Resilient Sleeve Engaging Hosel And Outer Shaft Wall Patents (Class 473/310)
  • Patent number: 11253759
    Abstract: A golf club comprises: a golf club shaft extending from its first end to second end in its axis direction; a golf club head attached to the second end of the golf club shaft; a grip attach to the first end of the golf club shaft and having a grip end; and a weight member attached to the golf club shaft. The specific gravity of the weight member is 2.5 or more. The length of the weight member is 20 mm or less. The weight member is disposed in a grip-end portion of the golf club shaft so that a mass distribution in the axis direction of the grip-end portion has a local maximum occurring at a position within the grip-end portion, wherein the grip-end portion is defined as extending from the grip end toward the second end by 40 mm in the axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Hiroyuki Takeuchi, Yuuichiro Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 11192006
    Abstract: A golf club includes a tubular club shaft having first and second ends, a weight member, and a grip attached to the club shaft. The weight member includes a weight main body made of metal and a cover formed by rubbery elastomer. The weight main body includes a first end face, a second end face, and an outer side face extending between the first and second end faces. The cover includes a side cover portion covering an entire region of the outer side face of the weight main body, a first end cover portion covering the first end face, and a flange. The weight member is installed to the club shaft in such a manner that the side cover portion is located in a space of the club shaft and that the flange engages with the first end of the club shaft outwardly of the club shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10369426
    Abstract: A golf club includes a head 200, a shaft 300, and a tip engagement part RT having a reverse-tapered shape and being disposed at a tip end portion of the shaft 300. The tip engagement part RT includes a sleeve 400 having a reverse-tapered shape and being fixed to the tip end portion of the shaft 300, and a spacer 500 having a reverse-tapered shape and being externally fitted to the sleeve 400. The spacer 500 has a divided structure. The hosel part 202 includes a hosel hole 204. The hosel hole 204 includes a reverse-tapered hole 206 corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the tip engagement part RT. The hosel hole 204 allows the sleeve 400 to pass through the hosel hole 204. The tip engagement part RT is fitted to the reverse-tapered hole 206, and the sleeve 400 is fitted inside the spacer 500.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masahide Onuki, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Naruhiro Mizutani, Yuki Motokawa
  • Patent number: 10343029
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft-insertion hole, a shaft inserted to the shaft-insertion hole, and a ferrule attached to the shaft. The ferrule includes an upper part exposed to the outside, and a lower part located between the shaft-insertion hole and the shaft. The lower part of the ferrule includes at least one through hole. The through hole includes a chamfered portion on an outer surface side of the lower part. Preferably, the lower part includes a plurality of through holes. The through holes may be provided at respective four or more positions in a circumferential direction of the lower part. The through hole may have a minimum hole area of greater than or equal to 3 mm2 and less than or equal to 12 mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9814943
    Abstract: A golf club 100 includes a head 200 having a hosel part 202, a shaft 300, and an engaging part 600 disposed at a tip part of the shaft 300. The engaging part 600 includes a sleeve 400 which has an oppositely tapered shape and is fixed to the tip part of the shaft 300. The hosel part 202 includes a hosel hole 204, and a hosel slit 206 which is provided on a side of the hosel hole 204 and enables the shaft 300 to pass through the hosel slit 206. The hosel hole 204 has an oppositely tapered hole having a shape corresponding to a shape of an outer surface of the engaging part 600. The engaging part 600 is fitted into the oppositely tapered hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Masahide Onuki, Yuki Motokawa, Naruhiro Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9550098
    Abstract: A golf club and golf club shaft includes a tubular member having at least one neck portion with a reduced outer diameter and at least one relatively rigid two-piece sleeve secured to the tubular member in overlying relationship to each neck portion. The two-piece sleeve defines a small central gap filled by a compressible ring to allow the two otherwise longitudinally aligned sleeve pieces to pivot relative to one another under dynamic loading of the tubular member during a golf swing, and then upon reaching a limit point restrict additional deflection or bending of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Bret H. Wahl, Joshua J. Dipert, Ryuichi Sugimae
