Adjustable Lie Patents (Class 473/248)
  • Patent number: 7806778
    Abstract: The invention relates to a putter head for a golf putter and to a golf putter that includes the putter head and a putter shaft secured to the putter head. The putter head includes a first head part, that defines the striking face of the putter, and a second head part that is located operatively rearwardly of the first head part and that is displaceable on guide rods with respect to the first head part along a line extending substantially perpendicularly to the striking face defined by the first head part. Securing screws displaceable within the second head part can engage the respective guide rods for securing the location of the head parts with respect to one another. A shaft securing formation is associated with the first head part and permits securing of a putter shaft to the putter head in different angular configurations with respect thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: John Clement Elmer
  • Patent number: 7704155
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole with three recessed cavities for attachment to a hosel-bending tool. In another embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole that includes one predetermined contact area proximal to the toe edge of the sole. In another embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole in which pads of material are incorporated that may be milled to vary the relief of the sole and to modify mass characteristics of the club head. Yet another embodiment presents a golf club head having a body with a cavity to receive a cartridge that has a constant density and weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas Orrin Bennett, Christopher D. Harvell, Stephen S. Murphy, Eddie G. Perez, Michael Scott Burnett
  • Patent number: 7695375
    Abstract: A front of the club head consists of a round opening that accepts a corresponding round member on the end of the shaft. The face of the club inside the round opening on the club head as well as the face of the shaft member that opposes the face of the club inside the round opening on the club head includes half-spherical divots. Opposing divots are positioned in-line when the shaft is at an allowable angle. A ball bearing inserts into the in-line divots prior to sliding the shaft member into the club head opening to prevent movement when tightened. Inside the club head round opening is a smaller round opening that extends through the back of the club head. The round member on the end of the shaft has an attached threaded post that inserts into the smaller round opening on the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory Andrew Kaczmarz, Bruce M Kisell, Johanna P Lalman, Tracy R Young, Mike J. Bartmanovich
  • Patent number: 7695376
    Abstract: Technology that allows the angle of the shaft of a golf club to adjust in small increments. The front of the club head consists of a round opening that accepts a corresponding thin round member which can be rotated to a number of positions. The round opening also accepts a corresponding round member on the end of the shaft. This round member slides into the round opening in the front of the club head after the thin round member is seated firmly. A protrusion on the round shaft member will insert into one of the many divots on the opposing face of the thin round member, resulting in an allowable shaft angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory Andrew Kaczmarz, Bruce M Kisell, Johanna P Lalman, Tracy R Young, Mike J. Bartmanovich
  • Publication number: 20100035697
    Abstract: Golf club moveable disc shaft angle adjustment technology that allows the angle of the shaft of a golf club (ie. the lie) to adjust in small increments, prevents movement as is the case with gears or teeth, and eliminates the use of small, difficult-to-handle parts such as a ball bearing. The front of the club head consists of a round opening that accepts a corresponding thin round member. The face of the club head inside the round opening on the club head consists of a series of divots. The face of the thin round member that opposes the face of the club head inside the round opening on the club head has protrusions. The protrusions and divots allow the thin round member to be seated firmly in one of a number of allowable positions. The face of the thin round member that faces away from the club head consists of a series of divots, each of which corresponds to a unique shaft angle when the thin round member is in a particular allowable position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory Andrew Kaczmarz, Bruce M. Kisell, Johanna P. Lalman, Tracy R. Young, Mike J. Bartmanovich
  • Patent number: 7438645
    Abstract: A golf club includes a head, a retaining ring, a tightening ring, an adjusting sleeve, a hosel, a fixing sleeve, a coupler, and a shaft. A pin is threadedly engaged with a transverse screw hole of the neck and a transverse screw hole of the hosel and extended into a transverse hole of the coupler, such that the shaft is pivotable about the pin to allow adjustment in the tilt angle between the shaft and the head. The golf club provides a tilt adjustable mechanism with a strong structure while providing reliable tilt adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Hsin I Hsu
