club. In certain embodiments,
one of the two components is rotatable (relative to the other)
around an axis to supply different configurations in a playable
golf club. For example, in some embodiments, a shaft is rotatable
around a shaft axis. In certain embodiments, a club head includes a
rotatable member, such as a disc or a device that preferably has
rotational symmetry, configured on or within the head to be
rotated, for example, to redistribute weight or to modulate how a
club sits on the ground at address. The window can be in either the
rotatable member, such that a portion of the club head bearing
indicia is viewable through the window, or the window can be in a
portion of the club head, such that the rotatable member displays
indicia through the window. The rotatable member can optionally be
continuously rotatable, e.g., capable of traveling through any
number of rotations in either direction. One advantage of the
invention appreciable using a rotatable member as an example is
that a setting indicator can be provided wherein changing the
setting of the adjustable attribute does not substantially change
an external shape of the golf club.
[0017] In certain aspects, the invention provides a setting display
device for a golf club. The setting display device has a window in
a window member, and the window member can be positioned relative
to an indicator member to supply a desired configuration of the
golf club. In the desired configuration, the window reveals indicia
on the indicator member to give information about the selected
configuration. Using this device, a golfer can read information
about an effective setting of a golf club.
[0018] The window can be in a hosel, or elsewhere on the golf club.
With the window member on the hosel, different shafts or a shaft in
different positions can be received into the hosel to provide two,
or even more, different configuration. In each configuration, a
golfer can view an indicator through the window specific to the
effective configuration.
[0019] The invention provides a setting display device for golf
clubs having selectable configurations. Selectable configurations
according to the invention include loft, face angle, location of
center of gravity, mass, shaft length, and similar. For example, a
shaft can be coupled to a club head through an adjustment mechanism
allowing a golfer to choose from two or more face angles, and the
display device can provide information about the face angle. The
information could be, for example, marks that indicate an open,
neutral, or closed face angle. The invention advantageously
provides a display device that does not need independent setting.
When a golf club is configured in a first setting, the display
device reveals information about the first setting, and when the
golf club is configured in another setting, the display device
reveals information about that setting. For example, the display
device can cooperate with an adjustment mechanism to allow a golfer
to shift a center of gravity or moment of inertia among two or more
positions, with the display so indicating.
[0020] In certain aspects, the invention provides a golf club with
a setting indicator. The golf club generally has a shaft and a
head, as well as an opening through a portion of the head and an
adjustment mechanism that provides a first configuration while
revealing a first indicia through the opening and provides a second
configuration while revealing a second indicia through the opening.
The adjustment mechanism can offer two or more values for an
attribute such as loft, face angle, moment of inertia, center of
gravity, or weight. The adjustment mechanism can include a
substantially round member, or radially symmetric member (e.g.,
triangular or cross-shaped) rotatable about an axis to change
configurations. By including a center of gravity spaced away from
the axis of rotation, a rotatable member can provide two or more
different centers of gravity for a club head.
[0021] In certain embodiments, the club head includes a
repositionable member positioned between the sole and the crown, or
on an outer (lower) surface of the sole. Where the repositionable
member is positioned between the sole and the crown, a window may
be provided through the overall shell of a club head to reveal
indicia on the repositionable member. Where the repositionable
member is located on an outer surface of the shell, a window may be
provided through the repositionable member to reveal indicia on the
surface of the shell. A repositionable member can be slideable,
rotatable, or both.
[0022] One advantage of the setting indicator of the present
invention is that it can be configured to reveal only an indicia
while providing the corresponding configuration and reveal an
indicia only while providing the corresponding configuration, for
any number of indicia/configuration combinations.
[0023] In certain aspects, the invention provides a golf club with
an adjustable attribute, in which a head of the club has a window
configured to reveal an indicia part of an adjustment mechanism.
When the adjust mechanism is in a position to establish a
particular value for the attribute, a corresponding indicia is
displayed through the window. The window can be an aperture or
window in a window member. The adjustable attribute can be any of
face angle, loft, center of gravity, mass, moment of inertia, shaft
length, or similar. The indicia can be printed matter on a
surface.
