Particular Relationship Between Shaft Longitudinal Axis And Head Orientation Patents (Class 473/314)
  • Patent number: 11266884
    Abstract: The present invention provides an iron-type golf club head that is able to increase the amount of backspin while reducing resistance against the ground, and a golf club set. In an iron-type golf club head having a top surface, a sole surface, a toe surface that connects therebetween, and a face surface that hits a ball, the sole surface is provided with a leading surface sloping to a face side and a trailing surface sloping to a back side in a face-back direction, with a visible boundary line extending in a toe-heel direction as an apex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Shimahara
  • Patent number: 11045698
    Abstract: Examples of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head includes a body portion with a hosel portion behind a center of gravity of the body portion and aft thereof. A shaft is coupled to the hosel portion and has first and second shaft portions, each of which having a center axis. The center axis of the second shaft portion passes through the body portion at an intersection point behind the center of gravity and aft of the body portion. The center of gravity, the intersection point, and a base of the hosel portion share a common plane. The intersection point and a center point of the base of the hosel are the same distance from the face portion. Other examples of golf club heads and methods to manufacture the same may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette, Caleb S. Kroloff
  • Patent number: 10881927
    Abstract: A golf club head comprises a body, a track formed in or attached to the body and having a length and a weight and weight retainer. The weight is continuously repositionable such that it can be positioned at any selected point along the track between its ends. The weight has a major dimension, and the weight retainer comprises a fastening member having a diameter not greater than about one half of the major dimension of the weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Joseph Henry Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10463934
    Abstract: A golf club head comprises a body, a track formed in or attached to the body and having a length and a weight and weight retainer. The weight is continuously repositionable such that it can be positioned at any selected point along the track between its ends. The weight has a major dimension, and the weight retainer comprises a fastening member having a diameter not greater than about one half of the major dimension of the weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Joseph Henry Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9937395
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a club body including a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, and a face portion and having an ideal strike, wherein said sole portion extends rearwardly from a lower end of said face portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Taylor, Peter L. Larsen, Bret H. Wahl, Joshua J. Dipert
  • Patent number: 9731178
    Abstract: A golf club head comprising a slidable weight for adjusting the location of the club head center of gravity is disclosed herein. The club head has an S-shaped channel disposed in its sole and a slidable weight assembly comprising a retention plate, at least one bolt, and a weighted base. The weighted base comprises at least one spherical portion extending from its underside to permit the slidable weight assembly to slide smoothly within the channel, which preferably has a partially tubular cross-section along a vertical Z-axis. The bolt, when tightened, reversibly fixes the slidable weight assembly to a pair of rails extending into the channel from the channel's walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Matthew Myers
  • Patent number: 9700764
    Abstract: A golf club having a head with a series of tracks forming a three-dimensional pattern; weights for positioning along the channels; and a mechanism for securing the weights at positions along the channels so as to customize center of gravity and moment of inertia. The channels can all interconnect to allow a weight to be moved from one to another. The club can include a removable cover for at least a portion of the surface to cover the channels and the weights. The weights can comprise a spherical member disposed in a channel; a member external to a surface of the head; and a coupling between the spherical member and the external member to allow the spherical member and the external member to capture between them a wall in which a track is formed. The channels may be in the removable cover, or below the removable cover, in the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Vandette B. Carter
  • Patent number: 9289660
    Abstract: A golf club head comprising a means for adjusting the location of the center of gravity, and the bias of the golf club head, is disclosed herein. In particular, the golf dub head of the present invention comprises a channel that includes a track. A slidable weight is movable along the track and is reversibly affixed to various locations along the track with a mechanical fastener. The track has a narrow end by which the slidable weight is threaded onto the track, and the narrow end is covered with a stopper to prevent the weight from disengaging from the track, and thus the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventor: Matthew Myers
  • Patent number: 9186561
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with optimized characteristics including optimizing the center of gravity location as it relates to the head volume, and the hosel moment of inertia relative to the horizontal and vertical moments of inertia. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradley D. Schweigert, Ryan M. Stokke