  • Patent number: 7429218
    Abstract: A golf cub comprising a head, a shaft assembly and a shaft attachment assembly. The head includes a body which includes a face and a back. The shaft assembly includes a shaft member. The shaft attachment assembly includes a primary plug assembly. The primary plug assembly includes a primary plug to which the shaft member is attached, and, a member which facilitates rotatably positioning of the primary plug relative to the back of the head, to, in turn, vary the angle of the shaft member relative to the back of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventor: Bernard Pinder
  • Patent number: 7410423
    Abstract: A golf cub comprising a head, a shaft assembly and a shaft attachment assembly. The head includes a body which includes a face and a back. The shaft assembly includes a shaft member. The shaft attachment assembly includes a primary plug assembly. The primary plug assembly includes a primary plug to which the shaft member is attached, and, a member which facilitates rotatably positioning of the primary plug relative to the back of the head, to, in turn, vary the angle of the shaft member relative to the back of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Bernard L. Pinder
  • Patent number: 7367896
    Abstract: A putter has an elongated head with a face along a long side of the head and an end surface along a short side of the head. The shaft can be positioned to strike a ball with either the face or the end surface. The end surface may have a loft of 5 degrees or more. The shaft is held in each position such that it does not move appreciably while putting, but can be moved to another position by a golfer, optionally with or without tools. In some embodiments, all contact between the shaft and the head is made through one or more resilient, non-metallic materials such as rubber. In some embodiments, a ball on the end of the shaft is held in a cavity in the head by an annular nut. O-rings or other elements separate the ball from components fixed to the head and the nut can be tightened or loosened to adjust the friction provided by the O-rings or other elements. In some embodiments, the shaft can alternately be made fixable or moveable relative to the head by manipulating, for example twisting, the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Inventor: George W. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20080076590
    Abstract: A golf club includes a head, a retaining ring, a tightening ring, an adjusting sleeve, a hosel, a fixing sleeve, a coupler, and a shaft. A pin is threadedly engaged with a transverse screw hole of the neck and a transverse screw hole of the hosel and extended into a transverse hole of the coupler, such that the shaft is pivotable about the pin to allow adjustment in the tilt angle between the shaft and the head. The golf club provides a tilt adjustable mechanism with a strong structure while providing reliable tilt adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Hsin I. Hsu
  • Patent number: 7335112
    Abstract: An adjustable putter head for a golf putter is designed having an elongated line of sight marking on a top surface of the putter head to aid in aligning the putter head in a putting direction toward a target point, and a putter face which is pivotally connected to the putter head to allow selective adjustment of an angular position of the putter face relative to the line of sight for purposes such as adjusting a face angle orientation to compensate for improper putting strokes, or lining up breaking putts using the line of sight to aim the putt at the hole as a fixed target while adjusting the face angle orientation to align the ball striking face square to an off-line direction of intended ball movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Gregory F. Bitondo
  • Publication number: 20080009360
    Abstract: This club's design provides the ability to change the blade's alignment with the hosel and shaft without any loosening or disassembly of the club's parts. The blade is placed and kept firmly in its various positions through the use of spring loaded “pins”. A similar provision is made for changing the length of the club shaft: it will be “pinned” in an appropriate length, matching the position of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Francis Purtill
  • 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: 7189165
    Abstract: A golf club head comprises: a hollow main body made of at least one metal material and provided in at least one of a crown portion and a sole portion of the head with an opening; and an FRP part covering said opening and made of at least one resinous material reinforced with fibers, wherein the fibers include: longitudinal fibers oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the front-back direction of the head; and traversal fibers oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front-back direction, and the longitudinal fibers are less than the traversal fibers with respect to a total weight of fibers in a unit area and/or a total of tensile elastic moduli of fibers in a unit area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Akio Yamamoto
  • 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: 6935966