  • Patent number: 9345935
    Abstract: A golf club gc includes a head hd, a shaft sf, a sleeve sv, and a screw sc. The sleeve sv is secured to a tip part of the shaft sf. The sleeve sv includes a plurality of engaging projections sv6 and non-engaging surfaces sv7, each of the non-engaging surfaces sv7 positioned between the engaging projections sv6 adjacent to each other. A hosel 10 of the head hd includes an engaging recess 10a extending downward from a hosel end face 10b, and a hosel hole h1. Rotation of the sleeve sv to the head hd is regulated by engagement between the engaging projection sv6 and the engaging recess 10a. A space is formed between an inner surface of the hosel hole h1 and the non-engaging surface sv7 in the connected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Akio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8727900
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Mark V. Greaney, Ian C. Wright, Kraig A. Willett, Nathan T. Sargent, Matthew D. Johnson, Gery M. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8708836
    Abstract: A golf club head (40) with a face component (50), an aft body (70), and an aerodynamic hosel (50) is disclosed herein. The hosel (50) has one or more joints (80, 85, 87) around which pieces or segments of the hosel (50) may be rotated or pivoted to modify the way in which a shaft is oriented with respect to the club head (40) when the hosel (50) is rigidly affixed to the club head (40). The present invention may be used to modify the loft, lie, and/or face angle parameters of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Ehlers, D. Clayton Evans, Matthew T. Cackett
  • Patent number: 8235831
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Mark V. Greaney, Ian C. Wright, Kraig A. Willett, Nathan T. Sargent, Matthew D. Johnson, Gery M. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20120077614
    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, characterised 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: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Garry Moore
  • Patent number: 8124205
    Abstract: A ferrule includes a brilliant three-dimensional decoration member fixed to a surface of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports, Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoe Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110319187
    Abstract: A golf club has a ferrule that includes an inner sleeve made of environmentally friendly high friction silicone rubber and fitted around the shaft, and an outer sleeve fitted around the inner sleeve and having a through hole. Preferably, the through hole is stepped. The inner sleeve is limited within a large hole section of the through hole by an annular shoulder face and the engaging elements in order to prevent separation of the inner and outer sleeves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: O-TA PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei-Hsiang Chou
  • Patent number: 8025587
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Mark V. Greaney, Ian C. Wright, Kraig A. Willett, Nathan T. Sargent, Matthew D. Johnson, Gery M. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7976401
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a golf club includes: a golf club head having a hosel; a shaft; a shaft case fixed to one end of the shaft, and inserted into the hosel, the shaft case being formed in a substantially cylindrical shape; and a ring-shaped screw member screwed into one end of the hosel to fix the shaft case in the hosel, the ring-shaped screw member being detachable from the hosel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sato, Hiroshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7955186
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a golf club includes: a head having a hosel; a shaft; a shaft case fixed to one end of the shaft, and configured to be inserted into the hosel, the shaft case being formed in a substantially cylindrical shape; and a ring-shaped screw member configured to be screwed into one end of the hosel to fix the shaft case in the hosel, and to be fitted with an outer face of an one end of the shaft case, the ring-shaped screw member being noncontact with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sato, Hiroshi Takahashi, Hideo Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20100144459
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumiaki SATO, Hiroshi TAKAHASHI, Hideo MATSUNAGA
  • Publication number: 20100056292
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a golf club includes: a head having a hosel; a shaft; a shaft case fixed to one end of the shaft, and configured to be inserted into the hosel, the shaft case being formed in a substantially cylindrical shape; and a ring-shaped screw member configured to be screwed into one end of the hosel to fix the shaft case in the hosel, and to be fitted with an outer face of an one end of the shaft case, the ring-shaped screw member being noncontact with the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumiaki SATO, Hiroshi TAKAHASHI, Hideo MATSUNAGA
