Universal connector for adjustable golf clubs

Abstract

A universal connector for an adjustable golf club is provided. Such a universal connector includes a first member having a head portion and a body portion and having a bore for receiving a terminal end of a shaft. The connector also includes a second member having a bore for receiving a portion of the first member therein. The first member includes a first anti-rotational member and the second member includes a second anti-rotational member. The first and second anti-rotational members are engageable with one another to prevent relative rotation of the first member relative to the second member about a longitudinal axis of the connector. The second member includes a third anti-rotational member, the third anti-rotational member configured to mate with an anti-rotational member of the golf club head to prevent relative rotation of the second member relative to the head.

Claims

1. A universal connector for connecting a golf club head having a hosel and a golf club shaft, the connector comprising: a first member being an integrally formed single part with a head portion arranged to define an axially upper-most extent of the universal connector along the golf club shaft, the and a body portion and having a bore for receiving a terminal end of a shaft; a second member having a bore for receiving a portion of the first member therein, the second member having a head portion and a body portion, the body portion sized to be received within a bore of the hosel; wherein the first member includes a first anti-rotational member and the second member includes a second anti-rotational member, the first and second anti-rotational members engageable with one another to prevent relative rotation of the first member relative to the second member about a longitudinal axis of the connector, wherein the second anti-rotational member includes a plurality of regularly spaced axially extending teeth separated by gaps, wherein the upwardly extending teeth and gaps are formed at an axial extent of the head portion of the second member and are arranged to mate with the first anti-rotational member; wherein the second member includes a third anti-rotational member, the third anti-rotational member configured to mate with an anti-rotational member of the golf club head to prevent relative rotation of the second member relative to the head; wherein the first member includes a threaded bore configured for receipt of a one piece mounting screw which abuts an exterior of the club head and extends through a portion of the club head, wherein tightening of the screw axially biases the first and second members together within the hosel, and wherein the first and second members are arranged such that the mounting screw passes through an unthreaded opening of the second member and threads directly into the first member; wherein the head portion defines a maximum outer diameter of the first member, and wherein the body portion of the first member includes a transition region having a second diameter and an extension region having a third diameter, the second diameter greater than the third diameter and less than the maximum outer diameter of the first member, wherein a first circumferential axial abutment surface is formed at an interface of the transition region and the extension region, the abutment surface having an outer diameter equal to the second diameter, the axial abutment surface located axially below the first anti-rotational member; wherein a second axial abutment surface is formed along the bore of the second member and is configured to axially abut the first axial abutment surface, the second axial abutment surface located axially between the second and third anti-rotational members of the second member.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first anti-rotational member is a plurality of downwardly extending teeth formed at an axial extent of the head portion of the first member.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the downwardly extending teeth are received within spaces formed between the upwardly extending teeth to rotational fix the first member relative to the second member.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the third anti-rotational member is selected from the group consisting of: a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs formed at an end of the body portion of the second member, a plurality of downwardly extending teeth formed at an interface of the head portion and the body portion of the second member, a plurality of radially outwardly facing facets formed at the interface between the head portion and the body portion of the second member, a plurality of downwardly extending teeth formed at an axial extent of the head portion of the second member, a plurality of outwardly extending ribs formed along an outer periphery of the body portion of the second member between the head portion and an end of the body portion.

5. A universal connector for connecting a golf club head having a hosel and a golf club shaft, the connector comprising: a first member having a head portion and a body portion and being an integrally formed single part with a first anti-rotational member formed thereon and configured for connection to the shaft the first member is arranged to define an axially upper-most extent of the universal connector along the golf club shaft; a second member having a second anti-rotational member formed thereon and configured for being received within a bore of the hosel, the first and second anti-rotational members engageable with one another, wherein the second anti-rotational member includes a plurality of regularly spaced axially extending teeth separated by gaps, wherein the upwardly extending teeth and gaps are formed at an axial extent of the head portion of the second member and are arranged to mate with the first anti-rotational member, the second member having a third anti-rotational member axially below the second anti-rotational member; wherein the first member includes a threaded bore configured for receipt of a one piece mounting screw which abuts an exterior of the club head and extends through a portion of the club head, wherein tightening of the screw axially biases the first and second members together within the hosel, and wherein the first and second members are arranged such that the mounting screw passes through an unthreaded opening of the second member and threads directly into the first member; wherein the head portion defines a maximum outer diameter of the first member, and wherein the body portion of the first member includes a transition region having a second diameter and an extension region having a third diameter, the second diameter greater than the third diameter and less than the maximum outer diameter of the first member, wherein a first circumferential axial abutment surface is formed at an interface of the transition region and the extension region, the abutment surface having an outer diameter equal to the second diameter, the axial abutment surface located axially below the first anti-rotational member; wherein a second axial abutment surface is formed along the bore of the second member and is configured to axially abut the first axial abutment surface, the second axial abutment surface located axially between the second and third anti-rotational members of the second member.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein the first anti-rotational member is a plurality of downwardly extending teeth formed at an axial extent of the head portion of the first member.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the downwardly extending teeth are received within spaces formed between the upwardly extending teeth to rotational fix the first member relative to the second member.

