U.S. patent application number 13/754373 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-27 for weight screw.
This patent application is currently assigned to CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY. Invention is credited to Alan C. Bettencourt, Robert Cruz, Patrick Dawson, Thomas J. DiMarco, Daniel C. Fox, James E. Stevens.
Application Number | 20140086705 13/754373 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50339009 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140086705 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dawson; Patrick ; et
al. |
March 27, 2014 |
WEIGHT SCREW
Abstract
A screw comprising a drive part, a threaded part, and a
retaining ring is disclosed herein. Each of the drive part and the
threaded part comprises a plurality of interface surfaces that
transmit torque from the drive part to the threaded part and
prevent the parts from disengaging from one another during use.
Each plurality of interface surfaces forms one or more geometric
shapes that create additional friction between the drive and
threaded parts, and may further include mating pins and holes to
prevent the parts from detaching from one another. The retaining
ring, which removably connects the screw to a wrench during
assembly of the screw with a receptacle, is disposed within a
cavity formed when the drive part is assembled with the threaded
part.
Inventors: |
Dawson; Patrick; (San Diego,
CA) ; Cruz; Robert; (Chula Vista, CA) ;
DiMarco; Thomas J.; (Carlsbad, CA) ; Fox; Daniel
C.; (Oceanside, CA) ; Stevens; James E.;
(Oceanside, CA) ; Bettencourt; Alan C.; (Solana
Beach, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY |
Carlsbad |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
Carlsbad
CA
|
Family ID: |
50339009 |
Appl. No.: |
13/754373 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61705498 |
Sep 25, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
411/393 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 35/06 20130101;
A63B 53/04 20130101; A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 2053/0491
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
411/393 |
International
Class: |
F16B 35/00 20060101
F16B035/00 |
Claims
1. A screw comprising: a drive part comprising a receiving cavity;
a threaded part comprising a projecting portion and a pocket; and a
retaining ring wherein the drive part is formed separately from the
threaded part, wherein the retaining ring is disposed in the
pocket, and wherein the projecting portion is sized to mate with
the receiving cavity.
2. The screw of claim 1, wherein the retaining ring is composed of
a material selected from the group consisting of elastomer, metal,
and composite.
3. The screw of claim 2, wherein the retaining ring is composed of
a metal material.
4. The screw of claim 3, wherein the retaining ring is composed of
steel.
5. The screw of claim 1, wherein the receiving cavity comprises a
shape.
6. The screw of claim 5, wherein the shape is selected from the
group consisting of circular, triangular, square, rectangular,
oval, and hexalobular.
7. The screw of claim 1, wherein the receiving cavity comprises a
plurality of pins, wherein the projecting portion comprises a
plurality of holes, and wherein the plurality of pins mates with
the plurality of holes.
8. The screw of claim 1, wherein the receiving cavity comprises a
plurality of holes, wherein the projecting portion comprises a
plurality of pins, and wherein the plurality of pins mates with the
plurality of holes.
9. The screw of claim 1, wherein the pocket has a first diameter,
wherein the retaining ring has a second diameter, and wherein the
second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.
10. The screw of claim 1, wherein the pocket is sized to permit the
retaining ring to expand in a horizontal direction and not a
vertical direction.
11. The screw of claim 1, wherein the drive part comprises a
through bore with a hexalobular geometry.
12. The screw of claim 1, wherein torque applied to the drive part
is transmitted to the threaded part via, the receiving cavity and
the projecting portion.
13. The screw of claim 1, wherein the drive part is composed of a
first material, wherein the threaded part is composed of a second
material, and wherein the first material is different from the
second material.
14. The screw of claim 1, wherein the drive part is composed of a
material having a density of no less than 1 g/cc to and no more
than 16 g/cc.
15. The screw of claim 1, wherein the threaded part is composed of
a material having a density of no less than 2.5 g/cc and no more
than 12 g/cc.
16. The screw of claim 1, wherein the drive part is composed of
thixomolded magnesium material, and wherein the threaded part is
composed of a different metal material.
17. A weight screw comprising: a drive part composed of a material
having a density of no less than 1 g/cc to and no more than 16
g/cc; a threaded part formed separately from the threaded part
composed of a material having a density of no less than 2.5 g/cc
and no more than 12 g/cc; a receiving cavity; a projecting portion;
a pocket; and a retaining ring composed of a metal alloy, wherein
the retaining ring is disposed in the pocket, wherein the pocket is
sized to permit the retaining ring to expand in a horizontal
direction and not a vertical direction, and wherein the projecting
portion is sized to mate with the receiving cavity.
