Patent Application
20250235755
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an adjustable golf club head. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to an adjustable club head of a golf putter comprising one or more adjustable weights for a custom-fit golf club for a user.
Traditionally, golfers have varying styles of grips and stances when putting. Accordingly, manufacturers provide putters that have many different lengths, grips, and/or styles (e.g., mallet putters, blade putters, center shafted putters, heel shafted putters, etc.). A golfer therefore must try out numerous putters in an attempt to find one that has is optimal for his or her style of putting. Still, a golfer may need the help of golf professionals or rely on trial and error to adjust the mechanics of their golf swing to improve their putting skills.
In general, the existing golf clubs include a one-piece structure. As a result, golf clubs of various shapes and lengths were produced to fit the golfer's height, arm length, and swinging mechanics. Accordingly, a golfer may need to try several different clubs before finding a suitable club. In some cases, golfers may not be able to find a suitable club, thereby requiring them to modify aspects of their swinging mechanics to compensate for deficiencies in the club.
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an adjustable golf club including one or more adjustable components. The one or more adjustable components allow a user to design a custom-fit putter according to the user's requirements in a manner that enhances the performance of the user on the course. The golf putter may include an adjustable shaft and/or an adjustable weighting assembly that is operable to correct and balance the golf putter in a manner which accommodates the swing of the user.
One embodiment of the present disclosure describes a golf club head, comprising a main body defining an opening formed on a surface of the main body and a slot assembly configured to be received in and detachably couple to the opening. The slot assembly comprises a plurality of slots, wherein each of the slots is configured to receive and detachably couple to a weight.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure describes a golf club, comprising an adjustable shaft and a golf club head. The adjustable shaft is telescopically adjustable in length. The golf club head comprises a main body defining an opening formed on a surface of the main body, and a slot assembly configured to be received in and detachably couple to the opening. The slot assembly comprises a plurality of slots wherein each of the slots is configured to receive and detachably couple to a weight.
Other objectives and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way for example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
Although, the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects, and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.
The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles. Furthermore, the drawings may contain text or captions that may explain certain embodiments of the present disclosure. This text is included for illustrative, non-limiting, explanatory purposes of certain embodiments detailed herein. In the drawings:
Embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. The features depicted in the figures are not necessarily shown to scale. Certain features of the embodiments may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
The present specification is directed towards multiple embodiments. The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Language used in this specification should not be interpreted as a general disavowal of any one specific embodiment or used to limit the claims beyond the meaning of the terms used therein. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
In the description and claims of the application, each of the words “units” represents the dimension in any units such as centimeters, meters, inches, foots, millimeters, micrometer and the like and forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated.
In the description and claims of the application, each of the words “comprise”, “include”, “have”, “contain”, and forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated. Thus, they are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It should be noted herein that any feature or component described in association with a specific embodiment may be used and implemented with any other embodiment unless clearly indicated otherwise.
Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. § 112, 16, no claim element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element.
Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items from the list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.”
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. The present invention contains headers. It should be understood that these headers are used as references and are not to be construed as limiting upon the subjected matter disclosed under the header.
This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure.
The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.
It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.
The adjustable shaft 102 is shown connected to the adjustable club head 200 with a hosel 104 in
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the adjustable shaft 102 may be implemented as multiple shaft members that are telescopically moveable to facilitate adjustment of the length of the adjustable shaft. The length of the adjustable shaft 102 is adjustable along its longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the length of each section of the adjustable shaft 102 may be is adjustable up to approximately 6 inches in order to accommodate the physical stature (e.g., height, arm length, etc.) of the user.
adjustable shaft 102 may selectively be adjusted to a fixed or locked position length using a mechanical adjustment tool. Using the mechanical adjustment tool, e.g. a screw or a pin, the user can selectively move the shaft up and down throughout the 6 inches of adjustability to find the length that accommodates the physical stature of the user. The adjustable shaft 102 may be fixed or locked into position once the correct length is obtained, and then can be unlocked and readjusted using the mechanical adjustment tool.
In another embodiment, multiple shafts of different lengths which can be detachably coupled to the hosel to allow for the selection of a golf club of a desired length.
In accordance with one or more embodiments, the adjustable club head 200 includes one or more slots, grooves, or channels (referred to hereinafter simply as “slots”) placed on a surface of the club head. For example,
Different placements of the weights may have different effects on the adjustable club head 200, which in turn, may affect the swing of the user. The different options for placement of the weights allows for an ideal balance that is customized to each user.
