Interchangeable Handle, Striking Face, Or Shaft Patents (Class 473/288)
  • Patent number: 8403770
    Abstract: An adjustable shaft and hosel assembly allows for dependent and independent adjustment of a golf club's face angle, loft angle, and lie angle. The adjustable shaft and hosel assembly comprises a shaft sleeve with a joint portion, a hosel portion, and a fitting piece, wherein the joint portion fits within the fitting piece and the fitting piece fits within the hosel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Homer E. Aguinaldo, Broadus Perry Wall, Jr., Denver Holt, James A. Seluga, Scott Manwaring
  • Patent number: 8382604
    Abstract: A golf putter head with a front portion comprising traditional shape and appearance, with an integral face insert extending through the head to an alignment and weighting portion extending beyond the main body of the putter, adding improved alignment, increased MOI and adjustable weighting and adjustable balance and optimizable Center of Percussion. The putter head comprises a central face insert portion extending through the body and above the traditional weight flange, with mass relieved portions below the top of the alignment piece in order to receive one or more optional weights, and the upper side of the rearwardly extending portion being engraved or marked with various alignment indicia, and the whole through-head insert face portion and rearwardly extending portion being affixed to the base portion of the head at least in part with threaded fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dogleg Right Corporation
    Inventor: David P. Billings
  • Patent number: 8382607
    Abstract: A length adjustment system for joining a golf club head to a shaft is provided. The length adjustment system may be utilized to produce a minor length, an intermediate length, and an extended length of a golf club. In a minor length configuration, the length adjustment system includes a shaft sleeve attached to an end of the shaft. A retainer releasably secures the shaft and shaft sleeve to the golf club head. The minor length configuration also features a minor length weight system. The intermediate length configuration further includes a first spacer, a first hosel sleeve, and an intermediate length weight system. The extended length configuration further includes a second spacer, a second hosel sleeve, and an extended length weight system. The length adjustment system incorporates the discovery of unique relationships among its components so that the resulting golf club has similar characteristics in each configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc
    Inventors: Michael Scott Burnett, Jason Sulak
  • Patent number: 8376874
    Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas Orrin Bennett, Stephanie Bezilla, Charles E. Golden, Bradford Hughes Hartwell, Scott A. Knutson, Stephen S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8360897
    Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head and a fastener. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The fastener retains the shaft sleeve in the hosel. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features are provided that provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Morris, Gregory Haralson, Peter L. Soracco, Scott A. Rice, Scott A. Knutson, Thomas W. Preece
  • Publication number: 20130017899
    Abstract: A golf club system includes a club head and a shaft. The club head has a column extending upwardly therefrom, the column having a tooth extending radially outwardly therefrom, the tooth having a first magnet attaching thereto. The shaft has a wall defining a hollow portion that receives the column, the wall having a slot therein the slot having an insertion portion through which the tooth may slide axially and an attachment portion in which the tooth may rotate circumferentially after passing through the insertion portion and a second magnet that engages the first magnet in the tooth after the tooth rotates circumferentially away from the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Roland Foster, Rolando Foster
  • Patent number: 8353780
    Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an adjustable ball striking face insert forming at least a portion of the ball striking face and contained within the putter body. The insert may have a plurality of sides, each of the sides having different performance characteristics to permit customization of the putter. In some examples, the adjustable ball striking face insert may be rotatably mounted within the putter head. Additionally or alternatively, the insert may be removably mounted within the putter head. In some arrangements, the insert may be finely adjustable to alter the loft angle of the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Hatton, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Jeremy N. Snyder, Donald S. Rahrig
  • Patent number: 8277333
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: a shaft adapter, a shaft retainer, and a club head having an interior chamber. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft adapter so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Thomas, Gregory A. Trees, Vincent Contini, Raymond J. Sander, James Alan Scott, Scott Allen Harris, Matthew Paul Rubal
  • Patent number: 8272972
    Abstract: A golf club, includes: a head; a shaft; a shaft case, having a cylindrical shape and fixed to a leading end of the shaft, a hosel, mounted on the head, wherein: the shaft case is inserted into the hosel from an upper end of the hosel; and the shaft case is fixed to the hosel so that an insertion depth of the shaft into the hosel is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sato, Hiroshi Takahashi, Hideo Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8262497
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 8257193
