Abstract
A length adjustable golf club includes a club head attached to a shaft at a lower end. A length adjusting kit includes a shaft insert that attaches to the shaft at an upper end. The shaft insert includes a coupling port that accepts one of an extension block or a grip adapter. To provide length adjustments of the overall club length, one or more extension blocks may attached between the shaft insert and the grip adapter. A grip assembly having a reinforcing sleeve connects to the grip adapter and extends over the shaft and any extension blocks. The grip assembly couples to the shaft through a grip adapter and grip coupling. The grip adapter and grip coupling are axially moveable prior to securement with a retaining fastener. The grip coupling may be rotationally constrained or rotationally adjustable relative to the grip adapter.
Claims
1. An adjustable golf club comprising: a club head defining a striking face; a shaft having a shaft insert supporting a grip adapter, the grip adapter defining a grip adapter profile, the shaft insert including a coupling port that engages a securing rod, the securing rod extending through the grip adapter and terminating in a retaining nut, the retaining nut fixing the grip adapter to the shaft insert; and a grip assembly, having a reinforcing sleeve and a grip coupling, the grip coupling defining a complementary and mating profile with the grip adapter profile such that when mated the grip coupling is configured to be axially moveable relative to the grip adapter; and a fastener restraining axial movement of the grip coupling relative to the grip adapter, the grip assembly configured to be removably secured to the grip adapter.
2. The adjustable golf club of claim 1 wherein the grip adapter profile is a torque resistive profile.
3. The adjustable golf club of claim 2 wherein the torque resistive profile is configured as one of a hexagon, a square, a toothed spline, or a lobed spline.
4. The adjustable golf club of claim 1 wherein the grip adapter profile permits an angular indexing of the grip assembly relative to the striking face.
5. The adjustable golf club of claim 4 wherein the grip assembly includes a grip cover having a handhold indicator area, and wherein one of the reinforcing sleeve or the grip cover includes a plurality of indicia to align the handhold indicator area relative to the striking face.
6. The adjustable golf club of claim 5 wherein the shaft includes a head locating reference that is aligned with the striking face and positioned proximate to at least one of the plurality of indicia.
7. The adjustable golf club of claim 1 wherein at least one extension block is disposed over the securing rod and retained between the grip adapter and the shaft insert.
8. The adjustable golf club of claim 1 wherein the shaft insert includes a counterbore configured to house at least a portion of the retaining nut.
9. The adjustable golf club of claim 8 wherein the grip adapter profile is a generally smooth and cylindrical outer diameter, and the reinforcing sleeve includes a stop that abuts an end face of the grip adapter.
10. The adjustable golf club of claim 9 wherein a retaining washer cooperates with the fastener to restrain axial movement of the grip coupling relative to the grip adapter.
11. The adjustable golf club of claim 10 wherein the retaining washer is integrally formed with the reinforcing sleeve.
12. The adjustable golf club of claim 3 wherein the club head is configured as one of a driver, a fairway wood, an iron, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, or a lob wedge.
13. The adjustable golf club of claim 4 wherein the club head is configured as a putter head.
14. The adjustable golf club of claim 2 wherein the grip assembly is a first grip assembly supporting a first grip cover and wherein a second grip assembly supporting a second grip cover is configured to be interchangeable with the first grip assembly.
15. The adjustable golf club of claim 1 wherein the grip adapter includes a counterbore and the grip adapter profile is a torque resistive profile, the retaining nut seating within the counterbore to secure the grip adapter to the shaft insert, the fastener engaging the retaining nut.
16. The adjustable golf club of claim 1 wherein the club head is configured as one of a driver, a fairway wood, an iron, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, or a lob wedge.
17. The adjustable golf club of claim 1 wherein the club head is configured as a putter.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable golf club in accordance with the invention.
(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a grip assembly and length extension assembly of the adjustable golf club of FIG. 1.
(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged, exploded view of the grip assembly of FIG. 2.
(4) FIG. 4A is an enlarged, exploded view of the length extension assembly of FIG. 2.
(5) FIG. 4B is an enlarged, exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a length extension assembly having cylindrical extension blocks.
(6) FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of the grip adapter, retaining nut, and securing rod of FIGS. 4A and 4B.
