KR102062198B1 - Interchangeable shaft system - Google Patents

Abstract

Golf clubs including replaceable shaft systems include a shaft, shaft sleeve, and club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to the end of the shaft and received in a hosel contained within the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. The hosel and shaft sleeve alignment properties provide a discrete orientation between the shaft and the club head.

Description

Interchangeable Shaft System {INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT SYSTEM}

See related applications

This application is now part of the US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 958,412, filed Dec. 18, 2007, now US Pat. No. 7,878,921, and US patent application No. 12/96, filed Sep. 16, 2009, now US Pat. U.S. Patent Application No. 12, filed Jan. 31, 2008, now U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 209,318, filed on Aug. 12, 2011, filed on August 12, 2011, co-pending to 560,931. US Patent Application, filed June 29, 2009, now US Patent No. 8,235,834, filed December 17, 2008, filed December 17, 2008, which is now part of US Patent No. 7,874,934. Partial serial application of No. 12 / 493,517, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Field of invention

The present invention relates generally to golf clubs and, more particularly, to golf clubs with improved connections between shafts and club heads that provide replaceability and adjustability.

To improve the game, the golfer often customizes the equipment to fit his particular swing. Unless there is a convenient way to replace shafts and club heads, the business of providing storage or custom fittings should have a large number of clubs with specific characteristics, or use complex separation and reassembly processes to designate a particular club. Must be changed. For example, if a golfer wants to test a golf club shaft with different bending characteristics or use a club head with a different mass, center of gravity or moment of inertia, it has not been practical in the past to make this change. . Golf equipment manufacturers have increased the variety of clubs available to golfers. By way of example, certain models of golf clubs may be provided at a number of different loft and lie angles to suit the needs of a particular golfer. In addition, the golfer can select the shaft, whether metal or graphite, and can adjust the length of the shaft to match its swing. Recently, golf clubs have been introduced that allow shafts to be replaced with clubhead components such as adjustable weights to facilitate this customization process.

One example is US Pat. No. 3,524,646 to Wheeler, entitled "Golf Club Assembly." The Wheeler patent discloses a putter with a grip and a putter head, both of which can be separated from the shaft. The fastening members provided at the upper and lower ends of the shaft have internal threads, which engage with external threads provided at both the lower end of the gripping portion and the upper end of the putter head shank to secure these components to the shaft. . The lower portion of the shaft also includes a flange that contacts the upper end of the putter head shank when the putter head is coupled to the shaft. This design creates an ugly ridge at the top of the shaft and another ugly ridge at the bottom of the shaft.

Another example is US Pat. No. 4,852,782 to Wu et al., Entitled "Equipment for Playing Golf." The Wu patent discloses a set of golf play equipment that includes a plurality of club heads and length adjustable shafts designed for easy assembly and disassembly. The connecting rod is inserted at the end of the shaft, and the pin holds the connecting rod in the shaft. The locking portion of the connecting rod is configured to extend into the neck of the club head and through the slot in the neck. After the locking portion extends through the slot, the connecting rod is rotated relative to the club head, so that the components are locked together. The neck also includes an inclined end surface, which is configured to guide the end of the pin to an adjacent stop surface during relative rotation between the connecting rod and the club head.

Another example is US Pat. No. 4,943,059 to Morell, entitled "Golf Club Having Removable Head." The Morell patent discloses a putter golf club comprising a releasable golf club head and an elongated golf club shaft. The club head hosel has a plug that includes a threaded axial bore. The threaded rod is retained on the connector portion of the shaft and screwed into the axial bore of the plug of the club head to operatively connect the shaft to the head.

Another example is US Pat. No. 5,433,442 to Walker, entitled "Golf Clubs with Quick Release Heads." The Walker patent discloses a golf club in which the club head is secured to the shaft by engagement rods and quick release pins. The upper end of the engagement rod has an outer thread that engages an inner thread formed in the lower portion of the shaft. The lower end of the engagement rod inserted into the hosel of the club head has a radial opening aligned with the radially opposite opening in the hosel to receive the quick release pin.

Another example is US Pat. No. 5,722,901 to Barron et al. Entitled “Releasable Festening Structure for Trial Golf Club Shafts and Heads”. The Barron patent discloses bayonet-type releasable fastening structures for golf clubs and shafts. The club head hosel has a fastening pin in its bore extending radially. The head portion of the shaft has two opposing "U" or "J" shaped channels. The head end portion of the shaft is fastened on the hosel pin via axial and rotational movement. The spring of the hosel maintains this engageable interconnect, but allows the axial inward hosel movement to be manually generated for quick assembly and disassembly.

Another example is US Pat. No. 5,951,411 to Wood et al., Entitled "Hosel Coupling Assembly and Method of Using Same". The Wood patent discloses a golf club comprising a hosel with a clubhead, a replaceable shaft and an anti-rotation device. The hosel includes an alignment member having an annular surface secured by a stud in the hosel bore. The sleeve fixed to the shaft end forms another alignment arrangement element and is configured to engage an alignment element disposed in the hosel bore. A capture mechanism disposed on the shaft engages with the hosel to releasably secure the shaft to the club head.

Another example is US Pat. No. 6,547,673 to Roark, entitled "Interchangeable Golf Club Head and Adjustable Handle System." The Roark patent discloses a golf club having a quick release for separating the club head from the shaft. The quick release portion is a two-member connector comprising a lower connector secured to the hosel of the club head and an upper connector secured to the lower portion of the shaft. The upper connector has pin and ball catches, both of which project radially outward from the lower end of the upper connector. The upper end of the lower connector has a separate hole for receiving the ball catch and a corresponding slot formed therein for receiving the upper connector pin. When the shaft is coupled to the club head, the lower connector hole holds the ball catch to secure the shaft to the club head.

Another example is US Pat. No. 7,083,529 to Cackett et al., Entitled "Golf Club with Interchangeable Head-Shaft Connections." The Cackett patent discloses a golf club that uses a sleeve / tube arrangement instead of a conventional hosel to connect a replaceable shaft to the club head in an effort to reduce material weight and provide quick installation. Mechanical fasteners (screws) entering the club head through the sole plate are used to secure the shaft to the club head.

Another example is Baron's US Patent Application Publication No. 2001/0007835 A1 entitled "Modular Golf Club System and Method". Baron publication discloses a modular golf club comprising a club head, hosel and shaft. The hosel is attached to the shaft and is prevented from rotating by complementary interaction surfaces, adhesive bonding or mechanical fitting. The club head and shaft are removably joined together by a colleted connection.

Other published patent documents, such as US Pat. Nos. 7,300,359, 7,344,449, and 7,427,239, and US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0287125, disclose replaceable shafts and club heads with an anti-rotation device interposed therebetween. .

In some instances, the structure that allows the shaft and club head to be replaced also provides the function for adjusting the characteristics of the golf club. One example is US Patent No. 4,948,132 to Wharton, entitled "Golf Club." The Wharton patent discloses golf clubs assembled from club heads and shaft assemblies. The shaft assembly includes a lower end portion that forms an inclined axis with respect to the shaft. The lower end portion of the shaft assembly includes a cylindrical outer surface having flutes or spines that engage with surface discontinuities in the hosel bore of the club head such that the shaft assembly can be disposed in various configurations relative to the club head. .

Another example is US Pat. No. 4,854,582 to Yamada, entitled "Head Connecting Device in Golf Clubs." The Yamada patent discloses a golf club head comprising a shaft connected to the club head via a setting portion which is a sleeve having an inclined shaft bore. This patent discloses a way in which the setting part is rotated to change the bore and the direction of the shaft such that the direction of the head relative to the shaft changes.

Each of Wharton and Yamada's examples provide limited control. In particular, each of these provides a loft and lie orientation that forms a peripheral formation that fails to provide any internal position within the peripheral portion. FIG. 43 illustrates the orientations provided by the known system with eight available relative positions between the shaft and the club head with the shaft tilted at about 1.25 °. As is evident from the illustration, no internal position is provided, which deleteriously limits the ability to fine tune the registration of the golf club.

There remains a need in the art for golf clubs with improved connections that provide tighter coupling with improved control and are easier to manufacture.

The present invention relates to a replaceable shaft system for a golf club. The system of the present invention provides interchangeability between the club head and the shaft while providing minimal additional components and manufacturing difficulties. Many embodiments of the invention are described below.

In one embodiment, the golf club includes a golf club head, an elongated shaft, a shaft sleeve, a first wedge member, a second wedge member, and a fastener. The golf club head includes a golf club head body and a hosel forming a hosel bore. The shaft sleeve includes a sleeve body coupled to the distal end of the shaft and forming a longitudinal axis and a shaft bore. The first wedge member forms a first wedge angle and sleeve bore between the shaft sleeve and the hosel. The second wedge member defines a second wedge angle and sleeve bore between the hosel and the shaft sleeve. The fastener releasably couples the shaft sleeve to the club head such that the wedge member is interposed between the portion of the shaft sleeve and the hosel. The first wedge member and the second wedge member provide dual angle adjustability to provide a plurality of engagement positions, each joining position creating a specific combination of loft angular orientation and lie angular orientation, the positions being in both the joining positions. A rectangular matrix of graphs can be generated based on the matrix including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and at least one of the plurality of rows and the plurality of columns comprises at least three rows and columns.

In another embodiment, the golf club includes a golf club head and an elongated shaft, a shaft sleeve, a first tubular member, a second tubular member, a retainer and a fastener. The golf club head includes a golf club head body and a hosel. The hosel forms a plurality of hosel alignment features with the hosel bore, wherein the hosel alignment features are disposed within the proximal portion of the hosel. The shaft sleeve is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and includes a sleeve body and a plurality of sleeve alignment features. The sleeve alignment feature extends outwardly from the outer surface of the sleeve body at a plurality of locations spaced about some circumference of the sleeve body. The shaft body forms a longitudinal axis and a shaft bore. The first tubular member includes a plurality of alignment features forming a sleeve bore and engaging with the plurality of sleeve alignment features. The second tubular member includes a plurality of hosel alignment features and a plurality of alignment features that engage with the plurality of alignment features of the first tubular member. The retainer is disposed on the shaft sleeve such that at least one of the first tubular member and the second tubular member is retained on the shaft sleeve between the retainer and the sleeve alignment feature when the shaft sleeve and the retainer are separated from the golf club head. The fastener releasably couples the shaft sleeve to the club head such that the first tubular member and the second tubular member are interposed between the hosel and the portion of the shaft sleeve. The alignment feature is configured to provide even relative positions between the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

In another embodiment, the golf club includes a golf club head, an elongated shaft, a shaft sleeve, a wedge member, an extension member, and a fastener. The golf club head includes a hosel forming a hosel bore and a golf club head body. The shaft sleeve is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and includes a sleeve body that defines a longitudinal axis with the shaft bore. The wedge member is interposed between the hosel and a portion of the shaft sleeve. The wedge member forms a wedge angle and sleeve bore between the hosel and the shaft sleeve. The elongate member is interposed between the hosel and a portion of the shaft sleeve. The elongate member includes a parallel mating end surface that engages one of the hosel and shaft sleeve and the wedge member. The fastener releasably couples the shaft sleeve to the club head such that the wedge member and the extension member are interposed between the hosel and the portion of the shaft sleeve.

In the accompanying drawings, the drawings form a part of the specification and should be read in connection with the specification, in which like reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts in the various figures.
1 is a side view of a portion of an exemplary golf club that includes an embodiment of a replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
2 is an exploded view of the golf club of FIG. 1.
3 is a cross sectional view of the golf club taken along line 3-3 shown in FIG.
4 is a perspective view of a shaft sleeve of a replaceable shaft system.
5 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the hosel of the golf club of FIG.
6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the proximal end of the hosel of a golf club having a replaceable shaft system.
7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shaft sleeve of a replaceable shaft system.
8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shaft sleeve of a replaceable shaft system.
9 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a shaft sleeve of a replaceable shaft system.
10 is an exploded view of a golf club incorporating another embodiment of a replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
11 is a schematic diagram of a connection between a shaft and a shaft sleeve of a replaceable shaft system.
12 is a side view of a portion of a golf club that includes another embodiment of the replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a partial exploded view of the golf club of FIG. 12.
14 is a cross sectional view of the golf club taken along line 14-14 shown in FIG.
15-19 are side views of various markers that may be incorporated into a golf club that includes the replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
20 is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary golf club that includes an embodiment of the replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shaft sleeve of a replaceable shaft system.
FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 20 of a golf club including a replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
23 is a cross sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of a shaft sleeve taken in a plane extending through the longitudinal axis.
24 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a shaft sleeve taken in a plane extending along the longitudinal axis.
25 is a perspective view of a shaft sleeve of a replaceable shaft system.
FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of a shaft sleeve engaged with a complementary hosel taken along the 26-26 line.
FIG. 27 is an alternative cross sectional view of a shaft sleeve engaged with a complementary hosel taken along the 26-26 line.
28 is a side view of a portion of an exemplary golf club that includes an embodiment of the replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
29A-29C are partial cross-sectional views illustrating the replaceable shaft system of FIG. 28 in various configurations.
30A-30D are schematic diagrams illustrating replaceable shaft systems of various configurations.
Figure 31 is a side view of an alignment member of the replaceable shaft system according to the present invention.
FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 32-32 of the alignment member of FIG.
33 is a side view of another embodiment of an alignment member of a replaceable shaft system.
FIG. 34 is an alternative cross sectional view taken along lines 34-34 of the alignment member of FIG.
35 is an alternative cross sectional view taken along lines 34-34 of the alignment member of FIG.
36 is a side view of another embodiment of an alignment member of a replaceable shaft system.
FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 37-37 of the alignment member of FIG. 36.
38 is an exploded view of a golf club incorporating another embodiment of the replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
FIG. 39 is a side view of a side view of a wedge member included in the replaceable shaft system of FIG. 38.
FIG. 40 is a cross sectional view taken along line 40-40 shown in FIG. 38;
41A-41D are schematic diagrams of the angular relationship between shaft and hosel in an embodiment of a replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
42 is a top view of the golf club head.
43 is a chart illustrating loft and lie orientation of known adjustable shaft systems.
44 is a chart illustrating loft and lie orientation of an embodiment of the adjustable and replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
45 is a chart illustrating loft and lie orientation of another embodiment of the adjustable and replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
46 is a chart illustrating the loft and lie orientation of another embodiment of the adjustable and replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
47 is a chart illustrating the loft and lie orientation of another embodiment of the adjustable and replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
48 is a chart illustrating loft and lie orientation of another embodiment of the adjustable and replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
49 is a chart illustrating the loft and lie orientation of another embodiment of the adjustable and replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
50 is a chart illustrating the loft and lie orientation of another embodiment of the adjustable and replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
51 is an exploded view of a golf club incorporating another embodiment of the replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
FIG. 52 is a cross sectional view taken along the 52-52 line shown in FIG. 51;
53 is an exploded view of a golf club incorporating another embodiment of the replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
FIG. 54 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 54-54 shown in FIG. 53;
FIG. 55 is a side view of the wedge member included in the replaceable shaft system of FIG. 53. FIG.
56 is an exploded view of a golf club incorporating another embodiment of a replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
FIG. 57 is a cross sectional view taken along the 57-57 line shown in FIG. 56;
58A and 58B are perspective views of markings provided on a portion of a golf club that includes an adjustable and replaceable shaft system.
59A and 59B are perspective views of indicia provided on a portion of a golf club that includes an adjustable and replaceable shaft system.
60A and 60B are perspective views of indicia provided on a portion of a golf club that includes an adjustable and replaceable shaft system.
61 is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary golf club that includes an embodiment of the replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
FIG. 62 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 62-62, shown in FIG.
FIG. 63 is a view similar to FIG. 62, showing a cross section of an alternative embodiment of a golf club.
64 is an exploded view of the golf club of FIG. 62.
65 is a perspective view of a sleeve body included in the golf club of FIG. 62.
FIG. 66 is a perspective view of a wedge member included in the golf club of FIG. 62.
FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a tension member included in the golf club of FIG. 62.
FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional view of the tension member shown in FIG. 67 in conjunction with the wedge member of FIG. 66.
FIG. 69 is a cross-sectional view of the wedge member and shaft sleeve assembly included in the golf club of FIG. 62.
FIG. 70 is another cross-sectional view of the wedge member and shaft sleeve assembly included in the golf club of FIG. 62.
71 is a side view of a portion of the golf club of FIG. 61.
72A-72D are schematic diagrams showing the golf club of FIG. 61 in various configuration examples.
73 and 74 are side views of the display incorporated in the golf club of FIG. 61.
75 and 76 are side views of alternative markings that may be incorporated into the golf club of FIG. 61.
77 is a perspective view of a golf club including an embodiment of the replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
FIG. 78 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 78-78, shown in FIG. 77;
FIG. 79 is an exploded view of the shaft sleeve, wedge member and retainer of the golf club of FIG. 77.
80 is a cross-sectional view of the hosel portion of the golf club head included in the golf club of FIG. 77.
FIG. 81 is a sectional view of an alternative configuration of the hosel portion shown in FIG. 80;
FIG. 82 is a sectional view of another alternative configuration of the hosel portion shown in FIG. 80;
83 is a sectional view of an alternative configuration of the hosel portion of the golf club embodiment shown in FIG.
84 is an exploded view of the replacement shaft sleeve assembly and wedge member.
FIG. 85 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft sleeve assembly and wedge member of FIG. 84 in a golf club head. FIG.
86 is an exploded view of a replaceable shaft system including at least one elongate member and a plurality of wedge members and including a plurality of adjustment members.
87 is a top view of the adjustment member.
88 is an exploded view of a replaceable shaft system including a plurality of adjustment members.
89 is a perspective view of a golf club including an embodiment of the replaceable shaft system of the present invention.
FIG. 90 is an exploded view of a retaining member of the golf club of FIG. 89, with an adjustment member including a shaft sleeve, a wedge member, and an extension member.
91 is an exploded view of a replaceable shaft system including an adjustment member including two wedge members.
92 is an exploded view of a replaceable shaft system including an adjustment member.
FIG. 93 is a top view of the wedge member of the system of FIG. 92.
94 is a side view of the wedge member of the system of FIG. 92.
FIG. 95 is a front view of the system of FIG. 92.

