JP2010537730A - Removable and replaceable connection for golf club head and shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

The golf club head is removably engaged with the shaft so that the club head and shaft can be easily replaced and / or the position of the shaft relative to the club head can be easily changed. The assembly for connecting the club head and shaft includes: (a) a cylindrical inner chamber for receiving a golf club shaft, a rotation preventing structure, and a cylindrical structure having a fixed structure; and (b) a fixed structure. A locking system for releasably engaging may be included. The club head and shaft may be changed by removing the fixation system and replacing the original part with a different part. Further, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft connection assembly to allow adjustment of the shaft position relative to the club head.

Description

The present invention relates generally to golf clubs and golf club heads. More particularly, aspects of the present invention provide for a removable connection between the golf club head and shaft, as well as easy modification of the head / shaft positioning characteristics to allow easy exchange of the shaft and head. The present invention relates to a golf club having the feature of adjusting the position of the head / shaft to enable it.

Background Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players, regardless of gender, and with surprisingly different ages and / or skill levels. Golf allows such a diverse group of players to play together in a golf event while directly competing with each other (eg, using handicapped scores, different tee boxes, team types, etc.), yet It is somewhat unique in the sports world in that you can go out for golf or enjoy the competition. These factors include increased use of golf programs on television (eg, golf tournaments, golf news, golf history, and / or other golf programs), and at least partially known golf world superstars. With the advent, it has increased golf popularity in the United States and around the world in recent years.

  All skilled level golfers strive to improve their performance, lower their golf scores, and reach the next performance “level”. In response to these demands, manufacturers of all types of golf equipment have recently undergone dramatic changes and improvements in the golf equipment. For example, a wide range of different golf ball models are currently available, and the ball is designed to compensate for specific swing speeds and / or other features or preferences of the player, such as designed to fly farther and / or straight Some balls are designed to provide a higher or flatter trajectory, and are designed to provide more spin, control, and / or feel (especially around the green) Some balls are designed for faster or slower swing speeds. Numerous swings and / or assistive tools are also sold that promise to help lower the golf score.

  Golf clubs, which are the only tools that hit golf balls in motion during play, have also been the subject of much technological research and progress in recent years. For example, the golf market has recently seen dramatic changes and improvements in putter design, golf club head design, shafts, and grips. In addition, other technical advances have been made in an effort to better match the various elements and / or features of a golf club and the features of a golf ball to a particular user's swing characteristics or features (eg, Fitting technology, ball firing angle measurement technology, ball spin speed, etc.).

  In view of recent advances, there are a significant number of golf club component parts available to golfers. For example, club heads are produced in a variety of different models by a wide variety of manufacturers. In addition, individual club head models include numerous variations, including variations of loft angles, lie angles, offset features, and weighting features (eg, draw bias club head, fade bias club head, neutral weight club head, etc.) Can be. In addition, the club head may be combined with a variety of different shafts, such as made of different materials, eg, having different hardness, flex points, kick points, or other flexing features from different manufacturers. In the available variations of shaft and club head, virtually hundreds of different club head / shaft combinations are available to golfers.

  Club fitters and golf professionals can help golfers tailor a golf club head / shaft combination that meets their swing characteristics and needs. Conventionally, however, golf club heads are permanently attached to the shaft using cement or adhesive. Therefore, in order for golfers to be able to experiment with a variety of head / shaft combinations, club fitters or professionals will have a wide selection of permanently installed golf club head / shaft combinations (this is a significant amount) Or a club fitter or specialist must create a new club for the customer as the fitting process continues (this is a substantial amount of time). Cost and inventory costs). The disadvantages associated with these conventional options act to limit the choices available to the golfer during the fitting period and / or to significantly increase the cost and duration of the period.

SUMMARY The following presents a general summary of aspects of the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the present invention and its various features. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but merely provides a general overview and context for the following more detailed description.

  Aspects of the invention allow for easy replacement of the club head and shaft and / or to easily change the angle and / or position of the shaft relative to the club head body (and its ball striking surface). Systems and methods for connecting a golf club head to a shaft in a removable manner. A golf club head / shaft connection assembly according to an example of the present invention includes: (a) a first end including a first opening defining a cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft; A cylindrical structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the outer surface of the structure includes a rotation-inhibiting structure and the second end includes a stationary structure; And (b) a securing system for releasably engaging the securing structure.

  A further aspect of the invention relates to a golf club wherein the shaft engages the golf club head using a shaft / club head connecting member of the type described above. Such golf clubs include: (a) a first end of a chamber that receives a shaft includes a first anti-rotation structure, and a second end of the chamber that receives the shaft receives a securing member. A golf club head having a chamber for receiving a shaft including a first opening for; (b) a shaft generally including the structure described above and extending into the chamber for receiving the shaft of the golf club head A connecting member; (c) a shaft engaged with a cylindrical inner chamber of the shaft connecting member; (d) a fixing structure for the shaft connecting member received through the second end of the chamber receiving the shaft of the golf club head; A securing member that removably engages the shaft connecting member thereby removably engaging the golf club head; and / or (e) a grip portion engaged with the free end of the shaft , It may also be included.

  The club head and shaft may be exchanged with respect to each other by removing the securing system and replacing the originally existing parts (eg, shaft, club head, etc.) with different parts having different characteristics, for example. Further, the shaft may be angled and / or receive the shaft at the shaft connecting member such that it is allowed to adjust the angle or position of the shaft relative to the club head (eg, relative to its ball striking surface). The chamber for it may be angled or otherwise offset with respect to the axial direction of the shaft connecting member.

