Golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle

Abstract

An adjustable golf putter utilizes an integrated indexing mechanism for the rotation of the golf club shaft in relation to the putter head. A circular portion of the hosel nests in a cavity formed in the putter head. Matching faces are impressed with a series of radiating serrations incorporated into the head and hosel and no additional parts are required. When pressed together, the serrated faces permit the hosel to rotate in discrete increments selected at time of manufacture. The putter may rotate in increments of 5 degrees for a total of 35 degrees in each direction from a center marking feature. The hosel is locked in a selected position by simply tightening the hosel screw. The putter can be adjusted for use by both right and left handed golfers without disassembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/905,182, filed Dec. 20, 2004, the entire contents of which is expressly incorporated herein.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to adjustable golf putter and more specifically it relates to a golf putter that allows for the adjustment of the angle between the golf club shaft and putter head while minimizing the amount of parts necessary to assemble the golf putter and having all parts flush with one another.

2. Description of the Related Art

It can be appreciated that adjustable golf putters have been in use for years. The concept of an adjustable putter per se is not a new concept. Many patents have issued that related to golf clubs that have a head that is adjustable relative to the shaft.

The main problem with conventional adjustable golf putters is they consist of multiple parts, which increase the cost of manufacturing and decrease the ease and use of the products. Another problem with conventional adjustable golf putters are they are not aesthetically pleasing due to the multiplicity of parts required to assemble the product. Another problem with conventional adjustable golf putter are that they are not dynamically balanced because either there are too many working parts on the golf putter head or that the fix point of attachment between the golf putter head and shaft is off center.

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, the they are not as suitable for to provide a adjustable golf putter that allows for the adjustment of the angle between the golf club shaft and putter head while minimizing the amount of parts necessary to assemble the golf putter and having all parts flush with one another.

In these respects, a golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of to provide a adjustable golf putter that allows for the adjustment of the angle between the golf club shaft and putter head while minimizing the amount of parts necessary to assemble the golf putter and having all parts flush with one another.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of adjustable golf putter now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle construction wherein the same can be utilized to provide an adjustable golf putter that allows for the adjustment of the angle between the golf club shaft and putter head while minimizing the amount of parts necessary to assemble the golf putter and having all parts flush with one another.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle that has many of the advantages of the adjustable golf putter mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art adjustable golf putter, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a hosel attachment with a guide marking that accepts the golf putter shaft, a hosel screw, a golf putter head with selection markings and a golf shaft. Hosel consists of an attachment that provides a means for attaching the golf shaft to the putter head and a concaved recess portion to accept the hosel screw. A guide marking is provided on the hosel to assist in the angle selection. Golf putter head with a front flat surface and a back section with a concaved recess portion that is pre-measured to accept the hosel attachment end and hosel screw. Concaved recess portion of the back section of golf putter head also contain angle selection markings to correspond to the amount of angle degree selected between the golf putter head and the golf putter shaft. Golf club shaft contains a first end attachment to the hosel and a second end for gripping by the golfer. Alternatively, golf club shaft can be directly attached to the golf putter head.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide a golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle for to provide a adjustable golf putter that allows for the adjustment of the angle between the golf club shaft and putter head while minimizing the amount of parts necessary to assemble the golf putter and having all parts flush with one another.

Another object is to provide a golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle that functions as an adjustable golf putter head in which the angle between the golf putter shaft and golf putter head can be adjusted and then be fixed in a set position.

Another object is to provide a golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle that minimizes the amount of parts necessary to assemble the adjustable golf putter.

Another object is to provide a golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle that is aesthetically pleasing to the user by reducing extraneous parts.

Another object is to provide a golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle that is dynamically balanced.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages be within the scope of the present invention.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable clubhead assembly is provided that includes a hosel, a clubhead, and an attachment means. The clubhead assembly may be used with the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft may thus define a distal end and a shaft axis. The hosel includes a shaft receiving recess and a hub portion. The shaft receiving recess is sized and configured to receive the distal end of the shaft. The hub portion defines a first face and a rotation axis. The hub portion also includes a first engagement element that is disposed on the first face. In addition, the clubhead is also provided which defines a clubhead axis and includes a hub receptor that is disposed on a rear section of the clubhead. The hub receptor defines a second face and includes a second engagement element that is disposed on the second face thereof. The hub receptor is rotatably engageable to the hub portion about the rotation axis with the first face mating with the second face. The first engagement element is matable with the second engagement element for impeding rotational movement of the hosel with respect to the clubhead at a clubhead angle. The clubhead angle is defined by the orientation of the shaft axis with respect to the clubhead axis. In addition, the attachment means secures the hosel to the clubhead. Although many various means may be used, as described below, the attachment means is a screw hole and screw.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the rotation axis of the hub portion is oriented generally orthogonally with respect to the first face. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first engagement element may include at least one tooth projection and the second engagement element may include at least one notch. The tooth projection may be configured to correspond to the notch in order to impede rotational movement of the hosel with respect to the clubhead. In addition, the first and second engagement elements may be configured as radial serration profiles that may be configured to correspond to each other in order to impede rotational movement of the hosel with respect to the clubhead. The clubhead angle may be defined by the orientation of the shaft axis with respect to the clubhead axis.

