Having Core (e.g., Weight, Etc.) Positioned In Head Engaging Shaft End Patents (Class 473/312)
  • Patent number: 11406879
    Abstract: A golf club includes a reinforcing member installed on an inner circumferential surface of a shaft near a tip-side end portion and extends in an axial direction of the shaft to straddle an upper end of a cylindrical portion. The reinforcing member has a cylindrical shape configured by laminating prepregs obtained by impregnating carbon fibers being reinforcing fibers with a matrix resin. The reinforcing member is provided with: a first bias layer located at the innermost side in a radial direction; a second bias layer laminated on an outer side of the first bias layer (16A) in the radial direction, an orientation direction of the reinforcing fibers having an opposite direction to the first bias layer; and a straight layer laminated on the outer side of the second bias layer in the radial direction, an orientation direction of the reinforcing fibers being parallel to the axial direction of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kitazaki, Masayoshi Kogawa, Yoh Nishizawa, Norihiko Nakahara
  • Patent number: 10307647
    Abstract: A club includes a head, a shaft, and a grip. A club length L1 is 43 inches or greater and 48 inches or less. A ratio (Wh/Wc) between a head weight Wh and a club weight Wc is equal to or greater than 0.70. An inertia moment Ix about swing axis is 6.90×103 (kg·cm2) or greater and 7.50×103 (kg·cm2) or less. A static moment Mt (kg·cm) of the club is equal to or greater than 16.3 (kg·cm). The frequency of vibration of club is 240 (cpm) or greater and 280 (cpm) or less. The inertia moment Ix (kg·cm2) is calculated by Equation (1): Ix=Wc×(Lc+60)2+Ic??(1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9387369
    Abstract: A golf club includes a club head, and a shaft. The club head includes a hosel formed into a tubular body having a top end and a shaft insertion hole extending downwardly from the top end. The shaft includes a shaft main body and a reinforcing member. The shaft main body is formed into a tubular shape having a tip end, and an internal surface surrounding cavity therein. The reinforcing member has a specific gravity of not more than 2.0 and is fixed in the cavity of the shaft main body. The reinforcing member includes a first portion fitting the internal surface of the shaft main body. The first portion includes an uppermost edge positioned upwardly with respect to the top end of the hosel, and a lowermost edge positioned between the top end of the hosel and the tip end of the shaft main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Akio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9017183
    Abstract: An improved putter and method of use utilizing a putter shaft having a rectangular grip extending approximately half the shaft length. A polygonal-like ring provides a flat face with an extended toe and a short heel. The face of the putter head has a polymeric insert for weight redistribution and for better putting feel. The sides of the putter include triangular shaped indents also for weight redistribution. The rear of the putter head is arched to prevent ground contact during putting and further to increase head stability during the stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: John M. Ambrose
  • Patent number: 9011270
    Abstract: An iron type golf club head includes a head main body, a toe-side weight member made of a metal material having specific gravity ?2 larger than that of the head main body and disposed on a toe-side of the head main body, and a heel-side weight member made of a metal material having specific gravity ?3 larger than that of the head main body and disposed on a heel-side of the head main body. The head main body includes a face main portion having a face to hit a golf ball, and a tubular hosel portion provided continuously on a heel-side of the face main portion and having a shaft inserting hole. A distance from the center of gravity Gt of the toe-side weight member to the center of gravity Gh of the heel-side weight member ranges from 50 to 120 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Nakano
  • Patent number: 8740721
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head comprises a head main portion having a face for hitting a golf ball, and weight members made of metallic material having heavier specific gravity than the head main portion. The head main portion has a tubular portion provided on a heel side of the face and having a shaft inserting hole. The tubular portion is provided continuously on the lower side of the shaft inserting hole with a bottomed hole part for arranging the weight members. The weight members include a heel-side weight member disposed in the bottomed hole part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Akio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8353781
    Abstract: The subject golf clubs have a shaft and clubhead. The shaft has a tip-end coupled to the clubhead, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion located adjacent the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion. The portions are coupled together at an interface. The remaining portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end. The reduced-EI portion is typically shorter than and has less stiffness than the remaining portion. A stiffener insert is inserted into the shaft, such as in the reduced-EI portion, to add stiffness locally. The reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate (which can be zero) of stiffness reduction as a function of distance toward the tip-end. These rates can be similar or different. The interface can exhibit a greater rate in stiffness reduction than the other portions. The stiffeners can be user-selectable, from a kit supplied with the club, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew Tom DeShiell, Todd P. Beach