  • Publication number: 20100056293
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body having a front face for impacting a golf ball and a hosel having a bore for receiving one end of a golf club shaft. The body including the hosel may be made of a material such as steel. A hosel weight mounted on the hosel may be made of another material such as tungsten which has a greater density than the material forming the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Eric V. Cole, John A. Solheim
  • Publication number: 20100016094
    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: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: ALAN HOCKNELL, MATTHEW T. CACKETT, DENVER HOLT, D. CLAYTON EVANS, DANIEL M. STEVENS, JAMES C. WENCK
  • Publication number: 20090286619
    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: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Mark V. Greaney, Ian C. Wright, Kraig A. Willett, Nathan T. Sargent, Matthew D. Johnson, Gery M. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20090197694
    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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Peter L. Soracco, Thomas C. Morris, Scott A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20090170627
    Abstract: A ferrule, and a golf club incorporating same, are provided. The ferrule defines an axial bore for receiving a club shaft therethrough. A bottom portion of the ferrule is sized to receive and surround an upper end of a hosel of a club head. The ferrule can further include a chamfered or rounded, annular edge formed on a bottom end thereof. The hosel and the ferrule are cooperatively configured to inhibit movement of the ferrule and, preferably, axial rotation and longitudinal movement of the ferrule are both inhibited by engagement of corresponding surfaces of the ferrule and the hosel. Preferably, protrusions at an upper, interior surface of the ferrule body serve to center the shaft within the ferrule and to enhance a flow of adhesive between the shaft, hosel and ferrule. Preferably, ribs at a lower, interior surface of the ferrule are received in corresponding grooves formed on an upper exterior surface of the hosel. These ribs serve to locate and initially fix the ferrule onto the hosel of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Rich Sugimae, Marni Ines
  • Publication number: 20090163287
    Abstract: A golf club comprising a grip, a shaft having a first end and a second end, with the first end of the shaft having the grip disposed upon it, a shaft cap disposed at the second end of the shaft, and a head having a face portion and a hosel portion with the second end of the shaft having the shaft cap disposed on the shaft coupled to the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Gil G. Vald'Via, Marty R. Jertson
  • Publication number: 20090156323
    Abstract: A hosel portion (22) has a screw portion (32) formed on an internal surface or external surface thereof and a hosel hole (28). A screw member (10) has a through hole (30) for causing a shaft (6) and an inner member (8) to penetrate therethrough, a screw portion (32) and a downward surface (56). The screw portion (32) of the screw member (10) and a screw portion (26) of the hosel portion (22) are coupled to each other. The inner member (8) has a shaft inserting hole (40) opened on an upper end side thereof, a lower surface (42) which can be engaged with a receiving surface (60), and an upward surface (44). At least a part of the inner member (8) is inserted into the hosel hole (28). The shaft (6) and the shaft inserting hole (40) are fixed to each other through bonding and/or fitting. The shaft (6) and a head (4) are fixed to each other through an engagement of the downward surface (56) and the upward surface (44) and an engagement of the receiving surface (60) and the lower surface (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Akio Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20080280696
    Abstract: An adaptor for a golf club having a golf club head with a head hosel socket and a golf shaft includes an adapter body that includes an adapter shaft portion and an adapter hosel portion. The adapter hosel portion has an adapter hosel socket sized and shaped to receive an end portion of a golf club shaft. The adapter shaft portion is sized and shaped to fit into a head hosel socket of the club head. The adapter hosel socket longitudinal axis and the adapter shaft portion longitudinal axis are angularly offset by a selected offset angle. To change the loft and lie angles of a particular golf club for a particular golfer, a plurality of selectable adapters can be provided with different offset angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Alan G. Lau
  • Publication number: 20080214321
    Abstract: A weight material is provided on a heel side of a hosel portion in a golf club head. A convex portion E is provided on the heel side of the head. The weight material is disposed within the convex portion. The weight material is made of high specific gravity metal such as tungsten, and welded on both a lower column and a skirt portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masafumi NISHITANI
