EP0965366A1 - Golf putter - Google Patents
Golf putter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0965366A1 EP0965366A1 EP99304704A EP99304704A EP0965366A1 EP 0965366 A1 EP0965366 A1 EP 0965366A1 EP 99304704 A EP99304704 A EP 99304704A EP 99304704 A EP99304704 A EP 99304704A EP 0965366 A1 EP0965366 A1 EP 0965366A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- golf club
- insert
- club according
- cavity
- outer shell
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0487—Heads for putters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/02—Joint structures between the head and the shaft
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0416—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0441—Heads with visual indicators for aligning the golf club
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/10—Non-metallic shafts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/02—Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B2053/0491—Heads with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/52—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like with slits
Definitions
- a golf club 1 comprises a head 2 connected to a shaft 3.
- the head 2 has a striking face 4 with a so called sweet- spot 5 which is usually arranged to occur at the geometrical centre of area of the striking face 4 as indicated by the crossed lines.
- impact with a golf ball is sought to take place at the sweet-spot 5.
- a problem with this prior art arrangement is that the shaft 3 is displaced somewhat from the impact area and is fixed directly to the head 2. As a consequence of this some of the energy of impact is dissipated within the head thus lessening the amount of impact energy which can be transmitted up the shaft to the player's hands so that in one sense the amount of energy available to define "feel" is reduced.
- a golf club having a head including a striking face with a sweet-spot, the head comprising an outer shell member defining a cavity, an insert located within the cavity spaced from the outer shell member and a shaft connection fixed to the insert through the outer shell.
- FIG 2 there is shown a golf putter 10 in accordance with the present invention.
- Golf putter 10 comprises a generally T-shaped head 11 connected to a shaft 12 by means of a hosel member 13.
- Hosel member 13 may be hollow.
- a shaft connection may comprise the hosel member 13 or the hosel member 13 may be dispensed with and the shaft connection may comprise a shaft 14 connected directly to the head 11 .
- the head 11 comprises an outer shell member 15 which defines a cavity 16 within the head 11.
- An important part of the present invention is the use of a cylindrical inner insert member 17 located within cavity 16 of head 11.
- Insert member 17 is made of bronze material and defines a rear cavity 18.
- the bronze material is selected to be a soft ductile material to facilitate the transmission of shock.
- a sweet spot 19 of the head 11 is arranged to be at the centre of the circular face area of insert 17 as indicated by the crossed lines as best seen in figure 4.
- An aperture 20 is formed in insert 17 by drilling and reaming to receive and ensure a proper fit with either hosel 13 or shaft 14. As seen in figure 2 hosel member 13 stops short of the end of the aperture 20 so that it does not contact outer shell member 15. It is believed this arrangement enhances the transmission of impact energy to the putter shaft as feel.
- Cavity 18 in combination with the remaining part of cavity 16 defines a void 21 in head 11. Void 21 is believed to increase the resonance factor of head 11.
- Insert 17 is supported and fixed within cavity 16 by means of Neoprene resilient O-rings 22, 23 fitted to semi-circular grooves 24, 25 formed around the circular periphery of insert 17.
- a small clearance exists between insert 17 and a shoulder 26 formed within outer shell member 15.
- the 0-rings 22,23 space the insert 17 from outer shell member 15 so that a small clearance 31 is formed which in a sense insulates insert 17 from outer shell member 15.
- Stabilising or inertia weights 27 are let into the sides 28 of the head 11 to minimise the effect of off-centre hits.
- a slot 29,see figure 5, assists in aiming the striking face 30 of the putter head 11.
- Outer shell member 15 and hosel member 13 are made of aircraft quality high strength aluminium and when shaft 12,14 comprises a substantially large diameter shaft the shaft will be made of carbon fibre material.
- the O-rings act as seals to prevent dirt and moisture from entering void 21 through clearance 31.
- Shaft 14 or hosel member 13 enters the aperture 20 in insert 17 through a hole 29 drilled in outer shell member 15.
- a golf club for example a putter as shown in figure 2 may have an increased "feel factor" due to the increased energy being transmitted up the shaft 12, 14. It has been found in practice that the void 21 also enhances the feel factor.
- the present invention may be used with so called standard shafts. However, the invention can be most advantageously used in a putter with a substantially large diameter (between 25 and 45mm), thin walled, parallel shaft to enhance the "feel factor".
- the present invention may be used in golf clubs other than putters but in that case due care must be taken with the design because of the higher forces that may be involved.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Golf Clubs (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a golf club. More particularly the invention is concerned with the provision of a novel connection between the head of a golf club and the shaft. In prior art golf clubs as shown in figure 1 a golf club 1 comprises a
head 2 connected to ashaft 3. thehead 2 has astriking face 4 with a so called sweet-spot 5 which is usually arranged to occur at the geometrical centre of area of thestriking face 4 as indicated by the crossed lines. Ideally impact with a golf ball is sought to take place at the sweet-spot 5. A problem with this prior art arrangement is that theshaft 3 is displaced somewhat from the impact area and is fixed directly to thehead 2. As a consequence of this some of the energy of impact is dissipated within the head thus lessening the amount of impact energy which can be transmitted up the shaft to the player's hands so that in one sense the amount of energy available to define "feel" is reduced. - According to the present invention there is provided a golf club having a head including a striking face with a sweet-spot, the head comprising an outer shell member defining a cavity, an insert located within the cavity spaced from the outer shell member and a shaft connection fixed to the insert through the outer shell.