  • Patent number: 8235835
    Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft and a club head. The shaft is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head. The shaft alignment features and a fastening member are integrated into the construction of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 8133133
    Abstract: Forged cavity back iron-type clubs and oversize clubs are disclosed. These forged clubs have thin, durable hitting face and relatively large cavity volumes. These clubs have high rotational moments of inertia to minimize distance and accuracy penalties associated with off-center hits. Long irons with hitting face of about 0.100 inch thick are achievable by the present invention. Also disclosed are forged irons made from stainless steels and annealed to achieve the desired hardness and ductility. Further, an interchangeable pin suitable for use in the manufacture of any of a set of iron-type clubs without re-tooling is disclosed. The pin is sized and configured to fit within a through-bore such that an adhesive such as a flexible epoxy may be placed within the gaps to provide a vibration dampening effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Michael Scott Burnett, Thomas Orrin Bennett
  • Patent number: 7922600
    Abstract: An adjustable weight system for golf clubs improves a golfer's swing and feel as the club strikes the ball. The weight system includes a golf club having a shaft attached thereto which includes an internal channel for receiving cylindrical weights. The golf club head attached to the shaft includes a weight port which is in communication with the shaft channel and is closed, preferably with a threaded fastener. The method of use includes removing the fastener and inserting the desired weights to enhance the golfer's swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: John M. Ambrose
  • Publication number: 20110077097
    Abstract: The subject golf clubs have a shaft and clubhead. The shaft has a tip-end coupled to the clubhead, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion located adjacent the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion. The portions are coupled together at an interface. The remaining portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end. The reduced-EI portion is typically shorter than and has less stiffness than the remaining portion. A stiffener insert is inserted into the shaft, such as in the reduced-EI portion, to add stiffness locally. The reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate (which can be zero) of stiffness reduction as a function of distance toward the tip-end. These rates can be similar or different. The interface can exhibit a greater rate in stiffness reduction than the other portions. The stiffeners can be user-selectable, from a kit supplied with the club, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Drew Tom DeShiell, Todd P. Beach
  • Publication number: 20100056294
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body having a front face for impacting a golf ball and a hosel having a bore. The body including the hosel may be made of a material such as steel. A hosel weight mounted in the hosel bore may be made of another material such as tungsten which has a greater density than the material forming the body. The hosel weight has a bore for receiving one end of a golf club shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Eric V. Cole
  • Patent number: 7621821
    Abstract: A golf club interchanging connection structure for interchanging a club head and a shaft, in which a connecting part is in the club head and a female screw is formed in the connecting part, includes a nut hole position part, a club sleeve, and a screw. The nut hole position part includes a male screw on an outer surface thereof and a flange. The flange includes a leaning surface and a positioning hole. The male screw is screwed with the female screw in the connecting part. The club sleeve is placed within the connecting part and has one end being fixed with the shaft and the other end having a nut hole. The screw including a screw head is positioned through the positioning hole and screwed with the nut hole, and the screw head leans against the leaning surface to lock the shaft connected to the club sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced International Multitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liang-Ho Tsai, Cheng-Tao Lee
  • Patent number: 7611422
    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: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Alan Hocknell, Matthew T. Cackett, Denver Holt, D. Clayton Evans, Daniel M. Stevens, James C. Wenck
  • 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
  • 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: 7331876
    Abstract: A putter comprising a grip having an anatomically correct shape to promote proper grasping of the putter, a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the grip is attached to the first end of the shaft, a hosel attached to the second end of the shaft, a head attached to the hosel, the head having a striking face, and an alignment feature of the putter adapted to ensure correct assembly of the head onto the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Lon Klein
  • Patent number: 7226364
