Adjustable Shaft Length Patents (Class 473/239)
  • Patent number: 11617926
    Abstract: A golf club head with a hosel hole cover that helps improve the performance of the golf club head is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club head having a hosel hole cover at a bottom portion of an interchangeable connection system that not only provides improved performance of the golf club head by strategically utilizing an existing opening to adjust the weighting of a golf club head, but it also improves the aerodynamics of the golf club head by eliminating undesirable recesses that could be detrimental to the aerodynamics of a golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Sang Yi, Stephen S. Murphy, Richard L. Cleghorn, Richard Sanchez
  • Patent number: 11083939
    Abstract: A golf club head with an adjustable weight assembly that includes a pair of stacked, rotatable circular plates with through-slots and a slidable weight that can move within the slots and clamp the plates together so that they are reversibly fixed to a body portion is disclosed herein. The plates are preferably composed of a lightweight material such as composite, and are located on the sole so that the weight assembly is visible to a user. The plate and slidable weight combination and allows for an increased range of personal performance customization by way of adjustability and interchangeability without using up available discretionary mass in the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Austin L. Frederickson
  • Patent number: 10857446
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for assisting in ghost ball aiming are provided herein for use in cue sports. The apparatus enables a player to align an object ball with a target and determine an aim line at which to propel a cue ball to send the object ball to the target. The apparatus is selectively engaged or selectively attached to a cue stick to provide a visual indication of the aim line along the length of the cue stick. A pivot point of the apparatus is placed in contact with the play surface and secures an absolute position on the play surface as the cue stick and apparatus are rotated from a target line to the aim line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Charles Hassenboehler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10835791
    Abstract: A golf club head with an adjustable weight assembly that includes a pair of stacked, rotatable circular plates with through-slots and a slidable weight that can move within the slots and clamp the plates together so that they are reversibly fixed to a body portion is disclosed herein. The plates are preferably composed of a lightweight material such as composite, and are located on the sole so that the weight assembly is visible to a user. The plate and slidable weight combination and allows for an increased range of personal performance customization by way of adjustability and interchangeability without using up available discretionary mass in the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Austin L. Frederickson
  • Patent number: 9474945
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with deflection junctions are described herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Brandon L. Fossum
  • Patent number: 9122355
    Abstract: A detectable indication member for an optical position detection device includes a round bar shaped shaft and a spherical body provided at the distal end of the shaft. The outer peripheral surface of the spherical body and the outer peripheral surface of an end portion of the shaft portion connected to the spherical body form a retroreflective portion. A portion of the shaft adjacent the base end of the end portion absorbs infrared light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshida, Kanechika Kiyose
  • Patent number: 8926454
    Abstract: In one example, a system for fitting golf equipment for an individual can be configured to be used with an electronic device comprising a fitting processor module and a camera. The system can comprise an image analysis module configured to receive image data of at least a portion of the individual and one or more physical indicia proximate to the individual, where the image data can be captured by the camera. The image analysis module can also be configured to recognize one or more reference features of the individual from the image data, and to calculate one or more fitting dimensions between the one or more reference features in the image data. Other examples, devices, and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Solheim, Roger J. Cottam
  • Publication number: 20140335966
    Abstract: A variable length shaft assembly comprising a shaft, a shaft adapter, a grip sleeve, an actuator screw, a grip, and a screw is disclosed herein. The grip is bonded to the grip sleeve, the shaft adapter is bonded to the shaft, and the shaft adapter comprises a keyed portion that mates with a keyed structure inside of the grip sleeve. The actuator screw comprises external threads that mate with internal threads inside the grip sleeve, and the location of the actuator screw within the grip sleeve can be adjusted with a wrench. Once the actuator screw is at a desired location within the grip sleeve, the shaft is semi-permanently fixed to the grip sleeve by releasably affixing the keyed structure of the shaft adapter to the actuator screw with the screw. The overall length of the assembly can be adjusted and fine-tuned using these structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Homer E. Aguinaldo, Tim Goudarzi
