Lie Adaptor

Abstract

This invention is directed toward a lie adaptor that can be used to adjust an angel at which the shaft attaches to the putter. In one embodiment, the lie adaptor is inserted into the hosel of a putter, and then secured to both the shaft and putter head. In another embodiment, the lie adaptor has a cavity in its upper portion into which the shaft fits. In either case, the lie adaptor can be made with a variety of angle adjustments possible, such that a golf shop or even an individual golfer can quickly, accurately, and economically adjust the putter lie.

Claims

1. A lie adaptor, consisting of: an adaptor hosel, a canted joint, and a canted shaft, where the adaptor hosel comprises an upper end configured to receive a putter shaft of a putter, where a shaft end from the putter shaft of the putter is inserted into the adaptor hosel, where the canted joint comprises an offset angle and a first shelf, where the canted joint is configured to form the offset angle of connection between the putter shaft and the putter, and where putter shaft is on a separate plane to the canted shaft, where the canted shaft comprises a second shelf, a male alignment guide, a connection face flat portion, and a threaded hole, with the threaded hole has a plurality of threaded hold threads, and where the adaptor hosel and the canted shaft are on separate planes, where the canted joint connects the canted shaft to the adaptor hosel, where the canted shaft is inserted into a cavity in an upper portion of a putter head of the putter, where the canted shaft has a canted shaft diameter, and where the canted shaft diameter is smaller than a diameter of a hosel inner on a putter head of the putter, where the canted shaft is configured to slide into the hosel inner on the putter head of the putter, and where a second shelf mates with the second shelf of the hosel inner of the putter, and where the male alignment guide mates with a lie adaptor socket in the hosel inner, where the canted joint is outside of a hosel outer on the putter head of the putter, and where the first shelf has a first shelf diameter, and where the first shelf diameter is slightly larger than a diameter of a hosel outer located on the putter head, where canted joint connects the canted shaft in a same plane to the adaptor hosel, and where the canted joint abuts in the putter head providing additional control in a depth at what the lie adaptor is inserted in the putter head.

2. The lie adaptor of claim 1, additionally consisting of a bolt, where the bolt has a plurality of bolt threads, and where the plurality of bolt threads mate with the plurality of threaded hole threads, and where the putter has a clearance hole for bolt, with a clearance hole for bolt diameter, where the bolt has a bolt head, where the bolt head has a bolt head diameter, where the bolt head diameter is greater than the clearance hole for bolt diameter, such that the bolt can be inserted through the clearance hole for bolt, and the plurality of bolt threads can engage with the plurality of threaded hole threads, and with a rotating motion, the bolt can secure the lie adaptor into the hosel inner of the putter.

3. The lie adaptor of claim 2, where the putter has the hosel inner and the hosel outer, and a set screw threaded hole, where the set screw threaded hole extends from the hosel outer into the hosel inner, and where a set screw is screwed into the set screw threaded hole, and where the set screw contacts a connection face flat portion of the lie adaptor.

4. The lie adaptor of claim 3, where the male alignment guide allows the lie adaptor to be inserted into the putter head at two different angles, thereby allowing to select an angle that would be appropriate for a particular golfer.

5. The lie adaptor of claim 4, where the male alignment guide is elliptical.

6. The lie adaptor of claim 5, where the offset angle of the canted joint is 0.5 to 10 degrees.

7. The lie adaptor of claim 5, where the offset angle of the canted joint is 1 to 3 degrees.

8. The lie adaptor of claim 5, where the offset angle of the canted joint is 3 to 10 degrees.

9. The lie adaptor of claim 5, where the adaptor hosel comprises a upper end, where the canted joint comprises the offset angle and the first shelf, where the canted shaft comprises the second shelf, the male alignment guide, the connection face flat portion, and a threaded hole, with the threaded hole has a plurality of threaded hold threads, where the adaptor hosel is configured to accept the shaft end from the putter shaft, where the canted shaft has a canted shaft diameter.