(7) FIG. 5B is an enlarged, exploded view, in cross-section, of the assembled grip adapter and retaining nut of FIG. 5A and a portion of a grip assembly and locking element positioned for installation.
(8) FIG. 5C is an enlarged, exploded view of an alternative locking element structure of FIG. 5B.
(9) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a shaft insert and shaft assembly of the golf club of FIG. 1.
(10) FIGS. 7A-7C are end view, schematic illustrations of exemplar spline forms for the grip adapter of FIG. 5A.
(11) FIGS. 8A-8B are end view, schematic illustrations of exemplar wrench heads of the retaining nut and also alternative, exemplar spline forms for the grip adapter of FIG. 5A.
(12) FIG. 9A is an exploded view of another embodiment of an adjustable golf club in accordance with the invention.
(13) FIG. 9B is an enlarged, exploded view of a grip attachment portion of the adjustable golf club of FIG. 9A.
(14) FIG. 9C is an alternative embodiment of a reinforcing sleeve/grip coupling according to the invention.
(15) FIG. 9D is another alternative embodiment of a reinforcing sleeve/grip coupling according to the invention.
(16) FIG. 10A is an assembly view, exploded and in partial cross section, of the adjustable golf club of FIG. 9A.
(17) FIG. 10B is an exploded view of the grip attachment of FIG. 9B having grip orientation indicia relative to a club striking face and a shaft reference.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(18) Referring now to FIG. 1, an adjustable golf club (hereafter “golf club”) is shown generally at 10. While shown and described in the context of a golf club configured as a driver, the invention is applicable to any golf club, such as a putter, an iron, a wedge, a sand wedge, a chipping wedge, a hybrid club or any other form of club used in the game of golf. The golf club 10 includes a head 12, a shaft 14, and a grip assembly 16. The head 12, as indicated above, may be a head configured for use in any type of golf club. In the illustrated embodiment, the head 12 is fixed to the shaft 14 in a conventional manner, though the head or any of its parts may be configured as removable. The shaft 14 is a generally hollow, tubular member formed from any suitable material such as steel, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, composite, or other materials. Alternatively, the shaft 14 may be solid or have a solid core of a separate material.
(19) A length adjustment kit 18 includes a shaft insert 20 that is attached to the shaft 14. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 6, the shaft insert 20 is attached to the shaft inner diameter. In one embodiment, the shaft insert 20 has an outer surface that is adhesively bonded to the shaft inner diameter. Alternatively, the shaft insert may be configured as a cup that locates and attaches to the shaft outer diameter. The outer surface of the shaft insert 20 may be smooth, knurled, serrated, or any surface that facilitates fixed attachment to the shaft 14. Alternatively, the shaft insert 20 may be mechanically coupled to, welded to, or integrally formed with the shaft. The shaft insert 20 includes a coupling port 22, illustrated as a threaded bore, and a retaining slot 24, illustrated as a straight sided slot, or alternatively a dovetail slot, formed on an outer face of the shaft insert. The coupling port 22 may have any type of connection feature, threaded, tapered, quick release, and the like, that can accept and retain a securing rod 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling port 22 may optionally include a secondary threaded insert 22a, such as a Helicoil® brand screw locking wire insert, conventional screw thread inserts or other thread-form inserts. As illustrated, the securing rod 26 is a threaded member that engages the coupling port 22 and extends through a grip adapter 28. The grip adapter 28 includes a torque transmitting and grip orienting outer profile, shown as a spline 30 that is configured as a hexagonal spline form shown in FIG. 7A. Any torque transmitting and grip orienting outer profile may be used, including conventionally-toothed spline forms and alternative spline profiles 30′ and 30″ shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C and general examples of profiles 38′ and 38″ in FIGS. 8A-8B as detailed examples. The securing rod 26 extends through a bore 32 and a counterbore 34 in the grip adapter 28 in a slip-fit manner. The splines 30 permit the grip assembly 16 to be oriented onto the shaft 14 relative to the club head 12 and resist twisting or torsional movements. Axial movement of the grip adapter 28 is contained by a retaining nut 36.