    Abstract: A basketball hoop cover that is somewhat tubular and circular in shape with a slit along its length to allow a fitting over an existing basketball rim to provide a player protection and increased hoop visibility. The device also provides a way of reducing the ball entry area and includes particular targeting features that may assist in improving the skill level and enjoyment for the basketball shooter. The single piece tubular cover is contoured similar to an existing rim diameter and installs, without any tools or additional fasteners to a variety of existing rims and permits an easy way of custom fitting and trimming to satisfy unforeseen or unusual applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas R. Kershaw
  • Patent number: 6857969
    Abstract: A golf club head having a stamped metal cup-shaped front section welded to a cast body, and a split hosel comprising upper and lower hosel elements, both integrally cast within the body of the club head for reduction of weight in the hosel area. The lower hosel element including varying boss members for receiving the bottom of a shaft. Each individual boss member having a shaft opening corresponding to a pre-determined club lie and club face angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Scott A. Rice
  • Patent number: 6849002
    Abstract: A golf club head having a split hosel comprising upper and lower hosel elements, both integrally cast within the body of the club head for reduction of weight in the hosel area. The lower hosel element having a boss member for receiving the bottom of a shaft. The boss member being variably disposed at a pre-determined position in the lower hosel to provide both a pre-selected club lie and a club face angle. The body therefore having a universal casting with only the welding of the boss into the lower hosel element being varied. The toe portion of the cast body forming a section of the front face surface thereby removing welding away from the aesthetically critical toe portion and easing buffing and polishing procedures in the toe portion in addition to providing structural integrity to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Scott A. Rice
  • Patent number: 6780121
    Abstract: A golf club head (10) of the wood variety includes a first, second and third spaced apart guide fins (20, 22, 24) arranged from the hosel end of the head portion (12) to the opposite tip end. The first fin (20) extending along the lower and rear surfaces of the head portion is orthogonal to the ball striking surface (16). The second fin (22) on the hosel curved end wall extends angularly toward the player and angularly to the first fin. The third fin (24) is located on the tip (38) end wall extending downwardly and outwardly from the head portion. All three fins have respective maximum extension points (30, 36, 42) such that the club head can rest on these points on a flat surface spacing the major lower head portion surface from flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Paul J. Herber
  • Patent number: 6769994
    Abstract: A shot control hosel is disclosed for customizing golf clubs. The disclosed embodiments of the invention provide a set of hosels, each hosel having a conical body. The body has a central axis, a top portion and a bottom portion. A cylindrical opening extends from the top portion to the bottom portion and is adapted to accommodate a golf club shaft. A flange may be provided on the body and may be adapted to engage a notch within a bore of a golf club head. A resilient barb on the smaller of the top portion and the bottom portion is provided to secure the hosel within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Golfsmith Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: David D. Boone
  • Patent number: 6729967
    Abstract: This invention relates to a marking system for a golf club which provides a visual marking system to facilitate the positioning of the ball laterally with respect to the club face, as well a marking system on the bottom flange of the club which facilitates the determination of the angle, and a bull's-eye marking at the sweet spot of the club face. The markings make it possible to facilitate club fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: John S. Ford
  • 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: 20040023725
    Abstract: A trial golf club and golf fitting system for determining at least one custom fitted golf club. The trial club includes a golf club head having a sole defined by a radius of curvature. The sole of the golf club head includes graduated indicia for identifying an optimal lie angle for the fitted club. When the golfer swings the trial golf club, the optimal lie angle of the fitted club is identified by locating the point of impact on the sole of the head of the trial golf club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: David G. Llewellyn, William A. Price, Masao Nagai
  • Patent number: 6663496
    Abstract: A putter, comprising a head comprising an offset hosel; a heel; a toe; and a planar striking face; wherein the head comprises a first reference line is spaced from and parallel to said planar striking face; and a ladder comprised of a plurality of second reference lines, wherein the ladder is located substantially between the hosel and the heel and the second reference lines are perpendicular to the striking face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Donald T. Cameron, William B. Lacy