    Abstract: A golf club (20) having a club head (22) with an interchangeable shaft (40) is disclosed herein. The golf club (20) includes a tube (44, 144) mounted in the club head (22), and a sleeve (46, 146) mounted on a tip end (50) of the shaft (40). The tube (44, 144) includes a tapered portion (60, 160) and a rotation prevention portion (62, 162). The sleeve (46, 146) has a frustoconical portion (72, 172) and a keyed portion (74, 174) that are respectively received in the tapered portion (60, 160) and the rotation prevention portion (62, 162) of the tube (44, 144). The golf club (20) further includes a mechanical fastener (48, 148) for removably securing the shaft (40) to the club head (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Alan Hocknell, Matthew T. Cackett, Denver Holt, D. Clayton Evans, Daniel M. Stevens, James C. Wenck, Steven S. Ogg, Konrad Lenhof, Jerry V. Blanke, Joel B. Erickson, Broadus Perry Wall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8246484
    Abstract: A golf club head with a leading end of a shaft mountable thereon, the golf club head includes: a head main body, formed with a hosel insertion hole; a hosel, formed with a shaft case insertion hole and removably mounted in the hosel insertion hole; and a shaft case, formed with a shaft insertion hole and removably mounted in the shaft case insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sato, Hiroshi Takahashi, Hideo Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8235837
    Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas Orrin Bennett, Stephanie Bezilla, Charles E. Golden, Bradford Hughes Hartwell, Scott A. Knutson, Stephen S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8235840
    Abstract: A golf club (20) having a club head (22) with an interchangeable shaft (40) is disclosed herein. The golf club (20) includes a tube (44, 144) mounted in the club head (22), and a sleeve (46, 146) mounted on a tip end (50) of the shaft (40). The tube (44, 144) includes a tapered portion (60, 160) and a rotation prevention portion (62, 162). The sleeve (46, 146) has a frustoconical portion (72, 172) and a keyed portion (74, 174) that are respectively received in the tapered portion (60, 160) and the rotation prevention portion (62, 162) of the tube (44, 144). The golf club (20) further includes a mechanical fastener (48, 148) for removably securing the shaft (40) to the club head (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Alan Hocknell, Matthew T. Cackett, Denver Holt, D. Clayton Evans, Daniel M. Stevens, James C. Wenck, Steven S. Ogg, Konrad Lenhof, Jerry V. Blanke, Joel B. Erickson, Broadus Perry Wall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8235839
    Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas Orrin Bennett, Stephanie Bezilla, Charles E. Golden, Bradford Hughes Hartwell, Scott A. Knutson, Stephen S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8235838
    Abstract: A temporary shaft-component connection for assembling a selected golf club shaft with a club head and/or hand grip segment, to facilitate custom club design and fitting to suit the needs and preferences of an individual golfer. The temporary shaft-component connection is particularly designed for use with nonmetallic club shafts formed from a graphite-based composite material or the like having a range of different lengths and stiffness (whip) characteristics. In a shaft-head connection, a metal adapter insert is mounted onto a lower end of the club shaft and includes one or more flat surfaces for reception into a matingly shaped socket in the hosel of a selected club head to prevent relative rotation between the club shaft and head. A compression nut carried on the shaft is threaded onto the hosel to axially engage and retain a thrust flange on the shaft or adapter or adapter insert, to prevent axial separation of the club head and shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 8235834
    Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Noah De La Cruz, Charles E. Golden, Thomas C. Morris
  • Patent number: 8231480
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Thomas, John Thomas Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 8226496
    Abstract: A golf club including a club head and an interchangeable shaft is disclosed herein. A connection assembly (44) comprises a sleeve insert (47), a hosel sleeve (48), a hosel tube (46), a ring mechanism (48) and a guide ring (49).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: J. Andrew Galloway
  • Patent number: 8216084
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf club including a shaft, a club head and several devices for releasably connecting the shaft to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas Orrin Bennett, Michael Scott Burnett, Noah De La Cruz, Charles E. Golden, Christopher D. Harvell, Scott A. Knutson, Stephen S. Murphy, Kenneth C. Scott, Daniel S. Callinan
  • Patent number: 8202173
    Abstract: A golf club having a shaft, a club head and a connection region structure provides an angled connection of the shaft to the club head. The connection region structure includes a first end, a second end and a bore extending from the first end toward the second end. The first end has an opening to receive the distal end of the shaft. The second end is opposite to the first end and includes a mounting surface. The bore receives the distal end of the shaft and defines a longitudinal axis. The mounting surface is at a non-zero angle to a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore. Further, the mounting surface abuts the first surface of a shaft-attachment structure that projects from a main body of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Philip J. Hatton, Robert Boyd
  • Patent number: 8192299