8. The connector of claim 5, further comprising a third anti-rotational member formed on the second member, wherein the third anti-rotational member is selected from the group consisting of: a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs formed at an end of the body portion of the second member, a plurality of downwardly extending teeth formed at an interface of the head portion and the body portion of the second member, a plurality of radially outwardly facing facets formed at the interface between the head portion and the body portion of the second member, a plurality of downwardly extending teeth formed at an axial extent of the head portion of the second member, a plurality of outwardly extending ribs formed along an outer periphery of the body portion of the second member between the head portion and an end of the body portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a universal connector according to the teachings of the invention shown in an assembly view with a golf club head and a partially shown golf club shaft;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, showing first and second members of the connector;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 illustrated in cross section;

(5) FIGS. 4-5 are perspective views of another embodiment of a second member of a connector according to the teachings of the invention;

(6) FIGS. 6-7 are perspective views of another embodiment of a second member of a connector according to the teachings of the invention;

(7) FIGS. 8-9 are perspective views of another embodiment of a second member of a connector according to the teachings of the invention; and

(8) FIGS. 10-11 are perspective views of another embodiment of a second member of a connector according to the teachings of the invention.

(9) While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) Turning now to the illustrations, several embodiments of a connector for an adjustable golf club are illustrated. As will be explained in greater detail below, these embodiments overcome existing problems in the art discussed above by providing a universal connector that will readily work with a variety of differing brand specific connectors. Indeed, embodiments of the universal connector described herein allow a user to connect a club shaft of one brand with a club head of another brand, despite the fact that the originally provided connector componentry for the club shaft and the club head do not mate with one another.

(11) Turning now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a connector 20 is illustrated. Connector 20 connects a golf club shaft 22 to a golf club head 24. As is known in the art, club head 24 includes a hosel 28 extending therefrom which defines a bore 26 extending into club head 24. A portion of connector 20 is received within bore 26. Another portion of connector 20 is secured to club shaft 22. The portion of connector 20 which is received in club head 24 is secured to club head 24 using a mounting fastener 32. Club head 24 is generally illustrated as an adjustable club head in that it includes brand specific features in the area of hosel 28 for receiving a portion of a brand specific connector. As will be explained in greater detail below, embodiments of the invention described herein provide a connector which includes a portion thereof designed to mate with the aforementioned brand specific features of the connector originally provided with club head 24. This portion of the connector described herein also provides a universal interface such that a common other portion of connector 20 may be utilized on club shaft 22 so that any club shaft 22 utilizing this other portion of the connector described herein will mate with the portion of the connector received in club head 24, regardless of the fact that club shaft 22 and club head 24 are of different brands.

(12) With specific reference now to FIG. 2, connector 20 includes a first member 36 and a second member 28. First member 36 includes a bore 44 which receives a portion of club shaft 22. Second member 38 also includes a bore 46 which receives a portion of first member 36, as well as some extent of club shaft 22 which is received in first member 36.

(13) First member 36 may be readily secured to club shaft 22 through the use of adhesives. Additionally, first member 36 may also include alignment indicia thereon for rotationally aligning first member 36 relative to connector axis 30 relative to club shaft 22.

(14) First member 36 also includes a first anti-rotational member 52. Second member 38 includes a second anti-rotational member 54. The first and second anti-rotational members 52, 54 engage one another in the fully assembled state of connector 20 to prevent rotation of first member 36 relative to second member 38 and vice versa.

(15) Additionally, second member 38 also includes a third anti-rotational member 56 which mates with a club head anti-rotational member 58 disposed on or within the hosel 28. Third anti-rotational member 56 and club head anti-rotational member 58 engage one another to prevent rotation of second member 38 relative to club head 24 rotationally about connector axis 30. As will be described in greater detail below, club head anti-rotational member 58 will vary depending upon the specific brand of club head. As such, the particular structural attributes of second member 38 will vary depending upon the particular club head 24. However, second member 38 will always provide a universal second anti-rotational member 54 and bore 46 to accommodate a single embodiment of a first member 36. As a result, a user may utilize the same first member with differing second members. As a practical result, a user may utilize a single set of preferred golf club shafts 22 which incorporate first member 36 with a plurality of club heads 24 of differing brands. All that is required to achieve this functionality is the utilization of the brand specific second member 38, and more particularly its specific configuration of a third anti-rotational member 56 designed to mate with the particular configuration of a club head anti-rotational member 58 of club head 24.