The present invention relates to a replaceable shaft system for connecting the shaft of a golf club to the club head. Such a system can be used to provide custom fittings of various shaft types and / or to provide adjustability between the shaft and the club head. Several embodiments of the invention are described below.

Unless expressly indicated, all numerical ranges, amounts, values, and percentages, such as amount of material, moment of inertia, location of center of gravity, loft and draft angle, etc., in the following sections of this specification, are used in the term " The drug may not expressly indicate a value, amount, or range, but may be read as if the term "about" precedes it. Thus, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the good properties obtained by the present invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive and to limit the invention to the scope of the claims and equivalents, and each numerical parameter should be made in terms of many reported significant digits, by applying common rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. However, since any numeric value is necessarily required to have some error, a standard deviation is found in each testing measurement. In addition, when describing the numerical ranges of various regions herein, it is contemplated that any combination of values encompassing the recited values may be used.

Golf clubs incorporating the replaceable shaft system 10 of the present invention generally include a shaft 12, a shaft sleeve 14, a club head 16, and a fastener 18. The replaceable shaft system 10 can be used by club peter to repeatedly replace the combination of shaft 12 and club head 16 during a fitting session. The system allows the fitting account maximum fitting options with easy-to-use component assemblies. In one embodiment, after a given shaft 12 and club head 16 combination is selected, the replaceable shaft system 10 is permanently fixed to prevent disassembly by the general customer. Alternatively, the replaceable shaft system 10 allows the customer to manipulate a connection that replaces the shaft 12 or the club head 16 and / or provides adjustability between the shaft 12 and the club head 16. It can be configured to be.

As described, the replaceable shaft system of the present invention is integrated into a driver style golf club. However, it should be understood that the replaceable shaft system of the present invention can be incorporated into any style of golf club. For example, the replaceable shaft system can be integrated into the putter, wedge, iron, hybrid and / or fairwaywood styles of a golf club.

Club head 16 generally comprises a face 24, crown 25, sole 26 and skirt 27 that are joined to form a hollow club head 16. The club head 16 also includes a hosel 20 that is a structure that provides secure attachment between the shaft 12 and the club head 16 during manufacture of the golf club.

Shaft 12 may be any shaft known in the art. For example, the shaft 12 may be composed of a metal and / or nonmetallic material, and the shaft may be a hollow portion, solid portion or a combination of hollow portion and solid portion.

1 to 5, replaceable shaft system 10 connects shaft 12 to club head 16 such that various heads 12 are selective to various club heads 16 through a hosel sleeve interface. Can be connected. The replaceable shaft system 10 generally includes a shaft sleeve 14 coupled to the shaft 12 and at least partially received within the hosel 20 of the golf club 16 and the sleeve 14 with the club head 16. Fasteners 18 to be releasably coupled to.

In the assembled replaceable shaft system 10, the distal end 34 of the shaft 12 is received in and fixedly attached to the shaft bore 36 of the sleeve 14. The shaft 12 can be fixedly attached to the sleeve 14 using any fastening means. For example, attachment means such as welding, ultrasonic welding, brazing, soldering, joining, mechanical fastening, and the like can be used. Adhesives such as epoxy or other similar materials may be used to securely fasten shaft 12 and sleek 14. End 34 is preferably bound within shaft bore 36 using an adhesive such as epoxy. Alternatively, features of the shaft sleeve and alignment features, such as threads, can be integrated into the structure or molded together with the shaft.

The sleeve 14 is inserted into the hosel 20 in a selected orientation to ensure that the alignment features included on the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20 are engaged when the replaceable shaft system is assembled. The orientation of the alignment features provides a desirable relative position between the shaft 12 and the club head 16. Additionally, engagement of the alignment features provides anti-rotation features that characterize the relative rotation between the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20 about the longitudinal axis of the hosel 20.

The hosel 20 is a generally tubular member extending through or from at least a portion of the crown 25 and club head 16. The hosel 20 forms a sleeve bore 30 having a diameter selected such that the distal end of the sleeve 14 is slidably received in the sleeve bore 30. In order to prevent relative lateral movement between the distal end of the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20, the diameter of the sleeve bore 30 is chosen such that there is a minimum gap between the distal end of the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20. Sleeve bore 30 extends to a distal flange 31 located at the distal end of hosel 20. However, it should be understood that the flange may be located at any intermediate position between the proximal and distal ends of the hosel.

In this embodiment, the proximal end 28 of the hosel 20 is at least one disposed outward from the club head 16 in a position spaced from the crown 25 and extending through at least a portion of the sidewall of the hosel 20. And hosel arrangement features. The hosel alignment feature provides at least one individual alignment orientation between the shaft 12 and the club head 16 of the assembled golf club. In this embodiment, the hosel 20 comprises alignment features in the form of a pair of notches 32, each notch 32 extending through the sidewall of the hosel 20 adjacent the proximal end 28, ie Each notch 32 extends from the sleeve bore 30 to the outer surface of the proximal end 28 of the hosel 20.

The hosel alignment features need not extend entirely through the sidewalls of the hosel and may extend through only a portion of the hosel as shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. In particular, the proximal end 22 of the hosel 21 may include a notch 33 that extends only through a portion of the sidewall of the hosel 21. For example, the notch 33 of this embodiment includes a generally trapezoidal shaped cross section similar to the embodiment previously described; However, the notch 33 extends radially from the sleeve bore 29 through a portion of the sidewall of the base end 22 of the hosel 21 and does not intersect the outer surface of the hosel 21. Such an embodiment may be desirable when the user wants to hide alignment features from the user.

The notches 32 are generally opposed radially from one another at the proximal end 28 at positions spaced apart from the proximal end of the tubular hosel 20. This structure allows the combined shaft 12 and sleeve 14 to be coupled to the club head 16 in two separate positions rotated approximately 180 ° from each other. However, the hosel alignment feature may be located at any desired location adjacent the proximal end 28 of the hosel 20 to provide any desired location between the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20. Although the present invention includes a pair of hosel alignment features, any number of hosel alignment features may be provided to provide any number of individual orientations between the shaft 12 and the club head 16. However, also a single hosel alignment feature can be provided when a single discrete arrangement is required between the shaft and the club head.

Sleeve 14 includes distal body 38, proximal ferrule 40, and at least one sleeve alignment feature. This embodiment includes a pair of sleeve alignment features (eg, tang 42). Body 38 is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a proximal end coupled to the distal end of ferrule 40. The length of the shaft sleeve 14 and the diameter of the shaft 12 may be selected to provide a surface area suitable for attachment of the shaft 12. Shaft sleeve 14 and shaft 12 are configured to provide an adhesive surface area of approximately 0.5 to 2.0 in 2. In one embodiment, the shaft sleeve 14 and the shaft are configured to provide an adhesive surface area of approximately 1.2 in 2. In particular, in this embodiment, the shaft sleeve 14 has an adhesive length of approximately 1.1 inches to provide a suitable adhesive surface area on the shaft having a 0.335 inch diameter. In this embodiment, it is to be understood that body 38 and ferrule 40 are combined to form a single integrated component, while body 38 and ferrule 40 may be separate components.

The tang 42 extends laterally outward beyond the outer surface of the body 38 adjacent the interface between the body 38 and the ferrule 40. The shape of the tang 42 is selected to complement the shape of the lip notch 32 such that the hosel 20 in one direction between the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20 when the tang 42 is engaged with the notch 32. Relative rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder is avoided. For example, the tang 42 has a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional shape and this trapezoidal shape is selected to complement and engage the trapezoidal shape of the notch 32. The tang 42 is configured to taper to the narrowest portion oriented towards the distal end of the sleeve 14, and the notch 32 is the narrowest portion oriented towards the sole 26 of the club head 16. Similarly tapered. The tang and notches are preferably tapered at an angle of about 0 ° to about 20 ° with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 38. Additionally, the outer surface of the tang 42 is curved to a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the proximal end 28 of the hosel 20 such that the outer surface of the tang 42 is the outer surface of the hosel 20 in the assembled golf club. And are substantially the same surface. However, it should be understood that the outer surface of the tang and the proximal end of the hosel need not be the same surface if desired.

The complementary shape of notches 32 and tangs 42 ensure that there is a secure fit between sleeve 14 and hosel 20 when replaceable shaft system 10 is assembled. In particular, when the sleeve 14 is inserted into the sleeve bore 30 of the hosel 20, the tapered side edge of the tang 42 is forcibly joined with the tapered side wall of the notch 32 to allow the hosel 20 to be inserted. Provides a secure fit that ensures consistent and repeatable positioning of the sleeve 14 relative to it. The tapered surface also prevents rotational movement between the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20 resulting from fabrication tolerances and wear. Alternatively, the hosel and sleeve alignment features can have curved edges and sidewalls that are engaged during assembly, providing similar fastening.

In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the main body 38 is smaller than the outer diameter of the distal end of the ferrule 40 so that the shoulder 46 is formed at the interface between the main body 38 and the ferrule 40. During assembly, the body portion 38 of the sleeve is inserted into the sleeve bore 30 until the solder 46 is adjacent to the top edge of the hosel 20. In this embodiment, the size, taper and / or curvature of the hosel and sleeve alignment features (tang 42 and notch 32) is preferably between the shoulder 46 and the hosel 20 when the golf club is assembled. Small gaps are selected. Additionally, in connection with this embodiment, the size and taper of tang 42 and notch 32 are selected such that there is a small gap between the distal surface of tang 42 and the distal surface of notch 32. This gap allows the relative position between the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20 to be easily controlled by adjusting the dimensions of each alignment feature. Preferably, the size of the gap between the shoulder 46 and the hosel 20 in the assembled golf club is not visually perceptible or at least not easy to notice. For example, the size of the gap can range from 0.005 to 0.030 inch. In embodiments using the wedge member described below, the size, taper and / or curvature of the alignment feature is preferably such that the end surface of the wedge member is in contact with the complementary end surface of the shaft sleeve so that the relative angle between the parts is reduced. It is chosen to be easier to control.

Sleeve 14 and hosel 20 may be composed of any metal or nonmetallic material such as, for example, titanium, steel, aluminum, nylon, fiber reinforced polymer or polycarbonate. In addition, the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20 may be composed of the same or different materials, and each of the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20 may alternatively have multiple material configurations, as described further below. . In addition, the sleeve 14 and / or hosel 20 may be comprised of a material that is a combination of both metal and nonmetal materials, such as a polymer in which a metal material is injected or plated with a metal material. In one embodiment, the hosel 20 is made of titanium and the sleeve 14 is made of aluminum. Preferably, the hosel 20 is formed as an integral part of the club head 16.

Coating or surface treatment may also be provided to the sleeve 14 and / or hosel 20 to prevent corrosion and / or to provide the desired aesthetic appearance and / or to provide additional structural properties. For example, in embodiments using a sleeve 14 composed of a first metallic material such as aluminum and a hosel 20 composed of a second metallic material such as titanium, the sleeve 14 may be resistant to galvanic corrosion. Can be anodized. As another example, the nonmetallic sleeve 14 may be coated with nickel to provide an appearance of the metallic construction and / or to provide additional strength. The coating can be selected to provide any desired properties, for example the coating can be a metal coating such as a nickel alloy with nanocrystalline grain structure to improve strength.

Sleeve 14 may be securely fastened to club head 16 by fastener 18 to prevent sleeve 14 from disengaging from sleeve bore 30. The fastener 18 is used primarily to prevent relative movement between the sleeve 14 and the club head 16 in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the hosel 20 by introducing an axial compressive force. The fastener 18 can be any type of fastener that inhibits relative movement between the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20. For example, as shown in this embodiment, the fastener 18 is an elongated mechanical fastener such as a mechanical screw that engages a screw hole in the sleeve 14. The fastener 18 and the sleeve 14 are dimensioned to provide sufficient screw length to withstand the axial forces applied to the replaceable shaft system 10. In one embodiment, fastener 18 and sleeve 14 are dimensioned to provide a 1/4 inch threaded engagement. In addition, a thread insert may be provided if desired to increase the strength of the screw. For example, a screw insert, such as a Heli-coil screw insert (registered trademark of Emhart, Inc., Newark, Delaware), may be installed into the sleeve 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hosel 20 only partially extends through the club head 16. A separate fastener bore 50 is provided which extends into the club head 16 near the sole 26, which is generally coaxially aligned with the hosel 20. The proximal end of the fastener bore 50 terminates at the substrate flange 54. The flange 54 is generally annular and provides a bearing surface for the head portion of the fastener 18. The shank of the fastener 18 extends through the flange 54, across the gap 52, between the fastener bore 50 and the hosel 20, through the flange 31, and the flange of the sleeve 14. Meshes with (44).

During assembly, as the fastener 18 is tightened, the sleeve 14 is drawn into the hosel 20. At the same time, the tang 42 of the sleeve 14 is drawn into the notches 32 of the hosel 20, and the tapered side edges of the tang 42 are forced to contact the tapered side walls of the notch 32. The tapered interface between tang 42 and notch 32 ensures fastener 18 is tightened in sleeve 14; The fit of the sleeve 14 and the hosel 20 is gradually firmed and the sleeve 14 moves to a position in the preset and repeatable hosel 20.

The depth of the hosel 20 and sleeve bore 30 in the club head 16 may be selected such that the desired lengths of the shaft 12 and sleeve 14 are received therein. In this embodiment, the hosel 20 only partially extends into the club head 16. However, the hosel may extend through the entire club head to intersect the sole as shown in the golf club of FIG. 22. In such an embodiment, the flange providing the bearing surface for the head of the fastener may be at any intermediate position in the hosel, and no separate fastener bore need be provided.

As described above, the hosel alignment feature is positioned adjacent the proximal end 28 of the hosel 20 and extends through at least a portion of the sidewall of the hosel 20. Positioning the hosel alignment feature adjacent to the proximal end 28 of the hosel 20 greatly simplifies the manufacture of the hosel alignment feature and the club head 16, as the area is easily accessible. In particular, alignment features with close tolerances can be included in the hosel 20 by simple machining processes and using common tools. For example, a generally trapezoidal hosel alignment feature that extends completely through the sidewall of the hosel 20, such as the notch 32, tapered end passing diagonally across the proximal end 28 of the cast club head 16. It can be machined using a mill. As a result of this arrangement, the hosel alignment features with strictly controlled dimensions can be easily configured to have any desired shape using simple tools and processes.

The alignment feature may be located at any position around the circumference of the sleeve 14 and hosel 20. Preferably, the pair of alignment features are disposed approximately 180 ° apart around the circumference of the body 38 and the hosel 20 (ie, the alignment features face diagonally) and one of the features It is located adjacent to the face 24 of the club head 16. This orientation results in the alignment features being obscured from the field of view when the user places the club in an address position and looks at the club along a line of sight that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 12. This orientation also allows the user to easily see the alignment features during adjustment by looking at the club head 16 along a line of sight that is generally perpendicular to face 24.

As an additional feature, a locking mechanism may be provided to prevent the fastener 18 from detaching from the sleeve 14. Any locking mechanism can be employed. For example, a lock washer may be provided between the head of the fastener 18 and the adjacent bearing surface. Alternatively, a locking screw design, such as a Spiralock locking internal thread form (registered trademark of Detroit Tool Industries Corp., Madison Heights, Mississippi), may be included in the thread bore 48 of the flange 44. As another alternative, a screw locking material, such as Loctite screw locking adhesive (registered trademark of Henkel Corp., Gulf Mills, PA), may be applied to the fastener 18 or the screw bore 48. . Fastener 18 may also be provided with locking features such as patch locks. In addition, a bonding material such as epoxy may be applied to the head of fastener 18 at the interface with club head 16 after assembly.

As another feature, retainer 56 may be employed such that fastener 18 is retained within club head 16 when fastener 18 is not engaged with sleeve 14. During replacement of the shaft 12, the fastener 18 is preferably held in the club head 16 so as not to be misplaced. The retainer 56 is coupled to the shank of the fastener 18 and is positioned so that the flange is interposed between the retainer 56 and the head of the fastener 18. Retainer 56 is sized not to pass through holes of each flange. The retainer 56 is frictional on the shank of the fastener 18 adjacent the flange 31 of the hosel 20 positioned such that the flange 31 is interposed between the retainer 56 and the head of the fastener 18. It may be a clip coupled to.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, embodiments of a multi-piece shaft sleeve that can replace the shaft sleeve 14 of the replaceable shaft system described above will be described. Multi-piece embodiments provide a configuration that allows the use of alternative machining processes over machined or molded single piece shaft sleeves. In addition, it further provides an option to include multiple materials in a single shaft sleeve, which can provide weight and / or manufacturing advantages. In one embodiment, shaft sleeve 63 may include a multi-piece configuration that includes a body 65, a pair of alignment features (eg, tang 67), and ferrules 69. In this embodiment, the tang 67 is integral with the ferrule 69, while the body 65 is a separate component.

 Body 65 is generally cylindrical and includes a proximal end positioned adjacent the distal end of ferrule 69 when assembled on a shaft. The proximal end of the main body 65 includes a notch 71 having a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the tang 67. In particular, the notch 71 is preferably sized and shaped such that there is no gap between the distal end of the ferrule 69 and the proximal end of the body 65 or between the side of the tang 67 and the side of the notch 71. . In addition, when the shaft sleeve 63 is assembled, the thickness of the tang 67 is selected such that the portion of the tang 67 extends radially outward beyond the outer surface of the body 65. As a result, as described above, the portion of the tang 67 extending radially outward from the body 65 can engage the engagement feature provided in the proximal portion of the hosel of the golf club head.