A more complete understanding of the present invention and certain of its advantages will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: It should be understood that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary golf club according to the present invention. FIG. 2A-2C show various views of an exemplary golf club head / shaft connection member that may be used in accordance with examples of the present invention. 3A-3E show examples of features of a connection between a golf club head and a shaft that utilize a golf club head / shaft connection member according to an example of the present invention. 4A-4B are examples of various features and structures that utilize a golf club head / shaft connection member in accordance with examples of the present invention to allow adjustment of various golf club features such as loft angle, lie angle, etc. Show. FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate examples of various features and structures that utilize a golf club head / shaft connection member in accordance with examples of the present invention to allow adjustment of various golf club features, such as loft angle, lie angle, and the like. Show. FIGS. 6A-6B are examples of various features and structures that utilize a golf club head / shaft connection member in accordance with examples of the present invention to allow adjustment of various golf club features such as loft angle, lie angle, and the like. Show.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description of various exemplary structures in accordance with the present invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present invention and which illustrate various exemplary connection assemblies, golf club heads according to the present invention. And a golf club structure as an example. In addition, other specific alignments of parts and structures may be utilized, structural and functional modifications may be made, and should be understood to be within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “rear”, “side”, “bottom”, “top”, etc. are used as various example features and Although they may be used herein to describe elements, these terms may be used for convenience based on, for example, the example directions shown in the drawings and / or typical directions of use. To be used herein. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional or spatial orientation of the structure to fall within the scope of the invention.

A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF A GOLF CLUB HEAD / SHAFT CONNECTION ASSEMBLY AND A GOLF CLUB INCLUDING SUCH ASSEMBLY IN ACCORDING TO AN EXAMPLE OF THE INVENTION Relates to a system and method for connecting a golf club head to a shaft in a removable manner so that it can be easily replaced and / or repositioned. A more detailed description of aspects of the invention is provided below.

1． Exemplary Golf Club Head / Shaft Connection Assembly and Golf Club Structure According to the Invention One aspect of the present invention relates to a golf club head / shaft connection assembly for securely but removably connecting a golf club head and shaft. . Such an assembly includes, for example, (a) a first opening that provides access to a cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft, the exterior of the cylindrical structure A first end and an opposing second end, wherein the surface (eg, closer to the first end than the second end) includes a rotation blocking structure and the second end includes a locking structure A cylindrical structure having a portion; and (b) a fixation system for removably engaging the fixation structure. A variety of different securing structures and securing systems may be used, and these are also included in the present invention, and in some example structures according to the present invention, the securing structure includes a second end of a cylindrical structure. And the fastening system will include a threaded bolt element that engages the threaded hole. The cylindrical interior chambers and screw holes may or may not be coaxial, and optionally they may be provided in a cylindrical structure completely independent of each other.

  A variety of anti-rotation structures and systems may be used and are included in the present invention. In some example structures according to the present invention, the anti-rotation structure may include a plurality of flat side surfaces extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical structure (optionally a polygon having 3 to 25 side surfaces). Forming a cross section). In some more specific examples, the polygonal cross section of the cylindrical structure forming the anti-rotation structure has at least 4 flat sides (or at least 6 or even 8 flat sides) I will. Other non-circular cross-sectional forms may be provided as part of the anti-rotation structure and are also included in the invention (e.g., star or asterisk-shaped external surfaces, oval or elliptical external surfaces, Regular or asymmetrically shaped external surfaces).

  The anti-rotation structure may extend along any desired portion of the longitudinal (or axial) length of the cylindrical structure, and these are also included in the present invention. In some more specific examples, the anti-rotation structure will extend less than 50% of the total axial length of the cylindrical structure, or even less than 35% of the total axial length. On the other hand, when present on the exterior surface of the cylindrical structure, the anti-rotation structure provides a sufficient portion (e.g., the longitudinal or axial length of the cylindrical structure to provide a robust non-rotating engagement and feel (e.g., Will extend at least 2% of the total axial length). In some more specific examples, the anti-rotation structure is 2 to 65% of the total axial length of the cylindrical structure, or even 5 to 50% of the total axial length, or even 10 to 35%. Will stretch.

  The outer surface of the cylindrical structure and the cylindrical inner chamber may be coaxial. On the other hand, these cylindrical structures are not necessarily coaxial (eg, they may extend in different directions, they may be parallel but may extend in a non-coaxial direction, etc.). By providing non-coaxial cylindrical inner and outer surfaces (or through the club head, other features of the shaft, etc.), various of the shaft relative to the ball striking surface of the club head, as described in more detail below, The characteristics, position, angle, etc. may be changed. If desired, the outer surface of the cylindrical structure (eg, at its first end) may allow the user to easily see the position of the shaft / club head connection member relative to the club head in use. A rotation position indicator may be included.

  Aspects of the present invention further relate to a golf club in which the shaft engages the golf club head using a shaft / club head connecting member of the type described above. In such a golf club, (a) the first end of the chamber that receives the shaft includes a first anti-rotation structure, and the second end of the chamber that receives the shaft receives the securing member. A golf club head having a chamber for receiving the shaft, wherein the first end of the shaft connecting member defines a cylindrical inner chamber for receiving the golf club shaft. A first end including two openings, a second anti-rotation structure including an outer surface of the cylindrical structure engaging the first anti-rotation structure, and a second end including a stationary structure And a shaft connection member extending into the chamber that receives the shaft of the golf club head, including a cylindrical structure having an opposite second end; and (c) engages the cylindrical inner chamber of the shaft connection member Shaft; (d) golf club head Extending into the second end of the chamber that receives the shaft of the door and removably engages the fixed structure of the shaft connecting member, thereby removably engaging the shaft connecting member to the golf club head A securing member and / or (e) a grip member engaged with the free end of the shaft may be included. The securing member may be inserted into a chamber that receives the club head shaft through an opening provided in the sole of the club head.