  • Patent number: 9044660
    Abstract: A golf club having a club head with a cut-out cavity which is configured to accept the footwear of a golfing instructor, caddy, playing partner, or other individual available to assist the golfer. The club head has a flat bottom and a downwardly and rearwardly sloping top surface. It is aerodynamically designed, both as to the outer shape of the club head and the configuration of the cavity, to increase driving distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventor: Brian K. Selfridge
  • Patent number: 9033815
    Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs or golf club components incorporating adjustment members that permit ready adjustability of golf club parameters and/or interchangeability of golf club components to change a golf club configuration, and methods for providing golf clubs. According to aspects of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of a golf club parameter to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics. According to another aspect of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of two golf club parameters independently to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Joshua M. Boggs, Matthew P. Rubal
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150080143
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein to provide a golf club, such as, for example, a putter, with a select loft angle and/or a select lie angle. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a golf club having a golf club head, a hosel, and a hosel shim. The golf club head has a hosel shank and the hosel is configured to be coupled to the hosel shank. The hosel shim is configured to be coupled to the hosel to position the hosel at a select angle relative to the golf club head such that the golf club has a select lie angle. The hosel shim is further configured to limit rotational movement of the hosel relative to the golf club head such that the select lie angle is maintained when the hosel is coupled to the golf club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Vikash Sanyal, David Stuart Cooper, Jr., Jeffrey D. Sheets
  • Patent number: 8956241
    Abstract: A golf club head, and a golf club with the subject head. The head has a putter body that defines a front face and a golf club iron face that is integral with the putter body and presents an angled ball-striking face portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph Overly
  • Patent number: 8932148
    Abstract: A golf club. The golf club includes a club head. The club head includes a clubface configured to make contact with a golf ball. The golf club also includes a shaft attached to the club head. The shaft includes a center axis. The golf club further includes an elliptical grip, wherein the elliptical grip includes a center axis. The center axis of the elliptical grip is non-parallel to the center axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventors: Bill Presse, IV, Scott Sulprizio
  • Publication number: 20140349775
    Abstract: A golf club includes an elongated shaft with a grip that fits against the inner surface of the user's leading forearm. The shaft is also angled both obtusely forward away from a striking surface of a club head and acutely inward toward the user parallel to the golfer's leading forearm where the club is anchored. The rounded front surface of the grip rests against the inner surface of the leading forearm of the golfer anchoring the club. By applying the appropriate pressure to the grip, a relatively stable triangle is formed with the hands and shoulders as the vertices. This club design permits the golfer, using the core muscles to turn away from and then through the ball, striking it in the process and putting it toward the target, thus dramatically reducing and/or eliminating movement in the joints of the hands, elbows, shoulders, waist, hips, knees and ankles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Lavonne R. Davis, Frank A. Fornari
  • Publication number: 20140295987
    Abstract: An adjustable connector is provided including a first part and a second part, each part including a main body having a longitudinal axis. One part includes at least one first locator, and the other part includes at least two second locators. The connector is configured such that engagement of the first locator with different second locators results in different orientations of the longitudinal axes of the parts with respect to one another. Each part includes a frustum shaped surface, where the surfaces are configured to abut against each other in at least one orientation of the longitudinal axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Simon Garry Moore
  • Publication number: 20140274445
    Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, an iron-type golf club head body connected to the face and extending rearward from the face, a hosel having a proximal end connected to the body and a distal end extending away from the body, and a post member connected to the distal end of the hosel and extending away from the hosel. The post member has a non-circular cross-section and is configured for insertion into a shaft to connect the golf club head to the shaft. The shaft may be provided having complementary connecting structure, such as a bore receiving the post member therein. The face, the body, the hosel, and the connection member may be formed of a polymer material, and may be formed of a single, integral piece of the polymer material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Jeremy N. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20140256461