The hub portion of the hosel may also include a guide selection marking and the hub receptor may include at least one selection marking corresponding to the clubhead angle. The guide selection marking may be alignable with the selection marking for orienting the hosel at the clubhead angle with respect to the clubhead.

Further, the hub portion may be configured as being cylindrical. In this regard, the hub receptor may be a cylindrical concave recess portion whereinto the hub portion is received. Finally, the concave recess portion may be defined by a raised socket wall. The raised socket wall may substantially surround the hub portion. Alternatively however, the raised socket wall may surround only a majority of the hub portion.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable golf putter;

FIG. 2 is a front side view of golf putter head;

FIG. 3 is a top down view of golf putter head without the hosel and hosel screw;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the golf putter head without the hoself and hosel screw;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the golf putter head without the hosel and hosel screw;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the hosel without the hosel screw;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the hosel without the hosel screw;

FIG. 8 is a hosel screw;

FIG. 9 is side exploded view of the adjustable golf putter;

FIG. 10 is a back view of the golf putter head with the hosel and hosel screw attached;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the hosel and the clubhead illustrating first and second engagement elements, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the hosel being coupled to the clubhead with the first engagement element engaged with the second engagement element, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the attached figures illustrate a golf putter with adjustable head and shaft angle, which comprises a hosel attachment with a guide marking that accepts the golf putter shaft, a hosel screw, a golf putter head with angle selection markings and a golf shaft. Hosel consists of an attachment that provides a means for attaching the golf shaft to the putter head and a concaved recess portion to accept the hosel screw. A guide marking is provided on the hosel to correspond to the angle selection markings. Golf putter head contains a front flat surface and a back section with a concaved recess portion that is pre-measured to accept the hosel attachment end and the hosel screw. Concaved recess portion of the back section of golf putter head also contains angle selection markings to correspond to the amount of angle degree selected between the golf putter head and golf shaft. Golf club shaft contains a first end attachment to the hosel and a second end for gripping by the golfer.

Alternatively, golf club shaft can be directly attached to the golf putter head.

Hosel consists of an attachment that provides a means for attaching the golf shaft to the putter head and a concaved recess portion to accept the hosel screw. A guide marking is provided on the hosel to assist in angle selection. Hosel 12 is shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 7, 9 and 10. Hosel 12 has a shaft-receiving end with a shaft receiving recess 22. Hosel 12 has a putter head end that is rounded and pre-measured to fit flush with the concaved recess portion on the backside of the putter head 10. Rounded hosel end has a guide marking 18 and a concaved recessed portion to accept the hosel screw 14, which is used to lock the hosel 12 to the golf putter head 10 in a fixed position. The Hosel 12 maybe made of either plastic or metal. Alternatively, hosel 12 can be eliminated and replaced by a golf shaft 20 with an rounded end that is also pre-measured to fit flush with the concaved recess portion on the back side of the putter head 10 as shown in FIG. 11. In this preferred embodiment, the hosel 12 is a separate piece allowing a plurality of different shafts to be attached to the hosel. In another embodiment, the hosel screw 14 may be sealed into place using a proxy or other type of tamper resistant glue.

Once sealed this way, the golf putter head 10 is temporarily nonadjustable and can be used for tournament play.

