US1639548A

US1639548A - Golf club

Info

Publication number: US1639548A
Application number: US150222A
Authority: US
Inventors: George E Barnhart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1926-11-23
Filing date: 1926-11-23
Publication date: 1927-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 1944-08-16

Description

Aug. 16,1927.

G. E. BARNHART GOLF CLUB Filed Nov. 23. 1926 INI/EN TOR. 650,965 E @ARM/4,97'

J ma if j BY@ @uu/Www A TTURNEY Patented Aug. 16, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,639,548 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. BARNHABT, 0F PABADENA, CALIFORNIA.

GOLF CLUB.

Application illed November 23, 1926. Serial No. 150,222.

My invention relates to golf clubs, and more particularly to the construction of shafts of golf clubs and the connections thereof with the heads of the golf clubs.

The objects of my invention are: first, to provide a golf club shaft which is spirally slotted so that the same will yield torsionally to a considerable degree; second, to provide a golf club shaft which is spirally slotted in such a manner that the same will yield readily when twisted in one direction but Will tend to resist twisting in the opposite direction; third, to provide a ferrule for golf clubs which is undercut at its interior to permit diametrical expansion of portions between spiral slots of the spirally slotted, tubular shaft positioned within the ferrule; fourth, to provide a golf club having a tubular feri'ule and a spil-ally slotted, tapered, tubular shaft positioned with its spirally slotted portion within the ferrule and secured at its inner end-to the head, the outer end of the ferrule fitting closely, yet niovably around the shaft` the spiral tintes being so arranged as to permit longitudinal extension of the shaft relative to the ferrule and also slight clearance of the shaft with respect to the interior surface of the extended end of the ferrule when the shaft is twisted in one direction, and also to permit longitudinal contraction of said sha l't when twisted in the opposite direction, the longitudinal contraction of said shaft resulting in tightening of the latter with respect. to the interior surface at the extended end of said fcrrnle; fifth, to provide a spirally slotted shaft for golf clubs which will simultaneously provide ready torsional yielding and longitudinal flexion, as well as resiliency torsionally and longitudinally; sixth, to provide a ferrule for golf club heads which is tubular in construction and provided with relatively thin walls so that the same will yield longitudinally with the shaft extending therein and secured at its end to the head: seventh, to provide a golf club having a shaft-positioning socket, on its head and a shaft mounted with one end within the socket and shiftable relative to the outer end of the latter, said socket being so' constructed as to prevent buckling of the shaft at or near the outer end of the socket; eifvhth, to provide a golf club of this class in w ich dirt, dust and grit is excluded from the ferrule and the space between the saine and the shaft by an elastic sleeve or band extended around both the shaft and the ferrule at' the joint between the same; ninth. to provide as a whole a novelly constructed golf club shaft and novel means of connection thereof with the head of a golf club; and, tenth, to provide a means of this class which 1s simple and economical of construction, durable and which will not readily deteriorate.

Vith these and other objects in view as will apear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangementof parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view'of the head end of a metal head golf club incorporating my invention in one form, certain parts and portions thereof being broken away and in section to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view 'through the feri'ule and shaft taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a slightly modified form of the ferruie construction of the golf club head adapted for my special shaft, the ferrule being shown in section to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 4 is a similar view thereof, showing the ferrule as a separate member and secured to the head of the club; Fig. 5 is another fragmentary sectional elevational View thereof, showing still another slightly modified form of ferrule construction of my invention; and, Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 with an elastic sleeve over the joint between the shaft and the ferrule.

Like characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several-Views of the drawings.

Ihe head 1 of the golf club, shown in Fig. 1, is a conventional type of golf club head, but is provided with a special ferriile 2. .Said ferrule is tubular and is tapered from its connection with the head to a reduced diameter at its outer end. The shaft, indicated by 3, is also tubular and is preferably madc of steel or other suitable metal.