Another alternative embodiment of the shaft sleeve will be described with reference to FIG. 8. Shaft sleeve 64 includes a body 66, a pair of alignment features (eg, tang 68), and ferrule 70. Tang 68 is integral with body 66 and ferrule 70 is formed separately from tang 68 and body 66. Body 66 is generally cylindrical and includes a proximal end positioned adjacent the distal end of ferrule 70 when assembled on a shaft. Tang 68 extends laterally outward from body 66 adjacent the proximal end of body 66.

The body 66 and the ferrule 70 can be made of any material and can be made of the same or different materials. For example, the body 66 may be processed from a metal material such as aluminum, and the ferrule 70 may be molded or processed from a nonmetal material such as nylon. Other materials may be used to reduce the weight of the entire metal sleeve while still providing adequate structural quality and bonding surface area. In addition, other materials may be selected to provide the desired aesthetic properties.

The body of any embodiment of the shaft sleeve may further include weight reduction features as needed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the shaded portion 72 can include slots, depressions and reduce the volume of material that makes up the body 66 through holes or any other shape. Can be. The volume of body material can be reduced in any desired portion of the shaft sleeve body as long as sufficient surface area is provided to properly couple the shaft to the shaft sleeve.

Another embodiment of the shaft sleeve is shown in FIG. 9. Similar to the embodiment described above, the shaft sleeve 74 includes a body 76, a ferrule 78, and a tang 80 extending laterally outward from the body 76. Shaft sleeve 74 is an illustration of a single piece structure of a shaft sleeve that is molded from a nonmetallic material such as, for example, nylon, fiber reinforced polymer, or polycarbonate. Because of such a structure, the shaft sleeve 74 also includes a screw insert 82 that is molded into the distal flange 84 of the shaft sleeve 74. Threaded insert 82 may include features such as a null and / or one or more ribs or flanges that allow the insert to be rigidly molded in place.

Another embodiment of a shaft sleeve, part of another embodiment of a golf club including a replaceable shaft system, is shown in FIG. 10. Similar to the embodiment described above, the golf club includes a shaft 90 that is coupled to the hosel 92 of the club head by a replaceable shaft system that includes a shaft sleeve 94.

In this embodiment, the sleeve 94 utilizes a multi-component structure. Sleeve 94 includes a body 96 integral with ferrule 98 and a sleeve alignment feature formed by separate pin 100 coupled to body 96 and ferrule 98. The pin 100 extends radially across the interface of the body 96 and the ferrule 98 and is firmly coupled to the body 96 and the ferrule 98. The length of the pin 100 is selected such that the end of the pin 100 extends laterally outward beyond the outer surface of the body 96. Preferably, the pin 100 extends laterally outwardly of the body 96 such that the end of the pin 100 is approximately flush with the outer surface of the hosel 92 by a distance corresponding to the side thickness of the hosel 92 of the golf club. Each end of e) is extended. Although pin 100 is shown generally as a cylindrical member, it should be appreciated that the hose 100 may have any desired cross-sectional shape and that hosel 92 may include hosel alignment features having any corresponding shape. For example, the pin 100 may be a key having any polygonal cross-sectional shape, such as triangle, trapezoid, square, rectangle, rhombus, and the like.

The replaceable shaft system of the present invention can be configured to provide control of angular characteristics including face angle, lie and loft of the assembled golf club. As mentioned above, the structure of the hosel and sleeve alignment features provides proper orientation of the sleeve relative to the hosel. The shaft may be mounted to the sleeve such that it is not coaxial with the sleeve. Misalignment allows proper orientation of the sleeve relative to the hosel to correspond to other orientations of the shaft relative to the club head. For example, the angle characteristic of the assembled golf club can be adjusted by changing the orientation of the shaft sleeve relative to the hosel so that the longitudinal axis of the shaft rotates relative to the shaft by mounting the shaft in the sleeve.

As shown in FIG. 11, the shaft 102 is mounted to the sleeve 104 such that an angular characteristic, or a predetermined combination of angular characteristics, can be adjusted between at least the first and second structures. In particular, the longitudinal axis A of the shaft bore 106 of the sleeve 104 can be rotated about the ferrule 110 of the sleeve 104 and the longitudinal axis B of the body 108 (eg. For example, the shaft bore is not coaxial with the body 108. Preferably, the shaft bore is rotated about 0 ° to about 5 ° about the longitudinal axis of the body. As a result, when the shaft 102 is inserted into the shaft bore 106, the longitudinal axis of the shaft 102 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis A of the shaft bore 106. By rotating the sleeve 104 approximately 180 °, the orientation of the shaft 102 relative to the sleeve 104 changes from positive to negative relative to the longitudinal axis B.

The direction of rotational offset between axis A and axis B is located relative to the hosel and sleeve alignment features such that rotation of the sleeve in the hosel between the two positions changes the club face angle. In particular, the sleeve may be coupled to the hosel in a first position corresponding to the first structure in which the club face is opened. The sleeve may then be coupled to the hosel in a second position corresponding to the second structure in which the club face is closed, for example, rotated 180 ° from the first position. It should be appreciated that the position may be any combination of closed, neutral or open club face orientations and in some embodiments both positions may be closed or opened to a different degree. It should be appreciated that the shaft 102 and sleeve 104 can be combined to provide more than two structures. For example, the sleeve and the accompanying golf club head may be configured such that two or more relative structures are provided to provide adjustment to multiple combinations of angular characteristics.

Additionally, the depth of the hosel alignment features may be different, such that the golf club comprising the replaceable shaft system of the present invention may be adjustable in overall length by providing a plurality of hosel alignment features having different depths. For example, in one embodiment, a pair of hosel alignment features having a depth different from the proximal end of the hosel is provided to the golf club head. A shaft sleeve is provided that includes a single sleeve alignment feature having a size and shape that engages any of the hosel alignment features. In a first structure, the sleeve alignment feature is engaged with the deeper hosel alignment feature to provide a first total golf club depth by pulling the sleeve into the hosel to a first depth. In a second structure, the sleeve alignment feature is engaged with the shallower hosel alignment feature to provide a second total golf club depth less than the first total golf club depth by pulling the sleeve into the hosel to a second depth less than the first depth.

12-14, another embodiment of a replaceable shaft system of the present invention is described. The replaceable shaft system 120 generally includes a sleeve 122 coupled to the shaft 124 and a fastener 126 retaining the sleeve 122 inside the hosel 128 of the club head 130. Similar to the embodiment described above. However, in this embodiment the fastener 126 is integral with the ferrule 132.

Sleeve 122 includes body 134 and alignment features (eg, tang 136). Sleeve 122 includes a separate ferrule 132. In the assembled golf club, the body 134 of the sleeve 122 is at least partially received inside the sleeve bore 138 of the hosel 128. The tang 136 is oriented with the body 134 to engage the corresponding alignment feature of the hosel 128 (eg, notch 140).

Fastener 126 is integral with and forms part of ferrule 132. In particular, fastener 126 is the distal end of ferrule 132 configured to mechanically engage a portion of hosel 128. For example, fastener 126 is part of ferrule 132 that includes a screw inner surface 144 and is configured to screw into screw outer surface 146 of hosel 128.

Ferrule 132 also includes bearing surface 142. The bearing surface 142 abuts the proximal end of the sleeve 122 when the replaceable shaft system 120 is assembled. During assembly, the shaft 124 is inserted through the ferrule 132 such that the ferrule 132 is slidable and rotatable on the shaft 124. The sleeve 122 is then coupled to the distal end of the shaft 124. The dimension of the sleeve 122 is selected to prevent the sleeve 122 past the ferrule 132 from sliding toward the distal end of the shaft 124. The sleeve 122 is then inserted into the sleeve bore 138 such that the tang 136 engages the notch 140 with the sleeve 122 in the desired rotational orientation. Finally, the ferrule 132 slides along the shaft 124 until the bearing surface 142 abuts the sleeve 122 and the fastener 126 is screwed onto the hosel 128.

Markings may be provided to clearly indicate the configuration of the shaft relative to the golf head of the assembled golf club. By way of example, as described above, the shaft can be coupled to the shaft sleeve such that the club can be assembled in a first or second configuration. Markings may be placed on the shaft sleeve and / or hosel to indicate an assembled configuration. The marker can be positioned so that it can be seen only during assembly, or during assembly and after assembly, as needed.

15-19, any form of indicia is provided. The indicia may be engraved, embossed, printed and / or painted, and may be one or more letters, numbers, symbols, dots and / or other markings that may identify the available configurations of a golf club. The mark may be provided on the club head, shaft sleeve or any part of the shaft of the assembled golf club. Preferably, the mark is provided at or near the sleeve and / or hosel alignment features.

As shown in Figures 1, 15 and 16, the marker may include letters corresponding to the configuration of the golf club. In this embodiment, the mark 150 is located at the sleeve alignment feature and is "O" corresponding to the open face angle configuration of the golf club. In addition, a mark 152 in the form of a letter “C” is provided on other sleeve alignment features corresponding to the closed face angle configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1, hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features (eg, notches 32 and tang 42) and / or indicia are positioned to reduce visibility of the features during use. In particular, in assembled golf clubs, the tangs 42 face radially from one another about the periphery of the hosel 20 on an axis generally perpendicular to the plane defined by the face 24 of the club head 16. To be located. As a result, the tang 42 can be seen along a line of sight generally perpendicular to the face 24 of the club head 16. However, when the user grabs the club at the address position, the tang 42 is blurred from the field of view, ie the alignment feature is not seen along an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the golf club has the golf club head at the address. It has the appearance of a golf club without a replaceable shaft system.

Further examples of markers are shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. In FIG. 17, the markers 154, 156 include both letters and symbols (eg, "L +" and "L-"). Combinations of letters, symbols and / or numbers may be used to clearly indicate the construction of the assembled golf club. In this example, the marks 154 and 156 are particularly suitable for indicating the lie or loft angle of the rise and fall of the club head, respectively. In addition, the mark is provided to indicate to the user that the mark provided on the sleeve 14 corresponds to the assembled configuration of the golf club. As a further example, the marker 158 shown in FIG. 19 may include numbers such as "0" and "1" or "1" and "2" to indicate the configuration of the component.

The replaceable shaft system of the present invention provides a better advantage over the club fitting of the conventional method. In conventional fitting sessions, the user was required to make a test swing with an unadjustable sample of a plurality of single golf clubs. By way of example, conventional fitting carts or bags generally include a plurality of sample six irons in various configurations. The user needed to try with many sample clubs to determine which sample had the best configuration. However, since these sample clubs are not adjustable, it is necessary to introduce the differences between the individual components of a plurality of clubs as additional variables in the fitting process and fitting cart or bag to include many separate and complete sample clubs. there was.

The method of fitting a golf club to a user using the replaceable shaft system of the present invention reduces the number of complete sample clubs required by eliminating many of these additional variables and minimizing the number of components required during the fitting process. . The replaceable shaft system allows one club head to be used throughout the fitting process by changing the direction of a single shaft relative to the club head and / or with a different shaft. The system also allows different club heads to be used with one shaft as needed.

The method includes providing a golf club with a replaceable shaft system of the present invention in a first configuration. The user then swings the golf club in a first configuration. After the swing and ball trajectory characteristics of the user are analyzed, the second configuration is reassembled to disengage the replaceable shaft system of the golf club. After that, the user swings the golf club in the second configuration and then analyzes the swing and ball trajectory characteristics of the user. This step may be repeated in any number of golf club configurations. Finally, the club configuration appropriate for the user is determined based on the user's swing analysis.

During the reassembly of the replaceable shaft system into the second configuration, many different operations can be performed. By way of example, the shaft and sleeve combination that was provided in the golf club of the first configuration can be re-orientated relative to the club head to provide a change in one angular characteristic or combination of angular characteristics of the golf club. Alternatively, the shaft and sleeve combination can be replaced and different shafts and sleeves can be attached to the club head. Replacement of the shaft and sleeve combination may be desirable to change the angular and / or other physical properties of the golf club, such as shaft flexibility, shaft length, grip style and grip.

Another embodiment of a golf club having a replaceable shaft system of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 20-22. The replaceable shaft system 160 generally includes a shaft sleeve 162 coupled to the shaft 164 and a fastener 166 retaining the sleeve 162 in the hosel 168 of the club head 170. do. However, in this embodiment, the hosel 168 extends through the entire club head 170 to intersect both the sole 173 and the crown 171 of the club head 170.

Sleeve 162 includes body 174 and alignment features (eg, a tang). The body 174 includes a shaft portion 175 and a fastener portion 179. Shaft portion 175 is generally tubular and defines shaft bore 178. Fastener portion 179 is generally cylindrical and has an outer diameter that is less than or equal to the outer diameter of shaft portion 175. Fastener portion 179 includes a threaded bore that engages fastener 166.

In the assembled golf club, the body 174 of the sleeve 162 is received at least partially within the sleeve bore 180 of the hosel 168. The body 174 is oriented such that the alignment features of the sleeve 162 are coupled to the complementary alignment features (eg, notches) of the hosel 168. In addition, a ferrule 172 adjacent the adjacent end of the shaft sleeve 162 may be included to provide a tapered transition between the shaft sleeve 162 and the shaft 164.

Fastener 166 is a long mechanical fastener, such as a machine screw, coupled to a threaded hole in sleeve 162. Fastener 166 and sleeve 162 are dimensioned to provide sufficient threaded length to withstand the axial forces imposed on replaceable shaft system 160.

The flange 176 is provided in the hosel 168 at an intermediate position along the length of the hosel 168. The flange 176 is generally annular with a through hole, which is dimensioned to prevent the head of the fastener 166 from penetrating while the threaded shank of the fastener 166 extends through it. The flange 176 is a bearing face for the head of the fastener 166 when coupled to the sleeve 162 such that the fastener 166 is in tension when the fastener 166 is tightly coupled to the threaded bore of the sleeve 162. To provide.

The replaceable shaft system 160 also retains the retainer 177 to retain the fastener 166 in the hosel 168 of the club head 170 when disengaged from the sleeve 162, such as during shaft placement or orientation. ). Retainer 177 is slidably received in hosel 168 at the side of hosel 168 closest to sole 173 such that head of fastener 166 is disposed between retainer 177 and flange 176. do. The inner diameter of retainer 177 is selected to be smaller than the outer diameter of the head of fastener 166 but larger than the outer diameter of the tool used to rotate fastener 166. Alternatively, the retainer may preferably be a removable solid plug so that it can be removed to access fastener 166.

In addition, the swing weight of a golf club associated with the replaceable shaft system of the present invention can be changed using a sleeve having a good weight. During assembly of a golf club, the golf head often has a weight to produce good swing weight and / or to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. In this embodiment, shaft sleeve configurations having various weights can be provided so that they can be easily matched with the weight of other components to provide good swing weight.

Referring to FIG. 23, the shaft sleeve 182 includes a body having a shaft portion 186 and a fastener portion 188. The shaft portion 186 is generally tubular and forms a shaft bore 187 that is sized to receive the end of the golf club shaft. The fastener portion 188 is generally cylindrical and preferably has an outer diameter that is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the shaft portion 186. Fastener portion 188 includes a threaded bore 190 extending into a post 194 that engages the post in a prefabricated replaceable shaft system. In this embodiment, the fastener portion 188 also includes a weight 192 coupled to the post 194. The weight 192 is generally configured to be detachably coupled to the post 194 such that a weight 192 having a different mass can optionally be attached to the fastener portion 188. For example, the weight 192 may be attached with a threaded interface between the weight 192 and the post 194, or the weight 192 may be slidably coupled with the post 194 such as a set screw or pin. Supported in place by a mechanical fastener 196 extending radially through the weight 192. As another alternative, the weight 192 may be semi-permanently coupled to the body by applying an adhesive, or may be permanently attached by welding, press fit or shrink fit.

With reference to FIG. 24, another embodiment of the shaft sleeve 202 will be described. The shaft sleeve 202 includes a body having a shaft portion 206 and a fastener portion 208. Similar to the previously described embodiment, the shaft portion 206 is configured to receive the end of the golf club, and the fastener portion 208 is configured to engage the fastener of the prefabricated replaceable shaft system. The fastener portion 208 includes a weight 210 that forms part of the fastener portion 208. In particular, the weight 210 is a sleeve that is molded with the fastener portion 208 of the shaft sleeve 202 such that the weight 210 is permanently coupled to the shaft sleeve 202.

The material and size of the weight of the above-described embodiment is selected to provide the desired final weight of the shaft sleeve. The shaft sleeve with various weights can be configured such that the shaft sleeve can be connected to the weight of the club head to provide the desired swing weight in assembly. The weight is generally composed of a material having a different density than the rest of the shaft sleeve. For example, to add mass to the aluminum shaft sleeve, a weight composed of titanium, steel and / or tungsten may be employed. In addition, powder filled polymers such as tungsten filled thermoplastics can be employed. The mass of the aluminum shaft sleeve can be reduced by adopting a weight composed of a material having a lower density than aluminum, such as polycarbonate or reinforced fiber plastic.

Referring to FIG. 25, another embodiment of the shaft sleeve 212 will be described. Sleeve 212 includes a body 214 and an alignment feature in the form of a tang 216 located near the tip of the body 214. This embodiment includes three tangs 216 spaced about equally circumferentially about the distal end of the body 214, ie about 120 ° around the circumference of the body 214. Body 214 is generally cylindrical and includes a tip portion disposed adjacent to the distal end of the ferrule in the assembled golf club. The length of the shaft sleeve 212 and the diameter of the shaft bore 218 of the sleeve 212 are selected to provide a suitable bonding surface for the golf club shaft.

Tang 216 extends laterally outward beyond the outer surface of body 214. The shape of the tang 216 is selected to complement the shape of the notch contained in the hosel of the auxiliary golf club, so that when the tang 216 engages the notch, it centers on the longitudinal axis of the hosel between the sleeve 212 and the hosel. Relative rotation is prevented. Similar to the previously described embodiment, the tang 216 generally has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, which trapezoidal shape is selected to complement and engage a trapezoidal notch.

