GOLF PRACTICE ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A golf practice arrangement that is used to develop a golfer's swing. The practice arrangement has a club with a head that has a hosel extending from the head for connection to a shaft. The shaft at one end has a grip attached to it and is connected to the hosel at the opposite end. The head has a striking face that is adapted for striking a fastener and a body that is aligned behind the striking face. The fastener is driven into a block that is held in a holder affixed to the mat. The mat is built for a user of the club to stand upon when striking the fastener into the block with the club. The fastener may be a nail that is driven into a wood block. The striking face is round having a circular area with which to strike a nail.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A golf practice club, comprising: a shaft comprised of a flexible material, the shaft being chosen from shafts used for at least one of driver, fairway, or hybrid golf clubs, the shaft being configured for transferring torque as part of a golf swing, the shaft defining a first shaft end, a second shaft end, a shaft length, and a shaft axis extending along the shaft length, the first shaft end having a handle associated therewith, the handle being configured for facilitating gripping of the golf practice club; and a club head comprised of a head body and a hosel, the hosel extending from the head body and being connected to the second shaft end of the shaft, the head body defining a body length, a body width, a body axis established along the body length, and a pair of oppositely opposed lengthwise body ends, the body length being greater than the body width, the head body further including at least one striking face, a given striking face associated with a corresponding lengthwise end of the head body, the given striking face being essentially perpendicular to the body axis, the given striking face being configured as a club face and thereby being adapted for striking a drivable element.

14. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein the weight and balance of the club head are chosen to replicate that of a standard non-putter club.

15. The golf practice club of claim 14, wherein the standard non-putter club is one of a wood, an iron, or a wedge.

16. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein the head body is configured so as to approximate at least one of a hammer head and a mallet head.

17. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein a given striking face defines a face perimeter, the face perimeter circumscribing the lengthwise direction of the head body in a manner such that the head body is completely within the face perimeter, as projected toward the head body.

18. The golf practice club of claim 17, wherein the head body has a body mass, the body mass being aligned with at least one given striking face.

19. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein a given striking face is essentially parallel to the shaft axis.

20. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein a given striking face is circular.

21. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein a given striking face is one of co-formed with and integrally attached to the head body.

22. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein the drivable element that the golf practice club is adapted to strike is a peg element.

23. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein the given striking face provides a compact hitting area that is less than one half the hitting area available for one of a wood, a wedge, or an iron.

24. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein the pair of oppositely opposed lengthwise body ends each has a corresponding given striking face associated therewith.

25. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein the head body is mounted at an oblique angle relative to the shaft via the hosel.

26. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein the head body is rotatably mounted via a pivot mount relative to at least one of the hosel or the shaft.

27. The golf practice club of claim 27, wherein the pivot mount has a tightening mechanism associated therewith, the head body thereby being configured to be set and releasably held at a desired mount angle relative to the shaft.

28. The golf practice club of claim 13, wherein the shaft is comprised of a graphite composite.

29. A golf practice hitting system, comprising: a golf practice club according to claim 13; and a hitting block carrying a drivable element, the hitting block being configured to be mounted stationary relative to the given user, the drivable element being adapted to be driven by being stricken with a given striking face of the head body associated with the club head.

30. The golf practice hitting system of claim 30, wherein the drivable element is in a form of a drivable peg.

31. The golf practice hitting system of claim 30, further comprising at least one sensor associated with at least one of the hitting block or the drivable element.

32. A golf practice club, comprising: a shaft comprised of a flexible material, the shaft being chosen from shafts used for at least one of driver, fairway, or hybrid golf clubs, the shaft including a first shaft end and a second shaft end, the first shaft end having a handle associated therewith, the handle being configured for facilitating gripping of the golf practice club; and a club head comprised of a head body and a hosel, the hosel extending from the head body and being connected to the second shaft end of the shaft, the head body configured to approximate at least one of a hammer head or a mallet head, the head body including at least one striking face adapted for striking a drivable element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf practice arrangement, with the practice club of the arrangement in the ready position;