  • Publication number: 20030186755
    Abstract: The golf putter according to the present invention has a mechanism to fix a putter shaft to a head in an arbitrary orientation relative to the head. Specifically, the head has a circular hole formed on its upper surface to extend at a angle in which the putter shaft is attached to the head and-a screw hole formed on its rear surface that communicates with the circular hole. A lower end portion of the putter shaft is fixed to a columnar member which has a circumferential groove formed on the surface of its leading end portion and fits the circular hole. The putter shaft which has the member inserted into the circular hole can be rotated 360 degrees with respect to the head. The putter shaft is fixed to the head by adjusting the orientation of the putter shaft to a desired orientation relative to the head, and screwing the tightening screw inserted into the screw hole so as to engage its leading end portion with and push it against the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Seiichi Kitabayashi
  • Patent number: 6623372
    Abstract: A golf putter, which has a shaft with an adjustable length and a hosel with an adjustable lie angle, is designed for use in custom fitting of golf putters. The golf putter includes a putter head, and the shaft has an upper shaft portion and a lower shaft portion. The hosel includes a first hosel portion extending upwardly from the putter head, and a second hosel portion extending downwardly from the lower shaft portion. The first and second hosel portions are movable relative to each other to adjust the lie angle of the hosel. An elongated rod extends upwardly from the lower shaft portion into the upper shaft portion. The elongated rod is slidably interconnected with the upper shaft portion to adjust the length of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Lou C. Beebe, John P. Fife, Jr., James Wells
  • Patent number: 6616545
    Abstract: A putter including a shaft having first and second ends, the first, lower end pivotally engaging a “T” configured putter head via a spring biased, rotatable hosel, the upper end of the putter having first and second grips pivotally adjustable into a wishbone or other spaced configuration. The configuration of the present system allows each hand to independently engage a separate, spaced grip with the hands engaged with the thumbs gripping the upper portion of each respective handle, as desired by the user. The club is configurable into multiple positions, with the grips and putter head pivotally adjustable so as to allow side putting with the putter head to the side of the user, center putting with the user facing the target croquet style and the putter drawn back between the legs of the user, or pendulum style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Lee A. Lacoste
  • Patent number: 6575843
    Abstract: A golf club is provided which includes a metal wood club head with a hosel receiving tube that extends from the neck to the sole, and a hosel configured and dimensioned to be received in the hosel receiving tube. The club shaft is received in a bore in the hosel, which may be oriented to produce a desired lie angle and loft. The hosel has an oblong and tapered geometry and is insertable into the tube bore from the sole. The hosel may positively engage the club head, and a ferrule also may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Terrill R. McCabe
  • Patent number: 6558269
    Abstract: A custom fit putter kit having an adjustable length shaft, an adjustable putter head lie angle and an adjustable weight. The shaft feature includes two sections which are connected and whose overall length is controlled by utilizing spacers of different lengths. The adjustable putter head lie angle feature utilizes a four pre-bored hole, two locking pin method of providing three potential putter head lie angles. The weight adjustment feature includes a central cavity and a weight plug which is utilized for different lengths of shaft to improve the continuum of the swing. Interrelated, the three variable features are utilized in conjunction to conform to physiology and swing style of the specific user. Thus, the present invention provides an inexpensive, custom fit putter with no need for additional tools or the individual use of harsh chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: McBee Golf Company
    Inventor: DuWayne McBee
  • 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: 6527649
    Abstract: An adjustable golf club comprises an elongate shaft having a handle at one end, a club head having a face arranged to strike a golf ball, a pair removable shaft attaching members each arranged to be coupled to the club head at respective sides of the striking face whereon the shaft extends therefrom. A pair of changeable weights, each one of the weights is arranged to be coupled to a respective one of the shaft attaching members. An insert portion on the club head at respective sides of the striking face for receiving the shaft attaching member. A stem extending from each of the shaft attaching members arranged to extend through the club head whereon the weights are coupled and an adjustable fastening arrangement in the insert arranged such that the angle of the shaft in relation the club head can be changed. The shaft attaching members are arranged to be interchangeable to allow the club to be usable for left or right handed golfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Lloyd A. Neher, John MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20030013538