[0024] In certain embodiments, the window is in a hosel of the head
and the adjustment mechanism includes part of a shaft. The hosel
receives the end of the shaft and indicia are printed on the
shaft--either directly on the primary shaft member, or on a
connective member formed to aid in coupling the primary shaft
member to the club head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a side view of a golf club showing a setting
indicator according to certain embodiments of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a detail view of a setting indicator of certain
embodiments of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a component of an adjustment mechanism
according to certain embodiments of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a detail view of a setting indicator of certain
embodiments of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a golf club head according to
certain embodiments of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a golf club head according to
certain embodiments of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustment mechanism
according to certain embodiments of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a golf club head according to
certain embodiments of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a golf club head
according to certain embodiments of the invention.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a top view of a golf club head according to
certain embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] The invention generally relates to setting indicators for
adjustment mechanisms for golf clubs having an adjustable
attribute. FIG. 1 shows golf club 101 with an exemplary setting
indicator according to certain embodiments of the invention.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, club 101 general has a grip 105 at an
end of a shaft 109, shaft 109 being connected via hosel 111 to club
head 113. Hosel 111 may be adorned with a ferrule 131. Club head
113 can be described as having a crown 117, facing upwards when the
club is at address, and a sole 121, generally facing downwards when
a club is at address. FIG. 1 shows club 101 as a driver. However, a
setting indicator is provided for any kind of golf club.
[0037] A setting indicator generally includes a window 125 and an
adjustment mechanism 129. Window 125 can be any shape and can be
positioned anywhere on a golf club. For example, window 125 can be
on the shaft, grip, or head of a club. Window 125 could be on the
grip butt cap or could reveal an indicator that depicts the setting
of an electronic device associated with a club. As will be seen
herein, a variety of adjustment mechanisms are improved through
inclusion of a setting indicator of the invention.
[0038] Devices and components of the invention can be fabricated by
any method known in the art. Exemplary methods for making a
component of a golf club include molding, forging, and laser metal
sintering. Making components via laser metal sintering is discussed
in Soracco, P., and Clausen, K., Method of Making Golf Clubs, U.S.
Pat. No. 8,007,373 and Soracco, P., and Clausen, K., Method of
Making Golf Clubs, U.S. Pub. 2011/0277313, both herein incorporated
by reference in their entirety. Methods of making golf clubs or
club components according to embodiments of the invention are
disclosed, for example, in Hartwell, B., et al., Golf Club Head
with Multi-Component Construction, U.S. Pub. 2011/0152003; Hirsch,
R., and Soracco, P., Metal Injection Molded Putter, U.S. Pat. No.
8,007,370; and Breier, J., et al., Metal Wood Golf Club Head, U.S.
Pub. 2008/0227564. Golf clubs including adjustable mechanisms, or
adjustable mechanisms for golf clubs, suitable for operation with
the invention, are disclosed in Clausen, K., and Roberts, D.,
Iron-Type Golf Clubs, U.S. Pub. 2010/0041493; Clausen, K., and
Soracco, P., Quick Release Connection System for Golf Clubs, U.S.
Pub. 2011/0098128; and Liang, M., et al., Weight Adjusting
Structure of Golf Club Head, U.S. Pat. No. 8,057,323, herein
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
[0039] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a mechanism for adjusting a face angle
according to certain embodiments. Shaft 109, generally having grip
105 at a distal end, presents a proximal end to be inserted through
hosel 111 to couple to head 113 to form a playable club. Shaft 109
can optionally be affixed into a coupling member 139, shown in FIG.
3 having a plurality of notches. Alternatively, shaft 109 can be
monolithically formed to include the notches. An exposed end of
hosel 111 presents a series of complementary notches such that
shaft 109 couples to head 113 in a series of discrete positions
(e.g., 1, 2, 3, or more). Club 101 may include a securing mechanism
(not shown), for example a retention bolt through the sole or clamp
around the hosel, for securing the parts together. Other approaches
to adjusting face angle, loft, or other properties are described,
for example, in Davidson, et al., Adjustable Golf Club, U.S. Pat.
No. 1,879,117 and Bassin, C. Adjustable Golf Club, U.S. Pat. No.
