EP0965366B1 - Golfputter - Google Patents

Golfputter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0965366B1
EP0965366B1 EP99304704A EP99304704A EP0965366B1 EP 0965366 B1 EP0965366 B1 EP 0965366B1 EP 99304704 A EP99304704 A EP 99304704A EP 99304704 A EP99304704 A EP 99304704A EP 0965366 B1 EP0965366 B1 EP 0965366B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
golf club
inner insert
outer shell
cavity
shaft
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99304704A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0965366A1 (de
Inventor
Douglas Boyd Buchanan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BUCHANAN GOLF LIMITED
Original Assignee
Buchanan Golf Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB9812942A external-priority patent/GB2338189B/en
Application filed by Buchanan Golf Ltd filed Critical Buchanan Golf Ltd
Publication of EP0965366A1 publication Critical patent/EP0965366A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0965366B1 publication Critical patent/EP0965366B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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.
  • US5,090,698 describes a golf putter in which the sweet spot is effectively extended over much of the striking surface.
  • the striking face forms part of the golf club head itself and therefore a significant proportion of the impact energy is dissipated within the head with the disadvantageous effects described above.
  • US4,411,430 discloses a golf putter having an eccentrically weighted portion inside the golf club head which may be rotated to shift the axial centre of mass of the head. This enables the golfer to correct manufacturing variations and to correct errors in the putting stroke.
  • the striking surface of the putter effectively forms an integral part of the golf club head and similarly can result in reduced "feel" sensed by the player.
  • 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 defining the sweet spot, and a shaft connection fixed to the inner insert member through the outer shell member, characterized in that the inner insert member is resiliently supported and resiliently fixed within the cavity such that a clearance space exists between the inner insert member and the outer shell member.
  • 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 O-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)

Claims (15)

  1. Golfschläger (10) mit einem Kopf (11) mit einer Schlagfläche (30) mit einem Sweetspot (19), wobei der Kopf ein einen Hohlraum (16) definierendes äußeres Schalenelement (15), ein inneres Einsatzelement (17), das im Hohlraum (16) in einem Abstand vom äußeren Schalenelement (15) angeordnet ist und den Sweetspot (19) definiert, und eine Schaftverbindung (12, 14), die durch das äußere Schalenelement (15) mit dem inneren Einsatzelement (17) fest verbunden ist, aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das innere Einsatzelement (17) im Hohlraum (16) flexibel gelagert und flexibel gehalten ist, so dass ein Spielraum (31) zwischen dem inneren Einsatzelement und dem äußeren Schalenelement (15) besteht.
  2. Golfschläger (10) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem das innere Einsatzelement (17) durch flexible O-Ringe (22, 23) gelagert und flexibel befestigt ist.
  3. Golfschläger (10) nach Anspruch 2, bei dem die flexiblen O-Ringe (22, 23) das Material Neopren umfassen.
  4. Golfschläger (10) nach Anspruch 2 oder Anspruch 3, bei dem das innere Einsatzelement (17) einen hinteren Hohlraum (18) umfasst, der zusammen mit mindestens einem Teil des Hohlraums (16) einen Hohlraum (21) im Kopf (11) bildet, wobei der Hohlraum (21) durch die O-Ringe (22, 23) abgedichtet wird.
  5. Golfschläger (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, bei dem das innere Einsatzelement (17) weiter Nuten (24, 25), die um seinen Außenumfang herumlaufend ausgebildet sind, umfasst, um die flexiblen O-Ringe (22, 23) aufzunehmen.
  6. Golfschläger (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei dem die Schaftverbindung (12, 14) in eine Öffnung (20) passt, die im inneren Einsatzelement (17) ausgebildet ist, und nicht ganz bis zum Ende der Öffnung (20) reicht, so dass sie mit dem äußeren Schalenelement (15) nicht in Kontakt kommt.
  7. Golfschläger (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei dem die Schaftverbindung (12, 14) ein in den Einsatz eingepasstes Verbindungsstück (13) umfasst.
  8. Golfschläger (10) nach Anspruch 7, bei dem das Verbindungsstück (13) hohl ist.
  9. Golfschläger (10) nach Anspruch 7 oder Anspruch 8, bei dem die Schaftverbindung (12, 14) weiter einen an das Verbindungsstück (13) angepassten Schaft (14) aufweist.
  10. Golfschläger (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, bei dem die Schaftverbindung (12, 14) einen Schaft (14) aufweist.
  11. Golfschläger (10) nach Anspruch 9 oder Anspruch 10, bei dem der Schaft (14) einen Durchmesser zwischen 25 und 45 mm hat.
  12. Golfschläger (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei dem eine Schulter (26) im Hohlraum (16) des äußeren Schalenelements (15) ausgebildet ist und ein Spielraum zwischen dem inneren Einsatzelement (17) und der Schulter (26) besteht.
  13. Golfschläger (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 9 oder 11 bis 12, bei dem das äußere Schalenelement (15) und das Verbindungsstück (13) aus einem hochfesten Aluminium von Luftfahrtqualität hergestellt ist.
  14. Golfschläger (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei dem das innere Einsatzelement (17) aus einem weichen elastischen Bronzematerial hergestellt ist.
  15. Golfschläger (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Schläger (10) einen Putter umfasst.
EP99304704A 1998-06-17 1999-06-16 Golfputter Expired - Lifetime EP0965366B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9812942A GB2338189B (en) 1998-06-10 1998-06-17 Golf club and connection therefor
GB9812942 1998-06-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0965366A1 EP0965366A1 (de) 1999-12-22
EP0965366B1 true EP0965366B1 (de) 2004-12-08

Family

ID=10833833

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99304704A Expired - Lifetime EP0965366B1 (de) 1998-06-17 1999-06-16 Golfputter

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0965366B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2000024148A (de)
DE (1) DE69922438T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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
AU2001250893A1 (en) 2000-03-24 2001-10-15 Lucini Italia Company Improved golf club
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

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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
US4411430A (en) * 1980-05-19 1983-10-25 Walter Dian, Inc. Golf putter
US4324404A (en) * 1980-05-19 1982-04-13 Walter Dian, Inc. Golf putter
US5090698A (en) * 1990-03-27 1992-02-25 Kleinfelter Thomas A Golf putter
FR2672226A1 (fr) * 1991-02-06 1992-08-07 Desbiolles Jack Tete de club de golf.
US5632694A (en) * 1995-11-14 1997-05-27 Lee; Doo-Pyung Putter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69922438T2 (de) 2005-04-07
DE69922438D1 (de) 2005-01-13
JP2000024148A (ja) 2000-01-25
EP0965366A1 (de) 1999-12-22

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