[0010] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the hitting block used as part of the golf practice arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the golf practice arrangement of FIG. 1, after the club has been swung;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a dose up of a drivable peg, shown in the form of a nail being struck by the club shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a view of the head of the club shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of the head shown in FIG. 4;

[0015] FIG. 6 is an end view of the head shown in FIG. 5;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment club head different than that shown in FIG. 6;

[0017] FIG. 8 is an end view of the club shown in FIG. 7.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a side view of another embodiment of the hitting block associated with the present system, the hitting block employing a reusable drivable peg and providing for mounting stakes.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present driving block system, provided with one or more sensors, a digital controller, and a display.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a side isometric view of a truncated lower portion of another embodiment of the practice golf club, with this version employing an adjustable head.

[0021] FIG. 12 is an exploded, first-side isometric view of the truncated lower portion of the practice golf club shown in FIG. 11.

[0022] FIG. 13 is an exploded, second-side isometric view of the truncated lower portion of the practice golf club shown in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0023] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the golf practice arrangement 10. The practice arrangement includes, a club 12 having a head 14 with a hosel 16 extending therefrom. The head 14 is of a unitary construction and is essentially configured as a mallet or hammer head. Further, the weight and general balance of a given head 14 may be chosen to replicate that of a standard club size (e.g., wood; 5 iron; wedge; etc.), thus aiding in ability to transfer the skills gained through practice to use of regular clubs on a golf course.

[0024] The head 14 has a body 18 that, in one embodiment, is generally a rectangular prism in shape, with the body 18 defining a body length BL, a body width BW, and a body height BR, as noted in FIG. 4. In this illustrated variant, the body length BL is greater (e.g, at least 2-3 times so) than the body width BW and possibly the body height BH, allowing the head 18 to be configured similar to a hammer or mallet head. More specifically, the body 18 has a square cross section with flat sides 19 and corners 23 that are rounded. The head 14, as illustrated, includes a pair of striking or hammer faces 24 that integrally extend from opposite longitudinal or lengthwise ends of the body 18 and are adapted for striking a drivable peg 26, which, in the version illustrated in FIG. 1, is a nail. The striking faces 24 may be co-formed (e.g., forged, molded, machined, cast) with the body 18 or otherwise integrally attached thereto (e.g., welded) to yield an effectively unitary head 14. Each striking face 24, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, has a circumference or periphery 28 that defines the area of the striking face 24. The striking faces 24 are generally aligned perpendicular to the lengthwise direction (per the body length BL) of the body 18 to facilitate a true, square strike against a given drivable peg 26.

[0025] The cross section of each striking face 24 may, in one embodiment, be of a uniform diameter for a predetermined distance toward the body 18 until reaching a corresponding reduced portion 34 that is between the body 18 and a given striking face 24, in a manner generally consistent with a common hammer head design. It is important to note that the present practice club 12 differs, in large part, from a standard golf club (not shown) in that the hammer-head striking face 24 serves as the club face, instead of the typical triangular/trapezoidal hitting face associated with standard non-putter clubs. While the striking faces 24 are illustrated to be circular, it is to be understood that a given striking face 24 could take on another shape (e.g., ellipse, square), so long as that shape provides a compact hitting area (e.g., essentially less than the area of a standard non-putter club face and, more particularly, less than the area thereof).

[0026] The entire area of each striking face 24, within the circumference/perimeter thereof, is adapted for hitting a given drivable peg 26. That is to say, at least the striking or hammer faces 24 of the head 14 are sufficiently hard and durable enough formed of hardened steel (like a hammer) or hard rubber (like a mallet)) to transfer the energy of a swing of the club 12 to a given drivable peg 26 and, concordantly, to withstand repeated performance of that action. For issues such as ease of forming, durability, and/or transfer of energy to a given striking face 24, the entire head 14 may, in one variation, be formed of the same material chosen for the striking face 24.

[0027] The body 18, in the illustrated version, is completely within the circumference/perimeter 28 of the striking faces 24, as projected toward the body 18. In this way, the striking faces 24 circumscribe the lengthwise direction of the body 18. Because of this alignment of the striking faces 24 and the body 18, the mass of the head 14 is directly aligned with the faces 24. This arrangement ensures that the linear density and balance of the club 12 are high. Also, if designed in the manner illustrated, the size and shape of the striking faces 24 would establish the clearance needed for a successful swing (i.e., if the striking faces 24 would not catch on a nearby surface (e.g., ground) during a swing, the body 16 would not do so either).