Golf putter head contains a front flat surface 26 and a back section 24 with a concaved recess portion that is pre-measured to accept the hosel attachment end and hosel screw 14. Concaved recess portion on the back section of golf putter head also contains selection markings 16 to correspond to the amount of angle degree selected. Golf Putter Head 10 has a front surface as seen in FIG. 2 and a back surface as seen in FIG. 4. The back surface has a concaved recess portion that is pre-measured to fit the round end of the hosel 12 which allows the hosel 12 to lay flush with the back surface 24 of the golf putter head 10. Front surface 26 is flat to provide a striking surface and to contact the golf ball. Golf putter head 10 can be made of either plastic or metal. In this preferred embodiment, the golf putter head 10 is made out of stainless stell. Golf putter head 10 contains a plurality of angle selection markings 16 to assist user in obtaining a precise angle separation between the golf putter head 10 and the golf shaft 20. Angle selection markings also inform user as to the exact degree angle selected. The middle angle marking represents a degree angle of zero between the golf putter head 10 and the golf shaft 20. Additional markings to the right or left of the zero marking constitutes a five degree increase to a maximum of approximately 30 degrees of angle separation between the golf putter head 10 and the golf shaft 20. In another embodiment, the golf putter head 10 may include a plurality of guide markings to line up the ball to the center of the front surface of the golf putter head 10. In another embodiment, the golf putter head 10 may be of different weight to allow user to customize the playability of the adjustable golf putter.

In another embodiment, the maximum degree angle between the golf putter head 10 and the golf shaft 20 may be set at 35 degrees.

The Golf Shaft 20 includes a first end for connection to a hosel and a second end for gripping by the user. Alternatively, golf club shaft 20 can be directly attached to the golf putter head 10. The golf shaft can be of different height, weight and length to accommodate different users. In another embodiment, the golf shaft 20 includes a first end that is rounded and pre-measured to fit flush with the concaved recess on the back surface of the golf putter head 10. The first end also having a concaved recess portion to accept a screw to attach the golf shaft 20 to the golf putter head in a fixed but adjustable position. The second end is for gripping by the user.

Referring to FIG. 9, hosel 12 has an end 22 with a recess to receive the golf shaft 20. Hosel 12 has a rounded end that is pre-measured to fit the concaved recess portion on the back surface 24 of the golf putter head 10. Hosel 12 has a corresponding concaved recess portion to receive a hosel screw 14. Hosel 12 is attached to golf putter head 10 via a hosel screw 14, which allows the golf putter head 10 and golf shaft 20 to be in a fixed by adjustable position. Hosel 12, the back surface of the golf putter head 24 and the hosel screw 14 are flush with one another providing a smooth, aesthetically pleasing appearance to the adjustable golf putter. Alternatively, the hosel 12 can be completely eliminated and replaced by a golf shaft 20 with an rounded end that is pre-measured to fit the concaved recess portion on the back surface 24 of the golf putter head 10. Rounded end of the golf shaft has a corresponding concaved recess portion to receive a screw and will be attached to the back surface 24 of the golf putter head 10 via the screw. The rounded end of the golf shaft 20, the back surface 24 of the golf putter head and the screw attachment will be flush with on another providing a smooth, aesthetically pleasing appearance to the adjustable golf putter. In another embodiment, the screw may be sealed into place using a proxy or other type of tamper resistant glue. Once sealed this way, the golf putter head 10 is temporarily nonadjustable and can be used for tournament play.

FIGS. 1-10 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the adjustable golf putter designated generally by numeral 10. FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the adjustable golf putter. In this preferred embodiment, a user, typically a golfer, right or left handed, will practice using the adjustable golf putter at a default set angel of zero degrees between the golf putter head 10 and the golf shaft 20. Depending on the needs of the golfer, he or she can adjust the angle between the golf putter head 10 and the golf shaft 20 by using a common Allen wrench. To loosen the hosel screw 14, golfer would turn the screw counter clockwise, which will loosen the connection between the hosel 12 and the golf putter head 10. Golfer may then adjust the angle between the golf putter head 10 and the golf shaft 20 by increments of 5 degrees to a maximum degree angle of 20 degrees in either direction. After determining the desired degree angle, golfer may fix the position of the golf putter head 10 and the hosel 14 by turning the hosel screw 14 clockwise to a locked position. In this preferred embodiment, the golfer will typically use the guide selection marking 18 to precisely adjust the hosel 12 to a corresponding angle selection marking 16. Both the guide selection marking 18 and the angle selection markings 16 are also used as reference points to assist the golfer in remembering exactly what degree angle the golfer likes or dislikes.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable clubhead assembly 30 and an adjustable golf club 32 are provided. As mentioned herein, the golf club 32 of embodiments of the present invention may be formed utilizing an elongate shaft 20. FIG. 12 illustrates the shaft 20 in dashed lines. The shaft 20 defines a distal end 34 a shaft axis 36. As is known in the art, the distal end 34 of the shaft 20 may generally taper from a first shaft circumference to a second shaft circumference, with the second shaft circumference being less than the first shaft circumference. The hosel assembly is sized and configured to mate with the distal end 34 of the shaft 20, as shown in FIG. 12, and as described below.