Said shaft, as shown. is tapered from its handle end` not shown, to a reduced diameter at the end connected with the head. The small end of the shaft is positioned within the ferriile and the extreme end of the reduced portion is secured to the shank end of the head to which the fertule is connected. The method of securing the end of the shaft to the head ma vary to suit conditions. As shown, in the rawings, the shank end of the head is provided with an outwardly tapered recess 1l in which the end of the shaft is positioned. In the recess 1v and around the end of the shaft, is poured molten brass, or other suitable binder.

The ortion of the shaft 3 within the ferrule 2 is provided with a plurality of spiral slots 3*. The ends of the slots, nearest the end of the shaft are spaced from saidend of the shaft and the opposite ends of said slots are Preferably spaced inwardly from the end o the ferrule, as shown. Said slots are p ferably left-hand and of considerable pitc As the ball or other object is struck with the head 1 the portions of thev shaft between the spiral slots, or iutes yield readiliy to the impact in a circular direction provi insg yielding and resilient force against the b l, or other object. When the ball, or

other object, is struck by the head, the Hporf utes tions of the shaft between `the spiral expand radially beyond their normal diameter and also rmit the shaft 'to be extendedlongitu inally relative to the head. To take care of the radial, or transverse exansion of the shaftwithin the ferrule, the errule is undercut between its inner end and a slight distance from its outer end, as indicated by 2".

The wall of the bore of the ferrule betweenl the undercut portion and the outer end thereof fits closely around the shaft,I but when the shaft is extended lo tudinally, as mentioned above, sliiit playr is provided between the shaft and e wal of the bore, permitting slight independent flexion of the shaft relative to the ferrula It will be noted, however, that the wall of the ferrule is relatively thin, particularly at and near its outer end, permitting said portion of the ferrule to iiex with the shaft when the latter is ilexed beyond the limit permitted by the clearance between the shaft and the ferrule, as stated. Thus the strain on the shaft is reduced to a When the head of the club is twisted in the direction opposite to that permitted b the normal blow, the portions of the sha between the s iral iiutes are contracted diametrically an the shaft is contracted in len permitting the tapered shaft to be tig tened against the wall of the bore at the outer end of the ferrule, providin less torsional yielding and resiliency and c eckin the recoil.

t will be herenoted that, although a particular type of 1golf club head is illustrated and a partie ar metal head referred to, my invention may be applied to other types now in use without deviating from the League spirit of the invention. It will also be noted t at, although the ferrule is shown as an integral part of the metal head, the ferrule may be applied as a separate member for repairing conventional c ubs.

The ferrules, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, are made slightly heavier at their outer ends and therefore do not ield as readil to and in co-operation with t e flexion of t e shaft. The bores at the outer ends of the ferrules, in Fi 3 and 4, are tapered outwardly in curv form so as to permit greater lon itudinal flexion of the 'shaft relative to t e ferrule. The undercut portions 2, in the structures shown in Fi 3 and 4, ermit iiexion of the shaft wit in the ferr e and substantially permit the shaft to be pivoted at the constricted ortion 2b at the inner end of the bore beyon the undercut portion.

The structure shown in Fig. 4 is identical with that shown in Fig. 3 except that the ferrule is shown as a separate member and securedto the shank of the head 1, as when e being secured to the shank of the head in any conventional y manner, such as by brazing, welding, or the like.

In the modified form of construction, shown in Fig. 5, the ferrule is not undercut, thereby resisting, to a great extent, transverse expansion and limiting the flexibility. The outer end of the bore, in the strutture shown in Fig. 5, is also shown outwardly divergent to rmit greater independent flexion of the s aft relative to the ferrule.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings, I have shown a flexible cap, sleeve, or band 5, around the joint between the outer end` of the ferrule and the Shaft for excluding dirt, dust and grit from entering the ferrule and lodging etween the same and the shaft and thus preventing proper co-action between the same. The` sleeve 5 is preferably made of rubber in tapered form and is positioned with its thick end around the end of the ferrule and the thin or fin end around the repairing conventional golf clubs, the fer` ru shaft. Thus, the shaft is permitted to flex,A

twist and expand relative to the ferrule and still exclude dir dust and grit therefrom. It will be noted t at a similar sleeve may be positioned around the joints of the ferrules and shafts shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, or a cap, or Washer may be positioned within the end of the ferrule around the shaft.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, and certain modifications thereof, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction; combination and arrangement, nor to rthe modiiications, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as setforth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what 'said shaft a ferrule and a and to the inner end of said ferrule, the rtion of said shaft within said ferrule slotted.