[0028] Each striking or hammer face 24 may further be essentially perpendicular to the body axis BA (i.e., established along the body length BL) of the body 18. Aligning each striking face 24 in such a manner ensures that a given drivable peg 26 may be struck square with any portion of the given striking face 24, thus facilitating maximum transfer of energy along the corresponding axis (not labeled) of the drivable peg 26. If, for example, the drivable peg 26 were a nail and the striking face 24 were instead at an angle (other than essentially perpendicular) to the body axis B, hitting the nail with such an angled striking face 24 could actually promote bending of the nail more so than hammering or pounding it, as desired. Thus, aligning the striking face 24 of the practice club 12 perpendicular or nearly so to the body axis BA distinguishes the striking face 24 of the illustrated embodiment from a typically slanted face of a regular non-putter club, as non-putter clubs are angled to varying degrees to facilitate the generation of a certain amount of lift in addition to forward momentum.

[0029] The club 12 further has a shaft 38, defining a shaft axis 5A (per FIG. 4). that is connected to the hosel 16 and extends upward to a grip 40. Thus, the club 12 generally includes, in order of arrangement, a head 14, a hosel 16, a shaft 38, and a grip or handle 40. The hosel 16 may be of the type shown in FIG. 3, where the hosel 16 extends upward perpendicularly from the side 19 from which it extends. In this case, the hosel 16 is centrally located on the side 19 from which it extends. The hosel 6 could also be of the type show in FIGS. 7 and 8, where the hosel 16 extends upwardly at an oblique with respect to the side 19 from which it extends. The hosel 16 will provide a different feel than that of hosel 16 and may be a matter of preference to a user 44 of the club 12. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the hosel 16 is not centered within the side 19 from which it extends, one side 46 of the hosel 16 is aligned with a bottom side 19. In both designs of the head 14, the opposite striking faces 24 allow the club 12 to be used by a right or left handed user 44. It is further noted that a given striking face 24 may further be arranged to be essentially parallel to the shaft axis S A, thus further promoting the hitting of the drivable peg 26 in a square manner that promotes maximum energy transfer along the axis of the drivable peg 26.

[0030] The shaft 38 of a driver, fairway, or hybrid club 12 is typically made of strong, flexible material such as a graphite composite, aluminum, fiberglass, or another similar material. Having a shaft 38 be made of such a material allows the club 12 to be relatively light, durable, flexible, and able to transfer torque during a swing. This material choice for the shaft 38, though, is unlike the optimal choice for a putter shaft. For a putter shaft, stiffness and minimal or no torque and twisting during use are desired to promote both accuracy and efficient energy transfer. Thus, putter shafts, unlike a shaft 36 of a non-putter club, are typically made of steel.

[0031] The club 12, in one variation, may be used with a mat or platform 50, with the mat 50 defining a flat surface 52 on which the user 44 is able to stand. The mat or platform 50, in the version illustrated in FIG. 1, carries a driving block system 53, as particularly shown in FIG. 1A. The driving block system 53 generally includes a block mount or holder 54 and a block 56, with the block 56, in turn, carrying one or more drivable pegs 26. In the version of FIG. 1, the block 56 is in the form of a wood block, and the holder 54 is adapted for holding the wood block 56 within it. The holder 54 has a flange 60 on its bottom end that is used to attach the holder 54 to the mat 50. The mat or platform 50 may be made of any material that is substantial enough to support and anchor the holder 54 and, by extension the block 56, even during practice driving, and to withstand the weight of the user 44. Thus, the mat 50 may be made of plywood, fiberglass, plastic, hard rubber, metal, or similar materials. Where the mat 50 and the driving block system S3 are desired to constitute a portable system, the components together should further be light enough to carry, and the mat 50 could be provided with a handle (not shown) to facilitate carrying thereof. The holder 54 has a back side 62 and inner side 64, and an outer side 66. It is contemplated that the holder 54 may, instead, be moved to the opposite side of the mat 50 as that shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows the holder 54 positioned in a right-handed user's 44 position, the holder 54 can be placed on the opposite side of the mat 50 to accommodate a left-handed user 44. The outer side 66 of the holder 54 includes a screw type clamp 70 that is used to clamp the wood block 56 between the outer side 66 and the opposite inner side 64. The back side 62 is adapted for receiving force as the block 56 is struck. It is to be understood that any holder 54 that adequately anchors and steadies the block 56 to permit striking of the one or more drivable pegs 26 carried thereby is considered to be within the scope of the present driving block system 53.