The clubhead assembly 30 includes a hosel 12, a clubhead 38 (such as the putter head 10 discussed above), and an attachment means 40. As shown in FIGS. 11-12 the hosel 12 includes a shaft receiving recess 22 and a hub portion 42. The shaft receiving recess 22 is sized and configured to receive the distal end 34 of the shaft 20 therein. As is known in the art, various adhesives may be used in forming a strong bond between the shaft receiving recess 22 and the distal end 34 of the shaft 20. Nevertheless, according to an aspect of the present invention, it is contemplated that the shaft 20 also may be integrally formed with the hosel 12. Referring again to FIG. 11, the hub portion 42 of the hosel 12 defines a first face 44, a guide face 46, and a rotation axis 48. The first face 44 is preferably planar and may be oriented relatively orthogonally with respect to the rotation axis 48. In this regard, as will be explained further below, although it is preferred to have a planar first face 44, the first face 44 need only be configured to mate with another surface. Therefore, the first face 44 may be configured as any two or three dimensional surface. The guide face 46 is opposite the first face 44 and may also be configured as a two or three dimensional surface. As discussed above, the hosel 12 may also include at least one guide selection marking 16, which is preferably disposed on the guide face 46 of the hub portion 42, as shown in FIG. 12. Finally, the hub portion 42 is also be formed to include a first engagement element 50 being disposed on the first face 44.

With reference to the clubhead 38, the clubhead 38 defines front and rear sections 52, 54. The clubhead 38 may also be fabricated of a variety of materials in order to provide the desired mechanical properties as are necessary in golf. As is known in the art, the front section 52 of the clubhead 38 includes a forward face 56 that is configured to strike a golf ball, and may include various design features as are known in the art. For example, the forward face 56 may be planar. In addition, the clubhead 38 may also define a clubhead axis 58 that extends longitudinally through the clubhead 38. Thus, in one implementation, the clubhead axis 58 extends parallel to the plane of the forward face 56.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the rear section 54 of the clubhead 38 includes a hub receptor 60. The rear section 54 may be defined as that portion of the clubhead 38 opposing the forward face 56 of the front section 52. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, the clubhead 38 may be formed in a variety of shapes, such as a putter, a nine-iron, or a driver, just to name a few. The rear section 54 may thus occupy a majority of the clubhead 38. In this regard, the hub receptor 60 may also occupy any position in the rear section 54 of the clubhead 38. In preferred embodiments however, the hub receptor 60 is centrally disposed in the rear section 54, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

In an implementation of the present invention, the hub receptor 60 defines a second face 62 and includes a second engagement element 64 that is disposed on the second face 62. The hub receptor 60 is rotatably engageable to the hub portion 42 of the hosel 12. The relative rotation of the hub receptor 60 about the hosel 12 occurs about the rotation axis 48 with the first face 44 mating with the second face 62. As described further below, the first engagement element 50 is matable with the second engagement element 64 for impeding rotational movement of the hosel 12 with respect to the clubhead 38 at a clubhead angle 66.

The configuration of the clubhead 38, including the position and configuration of the hub receptor 60, may be determined in response to design requirements aimed at achieving a properly weighted or properly responsive clubhead 38, as may be performed by one of skill in the art. Other considerations, such as the angular orientation of the forward face 56 of the clubhead 38, the density of the clubhead 38, the materials from which the clubhead 38 is fabricated, and the size and configuration of the clubhead 38 may be variously modified by one of skill in the art. It is contemplated that by modifying such variables, the teachings herein may be used to provide clubhead assemblies 30 that may be used in a wide variety of golfing applications. For example, the clubhead 38 may be the putter head 10 discussed above; however, the clubhead 38 may be modified to be any driver, iron, wood, or other type of golfing implement known in the art.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11-12, the hub portion 42 of the hosel 12 is configured to engage the hub receptor 60 of the clubhead 38. Both the hub portion 42 and the hub receptor 60 should preferably be complimentarily formed in order to facilitate proper engagement. In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 11-12, the hub portion 42 is preferably configured to be cylindrical. Thus, the hub receptor 60 may be formed as a cylindrical concave recess portion whereinto the cylindrical hub portion 42 is received. In this regard, the concave recess portion may be defined by a raised socket wall 68. However, it is also contemplated that the hub receptor 60 includes no raised portion whatsoever. Nevertheless, the raised socket wall 38 may encircle the hub portion 42 of the hosel 12 by extending about a periphery 70 of the hub portion 42. However, the raised socket wall 68 may extend only about a majority of the periphery 70 of the hub portion and define a gate 72, as shown in FIG. 11. In such an embodiment, the gate 72 may be sized and configured to provide for passage and rotational movement of the hosel 12. Thus, the hosel 12 may include a central section 74 that extends between the hub portion 42 and the shaft receiving recess 22. The central section 74 may be substantially coplanar with the hub portion 42, for example, by joining with the hub portion 42 at a position intermediate the guide face 46 and first face 44 of the hub portion 42, as shown in FIG. 11. In such a case, the raised socket wall 68 should preferably include the gate 72 to facilitate rotational movement of the hosel 12 with respect to the clubhead 38. However, the central section 74 may also extend toward the hub portion 42, joining with the hub portion 42 at the guide face 46 of the hub portion 42. In this latter implementation, the raised socket wall 68 need not include the gate 72.