ing spirally 4. A golf club havin a ferrule and a shaft secured at one en within' and to the inner end of said ferrule, the portion of within said Vferrule being provided with spiral slots, said slots being lefthand and of considerable itch.

Y 5. In a golf club, a hea provided with a shaft securing ferrule, and a tubular shaft secured at one end within and to the inner end of said ferrule, said shaft being provided at the portion within the ferrule with spirally arranged slots.

6. In a golf club, a head provided with a shaft securing ferrule, and a tubular shaft secured at one end within and to the inner end of said ferrule, said shaft being pro` vided at the portion within the ferrule with spirally arranged slots said slots being left-y ferrule, the portion of the ferrule secured to' the head being of lar r outer diameter and tapered to a small lameter at the end of saidferrule, and a shaft positioned within said ferrule and secured at the extneme end thereof to said head, the portion of said shaft within said ferrule being spirally slotted and readily caV able of jlding longitudinally, said sha being adapted to be flexed longitudinall wlth said ferrule.

8. In a gol club, a ead provided with` a ferrule, and a tapered, tubular shaft positioned with its small end within said ferrule and secured at said end to-said head, the rtion of said shaft within said ferrule llieing provided with spiral slots. 9. In a golf clu a head provided 'th a tubular ferrule, an a tubular shaft'extending into said ferrule and secured at one end to said head, the portion of said shaft within said ferrule be' spirally slotted and the portionrof said 1 errule around the spirally slotted portion of said shaft being undercut to permit transverse expansion o said shaft. i

10. In a golf club, a head having a socket, a shaft secured at one end within said socket, the portion of the shaft within the outer end of the socket being movable relative to the latter, and a flexible member positioned at the joint between the outer end portion of said socket and said shaft.

11. In a 'lf club, a head provided with a ferrule, anni0 a tubular shaft positioned with its one end in said ferrule and secured at said end thereina said shaft being provided at the portion within the ferrule with spirally arranged slots.

12. In a lf club, a head, a shaft securedI thereto, an means on said head for engaging said shaft a slight distance fr om the end secured to the head, said means providing a bearing portion for said shaft, the portion of the shaft between its secured end and said means being s irally slotted.

13.' In a golf clu a head having a tubular metal ferrule, the portion of the ferrule secured to the head being of lar r outside diameter and ta red to a small iameter at the end 'of the geerrule, the outer portion of the ferrule bein relatively thin walled and the extreme en having a thin edge, the interior walls thereof being undercut at a distance inwardly from the upper end of the ferrule, and a metal shaft positioned with one end in said ferrule and secured at said end to said head, said shaft` en aging directly the wall of the bore of the errule at the normallygilpper end thereof, the outer end of said fe e bei capable of being flexed with the flexion o sai shaft.

14. In a golf club, a head havi a metal ferrule of relatively thin walls, an a metal shaft secured at one end within said fer-rule, the interior walls of the ferrule being undercut at a distance inwardldy from the upper end of the ferrule, sai shaft ging directly the wall ofthe bore of the errule at the normally upper end thereof, said ferrule being capable of `ready longitudinal exion with said shaft.

In testimon whereof, I have hereunto set m hand at Angeles, California, this 9th day of November 1926.

Gunoadn E. BARNHART.

the rule said sha Aboil 1,089,548 9 I claim as new and desire to secure by Letto said head, the portion of said shaft withters Patent is: in said ferrule bein spirally slotted and 1. A lf club havlng' a shaft' rovided spital slots, and means eovel? and ah'xlxlgfhe whole of the' slotted ponrltm of e a 2. A golf club having a tubular shaft pro vided with slots in its wall, rigid means covering the slotted portion of the shaft, the

tter being movable relative to the former, and flexible means sealing e joint between said means and said shaft.