  The club head anti-rotation structure has the same non-circular construction style (eg, polygonal, flat side, irregular, etc.) side walls or edges as the shaft / club head connecting member anti-rotation structure described above. You may comprise an opening part. Or, if desired, the club head opening or side wall may have a different shape than the connection member anti-rotation structure, but is properly positioned to hold the connection member securely against rotation. Retaining walls, edges, or other structures may be included.

2． Exemplary Method of Manufacturing a Golf Club Head / Shaft Connection Assembly and a Golf Club Containing Such an Assembly According to the Present Invention Another aspect of the present invention is a club head / shaft connection assembly (eg, previously described) according to an example of the present invention. Relates to a method of manufacturing) of the type described. Such methods include, for example: (a) manufacturing the shaft connection member as a cylindrical structure having a first end and an opposite second end (eg, by extrusion, by a casting or molding process). (B) manufacturing an open cylindrical interior chamber for receiving the golf club shaft at the first end of the shaft connecting member (eg, by drilling or machining process etc.); ) Forming an anti-rotation structure as part of the outer surface of the cylindrical structure, for example closer to the first end than to the second end (eg by grinding, machining, etc.); (d) the shaft Forming a securing structure at the second end of the connecting member (eg, by drilling, tapping, or machining process, etc.); and (e) a locking mechanism for engaging the securing structure. Providing a member (e.g., by making the same, etc. from a third-party sources), it may be included. If desired, the fixation structure may be formed as a screw hole defined at the second end of the cylindrical structure, and the fixation member may be provided as a screw bolt element engageable with the screw hole. The assembly may be formed to include any of a variety of structures and / or configurations as described above (and as described in more detail below).

  Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling a golf club using a club head / shaft connection assembly according to an example of the invention. Such a method includes: (a) providing a golf club head having a chamber that receives a shaft, wherein the first end of the chamber that receives the shaft includes a first anti-rotation structure; and A second end of the chamber that receives the shaft includes a first opening for receiving the securing member (eg, by manufacturing it from a third party supplier, etc.); (b ) Engaging the shaft with a shaft connection member comprising, for example, a cylindrical structure of the type described above; (c) a first anti-rotation structure engaging the anti-rotation structure provided with the shaft connection member, thereby Placing at least a portion of the shaft connecting member in a chamber that receives the shaft of the golf club head so as to prevent rotation of the shaft connecting member relative to the golf club head; (d) receiving the shaft Placing a securing member within the second end of the containing chamber; and (e) releasably engaging the securing member with a securing structure provided with the shaft connecting member, thereby causing the shaft connecting member to golf Removably engaging the club head.

  If desired, various features or features of the club head can be achieved, for example, by changing the position of the shaft relative to the club head (eg, when the shaft is bent, or the cylindrical interior of the connecting member, the chamber receiving the shaft). When the shaft is non-coaxial with respect to its outer cylindrical surface (by rotating the shaft and its connecting member relative to the club head), thereby causing the club head loft, lie, offset, inset, or Other features may be changed. Such methods include: (a) removing or disengaging the shaft connecting member relative to the golf club head; (b) changing the position of the shaft connecting member relative to the golf club head (eg, making them relative to each other) Changing the position of the free end of the shaft relative to the ball striking surface of the club head; and (c) removably engaging the fixing member with the fixing structure of the shaft connecting member thereby changing Removably engaging the shaft connection member with the golf club head at the location.

  Additionally or alternatively, aspects of the present invention allow for easy exchange of one shaft on another club head to another shaft (or one club head on the shaft to another club head). Such methods include: (a) removing or disengaging the shaft connection member from the golf club head; (b) first to the second shaft connection member, which may include the various structures described above. Engaging the two shafts; (c) a first anti-rotation structure in the chamber that receives the shaft engages the anti-rotation structure provided on the second shaft connecting member, thereby against the golf club head Placing at least a portion of the second shaft connecting member within the chamber receiving the shaft of the golf club head so as to prevent rotation of the second shaft connecting member; (d) a first of the chambers receiving the shaft; Placing a securing member at the second end; and (e) releasably engaging the securing member with a securing structure provided with the second shaft connecting member, thereby providing a golf club to the golf club. The step of releasably engaging the second shaft connecting member to de, may be included. In a manner similar to that described above, a given shaft (and shaft connecting member) may be easily disengaged from the club head and engaged with different club heads in accordance with yet additional aspects of the present invention.

  Specific embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below. It should be understood that these specific examples are set forth merely to illustrate embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

C. Specific Example of the Invention FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary golf club 100, generally in accordance with at least some examples of the invention. The club 100 includes a club head 102, a removable club head / shaft connection region 104 that connects the club head to a shaft 106 (which will be described in more detail below), and a gripping member that engages the shaft 106. 108 is included. A driver / wood type golf club head 102 is illustrated in FIG. 1, but aspects of the present invention include, for example, a fairway wood club head: an iron type golf club head (of any desired loft, such as a 0 iron or a 1 iron To wedges); wood or iron type hybrid golf club heads; may be applied to any type of club head, including putter heads and the like. The club head is optionally made of conventional materials, conventional configurations, conventional methods, as known and used in the art, to accommodate removable club head / shaft connection parts. May be made from any desired material, any desired construction, and / or any desired style (if necessary, eg, to size, shape, structural inclusions, etc.).

