US20220305348A1

US20220305348A1 - Adjustable golf putter for left and right hand use

Info

Publication number: US20220305348A1
Application number: US17/701,035
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul Martin Steinhauser
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Robbins Suzanne M
Priority date: 2021-03-23
Filing date: 2022-03-22
Publication date: 2022-09-29

Abstract

A golf club comprising: (a) a head having a face configured to make contact with a golf ball; (b) an extended portion extending from the head free of obstructing the face; and (c) a hosel movably secured to the head, wherein the hosel is configured to rotate relative to the head, or vice versa; wherein the rotation of the hosel relative to the head, or vice versa, changes the golf club between a left-handed position and a right-handed position.

Description

FIELD

The present teachings generally relate to a golf club, and more particularly, to an adjustable putter accommodating both left- and right-handed users.

BACKGROUND

Golf club customization has become a critical aspect of the golf industry. Each individual golfer may have a different swing, stroke, height, form, or a combination thereof. As a result, a standard set of golf clubs may not properly “fit” different golfers, thereby resulting in decreased performance and inaccurate contact with the golf ball.
To combat the aforementioned issues, modern golf clubs may be fitted to match an individual golfer's body, strength, swing stroke, swing path, mobility, posture, or a combination thereof. However, such custom fittings may be extremely expensive and often times a golfer's parameters, such as body shape, strength, swing stroke and/or path, mobility, posture, or a combination thereof may change over time. As a result, the custom fitted golf clubs may over time no longer be an appropriate fit for the golf, thereby rendering the expensive fitting obsolete.
Similarly, a standard and/or custom fitted golf club may be substantially limited in adjustability. For example, often times a golf club is assembled in a single, permanent position and prevents a golfer from making any easy modifications without substantial disassembly. Moreover, such substantial disassembly may not be possible by an average golfer and often times requires special tooling. As a result, the golfer may still be required to go to a golf fitting facility to have changes completed, thereby requiring additional unnecessary expense.
To help improve customization of golf clubs, more modern club manufacturers have developed incremental changes that may be done by the golfer free of any special equipment or expert golf techs. For example, weights along a portion of the club head may be adjustable to accommodate for side spin of a golf ball due to a golfer's swing. However, these weights are often limited in size and weighting and often have minimal impact on the golfer's performance when using the club. Moreover, such customization may still be very limited and provide golfer's very little performance change. Even further, more modern customization may often times be limited to specific golf club types, such as drivers and woods, thereby restricting a golfer's ability for modification even more.
Based on the above, there remains a need for a customizable golf club. What is needed is a golf club accommodating various golfers, such as right-handed and left-handed players. Moreover, there remains a need for adjustable golf clubs that conventionally restrict any tuning. What is needed is a putter having one or more adjustable components. Furthermore, there remains a need for an improved golf club design to accommodate golfers with different swing mechanics. What is needed is a golf club having one or more design features that limit inaccurate club face contact with a golf ball.