10. The lie adaptor of claim 9, where the canted shaft diameter is 0.355 inch or 0.370 inch which is slightly smaller than the hosel inner diameter on the putter head, and where the second shelf mates with the hosel inner shelf, and where the male alignment guide mates with the lie adaptor socket in the hosel inner, and where the canted joint comprises the first shelf has the first shelf diameter, and where the first shelf diameter is slightly larger than the hosel outer diameter of the hosel outer located on the putter head, and additionally comprising means of connection between the male alignment guide and the lie adaptor socket.

11. The lie adaptor of claim 10, where the offset angle of the canted joint is 1 to 3 degrees and where the means of connection is epoxy.

12. A lie adaptor, comprising: an adaptor hosel, a canted joint, and a canted shaft, where the adaptor hosel comprises an upper end configured to receive a putter shaft of a putter, where a shaft end from the putter shaft of the putter is inserted into the adaptor hosel, where the canted joint comprises an offset angle and a first shelf, where the canted joint is configured to form the offset angle of connection between the putter shaft and the putter, and where putter shaft is on a separate plane to the canted shaft, where the canted shaft comprises a second shelf, a male alignment guide, a connection face flat portion, and a threaded hole, with the threaded hole has a plurality of threaded hold threads, and where the adaptor hosel and the canted shaft are on separate planes, where the canted joint connects the canted shaft to the adaptor hosel, where the canted shaft is inserted into a cavity in an upper portion of a putter head of the putter, where the canted shaft has a canted shaft diameter, and where the canted shaft diameter is smaller than a diameter of a hosel inner on a putter head of the putter, where the canted shaft is configured to slide into the hosel inner on the putter head of the putter, and where a second shelf mates with the second shelf of the hosel inner of the putter, and where the male alignment guide mates with a lie adaptor socket in the hosel inner, where the canted joint is outside of a hosel outer on the putter head of the putter, and where the first shelf has a first shelf diameter, and where the first shelf diameter is slightly larger than a outer diameter of a hosel outer located on the putter head, where canted joint connects the canted shaft in a same plane to the adaptor hosel.

13. The lie adaptor of claim 12, additionally consisting of a bolt, where the bolt has a plurality of bolt threads, and where the plurality of bolt threads mate with the plurality of threaded hole threads, and where the putter has a clearance hole for bolt, with a clearance hole for bolt diameter, where the bolt has a bolt head, where the bolt head has a bolt head diameter, where the bolt head diameter is greater than the clearance hole for bolt diameter, such that the bolt can be inserted through the clearance hole for bolt, and the plurality of bolt threads can engage with the plurality of threaded hole threads, and with a rotating motion, the bolt can secure the lie adaptor into the hosel inner of the putter.

14. The lie adaptor of claim 12, where the putter has the hosel inner and the hosel outer, and a set screw threaded hole, where the set screw threaded hole extends from the hosel outer into the hosel inner, and where a set screw is screwed into the set screw threaded hole, and where the set screw contacts a connection face flat portion of the lie adaptor.

15. The lie adaptor claim 12, where the male alignment guide allows the lie adaptor to be inserted into the putter head at two different angles, thereby allowing to select an angle that would be appropriate for a particular golfer.

16. The lie adaptor claim 12, where the male alignment guide is elliptical.

17. The lie adaptor of claim 12, where the offset angle of the canted joint is 0.5 to 10 degrees.

18. The lie adaptor of claim 12, where the offset angle of the canted joint is 1 to 3 degrees.

19. The lie adaptor of claim 12, where the offset angle of the canted joint is 3 to 10 degrees.

20. The lie adaptor of claim 12, where the adaptor hosel comprises a upper end, where the canted joint comprises the offset angle and the first shelf, where the canted shaft comprises the second shelf, the male alignment guide, the connection face flat portion, and a threaded hole, with the threaded hole has a plurality of threaded hold threads, where the adaptor hosel is configured to accept the shaft end from the putter shaft, where the canted shaft has a canted shaft diameter.

21. The lie adaptor of claim 12, where the canted shaft diameter is 0.355 inch or 0.370 inch which is slightly smaller than the hosel inner diameter on the putter head, and where the second shelf mates with the hosel inner shelf, and where the male alignment guide mates with the lie adaptor socket in the hosel inner, and where the canted joint comprises the first shelf has the first shelf diameter, and where the first shelf diameter is slightly larger than the hosel outer diameter of the hosel outer located on the putter head, and additionally comprising means of connection between the male alignment guide and the lie adaptor socket.