  Any desired material may be used for the shaft member 106, including conventional materials known and used in the art, such as steel, graphite, polymers, composites, combinations of these materials, and the like. Optionally, if necessary or desired, the shaft may be modified (eg, size, shape, etc.) to accommodate a removable club head / shaft connection part. The grip member 108 may engage the shaft 106 in any desired manner, including any conventional manner known and used in the art (eg, by cement or adhesive, by mechanical connection, etc.). Any, including conventional materials known and used in the art, such as rubber, polymer materials, corks, cords or other fabric elements embedded in rubber or polymer materials, fabrics or fabrics, tapes, etc. Any desired material may be used for the gripping member 108. Optionally, if desired, the grip member 108 may be removably connected to the shaft 106 using a removable connection, such as a removable connection 104 (an example of which is described in more detail below). ).

  Now, a removable connection 104 between a golf club head and a shaft according to an example of the present invention will be described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 2A-2C show an exemplary club head / shaft connection member 200 in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the club head / shaft connection member 200 includes a generally cylindrical body 202 having a first end 204 and an opposite second end 206. The first end 204 defines an opening for a cylindrical inner chamber 208 for receiving the end of the golf club shaft 106. The second end 206 has a securing structure (eg, screw hole 210 in the present example structure) that assists in securely engaging the connecting member 200 with the club head body, as will be described in more detail below. included. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the structure of this example, the inner chamber 208 is not open to the threaded hole 210, but if desired, the threaded hole 210 extends to the inner chamber 208 in some structures according to the present invention. You can stretch and open.

  As shown, at least a portion of the first end 204 of the connection assembly 200 includes a rotation blocking structure 212. A variety of anti-rotation structures may be provided and are included in the present invention, but in this example structure, the anti-rotation structure 212 fits into a similarly shaped opening or chamber that fits closely together. When the non-circular side or edge of the anti-rotation structure 212 is rotated, the connection assembly 200 rotates relative to a member (eg, a golf club head, as described in more detail below) fitted therein. A cylindrical region having a non-circular cross section is formed. A variety of non-circular cross-sectional structures may be used and are included in the present invention, but in the example shown, a portion of the first end 204 of the cylindrical body 202 includes a plurality (eight). It has a polygonal cross section with a flat side 212a.

  The anti-rotation structure 212 may extend along any desired portion of the overall longitudinal length L of the connection assembly 200. For example, the length of the anti-rotation structure 212 may be less than 65% of the total length L of the connection assembly 200, and in some examples this is less than 50%, less than 35% of the total axial length L, or It may even be less than 25%. On the other hand, the rotation blocking structure 212 may extend along any desired portion of the overall longitudinal length L of the connection assembly 200. For example, the anti-rotation structure 212 must be of sufficient length l to allow a strong and firm non-rotating engagement with the club head. As some more specific examples, the length l may be at least 2% of the total length L of the connection assembly 200, and in some examples, at least 5%, at least 10% of the total axial length L. Or even at least 20%. If desired, the anti-rotation structure 212 may extend from 2 to 65% of the overall axial length L of the connection assembly 200, or may extend from 5 to 50% or even 10 to 35% of the total length L.

  2A-2C further illustrate that the first end 204 of the club head / shaft connection member 200 includes an extension portion 214. As is more apparent from FIGS. 3A-3E, this extension 214 prevents the connecting member 200 from extending into the club head body and provides a strong base for securing the connecting member 200 to the club head body. Provide a stop to provide. Similarly, the external shape of the first end 204 may taper to provide a smooth transition between the shaft 106 and the club head 102 and a normal aesthetic appearance.

  Other features of the connecting member structure 200 of this example will be appreciated in FIGS. For example, in the structure 200 of the present example, the screw hole 210 of the fixed structure (at the second end 206 of the connecting member 200) is coaxial with the cylindrical inner chamber 208 (see common coaxial line 216). , Coaxial to the outer surface 218. These features are not a requirement. Rather, if desired, one of these cylindrical holes 208 and 210 may be offset (still parallel) with respect to each other and / or with respect to the outer surface 218. As another example, if desired (and as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B), one hole may be angled with respect to the other holes and / or with respect to the outer surface 218. As yet another example, if desired, a plurality of screw holes (or other fixation structures) may be provided at the second end 206 to allow engagement with a plurality of bolts (or other fixation systems). May be included.

  The connecting member 200 may be made from any desired material and from any desired number of independent parts, which are also included in the present invention. In this illustrated example, the entire connection member 200 is made as a single unitary construction from a conventional material such as a metal or metal alloy, plastic, for example. In at least some example structures according to the present invention, the connecting member will be made from titanium, aluminum, magnesium, steel, or other metal or metal alloy material. Various holes (eg, chamber 208 and screwed opening 210) and / or surface structures (eg, flat panel 212a, extended portion) can be applied by, for example, drilling, tapping, machining, wood hammering, extrusion, grinding, etc. It may be produced in the material in any desired manner, including by methods generally known and used in the technical field, and these are also included in the present invention.