SUMMARY

The present teachings meet one or more of the present needs by providing: a golf club comprising: (a) a head having a face configured to make contact with a golf ball; (b) an extended portion extending from the head free of obstructing the face; and (c) a hosel movably secured to the head, wherein the hosel is configured to rotate relative to the head, or vice versa; wherein the rotation of the hosel relative to the head, or vice versa, changes the golf club between a left-handed position and a right-handed position.
A dowel may extend between the head and the hosel, and the hosel, the head, or both may rotate about an axis of the dowel. The dowel may also be located along a center axis of the face of the head. Moreover, the extended portion may include a pair of opposing runners positioned along opposing sides of the extended portion. Furthermore, the hosel may be fixedly secured to the head when in the left-handed position or the right-handed position by a single fastener extending through a hole of the hosel into the head. The fastener may extend through a first hole while in the left-handed position and through a second hole while in the right-handed position.
The golf club may further comprise a plurality of through-holes located along the face and extending through the head. The plurality of through-holes may be a first set of through-holes located near a toe of the head and a second set of through-holes located near a heel of the head. Moreover, the central portion of the face near the center axis of the face may be free of through-holes. Additionally, the face may further include a cutaway extending to a sole of the head. An angle of the cutaway may be approximately 2 degrees relative to the face. Furthermore, the hosel may abut a crown of the head. The hosel may be configured to rotate and move axially relative to the head, or vice versa.
The present teachings may also provide a golf club further comprising one or more removable and/or adjustable weights secured to the head. The one or more weights may be attached to the head via one or more fasteners, and the one or more weights may abut a back surface of the head that opposes the face. The one or more weights may be positioned between the runners of the extended portion.
Additionally, the golf club may further comprise a shaft secured within a hole of the hosel. The shaft and the sole of the head may form an angle of approximately 18 degrees. The angle may be dictated by an angle of the hole within the hosel that receives the shaft. Moreover, the golf club may be a putter and/or the head may be monolithically formed. Similarly, the head may be machined from a single piece of material, may be die cast from one or more materials, may be molded from one or more materials, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the extended portion may be configured to receive the golf ball and aid in picking up the golf ball from the ground.
Moreover, the present teachings provide: a customizable golf club; a golf club accommodating various golfers, such as right-handed and left-handed players; adjustable golf clubs that conventionally restrict any tuning; a putter having one or more adjustable components; an improved golf club design to accommodate golfers with different swing mechanics; a golf club having one or more design features that limit inaccurate club face contact with a golf ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top-down view of a golf club in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 2 is a front face view of a golf club in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a golf club in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of a golf club in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a golf club in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 6 is a front face view of a golf club in accordance with the present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the teachings in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present teachings as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.
The present teachings generally relate to a golf club. The golf club may be any type of golf club used to contact a golf ball, such as an iron, wood (e.g., a driver), putter, wedge, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the golf club may be a training aid not conventionally used on a golf course and/or to contact a golf ball. It should be noted that while the specification may focus primarily on a putter design, various features and or aspects of the putter design may be implemented in other golf club designs, such as an iron, wood, wedge, or combination thereof. Therefore, the present teachings may beneficially provide customization and/or improvement of many types of golf clubs.
The golf club may include a head. The head may be configured to contact a golf ball. For example, a club face of the head may be a surface designed to effectively contact the golf ball and ensure consistent results based on such contact. The head may include a club face, a sole (i.e., lower surface that may contact the ground), a crown (i.e., an upper surface that opposed the sole), a toe (i.e., a surface or portion of the head furthest away from the golfer during use), a heel (i.e., a surface or portion of the head closed to the golfer during use), or a combination thereof. As such, it may be gleaned from the present teachings that the head may be formed by one or more of the above portions and the above portions may dictate a shape of the head. For example, the face my be a substantially planar surface when compared to a backside of the head, the crown, the toe, the heel, the sole, or a combination thereof.