22. The lie adaptor of claim 21, where the means of connection is epoxy.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of one embodiment of a lie adaptor that can be inserted into a hollow or solid shaft of a putter.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a bottom, perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.

[0026] FIG. 3 is top, perspective view of a head of a putter, showing how the lie adaptor fits into a hosel outer the head of the putter.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective of the head of the putter illustrated in FIG. 3, showing how a bolt can be used to attach the invention inside the hosel cavity of a putter head.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 inserted into the hosel cavity of a putter head.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a bottom, perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention, where there is a cavity into which the shaftparticularly a solid shaftcan be inserted.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a side, perspective view of a shaft with a lie adaptor ready to be inserted into a hosel inner.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a back view of the back of a putter head.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a side view of a putter head.

[0033] FIG. 10 is front cross-sectional view of a putter head.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a top view of a putter head.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0037] FIG. 14 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0038] FIG. 15 is a close up view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0039] FIG. 16 is a side view of a putter with a lie adaptor in use.

[0040] FIG. 17 is a close-up, side view of the canted joint, showing how it creates the angle for the lie adaptor.

[0041] FIG. 18 is a top view of a hollow shaft fitting inside the lie adaptor.

[0042] FIG. 19 is a side view of a hollow shaft fitting inside the lie adaptor.

[0043] FIG. 20 is a side view of a clear, acrylic shaft going over an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of a lie adaptor 1, the lie adaptor 1 that can be inserted into a hollow or solid shaft of a putter. The lie adaptor 1 has an adaptor hosel 2 that receives a putter shaft, a canted joint 3 that creates the adjustment in lie angle and a canted shaft 9. The adaptor hosel 2 fits into the end of a hollow putter shaft and can be secured with epoxy or another similar compound.

[0046] The canted joint 3 is manufactured to be offset from the adaptor hosel 2 by one or more degrees The canted joint 3 is configured to form an offset angle of connection between the putter shaft and the putter, The canted joint 3 includes a first shelf 6 that limits the depth of the lie adaptor.

[0047] The canted shaft 9 includes a male alignment guide 4, a threaded hole 5, a second shelf 7 and a connection face flat portion 8. The canted joint 3 connects the canted shaft 9 to the adaptor hosel 2. In one embodiment, the adaptor hosel 2 and the canted shaft 9 are on separate planes, namely, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the adaptor hosel 2 is on a plane X, and the canted shaft 9 is on plane Y.

[0048] The canted shaft 3 is inserted into a cavity in an upper portion of a putter head of a putter. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of the canted shaft 3 is 0.355 inch or 0.370 inch, these are the industry standard shaft diameters. In one embodiment, the diameter of the canted shaft 9 is smaller than the inner diameter of the adaptor hosel 2, where the canted shaft 9 is configured to slide into the adaptor hosel 2.

[0049] It is contemplated that a variety of these lie adaptors could be made with a variety of offset angles, such that a shop adjusting the putter for a client could try out several different lie adaptors before selecting the one appropriate for that client and securing it into the putter shaft.

[0050] The male alignment guide 4 has a radius side. The Male Alignment Guide 4 can allow the lie adaptor to be inserted into putter head at two different angles, thereby allowing a user of the invention to select which angle would be appropriate for a particular golfer. The Male Alignment Guide 4 has a threaded hole 5 into which a bolt can be screwed to attach the lie adaptor to a putter head. A Connection face flat portion 8 secures the lie adaptor and prevents it from rotating within the cavity in the putter head. A second shelf 7 sits upon a corresponding shelf within the cavity of the putter head to maintain the amount that the lie adaptor is inserted into the cavity in the putter head. A first shelf 6 in between the adaptor hosel 2 and the canted joint 3 abuts the top of the cavity in the putter head, thereby providing additional control over the depth at what the lie adaptor 1 is inserted into the cavity in the putter head.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a bottom, perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. The FIG. 2 provides a more detailed view of the bottom portion of the lie adaptor 1. The male alignment guide 4 is inserted to a cavity at the top of the putter head. The second shelf 7 sits upon a corresponding shelf in the cavity of the putter head. The connection face flat portion 8 secures the lie adaptor and prevents it from rotating within the cavity in the putter head. The threaded hole 5 is a hole into which a bolt can be inserted to attach the lie adaptor to the putter head.