[0032] To use the practice arrangement the user 44 will install the wood block 56 as it is shown in FIG. 1. Next the user 44 may use a nail for the drivable peg 26, first starting the nail 26 into the block 56. The nail 26 may be sticking out of the block 56 as nearly perpendicular to the block. 56 as possible, in order to facilitate driving and not bending of the nail 26. It is possible to use a screw in place of the nail 26, and this would require significantly more force to drive into the block 56. However, some may wish to enhance the resistance by doing so. With the nail 26 started, the user 44 will stand on the mat 50, as shown in FIG. 1. He/she will then draw the club 12 back as in a traditional swing, as shown in FIG. 1. The user 44 will then swing the club 12 as would be normally done in a golf swing to strike the nail 26 with the striking face 24. The user 44 can see how far the nail 26 has been driven with each hit as a measure of swing strength. When the nail 26 is fully driven into the block 56, the user 44 may start a nail 26 in another location in the block 56. When the block 56 has many nails 26 driven into it, the user can flip the block 56 and re-clamp it so that a new face is exposed within the holder 54. The block 56 may also be replaced with a new block 56.

[0033] Other alternatives can be associated with the driving block system 53. First of all, the driving block system 53, in variations thereof, may be used without the mat 50. To do so, it is understood that the block holder 54 would need to include an anchor mechanism (akin to 60 as used in the embodiment of FIG. 1) to mount the block 56 stationary while driving a drivable peg 26 into the block 56. The anchor mechanism can be, by way of example only, anchor weights, a stake 60s (as per FIG. 9) for driving into the ground (if being used outdoors), or a latch or vise element to permit anchoring to another stationary object (such variants not shown).

[0034] Additionally, other variants can be used for the drivable peg 26 to be driven into the block 56. One such variant can be a reusable through-peg 26a, as shown in FIG. 9 and associated with the driving block system 53a. The through-peg 26a is of sufficient length sufficient length to extend all the way through the block and still having enough material associated therewith to extend out at least one side of the block 56a. The reusable through-peg 26a can be driven into one side of the block 56a only to have the opposite end of the through-peg 26a be driven out the other side of the block 56a. To perform the next round of practice driving, the through-peg 26a would simply need to be driven from the opposite side of the block 56a. In such an instance where some sort of reusable peg 26a were to be employed, the block 56a would not necessarily have to be made of wood but instead made of, for example, a plastic, composite, or any material sufficiently durable and stiff enough to withstand, repeatedly, the driving action upon the one or more reusable pegs 26a and to provide adequate resistance for that driving action. Likewise, the reusable through-peg 26a can be made of any material (e.g., metal, composite, etc.) that can withstand repeated hitting and resist wear associated with being driven into/through the block 56.

[0035] In yet another variation, the block holder 54 can be provided with a lock-pivot mechanism (not shown), to permit quick reversal of the side of the block 56 to be used for practice driving. Further, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 10, the block 56 and/or the drivable peg 26a may be provided with one or more sensors 72 (e.g., pressure, force, etc.). The one or more sensors 72 can be linked (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to a digital controller 74 (e.g., a computer or PLC) and/or a display 76. Such a layout can permit, e.g., a readout from a given sensor 72 to be displayed and/or saved to a computer memory. In particular, the readout can be displayed and/or saved in terms of a force generated by the user 44, or, of course, possibly converted into an approximate drive distance. The generated data can further be manipulated by the digital controller 74 for, e.g., training purposes.