18. The weight screw of claim 17, wherein the receiving cavity is
disposed on the drive part, wherein the projecting portion and the
pocket are disposed on the threaded part, and wherein the receiving
cavity has a hexalobular shape.
19. The weight screw of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of
holes and a plurality of pins, and wherein the plurality of pins
mates with the plurality of holes.
20. The weight screw of claim 19, wherein the plurality of holes is
disposed on the receiving cavity, and wherein the plurality of pins
is disposed on the projecting portion.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/705,498 filed Sep. 25, 2012, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety herein.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a multi-piece weight screw
with a retaining feature and a unidirectional torque transferring
feature.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] In recent years, golf consumers have become more interested
in customizing their golf equipment. As such, n any manufacturers
have begun incorporating adjustable features into their golf clubs.
One such feature is weighting, which can be adjusted through the
use of removable or movable weights, including weight screws,
affixed to various regions of a golf club head or shaft. While
there are several different kinds of golf club weight screws
currently available on the market, many of these screws have
structural weaknesses that can lead to breakage and thus require
consumers to spend additional money replacing them. Furthermore,
once a weight is removed there is die potential for the consumer to
lose it, which is inconvenient for the golfer. As such, there is a
need for a weight screw with an improved structure that prevents
breakage and loss.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a two piece weight
screw that may be used to adjust the weight of a golf club head.
The two part screw of the present invention separates the first,
drive part, which may be Torx.TM., hex, Phillips, etc., from the
second, threaded part. This screw further includes a mechanism for
removably attaching the screw to an adjustment wrench, which may be
a retaining ring that engages a specific geometry of the wrench.
The retaining ring is disposed on the second part of the screw
assembly, and preferably sits within a cavity in the second part
where it cannot move in a vertical direction and has space to
expand horizontally around its diameter. This cavity becomes an
enclosed space when the first part of the screw assembly is
assembled with the second part of the screw assembly.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a torque transfer
method. An interface surface is provided between the first and
second parts of the screw assembly, and the interface of the
present invention transfers the torque applied at the drive side in
the first part of the screw to the threads of the second part of
the screw without slipping.
[0009] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a screw
comprising a drive part comprising a receiving cavity, a threaded
part comprising a projecting portion and a pocket, and a retaining
ring, wherein the drive part is formed separately from the threaded
part, wherein the retaining ring is disposed in the pocket, and
wherein the projecting portion is sized to mate with the receiving
cavity. In some embodiments, the retaining ring is composed of a
material selected from the group consisting of elastomeric
material, metal material, and composite material, and in a further
embodiment may be composed of steel. In other embodiments, the
receiving cavity comprises a shape, which may be selected from the
group consisting of circular, triangular, square, rectangular,
oval, and hexalobular. In some embodiments, the receiving cavity
may comprise a plurality of pins, the projecting portion may
comprise a plurality of holes, and the plurality of pins may mate
with the plurality of holes. In an alternative embodiment, the
receiving cavity may comprise the plurality of holes and the
projecting portion may comprise the plurality of pins.
[0010] In one embodiment, the pocket may have a first diameter, the
retaining ring may have a second diameter, and the second diameter
may be smaller than the first diameter. In another embodiment, the
pocket may be sized to permit the retaining ring to expand in a
horizontal direction and not a vertical direction. In some
embodiments, the drive part may comprise a through bore, which may
have hexatobular geometry. In some embodiments, torque applied to
the drive part may be transmitted to the threaded part via the
receiving cavity and the projecting portion. In another embodiment,
the drive part may be composed of a first material, the threaded
part may be composed of a second material, and the first material
may be different from the second material. In some embodiments, the
drive part may be composed of a material having a density of no
less than 1 g/cc to and no more than 16 g/cc, and in other
embodiments, the threaded part may be composed of a material having
a density of no less than 2.5 g/cc and no more than 12 g/cc. In
still other embodiments, the drive part may be composed of
thixomolded magnesium material, and the threaded part may be
composed of a different metal material.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is a weight screw
comprising a drive part composed of a material having a density of
no less than 1 g/cc to and no more than 16 g/cc, a threaded part
formed separately from the threaded part composed of a material
having a density of no less than 2.5 g/cc and no more than 12 g/cc,
a receiving cavity, a projecting portion, a pocket, and a retaining
ring composed of a metal alloy, wherein the retaining ring is
disposed in the pocket, wherein the pocket is sized to permit the
retaining ring to expand in a horizontal direction and not a
vertical direction, and wherein the projecting portion is sized to
mate with the receiving cavity. In some embodiments, the receiving
cavity may be disposed on the drive part, the projecting portion
and the pocket may be disposed on the threaded part, and the
receiving cavity may have a hexalobular shape. Another embodiment
may further comprise a plurality of holes and a plurality of pins
that mate with the plurality of holes. In a further embodiment, the
plurality of holes may be disposed on the receiving cavity and the
plurality of pins may be disposed on the projecting portion.