[0052] FIG. 3 is top, perspective view of the head of a putter, showing how the lie adaptor 1 fits into the putter head. The putter head has a heel 11 and a Toe 10 of the putter. As mentioned previously, keeping the toe 10 and heel 11 even is important to keeping the ball going as targeted. Practically, when the toe or heel of the putter is raised or lowered, even slightly, above or below each other, the golf ball is automatically deflected a tiny amount. But, over the course of the putt, a tiny amount of deflection can easily result in a properly aimed ball missing the hole. The heel 11 of the putter connects the portion of the putter head that actually strikes the ball to the shaft by way of a neck 12. In most putter heads, the Heel 11 has a hosel inner 14 surrounded by Hosel outer 15, where the hosel inner 14 is offset at an angle different from that of the Heel 11. This is called the lie of the putter, and allows the golfer to strike the ball with the putter head in front of him or her, allowing for better control. However, the angle that the putter is offset from the Heel is not idea for all golfers; hence the need for this invention so that the lie of a putter can be adjusted.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective of the head of the putter illustrated in FIG. 3, showing how a bolt can be used to attach the invention inside the hosel cavity of a putter head. The lie adaptor 1 is inserted into the hosel inner 14. The connection plate flat portion 8 prevents the lie adaptor 1 from rotating in the hosel cavity. A bolt goes through the clearance hole for bolt 16, and screws into the threads on the Threaded hole 5, thereby securing the lie adaptor to the putter head. The connection plate flat portion 8 serves three different purposes, such as keeps part from twisting when being bolted in and during use, sets the orientation of the lie angle and provides a method of receiving a Set screw 21 as illustrated in FIG. 7).

[0054] FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 inserted into the hosel inner 14 of a putter head. In this figure, the bolt has been screwed into the clearance hole for bolt, thereby pulling the lie adaptor 1 into the hosel inner 14. The lie adaptor 1 is retained within the hosel inner 14 by the hosel outer 15. Because the canted joint 3 is offset from the angle of the hosel inner 14, the lie of the putter can be easily adjusted.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a bottom, perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, where there is a cavity into which the shaftparticularly a solid shaftcan be inserted. In this embodiment, the canted joint 3 and Male Alignment Guide 4 are identical to those in the previous embodiment, but the adaptor hosel 2, has a lie adaptor cavity 18, into which the shaft can be inserted. This allows the invention to be used with solid shafts and even with hollow shafts of different diameters without limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a side, perspective view of a shaft with the lie adaptor 1 in an alternative embodiment, ready to be inserted into the hosel inner 14. A putter shaft 19 has been inserted into the adaptor hosel 2. The canted joint 3 has offset the angle of connection between the putter shaft 19 and the putter. The canted shaft 9 is ready to be slid into the hosel of the putter. A male alignment guide 4 will position the lie adaptor at the proper direction inside the putter hosel. A set screw 21 will be screwed into the threaded hole 20, and will push against the connection face flat portion 8 of the lie adaptor, thereby preventing the lie adaptor from rotating within the putter hosel. The where the connection face flat portion 8 is parallel to the set screw hole 20 to optimize surface area friction on connection face flat portion 8, where the set screw 21 holds lie adaptor 1 into putter head hosel inner 14.

[0057] In this embodiment, the canted joint 3 is configured to form the offset angle of connection between the putter shaft and the putter, where the canted joint 3 is outside of the hosel outer 15 and where the putter shaft is on a separate plane to the canted shaft 9. Further, the canted joint 3 is outside of the hosel outer 15 on the putter head of the putter 13, and where the first shelf 6 has a first shelf diameter, and where the first shelf diameter is slightly larger than a diameter of the hosel outer 15 located on the putter head.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a back view of the back of a putter head. The hosel outer 15 creates a certain angle from the neck 12. This angle will not be perfect for every golfer, hence the need for the lie adaptor.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a side view of a putter head showing shows a clearance hole for a bolt 16 is lined up such that the lie adaptor can be bolted into place through this hole.