[0036] Yet further, the driving block system 53 may be provided with additional sound deadening mechanisms (e.g., within the block 56 via foam or some other known sound-absorbing material; and/or on one or more sides (e.g., sides not receiving the drivable pegs 26) thereof), one variation of which is shown in FIG. 9. The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 provides for a block 56 with a hollow outer block member 56o and interior sound deadening insert 56i. The outer block 56o is configured to provide the structural features (e.g., durability, stiffness, resistance to driving of the through-peg 26a) expected of the block, while the interior insert 56i is primarily configured to provide sound deadening (e.g., via material choice (e.g., loam or another low-density and/or porous filler material) and/or via structural features such as a honeycomb or other lattice structure that impedes sound travel). Further, the interior insert 56i may be chosen so as to target a desired overall resistance associated with the driving of a through-peg 26a (i.e., the insert 56i might be configured to provide less resistance (possibly little or none) if the outer block 56o is intended to provide most of the resistance during hitting). By providing some sort of sound deadening mechanism, it may more readily facilitate the use of this practice system in, e.g., indoor driving range facilities, garages, or, possible even, homes. The insert 56i could be provided, by way of example, via co-molding with outer block 56o; insertion into a four or five-sided block element 56o (i.e., one or two sides open to permit insertion), with the possibility of attaching (e.g., via bolting, welding, etc.) the one or two missing sidewalls, upon insertion; or by any other desired means. It is also to be understood that, while the through-peg 26a is shown used with the block 56a incorporating a sound-deadening interior 56i, it is to be understood that a through-peg 26a could be used with a more standard block 56.

[0037] The use of the club 12 of this golf practice arrangement teaches a user 44 to hit the sweet spot of a traditional golf club by training the user 44 to hit the small striking face 24 on a nail 26, which is a small target, and teaches the user 44 to hit the target (i.e., the drivable peg 26) square. Feedback is instantly provided every swing by how far the drivable peg (e.g., nail) 26 is driven and by the feel through the swing. The area of the striking face 24 is approximately the size of the sweet spot of an ordinary golf club. Additionally, the alignment of the striking face 24 relative to both the body axis B of the body 18 of the head 14 and relative to the shaft axis A of the club shaft 38 help to ensure that the drivable peg 26 is struck square and true, getting maximum energy transfer to the drivable peg 26, while minimizing the tendency to bend the drivable peg 26. In an embodiment, a sensor-feedback system (such as per FIG. 10) may be included, allowing more specific force/driving data to be displayed and/or recorded through use of a display readout, computer, and/or a digital controller.

[0038] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate another version of the golf practice club in the form of a club 112 having a head 114, a hosel 116, and a shaft 138. Like numbered elements as those set forth above with respect to the club 12 can be expected to have similar construction and function, except where expressly stated to the contrary. Foremost, the head 114, while still being essentially configured as a mallet or hammer head, is adjustably mounted via a pivot mount system 160. Further, the weight and general balance of the head 114 may be chosen to replicate that of a standard club size, while the pivot mount system 160 is configured to permit selective positioning of the head 114 in any of various locations so as to mimic the feel and swing of any of a variety of clubs (e.g., wood; 5 iron; wedge; etc.). Thus, a single club 112 and head 114 can be used to train for play with any of a range of regular clubs typically used on a golf course.

[0039] The pivot mount system 160, providing a connection between the head 114 and the hosel 116, includes a mounting pin 162, a mounting nut 164, an inset spring 166, a first pin receiver 168 extending from the hosel 116, and a second pin receiver 170 extending from the head 114. The mounting pin 162 includes a cylindrical pin body 172, a cylindrical head end 174, and threaded end 176 (distal to the cylindrical head end 174). The first pin receiver 168 include a first through hole portion 178 and a second through hole portion 180, the first through hole portion 178 being in communication with and larger in diameter than the second through hole portion 180.

