Club Head with External Hosel

Abstract

An adjustable golf club head and method of manufacturing the adjustable golf club head. The adjustable golf club head consists of a striking face, a soleplate, a crown, and a skirt connecting the face, the soleplate and the crown with the flange and hosel assembly being adjustably attached to the skirt. The flange and hosel assembly may be moved: laterally, tilted, vertically, both laterally and vertically, allowing for the optimization of one or more of the following specifications—loft angle, lie angle, face angle, center of gravity and face progression.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to a golf apparatus, and more particularly to golf clubs, and more particularly to golf woods, adjustable golf woods, drivers, fairway metal clubs and hybrid style clubs.

2. Related Art

Golf club makers may use slightly different manufacturing processes. Some parts of the manufacturing process may be unique to one company and regarded as trade secrets. Regardless of the type of process, woods, which may be drivers, fairway woods, and hybrid style clubs, generically “woods,” are typically designed the same. Throughout this disclosure, “club head” and “wood head” may be used interchangeably. The head is comprised of a sole (bottom), skirt (about the periphery), a crown (top) and a face (the hitting surface). Formed in the crown and adjacent, and attached to, the skirt is a hosel, which receives the club shaft. The hosel is typically constructed within the periphery of the skirt. When a club is swung, it rotates about the longitudinal axis of the club shaft, and hence the hosel. The speed of rotation is greater as the distance increases along an axis perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the club shaft. In conventional woods the center of gravity is positioned in the vicinity of the longitudinal axis of the club shaft, at some midpoint of the club head, and separated from the horizontal axis of the shaft. The stability of the wood head is adequate because of the relation between the point of application of force, the hosel, and the center of gravity since the axial moment of inertia about the shaft is small. Maximum force is imparted to the golf ball by impacting the wood head where the center of gravity projects to the face of the club. Club manufacturers endeavor to adjust the center of gravity of the club head by placing weights interior to the club head so as to move the center of gravity from the hosel without materially affecting the stability and feel of the club.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,526 teaches a club head wherein the hosel is extended from the club head in order to increase the axial moment of inertia. Additionally, the '526 patent discloses a club head in which the hosel is a continuation of, and integral to, the crown of the club head. Both the club face and the soleplate are connected to the neck/hosel. However, any benefits derived from increasing the moment of inertia are lost due to an increase in vibration and loss of stability. The present invention is designed to minimize these problems while increasing the axial moment of inertia of the club head, with the additional benefit of providing adjustability.

In addition to the methodology described above, adjustable woods which may be drivers, fairway woods, and hybrid style clubs, generically “woods”, are typically designed the same. The adjustable club head is comprised of a crown (top), a sole (bottom), a skirt (about the periphery) and a face (the hitting surface). Formed in the crown is a hosel designed to accept the adjustability adaptor sleeve which is secured to the shaft. The bottom of the hosel structure contains a seating mechanism to position the shaft at the desired rotational position. A threaded screw type connector extends upward through the bottom of the hosel structure and connects the adaptor sleeve, securing it in place. This adjustability design affects loft, lie and face angle with the goal of fine tuning and optimizing club head performance to fit a golfer's specific needs. Other key design elements such as center of gravity location and face progression can be interrelated with loft, lie and face angle to optimize adjustable club head performance.

Loft is measured in degrees of the angle at which the club face lies in relation to a plane perpendicular to the intended target line and perpendicular to the ground. Loft of a club head determines the launch angle of a golf ball at impact. Players seek an initial launch angle that will provide a desired trajectory. The desired trajectory is one that will maximize overall distance (carry and roll) while also maintaining a desired accuracy range. Club head speed and consistency in delivering the club head “square” to the target line are major factors in determining the ideal loft.

Lie angle is measured in degrees and is the angle between the center of the shaft and the club head's sole. The lie angle of the club head establishes the directional plane of the loft. When the club head strikes the golf ball in the desired lie position, the plane of the face will be perpendicular or square to the target. Thus the ball will start on the intended line of direction. If the toe of the club head is higher than the heel at impact, the face will be aligned “closed” to the target line and the ball will start left of the target (for a right handed player). Conversely if the heel of the club is higher than the toe at impact, the face will be aligned “open” to the target line and the ball will start right of the target (for a right handed player).

Face angle is measured in degrees and refers to the position of a golf club's face relative to the target line. Face angle has a direct relationship on the effective or real loft of the club face at impact, the tendency to impart hooking or slicing sidespin to the ball and also the tendency to push the ball from the intended line of flight. Players with a tendency to “over rotate” the club face just prior to impact may benefit from a slightly “open” face angle in their clubs. This will help them deliver the club face square or perpendicular to the target line at impact. Conversely, players who have difficulty rotating the club face to the square position just prior to impact may benefit from a closed face angle to help them deliver the club face square or perpendicular to the target line at impact.