    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, material composition and shape. In a preferred embodiment, a test golf club with an interchangeable shaft is utilized with the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Richard C. Helmstetter
  • Patent number: 7115046
    Abstract: A golf club including a club head and an interchangeable shaft is disclosed herein. A sleeve is mounted in an internal hosel of the club head. The sleeve includes a top section, which has a plurality of fingers and slits. The sleeve further includes a rib that extends diametrically across the interior of the sleeve. The shaft is inserted in the sleeve, and a mechanical fastener, which is placed over a tip end of the shaft and coupled to the sleeve, constricts the fingers of the sleeve about the shaft to removably secure the shaft to the club head. The tip end of the shaft has a notch formed therein. The notch in the shaft engages the rib of the sleeve to prevent the shaft from rotating with respect to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: D. Clayton Evans
  • Patent number: 7037211
    Abstract: A golf club having superior balance and sensory feedback which includes a shaft connected to a clubhead comprising two basic elements, an integrated hosel and insert which defines a striking surface and a shell including a distal toe portion, and a heel portion uniquely integrated with the combined hosel and insert. In preferred embodiments the clubhead has a cylindrical striking surface, polar mass concentrations for optimum dynamic performance and a medial shell portion coupling the toe and heel portions to the insert. A cavity behind the striking surface of the insert enhances the sound of impact and a visible top surface of the insert integral with the hosel with sighting indicia enhances golfer alignment and stroking of the ball to provide resultant confidence and consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Chapel Golf, Inc.
    Inventor: Milana Kosovac
  • Patent number: 6884179
    Abstract: An improved golf club is disclosed, in which a desired weight for the club's head is precisely controlled by installing into a hosel cavity a selected hosel plug from a group of such plugs having identical sizes but a range of weights. After the selected hosel plug has been installed, the shaft is inserted into an upper portion of the hosel cavity, above the hosel plug. The plug is configured to have little effect on important club head parameters such as coefficient of restitution and center of gravity, and it also is configured to remain in its installed position even if the club's shaft is removed and replaced. The invention is applicable to golf clubs of all kinds, including metal woods, irons and putters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Hoffman, Stephen A. Kraus, Michael Scott Burnett, Chris Mason
  • Patent number: 6860820
    Abstract: Golf putters having enhanced balance and sensory feedback and improved manufacturing methods therefor. The putters include: a shaft; a hosel and a body in an integrated unit of relatively low mass density; an armature extending through the assembly and into the shaft; and, a shell of relatively high mass density having polar toe and heel portions and a web between the toe and heel portions, the armature extending up from the web connecting the shell, the integrated body and hosel and the shaft. The manufacturing methods include unique shells and integrated assemblies and enhanced assembly methods therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Chapel Golf, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Specht
  • 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: 6769996
    Abstract: A golf club has a head with a hollow body. The head has a neck formed at an upper portion of the hollow body. A passage is longitudinally defined through the neck. A flange is formed at a lower end of the neck and inside the hollow body. A first threaded hole is defined through the flange and coaxial with the passage. A bolt is inserted through the first threaded hole. A second threaded hole is defined through a bottom surface of the head and coaxial with the first threaded hole and the passage. A shaft has a lower end inserted in the passage of the neck. A third threaded hole is defined at the lower end and engaged with the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Tseng
  • Publication number: 20040116199
    Abstract: Golf putters having enhanced balance and sensory feedback and improved manufacturing methods therefor. The putters include: a shaft; a hosel and an body in an integrated unit of relatively low mass density; an armature extending through the assembly and into the shaft; and, a shell of relatively high mass density having polar toe and heel portions and a web between the toe and heel portions, the armature extending up from the web connecting the shell, the integrated body and hosel and the shaft. The manufacturing methods include unique shells and integrated assemblies and enhanced assembly methods therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Chapel Golf, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Specht
  • Patent number: 6692376
    Abstract: A golf club having enhanced balance and sensory feedback that includes: a shaft, a hosel and a body in an integrated assembly of relatively low mass density; and, a shell having distal toe and heel portions of relatively high mass density, a web in the body between the toe and heel portions and an armature extending up from the web connecting the integrated body, hosel and shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Chapel Golf, Inc.