(16) Indeed, first anti-rotational member 52 of first member 36 is embodied by a plurality of downwardly extending teeth 60 as shown in FIG. 2. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the particular number of teeth shown should be taken by way of example only, as the number of teeth 60 may be varied. Second anti-rotational member 54 of second member 38 is defined by a plurality of upwardly extending teeth 62 which mate with downwardly extending teeth 60. These upwardly extending teeth 62 are common across all embodiments of second member 38, and thus all of these embodiments readily mate with the illustrated embodiment of first member 36.

(17) In the particular embodiment illustrated, third anti-rotational member 56 is embodied by a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs 64. These ribs 64 mate with radially inwardly extending ribs formed along the interior surface of bore 26 of hosel 28 which form the club head anti-rotational member. The engagement between the aforementioned ribs prevents rotation of second member 38 relative to club head 24 about connector axis 30.

(18) Turning now to FIG. 3, the structural attributes of first and second members 36, 38 are described in greater detail. As can be seen in this view, a portion of shaft 22 is received within bore 44. Shaft 22 extends into bore 44 until it positively engages a bottom of bore 44, however, other depths of insertion may be utilized. As described above, shaft 22 may be secured within bore 44 uses an adhesive or any other known method. First member 36 includes a head portion 66 and a body portion 68 which extends away from head portion 66. Body portion 68 includes a transition region 70 and an extension region 72. As shown, head portion 66 has a maximum outer diameter which is greater than a maximum outer diameter of body portion 68. Additionally, transition region 70 has a greater maximum outer diameter than a maximum outer diameter of extension region 72. A first axial abutment surface 74 is formed at the interface between transition region 70 and extension region 72. This first axial abutment surface 74 axially abuts a second axial abutment surface 84 formed within the bore 46 of second member 38 when connector 20 is completely assembled.

(19) Second member 38 includes a head portion 76 and a body portion 78. A seat 80 is defined at the interface of head portion 76 and body portion 78. Seat 80 engages a top surface 82 of hosel 28 when second member 38 is fully positioned within bore 26 of hosel 28. As can also be seen in FIG. 3, a bottom of club head 24 includes a threaded hole 86 which receives fastener 32 shown in FIG. 1. This fastener 32 threadably extends through threaded hole 86 and engages a threaded hole 88 of first member 38.

(20) As shown in FIG. 3, threaded hole 88 is illustrated as communicating with bore 44. However, in other embodiments, threaded hole 88 may be a blind threaded hole which does not communicate with bore 44. When first member 36 is fully positioned within second member 38 as shown in FIG. 1, fastener 32 extends through threaded hole 86 and threadably engages threaded hole 88 of first member 36. As fastener 32 is tightened, first member 36 is drawn downward along axis 30 to bring first and second axial abutment surfaces 74, 84 into engagement. Continued tightening of fastener 32 thus biases first and second members 36, 38 downwardly along connector axis 30 to bring seat 80 into engagement with top surface 82 of hosel 26. The foregoing tightening of fastener 32 thus axially connects first and second members 36, 38 and also club head 24 to club shaft 22. As discussed above, teeth 60, 62 engage one another to rotationally fix first connector 36 relative to second connector 38 and thus club head 24 as well. As also discussed above, ribs 64 engage club head anti-rotational feature 58 to rotationally fix second member 38 relative to club head 24, and thus also rotationally fix first member 36 and club shaft 22 relative to club head 24.

(21) FIGS. 4-11 show various alternative embodiments of second member which are designed to mate with the brand specific mating features of various adjustable club heads. As can readily be seen from inspection of these figures, and as introduced above, they all include a common second anti-rotational member which is the same as second anti-rotational member described above relative to FIGS. 1-3. However, each of the embodiments of second member shown herein include a different third anti-rotational member which is specific to the specific brand of club head which it will be utilized with.

(22) Indeed, with reference to FIGS. 4-5, a second embodiment of a second member 138 is illustrated. This second member 138 includes a head portion 176 and a body portion 178. Second member 138 also includes second anti-rotational member 154 which includes a plurality of teeth 162 which are identical to teeth 62 described above. Additionally, second member 138 also includes a seat 180 which functions in the same manner as seat 80 described above. However, third anti-rotational member 156 in this embodiment is different than that described above. Indeed, third anti-rotational member 156 includes a plurality of downwardly extending teeth 164. These downwardly extending teeth 164 are arranged to engage corresponding projections within an interior bore of a hosel. This engagement rotational fixes second member 138 within such a hosel.