  • Publication number: 20140121031
    Abstract: A variable length shaft assembly comprising a shaft, a shaft adapter, a grip sleeve, an actuator screw, a grip, and a screw is disclosed herein. The grip is bonded to the grip sleeve, the shaft adapter is bonded to the shaft, and the shaft adapter comprises a keyed portion that mates with a keyed structure inside of the grip sleeve. The actuator screw comprises external threads that mate with internal threads inside the grip sleeve, and the location of the actuator screw within the grip sleeve can be adjusted with a wrench. Once the actuator screw is at a desired location within the grip sleeve, the shaft is semi-permanently fixed to the grip sleeve by releasable affixing the keyed structure of the shaft adapter to the actuator screw with the screw. The overall length of the assembly can be adjusted and fine-tuned using these structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: Homer E. Aguinaldo, Tim Goudarzi
  • Patent number: 8328657
    Abstract: An adjustable length golf club including an engaging mechanism, a rotational shaft, a locking mechanism, and a lower shaft. The rotational shaft is connected with the engaging mechanism and is configured to rotate upon movement by the engaging mechanism. The locking mechanism is connected with the rotational shaft and includes a locking insert and a locking collar located on the locking insert. The locking insert being is configured to retain the locking collar during axial movement. The lower shaft has an inner surface that is in frictional contact with the locking collar. The locking insert is threadingly engaged with the locking collar and a first rotational movement in a first rotational direction by the rotational shaft causes the locking insert to move the locking collar creating a frictional locking engagement between the locking collar and the inner surface of the lower shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Demkowski, Ryuichi Sugimae, Michael Walker, Bret H. Wahl, Drew T. DeShiell, Eric Michael Sentianin, Marni D. Ines, Chris Schartiger
  • Patent number: 8147348
    Abstract: An adjustable golf shaft having an upper shaft member and a lower shaft member. The upper shaft member has an elongated bore therein and the lower shaft member has a cylinder and a rod having one end fixed to a proximal end of the cylinder. A fixed bushing is positioned within the elongated bore of the upper shaft member and has an elongated bore extending therethrough. The rod is slidably mounted through the elongated bore of the bushing. The frictional force between the rod and the bushing prevents the rod from sliding relative to the bushing when the user of the golf swings the golf shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Kim Chol
  • Publication number: 20110165956
    Abstract: A golf club that gives instant feedback for helping a player improve his/her ball striking skills while practicing a swing where the golf club has a shaft which is permanently or removably attached to the club head and the club head may have added weights. A shaft extension is attached to the heel of the club face. The toe area of the club head is higher than the club face and the toe and toe area curves down with a sharp indentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Othili Park
  • Patent number: 7857708
    Abstract: A computer (16) for capturing a colored moving image photographed by photographing means (14, 15) has an extraction means for extracting images having necessary swing postures as check-point images from a large number of still images constituting the color moving image; a means for obtaining a coordinate of a position of each of attention-focused points, which operate, in each of the check-point images, while a golfer (11) is swinging; a means for diagnosing a golfer's swing form by setting a plurality of diagnosis items for each trajectory pattern obtained by a ball motion measuring apparatus (20) to classify behavior of a golf ball and by comparing numerical data generated from data of the coordinate of the position of each of the attention-focused points with a judgement value set in each of a plurality of diagnosis items; and a means for outputting an advice drill corresponding to a result of a diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Masahiko Ueda, Masahide Onuki
  • Patent number: 7789765
    Abstract: A golf training aid comprised of a telescopic rod mounted on an adjustable bracket and a generally spherical end member mounted on the rod. The bracket adjusts to fit over the end of the grip of a golf club and is held in place by a band around the bracket. The rod is adapted to be extended and shortened as a means to adjust the length of the device. The distance of the end member from the grip is adjusted so that the end member contacts the midsection of a golfer when he assumes his putting stance and is positioned outside the golfer's body when used for chipping. The portion of the end member which contacts a golfer's body has relatively low friction so that the end member moves relative to the body if the proper putting stroke is not used. The telescopic rod of the device is not meant to contact the golfer's body when used for chipping and will come in contact with the golfer's body when an improper chipping motion is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: John Joseph Marini