The head may be machined using a variety of techniques. However, it is envisioned that the head may be monolithically formed from a single piece of material. For example, the head may be machined from a block of material. Advantageously, the machining may limit the number of components, simplify assembly and/or manufacturing, improve performance of the golf club due to limited assembly joints, or a combination thereof. Moreover, the machining may help to minimize manufacturing costs due to the above advantages.
The face of the head may be configured to primarily contact a golf ball. As a result, the face may be designed to optimize a resulting movement of the golf ball after contact. To optimize the face, machining may beneficially provide a beveled surface along the face. The beveled surface may help ensure a top roll (i.e., rolling in a direction away from the face) by consistently making contact with the golf ball in an upper direction. Thus, the golf ball may consistently roll toward a desired target after contact with the face.
Similarly, the face may include a cutaway portion along an edge joining the face to the sole of the head. The cutaway may be configured to decrease or substantially prevent contact between the sole of the head and the ground during a backswing, a follow-through, or both. As such, the cutaway may beneficially aid in the face of the head making consistent contact with a golf ball directionally, speed-wise, or both. The cutaway may create an angle of about 1 degree or more, about 1.5 degrees or more, or about 2 degrees or more relative to the sole of the head. The cutaway may create an angle of about 5 degrees or less, about 4 degrees or less, or about 3 degrees or less relative to the sole of the head.
The head may also include an extended portion. The extended portion may extend from a main body of the head in a direction that opposes the face. The extended portion may extend in any direction from the head. However, it is contemplated that the extended portion may extend from the head in a direction free of contact with the golf ball when the golf club (i.e., the face) makes contact with the golf ball.
The extended portion may be defined by one or more runners extending along one or more edges of the extended portion. The runners may be integrally formed with the extended portion and the remaining portion of the head—such as a main body—to connect the extended portion to the rest of the head. The runners may define outer terminal edges of the extended portion. The runners may extend an entire length of the extended portion or may extended on a portion of the length. The runners may substantially define a width of the extended portion—that is, a distance measured between the runners along a line substantially parallel to a line extending between the heel and the toe of the head.
The extended portion and runners may function to pick up a golf ball. A golfer may extend the extended portion underneath the golf ball or roll the golf ball into the extended portion, thereby allowing the golfer to pick up the golf ball from the head and not need to bend over completely. As such, the extended portion may include a lip, chamfered edge, ramp, or a combination thereof to facilitate easy entry of the golf ball onto the extended portion. Beneficially, the runners may help contain the golf ball on the extended portion and prevent the golf ball from rolling off during a pick-up motion.
The golf club may be configured for right-handed golfers, left-handed golfers, or both. As described below, the golf club may beneficially provide one or more adjustments to accommodate left- or right-handed golfers. More specifically, the golf club may include a rotatable head relative to a hosel of the golf club. The hosel may act as an intermediary connector between the head and a club shaft so that the hosel may substantially maintain an angle of the shaft while the head is rotated between a left-handed position and a right-handed position, or vice versa. The hosel may maintain any desired angle of the shaft based upon a hole of the hosel that receives the shaft. The hole may create an angle of about 10 degrees or more, about 15 degrees or more, or about 20 degrees or more between a centerline or center axis of the shaft and the sole of the head. The hole may create an angle of about 35 degrees or less, about 30 degrees or less, or about 25 degrees or less between the centerline or center axis of the shaft and the sole of the head. For example, the angle may be 18 degrees based upon determine the optimal shaft angle relative to the club head to ensure the golf ball is centrally contacting the face of the head.
To provide for adjustable handedness of the golf club, the hosel may rotate counterclockwise, clockwise, or both relative to the head. Additionally, it should be noted that the head may also rotate relative to the hosel in a similar manner. The rotation may be done incrementally or freely between a right-handed position and a left-handed position. Similarly, it is envisioned that there may be one or more incremental positions between the right-handed position and the left-handed position if desired. During rotation, the head and the hosel may be movably connected to prevent complete disconnection of the head and the hosel.
To facilitate such movable connection, a dowel may extend between the head and the hosel to allow the dowel to rotate about an axis of the dowel and/or the head to rotate about the axis of the dowel. Thus, the dowel may be fixed to hosel and/or the head to prevent movement of the dowel. As such, the dowel may beneficially allow rotation of the head and/or the hosel yet prevent lateral and/or vertical movement of the head, the hosel, or both. For example, the dowel may extend between holes of the hosel and head and the dowel may be fixedly secured in either the hole of the hosel or the hole of the head. Thus, the hosel or the head may move away from the head or the hosel, respectively, to allow for proper rotation. Once positioned in the desired location, a fastener may be secured within mating holes between the hosel and the head to maintain the position. Thus, it may be gleaned from the present teachings that the handedness of the club may be changed by efficiently rotating the hosel and/or the head and secure the hosel and the head together via a fastener. Furthermore, it should be noted that the connection between the head and the hosel may ensure the shaft extending into the hosel is centrally located along the head so that the centerline of the shaft extends towards a centerline of the face where the face may contact the golf ball, thereby maintaining consistent and accurate putting results.