Center of gravity location in a club head represents a point inside the club head determined by the vertical intersection of two or more points where the club head balances. The lower the club head's center of gravity, toward the sole, the higher the ball flight and the higher a club head's center of gravity, toward the crown, the lower the ball flight given all other design characteristics remain unchanged. The farther back from the club head's face the center of gravity is located the higher the ball flight and the closer to a club head's face the center of gravity is located the lower the ball flight given all other design characteristics remain unchanged.

Face progression is measured as the distance from the centerline of the shaft to the farthest front portion of the face on its centerline. When face progression is reduced, the plane intersecting the centerline of the shaft lying perpendicular to the target line is moved closer to the face's front leading edge. The result when executing a swing is the club face arrives to the ball later in the swing, allowing the player more time to “square” the club face to the target line prior to impact. When face progression is increased, the distance between the plane intersecting the centerline of the shaft and lying perpendicular to the target line is moved farther from the face's leading edge. The result when executing a swing is the club face arrives sooner to the ball allowing a player less time to “square” the club face to the target line prior to impact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a golf club head including a club head body that includes a striking face, a soleplate, a skirt, a toe, and a heel. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the hosel is displaced from the club head by means of a flange. It is also another object of the present invention to provide a club head wherein the flange and hosel assembly may be placed at any point along the skirt of the club head.

In the present invention the flanged hosel, and thus the club shaft, positioned in an external location from the club head. The flanged hosel may be adjustably placed at any location on the periphery of the skirt. A range of shaft position options (relative to the plane of the club face) are possible by the permanent or adjustable positioning of the flanged hosel at various positions on the skirt of the club head. The flanged hosel does not at any point intersect with the crown, sole or face of the club head. This adjustable design allows the club head to maintain a consistent shape, allows for an offering of shaft positions that are pleasing to the eye and deliver the club head to an impact position based on the individual player type's needs, and thus performance will be improved.

In view of the above, adjustability in a club head plays an important role in optimizing club head performance and the present invention provides for an adjustable club head design and a method of manufacturing an adjustable head. The adjustable club head body is comprised of a face (hitting surface), a sole (bottom), a crown (top) and a skirt (about the periphery) wherein the hosel is displaced from the club head by means of a flange.

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable club head including an adjustable club head body that is comprised of a face, sole, crown and skirt wherein the skirt comprises a periphery and a flange and hosel assembly is adjustably attached to the periphery of the skirt.

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable club head including an adjustable club head body that is comprised of a face, sole, crown and skirt wherein the flange and hosel assembly is affixed to the skirt and an adjustable shaft adaptor system is located in the hosel. With the flange and hosel assembly permanently fixed in one location, the hosel may be configured in such a way to accept and secure an adaptor system connected to the shaft. This allows for the club to be adjusted for desired loft, lie angle and face angle.

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable club head including an adjustable club head body that is comprised of a face, sole, crown, and skirt wherein the flange and hosel assembly is laterally adjustable about the periphery of the skirt of the club head. This will allow the amount of face progression to be varied to fit the eye and playability characteristics desired by that individual player. Additionally, the lateral movement of the flange and hosel assembly will also reposition the club head's center of gravity in a lateral direction thus affecting trajectory. When face progression is reduced, the plane intersecting the centerline of the shaft and lying perpendicular to the target line is moved closer to the face's front leading edge. The result when executing the act of swinging at a ball is the club face arrives to the ball later in the swing, allowing the player more time to “square the clubface” to the intended target line prior to impacting the ball. When face progression is increased, the distance between the plane intersecting the centerline of the shaft and lying perpendicular to the target is moved farther from the face's leading edge. The result when executing the act of swinging at a ball is the clubface arrives sooner to the ball allowing the player less time to “square” itself to the intended target line prior to impacting the ball.

An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable club head including an adjustable club head body that is comprised of a face, sole, crown, and skirt wherein the flange and hosel assembly is attached to the skirt and may be configured in a manner to allow it to tilt vertically and then be re-secured in an adjusted position, clockwise or counterclockwise. When the flange and hosel assembly is tilted in a clockwise direction, the hosel is repositioned higher and closer to the crown than it was for its original neutral position. As the hosel moves higher, the effective loft of the club head is reduced. Conversely, when the flange and hosel assembly is tilted in a counterclockwise direction, the hosel moves lower and away from the crown than it was in its original neutral position. As the hosel moves lower, the effective loft of the club head increases. This particular method isolates loft adjustment from other characteristics of the club head's specifications.