  • Publication number: 20100167830
    Abstract: A swing alignment device (1) for assisting or training a golfer to swing with the correct golf swing, the device comprising: a rod-like member (2); and a mounting member (3) for mounting to a shaft (5) of a golf club (6), the mounting member providing a support means (7) which supports the rod-like member on the mounting member such that the rod-like member (2) extends substantially parallel to the shaft and permits the rod-like member to slide relative to the support means (7). The mounting member (3) is suitably adapted for mounting to the grip portion (4) on the shaft of the golf club (6) and includes a grip engagement formation (10) for placing against the grip portion of the shaft (5). The support means for the rod-like member comprise at least one sleeve through which the rod-like member (2) passes, whereby the rod-like member is supported with its longitudinal axis closely laterally spaced from the axis of the golf club shaft (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Lindsay H. Hinton, Stuart McPhie
  • Publication number: 20090203459
    Abstract: A golf training aid comprised of a telescopic rod mounted on an adjustable bracket and a generally spherical end member mounted on the rod. The bracket adjusts to fit over the end of the grip of a golf club and is held in place by a band around the bracket. The rod is adapted to be extended and shortened as a means to adjust the length of the device. The distance of the end member from the grip is adjusted so that the end member contacts the midsection of a golfer when he assumes his putting stance and is positioned outside the golfer's body when used for chipping. The portion of the end member which contacts a golfer's body has relatively low friction so that the end member moves relative to the body if the proper putting stroke is not used. The telescopic rod of the device is not meant to contact the golfer's body when used for chipping and will come in contact with the golfer's body when an improper chipping motion is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: John Joseph Marini
  • Patent number: 7544134
    Abstract: An accessory for a golf putter to make that putter into a putter with the feel of a belly putter. The accessory temporarily extends a regular putter to simulate the feeling of a belly putter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventors: Norman Harmon, Richelle A. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20090143159
    Abstract: A golf club providing a universal training tool for golfers of all sizes is disclosed. The golf club includes an adjustable length shaft having a club head secured at one end thereof and a handle secured at the other end thereof, a sensor circuit disposed in the club head, wherein the sensor circuit includes a first sensor adapted to generate and transmit a first measurement signal representing a first desired characteristic of the golf club, and a display circuit disposed in the handle, wherein the display circuit is adapted to receive the first measurement signal, analyze the first measurement signal, and transmit an output to a user in response to the analysis of the first measurement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Eric Murph, Georgia Mae Murph, Rose Snead
  • Patent number: 7510482
    Abstract: A golf club which includes interconnected segments which can be added to extend the length thus providing an inexpensive alternative to buying new golf clubs. The segments are securely connected to achieve a rigid and sturdy golf club which can grow longer as a child grows taller. The segments preferably have a threaded male/female connection with epoxy applied to the threads followed by the added security of a roll pin inserted into the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ontrack Sports, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Shawn B. Benson
  • Patent number: 7435185
    Abstract: A belly putter incorporating an adjustable shaft length feature. The adjustable length shaft feature may be added to an existing standard putter or may be incorporated into a specifically built belly putter. A rounded top to the belly putter shaft with completely curved and rounded sides is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: William B. Butler
  • Patent number: 7316622
    Abstract: An adjustable putter 10 having a shaft (12) and a grip assembly (16) that is connected to the butt end of shaft (12). A hosel assembly (20) is connected to the tip end (18) of shaft (12) and a head assembly (22) is connected to the hosel assembly. The grip assembly is adjustable on shaft (12) to adjust the length of the putter. A collet (106) is angularly moveable in a housing (94) to adjust the lie and to determine the right-hand/left-hand sense of the putter. The loft is adjusted by substituting different collets (106) with passageways (108) having varying orientations in collet (106). The weight of the putter is adjusted by substituting various weights (156, 158) in the head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventor: Ron Lucas
  • Patent number: 7172513