To further improve performance of the golf club, the face may include one or more through-holes. The through-holes may function to lighten the club head. The through-holes may function to allow airflow dynamically through the through-holes during a golf swing, thereby decreasing drag of the head due to air. As such, the through-holes may beneficially help a golfer maintain a square face to the golf ball during a swing and during contact with the golf ball.
The through-holes may extend through an entire thickness of the club head or only a portion of the thickness. The through-holes may be positioned anywhere along the club head. However, it is envisioned that the through-holes may be located near the toe and/or heel of the head to maintain a proper weight balance and ensure the face remains substantially unobstructed where contact is made with the golf ball.
The golf club may also include adjustable weight. The weight may function to increase or decrease the weight of the club head based on a golfer's preference. As such, the weight may be easily attached and/or removed from the club head incrementally to provide further tunability. Thus, it is envisioned that a single weight or a plurality of weights may be attached to the head. The weights may be numerically numbered by actual weight or another incremental identifier. The weights may be mounted to any portion of the head via one or more fasteners, mechanical interlocks, adhesives, or a combination thereof. However, it is contemplated that the weights may be located along a portion of the head free of obstruction of the face, thereby ensure consistent contact of the face with the golf ball. For example, the weights may be located along the crown, a backside that opposes the face, the toe, the heel, or a combination thereof. It should be noted that the weights may be placed along a centerline or central portion of the head to maintain a weighted balance of the head.
Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a top-down of a golf club 10 in accordance with the present teachings. While the golf club 10 shown in FIG. 1 portrays a putter, it should be noted that the present teachings may generally relate to any golf club 10. For example, the golf club 10 may be a putter, an iron, a wedge, a wood (e.g., a driver), a training aid, or a combination thereof. Thus, it is envisioned that the teachings herein may pertain to any golf club that may accommodate left- and right-hand use.
As shown in FIG. 1, the golf club 10 may include a head 12. The head 12 may include an outer contour substantially formed by an upper crown 18 and an opposing sole (not shown) extending between a heel 20 and a toe 22 of the head 12. The outer contour may include a face 14 configured to contact a golf ball or other training object. The head 12 may also include an extended portion 26 extending away from crown 18 in a direction opposing the face 14. As such, the extended portion 26 is free of obstructing the face 14 to ensure the face 14 may make clean contact with the golf ball. Additionally, the extended portion 26 may be at least partially confined between opposing runner 24 that at least partially extend along opposing outer edges of the extended portion 26.
The golf club 10 may also include a hosel 30 configured to secure a shaft of the golf club (not shown; see FIG. 2). The hosel 30 may be positioned along the crown 18 of the head 12. Beneficially, the hosel 30 may be movably secured to the head 12, thereby allowing for movement of the hosel 30 relative to the head 12. The movement may be rotational movement relative to the head 12, the shaft, or both. The movement may also be lateral and/or vertical movement relative to the head 12. As such, the hosel 30 may allow for substantially free movement of the hosel 30 relative to the head 12 or other components of the golf club 10. However, it should be noted that the hosel 30 and head 12 remain movably connected to one another—that is, the hosel 30 is not entirely disconnected and removable from the head 12 of the golf club 10.
To maintain such a movable connection, the hosel 30 and the head 12 may in communication via a dowel 32 extending between the hosel 30 and the head 12. The dowel 32 may be movably secured to the hosel 30, the head 12, or both. However, the dowel 32 may also be fixedly secured to the hosel 30 or the head 12 to maintain a position of the dowel 32. For example, it is envisioned that the dowel 32 may be fixedly secured within a borehole of the head 12 and may extend into a hole of the hosel 30. Thus, the hosel 30 may axially and/or rotationally move relative to the dowel 32 while still remaining movably connected to the head 12 by at least partially preventing lateral movement of the hosel 30 due to the positioning of the dowel 32.
Beneficially, the movement of the hosel 30 may provide a user the ability to change the handedness of the golf club 10. That is, a user may move the hosel 30 to accommodate both a left- and right-handed user based on an efficient adjustment, all while maintaining connection of the components of the golf club 10. For example, the hosel 30 may rotate in a direction (R) so that the face 14 is rotated relative to a shaft of the golf club 10. The shaft may create an angle with the head 12, and as such, the head 12 may be rotated to create a mirrored position. Thus, the head 12 and the shaft may maintain the desired angle while being either in a left- or right-handed position.