  An example of the engagement of the golf club shaft 106 and club head 102 utilizing the connection assembly 200 is described in more detail with respect to FIGS. At some point during the head / shaft connection process, the shaft 106 is engaged within the cylindrical interior chamber 208 of the connection assembly 200. In the example structure 200 shown, the shaft 106 will be permanently engaged within the chamber 208 by, for example, an adhesive or a cement bond. Others that engage the shaft 106 to the connection assembly 200, including, for example, mechanical connections (including removable mechanical connections such as screwed structures), welding, brazing, soldering, or other fusion techniques, etc. These measures are possible and are also included in the present invention. After being connected to connection assembly 200, shaft 106 is ready for attachment to golf club head 102. Or, if desired, the shaft 106 may be connected to the connecting member 200 even in the final stages of the connection process.

  An example club head structure 102 is described in more detail below, particularly in connection with FIGS. 3A and 3B (FIG. 3B shows the club head 102 with the shaft 106 engaged therewith not visible and looking down the hosel opening. Provide an overhead view). In the example structure, the club head 102 includes a hosel region 302 that provides access to a chamber 304 that receives a shaft defined in the club head 102. The chamber 304 that receives the shaft in the structure of this example extends completely into the club head body 102 and creates an opening 306 at the sole of the club head 102. This opening 306 allows access for insertion of a fastening system 308 (eg, a screw bolt member) that serves to secure the connection system 200 to the club head body 102, as will be described in more detail below. . In this example configuration, the chamber 304 that receives the shaft includes a mounting plate 310 having a hole 310a defined therein, which is connected within the club head body 102 as described in more detail below. A support surface for securing the system 200 is provided. If desired, the mounting plate 310 may be integrally formed as part of the club head structure, which is located at any desired location along the chamber 304 that receives the shaft, including the location of or near the opening 306. May be. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, a plug member may be provided near the opening 306 (optionally removable plug member), or the sole member may have a bolt member 308 flat with the club head sole. Alternatively, a countersink-shaped region may be included so as to be substantially flat.

  The opening above the chamber 304 that receives the shaft in the structure of this example has a rotation blocking structure 312. A variety of rotation blocking structures 312 may be used, and these are also included in the present invention. In the structure of this example, the rotation blocking structure 312 is generally the rotation blocking structure 212 (and the flat panel 212a of the connecting member 200). A plurality of flats corresponding to the size, shape, and position (eg, having a non-circular opening and, in the example shown, having a polygonal opening with a flat side or edge 312a) An opening having a side surface or edge 312a is formed. As noted above, a variety of anti-rotation structures 312 and / or 212 may be used and are included in the present invention.

  The connection of the connection assembly 200 (optionally with the shaft 106 already engaged with it) to the club head 102 is described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 3A, 3C, 3D, and 3E. As shown, the cylindrical body 202 of the connecting member 200 is connected to the shaft of the club head body 102 in an appropriate manner such that the anti-rotation structure 212a of the connecting member 200 engages the anti-rotation structure 312a of the hosel 302. Insert into the receiving chamber 304. In this position and this alignment, the second end 206 of the connecting member 200 is in contact with the mounting plate 310 and / or the extended portion 214 of the first end 204 of the connecting member 200 is the hosel 302 opening. It exists in contact with the top surface of.

  After being inserted, the connection assembly 200 is inserted by inserting the fixation system 308 into the opening 306 in the sole of the club head and engaging the fixation system 308 with the fixation structure 210 provided with the connection member 200. It may be engaged with the club head body. If desired, the location where the connecting member 200 contacts the club head 102 (eg, at the mounting plate 310 and / or hosel opening) and / or the location where the locking system 308 contacts the club head 102 (eg, at the mounting plate 310). May include soft materials (eg, washers, gaskets, o-rings, elastic washers, or coatings) to provide noise and / or vibration damping and the like. The illustrated connection system is easily removable, for example, by twisting the bolt member 308, allowing the user to replace a different shaft 106 in a given golf club head 102, and / or Allowing different golf club heads 102 to be replaced in the shaft / connector assembly. If desired, the bolt 308 and the mounting plate opening 310a may be configured to prevent the bolt 308 from dropping completely from the opening 306 when the bolt 308 is removed from the connection system 200 ( (For example, by providing an expansion ring at the free end of bolt 308). The bolt may include a head having a structure for engaging a screwdriver, an Allen wrench, or another tool.

  As described in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 4A-6B, adjustment of the rotational position of the connection system 200 (and its associated shaft 106) relative to the golf club head 102 is in at least some examples of the present invention. It may be used for fade biasing, draw biasing, etc. to adjust various features of the entire golf club, such as loft angle, lie angle, inset distance, offset distance, etc. The shaft 106, connecting member 200, and / or club head 102 so that the user can easily see the “setting” of the club head (eg, the position and / or orientation of the club head body 102 relative to the shaft 106). Any or all of these may include indicia or indicators. 2A and 3A show an indicator 220 on the connection system 200 (eg, on the extension portion 214), and FIG. 3A shows a plurality of indicators 320 on the hosel region 302 of the club head 102. FIG. By looking at the relative positions of the various indicators, a club fitter or other user can easily determine and know the position of the shaft relative to the club head body 102 and its ball striking surface. If desired, the indicator (eg, indicator 320) may relate to specific and quantitative information specifically identified, such as loft angle, lie angle, inset distance, offset distance, and the like, and May be included.