    Abstract: A tool has an adjustable lie angle, face angle, weight, and shaft length and is used by a golfer to adjust a putter to the optimal lie angle, face angle, weight and shaft length for that golfer. The tool head has a face plate and a sole disposed normal to one another. An angle member has a vertical wall disposed parallel to the face plate and a horizontal wall that overlies the sole. A hosel is pivotally mounted to the vertical wall and a first protractor is fixedly secured to the vertical wall. A marker on the hosel indicates the lie angle on the first protractor. A second protractor secured to the sole indicates a face angle when the shaft of the club is rotated about its axis. Weights are selectively added to the toe, heel, or mid-point of the putter head to determine an optimal weight and weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: James Rinker
  • Patent number: 7172514
    Abstract: An extendable golf club having threadably intercoupled upper and lower shaft sections. The golf club can be extended by threadably coupling one or more spacers between the upper and lower shaft sections and tightening a set screw into engagement with a spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: On Track Sports, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Shawn B. Benson
  • Patent number: 7147568
    Abstract: A belly putter incorporating an adjustable shaft length feature. The adjustable length shaft feature may be added to an existing standard putter or may be incorporated into a specifically built belly putter. A rounded top to the belly putter shaft with completely curved and rounded sides is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: William B. Butler
  • Patent number: 6964616
    Abstract: A putter comprises a linearly elongated telescopic shaft having a handle or grip at an end. The shaft is coupled to a putter head at an opposing (lower or inferior) end. The head is adjustable for altering the lie angle of the putter. The putter may further comprise an offset elbow disposed between the shaft and the head. The elbow is rotatable through 360° about the lower or inferior end of the shaft, thus allowing the rotation of the head 16 about the shaft for selecting a right-handed or left-handed putting orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: Doug C. Dombrowski
  • Patent number: 6932711
    Abstract: An extendable golf club having threadably intercoupled upper and lower shaft sections. The golf club can be extended by threadably coupling one or more spacers between the upper and lower shaft sections and tightening a set screw into engagement with a spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: On Track Sports, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Shawn B. Benson
  • Patent number: 6875123
    Abstract: A golf club which includes an adjustable shaft, in which the shaft comprises an inner shaft part, an outer shaft part which receives an end of the inner shaft within it in a telescoping arrangement, and an internal tube which is fastened within the outer shaft part and which extends along the inside of the outer shaft to engage the inner shaft part in a telescoping arrangement. One of the internal tube and the inner shaft part is split at its end. The club includes a locking mechanism by which the inner shaft and the internal tube can be locked together against relative axial and rotational movement, comprising an expander which can be withdrawn into the split end to cause it to become splayed, to engage the internal surface of the other of the internal tube and the inner shaft part. The expander can be withdrawn into the split end to cause its end to become splayed by the action of a resiliently deformable spring, which biasses the expander towards the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Tidymake Limited
    Inventor: Geoffery Wilson
  • Patent number: 6846244
    Abstract: A telescopic putter mounted to a headband is a novelty game that mimics the game of golf. It is played indoors with a lightweight plastic ball and a cup resting on the floor. The game follows the general rules of putt-putt golf, except for the rule that the player must not touch the club with their hands when swinging. Instead the club is attached to the player's head with the use of a headband. Thus, the player must bend over the ball, place their hands on their knees and swing the club by turning their head from side to side. The club has an adjustable length shaft that telescopes in and out to accommodate players of varying heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventor: Edward E. Davis
  • Patent number: 6780120
    Abstract: A golf club, such as a putter, having a first tube, a second tube, and a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly defines a longitudinally extending bore, a shoulder surface on the exterior surface of the clamp assembly, an orifice extending from the inner surface of the bore toward the exterior surface of the clamp assembly, and an aperture extending between the orifice and the exterior surface of the clamp assembly. A lower portion of the clamp assembly is received within the first tube. The putter further including a shaft and a captured fastening member. The shaft is received within the bore of the clamp assembly and a portion of the shaft proximate its rear end is received within the second tube. The fastening member is operatively received within the orifice of the clamp assembly and is in selective contact with a portion of the exterior surface of the shaft such that the shaft and the second tube may be fixed relative to the clamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Donald K. Murray