3. A golf club havi a ferrule and a shaft secured at one en within and to the inner end of said ferrule, the shlzftzd within said ferrule slo 4. A golf club having a ferrule and a shaft secured at one en withinv and to the inner end of said ferrule, the portion of ft within said lfexrule being provided with piral slots, said slots being lefthand and o considerable ch. Y

.5. In a golf club, a headp provided with a shaft seo ferrule, and a tubular shaft secured at one endy within and to the inner end of said ferrule, said shaft being provided at the portion within the fer-rule with spirally arranged slots.

6. In a golf club, a head provided with a shaft securing ferrule, and a tubular shaft secured at one end within and to the inner end of said ferrule, said shaft being rovided at the portion within the ferrule with Egmg spirally spil-ally arranged slots) said slots being left-` itch. having a tubular hand and of considera le 7. In a golf club, a hea rrule, the portion of the the head being of lar r outer diameter and tapered to a small 'ameter at the end of said' ferrule, and a shaft positioned within said ferrule and secured at the extmme end thereof` to said head, the portion of said shaft within said ferrule being s irally slot- -ted and readily cagable of yie ding longitudinally, said sha being also adapted to exed lo 'tudinall with said ferrule. 8. In a gol club, a ead provided with` a ferrule, and a tapered, tubular shaft positioned with its small end withinsaid ferrule and secured at said end to said head,

rtion of said shaft within said ferzaing provided with' spiral slots. 9. In a golf clu a head provided with a tubular ferrule, an a tubular shaft extending into said and secured at one end l 16, 1927,. iDiselaimerled Here entersthisdisclaimer rtion of said ferrule secured to the portion of said errule around the spirally slotted portion of said shaft undercut to permit transverse expansion o said sift f b h A um socket,

0. a clu a eedA a a shaft secigd at one end within said socket, the portion of the shaft within the outer end of the socket being the latter,- and a iiexlble sealing ,member positioned at the joint between the outer end portion of said socket and said shaft.

11. In a '1f club, a head provided with a ferrule, an a tubular shaft positioned with its one end in said ferrule and secured at said end therein, said shaft being provided at the portion within the. ferrule with spirally arranged slots.

12. In a lf club, a head, a shaft secured' thereto, an means on said head for engaging said shaft a slight distance from the end secured to the head, said means providing a bearing portion for said shaft, the portion of the shaft between its secured end and said means being spirally slotted.

13. In a golf clu a head a tubular metal ferrule, the portion of the ferrule secured to the head being of larger outside diameter and ta ered to a smalll iameter at the end 'of the errule, the outer portion of the ferrule bein the extreme en having a thin edge terior walls thereof being undercut at a distance inwardly` from the upper end of the ferrule, and a metal shaft positioned with one end in said ferrule and secured at said end to said head, said shaft` directly the wall of the bore of the errule at the normally u per end thereof, the outer end of said ferrule be' ca le of being flexed with the flexion o sai shaft.

14. In a golf club, ahead ha ferrule of relatively thin walls, an a metal shaft secured at one end within said ferrule, the interior walls of the fer-rule being under cut at apdistance inwa from the upper end of the ferrule, sai shaft directly the wall ofthe bore of the errule at the normally u per end thereof, said ferrule being capab e flexion with said sh A Inhtesimon whereof, I haovfulgreuntot: m an at Angel mi 9th November 19;. l

day of Gironde E. BARNHART.

DssouAlM ER Pasadena', Calif. Gom

che. mandated augus c thepatentee. p

movable relative to A alnetalv ofreadl aft. 'y om DISCLAIMER ,mamma-FW E. Pdm, Calif. Gom own. Pawn @ma Aug'm 16, 1927A. filed August 8, 1936, by tha patentes. Hereb enters this disclaimer to claim 10 of said Letters Patent. v [gfical September 1, 1.936]