    Inventors: Milana Kosovac, Paul Specht
  • Publication number: 20030207720
    Abstract: A plug for use in a golf club to selectively alter the swing weight of the golf club includes a sleeve for holding a high-density material such as Tungsten (sintered or unsintered) in the form of powder, rods or scrap parts. The sleeve is preferably made of plastic and shaped as a substantially hollow cylinder having an outer wall surface. The sleeve is further formed with a plurality of elongated ridges that project from the outer wall surface of the cylindrical sleeve. The ridges define a ridge diameter measured around the radial extremity of each ridge. This ridge diameter is sized to be larger than the inner diameter of the shaft at the end where the plug will be inserted. When the sleeve is inserted into the shaft, the ridges are compressed to establish an interference fit between the ridges and the shaft that anchors the sleeve to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Sery
  • Patent number: 6638178
    Abstract: A golf club has a head with a fixing hole defined therein to receive a connecting portion of a shaft fixed therein, and an adjusting means particularly provided therein to enable the head to be adjustable until a desired dynamic balance and stability of the golf club are reached. The adjusting means includes a connecting spindle having a first end thereof fixed in the connecting portion and a second end thereof formed with a connector inserted into the fixing hole of the head, and a fastening member threaded through a screw hole defined at one side of the fixing seat and extending into the fixing hole. A tip end of the fastening member formed with a cone surface is correspondingly abutted against an inclined surface formed around an annular groove defined around the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Tseng
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030176236
    Abstract: A golf shaft for attachment to a hossel of a club head, said shaft comprising: (a) a first section comprising a first material and having a hossel end and a first joint end, said first section having a linear weight no greater than 2.4 g/in; (b) a second section comprising a second material and having a butt end and a second joint end, said second joint end being connected to said first joint end; (c) wherein said second material is less dense than said first material; and (d) wherein said first material has a shear modulus greater than that of said second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Edwin B. Fendel
  • Patent number: 6620053
    Abstract: A golf club with high accuracy in driving a golf ball is disclosed. The golf club includes a tapered hollow shaft having a thin end and a thick end, with a weight received in the hollow shaft. A head is formed with a neck that defines a stepped hole for fixedly receiving the thin end of the shaft. Importantly, the head is made less heavy than a related standard by an amount equivalent to the weight in the hollow shaft, and so the golf club has the same gross weight as a normal club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Tseng
  • Patent number: 6620054
    Abstract: A dynamic balance mechanism includes an adjusting barrel adapted to be adjustably extending into the club head and having a portion of the shaft securely received inside the adjusting barrel. A rotation of the adjusting barrel adjusts the relative position between the club head and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Tseng
  • Publication number: 20030162599
    Abstract: A putter comprising a grip having an anatomically correct shape to promote proper grasping of the putter, a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the grip is attached to the first end of the shaft, a hosel attached to the second end of the shaft, a head attached to the hosel, the head having a striking face, and an alignment feature of the putter adapted to ensure correct assembly of the head onto the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Lon Klein
  • Publication number: 20030139224
    Abstract: An adjustable weight retention assembly comprising a hollow body having first outer diameter and a proximal and distal end; a flange abutting the proximal end having a second outer diameter greater larger than the first; and a plurality of concentric rings circumscribing the hollow body; wherein the assembly is formed of a high specific gravity polymer composition. A set of golf clubs containing a plurality of adjustable weight retention assemblies, as well as a set of adjustable weight retention assemblies are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Larry L. Gale, Terrill R. McCabe
  • Patent number: 6582320
    Abstract: A golf shaft for attachment to a hossel of a club head, said shaft comprising: (a) a first section comprising a first material and having a hossel end and a first joint end, said first section having a linear weight no greater than 2.4 g/in; (b) a second section comprising a second material and having a butt end and a second joint end, said second joint end being connected to said first joint end; (c) wherein said second material is less dense than said first material; and (d) wherein said first material has a shear modulus greater than that of said second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Edwin B. Fendel
  • Patent number: 6561919
    Abstract: A golf club having a transparent hosel is provided. The ends of the hosel may further include connecting portions adapted to receive the connecting portions of a shaft and clubhead. The connecting portions may include an inner post and an outer sheath adapted to form an interference fit with the connecting portions of the shaft or clubhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: David Edel
  • Patent number: 6503151
    Abstract: A golf club having superior balance and sensory feedback which includes a shaft connected to a clubhead comprising two basic elements, an integrated hosel and body portion of relatively low mass and specific gravity which defines a striking surface and a distal toe portion and a heel portion of relatively high mass and specific gravity uniquely integrated with the combined hosel and body portion. In preferred embodiments the clubhead has a cylindrical striking surface, polar mass concentrations for optimum dynamic performance and a combination of unique sighting and alignment features which co-operate to provide optimum sensory perception and feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Chapel Golf, Inc.