- The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
- Figure 1 is a prior art golf club and connection.
- Figure 2 is a part sectional elevation of a golf putter in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 3 is a part elevational view looking on arrow "A" of figure 2
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of an insert used in the practice of the invention.
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of a putter head and shaft connection in accordance with the present invention.
-
- In figure 2 there is shown a
golf putter 10 in accordance with the present invention.Golf putter 10 comprises a generally T-shaped head 11 connected to a shaft 12 by means of ahosel member 13. Hoselmember 13 may be hollow. A shaft connection may comprise thehosel member 13 or thehosel member 13 may be dispensed with and the shaft connection may comprise a shaft 14 connected directly to the head 11 . The head 11 comprises anouter shell member 15 which defines acavity 16 within the head 11. An important part of the present invention is the use of a cylindricalinner insert member 17 located withincavity 16 of head 11.Insert member 17 is made of bronze material and defines arear cavity 18. The bronze material is selected to be a soft ductile material to facilitate the transmission of shock. Asweet spot 19 of the head 11 is arranged to be at the centre of the circular face area ofinsert 17 as indicated by the crossed lines as best seen in figure 4. Anaperture 20 is formed ininsert 17 by drilling and reaming to receive and ensure a proper fit with eitherhosel 13 or shaft 14. As seen in figure 2hosel member 13 stops short of the end of theaperture 20 so that it does not contactouter shell member 15. It is believed this arrangement enhances the transmission of impact energy to the putter shaft as feel.Cavity 18 in combination with the remaining part ofcavity 16 defines avoid 21 in head 11.Void 21 is believed to increase the resonance factor of head 11.Insert 17 is supported and fixed withincavity 16 by means of Neoprene resilient O-rings semi-circular grooves insert 17. A small clearance exists betweeninsert 17 and ashoulder 26 formed withinouter shell member 15. Also as best seen in figure 2 the 0-rings insert 17 fromouter shell member 15 so that asmall clearance 31 is formed which in a sense insulates insert 17 fromouter shell member 15. Stabilising orinertia weights 27 are let into thesides 28 of the head 11 to minimise the effect of off-centre hits. Aslot 29,see figure 5, assists in aiming thestriking face 30 of the putter head 11.Outer shell member 15 andhosel member 13 are made of aircraft quality high strength aluminium and when shaft 12,14 comprises a substantially large diameter shaft the shaft will be made of carbon fibre material. In addition to resiliently fixinginsert 17 withincavity 16 the O-rings act as seals to prevent dirt and moisture from enteringvoid 21 throughclearance 31. Shaft 14 orhosel member 13 enters theaperture 20 ininsert 17 through ahole 29 drilled inouter shell member 15. As can be appreciated from figure 3 becauseinsert 17 is insulated fromouter shell member 15 by the resilient O-rings any impact oninsert 17 is transferred more or less directly to shaft 14 orhosel 13 with less impact energy being dissipated within head 11. Consequently a golf club, for example a putter as shown in figure 2 may have an increased "feel factor" due to the increased energy being transmitted up the shaft 12, 14. It has been found in practice that thevoid 21 also enhances the feel factor. The present invention may be used with so called standard shafts. However, the invention can be most advantageously used in a putter with a substantially large diameter (between 25 and 45mm), thin walled, parallel shaft to enhance the "feel factor". The present invention may be used in golf clubs other than putters but in that case due care must be taken with the design because of the higher forces that may be involved.
Claims (16)
- A golf club having a head including a striking face with a sweet spot, the head comprising an outer shell member defining a cavity, an inner insert member located within the cavity spaced from the outer shell member and a shaft connection fixed to the insert through the outer shell member.
- A golf club according to claim 1, wherein the inner insert member is resiliently supported within the cavity.
- A golf club according to claim 2, wherein the inner insert member is supported by resilient O-rings.
- A golf club according to claim 3, wherein the O-rings seal the insert within the cavity of the outer shell member.
- A golf club according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the resilient O-rings comprise the material Neoprene.
- A golf club according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft connection comprises a hosel member fitted to the insert.
- A golf club according to claim 6, wherein the hosel member fits within an aperture formed in the insert and stops short of the end of the aperture so that it does not contact the outer shell member.
- A golf club according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the hosel member is hollow.
- A golf club according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the shaft connection comprises a shaft fitted to the hosel.
- A golf club according to claim 9, wherein the shaft member comprises a shaft of substantially large diameter (between 25 and 45mm), thin walled, parallel shaft.