    Abstract: A preferred golf club aligning kit includes a tool, ligatures and a marker. The preferred tool includes a base and an arm pivotally secured along a center line of the base. A preferred method of use involves centering a head of the club against the base; binding the head to the base; pivoting the arm until proximate a shaft of the club; binding the shaft to the arm; marking a first alignment mark on a grip of the club; and marking a second alignment mark on the head proximate the center line. A preferred method for addressing a ball involves positioning the second alignment mark proximate the center of the ball; pivoting the club until the first alignment mark overhangs the ball; aiming the first alignment mark toward a target; positioning one's feet parallel to the first alignment mark; and again centering the second alignment mark with the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Tyrone S. Daniels
  • Patent number: 6497626
    Abstract: This invention relates to a putter, comprising a shaft (7), a putter head (1) with a hitting face (3) and means for attaching the putter head (1) to the shaft (7), said shaft (7) having an imaginary center line (8) positioned substantially coaxial within said shaft, said putter head (1) having a center of gravity (x), wherein that the shaft (7) and the head (1) are attached to each other in such a manner that a the point of intersecting of said center line (8) and a normal extending inwardly of said hitting faces (3) is positioned at a longer distance from said hitting face (3) than the centre of gravity (x), so as to form a minimum distance (L) between said center line (8) and said centre of gravity (x).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Leif Sundberg Golf AB
    Inventor: Leif Sundberg
  • Patent number: 6475097
    Abstract: An improved structure of a golf putter comprising a shaft, an actuating seat having a threaded section, a fastening member and a club head, characterized in that the actuating seat has a top end provided with a holding hole of an appropriate depth to accommodate the shaft at the bottom end thereof, the lower end of the actuating seat is the threaded section to securely mount with the club head, the actuating seat has a center through hole and the fastening member is provided to the actuating seat so as to conveniently secure the seat to the fastening member, the fastening member passes through the through hole of the actuating seat and is mounted to the screw hole of the shaft, the club head has a hole which can be associated with the fastening member of the actuating seat so that the club head is mounted onto the actuating seat, thereby, the shaft, the actuating seat and the fastening member are formed integrally into an unit, the fastening member secures this unit together with the club head, by loosening t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Benjamin Liao
  • Patent number: 6471599
    Abstract: This invention relates to a marking system for a golf iron which provides a visual marking system to facilitate the positioning of the ball laterally with respect to the club face, as well a marking system on the bottom flange of the club which facilitates the determination of lie angle, and a bullseye marking at the sweet spot of the club face. The markings make it possible to facilitate club fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: John S. Ford
  • Patent number: 6435976
    Abstract: A golf putter providing an adjustable angle between the shaft the putter head, which angle can be adjusted to accommodate individual golfers. The putter head has a slot which extends vertically from a lower surface thereof and a cylindrical recess which extends from a rear surface of the putter head forming a vertical wall therebetween, with a pair of arcuate-shaped slots. The putter further includes a hosel assembly having a cylindrical joint member affixed to the lower portion of the shaft. The joint member closely fits within the cylindrical recess forming a pivot which is lockable in the desired angular position by a pair of hex head screws which extend through the joint member and opposite portions of the arcuate-shaped slots into threaded holes of the lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Gary E. Galliers
  • Patent number: 6379260
    Abstract: In an iron club set, the lie angle of each iron club in an iron club set is selected to be 61 degrees or larger. The lie angles of the iron clubs are set at a fixed value for every type of the iron clubs including a short iron to a long iron or progressively increase in angle value from the short iron to the long iron. Further, a ratio (L/H) of the minimum height (L) of the face at the heel to the maximum height (H) of the face of the club head, progressively increase in value in going to the long irons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotada Iwade, Shu Katayama