Relative rotation between the shaft sleeve and the hosel is prevented by engagement between the shaft sleeve and the alignment features of the hosel. In particular, the fit between the side surface 217 of the tang 216 and the corresponding side surface of the complementary hosel alignment feature. The side surface 217 may be arranged to alter the magnitude of the normal and tangential forces applied to the butting side surface.

Referring to FIG. 26, the shaft sleeve 222 includes a tang 224 that includes a side surface 226 and is coupled within a hosel 228 that includes a notch 230 that complements the tang 224. Shaft sleeve 222 is shown. The side surface 226 of the tang 224 is generally flat and disposed on a plane extending radially through the shaft sleeve 222. Similarly, the side surface 231 of the notch 230 is generally flat and disposed on a plane extending radially through the shaft sleeve 222. As a result of the placement, when the sleeve 222 is rotated about the hosel 228 about its longitudinal axis, between the side surface 226 of the tang 224 and the side surface 231 of the notch 230. The generated force is mostly placed in the normal to the side surface.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 27, a shaft coupled within a hosel 238 that includes a tang 234 that includes a side surface 236 and includes a notch 240 that complements the tang 234. Sleeve 232 is shown. The side surface 236 of the tang 234 is generally flat and disposed on a plane spaced parallel to the plane extending radially through the shaft sleeve 232. Similarly, the side surface 241 of the notch 240 is generally flat and disposed on a plane spaced parallel to the plane extending radially through the shaft sleeve 232. As a result of the placement, when the sleeve 232 is rotated about the hosel 238 about its longitudinal axis, between the side surface 236 of the tang 234 and the side surface 241 of the notch 240. The generated force includes both normal and tangential elements with respect to the side surface. It will be appreciated that the side surface of the alignment feature need not be flat, by including a side surface with small sides, to facilitate self centering when under rotating load.

28 and 29, another embodiment of a replaceable shaft system 250 will be described. The replaceable shaft system 250 is allowed to rotate 180 ° relative to the hosel 258 while simultaneously allowing additional adjustment to the system by allowing the shaft sleeve 252 to tilt within the hosel 258 of the golf club head 260. It is configured to provide. The replaceable shaft system 250 generally includes a shaft sleeve 252 coupled to the shaft 254, and a fastener 256 holding the sleeve 252 in the hosel 258.

Sleeve 252 includes a body and an alignment feature (eg, tang 262). The main body includes a shaft portion 267 and a fastener portion 268. Shaft portion 267 is generally tubular and forms a shaft bore. Fastener portion 268 is also generally cylindrical and includes a threaded bore that engages fastener 256.

Shaft sleeve 252 includes a pair of tangs 262 that generally include a cylindrical side surface 266. The cylindrical side surface of the opposing tang 262 is concentric and has the same radius of curvature. The hosel 258 includes alignment features in the form of a notch 272 in the prefabricated replaceable shaft system 250 that also abuts the cylindrical side surface of the tang 262 and also has a concentric cylindrical side surface 274. do. It should be understood that the side surface 274 of the notch 272 may alternatively be polygonal such that the cylindrical side surface 266 of the tang 262 contacts the side surface 274 at a plurality of tangential contact points.

As shown in FIGS. 29A-29C, the cylindrical side surfaces of the tang 262 and the notches 272 slide relative to each other so that the shaft sleeve 252 rotates about an axis extending through the center of curvature of the surface. And tilted against hosel 258. FIG. 29A shows the shaft sleeve 252 in a first position tilted counterclockwise with respect to the hosel 258 by an angle α. 29B shows the shaft sleeve 252 in a second position where the shaft sleeve 252 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the hosel 258. FIG. 29C shows the shaft sleeve 252 in a third position where the shaft sleeve 252 is tilted clockwise relative to the hosel 258 by an angle α.

The outer diameter of the portion of the shaft sleeve 252 extending into the hosel 258 is selected so that a gap for the desired tilt angle movement is provided between the shaft sleeve 252 and the inner surface of the hosel 258. In addition, the sizes of the bores 276 and 278 are selected such that a gap for the fastener 256 is provided through the entire operating range of the shaft sleeve 252.

Alignment member 280 is provided in fastener bore 281 provided in one golf club head 260. Alignment member 280 may be used to retain fastener 256 such that shaft sleeve 252 is maintained in the selected direction. A plurality of alignment members are provided, each configured to align fastener 256 and shaft sleeve 252 in a particular direction. In this embodiment, a pair of alignment members 280 is provided. The first alignment member 280a is provided in the direction of the shaft sleeve 252 shown in FIGS. 29A and 29C, and the alignment member 280a is positioned near the axial edge of the alignment member 280a and the shaft sleeve 252. Alignment bores 282 tilted toward the center of rotation of the substrate. Alignment member 280a is rotated 180 ° to accommodate the other directions of FIGS. 29A and 29C. In FIG. 29B, the alignment includes an alignment bore 282 positioned in the center of the alignment member 280b and arranged such that the fastener 256 and the shaft sleeve 252 are generally aligned along the longitudinal axis of the hosel 258. Member 280b is shown.

The adjustability provided by the replaceable shaft system 250 is shown schematically in FIGS. 30A-30D. The shaft sleeve 252 is allowed to tilt in the hosel 258, and the shaft sleeve 252 can rotate 180 ° relative to the hosel 258. The shaft 254 is also mounted to the shaft sleeve 252 at a shaft angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft sleeve 252. As a result, the range of angular movement of the shaft 254 relative to the longitudinal axis of the hosel 258 is increased compared to systems that do not allow tilting. For example, in the first orientation shown in FIG. 30A, the shaft 254 is oriented in a clockwise position at an angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis C of the hosel 258, and the shaft sleeve 252 is positioned at the hosel ( 258) is coaxially oriented. In the second orientation shown in FIG. 30B, the shaft sleeve 252 is tilted counterclockwise at an angle α with respect to the axis C, as a result of which the shaft 254 is coaxially aligned with the axis C. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 30C, the shaft sleeve 252 rotates 180 ° about the axis C when compared to the orientations of FIGS. 30A and 30B, and the shaft 254 is rotated counterclockwise at an angle -α with respect to the axis C. Aligned coaxially with axis C so as to be oriented at. By tilting the shaft sleeve 252 counterclockwise with respect to the hosel by the angle α, the shaft 254 rotates further away from the axis C by an angle of −2α with respect to the axis C in a counterclockwise orientation. The orientation of 254 is changed. By configuring the shaft sleeve 252 to tilt and rotate, additional shaft orientation can be achieved. In addition, the angular movement of the shaft in this configuration is greater than the angular movement required for the shaft sleeve in the hosel. In addition, by allowing tilting of the shaft sleeve 252, all shaft orientations can be provided in a single plane, such as the lay plane.

Alignment members included in the replaceable shaft system can have a variety of configurations. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the alignment member 284 includes a body 286 including an alignment bore 288 and a weight cavity 290. As discussed above in connection with another embodiment, the alignment holes 288 are configured to align fasteners 292 that extend into the shaft sleeve and retain the shaft sleeve in a desired orientation relative to the hosel of the golf club head. In this embodiment, the alignment bore 288 includes a tapered coupler 294 that abuts the tapered portion 296 of the fastener 292 so that the fastener 292 is wedged in a particular orientation. .

The weight cavity 290 may be used to include a separate weight member 298, or may be empty to reduce the weight of the alignment member 284. The weight member 298 may be included to change the swing weight of the golf club head including the alignment member 284, and by including the weight member 298 in the alignment member 284, additional weight may be placed near the shaft axis. Is located. This positioning provides different swing weights with minimal impact on the moment of inertia about the shaft axis, so as not to significantly affect the ability of the club to rotate about the shaft axis. In addition, an additional weight is located near the sole, which is generally desirable to avoid raising the center of gravity of the golf club head.

Another alignment member is shown in FIGS. 33 and 34. Alignment member 300 includes a body 302 forming a slot 304 to receive a plurality of orientations of fasteners 306. The fastener 306 extends through the slot 304 and engages a shaft sleeve 308 located in the hosel 310 of the golf club head. As shown in FIG. 34, the slot 304 intersects the slot 304 and generates a plurality of detentes generated by a counterbore 312 that houses the shoulder 314 included in the fastener 306. It contains the position (detente). This configuration allows the fastener 306 to engage with the fastener 306 without fully disengaging the fastener 306 from the shaft sleeve 308 by sufficiently retracting the fastener 306 so that the shoulder 314 disengages from the counterbore 312. It is possible to change the orientation of the shaft sleeve 308.

Alternatively, a compressive member 316 such as a compressible washer or sleeve and a limit stop 318 may be disposed in the fastener 306 between the shaft sleeve 308 and the hosel 310. The compressible member 316 is compressed between the rest stop 318 and the hosel 310 when the fastener 306 is retracted to support the positioning of the fastener 306 during use. Is pressed to be held in the counterbore 312. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 35, the counterbore may be replaced with a countersink 320, and a fastener 324 with a tapered portion 322 may be included. Utilizing the countersink 320 and tapered fastener 324 allows fastener 324 and shaft sleeve 308 to self-locate in the desired orientation by coupling between features. Can provide additional benefits.

36 and 37, the alignment member 330 includes a body 332 having a circular cross-sectional shape. The body 332 defines an arcuate slot 334 that houses the fastener 336. The arcuate slot 334 allows the fastener to fit between the center of the alignment member 330 and the edge of the alignment member by rotating the alignment member 330 within the fastener bore while the fastener 336 remains engaged with the shaft sleeve. It is configured to be oriented. Sidewall 338 of body 332 includes a coating or surface property such as knurling that provides friction between body 332 and fastener bore such that alignment member 330 does not freely rotate within the fastener bore. can do.

The shape of the alignment member and the fastener bore is selected to provide the desired mobility. The body of the alignment member may have a cross-sectional shape that can be formed, for example, in an oval, star, polygon, or any other shape that permits mobility, thereby allowing it to be received in the fastener bore in one of a plurality of orientations. Alternatively, the body of the alignment member may be circular in cross section so that it can be rotated in the fastener bore to allow for continuous adjustment. Alternatively, the body of the alignment member may be formed to allow only one orientation in the fastener bore, for example by having the alignment member have an asymmetrical shape.

38-40, another embodiment of replaceable shaft system 340 will be described as providing dual angle adjustment. The replaceable shaft system 340 is configured to provide additional control to the system by including a wedge member 341 interposed between the hosel 347 of the club head body 343 and the shaft sleeve 342. In particular, shaft sleeve 342 is coupled to shaft 344, extends through wedge member 341, and is at least partially housed in hosel 347. Fastener 349 releasably couples sleeve 342 to club head 343.

In an embodiment, the shaft sleeve 342 has a shaft angle α relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 344 when the longitudinal sleeve of the shaft sleeve 342 is coupled to the distal end of the shaft 344. And a shaft bore 345 having a longitudinal axis that is not coaxial with the body of the shaft sleeve 342 to be inclined by. As described herein, the maximum angular deflection plane of shaft sleeve 342 is such that the maximum angle difference between shaft sleeve 342 and shaft 344 coincides with that plane when inserted into shaft bore 345. A transverse plane extending through the longitudinal axis of shaft sleeve 342 and the central axis of shaft bore 345. The shaft angle α is preferably less than about 10 degrees, more preferably less than about 5 degrees.

Opposite end faces 346 of the wedge member 341 have an orientation of the shaft 344 relative to the club head 343 when the wedge member 341 is interposed between the shaft sleeve 342 and the hosel 347. It is inclined with respect to each other so as to be formed by the combination of the position of the wedge member 341 relative to the club head 343 and the position of the shaft sleeve 342 relative to the club head 343.

The wedge member 341 includes a cylindrical tubular body 348 having flat end faces 346, which flat alignment faces have non-parallel, aligned features extending away from them. Inclined relative to each other by the wedge angle β to be inclined relative to each other. The wedge angle β is preferably less than about 10 °, more preferably less than about 5 ° and less than the shaft angle α. In this embodiment, the distal face of the wedge member 341 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body 348, and the distal face is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body 348. As a result, the wedge member has a maximum length portion 350 that is approximately radially opposed to the minimum length portion 351, and the wedge member 341 forms a maximum angular deflection plane. As described herein, the maximum angular deflection plane of the wedge member extends across the wedge member such that the maximum angular difference between the distal end surface and the distal end surface of the wedge coincides with the plane and defines the minimum length portion and the maximum length portion. It is a transverse plane extending through it. For example, as shown in FIG. 39, the wedge member 341 has a maximum angular deflection plane corresponding to the plane of paper.

Shaft sleeve 342 is inserted into wedge member 341 and into hosel 347 such that the three components have the desired relative orientation. Many of the alignment features included in shaft sleeve 342, wedge member 341 and hosel 347 provide a plurality of individual orientations of the shaft relative to the club head. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment features are configured to have four separate relative orientations between the wedge member 341 and the hosel 347 and four separate relative orientations between the shaft sleeve 342 and the wedge member 341. do. In particular, the alignment features of the shaft sleeve 342 include four tangs 354 equally spaced circumferentially about the shaft sleeve 342. Tang 354 is sized and shaped to fit the secondary notch 356 included in the distal end of wedge member 341. The distal end of the wedge member 341 is aligned, such as four tangs 358, for example, having a size and shape to match the secondary alignment features included in the tip of the hosel 347, such as, for example, the notch 360. Include features. In the assembled replaceable shaft system 340, the tang 354 of the shaft sleeve 342 is engaged with the notch 356 of the wedge member 341, and the tang 358 of the wedge member 341 is the hosel 347. ) Is combined with the notch 360.

After the shaft sleeve 342 is inserted into the wedge member 341, the retainer 362 is coupled to the shaft sleeve 342 so that the wedge member 341 is held on the shaft sleeve 342. Retainer 362 is coupled to the distal end of shaft sleeve 342 such that wedge member 341 can slide between retainer 362 and tang 354. As a result, the loft and lie orientation of the shaft 344 relative to the golf club head 343 can be changed without completely disassembling the replaceable shaft system 340, and the wedge member 341 is lost when the system is fully disassembled. This is avoided. For example, the engagement length of the fastener 349 may be chosen to be larger than the respective engagement length of the set of alignment features so that the components of the replaceable shaft system 340 can be redirected without completely disassembling the system. .

In another embodiment, the shaft sleeve includes a shaft bore having a longitudinal axis coaxial with the body of the shaft sleeve. In this embodiment, the wedge member provides an angle adjustment function while maintaining the rotation of the grip and the shaft. As a result, the directional shaft and the grip can be maintained in the desired orientation. Directional shafts include them with physical properties such as stiffness, kick points, etc., depending on the position and direction of the forces disposed on the shaft or their asymmetrical graphics. Directional grips include them with visual or tactile orientation reminders, often referred to as reminder grips.

The magnitude of the shaft angle α and the wedge angle β and the position and number of alignment features are selected such that the number of individual orientations and the desired range of motion can be provided. For example, in embodiments in which the maximum angular displacement plane of the shaft and associated shaft sleeve and the maximum angular displacement plane of the wedge member can be aligned, the magnitude of the angular motion range further comprises the shaft angle α and the wedge angle β. By means of which the number of individual orientations depends on whether the shaft angle α has the same magnitude as the wedge angle β.

As shown in FIGS. 41A-41D, the maximum angular deflection surface of the wedge member and the maximum angular deflection surface of the shaft and associated shaft sleeve are oriented such that they are aligned with the plane of the ground. Referring to FIGS. 41A and 41B, the replaceable shaft system 370 includes a shaft sleeve 372, a shaft 374 and a wedge member 376 coupled to the hosel 378 of the golf club head. The wedge member 376 includes end faces that are inclined at a wedge angle β with respect to each other, and the shaft 374 is attached to the shaft sleeve 372 by a shaft angle α having the same size as the wedge angle β. Inclined against. Further, the alignment features of the wedge member 376 and the shaft sleeve 372 are configured such that the maximum deflection plane is on the same plane or parallel. As a result, as shown in FIG. 41A, in some orientations, the angular deflection of the wedge member 376 compensates for the angular deflection of the shaft sleeve 372, such that the shaft 374 causes the longitudinal axis of the hosel 378 ( Coaxial with or parallel to C). Offset of angular deflection causes a plurality of states of the shaft sleeve 372 associated with the wedge member 376 resulting in a dual shaft orientation. In another orientation, as shown in FIG. 41B, the angular deflection of the shaft 374 relative to the longitudinal axis C of the hosel 378 is the sum of the wedge angle β and the shaft angle α.

Referring to FIGS. 41C and 41D, another replaceable shaft system 380 includes a shaft sleeve 382, a shaft 384, and a wedge member 386 coupled to the hosel 388 of the golf club head. The wedge member 386 includes end faces that are inclined at a wedge angle β with respect to each other, and the shaft 384 is attached to the shaft sleeve 382 by a shaft angle α having a different size from the wedge angle β. Inclined against. In embodiments in which the alignment features of the wedge member 386 and the shaft sleeve 382 are configured such that the maximum deflection plane is coplanar or parallel, any orientation and angle deflection in which different magnitudes of angular deflection are not completely canceled but angular deflection is added. This gives any subtracted orientation. As shown in FIG. 41C, the angular deflection of the shaft 384 with respect to the longitudinal axis C of the hosel 388 is the difference between the wedge angle β and the shaft angle α. In another orientation, as shown in FIG. 41D, the angular deflection of the shaft 384 relative to the longitudinal axis C of the hosel 388 is the sum of the wedge angle β and the shaft angle α.