[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is a set of weight
screws or a kit comprising one or more of the weight screws
described herein.
[0013] Having briefly described the present invention, the above
and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be
recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following
detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 1B is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1A.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1A along lines 2-2.
[0017] FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of the drive part of the
first embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of
the first embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the threaded part of
the first embodiment with a retaining ring.
[0020] FIG. 4B is a top perspective view of the threaded part of
the first embodiment without a retaining ring.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5 along tines 6-6.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the threaded part of the
second embodiment without a retaining ring.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of the
second embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of
the present invention.
[0026] FIG, 10 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 9 along lines 10-10.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the threaded part of
the third embodiment without a retaining ring.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of
the third embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of a fourth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 13 along lines 14-14.
[0031] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the threaded part of
the fourth embodiment without a retaining ring.
[0032] FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of
the fourth embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of a fifth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 17 along lines 18-18.
[0035] FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the threaded part of
the fifth embodiment without a retaining ring.
[0036] FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of
the fifth embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of a sixth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 21 along lines 22-22.
[0039] FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of the threaded part of
the sixth embodiment without a retaining ring.
[0040] FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of
the sixth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] The weight screws of the present invention are designed to
help a golfer achieve discrete weighting goals in golf club heads
without sacrificing structural integrity, but do not have to be
limited to use with golf clubs, or even sporting equipment, as they
can be used with any structure or device that requires or could
benefit from adjustable weight technology. The weight screws of the
present invention are also designed to be retained on a wrench
during adjustment and thus be less susceptible to loss. The weight
screws of the present invention may include one or more features of
the weight screws disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/410,127, filed on Mar. 1, 2012, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The weight
screws of the present invention may also include any of the
features of the embodiments disclosed in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/412,395, filed on Mar. 5, 2012, the disclosure of which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. In
particular, the weight screws of the present invention may include
the interrupted thread pattern disclosed in that application.
[0042] As shown in the Figures, each screw 10 of the present
invention has a first, drive part 20 and a second, threaded part
30, which combine to create an internal pocket or cavity 40 that
houses the retaining ring 50 and prevents it from moving in a
vertical direction inside the screw 10 while allowing it to expand
horizontally. A (preferred embodiment of the present invention is
shown in FIGS. 1A through 4B. As shown in these Figures, the drive
part 20 has a hexalobular through-bore 21 and a receiving cavity 22
with a plurality of interface surfaces 25. The threaded part 30 has
a threaded region 31 and a head 34 having a projecting portion 32,
which also comprises a plurality of interface surfaces 35. In order
to assemble the screw 10, the projecting portion 32 mates with the
receiving cavity 22 to connect the drive part 20 and the threaded
part 30 together, and friction between the interface surfaces 25,
35 prevents these two parts 20, 30 from disengaging from one
another during use. The interface surfaces 25 of the drive part 20
also bear against the interface surfaces 35 of the threaded part
30, and transmit torque from the drive part 20 to the threaded part
30 when the screw is being threaded into a receptacle, (such as one
of the weight ports shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/629,391, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety herein) using a wrench or other tool.
[0043] The retaining ring 50, shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A, preferably
has a shape similar to the letter C, with an inner opening 52 and a
side opening 54, and is composed of a metal material, but may in
alternative embodiments be composed of an elastomeric material. The
retaining ring 50 preferably has a diameter that is smaller than
the diameter of the cavity 40. When a torque wrench (not shown) is
applied to the screw 10 of the present invention, the tip of the
wrench extends through the inner opening 52 of the retaining ring
50, pushing the two ends 56, 58 apart and causing the ring's 50
radius to expand in a horizontal direction, press against the wall
42 of the cavity 40, and press against and grip the tip of the
wrench. In this way, the retaining ring 50 causes the screw 10 to
become removably affixed to the wrench during removal, and reduces
the likelihood that the screw 10 will be lost during adjustment. It
is important that the retaining ring 50 be composed of material
with sufficient elasticity and structural integrity to ensure
expansion and avoid breakage while allowing the retaining ring 50
to return to its original, unexpanded configuration, such as steel
or other metal alloys.
[0044] The interface surfaces 25, 35 are shaped to transmit torque
from the drive part 20 to the threaded part 30. As shown in the
Figures, interface surfaced 25, 35 the screw 10 of the present
invention may form structures having various shapes or geometries.