  An additional aspect of the present invention is that the club fitter (or others) may be able to vary the position and / or angle of the club head (and its ball striking surface) relative to the free (grip) end of the shaft (eg, lie angle, loft). It relates to utilizing a removable golf club head / shaft connection assembly so that the angle, etc.) can be adjusted. 4A and 4B show an example golf club head / shaft connection system 400 that can control and adjust these angles. More specifically, FIGS. 4A and 4B show a removable golf club head / shaft connection assembly 200 similar to that described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3E (to refer to the same or similar parts). , The same or similar reference numbers used in FIGS. 1-3E are used in FIGS. 4A and 4B). However, the shaft 402 in the structure 400 of the present example includes a first axial direction 404 that extends coaxially with the interior chamber 208 of the connecting member 200 and a second axial direction 406 that extends along a major portion of the shaft 402. Is bent like so. An axial change region 408 (optionally steep bend or continuous and / or smooth change) transitions from the first direction 404 to the second direction 406 in the axial direction of the shaft.

  As is apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the angle and / or position of the free end of the shaft 402 (at the position of the grip away from the connection assembly 200) causes the connection member 200 to rotate relative to the club head. May be changed relative to the club head 102 (and relative to the ball striking face) (note the changed position of the position indicator 220 of the connecting member 200 in FIGS. 4A and 4B). As is easy to show, the club head structure is not shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, but its position with respect to the connecting member 200 is readily apparent from the previously described figures. Along with the removable connection system 200 (eg, by the removable fastening system features 210 and 308), this bent shaft feature allows the club fitter (or others) to still use the same shaft 402 and head 102 However, it is permitted to freely and easily adjust various angles and / or positions (eg, various lie, loft, and face angle combinations) of the shaft 402 relative to the club head 102, which allows the user to It can help to more easily determine the optimal club head / shaft combination and alignment to meet demand.

  The axial change region 408 may be located at any desired location along the shaft 402 and are also included in the present invention. In at least some example structures 400 according to this aspect of the invention, the axial change region 408 will be located in the lower half of the shaft 402 closer to the club head 102 than the grip end. In some more specific examples, the axial transition region 408 is located in the lower quarter of the shaft 402 closest to the club head 102, and even 10% below the shaft 402 closest to the club head 102. Or even 5%. In some example structures 400 in accordance with the present invention, the bend or other axial change region 408 may be located as close as possible to the connecting member 200 or other portion of the club head.

  Similarly, using any desired axial change (θ) (or bend) angle, eg, at least 0.25 °, at least 0.5 °, at least 1 °, at least 2 °, at least 4 °, or even at least 8 ° They are also included in the present invention. In some example structures, this bend or other axial change may be between 0.25-25 °, 0.5-15 °, 1-10 °, or even 1-5 °.

  Aspects of the invention are not limited to golf club shafts having a single axial change region. Rather, as shown by the structure 500 shown in FIG. 5A, the shaft 502 may have a plurality of axially changing regions (eg, regions 504 and 506 in FIG. 5A (same or similar in FIG. 5A)). Use the same or similar reference numbers as those used in FIGS. 1-4B to refer to parts of This doubly bent feature allows further fine tuning and / or control of the position and / or angle of the free end (with grip) of shaft 502 relative to club head 102 and its ball striking surface (eg, To adjust the position to provide a range of insets, outsets, onsets, and offset positions, and / or optionally to adjust lie, loft, and / or face angle features). For simplicity in illustration, the club head 102 is not shown in FIG. 5A.

  FIG. 5B illustrates a removable golf club head / shaft connection assembly (eg, similar assembly 200) and two (or more) axial change regions 504 and 506 similar to those shown in FIG. 5A. Another example structure 520 is shown that includes a shaft 522 having However, in the example structure 520, the shaft 522 has a steeper change in direction compared to the structure 500 and shaft 502 of FIG. 5A. This shaft structure 522 also allows control of the position and / or angle of the free end (with grip) of the shaft 522 relative to the club head 102 and its ball striking surface (eg, inset, outset, onset, and To adjust position to provide a range of offset positions, and / or optionally to adjust lie, loft, and / or face angle features).

  Axial change regions 504 and 506 in various structures (eg, structures 500 and 520) may be at any desired location along shafts 502 and / or 522 and / or at any desired relative spacing relative to each other. They are also included in the present invention. In at least some example structures 500 and / or 520 according to the present invention, at least one (and optionally both) of the axially changing regions 504 and 506 are shafts 502 and / or closer to the club head 102 than the grip ends. Or would be placed in the lower half of the 522. In some more specific examples, one or both of the axially changing regions 504 and 506 are in the lower quarter of the shaft 502 and / or 522 closest to the club head 102 and to the club head 102. It will be placed 10% or even 5% below the nearest shaft 502 and / or 522. The axial change regions 504 and 506 may be separated from each other by at least 1/2 inch, at least 1 inch, at least 2 inches, or at least 4 inches or more, and are also included in the present invention.

  Similarly, any desired axial change (or bend) angle, such as two (eg, at least 0.25 °, at least 0.5 °, at least 1 °, at least 2 °, at least 4 °, or even at least 8 °) ( (Or more) directions may be used for each of these changes and are also included in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5A, in some example structures, these bends or other axial changes are 0.25-25 °, 0.5-15 °, 1-10 °, or 1-5 °. Even between. In other example structures as shown in FIG. 5B, these bends or other axial changes may be 25-145 °, 30-120 °, 45-100 °, or even 60-90 °. It will be between. If desired, one bend may be relatively slight (eg, as shown in FIG. 5A), while another bend is steeper (eg, as shown in FIG. 5B). The bends or axial changes 502 and 504 may be aligned such that the free ends of the shaft (and the sections of the shaft 524 and 526 in which the free ends are included) lie in the same plane or different planes. Similarly, if desired, two or more bends or axially changing regions may be provided to the club head shaft structure and are included in the present invention.