(20) The retaining nut 36 includes a threaded bore that is mated and secured to one end of the securing rod 26. Alternatively, the securing rod 26 and the retaining nut 36 may be a singular component. The retaining nut 36 may also be configured with threaded inserts if so desired. The securing rod 26 may include an unthreaded shoulder 26a defining a first section of threads that engage the retaining nut 36 and a second threaded section that is configured to accept one or more extension blocks and engage the shaft insert 20. The shoulder 26a permits a portion of the threads of the retaining nut 36 to remain accessible to accept a grip assembly locking element, as will be described below. A tightening end or wrench head 38 of the grip adapter 28 is illustrated as a female, hexagonal bore that accepts an Allen wrench or other suitable tool to tighten the retaining nut on the securing rod 26 and further secure the lengthening elements together against the shaft insert 20. Alternative wrench head configurations, such as the Torx® brand fastener profiles 38′ and 38″ shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, or any other profile such as a socket wrench square drive may be used if desired. The outer diameter of the retaining nut 36 is a clearance fit within the counterbore 34.
(21) Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, there is illustrated the grip assembly 16 comprising a grip coupling 40, a reinforcing sleeve 42, a retaining washer 44, and a grip assembly locking element 46, illustrated as a threaded fastener such as a bolt or screw. The grip coupling 40 may be formed as a cylindrically shaped member open at both ends or may be a closed cup-shaped element having the retaining washer 44 formed as an integral member. The grip coupling 40 may be fixed to the reinforcing sleeve 42 or may be integrally formed therewith. In certain embodiments, the grip coupling 40, reinforcing sleeve 42, and retaining washer 44 may be formed as a single piece structure. As shown in FIG. 9B, a lock washer 46a may be provided to prevent loosening of the connection between the locking element 46 and the threads of the retaining nut 36 or 102. The lock washer 46a may be any type of locking component that resists fastener loosening such as a split washer, star washer, nylon patch, or torque-prevailing thread design. Alternatively as shown in FIG. 5C, the locking feature may be integrated into mating surfaces of washer 44′ and under the head of fastener 46′. A grip cover, similar to a conventional grip cover or grip cover 144 shown in FIG. 10B, may be molded over the grip assembly 16 or bonded thereto in a conventional manner. Any variety of grip covers 144 may be provided in accordance with the disclosure and attached to individual reinforcing sleeves 42 to permit interchange of grips for a variety of purposes. For example, a golfer may wish to install a practice or training grip on a club which is set at the desired length, to help fine tune aspects of their swing and switch to another type of grip for playing their rounds. Alternatively, golfers may desire to have grips of different thicknesses or variations in compliance and/or applied to different clubs. For example, a golfer may desire one type of grip for a driver and other styles for irons or wedges.
(22) The grip coupling 40 includes a complementary and mating spline profile 48 to the spline profile 30 of the grip adapter 28. The spline fit between the grip coupling 40 and the grip adapter 28 is configured as a slip fit and may include clearance absorbing structures such as nylon patches or strips or a coating to prevent looseness yet permit axial movement prior to securement with the grip assembly locking element 46. As shown in FIG. 5B, the grip coupling 40 is affixed to the reinforcing sleeve 42 and slides over the spline 30 of the grip adapter 28. The threaded portion of the bolt 46 extends through the aperture 50 of the retaining washer 44 and the bolt head clamps against the surface or the washer. Alternatively, the aperture 50 may include a counterbore (not shown) to permit the bolt head to be recessed or flush with the surface of the washer.
(23) Referring again to FIG. 4A, at least one extension block 52 is provided to adjust the length of the club 10. The extension blocks 52 are similarly structured but with different overall lengths so that a variety of length adjustments may be made by selecting the appropriate number and mix of blocks. The extension blocks 52 have an open slot 54 formed into the block to facilitate removal or addition of blocks around the securing rod 26 without the need to completely disassemble the length adjustment kit 18. The blocks have a retaining slot 56 at one end and a retaining boss 58 at an opposite end. The retaining boss 58 is configured to mate with retaining slot 24 of the shaft insert 20 or retaining slots 56 of other extension blocks 52. The grip adapter 28 likewise has a mating retaining boss 28a that engages with corresponding retaining slots 24 or 56. As shown in FIG. 4B, extension blocks 52′ may be similarly configured with retaining slots 56′ and retaining bosses 58′ but where the open slot 54 is a closed through-bore 54′. In another alternative configuration, the retaining slots and bosses 56, 56′ and 58, 58′ may be eliminated. The extension blocks 52 or 52′ may be formed from any material, such as steel, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, composite, or other materials.