An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable club head including an adjustable club head body that is comprised of a face, sole, crown, and skirt wherein the flange and hosel assembly may be configured in such a manner to allow it to be adjusted for position vertically along the periphery of the skirt. As the flange and hosel assembly is moved higher, closer to the crown, the effective lie angle measurement will increase and the center of gravity will be repositioned following the direction of the flange and hosel assembly's movement upward. When the flange and hosel assembly is moved lower, away from the crown, the effective lie angle measurement will decrease and the center of gravity will be repositioned following the direction of the flange hosel assembly's movement downward.

An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable club head including an adjustable club head body that is comprised of a face, sole, crown, and skirt wherein the flange and hosel assembly may be configured to allow it to be moved both laterally and vertically about the periphery of the skirt from its neutral position. This will allow the player to adjust face progression, lie angle and center of gravity location simultaneously. Once the flange and hosel assembly has been located in its desired position it is re-secured.

An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable club head including an adjustable club head body that is comprised of a face, sole, crown, and skirt wherein the periphery of the skirt is indented to form a slide track mechanism which in turn would receive the adjustable flange and hosel assembly. The adjustable flange and hosel assembly would move laterally, vertically and tilt within the perimeter of the slide track mechanism.

An object of this invention is to provide an adjustable club head including and adjustable club head body that is comprised of a face, sole, crown, and skirt wherein the minimum displacement of the adjustable flange and hosel assembly is 1 mm from the face and where the face maintains an unobstructed 360 degree striking surface.

An object of this invention is to provide an adjustable club head including an adjustable club head body that is comprised of a face, sole, crown, and skirt wherein the flange and hosel assembly is secured to the skirt by means of an attachment assembly.

An object of this invention is to provide a method of manufacturing an adjustable club head including an adjustable club head body comprising the following steps: a face, a soleplate, a crown and a skirt connecting the face the soleplate and the crown and the adjustable flange and hosel assembly is attached to the skirt by way of an attachment assembly. Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention may be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a conventional prior art golf club head.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a conventional prior art golf club head.

FIG. 3 a is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a wood-type club head of the invention.

FIG. 3 b is a lay-out view of the components of a flanged club head.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a wood-type club head of the invention showing displacement of the flange from the sole and showing the displacement of the hosel from the heel of the club head.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of club head of the invention showing displacement of the flange from the crown from the heel of the club head.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the club head of the invention as seen from the heel of the club head.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the club head of the invention showing the gap between hosel and the club face.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a hybrid club head of the type of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a fairway wood club head of the type of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective of a golf club head showing a shaft adaptor attached to the shaft positioned above the hosel and a threaded fastener positioned below the hosel.

FIG. 11 is a cutaway view of a hosel with a shaft adaptor attached to a shaft positioned above the hosel opening and a treaded fastener positioned below the hosel.

FIG. 12 is a side cutaway view of a shaft adaptor and shaft positioned inside the adaptor.

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of a golf club head showing a threaded fastener securing an adaptor located in the hosel and attached to the shaft.

FIG. 14 is a lay-out view of the components of a flanged club head.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective of a golf club head of the invention with the flange attached to the hosel and shaft.

FIG. 16 is a side perspective of a golf club head of the invention with an adjustable flange.

FIG. 17 is a front view of a flange containing a hosel.

FIG. 18 is a side perspective of a golf club head with an adjustability feature located on the heel side skirt.

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a golf club head and separate adjustable flange.

FIG. 20 is a top perspective of a golf club head showing a method of attachment of an adjustable flange.

FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of a golf club head showing an adjustable flange secured in place with a fastening system.

FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of a golf club head and adjustable flange system.

FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of a golf club head with an adjustable flange secured to the club head.

FIG. 24 is a side perspective of a golf club head as seen from the heel of the club.

FIG. 25 is a front view of a flange containing a hosel.

FIG. 26 is a rear or outside view of a flange containing a hosel.

FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of a golf club head with a flange and hosel assembly secured to a club head.

FIG. 28 is a top perspective view of a golf club head positioned with the leading edge of the face touching a reference line.

FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of a golf club head positioned with the leading edge of the face touching a reference line.

FIG. 30 is a side perspective view of a golf club head as seen from the heel side of the club head.

FIG. 31 is a side perspective view of a golf club head as seen from the heel side of the club head.

FIG. 32 is a side perspective view of a golf club head as seen from the heel side of the club head.