3,096,982, incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
[0040] Shaft 109 preferably comprises a monolithically formed
primary shaft member with a proximal end and a distal end. Grip 105
can be installed on the distal end. The proximal end can be
inserted into hosel 111, either directly or through the mediating
influence of coupling member 139. Due to the manner in which a
setting indicator of the invention is integrally provided with an
adjustable aspect of a club, a monolithic shaft 109 can be used.
Use of a monolithic (i.e., all of one piece) shaft allows a
proximal end to terminate within hosel 111 and a distal end to
terminate within grip 105 when club 101 is ready for play. A
monolithic shaft in this disposition (e.g., not including any
adjustment mechanism along the length of the shaft) optimizes the
performance of a club.
[0041] Whether the notches are provided directly on shaft 109 or
through a coupling member 139, the notches define a plurality of
configurations for club 101. Each configuration can establish a
different setting for an attribute of club 101. For example, where
a shaft is not perfectly rotationally symmetric around a primary
shaft axis, relative offsets of a club head in different
configurations can provide a club having different face angles and
loft angles. As another example, a number of different shafts can
be provided for insertion into hosel 111, each providing one or
more configurations to offer different attribute settings. By
including window 125 in hosel 111, indicia 135 can be provided on
shaft 109 (optionally on coupling member 139) for display through
window 125.
[0042] The systems and methods described here for adjusting an
aspect of a club are only one illustrative example, and are not
limiting. Other exemplary methods and systems for adjusting a club
are described, for example, in Breier, J., and Golden, C.,
Interchangeable Shaft and Club Head Connection System, U.S. Pub.
2010/0261543, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0043] Where indicia 135 includes a number of portions, only a
portion relevant to an effective setting 101 can be revealed,
according to certain embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG.
4, where the selectable attribute could be, for example, face
angle, a proximal end of shaft 109 has indicia to indicate open,
neutral, or closed. In the pictured setting, a portion of indicia
135 indicating neutral is displayed in window 125, indicating a
corresponding effective setting of club 101.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a golf club head according to
certain embodiments of the invention and illustrates that the
invention provides a display indicator that can have little or no
influence on an overall shape of club 101. For example, where
window 125 includes a transparent material, particularly in
embodiments in which the transparent material presents an outer
surface flush with an overall outer surface of club head 113, club
101 has the same outside surface shape as an otherwise equivalent
club lacking a display indicator. Accordingly, a display indicator
of the invention can be incorporated into club head 113 or club 101
that has been optimized, for example, for aerodynamic properties,
without interfering with those properties. Similarly, display
indicators can be provided that do not detract from an overall
pleasing design of a club, for instance, after designers have put
significant effort into shaping parts of a club. Furthermore, a
display indicator of the invention is versatile in how it is
positioned. A variety of locations, orientations, colors, and modes
of display can be used according to design choices or other
considerations.
[0045] The invention provides setting indicators for a variety of
adjustment mechanisms for golf clubs. For example, some club heads
include a mechanism which can adjust a moment of inertia, a loft
angle, or another attribute by including a repositionable member
that offers a club different playing characteristics when in
different positions. FIG. 6 shows one exemplary repositionable
member 141. Member 141 is configured to be rotated about an axis
and fixed in different relative rotation points. Member 141 has a
member center of gravity that is not located on the rotational
axis. Thus, when member 141 is positioned in different positions,
an overall center of gravity is re-positioned within club head
113.
[0046] In FIG. 6, repositionable member is shown located on sole
121 with a fastening component of adjustment mechanism 129. FIG. 6
includes line A-A' defining a section of head 113, and FIG. 7 shows
a cross-sectional view of head 113 along line A-A'. As can be seen
in FIG. 7, and in keeping with beneficial properties of the
invention, repositioning member 141 does not change an overall
morphology of club 101. Repositionable member 141 can be in any of
2, 3, or more different positions thereby offering a golfer
different effective settings for a center of gravity.