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a golf club includes: a head having a hosel having a hosel hole; a shaft; a shaft case having a shaft insertion hole to which one end of the shaft is inserted and configured to be inserted to the hosel hole; and a ring-shaped screw member configured to be screwed into one end of the hosel to fix the shaft case in the hosel hole, and to be fitted with an outer face of an one end of the shaft case so as not to contact with the shaft directly, wherein an axis of the shaft insertion hole is nonparallel to an axis of the hosel hole, and an inner face of the hosel hole and an outer face of the shaft case includes a triangular or more polygonal cross-sectional face that is perpendicular to the axis of the hosel hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sato, Hiroshi Takahashi, Hideo Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8192298
    Abstract: A separable putter golf club includes an upper shaft portion with a grip and a lower shaft portion with a club head, wherein the upper and lower shaft portions can be quickly connected and disconnected, while allowing a large amount of force to be transferred there through. The upper and lower shaft portions may be connected by a first and second connector portions, that may be engaged and rotated relative to each other. The first connector portion may include a first locking member having a plurality of outwardly protruding lugs and a guide rod, while the second connector portion may include a second locking member having a cavity and a bore. The bore is adapted to receive the guide rod, and the cavity is adapted to receive the outwardly protruding lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Parker Davis LLC
    Inventor: J. Patrick Droppleman
  • Patent number: 8187116
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to golf club heads which include a wood type golf club head body with a double wall structure that includes a ball striking face portion, which is configured to be disengaged from a rear portion of the golf club head body. Further aspects relate to a second wall portion which is configured to be disengaged from the golf club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf club and golf club heads also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Donald S. Rahrig, Andrew Oldknow, George W. Moody, Jr., Philip J. Hatton
  • Patent number: 8182358
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Golf clubs are provided that have spherical releasable connections between the golf club head and the golf club shaft along with head/shaft position adjusting features to allow interchange of shafts and heads and to allow modification of the head/shaft positioning properties. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: a shaft adapter, a shaft retainer, and a hosel insert located within an interior chamber of the club head. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft adapter may be rotated within the hosel insert to create different angles from the shaft so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Vincent J. Contini, James Alan Prescott, Matthew P. Rubal, Gregory A. Trees, James Thomas
  • Patent number: 8182357
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable connector including at least two parts, each having a main body with a bore having a longitudinal axis therein, wherein an external surface of the main body of a first part is configured to bear against an internal surface of the bore of a second part when the first part is at least partially inserted into the bore of the second part to form a connection, characterized in that the positioning of the bores with respect to the main bodies is such that when the parts are connected to each other, rotation of one part with respect to the other changes the inclination of the longitudinal axes of the bores with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Garry Moore
  • Patent number: 8177660
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: a shaft adapter, a shaft retainer, and a club head having an interior chamber. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft adapter so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Thomas, Gregory A. Trees, Vincent Contini, Raymond J. Sander, James Alan Scott, Scott Allen Harris, Matthew Paul Rubal
  • Patent number: 8177657
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at a quick release connection system to facilitate customization of golf clubs. It can be used to interchange shafts, removable weights, or soleplates quickly and easily. Teeth are disposed on the inside of a frame so that a shaft may be inserted with minimal resistance, but cannot be removed without specific steps which may require the use of a simple tool. Strengthening and interlock devices are provided to ensure performance quality akin to tradition al golf clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 8162774
    Abstract: A golf club includes: a head, formed with a hosel insertion hole, including: a female screw, formed in an inner peripheral surface of the entrance portion of the hosel insertion hole; a hosel, formed with a shaft case insertion hole and mounted on a deep portion of the hosel insertion hole; a shaft case, formed with a shaft insertion hole, a leading end portion of the shaft case being mounted into the shaft case insertion hole; a ring holder, fitted with an outer surface of the shaft case; a screw member, fitted with an outer surface of the ring holder in a peripheral direction of the ring holder; and a male screw, formed on an outer peripheral surface of the screw member so that the screw member is engaged with the female screw; and a shaft, inserted into the shaft insertion hole of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports, Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sato, Hiroshi Takahashi, Hideo Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8157668