[0060] FIG. 10 is front, cross-sectional view of a putter head. The clearance hole for the bolt 16 will allow a bolt to be inserted into the bottom of the lie adaptor, pull the lie adaptor down into the putter hosel, and secure it against rotation. A lie adaptor socket 18 will mate with the male alignment guide 4 (as shown in other figures) to prevent rotation of the putter around the shaft. The hosel inner 14 will hold the lie adaptor 1, secured in a set position by the hosel outer 15. Further, a set screw 21 will be screwed into the threaded hole 20, and will push against the connection face flat portion 8 of the lie adaptor, thereby preventing the lie adaptor from rotating within the hosel outer of the putter.

[0061] FIG. 11 is a top view of a putter head showing the shape of the lie adaptor socket 18, which prevents rotation of the shaft. In one embodiment, the lie adaptor socket 18 is an elliptical shape.

[0062] FIG. 12 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention, generally referenced as 22, showing an alternate shape of the lie adaptor socket 18. The alternative version of the lie adaptor socket 18 is cross-shaped 22 rather than elliptical.

[0063] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0064] FIG. 14 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0065] FIG. 15 is a close up view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0066] FIG. 16 is a back view of a putter with a lie adaptor in use. The golf club shaft 19 has been inserted into the adaptor hosel 2. The canted shaft 9 (not seen in this figure) has been inserted into the hosel outer 15. The canted joint 3 has altered the angle between the putter shaft 19 and the putter 13.

[0067] FIG. 17 is a close-up, side view of the canted joint, showing how it creates the angle for the lie adaptor.

[0068] FIG. 18 is a top view of a hollow putter shaft 19 fitting inside the lie adaptor.

[0069] FIG. 19 is a side view of a hollow putter shaft 19 fitting inside the lie adaptor.

[0070] FIG. 20 is a side view of a clear, acrylic shaft going over an alternate embodiment of the invention showing the hollow putter shaft 19 and alternative shape of an alternative adaptor hosel 23.

[0071] It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.

[0072] All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

REFERENCE NUMBERS USED

[0073] 1. Lie adaptor generallygeneral [0074] 2. Adaptor Hoselreceives golf shaft [0075] 3. Canted jointcreates the adjustment in lie angle [0076] 4. Male Alignment Guide. Radius side allows for precious in manufacturing as the matting side should be milledend mills rotate so must have some radius [0077] 5. Threaded holeto receive socket head screw acts as the nut in a bolt and nut configuration [0078] 6. First Shelflimits the depth of lie adaptor [0079] 7. Second shelfTransition to off round portion and also limits the depth of lie adaptor when bolted together [0080] 8. Connection face flat portionserves three purposes 1. Keeps part from twisting when being bolted in and during use 2. Sets the orientation of the lie angle. 3. Set screw receiver [0081] 9. Canted shaftShaft mates with hosel hole in the putter to create lie angle [0082] 10. Toe of the putterend of putter further from the player. Used in the diagram for part orientation [0083] 11. Heal of the putterend of putter closer to the player. Used in the diagram for part orientation [0084] 12. Neck of the putterin some cases this neck obstructs the socket bolt, therefore, a set screw on the side is better [0085] 13. Putter generally [0086] 14. Hosel innerhole that normally receives the shaft, but in this case receives adaptor canted shaft [0087] 15. Hosel outernormally receives the shaft. Important for use with set screw [0088] 16. Clearance Hole for Boltwithout threads to help to allow the screw to pass through to lock with thread portion of lie adapter [0089] 17. BoltSocket head bolt limits depth causing the adaptor to pull tighter in bolt and nut configuration [0090] 18. Lie Adaptor SocketThis mates with lie adaptor alignment guide to restrict rotation when bolted to create a joint [0091] 19. Putter shaft [0092] 20. Threaded holeused for set screw [0093] 21. Set Screw [0094] 22. An alternative version of 18 that is cross-shaped rather than elliptical. [0095] 23. Alternative adaptor hosel