FIG. 33 is a side perspective view of a golf club head as seen from the heel side of the club head.

FIG. 34 is a side perspective view of a golf club head as seen from the heel side of the club head.

FIG. 35 is a side perspective view of a golf club head as seen from the heel side of the club head.

FIG. 36 is a side perspective view of a golf club head as seen from the heel side of the club head.

FIG. 37 is a side perspective view of a golf club head as seen from the heel side of the club head.

FIG. 38 is a side perspective view of a golf club head as seen from the heel side of the club head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a prior art golf club head is shown. The golf club head 1 includes a face 3, a soleplate 11, a crown 2, a toe 5, a heel 6, a skirt 7, or other structure, used in connecting the crown 2 to the soleplate 11, and a hosel 4 to which a golf club shaft 12 is secured, as well as any weight member(s) which might be incorporated into the club head 1. As is readily apparent, the hosel is within the periphery of club head 1, and flows directly from crown 2.

Although a driver type golf club head, frequently called a “wood,” is disclosed herein in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the concepts underlying the present invention may be applied to a variety of golf club head types, for example, fairway woods and hybrids, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 3a and 3b, these figures describe a wood of the invention wherein the hosel is displaced from the body of the wood club head, i.e., on the periphery of skirt 27 of the club head. The golf club head 20 includes a face 23, a soleplate 21, a crown 22, a toe 25, a heel 26, and a skirt 27. Affixed to skirt 27 is flange 29, which is constructed to receive hosel 24 to which a golf club shaft 32 is secured. The flange 29 forms a channel 32a between the skirt 27 and the hosel 24. The face 23 has a plurality of score lines or grooves 33 thereon to provide spin to the golf ball. Also, the face 23 is attached to the club head 20 around a periphery or rim 1000 of the face 23 (see FIG. 5). As can be seen in the figures, the crown 22, face 23 and soleplate 21 do not intersect any portion of flange 29. This allows club head 20 to maintain a consistent shape and design without altering the components of club head 20. The displacement of hosel 24 from club head 20 permits a more aerodynamic design of the club head.

Hosel 24 is affixed to or molded with flange 29. Hosel 24 is positioned at a selected angle upward from flange 29. The longitudinal axis of hosel 24 may be at any selected angle relative to face 23 and/or to the heel 26 of club head 20. In the preferred embodiment, this angle is about 60°. Hosel 24 may then receive a club shaft 32 of a selected length and with selected characteristics. Also shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 8-9 are score marks 33, traditionally etched on faces of drivers. FIG. 4 discloses club head 20 with reference lines between the heel portion 26 of skirt 27 (where flange 29 attaches to the skirt) and hosel 24 to show the displacement d₁ of the hosel from the club head body. The hosel 24 may be displaced at any selected distance from club head 20, but the minimum distance that hosel 24 may be displaced from the club head body is about 1 mm. Also shown on FIG. 4 is the displacement d₂ between soleplate 21 and the lower edge of flange 29. Flange 29 may be displaced any selected distance from soleplate 21, however, the minimum distance that flange 29 may be displaced from soleplate 21 is about 2 mm. FIG. 5 discloses club head 20 with reference lines between the heel end of crown 22 and the top portion of flange 29 where it meets skirt 27, showing distance d₃. Flange 29 may be displaced any selected distance from crown 22, however, the minimum distance d₃ between crown 22 and the top of flange 29 is about 2 mm. FIG. 5 also shows the width w of flange 29 between crown 22 and soleplate 21. FIG. 6 is a side prospective view of the club head of the invention as seen from the heel of the club head and showing a portion of flange 29 spanning skirt 27.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of club head 20 with soleplate 21 in plan view. The intersection of soleplate 21 and face 23 shows predominantly as a straight line. Distance d₄ is the displacement of flange 29 behind the leading edge of face 23. Flange 29 may be displaced any selected distance behind the leading edge of face 23, however, the minimum distance of d₄ is 1 mm. Also shown on FIG. 7 is the lateral length l of flange 29 along skirt 27. The length l and width w of the part of the flange attaching to skirt 27 determines the amount of stability of the club head. The minimum ratio of length l versus width w of flange 29 is about 1.25 to 1, but is much greater in this preferred embodiment.