For example, in the preferred embodiment, the interface surfaces
25, 35 of the drive and threaded parts 20, 30 include a circular
configuration 26a, 36a. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8, the
interface surfaces 25, 35 of the drive and threaded parts 20, 30
include a triangular configuration 26b, 36b. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 9-12, the interface surfaces 25, 35 of the drive and
threaded parts 20, 30 include a hexalobular configuration 26c,
36c.
[0045] In other embodiments, the drive and threaded parts 20, 30 of
the screw may include additional features to ensure that the parts
20, 30 do not disengage from each other during use. For example,
the embodiments shown in FIGS. 13 through 24 include projections or
pins 61, 62, 63 extending from the receiving cavity 22 of the drive
part 20 that mate with holes 71, 72, 73 extending into the
projecting portion 32 of the threaded part 30. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 13-16, the interface surfaces 25, 35 of the drive
and threaded parts 20, 30 include a triangular configuration 26b,
36b and the pins 61, 62, 63 and holes 71, 72, 73 described herein.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-20, the interface surfaces 25,
35 of the drive and threaded parts 20, 30 include a different
triangular configuration 26d, 36d that incorporates the pins 61,
62, 63 and holes 71, 72, 73 into its structure. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 21-24, the interface surfaces 25, 35 of the drive
and threaded parts 20, 30 include a rounded triangular
configuration 26e, 36e and the pins 61, 62, 63 and holes 71, 72, 73
described herein.
[0046] Screws 10 with low torque requirements can use simple press
tit diameters, such as those included in the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 1A through 12, to transmit the torque, and rely on the
friction between the interface surfaces 25, 35 to resist torque
applied to the drive part 20. For higher torque requirements, the
interface surfaces 25, 35 need to be connected by more than just
friction. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 13 through 24 transmit
higher torque forces due to the inclusion of pins 61, 62, 63 and
holes 71, 72, 73, so are more suitable for higher torque
requirements.
[0047] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-24 are not intended to be
limiting, however, because the screw 10 of the present invention
may incorporate a structure of any shape, including those disclosed
herein, in its interface surfaces 25, 35 to increase friction and
transmit torque, and may also combine any of the shapes disclosed
herein or known to a person skilled in the art with the pins 61,
62, 63 and holes 71, 72, 73 described herein. In one alternative
embodiment, for example, the pins 61, 62, 63 may be disposed on the
projecting portion 32 white the holes 71, 72, 73 may be disposed
within the receiving cavity 22. The embodiments disclosed herein
may also be composed of any number of materials known to a person
skilled in the art, and the drive part 20 of the screws 10
disclosed herein a have through-bores with any number of shapes
other than hexalobular.
[0048] Each of the pa s of the embodiments disclosed herein may be
composed of any material known to a person skilled in the art,
including metal alloys such as tungsten alloy, aluminum alloy,
steel, titanium alloy, and magnesium alloy, polymeric materials
such as plastic and rubber, and composite materials, and may be
made by any process known in the art, including, but not limited
to, metal injection molding, powder metallurgy, and thixomolding.
The materials used to form the screws 10 disclosed herein can be
selected based on the type of weighting required. For example, if a
golf club head requires a heavy weight, one or more parts of the
screw 10 can be composed of a high density material such as
tungsten, whereas a golf club head requiring a lightweight weight
could incorporate a screw 10 with one or more parts composed of
composite, plastic, aluminum alloy, or magnesium alloy. The
material of the drive part 20 can be adjusted, while maintaining, a
consistent volume of the drive part 20, to adjust the overall
weight of the screw 10 of the present invention, and separating the
drive part 20 from the threaded part 30 allows for cost savings if
only the drive part 20 material needs to change to provide multiple
weighting options.
[0049] In one particular embodiment, each of the drive part 20,
threaded part 30, and retaining ring 50 is formed from stainless
steel. Weight screws 10 having this material composition and a
length of approximately 0.600 inch were hit tested by engaging the
screws 10 with weight ports in a golf club head and then hitting
golf balls with the golf club head 10,000 times at a speed of 110
mph at various points on the golf club face. The screws 10 did not
crack and their length did not change at any point during this
test.
[0050] In another particular embodiment, the drive part is 20 is
formed from a thixomolded magnesium alloy, while the threaded part
30 is formed from a different, metal alloy.
[0051] From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the
pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this
invention and will readily understand that while the present
invention has been described in association with a preferred
embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and
substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be
unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following
appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in
which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in
the following appended claims.
* * * * *