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of adjustable golf clubs comprising features which allow for the adjustment of a lie angle, a loft angle, or both a lie angle and a loft angle of the golf club. In some embodiments, a golf club head includes a body and a hosel, the hosel including an adjustment screw which can be tightened or loosened to adjust the lie and/or loft angles of a golf club head. In some embodiments, certain angles of a golf club head's geometry can be continuously adjustable through a predetermined range of angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Bret H. Wahl, Scott Taylor, Peter L. Larsen
  • Patent number: 8821310
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a head, the torque of the entire length of the shaft being in a range of 3 to 5°. From viewpoints of a torsional rigidity distribution of the shaft, an integrated value of the torsional rigidity on the grip end side of the shaft is 85% or less of the integrated value of the torsional rigidity of the entire length of the shaft. The head has a distance to the center of gravity of 40 to 48 mm and a gravity center angle of 22 to 30°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumiaki Sato
  • Patent number: 8771096
    Abstract: A golf putter with a multi-component neck providing a novel offset and shaft-attachment design is described and claimed. The club includes a head having a strike surface, a sole, and a top line. The multi-component neck includes a lower neck component and a coupling member. The coupling member is joined to a shaft. The coupling member connects the lower neck component and the shaft such that they are relatively offset. The length of the lower neck component and/or the design of the coupling member determine the distance from the club head center of gravity and the intersection of the projected longitudinal axis of the shaft with the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20140187344
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs with adjustable lie and loft and methods of manufacturing golf clubs with adjustable lie and loft are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chris L. Jones, John P. Fife, Erik M. Henrikson
  • Publication number: 20140162807
    Abstract: A golf club has a club head forming a generally hollow body having a generally planar front wall for impacting a ball, a rear wall opposite to the front wall, two side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall surrounding a hollow interior. A tubular shaft hosel extends upwardly from the top wall of the club head and an upstanding center wall is located between the side walls and extending rearwardly from the front wall so as to transfer forces between walls. A portion of the hosel is connected to the top wall and the center wall so as to transfer forces therebetween. The front edge of the center wall can be recessed away from the front wall to allow some flexing of the front wall on impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Shane M. Touchette
  • Patent number: 8734266
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a contact face, a top surface extending rearwardly away from the contact face, a toe edge, a heel edge, and a sole spaced from the top surface. A center of gravity of the putter head is disposed closer to the toe edge than to the heel edge. A visual sight line is provided on the top surface and extends rearwardly away from the contact face, wherein the visual sight line and the center of gravity lie in a sight line plane disposed perpendicular to the top surface and to the contact face. The toe edge extends rearwardly away from the contact face and parallel to the visual sight line. A golf putter is also provided including a shaft and the golf putter head connected to an end of the shaft. A method of using a golf putter includes utilizing the golf putter to strike a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Tom David, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom David
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140113740
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Stites, James S. Thomas, Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 8702531
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a club head. The club head may include a ball striking face, a crown, a sole, and a hosel region. The hosel region may have a free end configured for receiving a shaft having a longitudinal axis. When the club head is in a 60 degree lie angle position, at least a portion of the free end of the hosel region may extend above the adjacent crown surface. When the club head is in a 60 degree lie angle position, the vertical distance between the horizontal projections of the outermost points of the sole and the crown may be greater than the vertical distance between the horizontal projections of the outermost points of the sole and the hosel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, John T. Stites
  • Publication number: 20140106894
    Abstract: A golf club head with an adjustable hosel that sits within a cavity loaded with filler material. The cavity may generally extend from crown to sole or, in the alternative, extend only a partial amount of the distance from the crown to the sole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Steve Murphy
  • Publication number: 20140100057
    Abstract: A golf putter with a novel offset and shaft-attachment design is disclosed and claimed. The club includes a head having a strike surface, a sole, and a top line. A tube is coupled to the head, a coupling member is coupled to the distal end of the tube, and a shaft is also coupled to the coupling member. The coupling member connects the tube and the shaft such that they are relatively offset. The longitudinal axes of the tube and the shaft may be substantially parallel. An alignment indicia is provided on the club head. The tube is coupled to the head at an angle such that it blocks the indicia from a user's view at address when the head is aligned properly. If the club head is not properly aligned, the golfer will be able to see the indicia and therefore know to adjust the club head before putting. Thus, putter disclosed and claimed herein provides both offset and a putting alignment aide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANY
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20140080617
    Abstract: An adjustable golf club is disclosed. The club can be adjusted by moving one or more sliders located proximate the heel of the club. The sliders can move to enable the loft and lie of the club to be adjusted independently. To adjust the club, a user can loosen a fastener, reposition the sliders, and re-tighten the fastener. The one or more sliders can slide against a spherical surface with its origin at the center of rotation of the shaft. In this configuration, when the sliders are pressed against the spherical surface, the spherical surface can enable the club to remain properly adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Mizuno USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David Llewellyn, Tetsuya Kanayama
  • Patent number: 8672771
    Abstract: A golf putter having a head with a negative loft angle on the two ball striking surfaces, heel, and toe surfaces. The overall weight of the putter may be adjusted and the center of gravity of the putter may be shifted laterally as desired with removable weights that are coupled to the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Vlosich
  • Publication number: 20140057735
    Abstract: A scientific method of golf employs a pendulous or near pendulous swing to hit a golf ball so that the ball flies airborne and straight, including a tee shot with a driver. A new golf club with the shaft attached to the heel of the club head as in conventional golf clubs, but with the shaft angle increased to about 65-90° is disclosed. Also disclosed are golf clubs and putters having a shaft attached at or near the center of the club or putter head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventor: Ruey J. Yu
  • Publication number: 20140024473
    Abstract: A golf club adjustable for use by right handed or left handed golfers is provided comprising a club head defining a club head cavity and a ball striking face. The golf club further includes a shaft and a club head connecting mechanism disposed within or proximate the club head cavity and connectable to the club head and to the shaft, the club head mechanism being adjustable to facilitate translation of the vertical orientation of the shaft relative to the club head, in a plane parallel to a striking surface, while the shaft remains connected to the club head, and angle of the striking surface with respect to the ground remains unchanged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: John Norman Reid
  • Patent number: 8616990
    Abstract: A golf putter with an offset and shaft-attachment design is disclosed and claimed. The club includes a head having a strike surface, a sole, and a top line. A tube is coupled to the head, a coupling member is coupled to the distal end of the tube, and a shaft is also coupled to the coupling member. The coupling member connects the tube and the shaft such that they are relatively offset. The longitudinal axes of the tube and the shaft may be substantially parallel. An alignment indicia is provided on the club head. The tube is coupled to the head at an angle such that it blocks the indicia from a user's view at address when the head is aligned properly. If the club head is not properly aligned, the golfer will be able to see the indicia and therefore know to adjust the club head before putting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20130337936
    Abstract: A golf club includes a club head having a face surface for hitting a ball. A center of gravity of the club head is situated on a vertical plain including an axis of a shaft. The club head includes a body portion for connecting to the shaft and a face portion attached to the body portion. The face portion is configured so that a face angle of the club head becomes a hook face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Hitoshi SAITO
  • Publication number: 20130324287
    Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs or golf club components incorporating adjustment members that permit ready adjustability of golf club parameters and/or interchangeability of golf club components to change a golf club configuration, and methods for providing golf clubs. According to aspects of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of a golf club parameter to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics. According to another aspect of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of two golf club parameters independently to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Arluna, Robert Boyd, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Eric A. Larson, Robert Lukasiewizc, JR., George W. Moody, JR., Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Raymond J. Sander, John T. Stites
  • Publication number: 20130324284
    Abstract: Golf club heads include a golf club head body, a ball striking face, and a shaft engaging member configured to engage a golf club shaft with the golf club head body. Further, the shaft engaging member may be configured to engage the golf club head body and the shaft below a center of gravity of the golf club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Chewei Tai
  • Publication number: 20130324286
    Abstract: Aspects of this invention relate to structures and methods for connecting golf club heads to shafts in a releasable and adjustable manner allowing independent adjustability of face angle, loft angle, and lie angle of a club head. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a hosel assembly; (b) an adjustment member; and (c) a securing system for releasably and adjustably securing the hosel assembly and adjustment member to the club head. The face angle, loft angle, and lie angle may be independently adjusted by releasing the securing system and rotating the different structures or exchanging the original parts with different parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Robert Boyd