[0047] Adjustment mechanism 129 includes a setting indicator
provided by a window through repositionable member 141, as shown in
FIG. 6, and indicia 135 printed on an outside surface of a shell of
head 113 (optionally within a recess, as shown in FIG. 7). Thus,
member 141 provides a window member configured to reveal a portion
of indicia 135 corresponding to an effective value for a center of
gravity. Indicia 135 can include familiar words, numbers, or
pictures describing the effective center of gravity. For example,
indicia 135 could display a positive or negative integer to
indicate a center of gravity fore or aft of a center of gravity of
a comparable club without adjustment mechanism 129. Indicia 135
could also include descriptive terms such as "high loft", "low
loft", "backspin", "distance", "COG back", "COG fore", or any other
descriptive term. Indicia 135 could include a graphic icon, for
instance displaying a trajectory of a ball according to an
effective setting of club 101.
[0048] Adjustment mechanism 129 can provide for the adjustment of
other settings, including, for example, the way a club head sits on
the ground at address. By lifting or lowering a portion of sole 121
relative to ground at address, a loft or similar attribute of club
101 can be adjusted. FIG. 8 shows an exemplary mechanism for
adjusting a face angle including a setting indicator according to
certain embodiments of the invention. Repositionable element 141
includes a rotatable member generally having rotational symmetry,
for example in the shape of a rounded-off polygon (alternatively,
repositionable element 141 could be slideable, for example, along a
track or groove). Each point area of the polygon comprises material
of different thickness such that as repositionable element 141 is
set in different positions, an overall outer sole surface of sole
121 is varied, thereby varying the way club 101 sits on the ground
at address, for example, to vary the loft.
[0049] In certain embodiments, for example, as illustrated in FIGS.
1-10, adjustment mechanism 129 includes a rotatable member. In some
embodiments, a rotatable member offers an adjustable attribute of a
golf club and can be rotated completely around (e.g., continuously
rotatable). For example, in some embodiments, a shaft is rotatable
around a shaft axis. In certain embodiments, a club head includes a
rotatable member, such as a disc or a device that preferably has
rotational symmetry, configured on or in the head to be rotated,
for example, to redistribute weight or to modulate how a club sits
on the ground at address. Window 125 can either be in the rotatable
member as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, such that a portion of the club
head bearing indicia is viewable through the window, or the window
can be in a portion of the club head as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 9, and
10, such that the rotatable member displays indicia through the
window. In some embodiments, a rotatable member provides a first
position and a second position for an adjustment mechanism, wherein
club 101 or club head 113 has the same shape in either position.
Other exemplary rotatable members are described in Verderber,
Adjustable Golf Club, U.S. Pat. No. 2,593,368; Chancellor, C., Golf
Club Head with Movable Weight, U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,731; Liang, M.,
et al., Weight Adjusting Structure of Golf Club Head, U.S. Pub.
2009/0215551; and Roach, R., and Soracco, P., Golf Club Head with
Moveable Insert, U.S. Pub. 2010/0105499 (see, e.g., FIGS. 22-24),
each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety. Adjusting mechanism 129 may be provided including a
rotatable element that offers a first and second position with
effective rotation stops, preventing complete or continuous
rotation about an axis, for example, as illustrated in Williams, et
al., Adjustable Golf Club, U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,414, incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
[0050] In certain embodiments (not pictured), adjustment mechanism
129 includes a non-rotatable member (e.g., sliding,
interchangeable, repositionable, etc.). Exemplary sliding
adjustment mechanisms are described, for example, in Adams, M., and
Chu, S., Adjustable Weight Golf Clubs, U.S. Pub. 2008/0020861 and
Morris, T., and Soracco, P., Golf Club Head with Alignment System,
U.S. Pub. 2011/0190070 (see, e.g., FIG. 8), each of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Adjustment
mechanism 129 can include a set of replaceable or interchangeable
weight elements to be received within one or more recesses in a
weighting member of a club head, and a setting indicator can be
provided by window 125 disposed through the weighting member to
reveal a surface of a weight element, where the surface of the
weight element has upon it indicia 135. One exemplary adjustment
mechanism including replaceable or interchangeable weight elements
and a weighting member is described in Mahaffey, et al., Golf Club
With Peripheral Weighting, U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,818, incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
[0051] An adjustment mechanism is illustrated in FIG. 8 including a
setting indicator comprising a window through repositionable
element 141 and indicia 135 on sole 121. It will be appreciated
that club 101 can be provided having adjustment mechanism 129
integrally formed therewith. However, in certain embodiments,
adjustment mechanism 129 can be provided to be coupled to club head
113. For example, repositionable member 141 can be offered as a kit
with an attachment member such as a screw or adhesive mount, and a
sticker to provide indicia 135. In certain embodiments, club 101
has a recess in sole 121 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8 as a partial
recess) generally shaped to receive repositionable member as well
as indicia 135 optionally printed therein. Repositionable member
can be provided separately--for example, as a replacement for an
original or an interchangeable part. Thus the invention provides a
setting display device that can be provided to be coupled to a golf
club.