The number and position of alignment features, wedge members and / or hosels of the shaft sleeve of the replaceable shaft system of the present invention can be tailored such that the maximum deflection surface has any predetermined orientation relative to the club head. As a result, the pattern provided with the useful orientation of the shaft relative to the club head can be altered to provide the desired adjustment function pattern. For example, to provide an embodiment with two useful orientations having different face angles and constant lie angles, replaceable shaft systems such as those shown in FIGS. Consisting of the maximum displacement plane of the shaft sleeve aligned along the 0 ° plane (ie, plane D of FIG. 42), the shaft sleeve can be rotated such that the shaft is deflected towards the 0 ° orientation or towards the 180 ° orientation. .

In another example, a replaceable shaft system is provided having two useful orientation states in which only the lie angle is changed. This embodiment can be coupled to any type of golf club, but is required for iron type golf clubs, as it is required to change the lie angle without frequently changing the loft angle during fitting to maintain the ball distance spacing between the irons. Is particularly advantageous. In this embodiment, the replaceable shaft system consists of the maximum displacement plane of the shaft sleeve aligned along the 90 ° face of the club head (ie, face F of FIG. 42) as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

44 to 48, changes in loft and lie orientation are described from nominal or designed values for embodiments with varying magnitudes of angular deflection and maximum deflection face of the shaft and wedge members relative to the shaft sleeve. In each embodiment, the alignment features are configured such that there are four relative states between the shaft sleeve and the wedge member, and between the wedge member and the hosel, although more or less relative alignment states can be provided between the components. FIG. 44 illustrates the loft and lie orientation provided by an embodiment of a replaceable shaft system. In an embodiment, the wedge member and the shaft sleeve each provide an angular deflection of 1 ° and the alignment features can be configured such that the maximum displacement plane is oriented along (D) and / or face F as shown in FIG. 42. Can be. Due to the magnitude of the angular displacement of the component and the possible orientation of the maximum displacement plane, the orientation is generally diamondoid on the line of change in loft (Δloft) relative to a change in the lie (ΔLie), including at least one internal orientation. To form a matrix. However, unlike known systems, the combination of components having the same displacement magnitude and the ability to orient these components such that the displacements cancel out provide a neutral state that does not change the loft or lie from the designed value. In addition, the combination of components also provides an internal state within the matrix, unlike the surrounding matrix provided in known systems.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 45, a system with shaft sleeves and wedge members with angular displacements of different sizes is provided with a lie orientation and additional loft. The wedge member provides an angular displacement of 0.5 °, the shaft sleeve provides an angular displacement of 1 °, and the alignment features align the plane of the shaft sleeve and the maximum angular displacement of the wedge along planes D and / or F of FIG. 42. It is configured to be. Because the magnitude of the displacement is different for the wedge member and the shaft sleeve, the shaft is provided in sixteen (16) distinct positions relative to the club head with the Δloft and Δline combinations shown.

In order to provide a longitudinal orientation matrix that provides an internal orientation, the possible orientations of the face of the maximum angular displacement can be changed compared to the previous embodiment. Preferably, the loft value is the same for each available lie value of the matrix, as provided by the embodiment shown in FIGS. 46-48. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it provides various orientations in which one of the ropes and the lie can be adjusted while maintaining the other proximity constant. In particular, systems having shaft sleeves and wedge members with alignment features configured to be oriented on the 45 ° and 135 ° planes (ie, planes E and G in FIG. 42) provide loft and lie orientation with a rectangular matrix.

Referring to Figure 46, an embodiment is shown having a shaft sleeve and a wedge member with angular displacements of the same size. In this particular embodiment, the wedge member and the shaft sleeve each have an angular displacement of magnitude of about 1.0 °. The alignment features of each such component are configured such that the plane of maximum angular deflection for each member can be aligned with plane E and / or G of FIG. 42. The combination of orientation and size can be adjusted within the 3 × 3 square matrix of different available loft and lie orientations. It should be noted that the cumulative behavior of the wedge member and shaft sleeve having the same size results in a plurality of repeated loft and lie orientations (ie, the orientation of the various combinations of the wedge member and shaft sleeve results in a replica configuration of the golf club). .

Referring to FIGS. 47 and 48, the loft and lie orientations of two embodiments are shown with wedge members and shaft sills having angular displacements of different magnitudes. In particular, the embodiment of FIG. 47 includes a wedge member that provides an angular displacement of about 0.5 ° and a shaft sleeve that provides an angular displacement of about 1.0 °. The alignment member is configured such that the plane of maximum angular deflection for each member can be aligned with the plane E and / or G of FIG. 42. The combination of orientation and size can be adjusted within the 4 × 4 square matrix of separate loft and lie orientations available. In the embodiment of FIG. 48, the wedge member provides an angular displacement of about 0.7 °, the shaft sleeve provides an angular displacement of about 1.45 °, and the plane of maximum angular displacement is on plane E and / or G of FIG. 42. Can be oriented. In embodiments incorporating angular displacements of different magnitudes, the magnitude of the angular displacement of the wedge member is preferably smaller than the magnitude of the angular displacement of the shaft sleeve so that the movement of the fastener head can be reduced.

49 and 50, a further embodiment of loft and lie orientation with shaft sleeve and wedge members having angular displacements of different magnitudes is shown. Embodiments include a wedge member providing an angular displacement of about 0.5 ° and a shaft sleeve providing an angular displacement of about 1.0 °. Also, the number of positions available for each component is different, for example, in this embodiment, the wedge member may be arranged in four orientations with respect to the hosel, and the shaft sleeve is eight orientations with respect to the wedge member. It can be arranged as. In the embodiment of FIG. 49, the wedge member may be oriented such that the plane of maximum angular displacement of the wedge member may be oriented along planes D and / or F of FIG. 42. In the embodiment of FIG. 50, the wedge member may be oriented such that the plane of maximum angular displacement of the wedge member may be oriented along plane E and / or G of FIG. 42. Since the shaft sleeve can be oriented in any eight positions spaced around the circumference, in two embodiments, the plane of maximum angular displacement of the shaft sleeve is along planes D, E, F and / or G of FIG. 42. Can be oriented.

Referring to Figures 51 and 52, a replaceable shaft system 390 will be described that provides full club length adjustment. In the system 390, the elongate member 391 may be replaced relative to the wedge member, or a wedge member having a different length (as shown in the figure) may be provided. In some embodiments using the elongate member 391, the shaft sleeve 392 may not be accommodated in the hosel 397, but in general, the system 390 includes a shaft sleeve 392 coupled to the shaft 394. The shaft sleeve 392 extends through the elongate member 391 and is partially received within the hosel 397 of the club head 393. The fastening portion 399 releasably couples the sleeve 392 to the club head 393 via the fastening extension 398. Ferrule 395 is disposed on shaft 394 adjacent the proximal end of shaft sleeve 392.

Shaft sleeve 392 includes body 400 and a plurality of alignment features (eg, tang 404). Body 400 forms shaft bore 402 that receives the distal end of shaft 394. The shaft bore 402 may be coaxial or inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft sleeve 392 depending on whether angular adjustment is desired. The tang 404 extends laterally outward beyond the outer surface of the body 400 near the proximal end of the body 400 rather than the distal end.

The elongate member 391 includes a cylindrical tubular body having planar end surfaces 396 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member 391 and parallel to each other. An elongate member 391 is interposed between the shaft sleeve 392 and the portion of the hosel 397 to space these parts into a predetermined length. In particular, the length of the elongate member 391 is selected in a predetermined spaced relationship between the shaft sleeve 392 and the hosel 397. The length of the elongate member 391 is preferably in the range of about 0.125 inches to about 3.0 inches. A plurality of extension members 391 having different lengths may be provided so that the length of the golf club incorporating the system can be formed. As a further alternative, the planar end surfaces 396 may not be balanced with each other such that wedge members having different lengths can adjust the length and angular characteristics of the golf club.

In the assembled system 390, the shaft sleeve 392 is inserted into the extension member 391 and into the hosel 397. If there is a portion of the shaft sleeve 392 extending into the hosel 397, it should be appreciated that it depends on the length of the elongate member 391 and the predetermined range of length adjustment. Alignment features are included in shaft sleeve 392, extension member 391, hosel 397 to prevent relative rotation between the components when the system is fully assembled and tightened. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment features of the shaft sleeve 392 include tangs 404 equally spaced circumferentially about the shaft sleeve 392. Tang 404 is sized and shaped with complementary notch 406 included in proximal end of elongate member 391. The distal end of the elongate member 391 is a tang sized and shaped against the complementary alignment feature, eg, notch 410, included in the alignment feature, eg, the proximal end of the hosel 397. ). In the assembled replaceable shaft system 390, the tang 404 of the shaft sleeve 392 is engaged with the notch 406 of the elongate member 391, and the tang 408 of the elongate member 391 is a hosel 397. Is combined with the notch 410.

The fastener 399 extends through portions of the hosel 397 and club head 393, and engages with threaded holes disposed in the distal head portion 412 of the fastening extension 398. The shank portion 414 of the engagement extension 398 extends adjacent from the head portion 412 and engages with the shaft sleeve 392. Preferably, the head portion 412 is formed with the inner diameter of the hosel 397 such that the coupling between the head portion 412 and the hosel 397 provides a coaxial alignment between the shaft sleeve 392 and the hosel 397. Have approximately the same outer diameter. It should be appreciated that a fastener with a sufficient length may be used to engage the shaft sleeve 392 rather than incorporating the intermediate fastening extension 398. In embodiments utilizing the fastening extension 398, a number of fastening extensions can be provided that are constructed of a variety of materials to provide wing weight control and overall head weight control. For example, the fastening extension can be made of any material that provides sufficient strength to impact, such as titanium, steel, tungsten, aluminum, and the like.

53-55, replaceable shaft system including a wedge member 421 interposed between the hosel 427 of the club head body 423 and the shaft sleeve 422 to provide dual angle control. Another embodiment of 420 will be disclosed. Except for the structure of retainer 432 and wedge member 421, this embodiment is similar to the structure for the embodiment of FIGS. 38-40. Shaft sleeve 422 is coupled to shaft 424, extends through wedge member 421, and is partially received within hosel 427. Fastener 429 releasably couples sleeve 422 to club head 423. Ferrule 425 is disposed on shaft 424 adjacent the proximal end of shaft sleeve 422.

Shaft sleeve 422 includes shaft bore 434 having a longitudinal axis that is not coaxial with the body of shaft sleeve 422. As a result, when the shaft sleeve 422 is coupled to the distal end of the shaft 424, the longitudinal axis of the shaft sleeve 422 is inclined by the shaft angle α relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 424 (ie, the coaxial no).

Wedge member 421 includes an alignment portion 436 and a support portion 438. Alignment 436 includes an alignment feature extending outwardly from an outer side of support 438. The opposing end face 437 of the alignment portion 436 of the wedge member 421 is a shaft for the club head 423 when the wedge member 421 is interposed between the shaft sleeve 422 and the hosel 427. The direction of 424 is inclined relative to each other so as to be defined by the combination of the position of the wedge member 421 relative to the club head 423 and the position of the shaft sleeve 422 relative to the club head 423.

The end faces 437 are inclined with each other by the wedge angle β such that the surfaces are non-parallel and the alignment features extending away from these surfaces are angled with respect to each other. In this embodiment, the distal end of the alignment portion 436 is generally perpendicular to the bore 440 and longitudinal axial wedge member 421 extending through the wedge member 421, the proximal end being the bore 440 and the wedge. It is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the member 421. Bore 440 is sized to provide a gap for shaft sleeve 422 to penetrate and angle bore 440.

The shaft sleeve 422 is inserted into the wedge member 421 and hosel 427 so that the three parts have the desired relative orientation. A plurality of alignment features are included on shaft sleeve 422, wedge member 421 and hosel 427 so that a plurality of distinct directions are provided. As described above, the magnitude of the shaft angle α and the wedge angle β, the position and number of the alignment features are selected so that the number of directions separate from the desired range of movement can be provided.

After the shaft sleeve 422 is inserted into the wedge member 421, a retainer 432 is created on the shaft sleeve 422 such that the wedge member 421 is retained on the shaft sleeve 422. Retainer 432 is a bump-like feature extending from the outer surface of shaft sleeve 422. The retainer 432 is sized to create an effective outer diameter of the shaft sleeve 422 larger than the diameter of the bore 440 to prevent the wedge member 421 from sliding through the retainer 432 and leaving the shaft sleeve 422. do.

Fastener 429 includes shank 442 and head 444. Head 444 includes a curved bearing surface that contacts the curved surface of washer 446. The curved bearing surface of the head 444 slides freely with respect to the curved surface of the washer 446 while the shaft sleeve 422 is oriented. Additionally, the washer 446 is sized to be slidable within the fastener bore 448 during the manipulation of the angular orientation of the shaft sleeve 422 relative to the hosel.

56 and 57, another embodiment of a compatible shaft system that provides full club length adjustment is described. In the system 450, the elongate member 451 replaces the wedge member, but has a configuration similar to the wedge member 421 of the system 420. System 450 includes a shaft sleeve 452 coupled to shaft 454, which extends through extension member 451 partially received within hosel 457 of club head 453. do. Fastener 459 releasably couples sleeve 452 to club head 453 via fastener extension 458. A ferrule 455 is disposed on the shaft 454 near the proximal end of the shaft sleeve 452.

Similar to other embodiments, shaft sleeve 452 includes a body 460 and a plurality of alignment features (eg, tang 464). Body 460 defines shaft bore 462 that receives the distal end of shaft 454. Shaft bore 462 may be coaxial or angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of shaft sleeve 452 depending on the degree of angle adjustment desired. Tang 464 extends laterally outward beyond the outer surface of body 460 closer to the proximal end of body 460 than the distal end.

Extension member 451 includes an alignment portion 466 and a support portion 468. Alignment 466 includes an alignment feature extending outwardly from an outer side of support 468. Opposite end faces 474 of the alignment portion 466 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member 451. A portion of the elongate member 451 is interposed between the portion of the shaft sleeve 452 and the hosel 457 to space these parts apart by a predetermined length. In particular, the length of the alignment portion 466 of the elongate member 451 is selected for a predetermined spaced relationship between the shaft sleeve 452 and the hosel 457. The length of the elongate member 451 is preferably in the range between about 0.125 inches and about 3.00 inches. A plurality of extension members 451 having various lengths may be provided so that the length of the golf club integrated into the system can be adjusted.

When the system is assembled and tightened, alignment features are included on shaft sleeve 452, alignment 466, and hosel 457 so that relative rotation between the components is prevented. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment features of the shaft sleeve 452 include tangs 464 spaced at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the shaft sleeve 452. The tang 464 is adapted to the size and shape of the foot notch 465 included in the proximal end of the elongate member 451. The distal end of the elongate member 451 includes a complementary alignment feature, such as a tang 467, sized and shaped to the notch 470 included in the proximal end of the hosel 457. In the assembled compatible shaft system 450, the tang 464 of the shaft sleeve 452 is engaged with the notch 465 of the extension member 451, and the tang 467 of the extension member 451 is a hosel ( And a notch 470 of 457.

Fastener 459 extends through a portion of club head 453 and hosel 457 and engages a threaded opening disposed within distal head portion 462 of fastener extension 458. The shank portion 463 of the fastener extension 458 extends proximate from the head portion 462 and engages with the shaft sleeve 452. Preferably, the head portion 462 is close to the inner diameter of the hosel 457 such that the coupling between the head portion 462 and the hosel 457 provides a coaxial alignment between the shaft sleeve 452 and the hosel 457. Have the same outer diameter. Note that a fastener with a length sufficient to engage the shaft sleeve 452 rather than coalescing the intermediate fastener extension 458 may be used. In embodiments, using fastener extensions 458, multiple fastener extensions may be provided that are made of various materials to provide pivot weight adjustment and overall head weight adjustment. For example, the fastener extension can be made of any material that provides sufficient strength to impact, such as titanium, steel, tungsten, aluminum, and the like.

Spacer 472 is also included on fastener extension 458. The spacer 472 extends along the shank portion 463 from the head portion 462. The proximal end of the spacer 472 has an approximately same outer diameter as the bore extending through the elongate member 451 to maintain alignment of the fastener 459 and the hosel. Spacer 472 may be made of any material, such as polyurethane, ABS plastic, steel, aluminum, titanium, tungsten, or a combination thereof to provide any desired weight.

Indications may be provided on the shaft sleeve, wedge member and / or hosel of the dual angle adjustable system. Indications are provided to orient the club head quantitatively, qualitatively, or a combination thereof. The indicator may be included on any portion of the club head, shaft sleeve, shaft and / or wedge member of the assembled golf club. Preferably, the indicia is provided on or near the alignment features of the shaft sleeve, the wedge member and / or the hosel. The indicia may be etched, raised, printed and / or colored and may be one or more letters, numbers, symbols, dots and / or other markings that differentiate the available configurations of a golf club.

Referring to FIGS. 58A and 58B, compatible shaft system 480 includes an indicator 484 that provides visual quantitative indications of loft and lie directions of a golf club. The configuration will be described with reference to the loft and lie directions shown in FIG. Since the loft and lie planes correspond closer to the alignment plane, the plane of maximum angular displacement of the wedge member and the shaft sleeve is approximately 0 degrees and 90 degrees of the club head (ie, planes D and / or F of FIG. 42). Particularly suitable is a quantitative indicator in a system in which alignment features are configured such that they can be oriented in the. System 480 includes a wedge member 481 that provides an angular displacement of approximately 0.5 degrees, and a shaft sleeve 482 that provides an angular displacement of approximately 1.0 degrees. In an example, club head 483 is manufactured to have a designated lie angle of approximately 58.5 degrees and a designated loft angle of approximately 10.0 degrees. Display 484 provides the user with the ability to determine the values of the adjusted loft angle and the lie angle. For example, the configuration of FIG. 58A may be based on a lie angle of approximately 59.0 degrees (e.g., 58.5 degrees-0.5 degrees + 1.0 degrees = 59.0 degrees) as indicated by the designated lie angle and the addition of an adjustment value provided by the display portion; Corresponds to a golf club having the direction indicated by position D of area 1 having a loft angle of approximately 10.0 degrees (eg, 10.0 degrees +0.0 degrees +0.0 degrees = 10.0 degrees). The configuration of FIG. 58B is located at position C of region 1 with a lie angle of approximately 59.5 degrees (58.5 degrees +0.0 degrees +1.0 degrees) and a loft angle of approximately 9.5 degrees (e.g., 10.0 degrees -0.5 degrees +0.0 degrees). Corresponds to the golf club having the direction indicated by.

Examples of qualitative markings are shown in FIGS. 59A and 59B and will be described with reference to the loft and lie orientations shown in FIG. 47. Replaceable shaft system 490 includes a markup 494 that provides a visual, qualitative mark of the lie orientation and loft of the golf club. Qualitative markings are particularly well suited for systems of alignment features that form the face of the maximum angular displacement of the wedge member and shaft sleeve oriented along approximately 45 ° and 135 ° faces of the club head. System 490 includes a shaft sleeve 492 that provides an angular displacement of approximately 1.0 ° and a wedge member 491 that provides an angular displacement of approximately 0.5 °. According to FIG. 47, the position of the shaft sleeve 492 is determined with respect to the clubhead 493 within four zones disposed in the golf club orientation, and the position of the wedge member 491 determines the region that matches the golf club orientation. The containing position is determined relative to the position of the club head 493. For example, the configuration of FIG. 59A corresponds to a golf club having a lie orientation and loft shown at location B in zone 4. FIG. The club head 493 used has a loft angle designed to approximately 10.0 ° and a lie angle designed to approximately 58.5 °, the position corresponding to a golf club having a loft of approximately 10.35 ° and a lie of approximately 58.15 °. However, the configuration in FIG. 59B corresponds to a golf club having a lie orientation and loft shown at C position of zone 3 corresponding to a loft angle of approximately 8.95 ° and a lie angle of approximately 57.45 °.

Another embodiment of a marker incorporating qualitative and quantitative information about the orientation of club head 503 is shown in FIGS. 60A and 60B. In this embodiment, the system 500 includes a qualitative mark 505 of the wedge member 501 and a quantitative mark 504 of the shaft sleeve 502. The other part of the structure is the same as the system 490. The structure of FIG. 60A is the same as that of FIG. 59A, and the structure of FIG. 60B is the same as that of FIG.

Various kits may be provided including golf clubs that take advantage of the adjustability of replaceable shaft systems. One kit is provided with a golf club head, a shaft sleeve and a shaft with a plurality of wedge members. Preferably, the magnitude of the angular displacement of one of the plurality of wedge members and the shaft sleeve is the same as a golf club, which may consist of the nominal (ie designed) of the loft and the lie. The other plurality of wedges have a magnitude of angular displacement that is different from the shaft sleeve provided with the loft and lie orientations allowing for a larger matrix.

In another embodiment of the kit, at least one club head and a plurality of shaft assemblies are provided. The shaft assembly includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve and a wedge member, respectively. One shaft assembly includes a wedge member having an angular displacement equal to both the shaft sleeve and 0 ° (ie, the wedge member is an extension member similar to those provided for adjustable length) provided in a neutral orientation. Multiple clubheads can be designed with different attributes. The shaft assembly may also be configured such that the matrix of the lie orientation and the loft is provided in a different orientation than the face of the maximum displacement of the shaft sleeve and wedge member, which may be provided in a square diamond shape. By providing a wedge member or a plurality of shaft assemblies, the lie orientation and available loft for the golf club generated from the kit is a composite of the lie orientation and loft available at each shaft assembly. As a result, it is possible to provide a larger array of available arrays.

Golf clubs incorporating the dual angle adjustable and replaceable shaft system of the present invention are available as a fitting method. In one method, the golf club is provided when the user hits one or more golf balls using a neutral position and club. The flight characteristics of the ball are analyzed. Preferred loft and lie orientation zones are selected and the golf club is provided and adjusted to be configured within the selected zones. The user uses the club to analyze the second placement and flight characteristics of the ball. Preferably, the plurality of orientations within the selected zone are tested to determine the desired loft and lie orientation for the user. Alternatively, the golf club initially provides at least one of design or neutrality, loft and lie values, and loft and lie orientation closest to the rest of the method steps described above.

An embodiment of the present invention is described as a club of driver type. However, it should be understood that any type of golf club may utilize the replaceable shaft system of the present invention. For example, an iron type golf club may include a replaceable shaft system, and the replaceable shaft system may also be configured to adjust the lie angle of the club. The replaceable shaft system can also be used for non-golf equipment such as fishing rods, fire extinguishers and sight lines for plumbing.

In particular, a replaceable shaft system suitable for adjusting the lie angle of the iron type golf club will be described with reference to FIGS. 61 to 76. However, it should be understood that the system can be used with any type of golf club, including irons, metal woods, and putters. In particular, golf club 510 includes a replaceable shaft system that allows a user to adjust the lie angle of club 510 without changing any other angular characteristics of the club. In the example described, the user can adjust the golf club 510 to provide four different lie angle values while maintaining a constant loft and face angle. In addition, the replaceable shaft system provides a mechanism for adjusting the outer diameter of the hosel of the golf club head to be minimized. Previously replaceable shaft systems that required shafts, hosels, sleeve seats, shafts inserted into the hosel and sleeves, require relatively large diameter hosels for accommodating the loading elements. However, in this embodiment, only the outer diameter of the flexible coupling and the hosel to be inserted into the hosel is kept smaller than 14.0 mm, more preferably smaller than 13.5 mm, and more preferably smaller than 13.0 mm. do.

Golf club 510 generally consists of a golf club head 512, a shaft 514 of a golf club, a shaft sleeve assembly 516, a wedge member 518, and a fastener 520. Shaft sleeve assembly 516 and fastener 520 attach shaft 514 to club head 512 of wedge member 518 sandwiched between club head portion 512 and shaft assembly portion 516. The configured configuration.

Golf club head 512 is composed of iron type golf club head, the hosel 534 extending from the top line 526, the tip 528, the tow 530, the heel 532 and the heel 532. It comprises a surface 522 formed of a striking surface 524 surrounded by. The hosel 534 is formed of a hosel bore 536 in the form of a shaft sleeve assembly 516 and a receiving fastener 520, the proximal end of the hosel 534 being the wedge member 518 of the assembled golf club 510. It is bound to.

The proximal end of the hosel bore 536 receives the distal end of the shaft sleeve assembly 516 and the fastener 520 and is formed of a fastener bore 539 separated from the proximal end of the hosel bore by a flange 540 ( 536) at the distal end. The proximal end of the hosel 534 is complementary to the distal end of the wedge member 518, and in this embodiment a plurality of hosel alignment features and flat end surfaces in the form of a pair of notches 538 generally facing in the radial direction. Include.

The shaft 514 generally extends between the club head 512 and grips (not shown) gripped by the golfer during use. The shaft 514 is fastened to the club head 512 via the shaft sleeve assembly 516, and in particular, the distal end of the shaft 514 is sleeve body 542 of the shaft sleeve assembly 516 fastened to the club head 512. ) Is fastened. The shaft 514 can have any structure known in the art. For example, shaft 514 may be constructed of metal and / or nonmetal, and may be stepped and / or tapered.

The shaft sleeve assembly 516 includes a sleeve body 542 and a tension member 544. As shown in FIG. 70, the sleeve body 542 and the tension member 544 are rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the tension member 544 and are rotatable in the longitudinal axis direction of the sleeve body 542. 542 and tension member 544 are fastened with flexible couplings allowed.

The flexible coupling is tensioned in the hosel bore 536 without the inclined fastener 520 while the replaceable shaft system conforms to the direction provided by the sleeve body 542 wedge member 518 and the club head 512. It is allowed to tighten tightly by moving the member 544. For example, when sleeve body 542 and wedge member 518 are laminated to hosel 534, sleeve body 542 has a specific orientation with respect to hosel 534. The flexible coupling is allowed to tighten tightly to the system while maintaining the orientation of the sleeve body 542 by tightening the fastener 520 that is moved around the tension member 544 linearly in the hosel bore 536. As a result, the fastener 520 does not need to be tilted about the transverse axes of the various orientations of the wedge member 518 and the sleeve body 542, so that the size of the fastener bore 539 is defined by More closely match the outer diameter.

Sleeve body 542 includes tubular portion 546, a plurality of shaft sleeve alignment features (eg, tang 548), posts 550 extending from tubular portion 546 and distal ends of posts 550. Consists of an elongated ball 552. The tubular portion 546 is formed of a shaft bore 554 that receives the distal end of the shaft 514. The length of the tubular portion 546 is selected to provide a suitable attachment length for attachment from the distal end 514 of the shaft to the sleeve body 542.

Tang 548 extends from end to end of tubular portion 546, is formed, and is sized to complement the alignment features of adjacent portions, such as wedge member 518 of the disclosed embodiment. Tang 548 is generally trapezoidal in shape and complements a plurality of trapezoidal shaped notches 556 that include distal surface 558 of wedge member 518. Tang 548 is formed with teeth extending radially outward from post 550 to the outer surface of tubular portion 546 of sleeve body 542. In this embodiment, a pair of tangs 548 are provided in the sleeve body 542 and the pair of notches wedges paired with the sleeve body 542 which can be oriented in two positions with respect to the wedge member 518. It is provided at the surface distal end of the member 518.

Posts 550 and balls 552 provide attachment structures that couple directly to tension member 544 to provide flexible engagement. Post 550 extends from the ball and couples ball 552 to tubular portion 546. The ball 552 may be received at the proximal end of the tension member 544 and rotate in the tension member 544 by a predetermined angle θ, preferably between about 2 ° and about 10 °. The size of the post 550 is selected, at least in part, to provide a gap for the relative rotation of the sleeve body 542 and the tension member 544.

Tension member 544 includes a cavity 560 for receiving a portion of the sleeve body 542 and a fastener coupling configuration such as a threaded bore 562 coupled by fastener 520 in the assembled golf club 510. Contains wealth. Part of the cavity 560 is shaped to complement the mating structure of the sleeve body 542 (eg, post 550 and ball 552). For example, the proximal end of the cavity 560 includes a mating surface 561 that is generally spherical to mate with the outer surface of the sphere of the ball 552 and a portion of the cavity 560 has the ball 552 in the cavity 560. It is size that can be rotated from.

The proximal end of the tension member 544 forming the cavity 560 is such that the tension member 544 can be coupled to the sleeve body 542 by deforming the flexible member and inserting the ball 552 into the cavity 560. It is preferred to be composed of a flexible member such as a plurality of flexible arms 563. As a result, the proximal end of the tension member 544 is configured as a collet as a whole, but when assembled into a complete golf club 510, the tension member 544 is directed toward the club head 512 rather than tightening on the ball 552. Used to pull 542.

The tension member 544 also includes a wedge member retainer 564 such that the wedge member 518 is captured in the assembled shaft sleeve assembly 516. In this embodiment, retainer 564 is a protrusion included on the distal end of tension member 544 that effectively increases the diameter of tension member 544 so that wedge member 518 cannot slide past. Retainer 564 may be an integral part of tension member 544, or may be a separate component coupled to tension member 544, such as a pin or retaining ring, as in the previous embodiment. Additionally, retainer 564 can be used as a key for aligning tension member 544 within hosel bore 536. The distal end of the tension member 544 includes a flat 565 that complements the truncation of the hosel bore 536 proximal to and near the flange 540. Coupling the truncation of the hosel bore 536 with the flat 565 prevents rotation of the tension member 544 relative to the hosel 534. The hosel bore 536 includes a channel 576 for receiving the retainer 564 such that the tension member 544 is keyed in the orientation required to engage the truncation of the hosel bore 536 and the flat 565. The channel 576 is preferably aligned with the Z axis to maintain thickness at the toe and heel orientations of the hosel 534. Alternatively, the combination of the hosel bore channel and the wedge retainer can be used to prevent rotation of the tension member relative to the hosel bore, thereby eliminating the need for flat and truncated hosel bore.

68-70, the assembly of the shaft sleeve assembly 516 will be described. Prior to assembling the shaft sleeve assembly 516, the wedge member 518 slides into the tension member 544, such that the bore 566 formed by the wedge member 518, as shown in FIG. 544) proximal end. The proximal end of the cavity 560 includes an opening 568 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the ball 552 but larger than the diameter of the post 550. Ball 552 is pressed against tension member 544 at opening 568 until ball 552 slides through opening 568 and slides into cavity 560, as shown in FIG. 69. Arm 563 is elastically bent outwardly and temporarily increases the diameter of opening 568. The bore 566 preferably includes a distal taper portion 570 that provides a gap for the flexible arm 563 to bend during assembly. The retainer 564 is preferably positioned on the tension member 544 and the wedge member 518 slides sufficiently onto the tension member 544 so that bending of the arm 563 is not impeded during insertion of the ball 552. .

After the ball 552 slides through the opening 568, the arm 563 is bent backward to partially wrap around the ball 552, as shown in FIG. 70. Arm 563 is bent back to a position that provides an outer diameter of tension member 544 that is less than the inner diameter of bore 566 of wedge member 518 such that wedge member 518 extends beyond tension member 544 and the sleeve body. It may slide toward the tubular portion 546 of 542 but not past the tubular portion. In addition, the arm 563 bends back to a position where the ball 552 allows rotation within the cavity 560. This configuration is particularly desirable because the wedge member 518 is captured in the shaft sleeve assembly 516 but rotates freely relative to the shaft sleeve assembly 516.

The distal end of the shaft 514 is inserted into the tubular portion 546 of the sleeve body 542 and joined to the tubular portion using an adhesive such as, for example, epoxy. Ferrule 572 is also installed on the shaft to provide a tapering change between the outer surface of shaft 514 and the sleeve body 542. Ferrule 572 also includes a distal end that is received in a countersink or counterbore on sleeve body 542. The ferrule 572 is preferably composed of a more compressible material than the material of the sleeve body 542, and when the shaft 514 is bent, the ferrule 572 changes where the shaft 514 meets the sleeve body 542. By providing a bend radius the shaft 514 is not easily broken.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 70, the shaft 514, the shaft sleeve assembly 516 and the wedge member 518 replace the shaft sub-assembly that can be exchanged with other similar shaft sub-assemblies within the golf club head 512. Combined to form. For example, a plurality of shafts having various properties such as weight, flexure profile, rigidity, etc. may be coupled to the shaft sleeve assembly and the wedge member and may be provided in the kit along with one or more golf club heads. As a further alternative, the plurality of shaft sub-assemblies may be provided on the same shaft but varying degrees of angular adjustability and / or shafts of different lengths. During the fitting procedure, many shaft sub-assemblies can be used with one or more golf club heads.

In the assembled golf club 510, the shaft sub-assembly, including the shaft 514, the shaft sleeve assembly 516 and the wedge member 518, is coupled to the club head 512 with fasteners 520. As shown in FIG. 62, in the assembled golf club 510, the fastener 520 extends through the bore 539, through the flange 540, and the bore 562 at the distal end of the tension member 544. A) screwed into. When the fastener 520 is tightened, the tension member 544 is moved linearly and pulled deeper into the hosel bore 536. The inner diameter of the hosel bore 536 is selected to slidably receive the tension member 544, and prevents the arm 563 from bending outward so that the ball 552 is inside the cavity 560 of the proximal end of the tension member. Is retained. In addition, the hosel bore 536 is fastened to the fastener 520 without being pressurized such that the arm 563 bends inwards against the ball 552 when the tension member 544 is pulled into the hosel bore 536. It is desirable for the ball 552 to have sidewalls that are parallel, or nearly parallel, such that the ball 552 can rotate within the cavity 560. In one example, the shaft sleeve assembly and wedge member are comprised of titanium, the ball 552 has a diameter of about 0.313 inches (7.95 mm), the post 550 has a diameter of about 0.250 inches (6.35 mm), The flexible arm has a radial thickness of at least about 0.020 inches (0.51 mm), more preferably at least about 0.030 inches (0.76 mm).

An alternative assembly is shown in FIG. 63. In an alternative assembly of a golf club head, the tension member and fastener are modified from the previous embodiment so that the fastener bore is spaced away from the front sidewall of the hosel at the heel of the club head. The other components are the same as those included in the golf club 510 described above, and therefore the same reference numerals are used. Golf club 511 is comprised of shaft 514, shaft sleeve assembly, wedge member 518, club head 513, and fastener 521. The shaft sleeve assembly includes a sleeve body 542 and a tension member 545. Club head 513 includes a hosel that forms a hosel bore including a flange and fastener bore 541. In this embodiment, the fastener bore 541 is offset from the longitudinal axis of the base end of the hosel bore toward the rear of the club head 513, and the fastener bore 541 is spaced apart from the front wall 578 of the hosel. . As a result of this separation, the fastener bore crosses the sole of the club head instead of the front wall of the heel of the club head. The separation of the fastener bore 541 from the front wall 578 prevents the front wall from becoming very thin near the opening of the fastener bore 541, thereby preventing damage. This spacing also ensures that the opening of the fastener bore 541 is not visible to the user at the address. The replaceable system functions the same as in the previous embodiment because the fastener 521 can translate the tension member 545 of the hosel bore as described above for the golf club 510 even at the offset position. .

Referring back to the golf club 510, in the assembled club, the wedge member 518 is captured between the hosel 534 and the sleeve body 542 and the predetermined angle between the hosel 534 and the sleeve body 542. Form relationships. Wedge member 518 is a tubular body that defines bore 566 extending between proximal surface 558 and distal end surface 559. Both proximal end surface 558 and distal end surface 559 include a plurality of wedge alignment features in the form of notches 556 and tangs 557. Notch 556 is formed to complement tang 548 of sleeve body 542 such that tang 548 is received in notch 556 when sleeve body 542 and wedge member 518 abut. Similarly, the tang 557 of the wedge member 518 is formed to complement the notch 538 of the hosel 534 so that the wedge member 518 and the hosel 534 fit as shown in FIGS. 61 and 71. Tang 557 is received in notch 538 when touched. The end surfaces of the wedge member 518 are angled with respect to each other to provide a wedge angle β. One or both end surfaces may be angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bore 566. By changing the size of the angular orientation of the end surface, the position of the sleeve body 542 relative to the club head 521 can be changed.

When the shaft sub-assembly is coupled to the club head 512 and the fastener 520 is tightened, the sleeve body 542 is pressed against the wedge member 518 and the wedge member 518 with the hosel 534. Press to abut. In particular, the distal surface of the tubular portion 546 of the sleeve body 542 abuts the proximal surface 558 of the wedge member 518 and the distal surface 559 of the wedge member 518 is the proximal end of the hosel 534. Abuts surface 574. Alternatively, the tangs and notches at each interface may be sized such that the abutment portions only contact the tapered sides of the tangs and notches. In this embodiment, the end surfaces of the wedge member 518 are oriented such that they are angled with respect to each other at a wedge angle β having a preselected value between about 0 ° and about 5 °. As a result, when the parts abut, the sleeve body 542 is maintained in an angled orientation with respect to the hosel 534 formed by the wedge angle and orientation of the wedge member 518. In assembled golf clubs, the interaction between the alignment components (ie, notches and tangs of the parts) prevents relative movement between the golf club head and the shaft so that the replaceable shaft system does not loosen during use.

It should be appreciated that the structure and orientation of the wedge member 518 changes the orientation of the shaft 514 relative to the club head 512 of the golf club 510. The orientation of the shaft 514 relative to the club head 512 is such that the shaft angle α such that the rotating sleeve body 542 relative to the club head 512 changes the angular orientation of the shaft 514 relative to the club head 512. It can be further modified by providing a shaft bore 554 of the tubular portion 546 angled relative to the remainder of the sleeve body 542.

In this embodiment, the structure of the alignment features of the hosel 534, the wedge member 518 and the sleeve body 542 is the sleeve body 542 and the hosel 534 having two available positions relative to the wedge member 518. This results in a wedge member 518 having two available positions for. These positions are oriented such that the shaft angle α and wedge angle β are additive. In one embodiment, the component is configured such that only these angles are additive in the X-Y plane of the golf club 510 so that only the lie angle of the golf club 510 is changed. The magnitude of the hosel end surface angle with respect to the shaft angle (α), wedge angle (β), and target lie angle can be achieved by using a single shaft subassembly (ie, without having to replace any components). Are selected to provide three or four separate lie angles.

In addition, the alignment features are positioned such that they are generally aligned on the Z-axis of the golf club head extending generally in the front-back direction. As a result, the tangs and notches are generally aligned in the direction of impact of the golf ball and the ball impact surface 524. This orientation is preferred because the impact load transmitted from the golf ball head to the shaft is more evenly distributed over the portion of the shaft sleeve adjacent to the hosel, wedge member and alignment feature. As an example, placing alignment features along the X axis has been found to make portions of the proximal ends of the hosel between the hosel alignment features more prone to bending relative to similar dimensions and materials.

Additional properties of the components of this embodiment are illustrated in FIGS. 72A-72D. In this example, the magnitudes of the shaft angle α and the wedge angle β are different, and the end surface of the hosel 534 is oriented at an angle with respect to the target lie angle. In particular, the shaft angle α has a magnitude of 1 °, the wedge angle β has a magnitude of 2 °, and the hosel end surface is oriented up 1 ° from the target lie angle. Since the magnitudes of the shaft and wedge angles are different, the system is divided into four distinct angular positions, namely the first position 2 ° flat (Figure 72a), the second position coinciding with the target lie angle (Figure 72b), the third 2 An upright (FIG. 72C) and a fourth 4 ° upright (FIG. 72D). Alternatively, three separate angular positions may be provided (ie four angular configurations are provided and two of these positions have the same resulting angle) such that the shaft and wedge angles are of the same magnitude.

Additional examples are set forth in Table 1 below. Similar to the above example, the wedge member and sleeve body are configured such that the golf club head is adjustable in the X-Y plane so that the lie angle can be adjusted without affecting other angular properties of the golf club. In addition, the sleeve body and the wedge member each have two available positions with respect to the club head. The magnitude of the wedge angle and the shaft angle are the same so that the two configurations have the same resulting angle. In particular, the magnitude of each shaft angle and wedge angle is 1 ° and the orientation of each sleeve body and wedge member determines whether the contribution of 1 ° is positive or negative (ie upright or flat). The overall angle for each available combination of sleeve body and wedge member is illustrated below. As illustrated by configurations B and C, the configurations are different, but the overall resulting angle is the same, so this example provides three separate angular positions including the target lie angle, 2 ° upright and 2 ° flat. .

A B C D Sleeve body + 1 ° + 1 ° -1 ° -1 ° Wedge member + 1 ° -1 ° + 1 ° -1 ° Hosel 0 ° 0 ° 0 ° 0 ° Full angle + 2 ° 0 ° 0 ° -2 °

In another embodiment, the wedge member is omitted, so that the sleeve body is directly coupled to the hosel of the golf club head to provide a single angle adjustability. In this embodiment, the shaft is coupled to the golf club head through a shaft sleeve assembly similar to that described above, but no wedge member is coupled to the shaft sleeve assembly. The shaft sleeve assembly includes a sleeve body and a tension member, and the fastener engages with the tension member to pull the tension member into the hosel. However, when the tension member is towed into the hosel, the sleeve body is forced to contact the base end surface of the hosel instead of the wedge member.

As shown in FIG. 62, a fastener retainer 580 is also preferably included in the assembled golf club. A retainer is used to retain the fastener 520 in the uclub head 512 when not in engagement with the tension member 544. Retainer 580 ensures that fasteners 520 do not fall out of club head 512 when detached from the shaft subassembly. As a result, the replacement process of the shaft subassembly is greatly simplified.

Markings indicating the orientation of the club head relative to the shaft are preferably provided on the club head 510. 73 and 74, one embodiment of a marker is described. A mark 582 is provided on the sleeve body 542, a mark 584 is provided on the wedge member 518, and at least one mark 586 is provided on the hosel 534. In golf club 510, the alignment features of the sleeve body, the wedge member and the hosel are located on the front and rear surfaces of the hosel 534, and the indicia 582, 584, 586 are on or immediately adjacent to the alignment feature. Is provided on the heel and toe surface of the hosel instead. In addition, the mark is selected to quantitatively describe the configuration of the club head 512, and the mark is additive so that the user can determine the lie angle relative to the target value by adding the value of the mark adjacent to the mark 586 of the hosel. have. By way of example, golf club 510 may be 4 ° upright (eg, + 2 ° + (+ 2 °)) from the target lie angle in FIG. 73 and 2 ° upright from the target lie angle in FIG. For example, + 2 ° + 0 °), as shown, the markers need not specifically provide the angle contributed by each of the components, but are configured to match the overall configuration. desirable.

75 and 76, an alternative configuration of the marker is described. In particular, the markings are provided adjacent to the hosel alignment features on the front and back surfaces. In addition, other configurations of hosel markings are illustrated. Similar to the embodiment described above, the mark 582 of the sleeve body 542 and the mark 584 of the wedge member 518 are quantitative and additive. The location of the marker in this embodiment provides an additional benefit in that the marker at address is more hidden from the user's field of view. Any of the indicia described herein may be a golf club upright (shown in FIGS. 73 and 74), sideway (shown in FIGS. 58-60) or upside down (shown in FIGS. 75 and 76). When in the same arbitrary orientation they may be oriented such that they are upright. Providing a mark so that the mark is upright when the golf club is upside down is easier because the club head is rotated and / or removed relative to the shaft and / or installed when the golf club is upside down. This provides an additional advantage that the marker can be read easily while.

Another embodiment of a golf club comprising the replaceable shaft system of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 77-81. Golf club 600 generally includes a golf club head 602 and a shaft 604, which are coupled to the golf club head via a replaceable shaft system. In the illustrated embodiment, golf club head 602 is generally configured as a hollow body golf club, such as a metalwood-type golf club head, and faces 606, crown 608, sole forming ball striking surface 607. 610, a skirt 612 extending around the periphery of the club head 602 between the crown 608 and the sole 610 and a heel portion of the club head that provides a structure for attaching the shaft 604. The hosel 613.

The hosel 613 forms a hosel bore 615, and a plurality of hosel arrangements in the form of notches 626 extending partially through the sidewalls of the hosel 613 at positions spaced from the proximal end 628 of the hosel 613. Include features. Preferably, the hosel alignment feature is spaced between about 15.0 mm and about 20.0 mm from the proximal end of the hosel 613, more preferably between about 17.0 mm and about 18.0 mm. The hosel 613 also includes at least one window 630 extending entirely through the sidewalls of the proximal portion of the hosel 613, so that the indentation in the hosel 613 by placing the golf club in a predetermined orientation. Can be observed. Window 630 may be an indented portion of the hosel, such as a channel as shown, or may be an opening, and window 630 may also include an insert made of transparent material, if desired. As illustrated, a mark indicating the construction of the hosel is included on the shaft sleeve 614 and the wedge member 616, and preferably only these marks indicating the correct configuration of the golf club 600 at any given time. It can be observed through the window 630. Also, these markings are visible only when the heel side of the hosel 613 is visible. As a result, when golf club 600 is retained at address, no sign is shown to the user.

The replaceable shaft system of this embodiment is configured such that the components (eg, shaft sleeve 614, wedge member 616 and retainer 618) are disposed closer to the sole 610 than in the previous embodiment. . As a result, the mass of these components tends to raise the center of gravity of the assembled golf club head. For example, in one embodiment, the component is lowered by about 20.5 mm, which causes the center of gravity of the finished golf club head to be lowered by about 1.5 mm.

Replaceable shaft systems generally include a shaft sleeve 614 that is directly coupled to the shaft 604, a wedge member 616 slidably received on the shaft sleeve 614, and a wedge member 618, the shaft sleeve 614. A retainer 618 that is sized to be retained on and coupled to the shaft sleeve 614. The shaft sleeve 614 is such that when the shaft sleeve 614 is coupled to the distal end of the shaft 604, the longitudinal axis of the shaft sleeve 614 is angular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 604 by the shaft angle α. And a shaft bore 620 having a longitudinal axis that is preferably not coaxial with the body of the shaft sleeve 614. The shaft sleeve includes a plurality of sleeve alignment features in the form of a tang 622 extending outward from an outer surface of the distal portion of the shaft sleeve 614.

The sleeve alignment feature of this embodiment is located on the shaft sleeve 614 to be approximately in the center of the length of the shaft sleeve 614. The sleeve alignment features are preferably located from about 30% to about 60% of the length of the shaft sleeve 614 from the proximal end of the shaft sleeve 614, more preferably from about 40% to about 50%. The location of the sleeve alignment features is selected to provide the desired angular tilt of the top and bottom of the sleeve, allowing the wedge member 616 to be captured and rotated on the shaft sleeve 614. By positioning the sleeve alignment feature closer to the distal end of the shaft sleeve 614, this positions the pivot axis of the shaft sleeve relative to the club head 602 closer to the sole 610, which causes the shaft sleeve 614 to rotate during adjustment. Reduces the gap required at the distal end and fastener 624.

Wedge member 616 includes a tubular cylinder body 632 having generally planar end surfaces that are not parallel and inclined with respect to each other by wedge angle β. In the assembled golf club 600, the wedge alignment features disposed on the proximal surface 634 of the wedge member 616 are engaged with the sleeve alignment features and the wedge alignment features disposed on the distal surface of the wedge member 616 are hosel. Engage with alignment features. In particular, the proximal surface 634 includes a plurality of notches 638 that engage with the tang 622 of the shaft sleeve 614, and the distal surface 636 includes a plurality of which engage with the notches 626 of the hosel 613. Tang 640. The tubular body 632 forms a bore 642 sized to slidably receive the distal end of the shaft sleeve 614, such that the wedge member 616 selects a plurality of choices as the tang 622 engages with the notch 638. Positioned on the shaft sleeve 614 in a possible orientation.

Retainer 618 is coupled to the distal end of shaft sleeve 614 and sized such that wedge member 616 is retained on shaft sleeve 614. For example, after the distal end of the shaft sleeve 614 is inserted into the bore 642 of the wedge member 616, the retainer is coupled to the distal end of the shaft sleeve 614. The outer diameter of retainer 618 is selected to be larger than the diameter of bore 642 such that wedge member 616 is captured on shaft sleeve 614 between retainer 618 and tang 622. Retainer 618 is releasably coupled to shaft sleeve 614 by, for example, a threaded interface.

The fastener 624 extends through the distal end of the hosel bore 615 and the flange 644 and engages with the distal end of the shaft sleeve 614. As the fastener 624 is tightened, the shaft sleeve 614 is pulled into the hosel 613 causing the shaft sleeve 614 to be forcedly joined with the wedge member 616, which also causes the wedge member 616. Causes force to bond with a portion of the hosel 613 that includes the hosel alignment feature. Fastener 624 includes a head 625 that includes a curved bearing surface that engages the curved surface of washer 648, as previously described with reference to the previous embodiment and in more detail.

Also preferably, a fastener retainer 646 is included such that the fastener is retained in the club head 602 when the fastener 624 is disconnected from the shaft sleeve. Retainer 646 is positioned on the shank of fastener 624 such that flange 644 is interposed between retainer 646 and head of fastener 624. Retainer 646 is sized such that the threaded shank is prevented from sliding through the opening of retainer 646 without the use of potential force.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 81, the hosel alignment feature is configured separately from the cast golf club head 660 and is substantially aligned with the club head, for example, by welding, brazing or using an adhesive. 662 is configured. The structure can be used to simplify the structure of the golf club's hosel, and in particular the hosel alignment feature. Alignment member 662 is a generally tubular member that includes a plurality of notches 664 sized and formed to complement the alignment feature on the shaft sleeve. Notch 664 preferably extends through the entire sidewall of alignment member 662 to simplify the structure of golf club head and alignment member. However, if additional surface area is required to join or weld the alignment member 662 to the club head 660, the notch may be configured to extend only partially through the sidewalls.

With reference to FIG. 82, an alternative hosel structure that can be incorporated into the club head of golf club 600 will be described. In the illustrated embodiment, golf club head 670 is constructed from club head body 675 that houses hosel tube 672. The hosel tube 672 is a component constructed separately from the club head body 675 and coupled to the club head body by, for example, welding, brazing, or gluing the hosel tube to the club head body. Since the hosel tube 672 is composed of individual components, it can be constructed using simplified manufacturing techniques and fixtures, still allowing the construction of features required for the precision of replaceable shaft systems. In addition, the individual tube structure allows the component to be constructed of a material different from that of the club head body 675. For example, a hosel tube composed of a low density material such as aluminum can be used to lower the weight of the heel portion of the golf club head. Alternatively, the tube may be made of a high density material to add weight to the heel portion of the golf club head. As another alternative, some of the hosel tubes are made of different densities of material to change the position of the center of gravity of the tube as desired, e.g. to lower the center of gravity of the tube when the tube is installed in the club head body. It may consist of a density proximal end and a high density distal end.

The hosel tube 672 is a hosel bore comprising a proximal end 676 sized and formed to receive a shaft sleeve, a distal end 678 sized and formed to receive a fastener, and a flange 680 described between the proximal end and the distal end. It is a tubular member forming 674. The proximal end of the hosel tube 672 includes a mounting flange 682 extending around the periphery of the tube and provides a surface that is bonded to the complementary crown / heel mounting surface of the club head body 675. In this embodiment, the mounting flange 682 is of non-uniform shape and is coupled to the crown 671 of the club head body 675 and to approximately the middle portion of the heel portion of the club head body 675. Mounting flange 682 may be configured to extend downward in the heel so that the proximal end of hosel tube 672 forms window 684.

The hosel alignment feature is provided at the proximal end 678 of the hosel bore 674 in the form of a notch 686. The hosel alignment feature is generally located adjacent the window 684 and is longitudinally spaced between the proximal end of the hosel tube 672 and the flange 680, and the hosel alignment feature of the hosel 613 of the golf club head 602. And have substantially the same structure.

The hosel tube 672 generally extends between the crown 671 and the sole 673 of the golf club head 670 and is attached to the golf head body 675 at the crown 671 and the sole 673. In particular, hosel tube 672 is coupled to the crown / heel mounting surface at the proximal end and to the sole mounting flange 688 at the distal end. The crown / heel mounting surface provides a non-uniformly shaped mounting surface for attaching the mounting flange 682 as described above. The sole mounting flange 688 is a tubular portion of the sole 673 that provides a cylindrical inner surface that is coupled to and attached to the cylindrical outer surface of the distal end of the hosel tube.

Referring to FIG. 83, an alternative structure of the golf club head of FIG. 22 will be described. In particular, golf club head 700 is constructed from individual hosel tube 702 and club head body 704. Similar to the previous embodiment, individual hosel tubes 702 may be used to change the mass characteristics of the hosel and / or to simplify the structure of the club head 700. In this embodiment, the hosel alignment feature (eg, notch 705) is disposed at the proximal end of the hosel tube 702 and no window is provided in the hosel tube 702. As a result, the hosel tube 702 includes a mounting flange 706 attached to a generally planar and annular crown mounting surface of the club head body 704. The club head body 704 is also crown mounted, which is the tubular portion of the crown 709 of the club head body 704 that provides a cylindrical inner surface coupled to and attached to the cylindrical outer surface of the base end of the hosel tube. A flange 707. The sole mounting flange 708 is the tubular portion of the sole 710 of the club head body 704 that provides a cylindrical inner surface that is coupled to and attached to the cylindrical outer surface of the distal end of the hosel tube. The interface between the hosel tube 702 and the crown mount flange 707 and / or between the hosel tube 702 and the sole mount flange 708 can be screwed if desired, so that the hosel tube 702 is the club head body. 704 is screwed into. Alternatively, or in addition, the hosel tube may be welded, brazed, or attached to the club head body to screw the hosel tube into the club head body.

84-85, a shaft sleeve assembly 720 that can be used to replace the shaft sleeve 614 of the embodiment of FIG. 77 will be described. In some examples, the golf club shaft is configured to have certain characteristics based on a preset orientation. In another example, the golf club grip is configured to have a shape that requires a particular orientation with respect to the rest of the golf club. In particular, some grips are configured to have a ridge or alignment marking and the grips are mounted in a particular orientation to provide alignment to the user when gripped. As a result, it is desirable to provide a system that allows the grip and / or shaft to be oriented in a predetermined position regardless of the structure of the replaceable shaft system. The shaft sleeve assembly 720 can be varied in orientation with respect to the golf club head of the assembled golf club including the replaceable shaft system of the present invention without modifying the structure of the replaceable shaft system. It is configured to be.

In this embodiment, the single shaft sleeve has been replaced by the shaft sleeve assembly 720 of the golf club 600 and the structure and function of the remaining components remain unchanged. As such, the reference numbers used in the common components also remain unchanged. Shaft sleeve assembly 720 includes a sleeve body 724, a shaft adapter 726, and a locking member 728. Sleeve body 724 is coupled to club head 602 by fasteners 624. Sleeve body 724 includes a sleeve alignment feature (eg, tang 730) that engages a wedge alignment feature (eg, notch 638) in wedge member 616 in the assembled golf club. do. Sleeve body 724 includes adapter bore 732 configured to receive and couple a portion of shaft adapter 726.

The shaft adapter 726 includes a sleeve 734 and a protrusion 736. Sleeve portion 734 is a generally tubular portion that receives the distal end of the golf club shaft. The length and diameter of the sleeve portion 734 are selected to provide a suitable surface area for bonding the shaft to the shaft adapter 726. Protrusion 736 is generally configured as a threaded post that extends from the distal end of sleeve 734 and threadably engages with adapter bore 732. The locking member 728 is a nut threaded onto the protrusion 736 and is interposed between the sleeve portion 734 and the sleeve body 724.

The shaft of the golf club that includes the shaft sleeve assembly 720 can be oriented as desired by rotating the shaft adapter 726 within the sleeve body 724. Next, the locking member 728 is clamped relative to the sleeve body 724 and holds the shaft adapter 726 in the desired orientation. The clamped locking member 728 prevents the shaft adapter 726 from rotating about the sleeve body 724 so that the shaft is locked in a particular orientation.

Embodiments also include combinations of wedge members and / or extension members, described below. For example, angle and length adjustment may be provided by combining one or more wedge members with one or more extension members. Additionally, dual angle adjustment may be provided by including a plurality of wedge members, and length adjustment may be provided by including one or more extension members.

86 and 87, an embodiment of a replaceable shaft system kit that provides dual angle adjustment and length adjustment will be described. The replaceable shaft system 750 can be configured to provide additional adjustment by including multiple components that can be interposed between the shaft sleeve 752 and the club head body 754. In such a kit, a number of wedge members may be provided having different lengths, such as the first wedge member 756 and the second wedge member 758 longer than the first wedge member 756. Also, as an alternative to including the second wedge member 758, the extension member 760 may be provided to be able to engage with one, two or additional wedge members.

In an assembled replaceable shaft system, an adjustment member is interposed between the hosel 762 of the club head body 754 and the shaft sleeve 752 (as used herein, the adjustment member is a single wedge member, wedge). It is intended to include a single extension and combination of members and / or extension members. The shaft sleeve 752 is coupled to the shaft 764, extends through the adjustment member and is at least partially received within the hosel 762. . Fastener 766 releasably couples sleeve 752 to club head 754.

In one embodiment, shaft sleeve 752 includes a shaft bore having a longitudinal axis that is not coaxial with the body of shaft sleeve 752 so that when shaft sleeve 752 is coupled to the distal end of shaft 764, the shaft sleeve The longitudinal axis of 752 is inclined by the shaft angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 764. The shaft angle α is preferably less than about 10 degrees, more preferably less than about 5 degrees.

Each opposite end face of the wedge members 756, 758 is inclined with respect to each other such that the shaft sleeve 752 is attached to the hosel 762 when one of the wedge members is interposed between the shaft sleeve 752 and the hosel 762. Inclined against. Since the shaft 764 is inclined by the shaft angle α with respect to the shaft sleeve 752, the inclined orientation of the shaft 764 relative to the club head body 754 is determined by the orientation of the wedge member and the shaft sleeve relative to the club head body 754. It is defined by the combination of the orientations of (752).

Similar to the previous embodiment, the wedge member comprises a cylindrical tubular body having end surfaces inclined by the wedge angle β relative to each other so that the surfaces are not parallel. This non-equilibrium end face is adjacent to adjacent parts of replaceable shaft system 750 such that adjacent parts are held at an angle such that the longitudinal axis of adjacent parts is inclined relative to each other. In addition, the alignment features included on the ends of the body are inclined with respect to each other. The wedge angle β is preferably less than about 10 degrees, more preferably less than about 5 degrees.

The extending member 760 includes a cylindrical tubular body having an end face 768 parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the extending member 760. The extension member 760 is generally interposed between a portion of the shaft sleeve 752 and the hosel 762 to space between the components to change the overall length of the golf club. In particular, the length of the elongate member 760 selects the relationship at the desired spacing between the shaft sleeve 752 and the hosel 762. The length of the elongate member 760 is preferably in the range of about 0.125 inches to about 3.0 inches. A plurality of extension members 760 having different lengths may be provided such that the length of the golf club incorporating the system may be assembled at a plurality of selected lengths.

Extension member 760 may be associated with a wedge member, such as wedge member 756, such that the adjustment member forms a combination. As shown in FIG. The combination of the extension member 760 and the wedge member 756 may be interposed between the hosel 762 of the club head body 754 and the shaft sleeve 752 such that the shaft sleeve 752 is extended from the club head body. Spaced 760. Alternatively, the elongate member 760 can also be combined with the wedge member 758 or other wedge member.

The shaft sleeve 752 is inserted into the hosel 762 through the adjustment member such that the component has the desired relative direction. The plurality of alignment characteristics included on the shaft sleeve 752, the adjustment member and the hosel 762 provide a plurality of discrete orientations of the shaft relative to the club head. Each interface between the shaft sleeve, the adjustment member, the hosel, and any interface in the adjustment member (eg in an embodiment comprising multiple components in the adjustment member) may be complementary tangs providing discrete relative orientation of the components. And combination of notches.

Since it is desirable to be able to replace the wedge member and / or extension member, a retainer is included to allow removal of the adjustment member from the shaft sleeve. The retainer has a protrusion 770 extending from the distal end of the shaft sleeve 752. Each of the wedge member and extension member included in the kit includes a keyway sized to slidably receive the protrusion when oriented in a particular direction relative to the shaft sleeve. In installation, the adjustment member is sized to slide between the retainer and the tang of the shaft sleeve. Because a particular orientation is required to align the protrusion 770 and the keyway 772, the adjustment member will generally be retained on the shaft sleeve when the combined shaft sleeve and adjustment member are separated from the club head body 754. .

Referring now to Figure 88, another embodiment of a replaceable shaft system kit that provides for dual angle adjustment and length adjustment is described. Similar to the previous embodiment, the replaceable shaft system 780 is configured to provide an angle and length adjustment of the system, including an adjustment member, between the shaft sleeve 782 and the hosel 783 of the club head body 784. It may include a plurality of components interposed therein. In the kit, the wedge member 786 may be used alone or in combination with one or more of the plurality of elongated members 788, 790, 792 to form the adjustment member. Shaft sleeve 782 is coupled to shaft 794 to extend through the adjustment member and at least partially received within hosel 783. Fastener 798 releasably couples sleeve 782 to club head body 784.

As shown, the shaft sleeve 782 includes a shaft bore having a longitudinal axis that is not coaxial with the body of the shaft sleeve 782, when the shaft sleeve 782 is coupled to the distal end of the shaft 794. The longitudinal axis of 782 is inclined by the shaft angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 794. The shaft angle α is preferably less than about 10 °, more preferably less than about 5 °.

Opposite end faces of the wedge member 786 are inclined relative to each other such that the wedge member 786 is interposed between the shaft sleeve 782 and the hosel 783, such that the shaft sleeve 782 is inclined relative to the hosel 783. . Since the shaft 794 is inclined only about the shaft angle a relative to the shaft sleeve 782, the angular orientation of the shaft 794 relative to the club head body 784 is the orientation of the shaft sleeve 782 relative to the club head body 784. And a combination of the orientations of the wedge members.

Similar to the previous embodiment, the wedge member comprises a cylindrical tubular body having end surfaces inclined by the wedge angle β relative to each other such that the surfaces are not parallel. This non-equilibrium end face allows adjacent parts of the replaceable shaft system 780 to be adjacent to adjacent parts so that the longitudinal axes of the adjacent parts are inclined relative to one another. In addition, the alignment features included on the ends of the body are inclined with respect to each other. The wedge angle β is preferably less than about 10 degrees, more preferably less than about 5 degrees.

Each of the extending members 788, 790, 792 includes a cylindrical tubular body having end faces that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the extending member. In this embodiment, an extension member may be interposed between the wedge member 786 and the hosel 783 to space the components apart by a predetermined length. In particular, the length of the elongate member may be selected to increase the overall length of the golf club by the same amount, or the length of the combination of the extension members may be selected to increase the overall length by the combined amount. The length of the elongate member is preferably in the range of about 0.125 inches to about 3.0 inches.

A retainer 796 is coupled to the distal end of the shaft sleeve 782 to allow the wedge member 786 to engage the shaft sleeve 782 and slide between the tang 785 and the retainer 796 of the shaft sleeve 782. . Additionally, retainer 796 is sized such that each of the elongate members can slide onto retainer 796 and engage wedge member 786. As a result, the elongate members are easily replaced with each other so that the wedge member 786 remains attached to the shaft sleeve even when the shaft sleeve is separated from the golf club head body 784.

89 and 90, another embodiment of a replaceable shaft assembly 800 will be described. The replaceable shaft system 800 is illustrated with an elongate member 804 and a wedge member 802 that are held on the shaft sleeve 806 by a removable retainer 808. Retainer 808 is removably coupled to the distal end of shaft sleeve 806 by threaded engagement or the like. As the retainer 808 is removable, one or both of the wedge member 802 and the extension member 804 can be easily removable or replaced by alternative members providing different angle adjustments and / or lengths. Additionally, because both the wedge member 802 and the elongate member 804 are retained, the assembly may change the orientation of the golf club head to change the orientation of the wedge member 802 and elongate member 804 relative to the shaft sleeve 806. Can be easily removed from 810

Referring to FIG. 91, replaceable shaft system 820 includes a plurality of wedge members 822, 824 coupled to shaft sleeve 826 to provide multiple angle adjustments including dual angle adjustments and larger adjustments. do. Wedge members 822, 824 are all held on shaft sleeve 826 by retainers 828 coupled to distal ends of shaft sleeve 826.

Shaft sleeve 826 includes a shaft bore having a longitudinal axis. In a dual angle adjustment example, that is, in an embodiment that includes two members that affect the angular orientation of the shaft relative to the golf club head 830, the longitudinal axis of the shaft bore is coaxial with the body of the shaft sleeve and the two wedge members Provides double angle adjustment. As a result, the directional shaft and the grip can be maintained in the desired direction. A directional shaft includes a shaft having physical properties such as stiffness, kick point, ribs, etc., or a shaft having an asymmetrical graphic, depending on the direction and position of the force located on the shaft. Directional grips include grips with visual or tactile orientation reminders, often referred to as reminder grips.

In another embodiment, a combination of two wedge members having a non-coaxial shaft bore provides an additional level of adjustment that may be referred to as multiple angle adjustment. In particular, a third level of angle adjustment is provided by simultaneously including the wedge members 822, 824 with a shaft bore that is not coaxial with the body of the shaft sleeve 826. The magnitude of the wedge angle of each wedge member and the shaft angle of the shaft sleeve can be selected to be the same or different. By selecting the two angles to have the same size, they can be used in combination to cancel the effect of the component. For example, each web angle may be selected to have the same size by orienting two wedge members such that the maximum angular displacement planes are aligned and the wedge angles may be added together or subtracted from each other or cancelled. Preferably, each wedge angle and shaft angle has a size of less than 10 °, more preferably less than about 5 °.

Each of the wedge members 822, 824, shaft sleeve 826, and hosel 832 includes complementary tangs and notches that engage when assembly is tightened. The length of the tang and the depth of the notch can be selected to provide the desired engagement depth and can be selected to change the length of the wedge members 822, 824. For example, the length and complementary notch of the tang preferably range from 0.0625 to 0.25 inches.

92 and 95, a replaceable shaft system 840 will be described which is configured such that all angle adjustments are provided within a single plane. Replaceable shaft system 840 includes a shaft sleeve 842, a wedge member 846, and a golf club head 848 coupled to the distal end of golf club shaft 844. The shaft sleeve 842 is removably connected to the wedge member 846 interposed therebetween and the hosel 850 of the golf club head 848.

The illustrated embodiment is configured to provide four positions of angle adjustment within a single plane, for example, the lie plane of a golf club. Shaft sleeve 842, wedge member 846 and hosel 850 are configured to provide four discrete orientations of shaft 844 relative to club head 848 within the lie plane. Each shaft sleeve 842, wedge member 846 and hosel 850 have complementary alignment properties to allow two relative positions between adjacent members in the assembled golf club head. In particular, there are two relative positions available between the shaft sleeve 842 and the wedge member 846 and two relative positions available between the wedge member 846 and the hosel 850.

The number of relative positions between adjacent components can be selected by creating complementary alignment features to limit orientation by including complementary tangs and notches having various sizes and / or spacing. In the embodiment shown, the tang and notch sizes are selected such that there are two relative positions between adjacent components. 93 and 94, the wedge members 846 are adjacent to each other adjacent to the first pair of tangs and the first pair of tangs radially facing each other on the ends of the tubular wedge members 846. A second pair of tangs 854 also facing in the radial direction. The hin pair tangs rotate relative to one another, for example as shown at 90 °. The first pair of tangs 852 are each larger than the second pair of tangs 854, and the shaft sleeve 842 and hosel 850 have complementary characteristics. Due to the size of the tang, there are only two available state locations between the wedge member 846 and the engagement component. The ends of the wedge member 846 may have the same or different alignment characteristics to provide the desired number of discrete orientations. The wedge angle β is preferably less than about 10 °, more preferably less than about 5 °.

The shaft sleeve 842 includes a shaft bore having a longitudinal axis that is not coaxial with the body of the shaft sleeve 842 so that when the shaft sleeve 842 is coupled to the distal end of the shaft 844, the longitudinal axis of the shaft sleeve 842 It is inclined by the shaft angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 844. The shaft angle α is preferably less than about 10 degrees, more preferably less than about 5 degrees.

Opposite end faces of the wedge member 846 are inclined with respect to each other such that the shaft sleeve 842 is inclined with respect to the hosel 850 when the wedge member 846 is interposed between the shaft sleeve 842 and the hosel 850. Lose. Since the shaft 844 is inclined by the shaft angle α with respect to the shaft sleeve 842, the inclined orientation of the shaft 844 relative to the club head 848 is the orientation of the wedge member and the shaft sleeve 842 relative to the club head 848. Is defined by a combination of orientations.

A retainer 856 is coupled to the distal end of the shaft sleeve 842. Retainer 856 The wedge member 846 is coupled to the shaft sleeve 842 and sized to allow sliding between the tang and the retainer 856 of the shaft sleeve 842.

The wedge member 846 and shaft sleeve 842 are configured such that the golf club head is adjustable in the X-Y plane so that the lie angle can be adjusted without affecting other angle distributions of the golf club. In addition, each sleeve body and wedge member have two available positions with respect to the club head. In one embodiment, the wedge angle and the magnitude of the shaft angle are different such that the replaceable shaft system 840 provides four discrete lie angles. In particular, the size of the shaft angle is 1 °, the wedge angle is 2 °. The total angle with respect to the target angle of each available combination of sleeve body and wedge member is shown in Table 2 below.

A B C D Sleeve body  +1 °  +1 ° -1 ° -1 ° Wedge member  +2 °  -2 ° +2 ° -2 ° Hosel  0 °   0 °  0 °  0 ° Total angle +3 ° -1 °  +1 ° -3 °

While it is clear that the illustrated embodiments of the invention disclosed herein achieve the above objects, it should be understood that various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art. Elements from one embodiment may be implemented in another embodiment. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments and are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

Golf clubs,
A golf club head comprising a golf club head body and a hosel, the hosel forming a hosel bore;
With an elongated shaft,
A shaft sleeve coupled to a distal end of the shaft, the shaft sleeve including a shaft bore and a sleeve body defining a longitudinal axis;
A first wedge member forming a first wedge angle and a sleeve bore between the shaft sleeve and the hosel,
A second wedge member forming a second wedge angle and a sleeve bore between the shaft sleeve and the hosel,
A fastener releasably coupling the shaft sleeve to the club head such that the wedge members are interposed between the hosel and the portion of the shaft sleeve,
The first wedge member and the second wedge member provide dual angle adjustability to provide a plurality of coupling positions, each position creating a specific combination of loft and lie angle orientations, the positions being all coupling positions. Generate a rectangular graph matrix based on the matrix, wherein the matrix includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, at least one of the plurality of rows and the plurality of columns includes at least three rows or at least three columns,
One of the wedge members is disposed at the proximal end of the other wedge member on the shaft sleeve. delete The golf club of claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the first wedge angle of the first wedge member is different from the magnitude of the second wedge angle of the second wedge member. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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