  • Patent number: 6234915
    Abstract: A three-piece golf putter comprises a putter head, an anti-shock slat, and a neck. The neck made of a material differs from that of the putter head and the anti-shock slat in specific gravity. So that, by replacing the neck with different specific gravity or different angle of elevation, the center of gravity may be adjusted to the best position to match with various striking postures. Moreover, by selecting the anti-shock slat in different specific gravities, depth of the center of gravity may be changed in order to enlarge region of the sweet spot for easy grasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Kun-Jung Wu
  • Patent number: 6213889
    Abstract: A golf club includes a head having a striking face and a shaft having first and second ends such that the shaft defines an axis. The club further includes a hosel assembly including a member having first and second ends. The first end of the member is fastened to the head. The hosel assembly also includes a hosel having first and second ends. The first end of the hosel is fastened to the shaft. The second end of the hosel is pivotally fastened to the second end of the member. A cam member is pivotally fastened to a first one of the hosel and the member about an axis. The cam member has a cam surface offset from the axis. The cam surface is engaged with a second one of the hosel and the member. The rotation of the cam member about the axis causes the cam surface to pivot the member relative to the hosel to change the lie or loft angle of the putter head relative to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Edward Hamburger
  • Patent number: 6186903
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a front face arranged for impact with a golf ball, a heel portion and a toe portion. A hosel has a neck connected to the heel portion of the body. The hosel contains a bore for receiving one end of a golf club shaft, and the bore has a desired orientation relative to the body. The hosel neck has an upper surface and a lower surface, and a notch is formed in the lower surface of the hosel neck. The notch has a depth that varies along its length. A critical dimension measured between the upper surface of the hosel neck and a point on the depth of the notch is less than the outside diameter of the hosel. This permits the desired orientation of the bore to be adjusted by bending the hosel neck at the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Lou C. Beebe, Daniel J. Kubica
  • Patent number: 6142884
    Abstract: An adjustable putter which utilizes a putter head connected to an adjustment means. The adjustment means is connected to a shaft which is in turn connected to a grip. The relationship between the adjustment means and the putter head is maintained such that the lie angle of the putter head, with respect to the shaft, may be confined to certain measurements or restricitons. The putter may be customized to an individual's putting stroke and physical stature. The putter also benefits from the use of a striking face which is composed of two separate radial curvatures. The curvatures are connected smooth and piece-wise so that the continuous striking face is forgiving to putting inconsistencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Hyung Jin Yim
  • Patent number: 6126555
    Abstract: An adjustable golf putter includes a shaft having a lower end, a pivotal pin attached to the lower end, and a head pivotally retaining the pivot pin. The pivotal pin is pivotally disposed through a slot which is formed through an upper surface of the head and extends downwardly to a longitudinal duct. A supporting member and notches of an abutment are disposed in the duct of the head and only allow movement along the longitudinal axis of the head by abutting against the pivotal pin. A pair of locking members are disposed through the head and abut against the shaft locking the shaft in a selected angular position. The pivotal pin extending in a first direction inserts through the slot and is disposed in the duct. The pivotal pin pivotally lodges within the notches by rotating the pivotal pin roughly 90 degrees from the first direction to a second direction. The support member is then inserted preventing vertical movement of the pivotal pin. Locking members lock the shaft in the selected angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Paul T. Schooler
  • Patent number: 6120384
    Abstract: A custom-fabricated golf club device comprising a golf club head with a recessed portion located at the front heel portion of the head and machined therein, the recessed portion comprising a substantially semi-spherical aperture. A hosel assembly has a lower portion, having a substantially semi-spherical aperture that aligns with the aperture of the head recessed portion, the hosel assembly further having a recessed portion at an upper portion thereof. A steel ball is located securely within the aperture of head recessed portion and the aperture of the hosel assembly lower portion, functioning to provide positive location of the club head and hosel assembly. In the preferred mode, a permanent weldment functions to securely affix the lower portion of the hosel assembly to the club head at the heel portion of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Stanley Drake