As mentioned above, the raised socket wall 68 may surround the majority of the periphery 70 of the hub portion 42. In such an innovative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 11-12, the hub portion 42 would have only two degrees of freedom: rotational movement about the rotation axis 48 and axial movement along the rotation axis 48. Each of these movements is innovatively controlled as discussed herein. First, because the hub portion 42 may be received to within the hub receptor 60 with the raised socket walls 68 surrounding the majority of the periphery 70 of the hub portion 42, extrication of the hub portion 42 from the hub receptor 60 due to centrifugal forces along the shaft axis 36 would be prevented. Therefore, in use, the clubhead 38 may tend to be securely mounted to the hosel 12, thus improving the safety of the assembly 30. Further, it is noted that by providing that the raised socket walls 68 surround a majority of the periphery 70 of the hub portion 42, as shown in FIG. 11, the only ready method of inserting or removing the hub portion 42 from the hub receptor 60 is through translational movement along the rotation axis 48. This translational movement along the rotation axis 48 is preferably restricted by the attachment means 40. Therefore, if the raised socket wall 68 is closely fitted with the hub portion 42, it is contemplated that the raised socket wall 68 may bear a majority of the centrifugal forces that are present between the hub portion 42 and the hub receptor 60 during a swing of the golf club 32. Thus, such centrifugal forces may be shared between the hub receptor 60 and the attachment means 40. Such a design advantage allows for an improved dispersion of centrifugal and axial forces, and may tend to ensure that the engagement between the hosel 12 and the clubhead 38 does not fail during the swing of the golf club 32.

As discussed above, the first face 44 of the hub portion 42 mates with the second face 62 of the hub receptor 60. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the first and second faces 44, 62 may preferably be configured to be substantially planar. Nevertheless, the first and second faces 44, 62 may be formed as any three dimensional geometric surface. Importantly, the first and second faces 44, 62 should be configured to substantially mate, which may include that the first face 44 contacts the second face 62 along a majority of the surface thereof. Thus, if the first face 44 is concave, the second face 62 should preferably be shaped as a substantially convex surface so as to facilitate proper mating between the first face 44 and the second face 62. The mating relationship may thus provide that the first face 44 substantially mirrors the second face 62.

The mating relationship of the first and second faces 44, 62 also preferably includes that the first engagement element 50 corresponds to the second engagement element 64 to provide necessary frictional or locking engagement to impede the relative rotation of the hub receptor 60 about the hosel 12. In this regard, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the first engagement element 50 may be formed to include at least one tooth projection, and the second engagement element 64 may include at least one corresponding notch. Indeed, the configuration of the first and second engagement elements 50, 64 may be variously modified according to the teachings herein. For example, both of the first and second engagement elements 50, 64 may include at least one tooth projection and at least one notch. Additionally, the first and second engagement elements 50, 64 may include a series of radial serrations, such as a radial serration profile shown in FIG. 11. Nevertheless, the first and second engagement elements 50, 64 may include any number of teeth, bumps, ribs, notches, pins, or recesses to provide the necessary frictional or locking engagement to impede the relative rotation of the hub receptor 60 about the hosel 12. Thus, the user may select a preferred clubhead angle 66 and engage the first engagement element 50 with the second engagement element 64 in order to fix the orientation of the hosel 12 with respect to the clubhead 38. In this regard, the clubhead angle 66 is defined as the orientation of the shaft axis 36 with respect to the clubhead axis 58.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the attachment means 40 may include a screw 14 that is insertable through a screw hole 76 of the hub portion 42 of the hosel 12 and fastenable to a threaded hole 78 in the hub receptor 60 of the clubhead 38. Such configuration may provide for simplicity of use, thus allowing the user to simply loosen the screw 14, disengage the first engagement element 50 from the second engagement element 64, and rotate the hub portion 42 with respect to the hub receptor 60 to a desired clubhead angle 66. Then, the user may simply tighten the screw 14 which would cause the first engagement element 50 to mate with the second engagement element 64 and thereby fix the orientation of the hosel 12 with respect to the clubhead 38 at the desired clubhead angle 66.