To facilitate both left-handed golfers and right-handed golfers, the dowel may be positioned centrally along both the hosel 30 and the head 12 so that the hosel 30 is secured substantially along the center axis (A) of the head 12 (and thus the face 14). Thus, the center axis (A) may be extended substantially through a midpoint between the toe 20 and the heel 22. After the hosel 30 is rotated between positions (i.e., left-handed versus right-handed), the hosel 30 may then be secured to the head 12 by a fastener extending into a hole 40 extending through both the hosel 30 and the head 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the hosel 30 and/or the head 12 may include more than one hole 40 to secure the hosel 30 and head 12 depending on the positioning of the hosel 30 relative to the head 12.
Advantageously, the golf club 10 may be further customizable with an adjustable weight 36 attached to the head 12. While the weight 36 is shown secured to a rear side of the head 12 (i.e., a side of the head 12 opposing the face 14), it is envisioned that the weight 36 may be positionable anywhere along the head 12. For example, the weight 36 may be positionable near the heel 20 or the toe 22 to further customize the weighting of the golf club 10. Additionally, the weight 36 may be a plurality of weights 36 to incrementally adjust the weighting of the golf club 10. To attach the weight 36, a plurality of fasteners (not shown) may be inserted into the holes 40 of the weight that align with one or more holes in the head 12. As shown, the weight 36 may be positioned centrally to align with the center axis (A) of the face 14, whereby the center axis (A) may also extend through an axis of the dowel 32. As a result, the weight 36 may be equally distributed along the head 12—and thus the face 14—thereby providing a balanced feel during a golf swing about the center axis (A). Moreover, it should be noted that the weight 36 may not only be centrally positioned along the center axis (A), but also centrally positioned between the crown 18 and the sole (not shown).
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a golf club 10 in accordance with the present teachings. As described above, the golf club 10 may include a head 12. An upper surface of the head 12 may be the crown 18, while an opposing sole 16 of the head 12 may be a bottom surface configured to contact the ground during setup and/or during a golf swing. A width of the head 12 may be substantially defined as a distance between a heel 20 of the head 12 and an opposing toe 22.
As shown, the head 12 may include a front face 14 configured to contact a golf ball unobstructed by one or more additional components of the golf club 12. To facilitate more accurate contact between the face 14 and a golf ball (not shown), the face may include one or more through-holes 34. The through-holes 34 may be located near the toe 22, the heel 20, or both, or may be located anywhere therebetween. However, it is envisioned that an area of the face 14 near the center axis (A) of the face 14 may be free to through-holes 34 to ensure proper contact of the face 14 with a ball. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the face 14 may include a pair of through-holes 34 positioned near both the toe 22 and the heel 20 while the central portion of the face 14 remains substantially planar free of any holes. The through-holes 34 may extend through an entire thickness of the head 12 to promote airflow through the putter and further improve a putting stroke of a user. However, the through-holes 34 may also extend on a portion of the way through a thickness of the head 12 if desired.
The golf club 10 may include a hosel 30 abutting the crown 18 of the club head 12. As discussed above, the hosel 30 may be substantially moveable relative to the head 12 while still maintaining connection. As such, the hosel 30 may be rotated about the dowel 32 extending through the head 12 and the hosel 30 to adjust the handedness of the golf club 12. As illustrated, the dowel may be positioned substantially along the center axis (A) of the face 14 to ensure proper alignment between an axis of a shaft (AS) and the center axis (A) of the face 14—that is, the shaft 28 may be substantially positioned along the center axis (A) of the face 14.
Additionally, the shaft 28 may form an angle (α) with the sole 16 of the head 12. While any angle may be possible, it is envisioned that the angle may be about 10 degrees or more, about 15 degrees or more, or about 20 degrees or more. The angle may be about 45 degrees or less, about 30 degrees or less, or about 25 degrees or less. For example, the angle between the center axis of the shaft (AS) and the sole 16 may be approximately 18 degrees. Furthermore, this angle may be dictated by an angle of receiving hole within the hosel 30 that receives the shaft 28 (not shown).
Beneficially, the shaft 28 may also be adjustable and/or replaceable to provide a golfer further customization. For example, the shaft 28 may be swapped out for one or more additional shafts to customize shaft angle, shaft flex, weight, length, a grip on the shaft 28, aesthetics of the shaft 28, or a combination thereof. As such, the shaft 28 may maintain a movable connection with the hosel 30 and/or the head 12 yet may also allow a golfer to completely disconnect the shaft 28 for replacement, swapping out, or both.
When the hosel 30 is rotated relative to the head 12, or vice versa, the golf club 10 may be configured for a left-handed or right-handed golfer. To secure such a position of the hosel 30 relative to the club 12, one or more fasteners 42 may be extend through holes 42 within the hosel 30 and into the head 12, thereby advantageously allowing a golfer to adjust the handedness of the golf club 10 efficiently and quickly.