  • Publication number: 20080152852
    Abstract: A ferrule includes a brilliant three-dimensional decoration member fixed to a surface of the ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoe WATANABE
  • Patent number: 7354353
    Abstract: A method (500) for fitting a golf club to a golfer is disclosed herein. The method includes having a golfer hit a test golf club. If the test golf club is preferred, a final golf club is formed that matches the test golf club. Preferably, the final golf club matches the following parameters of the test golf club: volume, mass, mass location, inertial values, center of gravity location, club frequency, orientation, material composition and shape. In a preferred embodiment, a test golf club with an interchangeable shaft is utilized with the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    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
  • Patent number: 7258623
    Abstract: A golf club shaft is attached to a club head hosel by a ferrule system including a ferrule mating member and a ferrule sleeve. The mating member includes an enlarged portion on which the second ferrule is seated and a reduced portion which is seated within the club head hosel. The mating member overlaps axially with the ferrule sleeve and hosel to support the shaft extending therethrough. The reduced portion seats within a recessed annular portion of the hosel and includes radially outwardly extending projections which define flow channels therebetween through which adhesive may flow during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Maurice Halleck, Ryuichi Sugimae
  • Patent number: 7241229
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a non-contiguous hosel for attaching a golf club shaft to a golf club head. In an exemplary embodiment, two inserts are used to form a hollow shaft receptacle, or hosel. The two inserts are placed at substantially opposite portions of the club head. The placement of the inserts may be manipulated to vary the lie or loft angle of the golf club. In other embodiments, the two inserts may be joined, or multiple inserts may be used, in order to form a non-contiguous hosel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Raymond Poynoŕ
  • Patent number: 7211005
    Abstract: Golf clubs, of putter and wood-type especially, each include an attachment between shaft and club head which is of a compliance to allow the club head to behave more closely as a ‘free-body’ in providing vertical gear-effect when striking the ball. The compliance is related to freeing the club head for rotation about an axis 35 which extends through the center of mass 31 with an orientation perpendicular to the shaft axis 37 in a plane parallel to the shaft axis 37 and containing the heel-toe axis 34 through the center of mass 31. In this regard, the compliance about axis 35 is not less than the force-couple bending compliance of a length of 1000/K, or 3000/K, or more preferably 10000/K, millimeters of the shaft measured from the tip-end. The rotational axis 35 is spaced by less than 0.33K millimeters, or not more than 4,25 or less than 2 millimeters, from the shaft axis 37.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventor: Norman Matheson Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7083529
    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: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Matthew T. Cackett, Alan Hocknell, Steven S. Ogg, Konrad Lenhof, Jerry V. Blanke, Joel B. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6997819
    Abstract: A golf club is manufactured according to a method in which a radially compliant crush sleeve is interposed between the shaft tip and hosel of the club head. The crush sleeve is fabricated from a strip of metal formed into a substantially cylindrical metallic band with a plurality of radially-extending dimples or corrugations that grip the shaft. The crush sleeve is retained either in an undercut region in the hosel bore, on a mandrel extending from the hosel, or on a pilot shaft at the tip of the golf club shaft. After the interface between the shaft and hosel is coated with an adhesive, the shaft is assembled to the hosel with the crush sleeve squeezed in between. The crush sleeve secures the shaft to the club head with sufficient rigidity to allow the adhesive to set while maintaining the appropriate axial and rotational alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Naylor, David L. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6887163
    Abstract: A golf club shaft adaptor includes a cylindrical hollow body having side walls with at least one aperture therein. The cylindrical hollow body is sized and dimensioned to be retained within the hosel of a golf club head and to retain within the golf club adaptor the distal end of a golf club shaft. The golf club adaptor is adapted with respect to its configuration and material so that it will not do damage to a golf club shaft or to a golf club head during use of the golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: William Blankenship