  Utilizing a shaft that includes one or more axially varying regions can be achieved by changing the position and / or angle of the free (grip) end of the shaft relative to the golf club head and / or its ball striking surface. It is not the only style that is good. 6A and 6B show another example alignment. In this example alignment, the club head / shaft connection member 600 includes an “off-axis” or angled borehole or internal chamber 608 in which the shaft 106 (optionally a straight shaft) is received. More specifically, in the illustrated example, the outer cylindrical surface 618 of the connecting member 600 extends into the first axial direction 626 and the inner cylindrical surface 628 of the borehole 608 is in the first axial direction 626. Extends in a different second axial direction 630. In this way, the exterior of the shaft connection member 600 maintains a constant axial direction corresponding to the interior of the club head hosel and the direction of its opening, while the shaft 106 is relative to the club head 102 and its ball striking surface. Extend in a direction away from the club head 102 at different and adjustable angles (the position and / or angle of the shaft may be adjusted, for example, by rotating the shaft connection member 600 relative to the club head hosel). This will be appreciated, for example, by comparing the angles of FIGS. 6A and 6B.

  According to some examples of the present invention, any desired angle may be maintained between the first axial direction 626 and the second axial direction 630, but this angle may be any number between 0.25 ° and 10 °. In some instances it would be 0.5 ° to 8 °, 0.75 ° to 6 °, or even 1 ° to 4 °.

  As another example, if desired, the axial directions 626 and 630 are parallel to each other, but may be offset so that these directions are not coaxial. In this manner, various club characteristics (eg, inset or outset dimensions) may be varied by rotating the connection system 200 relative to the club head.

  Many variations of the overall structure of the shaft, club head, and club head / shaft connection assembly are possible and are included in the present invention. For example, if desired, a connection system may be used to connect the shaft to other elements of the golf club (or other) structure, such as by connecting the golf club shaft to a grip element. Similar structures may also be used to connect the shaft to other pieces of exercise equipment or other equipment, if desired (not limited to golf clubs). The various stages of the described assembly process may also be altered, changed in order, combined, and / or omitted, and are included in the present invention.

  Furthermore, the removable connection assemblies may be used in any desired manner and are also included in the present invention. A club having such a connection assembly may be designed for use by a playing golfer (and optionally, if desired, the golfers are free to position the shaft, head, and / or its position relative to each other. May be changed). As another example, if desired, a club that includes a removable connection according to the present invention may be used as a club fitting tool, where the desired combination of head, shaft, and positioning is determined for a specific golfer. If so, the club builder may use the determined information to produce the final desired golf club product using conventional (and permanent) attachment techniques (eg, cement or adhesive). Other variations in club / shaft connection assembly parts and processes are possible and are included in the present invention.

CONCLUSION While the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments that include presently preferred modes for carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that there are numerous variations and permutations of the systems and methods described above. You will recognize. Thus, the spirit and scope of the present invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (25)