  • Publication number: 20040116197
    Abstract: A golf club which includes interconnected segments which can be added to extend the length thus providing an inexpensive alternative to buying new golf clubs. The segments are securely connected to achieve a rigid and sturdy golf club which can grow longer as a child grows taller. The segments preferably have a threaded male/female connection with epoxy applied to the threads followed by the added security of a roll pin inserted into the connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Shawn B. Benson
  • Patent number: 6749521
    Abstract: An extendable golf club having threadably intercoupled upper and lower shaft sections. The golf club can be extended by threadably coupling one or more spacers between the upper and lower shaft sections and tightening a set screw into engagement with a spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: On Track Sports, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Shawn B. Benson
  • Patent number: 6723000
    Abstract: An adjustable putter head and club shaft combination golf putter is adjustable in both shaft length and head angle. A main shaft includes a second shaft portion which telescopes inside a first shaft portion for adjusting the length of the main shaft. A gear assembly located between the second shaft portion and the putter head creates pivoting action of the putter head. When the main shaft is telescopically extended to its longest length, the putter head is located at almost a right angle with respect to the main shaft. As the main shaft is shortened, the putter head increases its angle to approximately 15° in a directly proportional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Doug C. Dombrowski
  • Publication number: 20040048679
    Abstract: The present invention provides an alignment device for aligning a golf club with a person, the golf club comprising a shaft, and a club face, the alignment device comprising a displaceable elongate member connected to the shaft of the golf club, the displaceable elongate member extending axially from the shaft a sufficient extent to enable the displaceable elongate member to be placed against the leading side of the person when the person is holding a golf club with the club face behind and adjacent a golf ball. The present invention also provides for a method of aligning a golf club with a person. The present invention further provides for a method of training a person to impact a golf ball with a golf club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas Robert Bunting
  • Patent number: 6547673
    Abstract: A system for converting readily available standard off the shelf golf club parts into a interchangeable golf club system. A conversion system consists of a head insert which can be glued into the hosel of a standard golf club head. A shaft insert having a central flange is insertable and glueable into place on a standard shaft of a golf club. The shaft insert and the head insert forming a quick connect to attach the shaft to the golf club head. Through the use of different club heads representing the full range of woods, irons, and putter, each having a head insert pre-installed, the club may have emulating any club by attaching the desired club head. A shaft length adjustment is made by a cooperating pin installed in the top of the shaft and slidable within a number of slots provided in a telescoping sleeve slidable over the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Gary Roark
  • Publication number: 20030060301
    Abstract: A compound putter with variable angles is composed of a shaft, a head, a putter face and a chipper face characterized by that a transverse through hole having its both outer sides respectively provided with an elastic washer is disposed at the lower end of the shaft adapted to a pivot; a recess in the upper side of the head to receive the lower end of the shaft and a through hole each provided in both sides of the recess so that with the lower end of the shaft in the recess and the pivot penetrating the through holes in the head and in the shaft to pivot the shaft to the head then a putter face and a chipper face are provided on both sides of the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Yung-ho Hsu
  • Patent number: 6533676
    Abstract: An improved golf putter is provided with an upper brace member portion extending above the grip of the putter. The upper brace member portion has a lower arm brace, an upper arm brace and an anchor that are all oriented to follow the underside of a golfer's forward arm from the wrists to the armpit to brace the golfer's arm in a triangulated position in order that the golfer may utilize a pendular stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventors: Frank D'Angelo, Mario Dibartolomeo
  • Publication number: 20020183130
    Abstract: A golf club putter that provides improved putter stroke control and feel, and increased power, while consistently imparting an overspin on a golf ball, is provided. The inventive golf club putter comprises a unitary, substantially bell-shaped putter head and an elongate shaft. The weight and design of the putter head serves to raise and shift the center of mass of the putter head toward its ball striking portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Daril A. Pacinella