In one embodiment, the golf putter may be provided with a weighting kit that comprises multiple sets of different weights that can be interchangeably placed in the slot assembly 300. In one embodiment, the slot assembly 300 may include one or more pre-installed weights, with additional weights that may be provided via the kit.
In
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the slot assembly 204 may include one or more slots, grooves, or channels and one or more weights placed therein. In one embodiment, the multiple slots, grooves, or channels may be connected and arranged parallel to each other, and each of the multiple slots, grooves, or channels may be configured to receive a weight from the weighting kit associated with the golf putter.
The golf putter according to embodiments of the present disclosure facilitates the selective adjustment in weight and/or length of the golf putter by the user and a self-fitting process or guide for users on how to custom-configure the golf putter. Measurements such as the physical stature or measurements of the user may be used to find the optimum or best length, and then guide the user through a self-fitting process to find the ideal head-weight and weight placement that works best for the user.
The self-fitting process for the ideal head-weight and weight placement allows the user, through a series of shots, to determine whether the putter is too light or too heavy. The self-fitting process may identify whether the user has a consistent defect in their swing and determine a weight placement and or weight combination that corrects the defect. This facilitates creation of a personalized putter adjustment that combines the height, head-weight, and weight placement in the golf putter.
In one embodiment, the user interface of a self-fitting system may prompt players to swing a few times with the putter in an initial predefined weight configuration, and then request feedback on whether the putter feels too light, too heavy, or if it feels good. Depending on the answers, the interface of the self-fitting process may recommend a different weight setting. The process is repeated until the user says it feels good. This may determine the user's new base weight setting which is then used for the rest of the fitting.
In one embodiment, the interface of the self-fitting system may prompt the user to pick a target and hit at it a few times. Based on those hits, the system may prompt the user for input to determine whether the ball went short, long or was right at the target. Depending on the answer to these prompts, the system will either keep the weights the same or make a new recommendation that adjusts where heavier weights are placed within the different weight locations in slots of one or more slotting mechanisms. This process may be repeated until the best possible outcome has been reached.
Using the new weight settings, in one embodiment, the user interface of the self-fitting system may ask the user to hit a few more times at the target. In one embodiment, the system looks at the accuracy of the ball and asks if the system consistently went right, left or directly at the target. Depending on the user's answers, the system may generate a new combination of weights to put into the weight locations in one or more slot assemblies while considering the earlier generated weight placement. The process is then repeated until the user reaches their best possible outcome.
Once the user has reached their overall best possible outcome the fitting is complete and the user may not need to unscrew the slot assembly again until they want to make another change. The fitting system can be repeated whenever the user would like to make sure they can adjust to perform their best.
The user hits a target with a golf ball by swinging the adjustable golf club in step 502. The setting system asks the user one or more questions after the hits, to request for an input in step 504. The questions are based on one or more parameters.
The one or more parameters are the user feels the weight of adjustable golf putter-fine or heavy or light, the distance of the ball from the target-near the target or far from the target and the direction of the ball from the target-towards the left or towards the center or towards the right
Later, the user provides the input to the setting system in step 506. Following which, the setting system suggests the user with different configurations of multiple weights in the three slots in step 508. The different configuration is the arrangement of one or more weights in the three slots of the club head. Finally, user adjusts the one or more weights as per the suggestions of the setting system to re-balance the club head in step 510.
In another embodiment, the setting system can be a user manual for a user to re-balance the club head or adjust the club head according to the user.
In another embodiment, the self-fitting or setting process for the ideal head-weight and weight placement will take the user through a series of shots to determine whether the putter is too light or too heavy.
The self-fitting process will then identify whether the user has a consistent miss and determine a weight placement and or weight combination that corrects the miss. This will create a personalized putter adjustment that combines the height, head-weight, and weight placement in the golf putter.
While embodiments of the disclosure describe the head of a golf putter, embodiments of the invention may be used with any type of golf club.
While illustrative implementations of the application have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art.
Reference throughout this specification to “one implementation” or “an implementation” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation is included in at least one implementation of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one implementation” or “in some implementations” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementations.
Systems and methods describing the present invention have been described. It will be understood that the descriptions of some embodiments of the present invention do not limit the various alternative, modified, and equivalent embodiments which may be include within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description above, numerous specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, some embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present embodiments.
This application claims benefit of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/481,208 filed Jan. 24, 2023. The aforementioned related patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