The first end includes a first opening defining a cylindrical inner chamber for receiving a golf club shaft, and an outer surface of the cylindrical structure closer to the first end than the second end A cylindrical structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, including a rotation preventing structure and a second end including a fixed structure; and a removable fixed structure Fixing system for engaging with,
A golf club head / shaft connection assembly.   The golf club head / shaft connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing structure includes a threaded hole defined at a second end of the cylindrical structure, and the securing system includes a threaded bolt element that engages the threaded hole.   The golf club head / shaft connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the anti-rotation structure includes a plurality of axially extending flat sides of the cylindrical structure.   The golf club head / shaft connection assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the longitudinal outer surface of the cylindrical structure has a non-circular cross-section thereby providing a rotation blocking structure.   The golf club head / shaft connection assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the longitudinal outer surface of the cylindrical structure has a polygonal cross-section thereby providing an anti-rotation structure.   The golf club head / shaft connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the anti-rotation structure extends to less than 35% of the total axial length of the cylindrical structure.   The golf club head / shaft connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the cylindrical structure and the cylindrical inner chamber are coaxial.   The golf club head / shaft connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the cylindrical structure and the cylindrical inner chamber are not coaxial.   The outer surface of the cylindrical structure at the first end includes a tapered portion that tapers from a narrower width at the first end to a wider width proximal to the location where the anti-rotation structure of the outer surface begins; And the outer surface of the cylindrical structure suddenly changes its width in its axial direction so that the width of the outer surface suddenly changes from the wider width to a narrower width corresponding to the anti-rotation structure, The golf club head / shaft connection assembly according to claim 1.   2. The golf club head / shaft connection of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the cylindrical structure at the first end includes a rotational position indicator disposed between the first end and the position at which the anti-rotation structure begins. assembly. A shaft wherein the first end of the chamber that receives the shaft includes a first anti-rotation structure and the second end of the chamber that receives the shaft includes a first opening for receiving the securing member A golf club head having a chamber for receiving
A shaft connecting member comprising a cylindrical structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the shaft connecting member extending into a chamber of the golf club head that receives the shaft, the shaft The first end of the connecting member includes a second opening defining a cylindrical inner chamber for receiving the golf club shaft, the first end of the shaft connecting member from the second end of the shaft connecting member A shaft connection member, wherein the outer surface of the cylindrical structure near the portion includes a second anti-rotation structure that engages the first anti-rotation structure, and the second end includes a stationary structure;
A shaft engaged with the cylindrical inner chamber of the shaft connection member; and extending into the second end of the chamber receiving the shaft of the golf club head and removably engaged with the securing structure of the shaft connection member A securing member thereby removably engaging the shaft connecting member with the golf club head;
Including golf clubs.   The fixing structure of the shaft connecting member includes a screw hole defined at the second end of the cylindrical structure, and the fixing member includes a screw bolt element that engages the screw hole, and the screw bolt element includes the golf club. 12. The golf club according to claim 11, wherein the golf club head is releasably engaged with the head to hold the shaft connecting member in-situ.   At least a portion of the first end of the chamber that receives the shaft includes an opening having a non-circular cross-section thereby providing a first anti-rotation structure and the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical structure of the shaft connecting member 12. The golf club of claim 11, wherein a portion of the outer surface of the golf club has a correspondingly shaped non-circular cross-section, thereby providing a second anti-rotation structure.   At least a portion of the first end of the chamber that receives the shaft includes an opening having a polygonal cross-section, thereby providing a first anti-rotation structure and a longitudinal structure of the cylindrical structure of the shaft connecting member 12. A golf club according to claim 11, wherein a portion of the directional outer surface has a correspondingly shaped polygon-shaped cross-section thereby providing a second anti-rotation structure.   A portion of the first end of the shaft connecting member remains outside the chamber that receives the shaft of the golf club head, and the second anti-rotation structure extends into the chamber that receives the shaft, 12. The golf club according to claim 11, wherein the golf club engages with a rotation preventing structure.   The outer surface of the cylindrical structure proximal to the first end of the shaft connection member includes a first rotational position indicator, the first rotational position indicator being connected to the first end of the shaft connection member and the second end. 11. The second rotational position indicator disposed on the outer surface between the position where the rotation prevention structure begins and the golf club head disposed proximal to the chamber receiving the shaft. The listed golf club.   12. The golf club according to claim 11, wherein the first opening of the chamber that receives the shaft is disposed on a sole surface of the golf club head.   12. A golf club according to claim 11, wherein the chamber receiving the shaft includes an internal surface by which the first opening of the chamber receiving the shaft is defined.   12. The golf club according to claim 11, wherein the shaft includes a change region in a shaft axial direction.   12. The golf club according to claim 11, wherein the shaft includes at least two shaft axial change regions. Manufacturing the shaft connecting member as a cylindrical structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
Manufacturing an open cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft at a first end of the shaft connecting member;
Forming an anti-rotation structure as part of the outer surface of the cylindrical structure closer to the first end than to the second end;
Forming a securing structure at the second end of the shaft connecting member; and providing a securing member for engaging the securing structure;
A method of manufacturing a golf club head / shaft connection assembly, comprising: Providing a golf club head having a chamber for receiving a shaft, wherein the first end of the chamber for receiving the shaft includes a first anti-rotation structure, and the second end of the chamber for receiving the shaft A portion including a first opening for receiving a securing member;
Engaging the shaft with the shaft connecting member, the shaft connecting member comprising a cylindrical structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the shaft connecting member The first end of the shaft includes a second opening defining a cylindrical interior chamber for receiving the golf club shaft, from the second end of the shaft connecting member to the first end of the shaft connecting member The outer surface of the near cylindrical structure includes a second anti-rotation structure that engages the first anti-rotation structure, and the second end of the shaft connection member includes a stationary structure;
The shaft connection member in the chamber that receives the shaft of the golf club head such that the first rotation prevention structure engages the second rotation prevention structure to prevent rotation of the shaft connection member relative to the golf club head. Placing at least a part of
Placing a securing member within the second end of the chamber that receives the shaft; and removably engaging the securing member with the securing structure of the shaft connecting member, thereby detaching the shaft connecting member from the golf club head Engaging with the
A method of assembling a golf club, comprising: Removing the shaft connecting member from the golf club head;
Engaging the second shaft with the second shaft connecting member, wherein the second shaft connecting member has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; The second end of the second shaft connecting member includes a second opening defining a cylindrical inner chamber for receiving the golf club shaft, and the second shaft connecting member includes: The outer surface of the cylindrical structure of the second shaft connection member closer to the first end of the second shaft connection member than the second end includes a third anti-rotation structure, and the second shaft connection The second end of the member includes a second securing structure;
The first rotation blocking structure engages the third rotation blocking structure to prevent rotation of the second shaft connecting member relative to the golf club head in the chamber that receives the shaft of the golf club head. Placing at least part of the second shaft connecting member;
Placing a securing member within the second end of the chamber that receives the shaft; and removably engaging the securing member with the second securing structure of the second shaft connecting member, thereby causing the golf club head to Releasably engaging the second shaft connecting member;
24. The method of claim 22, further comprising: Removing the shaft connecting member relative to the golf club head; and releasably engaging an assembly including the second shaft with the chamber receiving the shaft of the golf club head;
24. The method of claim 22, further comprising: Disengaging the shaft connecting member from the golf club head;
Changing the position of the shaft connecting member relative to the golf club head, thereby changing the position of the free end of the shaft relative to the ball striking surface of the club head; and removably engaging the fixing member with the fixing structure of the shaft connecting member Removably engaging the shaft connecting member with the golf club head in a changed position thereby,
24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

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