[0052] In some embodiments, the invention provides a golf club with
a setting indicator operable with an adjustment mechanism to
provide different configurations while revealing indicia
corresponding to those indicia through a window or aperture. For
example, mechanisms for adjusting a center of gravity of a club
head can operate with a setting indicator of the invention. FIG. 9
is a cross-sectional view of a golf club head including a mechanism
for providing different centers of gravity within a club head. As
can be seen in FIG. 9, repositionable element 141 is generally
positioned between crown 117 and sole 121 of club head 113.
Repositionable element 141 can have an uneven weight distribution,
thus having a center of gravity of that element not located on a
central axis. This way, when the element is rotated, the center of
gravity of club 101 changes. Adjustment mechanism 129 is preferably
mostly contained within head 113. Head 113 further includes window
125 for revealing indicia on repositionable element 141, for
example, as shown in FIG. 10.
[0053] As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 9 and 10, an advantage
of setting indicators of the invention lies in their ability to be
integrated smoothly into a golf club having an overall standard
shape and appearance. Accordingly, the invention provides setting
indicators for adjustable clubs having minimal or no protrusions
past the outside of a standard club surface. Exemplary adjustment
mechanisms, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, as well
as a variety of other adjustment mechanisms suitable for inclusion
with a setting indicator according to the invention, are disclosed
in detail in Roach, R., et al., Golf Club Head with Moveable
Insert, U.S. Pub. 2010/0105499, incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety.
[0054] The invention provides setting indicators optionally
including augmented functionality. For example, in some
embodiments, window 125 includes a transparent material with a
lens, for example, to magnify indicia 135. Indicia 135 can
optionally be illuminated, for example, by including one or more
LEDs or other illumination elements within or around window 125, or
by the use of phospholuminescent or glow-in-the-dark pigment.
[0055] In some embodiments, club 101 includes two or more of window
125, for instance, where club 101 has two or more adjustable
attributes. As an example, club 101 may be provided with a
mechanism for adjusting loft, as illustrated generally in FIGS. 1-5
(illustrating generally mechanisms for adjusting face angle, loft,
shaft length, shaft choice, shaft/head positioning, etc.). As a
golfer sets a desired loft, the golfer may discover a related,
unintended change in face angle. A variable lifter element as
illustrated, for example, in FIG. 8, may also be included in club
101, allowing the golfer to adjust the unintended change in face
angle. Accordingly, the invention provides for a club head having
two of window 125, to allow the golfer to see information about an
effective setting of loft and face angle.
[0056] Indicia 135 can be provided to supply information in the
form of text, numbers, icons, pictures, colors, engravings,
illuminated markings, codes, or any combination thereof. Indicia
can be embossed, debossed, provided by a hologram or photochromic
material, or any combination of the foregoing. For example, indicia
135 may include color codes, that have corresponding meaning across
more than one golf club or more than one setting indicator of the
invention. In some embodiments, a setting indicator is provided
with a blank area for indicia 135 and a kit including one or more
stickers bearing different indicia 135, so that a golfer may choose
if they prefer words, numbers, or colors, for example.