  • Patent number: 6095929
    Abstract: A novel device is provided which enables a golfer to adjust the inclined angle of the putter shaft to the putter head so as to satisfy that individual's preference. The device can be used with virtually any combination of putter heads and shafts.A two component embodiment consists of one component connected to the putter head and the second component fastened to the shaft. The faces of the components are pivotally secured together for selective adjustment relative to each other.A one-piece fixed angle embodiment has an upper end adapted to fit the club shaft and the lower end fitted to the putter head. A preselected angle between the ends of the component determines the golfer's preferred angle of inclination or lie angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Edward L. Clark
  • Patent number: 5906549
    Abstract: A golf club is comprised of a head including a hollow body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall arranged for impacting a golf ball. A bore is disposed in the head adjacent a heel end thereof behind the body front wall extending downwardly from the body top wall toward the body bottom wall. A hosel having a generally lengthwise passage is inserted into the bore. The hosel passage is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the bore, and a tip end of a shaft is received in the hosel passage so that the shaft is disposed at a desired orientation with respect to the head. The hosel is selected from a plurality of hosels with passages disposed at different predetermined angles relative to the bore longitudinal axis. This allows adjustment of the desired orientation of the shaft so that the golf club may be custom fit to a particular golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel J. Kubica
  • Patent number: 5863257
    Abstract: An adjustable golf putter which has an attachment means which allows the shaft to be removed from the putter head, and allows the angle between the golf club shaft and the golf club putter head to be adjusted. An array of angle selection notches and an angle selection tooth are provided on the first end of the shaft. These angle selection notches correspond to a variety of angles between the shaft and the putter head body. Choice of an angle selection notch positions determines the angle between the putter shaft and the putter head body and holds it at that angle in a positive manner. The putter also has interchangeable face plate assemblies, which provide for changing the mass of the putter head and the loft angle of the striking face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Romolo Buzz Busnardo
  • Patent number: 5816931
    Abstract: Golf clubs are disclosed wherein the angle of the shaft relative to the head is adjustable. In one embodiment, a member extends into a top surface of the head, and the shaft is adjustable with that member relative to the head. A resilient locking member locks the shaft once a desired orientation is achieved. In a second embodiment, the shaft is provided with an inner portion extending into a side of the head. A pin is fixed in an inner portion of the shaft. Threaded locking members lock the pin and hence the shaft once a desired orientation is achieved relative to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Paul T. Schooler
  • Patent number: 5807186
    Abstract: A golf club head is composed of a heel, a toe portion, a face, a sole, and a neck for fastening with the shaft of a golf club. The sole is provided with an adjusting apparatus detachably fastened therewith for adjusting an angle between an axis of said shaft and a bottom external surface of said adjusting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Archer C. C. Chen
  • Patent number: 5733203
    Abstract: Disclosed is a golf club comprising a shaft having a longitudinal axis. On the shaft is a hosel, and a head is securable on the hosel. When the head is secured on the hosel it may be used to strike a golf ball. The head is slidably adjustable along at least a portion of the hosel to a selected distance from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Preferably, the selected distance may be greater than the diameter of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Nicholas Middleton
  • Patent number: RE38605
    Abstract: A golf club is comprised of a head including a hollow body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall arranged for impacting a golf ball. A bore is disposed in the head adjacent a heel end thereof behind the body front wall extending downwardly from the body top wall toward the body bottom wall. A hosel having a generally lengthwise passage is inserted into the bore. The hosel passage is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the bore, and a tip end of a shaft is received in the hosel passage so that the shaft is disposed at a desired orientation with respect to the head. The hosel is selected from a plurality of hosels with passages disposed at different predetermined angles relative to the bore longitudinal axis. This allows adjustment of the desired orientation of the shaft so that the golf club may be custom fit to a particular golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Kubica, John A. Solheim