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a golf club 10 in accordance with the present teachings. As described above, the golf club 10 may include a head 12 having an outer contour at least partially defined by an upper crown 18 and an opposing sole 16 extending between a heel and a toe of the head 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 2). The golf club 10 as shown in FIG. 3 is a perspective view looking towards either the toe, the heel, or both. It is envisioned that the present teachings may beneficially provide a golf club 10 configurable with one or more heads 12. As such, the golf club 10 may be further customizable by providing a means for a golfer to switch the head 12 for various sizes, shapes, dimensions, or a combination thereof. Moreover, the switchable head 12 may also provide further means of customizing the golf club 10, such as one or more angle adjustments.
As shown, the head 12 includes an extended portion 26 extending away from a central body of the head 12 in an opposing direction from a face 14 of the head. The extended portion 26 may also include one or more runners 24 extending at least partially along a distance of the extended portion 26 away from the toe, the heel, the crown 18, the face 14, or a combination thereof.
To improve performance of the golf club 10, the head 12 may include one or more through-holes 34 extending through the head 12 to allow for airflow through portions of the head 12, lighten the head 12, or both. While the through-holes 34 may be positioned anywhere along the head 12, it is envisioned that the through-holes 34 may be particularly beneficially near the toe and/or the heel of the head 12 to maintain a consistent swing of the golf club 10 by a user and to help ensure square contact with a golf ball. Additionally, to even further improve performance and customization of the golf club 10, a weight 36 may be positioned along a cavity or backside of the head 12 (i.e., a surface substantially opposing the face 14). The weight 36 may be adjustable and/or removable via inserting and/or removing a fastener 42 from a hole 40 extending through the weight 36 and into the head 12. As discussed above, the weight 36 may be a single weight 36 or may be a plurality of weights. Additionally, it is envisioned that the weight 36 may be positioned substantially centrally along the head 12 (e.g., close to or along a center axis; see FIG. 1). As such, the weight 36 may help maintain a consistent golf stroke while also providing a weight customization element to the golf club 10. For example, the weight 36 may be located between the runners 24 and may abut the back surface of the head 12.
The face 14 of the head 12 may also include a contoured surface in one or more locations. However, it may be beneficial to maintain a consistent contour substantially throughout the entire face 14 to ensure consistent contact with a golf ball. For example, the face 14 may include a cutaway 38 along a portion of the face 14 that extends towards the sole 16 of the head 12. As a result, the cutaway 38 may help maintain a consistent golf stroke by substantially preventing contact of the sole 16 or the extended portion 26 with the ground prior to the face 14 contacting the golf ball. The cutaway 38 may be about 0° or more, about 1° or more, or about 2° or more relative to the face 14 of the head 12. The cutaway 38 may be about 5° or less, about 4°, or about 3° or less relative to the face 14 of the head 12.
Additionally, it should be noted that while the head 12 is illustrated as being monolithically formed, such as by a single piece of material being machined, it may be possible to include one or more additional pieces to form the head 12. For example, the head 12 may include a face plate that attached to the face 14 to provide a contact surface for the golf club 10 to contact the golf ball. Moreover, the head 12 may be formed using one or more additional techniques and one or more additional materials, such as by molding and/or die casting of the head 12.
As described above the golf club 10 may be configured for either left-handed or right-handed golfers by rotating a hosel 30 relative to the head 12, or vice versa along a central dowel 32. While it is envisioned that the golf club 10 may include a left-handed position and a right-handed position for the hosel 30 and/or the head 12, the golf club 10 may also include any number of intermediate positions therebetween. Additionally, it should be noted that the hosel 30 and/or the head 12 may rotated clockwise, counterclockwise, or both relative to each other to reach a desired position.
To adjust the golf club 10 between a left-handed position and a right-handed position, a user may rotate the head 12 and/or the hosel 30 along the dowel 32 by removing a fastener 42 from hosel 30 that extends into the head 12 and secures the head 12 to the hosel 30. Once the desired position has been reached, a user may then simply insert the fastener 42 back into a hole of the hosel (see FIG. 2) until the fastener 42 fully engages the head 12 and secures the hosel 30 to the head 12, thereby preparing the golf club 10 for use.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view a golf club 10 in accordance with the present teachings. The golf club 10 may include a head 12 secured to a shaft (not shown). The head may include a face 14 adapted to contact a golf ball during a golf swing. To improve aerodynamics and potential drag of the head 12 during a swinging motion that may cause unintended twisting of the head 12, a pair of opposing through-holes 34 may extend from the face 14 through the head 12. The through-holes 34 may extend through runners 24 of the head 12 that also extend from the face 14, whereby an extended portion 26 configured to pick up a golf ball connects the two runners 24.