  • Patent number: 6863628
    Abstract: A shock absorbing striking implement comprises a barrel and a handle. The barrel component comprises a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end of the barrel tapers into a thin rod. The handle component is hollow with a proximal end and an outward tapered distal end. The tapered proximal end of the barrel component is inserted into the outward tapered distal end of the handle component. An elastomeric material is inserted in the region between the proximal end of the barrel component which is inserted within the distal end of the handle component, and the distal end of the handle component. The elastomeric material is selected with a modulus of elasticity and damping factor such that the vibrations of the tapered proximal end of the barrel embedded in the elastomeric material induced by the transverse waves that propagate through the striking implement are largely adsorbed by the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Richard A. Brandt
  • Patent number: 6855067
    Abstract: A metal wood-type golf club has a hollow body with a hosel bore disposed in the heel end. A hosel bore weight, selected from a plurality of hosel bore weights of different mass, is inserted into the bottom end of the hosel bore. Thereafter, the tip of a golf club shaft is inserted into the hosel bore and secured to the head to finish the club. The hosel bore weights preferably comprise weights of substantially identical size and shape adapted to conform to the interior surface of the bottom end of the hosel bore with the mass of the hosel bore weights being adjusted by varying their density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, Richard R. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 6692375
    Abstract: A golf club where the center axis of a shaft is precisely aligned to that of a head when connecting the shaft to the head, with improved bonding strength therebetween. A shaft insertion hole 7 is formed on a distal end face 6A of a hosel 6 of a head 2. A shaft 3 is inserted into the hole 7 and is bonded thereto with an adhesive 10. An enlarged portion 8 is formed, which is in the form of a chamfered portion with a peripheral slope formed at an opening portion of the hole 7. The enlarged portion 8 is provided with a ring body 11, while the shaft 3 is inserted into a through-hole 12 formed in the ring body 11. As the shaft 3 is inserted to penetrate through the through-hole 12 of the ring body 11, the shaft 3 is held by the ring body 11 in place within the enlarged portion 8 so that a uniform gap between a distal portion 3A of the shaft 3 and the hole 7 is insured and the thickness of an adhesive can be distributed uniformly. Also, various angles of a golf club such as a lie angle can be formed accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: K.K. Endo Seisakusho
    Inventor: Nobuo Abe
  • Patent number: 6634958
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a head fixed to a forward end of the shaft. The said head has a recess formed in an upper surface of the head. The recess is not made to adhere to an outer circumferential surface of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.
    Inventor: Harunobu Kusumoto
  • Patent number: 6352482
    Abstract: A golf club (20) with an internal hosel (38), a shaft (40) and a hosel liner (50) is disclosed herein. The hosel liner (50) reduces axial stress on the shaft (40) during impact of the golf club (20) with a golf ball. The hosel liner (50) is preferably composed of a polycarbonate material that has a flexural modulus in the range of 300,000 pounds per square inch to 1,000,000 pounds per square inch. Preferably, the golf club head (22) has a large volume, greater than 300 cubic centimeters, and weighs less than 215 grams. Preferably, the shaft (40) is composed of graphite and weighs between 40 grams to 80 grams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. Jacobson, Herbert Reyes, Ronald K. Hettinger, J. Andrew Galloway, Paul D. Zanolli, Andrew J. Goodjohn, Peter L. Soracco, Edward J. Derian
  • Patent number: 6257991
    Abstract: A metal driver golf clubhead comprises a first member comprising the sole, toe, heel and rear of the clubhead; a second member comprising the face of the clubhead and joined to the first member along a generally vertically plane behind the face; and at least a pair of elongated grooves extending in the rear-to-front along the sole of the first member, terminating at the leading edge of the sole for reducing drag in the sole area. The runners which extend to the leading edge reduce the area which strikes the ground and allows the club to release from the initial dig into the turf. The hosel has an internal bore into which the golf club shaft is inserted and mounted, and a reverse tapered surface for securing the hosel and the club shaft in a mating bore in the clubhead. This increases the weight in the head, increases resistance to twist/torque, and imparts a more solid feel, including during the striking of a ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Orlimar Golf Co.