[0057] In certain embodiments, a setting indicator of the invention
comes in a kit with a specialized tool for manipulating an
effective setting. As an illustrative example, FIGS. 6 and 7 show
repositionable member 129 generally being a rotatable member and
having adjustment mechanism 129 at the center, with a recess to
receive an end of a specialty tool. A specialty tool can be
provided with an adjustment mechanism. In some embodiments, a
graphic key (e.g., a table) is printed on the specialty tool,
showing different portions of indicia 135 and giving more
information about the effective setting they indicate. In some
embodiments, the graphic key is supplied on a card or otherwise
printed on a tool or accessory. In some embodiments, information
about effective settings or the corresponding indicia is provided
electronically, for example, on a web page, or a downloadable app
for a smartphone.
[0058] In some embodiments, window 125 is an electronic display,
such as an LCD or LED readout. A small battery or chip may be
included within club 101, for example, to detect an effective
setting of adjustment mechanism 129 and reveal indicia 135
electronically.
[0059] In certain embodiments club 101 can have features to lower a
weight, for example, overall, or to compensate for weight added by
inclusion of components according to certain embodiments of the
invention. One exemplary method for minimizing weight in a club is
the use of lightweight inserts. Weight-saving inserts are
described, for example, in Soracco, P., Golf Club With Concave
Insert, U.S. Pub. 2011/0275455, incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
[0060] In some embodiments, a golf club or component of the indicia
has a surface with a photochromic or directional-based graphic.
[0061] The term "photochromic" generally refers to a reversible
change of color under exposure to light, for example by a chromene
or a silver halide salt. In some embodiments, golf club 101 can
comprise one component that includes a photochromic portion, and
another component that does not. For example, in some embodiments,
indicia 135 darkens when exposed to light, thereby ensuring that
when the club head is at address or in play, no distracting logos
or similar visual elements are visible. In some embodiments, window
125 is transparent when exposed to direct sunlight and
substantially opaque when exposed to diminished light (e.g.,
indirect sunlight, filtered sunlight, indoor light, evening light,
low light). Thus, a setting indicator of the invention may present
a utilitarian aspect while the club is in play on a golf course,
and present an aesthetically pleasing aspect while the club is
displayed in a store.
[0062] In some embodiments, a portion of a golf club includes a
photochromic material in a configuration that causes a sight line
or alignment aid which reversibly appears, for example, when the
club is exposed to sunlight at address. In certain embodiments, a
portion of a golf club includes a photochromic indicia or element
on a surface of any component, for example, including without
limitation, a head, shaft, hosel, sleeve, or iron topline.
[0063] Indicia 135 or another surface of club 101 may include a
directional-based graphic. For example, indicia 135 as shown in
FIG. 10 may include a plurality of lenticular lenses oriented so
that indicia 135 is visible to a golfer holding club 101 at address
(e.g., from an direction substantially normal to a surface of
window 125), but not visible to a person standing away nearby
(e.g., with a line of sight defining an angle less than about 80
degrees with a surface of window 125). Exemplary directional-based
graphics for golf clubs are described in Roach, R., and Soracco,
P., Golf Club With Directional Based Graphic, U.S. Pub.
2011/0059808, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0064] In part due to the fact that adjustment mechanism 129 and a
setting indicator each provide a very good training aid for a
learning golfer, a setting indicator according to the invention may
generally complement features that also provide training aids. For
example, a monochrome golf club is known to be a training aid
because, by not having any graphics or multi-colored portions, a
learning golfer can best see and understand a smooth visual trace
of their swing, thereby improving their swing. Also, because visual
acuity is diminished in the peripheral regions, a monochrome golf
club is easier to see at the extremes of a swing, making it a good
tool for a golfer working on improving their swing. A golfer may
also desire to experiment with different settings according to an
adjustment mechanism. Thus, in certain embodiments, a setting
indicator of the invention is supplied with a single-color golf
club.
[0065] As can be seen from the foregoing, the invention provides a
setting indicator for a golf club or a golf club having a setting
indicator. The setting indicator includes a window and an
adjustment mechanism configured to provide a golf club with a
selected attribute while also displaying an indicia through the
window to provide information about the selected attribute.
[0066] Any documents referenced in this disclosure are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all
purposes.
[0067] Various modifications of the invention and many further
embodiments thereof, in addition to those shown and described
herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
full contents of this document, including references to the
scientific and patent literature cited herein. The subject matter
herein contains important information, exemplification and guidance
that can be adapted to the practice of this invention in its
various embodiments and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *