KR20120052318A - Releasable and interchangeable connections for golf club heads and shafts with multiple orientations - Google Patents

Abstract

The golf club heads 402 are removably coupled with the shaft 106 so that they can be easily exchanged and / or the shaft orientation with respect to the club head can be easily changed. An assembly for connecting the club head and the shaft may include a shaft adapter 202 and a head adapter 302. The shaft adapter may include an outer surface extending along the first axis and a bore configured to attach to the shaft member and having a cross-sectional shape along the second axis. The second end of the shaft adapter may have a regular polygonal cross-sectional shape or a cross-sectional shape formed by splines. The head adapter has a regular polygonal shape or a cross-sectional shape formed by a spline along a second axis that is formed to be received at the first and second ends along the first axis and the second end of the shaft adapter in a plurality of orientations. Eggplant further includes a bore.

Description

REPLACEABLE AND INTERCHANGEABLE CONNECTIONS FOR GOLF CLUB HEADS AND SHAFTS WITH MULTIPLE ORIENTATIONS}

Related application

This application is a partial consecutive application of US Patent Application No. 12 / 366,484, filed February 5, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to golf clubs and golf club heads. More specifically, aspects of the present invention have a head having a detachable connection (connection) between the golf club head and the shaft and allowing for easy exchange of the shaft and the head and easily changing the head / shaft position characteristics. It relates to a golf club having a shaft position adjustment characteristic. Additionally, the features of this invention are structurally similar and similar to the inventions described in US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 774,513, filed July 6, 2007, for example, in the name of Gary G. Trvares et al. Function, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Golf is enjoyed by various players (different genders and players of different ages and / or skill levels). Such a diverse set of players can play together in a golf event, even competing directly with each other (eg using handicap scores, different tee boxes, team formats, etc.), and playing golf. And golf is somewhat unique in the field of sports in that it can still enjoy competition. These factors, at least in part, along with increased availability of golf programming on television (eg, golf tournaments, golf news, golf history, and / or other golf programming) and the rise of well-known golf superstars, In and around the world, golf has increased in popularity in recent years.

Golfers at all skill levels want to increase their achievements, lower their golf scores, and reach the next achievement "level". Manufacturers of all types of golf equipment have responded to their needs, and in recent years the industry has witnessed major changes and improvements in golf equipment. For example, a wide range of different golf ball models are currently available, and such balls are designed to compensate for specific swing speeds and / or other player characteristics or preferences, for example, some balls may fly farther and / Or designed to fly more straight; Some are designed to provide higher or flatter trajectories; Some are designed to provide better spin, control and / or feel (especially around the green); Some are designed for faster or slower swing speeds. Many swing and / or teaching aids are available on the market that promise to help lower golf scores.

Golf clubs have also been the subject of much technical research and progress in recent years, as they are the only mechanisms for setting golf balls during motion during play. For example, in recent years, the market has pursued major changes and improvements in putter design, golf club head design, shafts, and grips. In addition, other technical advances have been made in the effort to better adapt the golf club's various elements and / or characteristics and the golf ball's characteristics to a particular user's swing characteristics or characteristics.

Recent advances have led to numerous arrays of golf club component parts available to golfers. For example, club heads are produced in a variety of different models by various manufacturers. In addition, individual club head models may have multiple modifications, such as loft angles, lie angles, offset characteristics, weighting characteristics (eg, draw biased club heads). , Fade deflected club heads, intermediate weighted club heads, and the like. In addition, the club head may be combined with many different shafts from, for example, different manufacturers, the shafts having different stiffnesses, flex points, kick points, or other flexion characteristics; Made of various materials and the like. Between the available changes in the shaft and club head, there are literally hundreds of different club head / shaft combinations available to golfers.

Club fitters and golf experts can help golfers have a golf club head / shaft combination that is well suited to their swing characteristics and needs. Typically, however, golf club heads are permanently mounted to the shaft using cement or adhesive. As such, in order to allow golfers to test various head / shaft combinations, the club peter or expert must carry a wide selection of permanently mounted golf club head / shaft combinations (which requires significant storage space and inventory costs). Or the club Peter or the expert must build a new club for the customer as the fitting process continues (this requires considerable time and inventory costs). Disadvantages associated with these conventional options limit the choices that a golfer can use during a fitting session and / or significantly increase the length and cost of that time.

The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention and various features of the invention. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but to provide a general overview and content for a more detailed description below.

Aspects of the present invention provide a golf club head to the shaft such that the club head and shaft can be easily exchanged and / or the position of the shaft relative to the club head body (and the ball striking face of the body) can be easily changed. A system and method for connecting in a detachable manner. The golf club head / shaft connection assembly according to an example of the invention will include a shaft adapter having an outer surface having a regular polygonal cross-sectional shape or having a non-circular cross-sectional shape defined by spines. The shaft adapter further includes an inner bore provided along an axis offset from the axis of the outer surface. The shaft adapter is configured to be attached to the shaft member. The shaft adapter according to some examples of the invention is also configured to be rigidly and detachably coupled with the head adapter.

The head adapter includes a bore having a regular polygonal shape along the offset axis with respect to the outer surface of the head adapter or having a non-circular cross-sectional shape defined by a spine. The head adapter is shaped to receive the shaft adapter in a plurality of various orientations. For example, the bore of the head adapter may have a cross-sectional shape defined by the spine, wherein the spine is configured to mate with the spine on the outer surface of the shaft adapter to prevent rotational movement about the axis. In a further embodiment, the present invention includes a golf club having a club head having a hosel region capable of receiving a head adapter in a plurality of various orientation states as described above. In yet another embodiment, the head adapter may be formed integrally with the hosel area of the club head (as a unitary, single piece configuration). In a further embodiment, the head adapter may be inserted into the hosel region through the space in the bottom of the golf club head along the same axis as the hosel region and may also be fixed in place by bolts or other known techniques. In yet another embodiment, the golf club further includes a shaft member and the shaft adapter may be integral with the shaft member (as a single piece, single piece configuration).

A further aspect of the invention relates to a golf club assembly method. According to an exemplary method, a shaft member is attached to a shaft adapter having a first end and a second end along a first axis, which shaft member is inserted into a bore provided along a second axis. Such method may further comprise inserting a second end of the shaft adapter into the bore of the head adapter, the head adapter comprising a first end and a second end along a first axis, the bore being a plurality of Have a regular polygonal cross-sectional shape along a second axis shaped to receive the second end of the shaft adapter in various orientation states. Instead, the bore of the head adapter may be shaped to receive a second end of the shaft adapter, the outer side of which may also be defined by the spine, and may have a cross-sectional shape defined by the spine.

Another method according to certain embodiments of the invention may further comprise inserting a head adapter into the hosel area of the club head. In selected embodiments, the head adapter may be inserted into the hosel region in an orientation state of one of a plurality of various orientations. Additional methods also include removing the shaft adapter from the head adapter and reinserting the second end of the shaft adapter into the bore of the head adapter in a different orientation and / or removing the head adapter from the hosel region of the club head; Reinserting the head adapter into the hosel area of the club head in another orientation.

A further aspect of the invention relates to marketing, selling, manufacturing or using one or more components of a golf club as a kit. As described above, a kit comprising at least a shaft adapter and a head adapter may be associated with instructions for configuring a golf club by choosing between one or more heads, shafts, shaft adapters, grips, head adapters, and the like. Can be. In addition, the shaft and / or shaft adapter may be angled with respect to the axial direction of the club head hosel or club head engaging member to allow adjustment of the angle or position of the shaft with respect to the club head (eg with respect to the ball striking face). Allow. In addition, instructions for information on dataling and / or datailing detailing club characteristics with respect to the adjustment may be provided as part of one or more kits in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention and certain advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood.
1 is an overall front view of an exemplary golf club in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary shaft adapter in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary head adapter coupled with a shaft adapter, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.
4 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary golf club having a shaft adapter and a head adapter according to one embodiment of the invention.
5A and 5B illustrate rotation of an exemplary shaft adapter associated with a club head according to one embodiment of the invention, and FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate exemplary heads associated with a club head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram illustrating the rotation of the adapter and the example shaft adapter.
FIG. 6 shows a table (table) containing exemplary information relating to the adjustment of the shaft adapter associated with the club head in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary shaft adapter according to another exemplary structure of the present invention.
8 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary head adapter engaging a shaft adapter according to another exemplary structure of the present invention.
9 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary golf club having a shaft adapter and a head adapter according to another exemplary structure of the present invention.
10A and 10B illustrate rotation of an exemplary shaft adapter associated with a club head according to one example of the present invention, and FIGS. 10C and 10D illustrate exemplary heads associated with a club head according to another embodiment of the present invention. A diagram illustrating the rotation of the adapter and the example shaft adapter.
11A and 11B illustrate the interconnection of an exemplary shaft adapter and head adapter according to another example of the present invention.
12A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary shaft adapter / head adapter assembly in accordance with another exemplary structure of the present invention.
12B is an exploded view of an exemplary golf club having a shaft adapter and a head adapter according to the example structure shown in FIG. 12A.
13A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary shaft adapter / head adapter in accordance with a further exemplary structure of the present invention.
FIG. 13B is an exploded view of an exemplary golf club having a shaft adapter and a head adapter according to the example structure shown in FIG. 13A.
It will be appreciated that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description of various exemplary structures in accordance with the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and such drawings show various exemplary connection assemblies, golf club heads, and A golf club structure is shown by way of example. In addition, it will be appreciated that other specific configurations of parts and structures may be used and structural and functional changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. In addition, terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "back", "side", "bottom", "top", and the like are various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As used herein to describe features and components, these terms are used herein for convenience and based on, for example, the example orientation shown in the figures and / or the orientation during normal use. . It should not be considered that the orientation of certain three-dimensional dimensional or spatial structures in this specification is required to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Generally, as noted above, aspects of the present invention provide a system for connecting a golf club head to the shaft in a detachable manner such that the club head and shaft can be easily exchanged and / or repositioned relative to one another; It is about a method. Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below. It is to be understood that these specific examples are developed solely to illustrate examples of the invention, which should not be considered as limiting the invention.

A. Examples of Specific Embodiments

1. Example Club Structure

1 generally illustrates an exemplary golf club 100 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. Exemplary club 100 connects club head 102, detachable club head / shaft connection system 104 that connects club head 102 to shaft member 106 (described in greater detail below), and And a grip member 108 associated with the shaft member 106. Although a driver / wood-type golf club head 102 is shown in FIG. 1, aspects of the present invention may be applicable to all types of club heads, such as, for example, fairway wood club heads; Iron type golf club heads (eg, from 0-iron or 1-iron to wedge) of any desired loft; Wood or iron type hybrid golf club head; Putter head; And the like. The club head may be made of a suitable material, in a suitable configuration, in a suitable manner, as is known and used in the art, and optionally modified to accommodate detachable club head / shaft connecting parts (if necessary). For example, the size, shape and the like can be changed).

Within the scope of the present invention, various parts of club head / shaft connection system 104 may be made of any desired or suitable material. For example, a golf club head configuration such as aluminum, titanium, magnesium, nickel, alloys of these materials, steel, stainless steel, etc., as one or more of the parts, optionally with anodized material It may be made of a metallic material including a light weight metal commonly used in the art. Instead, if desired, one or two or more of the various parts of the connection system 104 are rigid polymeric materials, for example polymeric materials commonly known and used in the golf club industry. It may be manufactured. Within the scope of the present invention, the various parts may be made of the same material or different materials. In one particular example, each of the various parts may be made of a 7075 aluminum alloy material having a hard anodized finish. The parts may be manufactured in a suitable manner known and used in the field of metalworking and / or polymer fabrication.

Any desired material may also be used for the shaft member 106, including suitable materials known and used in the art, such as steel, graphite, polymers, composite materials, combinations of these materials, and the like. Optionally, if necessary or desired, the shaft may be altered (eg, changed in size, shape, etc.) to accommodate the detachable club head / shaft connection portion 104. Shaft 106 may grip grip member 108 in any desired manner, including any suitable manner known in the art and used (eg, via cement or adhesive, through mechanical connection, etc.). ) Can be combined. Suitable materials known and used in the art include, for example, rubber or polymeric materials, cloth or fabrics, tapes, etc., in which rubber, polymeric materials, cork, cord or other debit elements are embedded. Any desired material, including, may be used for the grip member 108. Optionally, if desired, the grip member 108 (or any suitable handle member) may be shafted using a detachable connection, such as the detachable connection 104 (the examples are described in more detail below). Removably connected to 106.

The detachable connection 104 between the golf club head and the shaft according to some examples of the invention is described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS.

2. Example shaft adapter

2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary shaft adapter 202 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The shaft adapter 202 may be made of one or two or more suitable materials as described above and may include a material different from the material making up the remaining sections of the golf club. For example, shaft adapter 202 may reduce movement between shaft adapter 202, shaft member 106, and / or head adapter 302 (described below) and / or increase surface tension. It may include or be provided with rubber or other compressible material that can be made. In yet another embodiment, rubber and / or other materials may be used to increase shock absorption and / or reduce noise during ball strike. In yet another embodiment, the shaft adapter 202 may be comprised of a lightweight metal, metal alloy, or polymeric material (eg, rigid polymeric material).

As shown in FIG. 2, the shaft adapter 202 has a first end 204 and a second end 206, where the first end 204 is the same axis 208 as the second end 206. Follow) The shaft adapter 202 further includes a bore 210 configured to attach with the shaft member 106 on the second axis 212 and along the second axis 212. Thus, the cylindrical outer portion of the shaft adapter 202 extends in one axial direction (along the axis 208) from the first end 204 to the second end 206, while receiving the shaft member 106. The cylindrical bore 210 extends in another axis direction (axis 212). Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the present disclosure that various combinations of components and / or processes may be used to provide the two axes 208, 212 of the shaft adapter 202. The angle deviation between the first axis 208 and the second axis 212 may be any angle within the scope of the present invention, for example, 0.25 degrees or more, 0.5 degrees or more, 1 degree or more, 2 It may be at least 2.5 degrees, at least 4 degrees, or even at least 8 degrees.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the bore 210 has a circular cross-sectional shape, for example to accommodate a round shaft of conventional shape. However, if desired, the cross-sectional shape of the bore 210 may be, for example, any number of sides, for example: twelve or fewer sides, ten or fewer sides, eight. It can be a polygon with three or fewer sides, six or fewer sides, or even four or fewer sides. The cross-sectional shape of the bore 210 may be configured to have a size and shape configured to prevent rotation of the shaft member 106 relative to the shaft adapter 202. This may be due to the bore 210 of the shaft adapter having the same overall polygonal shape as the shaft member 106. In another embodiment, only a portion of the bore 210 is coupled or mated with the shaft member 106, but such pairing prevents the shaft adapter 202 from rotating in the shaft member 106. In some more specific example structures according to the present invention, a portion of the shaft member 106 will have a square or rectangular cross section and the bore 210 of the shaft adapter 202 receives a multi-sided portion that receives the shaft member 106. And polygonal shaped openings (eg, 4, 6, 8, 12 or 16 sides) of the sides. Instead, if desired, particularly in an exemplary structure in which the bore and shaft members 106 have a rounded cross section, for example using cement or adhesive, using fusion techniques (welding, brazing, or soldering), and the like. Using the shaft adapter 202 can be permanently coupled to the shaft member 106.

In some exemplary embodiments, one or more bores 210 and / or shaft bore 210 may have a different number of “sides” or protrusions than the rest, but due to the cross-sectional shape of various structures The shaft member 106 can be fixedly inserted into the bore 210 of the shaft adapter, while the shaft member 106 does not rotate freely within the bore 210. In one such embodiment, the number of "sides" of bore 210 or shaft member 106 is a multiple of the number of sides of the others. Other anti-rotation structures and configurations may also be implemented within the scope of the present invention. For example, one or both of the shaft adapter 202 and / or the shaft member 106 may be mechanical, such as a spring loaded pin or other extension structure extending into an opening, slot, or ridge. Structure (eg, similar to attaching hydraulic hoses to their hydraulic oil supply connection elements). Detent mechanisms and other physical (and optionally static) fastening structures that fit into openings, slots or ridges may also be used as detachable anti-rotation connections within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 (described in more detail below), the shaft adapter 202 is configured to be fixedly attached to the shaft member 106. Exemplary shaft adapter 202 may be hollow and sized to receive the free end of a golf club shaft, such as shaft member 106. In yet another embodiment, the exemplary shaft adapter 202 may be sized to be received in a hollow portion at the free end of a golf club shaft, such as the shaft member 106. Those skilled in the art need not necessarily make the shaft adapter 202 hollow and, for example, through cement or adhesive, through welding, brazing, soldering or other fusion techniques; Through mechanical connections; Through friction fit; It will be appreciated that it may be fixedly attached to the club shaft by any suitable method and mechanism, including the like. In some embodiments, connecting the shaft adapter 202 to the shaft member 106 can be made detachable so that the shaft can be replaced easily and quickly. In another embodiment, the shaft adapter 202 may be integral to the shaft member 106 or otherwise permanently secured. As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the outer surface of the shaft adapter 202 may have a regular polygonal cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape can be, for example, 16 or fewer sides, 12 or less sides, 10 or less sides, 8 or less sides, 6 or less sides, or even It may be a polygon with four or fewer sides. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the shaft adapter may be circular. The cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the shaft adapter has a size and shape (as described below) configured to fit the head adapter (as described below) and the shaft adapter 202 rotates relative to the head adapter 302. Is configured to prevent it.

In some embodiments, the outer sides of the shaft adapter 202, the shaft member 106 and / or the head adapter (described below) are tapered axially such that the diameter of the component is axially oriented. Thus increasing or decreasing. This feature may help the shaft adapter 202 to be easily fitted and sliding out into and out of the head adapter and / or may eliminate the need to maintain very tight tolerances during the manufacturing process.

3. Example Head Adapter

Exemplary connection 104 may further include a head adapter 302. Referring to FIG. 3, the head adapter 302 has a first end 304 and a second end 306. As shown, the first end 304 follows the same axis (not shown) as the second end 306. Head adapter 302 is configured to receive shaft adapter 202 on second axis 312 (again shaft adapter 202 receives shaft member 106) bore 310 along second axis 312. More). Thus, the outer side of the head adapter 302 extends along one axial direction from the first end 304 to the second end 306, while the bore 310 receiving the shaft adapter 202 is in another axis. Direction (axis 312). Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the present disclosure that, within the scope of the present invention, various combinations of components and / or processes may be used to provide the two axes of the shaft adapter 302. will be. The angle deviation between the first axis (not shown) and the second axis 312 may be any angle within the scope of the present invention, for example, 0.25 degrees or more, 0.5 degrees or more, 1 degree or more. , At least 2 degrees, at least 2.5 degrees, at least 4 degrees, or even at least 8 degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bore 310 of the head adapter 302 has a regular polygonal cross-sectional shape. Such cross-sectional shapes may be, for example, twelve or fewer sides, ten or less sides, eight or less sides, six or less sides, or even four or less sides. It can be a polygon with. The cross-sectional shape of the bore 310 may be configured to have a size and shape configured to prevent rotation of the shaft adapter 202 relative to the head adapter 302. This may be due to the bore 310 of the head adapter having the same overall polygonal shape as the outer surface of the shaft adapter 202, as described above. In yet another embodiment, only a portion of the bore 310 is coupled or mated with the shaft adapter 202, but such pairing prevents the shaft adapter 202 from rotating within the head adapter 302. In some more specific example structures according to the present invention, the shaft adapter 202 will have a square or rectangular cross section and the bore 310 of the head adapter 302 has a multi-side (side) housing the shaft adapter 202. ), Polygonal shaped openings (eg, 4, 6, 8, 12 or 16 sides).

Thus, the outer surface of one or more bores 310 and / or shaft adapter 202 may have a different number of “sides” or protrusions than the rest, but due to the cross-sectional shape of the various structures, The shaft adapter 202 can be fixedly inserted into the bore 310 of the head adapter, while the shaft adapter 202 does not rotate freely in the bore 310. In one such embodiment, the number of "sides" of bore 310 or shaft adapter 202 is a multiple of the number of sides of the other. In another embodiment, the bore 310 of the head adapter 302 may have a circular cross-sectional shape, ie, may be formed to receive the shaft adapter 202 with an outer surface that also has a circular cross-sectional shape. Anti-rotation structures and configurations may also be implemented within the scope of the present invention. For example, mechanical structures (eg, hydraulic hoses), such as spring loaded pins or other extension structures, in which one or both of head adapter 302 or shaft adapter 202 extend into an opening, slot, or ridge. Is similar to attaching to their hydraulic oil feed connection elements. Detent mechanisms and other physical (and optionally static) fastening structures that fit into openings, slots or ridges may also be used as detachable anti-rotation connections within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the shaft adapter 202 may be configured to fit entirely within the head adapter 302. In another embodiment, the shaft adapter 202 will extend less than 50% of the overall axial length of the head adapter 302, and less than 35%, less than 25% of the total axial length of the head adapter 302. Or less than 15%. This feature may help keep the overall connection assembly relatively short, compact, and lightweight. Instead, if necessary, a portion of the shaft adapter 202 can be retained outside of the head adapter 302 (and optionally, the outer shape of the shaft adapter 202 outside the head adapter is within the head adapter). May differ from the outer shape of the positioned shaft adapter 202). As described below in connection with FIG. 6, the various positions and / or angles (eg, For example, the lie angle, the loft angle, the face angle, etc. may be adjusted.

In another embodiment, the exemplary head adapter 302 is described with reference to certain embodiments described above, for example, where the shaft member 106 is fitted within the shaft adapter 202. The size may be determined to be received within a hollow portion, such as bore 210. Also, in other embodiments, the head adapter 302 may be integrated into the club head 402 or otherwise permanently secured, such as received by the hosel region 404.

B. Assembly Method

4 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary golf club 400 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. An exploded view of golf club 400 also highlights one of several methods that can be used to construct a golf club in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. According to one exemplary method, a shaft member 106 is attached to a shaft adapter 202 having a first end 204 and a second end 206 along a first axis 208, wherein the shaft member ( 106 is inserted into bore 210 extending along a second axis 212 (axis 212 is shown in FIG. 2). The shaft member 106 may be permanently fixed to the shaft adapter 202 (eg, using cement or adhesive, using fusion technology (welding, brazing, or soldering), etc.), Or these parts 106 and 202 may be detachably connected to each other. The method further includes inserting a second end 206 of the shaft adapter 202 into the bore 310 of the head adapter 302, the head adapter 302 along the first axis 308. A second axis including a first end 304 and a second end 306, wherein the bore 310 is shaped to receive the second end 206 of the shaft adapter 202 in a plurality of different orientation states. Have a regular polygonal cross-sectional shape along 312. Such a method may further comprise inserting the head adapter 302 into the hosel region 404 of the club head 402 (the hosel region 404 is outside the second end of the shaft adapter 302). May have an inner opening of polygonal shape formed to receive a surface). In selected embodiments, inserting the head adapter 302 into the hosel region 404 may be selected from a plurality of different orientations, for example, as described below with respect to FIGS. 5A-5D and 6. Could be. Thus, additional methods include: removing the shaft adapter 202 from the head adapter 302 and returning the second end 206 of the shaft adapter 202 into the bore 310 of the head adapter 302 in a different orientation. Inserting; And / or removing the head adapter 302 from the hosel region 404 of the club head 402 and reinserting the head adapter 302 into another orientation state into the hosel region 404 of the club head 402. It may include.

Exemplary hosel region 404 may include a bore or inner chamber for receiving head adapter 302. The bore may be processed into golf club head 402 during manufacture of the head. In one embodiment, the hosel region 404 is created by drilling or otherwise digging a portion of the golf club head adapter 302. In this regard, at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the hosel region 404 comprises the same material as the golf club head 402. In any desired manner, including a detachable connection system known and used in the art, the shaft member 106 is connected to the club head 402 (via the shaft adapter 202 and the head adapter 302). Can be fixed. For example, a threaded nut provided on the shaft member 106 may be engaged with a threaded portion provided on the hosel. As another example, a threaded bolt may extend through an opening provided in the club head (eg, in the club head sole), which is provided in the bottom of the shaft member 106. Joins the portion, shaft adapter 202 and / or head adapter 302. Other separable connection systems such as US 6,890,269 (Bruce D. Burrows) and US Patent Publication No. 2004/0018886 (Bruce D. Burrows) may be used within the scope of the present invention. Each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Such a connection system may also be separably coupled in any of the ways described below.

C. Adjust Head Adapter and Shaft Adapter

Because the axis of the bore 210 in the shaft adapter 202 is offset from the axis of the outer surface of the shaft adapter 202, and because the axis of the bore in the head adapter 302 is offset from the axis of the outer surface, the club head Rotation of these adapters relative to 402 will change the position of the shaft member 106 relative to the ball striking face of the club head. 5A-5D show top views of a portion of a golf club, respectively, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, wherein both shaft adapter 202 and head adapter 302 have several rotational orientations relative to club head 402. May be arranged in an orientation state of either. Specifically, referring to FIG. 5A, shaft member 106 remains fixed within shaft adapter 202. As shown, the shaft adapter 202 has an octagonal outer lateral shape, which is coupled and mated with a head adapter 302 having an octagonal-shaped inner circumferential bore for receiving the shaft adapter 202. . As mentioned above, the shaft adapter 202 and the head adapter 302 need not be identical in shape, and instead, for example, and / or the club head 402 relative to one another, as also described below. It only needs to be paired with each other in one of several rotational orientations.

The example shaft adapter 202 of FIGS. 5A-5D includes an indicator 502 and the example head adapter 302 includes an indicator 504. The indicator 502 on the shaft adapter 202 indicates the rotational position of the shaft adapter 202 relative to the head adapter 302 and subsequently to the club head 402. The indicator 504 on the head adapter 302 indicates the rotational position of the head adapter 302 relative to the club head 402 and also the shaft adapter 202. The indicators 502, 504 may be reliably in their previous positions in allowing the user to better record the club head / shaft orientation and / or after the rotation of one or more components relative to the shaft member 106. It is advantageous in allowing to return quickly. In this example structure, because both the exemplary shaft adapter 202 and the head adapter 302 are entirely octagonal-shaped, there will be 64 rotational orientations that can be combined and fixedly mated in a detachable manner. Accordingly, the following description will refer to the positions of the shaft adapter 202 and the head adapter 302 as rotating positions in the range of 1 to 8, where position 1 indicates that the indicators 502 and 504 are 12 o'clock in FIG. 5A. Refers to when in position and subsequent positions are numbered consecutively in a clockwise direction. In another additional embodiment, club head 106 may be marked with an indicator if desired.

Depending on how the shaft adapter 202 and / or the head adapter 302 are positioned in relation to the "face" of the club head 102, the playing characteristics of the club will change. This feature, together with the detachable connection system 104, allows the club peter (or others) to use the shaft member for the club head 102 while still using the same shaft 106 and / or head 102. Allows the user to freely and easily adjust the various angles and / or positions (eg, variable lie, loft, and face angle combinations) of 106), which allows the user to tailor the optimum club head / shaft combination and configuration to their needs. It will help you make that decision more easily. Referring to FIG. 5A, the indicator 502 indicates that the shaft adapter 202 is in position 1, and the indicator 504 indicates that the head adapter 302 is also in position 1. As shown in FIG. 5B, the shaft adapter 202 (and thus the shaft 106) is rotated to position 2 while the head adapter 302 is held in position 1.

Repositioning the shaft adapter 202 relative to the head adapter 302 will be advantageous in adjusting the club head / shaft orientation by known factors. For example, information may be associated with the shaft adapter 202 and the head adapter 302 with respect to the angle of the offset-axis of the bores 210, 310. Such information may include the adapters 202, 302, may be printed, engraved, or otherwise marked on the adapters 202, 302 itself, or otherwise used. There will be.

6 is a table 600 showing exemplary information related to adjusting the shaft adapter 202 with respect to the club head 402 (while the head adapter 302 is held in position relative to the club head 402). ). The information relates to the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, where both the shaft adapter 202 and the head adapter 302 are generally octagonal in shape. In certain embodiments, the bore 210 of the shaft adapter is offset by about 2 degrees from the center and the bore 310 of the head adapter is offset by about 1 degree from the center, but such an offset angle may range from 0.25 to 4 degrees. And in some instances, may be an angle within the range of 0.5 to 2 degrees. Table 600 is a face angle from the rotation of shaft adapter 202 relative to head adapter 302 (column 604) over 1/8 (or about 45 degrees) of one full turn along the clockwise direction. , Lie angle (column 606), and loft (column 608). As can be seen in the first line of column 602, the shaft adapter 202 is set to position 1 (thus, the indicator 502 is in the 12 o'clock position, as shown in FIG. 5A). . When the shaft adapter 202 and the head adapter 302 are set to position 1 (as shown in FIG. 5A), the face angle and the loft do not change, but the lie angle is located at + 3 degrees (line in FIG. 6). (610)).

However, when the shaft adapter 202 is set to position 2 (or rotated about 45 degrees clockwise) and the head adapter 302 is held in position 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the face The angle is adjusted by -0.7 degrees, the lie angle is changed by + 2.4 degrees, and the loft is increased by 1.2 degrees (see line 612 in FIG. 6). As shown in the remainder of the table 600, the face angle, lie angle, and loft may be adjusted by a known amount by repositioning the shaft adapter 202 relative to the head adapter 302. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5C-5D, the head adapter 302 may also be adjusted independently or in combination with the repositioning of the shaft adapter.

In further embodiments, the “sides” of the shaft adapter 202 and / or the head adapter 302 may include protrusions on the perimeter. For example, the components may have an overall circular shape, but the protrusions may be located or otherwise arranged around the structure to create an effect substantially the same as a “wall”. Indeed, any structure, shape, extension, etc. that has the characteristics of mimicking conventional sides will be included within the scope of the present invention and will be included in the term "side" as used herein. In some more specific exemplary structures in accordance with the present invention, the anti-rotation structure of the inner chamber will have a square or rectangular cross section. In another embodiment, the inner chamber may be irregularly shaped such that the "sides" are not the same. This would be useful, for example, when it is desired that the shaft not be inserted in a manner that does not provide good club characteristics. In one embodiment, there will be a plurality of possible configurations in which the shaft adapter can be accommodated within the golf club head, where one or more configurations provide club characteristics that differ from other configurations.

D. Additional Aspects of the Invention

1. Overview

Within the scope of the present invention, a detachable connection assembly may be provided in any desired structure and / or may be used in any desired manner. Clubs with such a connection assembly may be designed to be used by the golfer during play (and optionally, the golfer may freely change the position of the shaft, head and / or their relative to each other, if desired). . As another example, if desired, a club comprising a detachable connection according to the invention can be used as a club fitting tool and when a desired combination of head, shaft and placement has been determined for a particular golfer, a club builder. The determined information will be available and thus the final (and permanent) mounting technique (e.g. cement or adhesive) can be used to finally produce the desired golf club product. Other changes in club / shaft connection assembly parts and processes may be made within the scope of the present invention.

2. Kit

As an additional example of the invention, one or more elements or components of a golf club and its connection assembly may be marketed, sold, or used as a kit. One such embodiment may include a kit that includes a golf club head having an internal chamber configured to receive an insertable head adapter 302. In another embodiment, the head adapter 302 may be permanently attached to or otherwise formed as part of the golf club head. Additionally or alternatively, the kit may further include a shaft adapter 202 and / or shaft member 106.

The kit may be associated with instructions for building a golf club having a head and for building a golf club by selecting between one or more shafts, shaft adapters, and / or other elements. In a particular embodiment, the instructions for use may include inserting the shaft member 106 into the bore 210 at the first end 204 of the shaft adapter 202; Inserting the second end 206 of the shaft adapter 202 into the bore 310 of the head adapter 302 in the orientation state of one of the plurality of orientations; And / or a method for inserting the head adapter 302 into the hosel area of the club head 402 will be described, wherein the head adapter 302 may fit within the hosel area in a plurality of different orientation states. In yet another embodiment, the kit includes information regarding face angle, lie angle, and loft angle associated with other orientations of the head adapter 302 and / or shaft adapter 202 in the hosel region of the club head 402. can do.

According to various embodiments, the kit may include one or more shafts, shaft adapters, heads and / or instructions. The kit may further include information regarding the face angle, lie angle, and loft angle of the club head relative to the orientation of the particular shaft adapter and / or head adapter in the inner chamber of the particular club head. One skilled in the art does not necessarily have to be printed and physically present with the other components of the kit, and such instructions may be provided on a computer-readable medium. Such instructions may be present on a server accessible to the user. According to a particular embodiment, the user may be provided with information such as a link to an internet address containing the instructions, which will be included within the scope of providing the instructions. Thus, as used herein, providing instructions is not limited to printed copies that can be delivered with the physical elements of a golf club.

3. Axis direction change zone

Other structures of the golf club 100 may be used in conjunction with the connection system 104 described above with respect to FIGS. 2-6 to further increase the benefits of the disclosed golf club. For example, the additional structure may additionally include an axial change zone. Exemplary shafts having one or more directional change zones are disclosed and described in US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 774,522, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. In addition, the aforementioned shaft adapter and / or head adapter may be used with other detachable golf club head / shaft connection configurations, such as US Patent No. 6,890,269 (Bruce D. Burrows) and US Patent Publication No. 2004/0018886 As described in Bruce D. Burrows, each of these patents and patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, the various aspects of the present invention described above may be used with other patented, pending, and / or commercially available detachable golf club shaft assemblies.

Within the scope of the present invention, many variations in the overall structure of the shaft, club head, and club head / shaft connection assembly will be possible. In addition, the various steps of the assembly process described above may be changed within the scope of the present invention, the order may be changed, may be combined and / or omitted. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, in such a structure, the club head can be quickly and easily exchanged on the shaft with another (eg club head of different loft, lie angle, size, brand, etc.). And / or the shaft may be quickly and easily exchanged with another on the club head (eg, of different materials, of different flex, of different kick point properties, etc.).

E. Additional Features and Examples of the Invention

Aspects of the invention described herein may be further defined by the following exemplary structures. The exemplary structure below is illustrated in FIG. 1 and described with reference to the exemplary club structure described above. Exemplary elements of such a structure (described independently below) are shown together in FIG. 9, which is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary golf club 900 (also described below).

1. Example shaft adapter

7 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary shaft adapter 702 according to this example of the present invention. The example shaft adapter 702 is similar to the example shaft adapter 202 described above, but the outer surface of the shaft adapter 702 extends along a vertical axis 708 (also shown in FIG. 9). In whole or in part. The shaft adapter 702 may be made from one or more suitable materials as described above and may include a material different from the material comprising the remaining sections of the golf club. For example, shaft adapter 702 may be constructed of a lightweight metal, metal alloy, or polymeric material (eg, rigid polymeric material).

The shaft adapter 702 has a generally cylindrical shape and has a first end 704 and a second end 706 along the same axis 708. The shaft adapter 702 further includes a bore 710 along the second axis 712 configured to attach to the shaft member 106 on the second axis 712. The outer portion of the shaft adapter 702 extends in one axial direction (along the axis 708) from the first end 704 to the second end 706, while receiving a cylindrical bore that receives the shaft member 106 ( 710 may extend in another axis direction (axis 712). According to the exemplary structure shown in FIGS. 7-9, the outer side of the shaft adapter 702 may be further formed by the flange 714, which flange is the head adapter 802 (as shown in FIG. 8). Is received by and mate with the opening. Instead, the bottom surface of the flange 714 may simply rest relative to the top surface of the head adapter 802. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various combinations of components and / or processes may be used to provide the two axes 708, 712 of the shaft adapter 702. Similar to the example structure 202 described above, the angle deviation between the first axis 708 and the second axis 712 of the shaft adapter 702 may be any angle within the scope of the present invention. For example, it may be at least 0.25 degrees, at least 0.5 degrees, at least 1 degree, at least 2 degrees, at least 2.5 degrees, at least 4 degrees, or even at least 8 degrees.

In the structure shown in FIG. 7, for example, to accommodate a conventional-shaped round shaft, the bore 710 has a circular cross-sectional shape. However, if desired, the cross-sectional shape of the bore 710 may be configured to have a size and shape configured to prevent rotation of the shaft member 106 relative to the shaft adapter 702. For example, the shape of the bore itself may be formed by vertical splines formed to receive and engage a shaft member having a splined outer portion. As described above in connection with the shaft adapter 202, the shaft adapter 702 can be configured in a number of ways, such that the bore 710 can be coupled or paired with the shaft member 106, and such Pairing prevents the shaft adapter 702 from rotating in the shaft member 106. In another structure, particularly in the example structure in which the bore 710 and the shaft member 106 have a rounded cross section (eg, through cement or adhesive; through welding, brazing, soldering or other fusion techniques; mechanical Through a conventional connection (via friction pit, etc.), the shaft adapter 702 can be permanently coupled with the shaft member 106. Those skilled in the art will readily understand the many different ways in which the shaft adapter 702 and the shaft member 106 can be combined.

Other such anti-rotation structures and configurations are also possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, a mechanical structure (eg, a spring loaded pin or other extension structure in which either or both shaft adapter 702 and / or shaft member 106 extends into an opening, slot, or ridge, for example , Similar to attaching hydraulic hoses to their hydraulic oil supply connection elements. Detent mechanisms and other physical (and optionally static) fastening structures that fit into openings, slots or ridges may also be used as detachable anti-rotation connections within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 (described in more detail below), the shaft adapter 702 is configured to be fixedly attached to the shaft member 106. Exemplary shaft adapter 702 may be hollow and sized to receive a free end of a golf club shaft, such as shaft member 106. As such, in some exemplary configurations, the connection of the shaft adapter 702 to the shaft member 106 may be disconnected, thereby allowing for easy and rapid replacement of the shaft. In another structure, the shaft adapter 702 may be integrated with or otherwise permanently attached to the shaft member 106.

As further shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the outer surface of the shaft adapter 702 at the second end 706 is caused by a spline 716 (also shown in FIG. 9) extending along the vertical axis 708. It may have a cross section formed. The spline may produce along the surface a ridge sized to pair and engage with a spline of another surface, such as the interior of the head adapter 802 shown in FIG. 8 in a fixed position. The spline may consist of the ridges of the surface of the material comprising the shaft adapter 702 and may be processed according to various known techniques, for example by extrusion, molding, casting, or other known manufacturing techniques familiar to those skilled in the art. Could be. Also, in the exemplary structure shown, the flange 714 is configured to rest on the top 816 of the head adapter 802 shown in FIG. 8 (the head adapter 802 of FIG. 8 is more specifically described below). Is explained). As such, the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the shaft adapter 702 has a size and shape adapted to fit into the head adapter 802 (as described below) and the shaft adapter 702 to the head adapter 802. Is configured to prevent rotation.

In accordance with aspects of the invention described herein, the splines 716, 820, and 906 (each described further below) consist of alternating ridges and grooves that are triangular, round, square, or entirely trapezoidal in shape. Can be. Within the scope of the present invention, the spline 716 (or polygonal cross-sectional area) is any length of the longitudinal length of the outer surface of the shaft adapter 702 (or of the bore of the head adapter 802 or the hosel area 904). It may extend along the portion of. For example, the spline 716 may extend from 10-100% of the overall longitudinal length of the outer surface of the shaft adapter 702, and in some illustrative examples, the splines may be 15-80% of the total longitudinal length. From or even from 20-60% of the overall longitudinal length. Within the scope of the present invention, the portion of the outer surface comprising the spline 716 may also be located at any desired portion along the longitudinal length, for example extending upward from the second end 706, For example, it may extend from the flange region 714 toward the second end 706, and so on. Spline 716 may also extend only partially around the outer surface of shaft adapter 702. For example, the outer surface of the shaft adapter 702 is by bands of splines 716 evenly spaced around the outer surface extending along the axis 708 of the shaft adapter 702 or along the longitudinal length. It may be formed.

In some exemplary structures, at locations of non-circular cross section, the outer surface of the shaft adapter 702, the shaft member 106 and / or the head adapter 802 taper in the axial direction, thereby reducing the diameter of the component. Somewhat reduced from one end to the second end. This feature can help the shaft adapter 702 to be easily fitted and sliding out into and out of the head adapter 802 and / or can eliminate the need to maintain very tight tolerances during the manufacturing process.

2. Example Head Adapter

The example connection of FIG. 9 may further include a head adapter 802 in accordance with additional examples of the present invention. The head adapter 802 may be made from one or more suitable materials as described above and may include materials different from the materials that make up the remaining sections of the golf club. For example, the head adapter 802 may be comprised of a lightweight metal, metal alloy, or polymeric material (eg, rigid polymeric material). Referring to FIG. 8, the head adapter 802 has a first end 804 and a second end 806. As shown, the first end 804 follows the same axis (not shown) as the second end 806. The head adapter 802 is configured to receive the shaft adapter 702 on the second axis 812 (again, the shaft adapter 702 receives the shaft member 106) and the bore 810 along the second axis 812. More). Thus, the outer portion of the head adapter 802 extends along one axial direction from the first end 804 to the second end 806, while the bore 810 receiving the shaft adapter 702 is the other axis. Direction (axis 812). Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the present disclosure that, within the scope of the present invention, various combinations of components and / or processes may be used to provide the two axes of the head adapter 802. will be. The angle deviation between the first axis (not shown) and the second axis 812 may be any angle within the scope of the present invention, for example, 0.25 degrees or more, 0.5 degrees or more, 1 degree or more. , At least 2 degrees, at least 2.5 degrees, at least 4 degrees, or even at least 8 degrees.

The bore 810 of the head adapter 802 extends along the vertical axis 812, having a shape to receive and engage the spline 716 on the outside of the shaft adapter 702 in a fixed position. It may have a cross-sectional shape formed by). Such splines may consist of ridges in the surface of the material comprising the head adapter 802 and are processed according to various known techniques, for example by extrusion, molding, casting, or other known manufacturing techniques familiar to those skilled in the art. Could be. As such, the cross-sectional shape of the bore 810 may be configured to have a size and shape configured to prevent rotation of the shaft adapter 702 relative to the head adapter 802. In another exemplary structure, only a portion of the bore 810 mates or engages with the shaft adapter 702, but such mating or other engagement prevents the shaft adapter 702 from rotating within the head adapter 802. do. In the particular example structure shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the shaft adapter 702 fits in the bore 810 of the head adapter 802, the first end 804 of the head adapter 802 is the shaft adapter. It may be formed by some indentation 816 shaped to receive the flange 714 of 702.

Other anti-rotation structures and configurations will also be possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, mechanical structures (eg, hydraulic pressure, such as spring loaded pins or other extension structures, wherein either or both of head adapter 802 or shaft adapter 702 extend into openings, slots, or ridges). Similar to attaching hoses to their hydraulic oil supply connection elements. Detent mechanisms and other physical (and optionally static) fastening structures that fit into openings, slots or ridges may also be used as detachable anti-rotation connections within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the shaft adapter 702 may be configured to only partially fit within the head adapter 802. In another structure, the shaft adapter 702 may extend somewhat longer or somewhat shorter than the axial length of the head adapter 802. 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, various positions of the ball striking surface of the golf club head 102 using the configuration and alignment thereof of the shaft adapter 702 in relation to the club head body, as described further below. And / or adjust the angle (eg, lie angle, loft angle, face angle, etc.).

In another exemplary structure of the present invention, the head adapter 802 may be integral to or otherwise permanently secured to the club head 902, such as formed as or received within a portion of the hosel region 904. Could be. In such a structure, the outer surface of the head adapter 802 (although the hosel bore may extend in an "off-axis" manner from the outer surface of the hosel when the outer hosel is present in the club head structure) Will not exist.

3. A method of assembling other exemplary structures in accordance with the present invention.

9 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary golf club 900 according to the example of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 and described above with respect to FIG. 7. An exploded view of golf club 900 also highlights one of several methods that can be used to construct a golf club in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. According to one exemplary method, a shaft member 106 is attached to a shaft adapter 702 having a first end 704 and a second end 706 along a first axis 708, the shaft member ( 106 is inserted into bore 710 extending along second axis 712 (axis 712 is shown in FIG. 7). The shaft member 106 may be permanently secured to the shaft adapter 702 (eg, using cement or adhesive, using fusion technology (welding, brazing, or soldering), etc.), Or these portions 106 and 702 may be detachably connected to each other. The method further includes inserting a second end 706 of the shaft adapter 702 into the bore 810 of the head adapter 802, wherein the head adapter 802 is along the first axis 808. A first end 804 and a second end 806, and the bore 810 has a cross-sectional shape formed by the spline 820 and the second of the shaft adapter 702 in a plurality of different orientation states. It is shaped to receive the spline 716 of the end 706. Such a method may further include inserting the head adapter 802 into the hosel region 904 of the club head 902. The hosel region 904 has an inner opening having a cross-sectional shape formed by a spline 906 configured to receive the spline 818 of the second end 806 of the head adapter 802 in a plurality of different orientation states. Could be. Depending on the selected structure, inserting the head adapter 802 into the hosel region 904 may be selected from a plurality of different orientations, for example, as described below with respect to FIGS. 10A-10D. . Thus, additional methods include: removing the shaft adapter 702 from the head adapter 802 and moving the second end 706 of the shaft adapter 702 in a different orientation (eg, in a different rotational position). Reinserting into bore 810 of 802; And / or remove the head adapter 802 from the hosel area 904 of the club head 902 and move the head adapter 802 into another orientation state (eg, into the hosel area 904 of the club head 902). Reinserting at another rotational position).

Exemplary hosel region 904 may include a bore or inner chamber for receiving head adapter 802. According to processing techniques known to those skilled in the art, the bore may be processed into golf club head 902 during manufacture of the head. In one structure, the hosel region 904 is created by drilling or otherwise digging a portion of the golf club head adapter 802. In this regard, at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the hosel region 904 comprises the same material as the golf club head 902. In addition, the shape of the bore may be formed by the spline to jointly receive the head adapter 802 having an outer shape formed by the spline. In any desired manner, including a detachable connection system known and used in the art, the shaft member 106 (via the shaft adapter 702 and the head adapter 802) is connected to the club head 902. It can be fixed. As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 9, the outer portion of the hosel region 904 may have a threaded portion 910. Threads 910 may be used to secure the entire interconnect assembly by engaging the threaded nut 908 on the first end 704 of the shaft adapter with the threads 910 on the outer surface of the hosel region 904. . As another example, the threaded bolt may extend through an opening provided in the club head (eg, in a club head sole), which may be a screwed portion provided in the bottom of the shaft member 106, the shaft adapter ( 702, and / or the head adapter 802.

4. Head adapter and shaft adapter adjustment

Since the axis of the bore 710 in the shaft adapter 702 is offset from the axis of the outer surface of the shaft adapter 702, and because the axis of the bore in the head adapter 802 is offset from the axis of the outer surface, the club head Rotation of these adapters relative to 902 will change the position of the shaft member 106 relative to the ball striking face of the club head. This offset may be an angle in the range of 0.25 degrees to 4 degrees, and in some examples, such an offset may be an angle in the range of 0.5 to 2 degrees. 10A-10D each show a top view of a portion of a golf club according to another exemplary structure of the present invention, wherein both shaft adapter 702 and head adapter 802 have different rotational orientations relative to club head 902. May be deployed in a state. In contrast to the rotation of the structure shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, where the rotation must be equal to one or more entire sides (sides) of the polygon, the other structure shown in FIGS. 7-9 allows for less, increased rotation. Specifically, referring to FIG. 10A, shaft member 106 remains fixed within shaft adapter 702. As shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, the shaft adapter 702 has an outer outer shape formed by splines that extend along the axis 708 of the shaft adapter 702. The outer surface of the shaft adapter 702 is coupled to and mated with the head adapter 802, which extends along the axis 812 of the head adapter 802 to receive the shaft adapter 702. It has an inner circumferential bore shape formed by splines. 10A-10D, the outer surface of the shaft adapter 702 and the bore of the head adapter 802 are similarly shaped so that in a large number of different rotational orientations with respect to each other, also preventing rotation and movement As such, splines of the head adapter 802 receive and engage splines of the shaft adapter 702.

The example shaft adapter 702 of FIGS. 10A-10D includes an indicator portion 1002 and the example head adapter 802 includes an indicator portion 1004. The indication 1002 on the shaft adapter 702 indicates the rotational position of the shaft adapter 702 relative to the head adapter 802 and subsequently to the club head 902. Indicator 1004 on the head adapter 802 indicates the rotational position of the head adapter 802 relative to the club head 902 and also the shaft adapter 702. The indicators 1002, 1004 may be reliably in their previous positions in allowing the user to better record the club head / shaft orientation and / or after the rotation of one or more components relative to the shaft member 106. It is advantageous in allowing to return quickly. Since both the exemplary shaft adapter 702 and the head adapter 802 are shaped as defined by the splines 716, 818 and 820, a large number of turns that can be combined and fixedly mated in a detachable manner. Orientation will be present. As such, the following description will refer to the positions of the shaft adapter 702 and the head adapter 802 as incremental rotational positions. Position 1 refers to when the display portions 1002 and 1004 are at the 12 o'clock position in FIG. 10A and subsequent positions are described as incremental rotation clockwise. In another additional example, club head 902 may be marked with an indicator if desired.

Depending on how the shaft adapter 702 and / or the head adapter 802 is positioned in relation to the “face” of the club head 102, the playing characteristics of the club will change. This feature, together with the detachable connection system 104, allows the club peter (or others) to use the shaft member for the club head 102 while still using the same shaft 106 and / or head 102. Allows the user to freely and easily adjust the various angles and / or positions (eg, variable lie, loft, and face angle combinations) of 106), which allows the user to tailor the optimum club head / shaft combination and configuration to their needs. It will help you make that decision more easily. Referring to FIG. 10A, the indicator portion 1002 indicates that the shaft adapter 702 is in position 1, and the indicator portion 1004 indicates that the head adapter 802 is also in position 1. As shown in FIG. 10B, the shaft adapter 702 (and thus the shaft 106) is incrementally rotated clockwise while the head adapter 802 is held in position 1. In FIG. 10C, on the one hand, while the shaft adapter 702 is held in position 1, the head adapter 802 (and thus the club head 102) is rotated incrementally clockwise. In FIG. 10D, both the shaft adapter 702 and the head adapter 802 are rotated incrementally clockwise, and in fact both the shaft 106 and the club head 102 are rotated relative to each other.

Repositioning the shaft adapter 702 relative to the head adapter 802 will be beneficial in adjusting the club head / shaft orientation by known factors. For example, information may be associated with the shaft adapter 702 and the head adapter 802 with respect to the angle of the offset-axis of the bores 710, 810. Such information may include the adapters 702, 802, may be printed, stored, or otherwise marked on the adapters 702, 802 itself, or otherwise used. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that FIGS. 10A-10D present only four configurations of a large number of rotational orientations in which the shaft adapter 702 and the head adapter 802 are coupled and fixedly mated in a detachable manner.

11A and 11B are top views of a portion of a club head in accordance with yet further examples described herein. 11A shows a head adapter 1104 having an inner bore having a regular polygon outer cross-sectional shape and a cross-sectional shape defined by splines extending along the vertical axis of the head adapter 1104. The shaft adapter 1102 shown in FIG. 11A has an outer cross-sectional shape defined by splines extending along the vertical axis of the shaft adapter 1102, and by a vertical spline on the inner bore of the head adapter 1104. Received and shaped to engage such vertical splines. FIG. 11B shows a configuration similar to that of FIG. 11A, but FIG. 11B shows a head having an outer cross-sectional shape defined by an inner bore having a regular polygonal cross-sectional shape and splines extending along the vertical axis of the head adapter 1108. The adapter 1108 is shown. The shaft adapter 1106 shown in FIG. 11B has a regular polygonal outer cross-sectional shape and is shaped to be received and engaged by the regular polygonal shape of the inner bore of the head adapter 1108. The additional embodiments shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B only reflect two of the many various combinations of embodiments that are included within the scope of the present invention and that can be recognized by one skilled in the art, for example. As a more specific example, any desired polygonal cross-sectional shape may be used within the scope of the present invention, such as, for example, a polygon having 3 to 30 sides.

F. Additional Exemplary Structures of the Invention

Aspects of the invention disclosed herein may be further defined by the following additional example structures. The exemplary structure below is illustrated in FIG. 1 and described with reference to the exemplary club structure described above.

1. Exemplary Shaft Adapter / Head Adapter Assembly with Bottom-Supply Head Adapter

12A and 12B show an adjustable shaft adapter / head adapter assembly in accordance with another exemplary structure of the present invention. 12A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary shaft adapter 1202 and a head adapter 1224 in accordance with an example of the present invention. 12B is an exploded view of the shaft adapter / head adapter assembly shown in FIG. 12A.

An exemplary shaft adapter in that the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1202 can be defined in whole or in part by a spline 1204 (shown in FIG. 12B) extending along the longitudinal axis of the shaft adapter 1202. 1202 is similar to the example shaft adapter 702 described above. The shaft adapter 1202 may be made of one or more suitable materials as described above and may include a different material from the materials that make up the remaining sections of the golf club. For example, shaft adapter 1202 may be constructed of a lightweight metal, metal alloy or polymeric material (eg, rigid polymeric material).

The shaft adapter 1202 is generally cylindrical shaped and has a first end 1206, an intermediate portion 1208, and a second end 1210 along the same axis. In accordance with the exemplary structure shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the first end 1206, the middle portion 1208, and the second end 1210 may exhibit reduced diameters, respectively. The first end 1206 may include a lip 1212 configured to lie on the bearing area 1214 of the hosel area 1216. The shaft adapter 1202 further includes a bore 1218 configured to attach to the shaft member 106 along the offset axis 1220. Although the offset axis 1220 may be offset from the center hosel axis 1222 by about 2 degrees, within the scope of the present invention, the offset angle may be any angle, for example, 0.25 degrees or more, 0.5 degrees or more, 1 degree. At least 2 degrees, at least 2.5 degrees, at least 4 degrees, or even at least 8 degrees.

Additionally, the second end 1210 may include a securing structure (eg, threaded hole 1211 in this exemplary structure), and as described in more detail below, such securing structure. Helps securely couple shaft adapter 1202 to the club head body. In this exemplary configuration, as shown in FIG. 12A, the bore 1218 is not open with respect to the threaded hole 1211, but if desired, the threaded hole 1211 may have an internal chamber in some configurations according to the present invention. 1218) and open to such an inner chamber.

According to the example structure shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the bore 1218 may have a circular cross-sectional shape, for example to accommodate a conventional-shaped round shaft. However, if desired, the cross-sectional shape of the bore 1218 may be configured to have a size and shape adapted to prevent the shaft member 106 from rotating relative to the shaft adapter 1202. For example, the shape of the bore 1218 itself may be defined by splines shaped to receive and engage a shaft member having a partially splined outer portion. As discussed above in connection with the shaft adapter 202, the bore 1218 engages or mates with the shaft member 106, and the mating causes the shaft adapter 1202 to rotate within the shaft member 106. To prevent this, the shaft adapter 1202 may be configured. In another structure, particularly in the example structure in which the bore 1218 and the shaft member 106 have a rounded cross section (eg, through cement or adhesive; through welding, brazing, soldering or other fusion techniques; mechanical Through a conventional connection (via a friction pit, etc.), the shaft adapter 1202 can be permanently coupled with the shaft member 106. Those skilled in the art will readily understand the many different ways in which the shaft adapter 1202 and the shaft member 106 can be combined.

Other such anti-rotation structures and configurations are also possible within the scope of the present invention in connection with the shaft member 106 being received within the shaft adapter 1202. For example, a mechanical structure (eg, a spring loaded pin or other extension structure in which either or both shaft adapter 1202 and / or shaft member 106 extends into an opening, slot, or ridge, for example) , Similar to attaching hydraulic hoses to their hydraulic oil supply connection elements. Detent mechanisms and other physical (and optionally static) fastening structures that fit into openings, slots or ridges may also be used as detachable anti-rotation connections within the scope of the present invention. As such, in some example configurations, connecting the shaft adapter 1202 to the shaft member 106 may be detachable, and the shafts may be replaced easily and quickly. In another structure, the shaft adapter 1202 may be integrated with or otherwise permanently fixed to the shaft member 106.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the outer surface of shaft adapter 1202 may have a cross-sectional shape that is defined in whole or in part by splines 1204 extending along axis 1220 of shaft adapter. Splines 1204 may create ridges along the surface that are sized to pair and engage with splines 1204 of other surfaces, such as splines in the inside of head adapter 1224 in a fixed position. Spline 1204 may consist of the ridge of the surface of the material comprising shaft adapter 1202 and according to various known techniques, for example, in extrusion, molding, casting, or other known manufacturing techniques familiar to those skilled in the art. It can be processed by According to the example structure shown in FIG. 12B, the spline 1204 may extend along the second end 1210 of the shaft adapter 1202. Accordingly, the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1202 is inserted into the bottom of the club head 1200 as described below in the hosel region 1216 (shown in FIG. 12B) and the head adapter 1224 (described below). And to prevent rotation of the shaft adapter 1202 relative to the head adapter 1224.

In accordance with aspects of the invention described herein, spline 1204, splines 1241 and splines 1230 and 1232 (described further below, respectively) in the bottom of inner chamber 1242 are triangular, It can consist of alternating ridges and grooves of round, square, or trapezoidal shape as a whole. Within the scope of the present invention, the spline 1204 (or polygonal cross-sectional area) may be of any longitudinal length (or of the head adapter 1224 or the bore of the hosel region 1216) of the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1202. It may extend along the portion of. For example, the spline 1204 may extend from 10-100% of the overall longitudinal length of the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1202, and in some exemplary configurations, the splines may be 15-80% of the total longitudinal length. From or even from 20-60% of the overall longitudinal length. Within the scope of the present invention, the portion of the outer surface comprising the spline 1204 may also be located at any desired portion along the longitudinal length, for example extending upward from the second end 1210, Extending from the lip region 1212 towards the second end 1210, and so on. Spline 1204 may also only partially extend around the outer surface of shaft adapter 1202. For example, the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1202 may be formed by bands of splines that are evenly spaced around the outer surface extending along the axis 1220 or along the longitudinal length of the shaft adapter 1202. There will be. Also, instead, within the scope of the present invention, splined regions 1204, 1241, 1230 and 1232 may have a regular polygonal cross-sectional shape with 3 to 20 sides.

In some exemplary configurations, at locations of non-circular cross section, the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1202, the shaft member 106 and / or the head adapter 1224 taper in the axial direction, thereby reducing the diameter of the component. From the first end 1206, it is somewhat reduced across the middle portion 1208 and across the second end 1210. This feature can help the shaft adapter 1202 to be easily fitted and sliding out into and out of the head adapter 1224 and / or can eliminate the need to maintain very tight tolerances during the manufacturing process.

According to an additional example of the invention shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the exemplary connection 104 may further include a head adapter 1224. Head adapter 1224 may be made from one or more suitable materials as described above and may include materials different from the materials that make up the remaining sections of the golf club. For example, head adapter 1224 may be comprised of a lightweight metal, metal alloy, or polymeric material (eg, rigid polymeric material). 12A and 12B, an exemplary head adapter 1224 has a first end 1226 and a second end 1228. As shown, the first end 1226 follows the same axis as the second end 1228 (shown as axis 1220 in FIG. 12A). The head adapter 1224 is configured to receive the shaft adapter 1202 on the second axis 1234 (again, the shaft adapter 1202 receives the shaft member 106) and the bore 1231 along the second axis 1234. More). Accordingly, the outer side of the head adapter 1224 extends along one axis direction from the first end 1226 to the second end 1228 (axis 1220), while the bore 1231 receives the shaft adapter 1202. ) Extends in the other axis direction (axis line 1234). Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the present disclosure that, within the scope of the present invention, various combinations of components and / or processes may be used to provide the two axes of the head adapter 1224. will be. The angle deviation between the first axis 1220 and the second axis 1234 may be any angle within the scope of the present invention, for example, 0.25 degrees or more, 0.5 degrees or more, 1 degree or more, 2 It may be at least 2.5 degrees, at least 4 degrees, or even at least 8 degrees.

The bore 1231 of the head adapter 1224 also extends longitudinally within the bore 1231, having a shape that receives and engages the spline 1204 on the outside of the shaft adapter 1202 in a fixed position. It may have a cross-sectional shape formed by spline 1232. Such splines 1232 may consist of ridges within the surface of the material comprising the head adapter 1224 and according to various known techniques, for example, extrusion, molding, casting, or other known manufacturing techniques familiar to those skilled in the art. It can be processed by Accordingly, the cross-sectional shape of bore 1231 may be configured to have a size and shape configured to prevent rotation of shaft adapter 1202 relative to head adapter 1224. According to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12A, only a portion of the bore 1231 pairs or engages with the shaft adapter 1202. In another embodiment, the head adapter 1224 is sized such that the shaft adapter is received within the full length of the head adapter 1224.

In certain example embodiments shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, an inner portion formed in the bottom of club head 1200 in which club head 1200 provides an opening along axis 1220 to receive head adapter 1224. It may have a chamber 1242. As shown in FIG. 12A, the second end 1228 of the head adapter 1224 prevents rotation of the second end 1210 of the shaft adapter 1202 within the hosel region 1216 of the club head 1200. Head adapter 1224 is configured for insertion into the inner chamber 1242 to receive and engage with. Inner chamber 1242 may be formed by insertion interface 1236 as shown in FIG. 12A. In accordance with the exemplary structure shown in FIG. 12A, the head adapter 1224 further includes a flange 1244 overlying the insertion interface 1236. The outer surface of the head adapter 1224 may also be formed by the spline 1230, which is configured to receive and engage the spline 1241 in an anti-rotation manner in the bottom of the inner chamber 1242. Could be.

The shaft adapter 1202 / head adapter 1224 assembly may be secured to the club head by washers 1240 and bolts 1238 as shown. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be various ways to ensure the realization of FIGS. 12A and 12B. For example, instead of bolt 1238, head adapter 1224 may be permanently secured in inner chamber 1242 of the hosel region by known techniques.

Other anti-rotation structures and configurations will also be possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, a mechanical structure (eg, hydraulic pressure) such as a spring loaded pin or other extension structure in which either or both of the head adapter 1224 or shaft adapter 1202 extends into an opening, slot, or ridge. Similar to attaching hoses to their hydraulic oil supply connection elements. Detent mechanisms and other physical (and optionally static) fastening structures that fit into openings, slots or ridges may also be used as detachable anti-rotation connections within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the shaft adapter 1202 may be configured to only partially fit within the head adapter 1224. In another configuration, the shaft adapter 1202 may extend somewhat longer or somewhat shorter than the axial length of the head adapter 1224. In a further exemplary structure in accordance with the present invention, the head adapter 1224 is integrated into or otherwise permanently secured to the club head 1200, such as formed as or received within a portion of the hosel region 1236. Could be. In such a structure, there will be no outer surface of the head adapter 1224 (although if the outer hosel is present in the club head structure, the hosel bore may extend in a "stock" manner from the hosel outer surface).

An exploded view of the shaft adapter 1202 / head adapter 1224 assembly of FIG. 12B further emphasizes one of several methods that can be used to build a golf club in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. According to an exemplary method, shaft member 106 is attached to shaft adapter 1202, which is inserted into bore 1218 extending along second axis 1220. The method further includes inserting a second end 1210 of the shaft adapter 1202 into the bore 1231 of the head adapter 1224, the bore 1231 having a cross-sectional shape formed by the spline 1232. And to receive and engage the spline 1204 of the second end 1210 of the shaft adapter 1202 in a plurality of different orientation states. Such a method may further include inserting the head adapter 1224 into the bottom of the club head 1200 in the area 1242 formed by the insert 1236. The bottom portion of this hosel region 1216 or the bottom of the inner chamber 1242 is configured to receive a spline 1230 at the second end 1228 of the head adapter 1224 in a plurality of different orientation states. It may have an inner opening having a cross-sectional shape formed by. Depending on the selected structure, inserting the head adapter 1224 into the hosel region formed at the bottom of the club head 1236 may be a plurality of different, for example, display portions 1-8, shown at 1236 in FIG. 12B. It may be selected from the orientations. Thus, additional methods of the present invention include: removing shaft adapter 1202 from head adapter 1224 and moving second end 1210 of shaft adapter 1202 in a different orientation (eg, in a different rotational position). Reinserting into bore 1231 of head adapter 1224; And / or removing the head adapter 1224 from the hosel region 1236 and reinserting the head adapter 1224 into another orientation state into the hosel region 1236 of the club head 1200. .

Once inserted, the fastening system 1238 is inserted through the inner chamber 1242 in the sole of the club head 1200 and the fastening system 1238 is provided with the fastening structure 1211 provided in the shaft adapter 1202. By combining, the shaft adapter 1202 and the head adapter 1224 may be secured with the club head 1200. If desired, the locations where the head adapter 1224 meets the club head 1200 (eg, mounting ridge 1243 and / or hosel opening) and / or where the securing system 1238 meets the club head 1200 Flexible materials (eg, washers, gaskets, o-rings, elastomeric coatings or coatings, etc.) may be provided to provide damping such as noise and / or vibration. The connection system shown can be easily separated, for example, by twisting out the bolt member 1238. If desired, the bolt 1238 and inner chamber 1242 may be configured to prevent the bolt 1238 from fully falling out of the inner chamber 1242 when the bolt 1238 is detached from the shaft adapter 1202. (Eg, provide an enlarged ring at the free end of bolt 1238). Bolt 1238 may include a head structure for engaging with a screwdriver, allen wrench, or other tool.

Since the axis of the bore 1218 in the shaft adapter 1202 will be offset from the axis of the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1202, and the axis of the bore 1218 in the head adapter 1224 will be offset from the axis of the outer surface. As such, rotation of these adapters with respect to club head 1200 will change the position of shaft member 106 relative to the ball striking face of the club head. As described in detail in connection with the previous exemplary structure, this feature, together with the detachable connection system 104, allows club Peters (or others) to still have the same shaft 106 and / or head 102. While allowing the user to freely and easily adjust various angles and / or positions (eg, variable lie, loft and face angle combinations) of the shaft member 106 relative to the club head 102, which allows the user to May help to more easily determine the optimal club head / shaft combination and configuration to suit their needs.

2. Additional Exemplary Shaft Adapter / Head Adapter Assemblies

13A and 13B illustrate an adjustable shaft adapter / head adapter assembly in accordance with another exemplary structure of the present invention. The shaft adapter / head adapter assembly shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13A and the exploded view of FIG. 13B is similar to the example structures shown in FIGS. 7-9 and 12A-12B. Accordingly, the following description will be made with reference to the exemplary structures of FIGS. 7-9 and 12A-12B.

The exemplary shaft adapter 1302 in that the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1302 is formed in whole or in part by a spline 1304 (also shown in FIG. 13B) that extends along the vertical axis of the shaft adapter 1302. ) Is similar to the example shaft adapters 702 and 1202 described above. The shaft adapter 1302 may be made from one or more suitable materials as described above and may include a material different from the material comprising the remaining sections of the golf club. For example, shaft adapter 1302 may be comprised of a lightweight metal, metal alloy, or polymeric material (eg, rigid polymeric material).

The shaft adapter 1302 has a generally cylindrical shape and has a first end 1306 and a second end 1310 along the same axis. According to the example structure shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the shaft adapter 1302 may be reduced in diameter from the first end 1306 to the second end 1310. Referring to FIG. 13B, the first end 1306 may include an outward-projection area 1312 overlying and configured to mate with the first end 1326 of the head adapter 1324. There will be. The shaft adapter 1302 further includes a bore 1318 configured to attach to the shaft member 106 along the offset axis 1320. The offset axis 1320 may be offset from the central hosel axis 1322 by about 2 degrees, but within the scope of the present invention, the offset angle may be any angle, for example, 0.25 degrees or more, 0.5 degrees or more, 1 degree. At least 2 degrees, at least 2.5 degrees, at least 4 degrees, or even at least 8 degrees.

According to the example structure shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, for example, to accommodate a conventional-shaped round shaft, the bore 1318 may have a circular cross-sectional shape. As described above with respect to the shaft adapter 202 and the shaft adapter 1202, the shaft adapter 1302 can be configured in a number of ways, such that the bore 1318 is coupled or paired with the shaft member 106. And such pairing prevents the shaft adapter 1302 from rotating in the shaft member 106. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the many different ways in which the shaft adapter 1302 and the shaft member 106 can be combined.

As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1302 may have a cross-sectional shape formed entirely or partially by a spline 1304 extending along the axis 1320 of the shaft adapter. Such a spline may form a ridge along a surface that is sized to mate and engage with a spline of another surface, such as the inside of the head adapter 1324, in a fixed position. Splines as described in connection with FIGS. 13A and 13B may be sized, shaped and processed as described above. According to the example structure shown in FIG. 13B, the spline 1304 may extend along the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1302. Thus, the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1302 has a size and shape adapted to fit into the head adapter 1324 and prevents the shaft adapter 1302 from rotating relative to the head adapter 1324. It is configured to. As described above in connection with the exemplary structures of FIGS. 7-9 and 12A and 12B, within the scope of the present invention, splines 1304 (or instead polygonal cross-sectional areas) may be included outside the shaft adapter 1302. It may extend along any portion of the longitudinal length of the surface (or of the bore of the head adapter 1324 or of the hosel region 1316). Also, instead, within the scope of the present invention, the regions 1304, 1330 and 1332 may have a regular polygonal cross-sectional shape with 3 to 20 sides.

In some exemplary structures, at locations of non-circular cross section, the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1302, the shaft member 106 and / or the head adapter 1324 taper in the axial direction, thereby reducing the diameter of the component. It is reduced from one end to two ends. This feature can help the shaft adapter 1302 to be easily fitted and sliding out into and out of the head adapter 1324 and / or can eliminate the need to maintain very tight tolerances during the manufacturing process.

The example structure shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B may further include a head adapter 1324. As mentioned above, such head adapter 1324 may be made from one or more suitable materials as described above and may include materials different from the materials that make up the remaining sections of the golf club. For example, the head adapter 1324 may be comprised of a lightweight metal, metal alloy, or polymeric material (eg, rigid polymeric material). 13A and 13B, an exemplary head adapter 1324 has a first end 1326 and a second end 1328. As shown, the first end 1326 follows the same axis as the second end 1328 (shown as axis 1320 in FIG. 13A). Head adapter 1324 is configured to receive shaft adapter 1302 on second axis 1334 (again shaft adapter 1302 receives shaft member 106) bore 1331 along second axis 1334. More). Accordingly, the outer side of the head adapter 1324 extends along one axis direction from the first end 1326 to the second end 1328 (axis 1320), while the bore 1331 receives the shaft adapter 1302. ) Extends in another axis direction (axis line 1334). Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the present disclosure that, within the scope of the present invention, various combinations of components and / or processes may be used to provide the two axes of the head adapter 1324. will be. The angle deviation between the first axis 1320 and the second axis 1334 may be any angle within the scope of the present invention, for example, 0.25 degrees or more, 0.5 degrees or more, 1 degree or more, 2 It may be at least 2.5 degrees, at least 4 degrees, or even at least 8 degrees.

The bore 1331 of the head adapter 1324 extends in the longitudinal direction within the bore 1331, having a shape for receiving and engaging the spline 1304 on the outer side of the shaft adapter 1302 in a fixed position. It may have a cross-sectional shape formed at least in part by 1332. Spline 1332 may be shaped, shaped, and processed as described above. Accordingly, the cross-sectional shape of the bore 1331 may be configured to have a size and shape adapted to prevent rotation of the shaft adapter 1302 relative to the head adapter 1324. According to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13A, the shaft adapter 1302 may be inserted to mate with the entire portion of the bore 1331. In another embodiment, the head adapter 1324 is sized such that the shaft adapter is received only within a portion of the length of the head adapter 1324.

In the particular example structure shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the club head 1300 is provided with a space 1342 formed at the bottom of the club head that provides an opening along the axis 1320 to receive the head adapter 1324. Can have As shown in FIG. 13A, a space 1342 may be formed by an insertion boundary 1336. According to the example structure shown in FIG. 13A, the shaft adapter 1302 / head adapter 1324 is secured to the club head by washers 1340 and bolts 1338 from the bottom of the club head 1300 as shown. Could be. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be various ways to ensure the realization of FIGS. 13A and 13B.

In another exemplary structure in accordance with the present invention, the head adapter 1324 is integrally or otherwise permanently secured to the club head 1300, such as formed as or received within a portion of the hosel region 1316. Could be. In such a structure, there will be no outer surface of the head adapter 1324 (although if the outer hosel is present in the club head structure, the hosel bore may extend in a "stock" manner from the hosel outer surface).

An exploded view of the shaft adapter 1302 / head adapter 1324 assembly of FIG. 13B further highlights one of several methods that may be used to build a golf club in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. According to an exemplary method, shaft member 106 is attached to shaft adapter 1302, which is inserted into bore 1318 extending along second axis 1320. The method further includes inserting a second end 1310 of the shaft adapter 1302 into the bore 1331 of the head adapter 1324, wherein the bore 1331 has a cross-sectional shape formed by the spline 1332. And a spline 1304 of the second end 1310 of the shaft adapter 1302 in a plurality of different orientation states. Such a method may further include inserting the head adapter 1324 into the bottom of the hosel region 1316 of the club head 1300. This hosel region 1316 may have an inner opening having a cross-sectional shape formed by a spline configured to receive the spline 1330 of the second end 1328 of the head adapter 1324 in a plurality of different orientation states. . In accordance with aspects described herein, for example, by rotating the head adapter 1324 clockwise or counter-clockwise, the head adapter 1324 is inserted into the hosel region 1316 in a plurality of different orientation states. Could be. Thus, a further method according to the invention removes the shaft adapter 1302 from the head adapter 1324 and removes the second end 1310 of the shaft adapter 1302 in a different orientation (eg, in a different rotational position). Reinserting into bore 1331 of head adapter 1324.

Since the axis of the bore 1318 in the shaft adapter 1302 will be offset from the axis of the outer surface of the shaft adapter 1302, and the axis of the bore 1331 in the head adapter 1324 will be offset from the axis of the outer surface. As such, rotation of either of these adapters relative to the club head 1300 will change the position of the shaft member 106 relative to the ball striking face of the club head. As described in detail in connection with the previous exemplary structure, this feature, together with the detachable connection system 104, allows club Peters (or others) to still have the same shaft 106 and / or head 102. While allowing the user to freely and easily adjust various angles and / or positions (eg, variable lie, loft and face angle combinations) of the shaft member 106 relative to the club head 102, which allows the user to May help to more easily determine the optimal club head / shaft combination and configuration to suit their needs.

The additional exemplary structures shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B and 13A and 13B illustrate only two of the many different combinations of embodiments that fall within the scope of the present invention, which are so understood by those skilled in the art. will be. As a more specific example, any surface shown and described as formed by splines in FIGS. 12A and 12B and FIGS. 13A and 13B may also have a polygonal cross-sectional shape, such as a polygon with 3 to 20 sides (sides). will be.

conclusion

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to specific examples, including the present most preferred mode for carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will understand that numerous modifications and substitutions of the systems and methods so described are possible. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the claims.

Claims (20)

As a golf club:
shaft;
A shaft adapter coupled with the shaft, the shaft adapter having a first end and a second end along a first axis, the shaft adapter further comprising a bore extending along a second axis, the one of the shaft An end extending into the shaft adapter on a second axis and at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft adapter having a non-circular cross-sectional shape;
A head adapter having a first end and a second end along a first axis, wherein the head adapter is adapted to rotate a portion of an outer surface of the shaft adapter having the non-circular cross-sectional shape, in an anti-rotation manner and in a plurality of different orientation states. A head adapter further comprising a bore having a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a second axis shaped to receive and engage; And
A golf club head having a hosel area associated with an outer surface of the head adapter
Golf clubs that include. 2. The non-circular cross-sectional shape of claim 1, wherein the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the shaft adapter is formed by a spline along a first axis, and the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the bore of the head adapter is along the second axis of the head adapter. A golf club formed by a spline and oriented to receive and engage a spline on an outer surface of the shaft adapter. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the inner chamber of the hosel region of the club head has a non-circular cross-sectional shape, and at least a portion of the outer surface of the head adapter is anti-rotating and in a plurality of different orientations. A golf club having a non-circular cross-sectional shape that can be received and coupled within the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the hosel region. 4. The non-circular cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the head adapter according to claim 3, wherein the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the head adapter is formed by a spline along a first axis, and the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the inner chamber of the hosel region is defined by the spline on the outer surface of the head adapter. A golf club formed by splines that are received and oriented to engage. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the second axis of the shaft adapter is about 1 degree offset from the first axis of the shaft adapter. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the second axis of the head adapter is offset about 1 degree from the first axis of the shaft adapter. As a golf club assembling method,
Attaching the shaft member to a shaft adapter having a first end and a second end along a first axis, wherein the shaft member is inserted into a bore formed in the shaft adapter along a second axis, the outer surface of the shaft adapter Attaching the shaft member at least a portion of the having a non-circular cross-sectional shape; And
Inserting the shaft adapter into the bore of the head adapter, wherein the head adapter includes a first end and a second end along a first axis, the bore in an anti-rotation manner and in a plurality of different orientation states, Inserting the shaft adapter having a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a second axis shaped to receive and engage a portion of an outer surface of the shaft adapter having a non-circular cross section
Golf club assembly method comprising a. 8. The non-circular cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the shaft adapter according to claim 7, wherein the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the bore of the head adapter is formed by the spline along the second axis of the head adapter. Formed by and oriented to receive and engage a spline on an outer surface of the shaft adapter. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the head adapter has a non-circular cross-sectional shape formed by a spline along a first axis, and at least a portion of the inner chamber of the hosel region of the club head is of the head adapter. Has a non-circular cross-sectional shape formed by splines oriented to receive and engage splines on an outer surface, and
The method of assembling the golf club further comprises inserting the head adapter into the hosel area of the club head such that the spline of the outer surface of the head adapter engages in a rotational manner with the spline in the inner chamber of the hosel area. Golf club assembly method. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the head adapter is integrally formed as part of the hosel area of the club head. The non-circular cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the shaft adapter is defined by a spline along a first axis, and the hosel region of the club head is oriented to receive and engage the spline on the outer surface of the shaft adapter. Golf club assembly method having a non-circular cross-sectional shape formed by the spline. 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising detaching the shaft adapter from the head adapter and reinserting the second end of the shaft adapter into the bore of the head adapter in a different orientation. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising separating the head adapter from the hosel area of the club head and reinserting the head adapter into the hosel area of the club head in a different orientation. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the second axis of the shaft adapter is about 1 degree offset from the first axis of the shaft adapter. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second axis of the head adapter is offset about 1 degree from the first axis of the shaft adapter. Golf club head and shaft connection system,
A shaft adapter having a first end and a second end along a first axis, the shaft adapter further comprising a bore configured to attach to the shaft member on a second axis and extending along a second axis; A shaft adapter configured to engage at least a portion of an outer surface of the head adapter and have a cross-sectional shape formed by a spline along a first axis; And
A head adapter having a first end and a second end along a first axis, the head adapter being shaped to receive and engage in a plurality of orientations the splines provided on the outer surface of the shaft adapter and along the second axis. A head adapter further comprising a bore having a cross-sectional shape formed by and wherein an outer surface of the second end of the head adapter is configured to engage the hosel region of the club head
Golf club head and shaft connection system comprising a. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: inserting a shaft member into the bore at the first end of the shaft adapter; And instructions for implementing the method comprising inserting the second end of the shaft adapter into the bore of the head adapter in one of a plurality of different orientation states. system. 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a club head having a hosel region having a cross-sectional area formed by oriented splines for receiving and engaging the second end of the head adapter,
The instructions further describe inserting the head adapter into the hosel area of the club head in one of a plurality of different orientation states for the implementation of the method. 19. The face of the club head according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the other orientation states of the shaft adapter and the head adapter relative to each other or the other orientation states of the head adapter and the shaft adapter relative to the hosel area of the club head. A golf club head and shaft connection system further comprising information about angle, lie angle, and loft angle. As a golf club,
shaft;
A shaft adapter coupled with the shaft, the shaft adapter having a first end and a second end along a first axis, the shaft adapter further comprising a bore extending along a second axis, the one of the shaft An end extending into the shaft adapter on a second axis, and at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft adapter having a non-circular cross-sectional shape; And
A portion of the outer surface of the shaft adapter having a non-circular cross-sectional shape is formed integrally with a bore having a non-circular cross-sectional shape that is shaped to receive and engage and extends along a first axis, in an anti-rotation manner and in a plurality of different orientation states. Golf club head with hosel area
Golf clubs that include.

Images