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head is disclosed including a main body including a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, a rear portion, and a striking face. The main body has a recessed region including a relief region in the front portion. A replaceable striking plate is inserted into the recessed region and the relief region. The replaceable striking plate includes a front surface, a first rear surface region and a second rear surface region. A threaded opening is located on the rear surface of the replaceable striking plate and receives a fastener to retain the replaceable striking plate on the front portion of the main body and within the recessed region and relief region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret H. Wahl, Chris Schartiger, Marni D. Ines, Peter L. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20120088597
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: a shaft adapter, a collet, a ferrule, and a club head having an interior chamber. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft adapter so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, James S. Thomas, Matthew Paul Rubal, Gregory A. Trees
  • Publication number: 20120083354
    Abstract: A golf club with improved peripheral visibility is provided. The golf club can comprise a club head, a shaft, and a grip. The club head can comprise a crown portion, a sole portion, and a face portion. The crown portion, shaft, and grip can all have substantially the same hue, shade, and saturation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: ANTONIO M. BERTONE, Robert A. Philion, Douglas E. Roberts, Brian S. Zender, Thomas W. Preece, Andrew Curtis, Tim A. Beno, Peter L. Soracco
  • Publication number: 20120083355
    Abstract: Assemblies for releasably connecting a golf club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure having a circular cross-section and a first set of circumferentially spaced teeth; (b) a club head engaging member including a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure, the retaining structure having a circular opening with a second set of circumferentially spaced teeth to engage the first set of teeth on the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The first set of teeth may have a different number of teeth than the second set of teeth. Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond J. Sander
  • Patent number: 8147349
    Abstract: A golf club may have an orientation marker located on the golf club that indicates at least a relative orientation between the golf club head and shaft. The orientation marker may be located, for example, on the golf club head or shaft. A key member provides additional information with respect to the relative orientation between the golf club head and the shaft. The key member may be located, for example, on the golf club head, shaft, or grip portion, or on a head cover for the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Thomas, Robert Lukasiewicz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8147351
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf club including a shaft, a club head and several devices for releasably connecting the shaft to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas Orrin Bennett, Michael Scott Burnett, Noah De La Cruz, Charles E. Golden, Christopher D. Harvell, Scott A. Knutson, Stephen S. Murphy, Kenneth C. Scott, Daniel S. Callinan
  • Patent number: 8142306
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf club including a shaft, a club head and several devices for releasably connecting the shaft to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Noah De La Cruz, Charles E. Golden, Daniel S. Callinan
  • Patent number: 8142307
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club attachment mechanisms and methods to attach golf clubs are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Sanchez, Bradley D. Schweigert
  • Publication number: 20120064990
    Abstract: A golf club (20) having a club head (22) with an interchangeable shaft (40) is disclosed herein. The golf club (20) includes a tube (44, 144) mounted in the club head (22), and a sleeve (46, 146) mounted on a tip end (50) of the shaft (40). The tube (44, 144) includes a tapered portion (60, 160) and a rotation prevention portion (62, 162). The sleeve (46, 146) has a frustoconical portion (72, 172) and a keyed portion (74, 174) that are respectively received in the tapered portion (60, 160) and the rotation prevention portion (62, 162) of the tube (44, 144). The golf club (20) further includes a mechanical fastener (48, 148) for removably securing the shaft (40) to the club head (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: ALAN HOCKNELL, MATTHEW T. CACKETT, DENVER HOLT, D. CLAYTON EVANS, DANIEL M. STEVENS, JAMES C. WENCK, STEVEN S. OGG, KONRAD LENHOF, JERRY V. BLANKE, JOEL B. ERICKSON, BROADUS PERRY WALL
  • Patent number: 8133131
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf club including a shaft, a club head and several devices for releasably connecting the shaft to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas Orrin Bennett, Michael Scott Burnett, Noah De La Cruz, Charles E. Golden, Christopher D. Harvell, Scott A. Knutson, Stephen S. Murphy, Kenneth C. Scott, Daniel S. Callinan
  • Patent number: 8133130
    Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head and a fastener. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The fastener retains the shaft sleeve in the hosel. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features are provided that provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Morris, Scott A. Rice, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 8133128