    Inventor: Jesse J. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 6077172
    Abstract: A metal wood golf club head providing a shaft attachment to the interior of the head at the interior surface of the sole, permits an unencumbered face surface even adjacent the heel. The resulting head provides improved off-center shots in an external configuration that has no hosel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Byron Butler
  • Patent number: 6033318
    Abstract: A golf driver head has a double-walled hosel contained wholly within the head. The hosel includes an inner tube into which a club shaft may be inserted, and an outer tube situated around the inner tube and having a clearance defining an annular space between the inner tube and the outer tube. An annular bridge extends across the annular space, interconnecting the inner tube and the outer tube, and the space between the inner and outer tubes is filled with an elastomeric damping material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventors: Cornell Drajan, Jr., Allan Thomas Catellier
  • Patent number: 5938541
    Abstract: A golf club head with a shortened hosel and extended ferrule including a hollow body having a ball striking wall, and a top wall extending rearwardly from the ball striking wall. The hosel extends downwardly from the top wall with a shaft receiving bore therein, and extends upwardly from the top surface of the club a much shorter distance than conventional with a flat top surface much larger than normal and an annular outer surface that flares sharply outwardly. The ferrule head in some embodiments has a larger than normal lower surface equal in size and shape to the hosel top surface with an outer surface that curves sharply outwardly and downwardly in lower portions thereof in a smooth transition into the hosel outer surface. The top of the hosel bore is chamfered, and the ferrule is epoxied not only to the inserted shaft but also to the enlarged hosel top surface to increase the hosel's ability to absorb side loading from the inserted shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Vardon Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dillis V. Allen, Scott R. Longueil
  • Patent number: 5888149
    Abstract: A golf club head with a shortened hosel and extended ferrule including a hollow body having a ball striking wall, and a top wall extending rearwardly from the ball striking wall. The hosel extends downwardly from the top wall with a shaft receiving bore therein, and extends upwardly from the top surface of the club a much shorter distance than conventional with a flat top surface much larger than normal and an annular outer surface that flares sharply outwardly. The ferrule head has a larger than normal lower surface equal in size and shape to the hosel top surface with an outer surface that curves sharply outwardly and downwardly in lower portions thereof in a smooth transition into the hosel outer surface. The top of the hosel bore is chamfered, and the ferrule is epoxied not only to the inserted shaft but also to the enlarged hosel top surface to increase the hosel's ability to absorb side loading from the inserted shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Dillis V. Allen
  • Patent number: 5855526
    Abstract: A golf club having a head made of metallic material such as aluminum, stainless steel, titanium or the like is provided with a shaft sleeve made of non-metallic material such as fiber reinforced plastic, wood or the like is mounted on a tip end portion of a shaft or a shaft insertion portion of a head with which player's wrists, elbows, shoulders or the like would hardly be damaged, it is easy to enjoy an inherent performance of the shaft, to enhance a repulsive force by a kick back phenomenon to increase a hit distance of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Honma Golf Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Honma
  • Patent number: 5797806
    Abstract: The head and shaft of golf clubs are mechanically isolated from one another by a dampening ferrule made of a rubber-like material and installed around the shaft where the shaft attaches to the head such as at the hosel. The ferrule in a disclosed embodiment is configured as a hollow cylinder having an internal passage for tight-fit engagement with the shaft and an external radial surface for tight-fit engagement with the golf club head. Preferred materials for the dampening ferrule include Neoprene, Delrin, Nylon, plastic polymers and other rubber-like substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: I.D. Golf
    Inventor: Byron Butler
  • Patent number: 5795243
    Abstract: A tubular hosel of a club head, having an internally and externally recessed middle section formed of a plurality of thick wall portions and thin wall portions alternatively arranged together around the periphery, and a shock absorbing rubber molded on the middle section and filled up through holes on the thin wall portions and covered on the thick wall portions and the thin wall portions in a flush manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Sung Ling Golf & Casting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Poh-Heng Chang, Chung-Jong Sung
  • Patent number: 5728008
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved ball striking device, such as a golf club, hockey stick, or tennis racket, in which a greater striking power is imparted to the ball, puck or the like by inserting a connecting elastomeric member between the head or striking portion and the shaft portion of the device. The inherent resilient characteristics of the member allows an enhancement of the forward motion imparted to the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Media Group
    Inventor: Herman S. Howard
  • Patent number: 5711721
    Abstract: A ferrule for a golf club comprises a first member having at least one raised element with a top surface, and a second member molded about the first member so as to surround the raised element. The second member has a generally annular, outwardly facing surface that is at least generally flush with the top surface of the raised element, and at least one of the first and second members defines a longitudinal hole therethrough for receiving a golf club shaft. The raised element is made of a different color material than the second member, and can provide a number of functions, such as contain a logo or design, indicate the number of the club, or provide an alignment indicia for the club at the address position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Prince Sports Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenda Johnson, Richard P. Hulock