    Inventor: Milana Kosovac
  • Publication number: 20030004009
    Abstract: An improved golf club is disclosed, in which a desired weight for the club's head is precisely controlled by installing into a hosel cavity a selected hosel plug from a group of such plugs having identical sizes but a range of weights. After the selected hosel plug has been installed, the shaft is inserted into an upper portion of the hosel cavity, above the hosel plug. The plug is configured to have little effect on important club head parameters such as coefficient of restitution and center of gravity, and it also is configured to remain in its installed position even if the club's shaft is removed and replaced. The invention is applicable to golf clubs of all kinds, including metal woods, irons and putters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph H. Hoffman, Stephen A. Kraus, Michael Scott Burnett, Chris Mason
  • Publication number: 20020169032
    Abstract: A golf club having a head with a fixing hole defined therein to receive a connecting portion of a club fixed therein, and an adjusting means particularly provided therein to enable the head to be adjustable till a desired dynamic balance and stability of the golf club are reached. The adjusting means consists of a connecting spindle having a first end thereof fixed in the connecting portion and a second end thereof formed with a connector inserted into the fixing hole of the head, and a fastening member threaded through a screw hole defined at one side of the fixing seat and extending into the fixing hole. A tip end of the fastening member formed with a cone surface is correspondingly abutted against an inclined surface formed around an annular groove defined around the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Tseng
  • Patent number: 6478691
    Abstract: Disclosed is a golf club head in which a mass-adjusting weight is inserted into the inside of a cylindrical hosel portion, wherein a flange that can be deformed in a radial direction of the hosel portion is formed in a peripheral portion of the foregoing weight and the diameter of the flange is increased so as to fix the foregoing weight to the foregoing hosel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Okoshi
  • Publication number: 20020137575
    Abstract: A golf club has a shaft, a connecting pin, a pin and a nut. One end of the connecting pin is securely inserted into the shaft, the other end of the connecting pin is threaded and is exposed from the shaft. The head is mounted on the shaft and has a neck with a passage for the shaft inserting into the passage in the neck. A baffle formed in the passage in the neck and has a through hole for the connecting pin extending through the through hole. The nut is screwed with the thread on the connecting pin and abuts the baffle. Consequently, the head is securely attached to the shaft with the connecting pin and the nut. With such an arrangement, the head is adjustable relative to the shaft prior to an adhesion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Tseng
  • Patent number: 6443850
    Abstract: A golf swing training device comprising a golf club having a head, shaft and grip and a piston assembly housing is disposed in the club head. A piston is disposed in the housing and is movable therein in a direction parallel to the shaft of the club. A spring loaded detent acts against the piston to retain it in an upper position in the housing. Air vents in the top and sole of the club head communicate with the interior of the housing to maintain atmospheric pressure within the housing and to prevent any resistance against the piston which would be caused by compressing air in the housing. As the club is swung the speed of the club head generates centrifugal force that, if sufficient, overcomes the retaining force of the detent and allows the piston to move downward in that housing toward the sole of the club. When the piston strikes a floor of the housing an audible click can be heard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Richard Wonsik Choi
  • Publication number: 20020034984
    Abstract: An iron golf club with a head whose center of gravity is easy to adjust, preventing the center of gravity from being biased toward a hosel or a heel. A head body 8 includes a face 3 in a front, a heel 6 at a lower portion of a first side of the face 3 and a hosel 7 above the heel 6. A shaft 2 is connected to the hosel 7 that is formed with a hollow portion 9. By forming the hollow portion 9 that way, it becomes easier to adjust the center of gravity of the head 1, preventing the center of gravity from being biased toward the hosel 7 and the heel 6. To prevent the increase of weight of the hosel 7 eventually leads to preventing the center of gravity of the head 1 from getting too high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Hitoshi Takeda