  • Patent number: 6413168
    Abstract: An adjustable length shaft assembly including a handle portion and an extensible shaft. An upper end of the shaft includes a set of locking teeth. The handle has an internal locking mechanism with a tooth rack to accommodate the locking teeth. A control handle is rotated in a first direction, rotating the teeth away from the tooth rack, where the teeth are in a disengaged, unlocked position. With the teeth unlocked, the shaft can be longitudinally adjusted to achieve the desired length. Then, the control handle is rotated in a second direction, rotating the teeth into the tooth rack, where the teeth are in an engaged, locked position. In this manner, the teeth and the tooth rack provide a plurality of positive locking positions, each position providing a different shaft length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce P. McKendry, Lorin P. Olson
  • Publication number: 20020082103
    Abstract: A golf club which includes interconnected segments which can be added to extend the length thus providing an inexpensive alternative to buying new golf clubs. The segments are securely connected to achieve a rigid and sturdy golf club which can grow longer as a child grows taller. The segments preferably have a threaded male/female connection with epoxy applied to the threads followed by the added security of a roll pin inserted into the connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Shawn B. Benson
  • Patent number: 6402634
    Abstract: An instrumented golf club system having an instrumented golf club, an interface means and a computing means is disclosed herein. The instrumented golf club includes a plurality of sensors, an internal power supply, an angular rate sensor and an internal ring buffer memory for capturing data relating to a golf swing. The interface means is capable of transferring data from the instrumented golf club to the computing means for processing the data and presenting the data in a useful and informative format. The data may be used to assist a golfer's swing, or to design an appropriate golf club for a specific type of golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Nathan J. Lee, J. Andrew Galloway, William Kelly Borsum
  • Publication number: 20010053720
    Abstract: An instrumented golf club system having an instrumented golf club, an interface means and a computing means is disclosed herein. The instrumented golf club includes a plurality of sensors, an internal power supply, an angular rate sensor and an internal ring buffer memory for capturing data relating to a golf swing. The interface means is capable of transferring data from the instrumented golf club to the computing means for processing the data and presenting the data in a useful and informative format. The data may be used to assist a golfer's swing, or to design an appropriate golf club for a specific type of golfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Nathan J. Lee, J. Andrew Galloway, William Kelly Borsum
  • Patent number: 6298546
    Abstract: A device and method to position a newly installed grip or to verify the position of one previously installed, quantitatively, in relation to the leading edge of a golf club head or any point referenced by the alignment assembly. The invention includes two components. The first component is an alignment assembly, removably attachable to the shaft for identifying the position of the shaft diameter that is substantially parallel to the leading edge of the golf club head. The alignment assembly is comprised of an alignment rod and removable pointer both mounted on a support providing a substantially planar surface. The second component is a shaft rotation gauge, removably attachable to the shaft for measuring the deviation of any point on a grip or shaft from any position referenced by the alignment assembly. The shaft rotation gauge is comprised of an arched ruled indicator surface attached to and radially extended a predetermined distance from the shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: John Emil Slota
  • Patent number: 6283874
    Abstract: A putter for use in the game of golf including a first elongated shaft having a first and a second end, a second elongated shaft having a first end telescopically received within the second end of the first elongated shaft, a putter head fixedly secured to a second end of the second elongated shaft and a securing mechanism for fixing an axial and rotational position of the second elongated shaft with respect to the first elongated shaft. Additionally, the first end of the first elongated includes a mechanism for stabilizing the first elongated shaft with respect to the body of the user. Particularly, the stabilizer is received under an arm of the user and is capable of supporting the weight of the user should the user require assistance in walking or utilizing the putter. The putter may include a first elongated shaft in the form of a conventional putter which is received within a second shaft in the form of an upper portion of a quad cane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: James Studebaker
  • Patent number: 6224493