    Abstract: A golf club head system and a golf club head for inclusion into a golf club are provided. The golf club head system includes two or more rear or secondary body members, each configured for interchangeable attachment to a front or main body member. Each rear body member may have a different external shape, and each rear body member may have a different combination of center-of-gravity and moment-of-inertia characteristics. The system further includes a detachable attachment element for interchangeably and detachably attaching the rear body members to the front body member. The system may further include the front body member, wherein the front body member has a striking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Gary G. Tavares, John T. Stites, Chia-Chyi Cheng
  • Patent number: 8133129
    Abstract: An iron type golf club head includes a club head having a first body component defining a striking face, and a second body component releasably secured to the first body component with a fastener. The second body component defines at least a perimeter portion of a rear face of the club head body and may define substantially an entire rear face of the club head body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Chia-Chyi Cheng
  • Patent number: 8105178
    Abstract: Releasable golf club head/shaft connection systems and methods allow one to change shafts on a single club head, change club heads on a single shaft, and/or change the angular orientation features of a golf club. Such systems may include: (a) a club head body including a hosel and a locking nut stabilizer; (b) a shaft releasably engaged with the club head body, wherein an end of the shaft includes a retaining member that is inserted into the club head body; and (c) a locking nut engaged with a side surface of the club head body such that a body portion of the locking nut extends at least partially through the hosel and is supported by the locking nut stabilizer. The locking nut is movably engaged with the club head body such that it securely holds the shaft or allows the shaft to be removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond J. Sander
  • Patent number: 8105175
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 8096894
    Abstract: Assemblies for releasably connecting a golf club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure having a circular cross-section and a first set of circumferentially spaced teeth; (b) a club head engaging member including a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure, the retaining structure having a circular opening with a second set of circumferentially spaced teeth to engage the first set of teeth on the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The first set of teeth may have a different number of teeth than the second set of teeth. Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond J. Sander
  • Patent number: 8096895
    Abstract: A golf club (20) having a club head (22) with an interchangeable shaft (40) is disclosed herein. The golf club (20) includes a tube (44, 144) mounted in the club head (22), and a sleeve (46, 146) mounted on a tip end (50) of the shaft (40). The tube (44, 144) includes a tapered portion (60, 160) and a rotation prevention portion (62, 162). The sleeve (46, 146) has a frustoconical portion (72, 172) and a keyed portion (74, 174) that are respectively received in the tapered portion (60, 160) and the rotation prevention portion (62, 162) of the tube (44, 144). The golf club (20) further includes a mechanical fastener (48, 148) for removably securing the shaft (40) to the club head (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Alan Hocknell, Matthew T. Cackett, Denver Holt, D. Clayton Evans, Daniel M. Stevens, James C. Wenck, Steven S. Ogg, Konrad Lenhof, Jerry V. Blanke, Joel B. Erickson, Broadus Perry Wall
  • Publication number: 20120010014
    Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head and a fastener. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The fastener retains the shaft sleeve in the hosel. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features are provided that provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas C. Morris, Scott A. Rice, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 8092316
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 8088019
    Abstract: An adjustable golf club is disclosed having a hosel with a spherical section and positioning linkage that allows the face angle of the head to be changed without changing the lie angle or rotating the shaft around its axis. The hosel is fixed in place by tightening the spherical surface of a compression nut against the spherical section of the hosel and a receiving compression cup with matching spherical surface radiuses, along with a slotted rotation prevention section consisting of two flat surfaces, a threaded linkage engaging the lower hosel piece and anchored to a tube attached to the skirt of the head. The linkage is used to threadably position the angle of the hosel piece. The invention also provides a quick and easy way to remove and replace the hosel piece along with the shaft for additional customization of the club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Plus 2 International, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Clayton Long, Michael R. Cummings
  • Publication number: 20110319185
    Abstract: A golf club comprises a shaft, a club head, and a connection assembly that allows the shaft to be easily disconnected from the club head. In particular embodiments, the connection assembly includes a removable hosel sleeve that allows a shaft to be supported a desired predetermined orientation relative to the club head. In this manner, the shaft loft and/or lie angle of the club can be adjusted without resorting to traditional bending of the shaft. In another embodiment, the club head has an adjustable sole that can be adjusted upwardly and downwardly relative to the strike face of the club head, which is effective to adjust the face angle of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Mark V. Greaney, Ian C. Wright, Kraig A. Willett, Nathan T. Sargent, Matthew D. Johnson, Gery M. Zimmerman