  • Patent number: 8585510
    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) is connected to the club head (40) at a head connection point (55) and to a shaft at a shaft connection point (57), and a YZ plane (85) defined by a y-axis and an x-axis that intersects the center of gravity (80) also intersects the head connection portion (55) of the hosel (50). In one further embodiment, a plane (95) aligned with the hosel (50) is parallel to an XZ plane (90) defined by the horizontal x-axis and the vertical z-axis. In another further alternative embodiment, a plane (95) aligned with the hosel (50) intersects the XZ plane 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Ehlers, D. Clayton Evans, Matthew T. Cackett
  • Publication number: 20130102405
    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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: NIKE, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8398503
    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: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    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: 20130053166
    Abstract: A golf putter comprising a head generally triangular in plan form, including a cap and a sole, and a plurality of side walls, a strike face formed by one of said sidewalls, and a conical end formed by a convergence of the remaining sidewall, an axis of symmetry for the conical end oriented substantially orthogonally to a plane containing the strike face. The hosel attached to the head approximately at a moment center for the generally triangular shaped head for centralizing the mass of the club head and providing a more stable swing, resulting in better alignment with the target. The angle of the shaft with respect to the head may be adjusted and configured for use by both left-handed and right-handed players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: TERRY TOBIAN
  • Publication number: 20130045816
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a grip for a golf club. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a golf club grip having a pattern such that a view of the grip is identical to a user for every position of a multi-positional club head of a golf club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James G. Lewis, Austin B. Oliveiro, Michael T. McDonnell, Jesse S. Bolane, Robert A. Philion, Thomas W. Preece, Douglas E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20130023354
    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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, James S. Thomas, Vincent Contini, Scott Allen Harris, Matthew Paul Rubal, James Alan Prescott, Gregory A. Trees
  • Publication number: 20130005499
    Abstract: A golf putter with a multi-component neck providing a novel offset and shaft-attachment design is described and claimed. The club includes a head having a strike surface, a sole, and a top line. The multi-component neck includes a lower neck component and a coupling member. The coupling member is joined to a shaft. The coupling member connects the lower neck component and the shaft such that they are relatively offset. The length of the lower neck component and/or the design of the coupling member determine the distance from the club head center of gravity and the intersection of the projected longitudinal axis of the shaft with the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20120302366
    Abstract: A golf club head with an adjustable hosel that sits within a cavity loaded with filler material. The cavity may generally extend from crown to sole or, in the alternative, extend only a partial amount of the distance from the crown to the sole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Steve Murphy
  • Patent number: 8277334
    Abstract: A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, comprising of a body portion and a crown portion, each portion constructed of a different density material. Combining a high-density material in the body portion, with a low-density material in the crown portion, creates an ultra-low center of gravity relative to the geometric face center, resulting in higher launch angles and spin rate ratios. The material for the crown portion is preferably a composite. A vibration dampening gasket is disposed between the ledge and lip sections of the body and crown respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Meyer, Scott A. Rice, Raymond L. Poynor
  • Patent number: 8272974
    Abstract: A hybrid type golf club head is disclosed herein. The hybrid golf club head preferably has an increased heel/toe camber to minimize drag through rough when a golfer swings the hybrid golf club. A sole of the hybrid golf club head is relieved to allow for the face angle to open without the leading edge lifting too high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Philip A. Mickelson, Daniel M. Stevens, William C. Watson, Alan Hocknell, Luke R. Williams, Roger Cleveland
  • Publication number: 20120231896
    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, a hosel portion, a tubular adjustment piece having non-parallel upper and lower surfaces, and a retention piece removably attached to the tip end of the shaft sleeve, wherein the retention piece prevents the tubular adjustment piece from becoming detached from the shaft sleeve. The retention piece may be a ball joint, a universal joint connection, or a retention cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: JAMES A. SELUGA, DENVER HOLT, SCOTT MANWARING, HOMER E. AGUINALDO