As discussed above, the golf club 10 may include a hosel 30 that facilitates modification of the golf club 10 to allow for both right-handed and left-handed use. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the hosel 30 may be secured to the head 12 in an even further customizable manner. That is, the hosel 30 may be adapted to slide along a surface of the head 12 in a direction (D). In doing, so a shaft (not shown) secured within a shaft hole 44 may be positioned in one or more different locations along the head 12. For example, the hosel 30 may adjust to allow the club shaft to align substantially with a midpoint (i.e., center) of the head 12 for an evenly balanced swinging motion. Similarly, the hosel 30 may further adjust in the direction (D) to additional offset positions to allow for a non-centered mounting location. Once a desired location is selected, a fastener may be secured within a hole 40 of the hosel 30 and extend into the head 12, thereby securing the hosel 40 in position relative to the head 12.
FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a golf club 10 in accordance with the present teachings. As discussed above, the golf club 10 may include a head 12 secured to a shaft (not shown) via a hosel 30 positioned therebetween. The head 12 may include a face 14 adapted to contact a golf ball during a swing while a sole 16 of the head 12 glide along the ground (e.g., contact or is positioned adjacent to the ground). During such motion, runners 24 extending from head 12 and connected by an extended portion 26 (see FIG. 4) may help balance the golf club 10 to ensure square contact with a golf ball.
Additionally, the hosel 30 may be adapted to move or slide along a crown 18 of the head 12 to provide a plurality of mounting locations of the hosel 30. To facilitate such movement, the hosel 30 may include a retainer key 46 that is positioned within a retainer 48 of the head 12. The retainer 48 may be a track or channel the receives the retainer key 46 and guides the hosel 30 within the retainer 48. However, it is envisioned that the retainer 48 and retainer key 46 interaction may be any keying engagement that allows for sliding movement of the hosel 30 relative to the head 12, or vice versa. Yet it should be noted that such keying may exist to ensure proper alignment between the hosel 30 and the head 12.
Once a position is selected along the head 12, a fastener 42 may extend into a hole 40 of the hosel 30. The hole 40 may be aligned with one of a plurality of alignment holes 50 so that the fastener 42 extends through the hole 40 in the hosel 30 and into the alignment hole 50. As a result, the hosel 30 may be secured to the head 12 for use in a variety of designated locations. Thus, a shaft (not shown) secured in a shaft hole 44 of hosel may be positioned in a desired location relative to the head 12.
Moreover, it is envisioned that the head 12 of the golf club 10 may be configured to squarely engage a golf ball for the most effective and consistent golf stroke. To do so, the face 14 of the head 12 may form an angle (β) relative to a vertical line (i.e., a line orthogonal to the ground). The angle (β) may be about 1° or more, about 2° or more, or about 3° or more. The angle (β) may be about 6° or less, about 5° or less, or about 4° or less. As such, the face 14 may be more adapted to squarely contact the golf ball upon impact. Additionally, to further facilitate the contact between the face 14 and the golf ball, the crown 18 of the head 12 may also be angled relative to a horizontal line (i.e., a line substantially parallel to the ground) to form an angle (δ). The angle (δ) may be about 1° or more, about 2° or more, or about 3° or more. The angle (δ) may be about 6° or less, about 5° or less, or about 4° or less. Therefore, the angle (δ) may ensure square contact of the face 14 based upon angle (β) due to the hosel 30 and/or shaft being positioned substantially parallel to the face 14.
Similarly, the sole 16 of the head 12 may include curvature that extends away from a horizontal line (i.e., the ground). As a result, all or a portion of the sole 16 may form an angle (γ) with the ground of about 2° or more, about 4° or more, or about 6° or more. The angle (γ) may be about 10° or less, about 8° or less, or about 6° or less. Thus, drag or contact with the ground may be minimized to ensure a consistent swing and velocity when contacting the golf ball.
Based on the above, it should be noted that various surfaces of the head 12 may be machined or otherwise modified to maintain a consisted position of the head 12 relative to a golf ball. As such, one or more curves, one or more undulations, one or more cutouts, one or more surface modifications (e.g., smoothing, sanding, grinding, coating, etc.), or a combination thereof may be implemented to further optimize the head 12 of the golf club 10. Thus, it should be noted that the shape of the head 12 as described herein is not intended to be limiting to other shapes envisioned with the features described above.
FIG. 6 illustrates a front face view of a golf club 10 in accordance with the present teachings. The golf club 10 includes a shaft 28 secured in a shaft hole 44 of a hosel 30. The hosel 30 is secured along a head 12 of the golf club 10 to position the shaft 28 in a desired position relative to the head 12. Advantageously, as described above, the hosel 30 may include a retainer key 46 that is received by a retainer 48 of the head 12. As a result, the hosel 30 may align with the head 12 and slide along the head 12 in a direction (D) so that a hole 40 of the hosel 30 may align with one of a plurality of alignment holes 50 in the head 12. Thus, the hosel 30 may be secured in a plurality of locations along the head 12 by securing a fastener 42 through the hole 40 and into the alignment hole 50. Thus, a user may select a preferred alignment to contact a golf ball more comfortably with a face 14 of the club 12 during a swing.