    Abstract: An instrumented golf club system having an instrumented golf club, an interface means and a computing means is disclosed herein. The instrumented golf club includes a plurality of sensors, an internal power supply, an angular rate sensor and an internal ring buffer memory for capturing data relating to a golf swing. The interface means is capable of transferring data from the instrumented golf club to the computing means for processing the data and presenting the data in a useful and informative format. The data may be used to assist a golfer's swing, or to design an appropriate golf club for a specific type of golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Nathan J. Lee, J. Andrew Galloway, William Kelly Borsum
  • Patent number: 6110055
    Abstract: A golf club having a shaft (3) and a club head (2) which is connected to a shank portion (4) of the shaft at its heel end (31) so that it can be rotated around the axis of the shank portion. The configuration of the shank portion is such that the shaft axis and the shank axis intersect at about the bottom of the heel end of the club head so that rotating the club head around the shank axis causes the angle between the club face (30) and the shaft (3) to change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Tidymake Limited
    Inventor: Geoffrey Wilson
  • Patent number: 6039910
    Abstract: A golf ball core and a method of making the same wherein remarkable reduction of eccentricity of an inner layer to an outer layer is accomplished, and mass-production of the golfball cores are possible. The golfball inner layer is penetrated into at least a part of a seam portion of the outer layer. A volume of an intrusive portion of the inner layer into the outer layer is arranged to be 1/300 to 1/5 of a volume of the outer layer, suppose the outer layer is a complete spherical shell. To form a core, an unvulcanized material is semi-vulcanized or vulcanized to form an outer layer half shell whose configuration is generally a hemispherical shell, and an unvulcanized inner layer forming material is put between the pair of outer layer half shells and vulcanizing pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tanaka, Yoshiyuki Okido, Hideki Sano
  • Patent number: 6000286
    Abstract: A high speed camera takes an image in the vicinity of a ball 3 and a club head 12, while a high speed camera 5 takes an image in the vicinity of the top of the swing of a golfer 1, and the images are recorded in a high speed video tape recorder 6. The recorded images are reproduced, swing time, a swing speed and a head speed are detected using a personal computer 15, and a shaft with an optimum flex for the golfer is selected based on the swing time, the swing speed, the swing time and the head speed, or the swing speed and the head speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Mizuno Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Naruo, Takeshi Saito, Shuichi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 5997412
    Abstract: A golf club which includes interconnected segments which can be added to extend the length thus providing an inexpensive alternative to buying new golf clubs. The segments are securely connected to achieve a rigid and sturdy golf club which can grow longer as a child grows taller. The segments preferably have a threaded male/female connection with epoxy applied to the threads followed by the added security of a roll pin inserted into the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Shawn B. Benson
  • Patent number: 5792006
    Abstract: The disclosed collapsible golf club shaft is formed of a conventional stepped one-piece tubular golf shaft having diameters progressing from a large ID and OD end to a smaller ID and OD end, being cut in two at the end of one cylindrical axial sections next to the larger axial section, allowing the two pieces to be telescoped together as inner and outer pieces, and shifted then between a collapsed position compactly nested together and an extended operative position with only endmost stepped sections of the pieces yet overlapped at a separable connection between the pieces. A screw can be extended through wall structure openings and threaded into a reinforcing structure inside the inner piece at the connection for locking the pieces together in the extended operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Full Swing Custom Clubs, Inc
    Inventor: Robert T. Hesser
  • Patent number: 5649870
    Abstract: A golf club putter having an elongated shaft that is used in a manner that insures a golfer putts with a pendulum type stroke, as recommended by many Professional Golf Association teaching professionals. The elongated putter consists of two tapered shaft sections where a smaller lower section can collapse inside a larger upper section, a putter head affixed to the bottom end of the lower section, a elongated grip extending down from the top of the upper shaft section and a 30 degree bend at the bottom of the lower shaft section for proper alignment of the putter head when the golf club is held in position for putting. During putting, the elongated putter is positioned with the upper end of the shaft in the golfer's forward arm pit, or, for taller players, up under the forward arm against the side of the chest. The golfer's hands are positioned on the grip in the middle of the shaft to guide the putter along a line that will direct a ball towards the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Alden J. Harrison