- A golf club according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the outer shell member and the hosel is made of high strength aircraft quality aluminium.
- A golf club according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the insert defines the sweet spot of the head.
- A golf club according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the insert includes a rear cavity.
- A golf club according to claim 13, wherein the cavity in the rear of the insert and part of the cavity in the outer shell member form a void in the head.
- A golf club according to any of the preceding claims, the club comprising a putter.
- A golf club according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the insert is made of a soft ductile bronze material.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9812942 | 1998-06-17 | ||
GB9812942A GB2338189B (en) | 1998-06-10 | 1998-06-17 | Golf club and connection therefor |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0965366A1 true EP0965366A1 (en) | 1999-12-22 |
EP0965366B1 EP0965366B1 (en) | 2004-12-08 |
Family
ID=10833833
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99304704A Expired - Lifetime EP0965366B1 (en) | 1998-06-17 | 1999-06-16 | Golf putter |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0965366B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2000024148A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69922438T2 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2001010513A1 (en) * | 1999-08-10 | 2001-02-15 | Lucini Italia Company | Golf club |
US6503151B2 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2003-01-07 | Chapel Golf, Inc. | Golf club |
EP1252916A3 (en) * | 2001-03-15 | 2003-09-10 | Buchanan Golf Limited | Putter head with pre-machined insert |
US6692376B2 (en) | 1999-08-10 | 2004-02-17 | Chapel Golf, Inc. | Golf club |
US6860820B2 (en) | 2002-08-14 | 2005-03-01 | Chapel Golf, Inc. | Golf club and methods of manufacture |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3206206A (en) * | 1963-05-09 | 1965-09-14 | James W Santosuosso | Golf putter including angularly and rotatably relatively adjustable head and shaft |
US3387844A (en) * | 1964-11-18 | 1968-06-11 | Winsor Shippee | Golf club with percussion chamber plenum |
US3873094A (en) * | 1972-03-10 | 1975-03-25 | Alexander Sebo | Putter-type golf club |
US4324404A (en) * | 1980-05-19 | 1982-04-13 | Walter Dian, Inc. | Golf putter |
US4411430A (en) * | 1980-05-19 | 1983-10-25 | Walter Dian, Inc. | Golf putter |
US5090698A (en) * | 1990-03-27 | 1992-02-25 | Kleinfelter Thomas A | Golf putter |
FR2672226A1 (en) * | 1991-02-06 | 1992-08-07 | Desbiolles Jack | Head for a golf club |
US5632694A (en) * | 1995-11-14 | 1997-05-27 | Lee; Doo-Pyung | Putter |
-
1999
- 1999-06-16 EP EP99304704A patent/EP0965366B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-06-16 DE DE69922438T patent/DE69922438T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-06-17 JP JP11171155A patent/JP2000024148A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3206206A (en) * | 1963-05-09 | 1965-09-14 | James W Santosuosso | Golf putter including angularly and rotatably relatively adjustable head and shaft |
US3387844A (en) * | 1964-11-18 | 1968-06-11 | Winsor Shippee | Golf club with percussion chamber plenum |
US3873094A (en) * | 1972-03-10 | 1975-03-25 | Alexander Sebo | Putter-type golf club |
US4324404A (en) * | 1980-05-19 | 1982-04-13 | Walter Dian, Inc. | Golf putter |
US4411430A (en) * | 1980-05-19 | 1983-10-25 | Walter Dian, Inc. | Golf putter |
US5090698A (en) * | 1990-03-27 | 1992-02-25 | Kleinfelter Thomas A | Golf putter |
FR2672226A1 (en) * | 1991-02-06 | 1992-08-07 | Desbiolles Jack | Head for a golf club |
US5632694A (en) * | 1995-11-14 | 1997-05-27 | Lee; Doo-Pyung | Putter |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2001010513A1 (en) * | 1999-08-10 | 2001-02-15 | Lucini Italia Company | Golf club |
US6692376B2 (en) | 1999-08-10 | 2004-02-17 | Chapel Golf, Inc. | Golf club |
US7037211B1 (en) | 1999-08-10 | 2006-05-02 | Chapel Golf, Inc. | Golf club |
US6503151B2 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2003-01-07 | Chapel Golf, Inc. | Golf club |
EP1252916A3 (en) * | 2001-03-15 | 2003-09-10 | Buchanan Golf Limited | Putter head with pre-machined insert |
GB2373733B (en) * | 2001-03-15 | 2004-08-18 | Douglas Boyd Buchanan | Putter head with pre-machined insert |
US6860820B2 (en) | 2002-08-14 | 2005-03-01 | Chapel Golf, Inc. | Golf club and methods of manufacture |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69922438T2 (en) | 2005-04-07 |
DE69922438D1 (en) | 2005-01-13 |
EP0965366B1 (en) | 2004-12-08 |
JP2000024148A (en) | 2000-01-25 |
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