ELEMENT LIST

- 10 Golf Club
- 12 Head
- 14 Face
- 16 Sole
- 18 Crown
- 20 Heel
- 22 Toe
- 24 Runner
- 26 Extended Portion
- 28 Shaft
- 30 Hosel
- 32 Dowel
- 34 Through-holes
- 36 Weight
- 38 Cutaway
- 40 Hole
- 42 Fastener
- 44 Shaft Hole
- 46 Retainer Key
- 48 Retainer
- 50 Alignment Hole
- α Angle of Sole to Shaft
- β Angle of Face
- γ Angle of Sole to Ground
- δ Angle of the Crown
- A Center Axis of the Face
- AS Center Axis of the Shaft
- R Rotation Direction of the Hosel
- S Slide Direction of the Hosel

Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of a component or a value of a process variable such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time, and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. are expressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.
Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about 20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of at least the specified endpoints.
The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, and such other elements, ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of the elements, ingredients, components or steps. By use of the term “may” herein, it is intended that any described attributes that “may” be included are optional.
Unless otherwise stated, a teaching with the term “about” or “approximately” in combination with a numerical amount encompasses a teaching of the recited amount, as well as approximations of that recited amount. By way of example, a teaching of “about 100” encompasses a teaching of 100+/−15.
Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might be divided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps. The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components or steps.
It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A golf club comprising:

(a) a head having a face configured to make contact with a golf ball;

(b) an extended portion extending from the head free of obstructing the face; and

(c) a hosel movably secured to the head, wherein the hosel is configured to rotate relative to the head, or vice versa;

wherein the rotation of the hosel relative to the head, or vice versa, changes the golf club between a left-handed position and a right-handed position.

2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein a dowel extends between the head and the hosel, and the hosel, the head, or both rotate about an axis of the dowel.

3. The golf club of claim 2, wherein the dowel located along a center axis of the face of the head.

4. The golf club of claim 3, wherein the extended portion includes a pair of opposing runners positioned along opposing sides of the extended portion.

5. The golf club of claim 4, wherein the hosel is fixedly secured to the head when in the left-handed position or the right-handed position by a single fastener extending through a hole of the hosel into the head.

6. The golf club of claim 5, wherein the fastener extends through a first hole while in the left-handed position and through a second hole while in the right-handed position.

7. The golf club of claim 6, wherein the golf club includes a plurality of through-holes located along the face and extending through the head.

8. The golf club of claim 7, wherein the plurality of through-holes is a first set of through-holes located near a toe of the head and a second set of through-holes located near a heel of the head.

9. The golf club of claim 7, wherein a central portion of the face near the center axis of the face is free of the through-holes.

10. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the face includes a cutaway extending to a sole of the head.

11. The golf club of claim 10, wherein an angle of the cutaway is approximately 2 degrees relative to the face.

12. The golf club of claim 11, wherein the hosel abuts a crown of the head.

13. The golf club of claim 12, wherein the hosel is configured to rotate and move axially relative to the head, or vice versa.

14. The golf club of claim 13, wherein the golf club includes one or more removable and/or adjustable weights secured to the head.

15. The golf club of claim 14, wherein the one or more weights are attached to the head via one or more fasteners, and the one or more weights abut a back surface of the head that opposes the face.

16. The golf club of claim 15, wherein the one or more weights are positioned between the runners of the extended portion.

17. The golf club of claim 15, wherein the golf club includes a shaft secured within a hole of the hosel.

18. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the shaft and the sole of the head form an angle of approximately 18 degrees.

19. The golf club of claim 18, wherein the angle is dictated by an angle of the hole within the hosel that receives the shaft.

20. The golf club of claim 19, wherein the golf club is a putter.