The attachment means 40 facilitates the mating of the first engagement element 50 with the second engagement element 64, which is accomplished by press-fitting the first face 44 to the second face 62. Thus, other attachment means 40 which perform such a press-fitting, may be utilized. For example, the hub receptor 60 may be configured to include a biasing element, such as a spring, which contacts the hub portion 42 of the hosel 12 and urges the first face 44 against the second face 62. Appropriate structure may be included in the rear section 54 of the clubhead 38 in order to anchor and/or support the biasing element. Thus, the biasing element may allow the first face 44 of the hosel 12 to be in fixed contact with the second face 62 of the clubhead 38 with the first and second engagement elements 50, 64 being mated, thus securing the orientation of the hosel 12 with respect to the clubhead 38 at a desired angle.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable clubhead assembly comprising:

a hosel including a shaft receiving recess and a hub portion, the shaft receiving recess defining a shaft axis, the hub portion defining a first face and a rotation axis, the hub portion including a first engagement element being disposed on the first face;

a clubhead defining a clubhead axis and including a hub receptor being disposed on a rear section of the clubhead, the hub receptor defining a second face and including a second engagement element being disposed on the second face thereof, the hub receptor being rotatably engageable to the hub portion about the rotation axis with the first face mating with the second face, the first engagement element being matable with the second engagement element for impeding rotational movement of the hosel with respect to the clubhead at a clubhead angle; and

attachment means for securing the hosel to the clubhead.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first engagement element includes at least one tooth projection.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the second engagement element includes at least one notch.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second engagement elements are a radial serration profile.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the hub portion is cylindrical.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the hub receptor is a cylindrical concave recess portion whereinto the hub portion is received.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the concave recess portion is defined by a raised socket wall, and wherein the raised socket wall substantially surrounds the cylindrical hub portion.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the clubhead angle is defined by the orientation of the shaft axis with respect to the clubhead axis.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the hub portion of the hosel includes a guide selection marking and the hub receptor includes at least one selection marking corresponding to the clubhead angle, the guide selection marking being alignable with the selection marking for orienting the hosel at the clubhead angle with respect to the clubhead.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the attachment means is a screw hole and screw.

11. An adjustable golf club comprising:

an elongate shaft defining a distal end and a shaft axis;

a hosel including a shaft receiving recess and a hub portion, the shaft receiving recess being sized and configured to receive the distal end of the shaft, the hub portion defining a first face and a rotation axis, the hub portion including a first engagement element being disposed on the first face;

a clubhead defining a clubhead axis and including a hub receptor being disposed on a rear section of the clubhead, the hub receptor defining a second face and including a second engagement element being disposed on the second face thereof, the hub receptor being rotatably engageable to the hub portion about the rotation axis with the first face mating with the second face, the first engagement element being matable with the second engagement element for impeding rotational movement of the hosel with respect to the clubhead at a clubhead angle; and

attachment means for securing the hosel to the clubhead.

12. The club of claim 11 wherein the first engagement element includes at least one tooth projection.

13. The club of claim 12 wherein the second engagement element includes at least one notch.

14. The club of claim 11 wherein the first and second engagement elements are a radial serration profile.

15. The club of claim 11 wherein the hub portion is cylindrical.

16. The club of claim 15 wherein the hub receptor is a cylindrical concave recess portion whereinto the hub portion is received.

17. The club of claim 16 wherein the concave recess portion is defined by a raised socket wall, and wherein the raised socket wall substantially surrounds the cylindrical hub portion.

18. The club of claim 11 wherein the clubhead angle is defined by the orientation of the shaft axis with respect to the clubhead axis.

19. The club of claim 11 wherein the hub portion of the hosel includes a guide selection marking and the hub receptor includes at least one selection marking corresponding to the clubhead angle, the guide selection marking being alignable with the selection marking for orienting the hosel at theclubhead angle with respect to the clubhead.

20. The club of claim 11 wherein the attachment means is a screw hole and screw.