(23) As can be seen in FIGS. 4-5, third anti-rotational member 156 is formed at the interface between head portion 176 and body portion 178. Contrast this with what is shown in FIGS. 1-3, wherein the third anti-rotational member 56 is formed at an end of body portion 76 of second member 38. Second member 138 also includes a second axial abutment surface 184 that functions in the same manner as second axial abutment surface 84 described above.

(24) A third embodiment of a second connector 238 is illustrated in FIGS. 6-7. This embodiment also includes a head portion 276 and a body portion 278. This embodiment also includes a second anti-rotational member 254 defined by a plurality of teeth 262 which are identical to the second anti-rotational member as described above. A seat 280 is also formed at the interface between head portion 276 and body portion 278 and functions in the same manner as the seats described above.

(25) However, in this embodiment, third anti-rotational member 256 takes the form of a plurality of facets which generally resemble the outer periphery of a nut. These facets 264 are designed to mate with facets formed within an interior bore of a club head such that rotation of second member 238 relative to club head is prevented. As can also be seen from inspection of FIGS. 6 and 7, third anti-rotational member 256 is formed at the interface between head portion 276 and body portion 278 in a similar manner as that described above relative to FIGS. 4-5. As can also be seen in FIGS. 6-7, second member 238 includes a bore 246 for receipt of first member 38 in the manner described above. Second member 238 also includes a second axial abutment surface 284 that functions in the same manner as second axial abutment surface 84 described above.

(26) Another embodiment of a second member 338 is shown in FIGS. 8-9. This embodiment also includes a head portion 376 and a body portion 378. A second anti-rotational member 354 is formed thereon which includes a plurality of teeth 362. Second anti-rotational member 354 is identical to the second anti-rotational members described above.

(27) However, second member 338 includes a third anti-rotational member 356 formed directly on head portion 376. This third anti-rotational member 356 includes a plurality of downwardly extending teeth 364. These downwardly extending teeth 364 mate with corresponding upwardly extending teeth formed adjacent a top surface of a hosel. These teeth engage one another to prevent relative rotation of second member 338 relative to the club head. Also, second member 338 includes a bore 346 for receipt of first member 30 in the same manner as described above. Second member 338 also includes a second axial abutment surface 384 that functions in the same manner as second axial abutment surface 84 described above.

(28) FIGS. 10-11 show a fifth embodiment of a second member 438. This embodiment includes a head portion 476 and a body portion 478. This embodiment also includes a second anti-rotational member 454 which includes a plurality of upwardly extending teeth 462 which are identical to the second anti-rotational members described above. Second member 438 also includes a seat 480 which functions in the same manner as the seats described above.

(29) However, third anti-rotational member 456 of second member 438 is formed on body portion 478 and between head portion 476 and an end of body portion 478 along the outer periphery of body portion 478. This embodiment of a third anti-rotational member 456 includes a plurality of outwardly extending ribs 464. This plurality of outwardly extending ribs engages a plurality of inwardly extending ribs formed along an interior surface of a hosel of a club head to thereby prevent rotation of second member 438 relative to the club head. This embodiment also includes a bore 446 which receives first connector 38 in the same manner as described above. Although not illustrated, second member 438 may also include a second axial abutment surface that functions in the same manner as second axial abutment surface 84 described above.

(30) As will be understood from the foregoing, each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-11 are designed to mate with a specific adjustable club head based upon the brand thereof. However, each of these embodiments will readily mate with the common first member 36 shown in FIGS. 1-3. As a result, a user may utilize any desired shaft which incorporates first member 36 with any of the embodiments of second members described herein. As a result, a user is no longer locked into a single brand of adjustable club heads and adjustable club shafts, but instead can readily interchange one brand of an adjustable club head with a different brand of a club shaft.

(31) Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the installation process for these varying embodiments of second members is essentially the same as that described above relative to FIG. 3. Indeed, the second member is inserted into the hosel and arranged such that its third anti-rotational member mates with the club head anti-rotational member of the club head. The first member 38 is inserted therein. A fastener 32 is inserted through the threaded hole 86 of the club head 24 and tightened to engage the threaded hole 88 of first member 36. Continue tightening of fastener 32 axially biases the first and second members along their connector axis until members are fully axially located. The first and second anti-rotational members engage one another to prevent relative rotation of the first member relative to the second member, and the third anti-rotational member engages the club head anti-rotational member to prevent relative rotation between these components.

(32) As a result, a user need only outfit a variety of clubs with a common style of first connector 36 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Thereafter, and depending upon the particular style of adjustable club head they owned, they select the appropriate second connector member. Each one of these variety of shafts incorporating first member 36 will readily mate with the particular club head which receives the brand specific second member described herein.

(33) All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

(34) The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

(35) Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.