(24) In use, the locking element 46 may be removed from the retaining nut 36 and the grip assembly 16 pulled apart from engagement with the grip adapter 28. A wrench, such as an Allen wrench, is inserted into the wrench head 38 of the retaining nut 36 and loosened relative to the securing rod 26. Alternatively, the securing rod 26 may be loosened relative to the shaft insert 20. The retaining nut 36 is loosened and the securing rod 26 extended sufficiently to permit the grip adapter 28 to be separated from the shaft insert 20. One or more extension blocks 52 or 52′ are selected to achieve the desired length adjustment to the club 10 and slipped over the securing rod 26. The retaining bosses and slots are aligned and mated to stabilize and secure the lengthening kit elements together. The bosses and slots 24, 28a, 56, 56′ and 58, 58′ are also positioned to maintain the orientation and index of the grip to the club head. The retaining nut 36 is tightened against the grip adapter 28 to thread the securing rod into the shaft insert 20 and compress the lengthening kit elements together. Once the lengthening kit is compressed, the grip coupling 40 and reinforcing sleeve 42 as an assembled component of the grip assembly 16 is inserted onto the spline 30 of the grip adapter 28. The locking bolt 46 is threaded into the retaining nut 36 to secure the grip assembly 16 to the shaft 14.
(25) Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of a length adjustment kit 100, suitable for any golf club configuration but particularly useful for putter applications. A retaining nut 102, securing rod 104, a shaft adapter 106, and plurality of extension blocks 108 are similarly configured and function as described above in conjunction with similar elements of the embodiments of FIGS. 4A and 4B. A grip adapter 110 is configured with a counterbore 112 and a bore 114 that permits the securing rod to pass through. The grip adapter 110 may also include a boss 116 similar in form and function to boss 28a described above. The grip adapter 110 includes a generally smooth and cylindrical outer diameter 110a that fits within a complementary-shaped grip coupling 118 shown integrally formed with a reinforcing sleeve 120. As described above, the grip coupling and reinforcing sleeve may be two separate components bonded together. Alternatively, the grip coupling may be a distal end section of the reinforcing sleeve 120 and exhibit the same diameter as the remainder of the reinforcing sleeve or as a necked-down region having substantially the same wall thickness as the rest of the reinforcing sleeve, if desired. The fit between the grip adapter and grip coupling may be a clearance fit or a line-to-line fit to permit relative rotation of the two components as shown in FIG. 10A. The grip coupling or grip adapter may be coated with a material to further facilitate relative rotation and reduce clearances between the assembled interface. Alternatively, the reinforcing sleeve may be configured as a reinforcing sleeve/grip coupling 122 as illustrated in FIG. 9C and include a lip or stop 124 that abuts an end face 110b of the grip adapter 110. As shown in FIG. 9D, the reinforcing sleeve may be configured as a reinforcing sleeve/grip coupling 126 with an integrally formed end cap 126a and a bore 128, similar to retaining washer 44.
(26) Referring now to FIG. 10B, there is an exemplar golf club assembly configured as a putter and shown generally at 130. The putter 130 includes a putter head 132, illustrated as a blade-style putter head though any known or suitable putter head configuration may be used. The putter head 132 defines a striking face 134 and is attached to a shaft 136 having a head locating reference 138 oriented relative to the striking face 134. In one embodiment, the reinforcing sleeve 120 or reinforcing sleeve/grip coupling 122 or 126 includes a plurality of indicia 140 that orients a flat or handhold indicator area 142 of an attached conventional grip cover (not shown) relative to one of the indicia 140. Alternatively, indicia 140 may be provided on grip cover 144 that is attached to the reinforcing sleeve or reinforcing sleeve/grip coupling. The grip cover can be rotated relative to the shaft and putter head to vary the orientation of the handhold indicator area 142 to the striking face 134. This adjustment permits a golfer to vary the club face to accommodate personal swing variations.
(27) The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