  • 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: 6168534
    Abstract: A conventional golf club head is releasably connected to a golf club shaft through operation of a wedge on the lower end of a rod in the shaft moveable in and out of the lower end of the shaft to releasably cause the shaft side wall to create a friction fit in the hollow club head shank. A nut on the rod at the upper end of the shaft covered by a cap allows for rotation of the rod to advance or retract the wedge in the lower end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Robert G. Schultz
  • Patent number: 6102274
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a golf club head comprising the steps of abutting a joining end surface of a hosel to a joining end surface of a ball-striking member, rotating the hosel while the ball-striking member and the hosel are under pressing contact, thus heating the joining end surfaces of the two members by the heat of friction generated between the joining end surfaces, stopping the rotation of the hosel, and then applying a further, stronger pressure to the joining end surfaces, thus joining them together so as to form the ball-striking member and the hosel into an integral, single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Yamada Corporation
    Inventor: Itsushi Nagamoto
  • Patent number: 6089991
    Abstract: An improved golf club mainly comprises: a club head having a through hole in its club neck for accommodating a tapped club shaft, wherein insert portion of the club shaft is glued on its outer surface for sticking at the club neck; a bolt with thread portion glued being used to screw in and joined with the club shaft for dual assurance of a firm connection without detachment of the club head in a striking, meanwhile, the bolt being replaceable for balance adjustment of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Wang-Chiu Yeh
  • Patent number: 5941781
    Abstract: The present invention is a putter comprising: a putter head having a striking face, a crown surface and a bore in the crown surface, a connection pin secured to the bore of the putter head through a mechanical connection, a shaft adhered to the putter bore and the connection pin and further including structure to increase the adhesive bond between the bore, shaft and the connection pin. Preferably, the bore is comprised of a first section and a second section and the shaft is adhered to the first section of the bore and the connection pin is secured to the second section of the bore, and has an increased surface area to strengthen the adhesive bond between the shaft and the connection pin. Preferably, the second section of the bore and the shaft also have an increased surface area to strengthen the adhesive bond between the bore and the shaft and the shaft and the connection pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Sammy Glenn Sessions
  • Patent number: 5820482
    Abstract: The present invention is a putter comprising: a putter head having a striking face, a crown surface and a bore in the crown surface, a connection pin secured to the bore of the putter head through a mechanical connection, and a shaft adhered to the putter bore and the connection pin. Preferably, the bore is comprised of a first section and a second section and the shaft is adhered to the first section of the bore and the connection pin is secured to the second section of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Sammy Glenn Sessions
  • Patent number: 5746664
    Abstract: A golf club, such as a putter, utilizes removable shafts, removable weights in the shaft grip end, a variable length adapter to connect the shaft to the putter head and vary the shaft end weight, and removable weights in the putter head to vary the pressure of the putter relative to the putting surface speed. The putter head also includes weighted inserts or plugs placed in the head during manufacturing to vary the weight of the putter head. The striking face has an additional insert at the striking point adapted to receive various types of plugs to vary the percussion response. Grooves on the top surface of the club head provide improved "sighting" of the golf ball in relation to the hole. The club head shape and grip end appearance remain unaltered and thereby retain user familiarity and confidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Walker Reynolds, Jr.