[0040] The first through hole portion 178 is configured to rotatably receive and retain therein the cylindrical head end 174. Meanwhile, the second through hole portion 180 is able to receive and thereby pivotably retain the cylindrical pin body 72. Thus, the first pin receiver 168 is configured to rotatably receive yet retain the mounting pin 162. The retention of the first end portion of the mounting pin 162 relative to the first pin receiver 68 is facilitated by the cylindrical head end 174 being too large to fit through the second through hole portion 180 of the first pin receiver 168. It is further to be understood that the cylindrical head end 174 may be provided with an internal hex key end, a Phillips and/or flat screwdriver slotting, and/or another means by which the cylindrical head end may be turned and torqued to facilitate threading with the mounting nut 164 via the threaded end 176 of the mounting pin 162. The attached mounting nut 164 thereby ensures the retention a the second end portion of the mounting pin 162, relative to the second pin receiver 170.

[0041] The second pin receiver 170, per the illustrated embodiment, may particularly include a two-portion through hole 182, an inner pin-receiving portion 184 and an outer nut receiving portion 186. The inner pin-receiving portion 184 faces the first pin receiver 168 and is configured to receive a portion of the cylindrical pin body 172 therethrough (i.e., cylindrical to match the portion of the pin body 172 received thereby). Meanwhile, the outer nut receiving portion 86 is sized and configured to receive the mounting nut 64 therein. For example, both may have a standard hex nut shape. By the outer nut receiving portion 186 and the mounting nut 164 fitting together in such a manner, it helps to reduce the chances of the mounting nut 164 from coming unthreaded from the threaded end 176 of the mounting pin 162. That nested configuration also reduces the opportunity for wear of those connected portions. It is to be understood that the inner pin-receiving portion 184 and the corresponding portion of the mounting pin 162 received therethrough could be co-sized in a manner to prevent rotation (e.g., polygonal; a shape with a key element, etc.). In essence, an inner pin-receiving portion 184 and the corresponding portion of the mounting pin 162 formed in such a manner would act along with the anti-rotation feature offered by the outer nut receiving portion 186 and the mounting nut 64 to create a redundant locking effect.

[0042] The inset spring 166 is carried on the mounting pin 162 with one end of the inset spring 166 being inset in the second through hole portion 178 of the first pin receiver 168 and the other end thereof being inset in the inner pin-receiving portion 184 of the second pin receiver 178. The inset spring 166, by being so mounted, biases against the first pin receiver 168 and the second pin receiver 170. Such biasing, in turn, acts on the opposed ends of the mounting pin 162 in manner that resists rotation/pivoting of the pivot mount system 160.

[0043] Accordingly, between tightening action offered by the mounting nut 164 and spring force generated by the inset spring 166, the head 114 can be set a particular angle relative to the hosel 116 and expect to be retained in the desired angular position over the course of number of practice swings and/or until expressly reset by the user. Such resetting may be achieved by loosening the mounting pin 162 relative to the mounting nut 164, repositioning the head 114 to a desired angle, and the retightening that connection. Alternatively, depending on how tight that connection was originally, it may be possible merely to apply enough force to the head 114 to cause it to pivot relative to the hosel 116 via the mounting pin 162.

[0044] Although not shown, it is to be understood that the pivot mount system 160 involve indicia thereon in order to signify particular club settings, lift angles, etc. Further, the pivot mount system 160 can be provided with preferred pivot locations (e.g., click-in locations, not shown) corresponding to those particular club settings or club angles. The user can then further benefit by knowing exactly which type of club the practice club 112 may be set to mimic at a given time.

[0045] FIGS. 11-13 further illustrate a means by which to attach the hosel 116 to the shaft 138. In particular, the shaft 138 has a threaded shaft mount hole 190 formed therein, the hosel 116 has a countersunk through hole 192 therein (a portion of which may or may not be threaded), and a small threaded connector 194 may be extended through the countersunk hole 192 so as to threadingly engage with the threaded shaft mount hole 190. It is to be further understood that a head (not labelled) of the small threaded connector 194 may reside in the countersunk portion of the countersunk through hole 192 in the hosel 116. Finally, while shown to be a hex-keyed style connector, it is to be understood that small threaded connector 194 may instead be configured to be engaged by a standard screwdriver or another tightening mechanism and still be within the desired scope.

[0046] The invention is not limited to the details given above, but may be modified within the scope of the following claims. It is further understood that any of the various features described above are not necessarily limited to use with a particular embodiment and may, instead, be used in conjunction with any of the other variations contemplated (i.e., features provided herein may be mixed and matched and be within the scope of the present system)