Club head 20 is fabricated in its normal manner except for the absence of hosel 24. Flange 29 is securely fastened to skirt 27 at a selected point on skirt 27 of club head 20, the flange 29 extending to a selected point along the periphery of skirt 27 and either toward the back of the club head, or toward soleplate 21, for providing additional structural support to club head 20. This flange reduces the amount of torque and vibration induced by the club head striking a golf ball and improves the characteristics of the golf club. Since flange 29 may be located at various positions on skirt 27, a club head may be made to specification in order to address a particular golfer's swing and to enable the golfer to more easily square up the club face to the target line at impact, and thus reducing the tendency to miss hit the shot.

With the ability to move hosel 24 forward or backward along the periphery of the club head, more design options are available to specifically relocate the center of gravity to the position delivering optimal performance to the golf ball. The center of gravity will change in the direction of the hosel location. If hosel 24 is situated higher on club head 20, the center of gravity of club head 20 will be higher, and conversely, if hosel 24 is situated lower on club head 20, the center of gravity will be lower. In addition, the additional amount of axial support by flange 29 will produce a better feel to the golfer. This construction also allows position of shaft 32 to be moved in relation to the plane of the club face without altering the design of the actual club head. This allows varying degrees of offset (measurement where the front of the hosel is located in front of the plane of the club face) to be designed into the club. When the shaft is located behind the plane of the club face the measurement (between the shaft's position and the club face plane) is defined as “face progression.” These different hosel positions are enabled by the various size and shape possibilities in flange design.

FIGS. 8 and 9 disclose a hybrid and fairway wood, respectively, each constructed in the method of the invention with the same numbering for like components.

FIG. 10 shows a golf club head 20, with a flange 29 that contains the hosel 24 for securing the shaft 32. The invention introduces an adaptor 34 attached to the shaft 32 and the adaptor 34 is to be positioned inside the hosel 24, and secured in place by a threaded fastener 35.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, these figures show a method by which the adaptor 34 is secured to the hosel 24 by a threaded fastener 35 extending upward through an opening in the bottom of the hosel 24. The adaptor has a scalloped shape (female) on the bottom that is laterally secured by the male fixturing located in the bottom interior walls of the hosel 24. The adaptor can be lifted and rotated to a desired positioning and re-secured by the re-attachment of the threaded fastener 35. FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view of the adaptor 34 with the shaft 32 positioned inside the adaptor. The shaft would typically be secured in its position with an epoxy type product. The shaft 32 is positioned in the adaptor at a slight angle. This designated angle allows the shaft to alter the relationship between the club face plane and the plane intersecting the centerline of the shaft that is positioned perpendicular to the intended target line as the shaft is rotationally repositioned. This desired result allows the golf club to be altered for loft, lie and club face angle. This adjustability feature allows the player to ‘fine tune’ the club's playing characteristics to his or her needs.

FIG. 13 shows the threaded fastener 35 secured in place through an opening located in the bottom side of the hosel 24 and attaching to the adaptor 34. The flange 29 and hosel 24 designed to accommodate the adaptor system of the invention may be permanently attached to the skirt 27 or the flange and hosel assembly may be adjustable in nature.

Shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are the components comprising the club head 20, a face 23, a crown 22, a sole 21 and a skirt 27. The club head is not altered in shape. The flange 29 and hosel 24 are attached to a shaft and then positioned at a desired location for isolating desired playability characteristic of said club. Those characteristics include the ability to alter and adjust loft, lie angle, face angle, center of gravity location and face progression.

FIG. 16 discloses a club head 20 with a flange 29 that incorporates horizontal slots 36, to allow the flange to be located at various horizontal locations along the skirt 27. The flange is positioned in the desired location and then secured at the points of attachment 37 with a fastening system. As the flange 29 is moved toward or away from the plane intersecting the club face 23, the hosel 24 whose purpose is to secure the shaft, will alter the positioning of the plane intersecting the centerline of the shaft and lying perpendicular to the target line. The distance between the centerline of the shaft and the most forward position of the club head 20 is defined as face progression. Face progression affects a player's ability to return the plane of the club face perpendicular or ‘square’ to the intended target line. The club head and club face rotates as the club is swung on the downswing. During the downswing, the toe of the club head is moving faster than the heel. Players vary in the speed with which they rotate the club head returning it to a square position at impact. Players who struggle to rotate the club head fast enough to return it to a square position at impact, benefit from a wood type club with less face progression. This will allow them slightly more time to complete rotating the club head back to a square position. Conversely, players who rotate the club head more actively on the down swing, benefit from a wood type club with more face progression, thus not giving them the additional time to over rotate the club face.

The club head's center of gravity will move in the same direction the flange and hosel assembly is moved. This is a result of the weight of the flange and hosel assembly being repositioned about the periphery of the club head. Center of gravity (CG) has an effect on both launch angle and spin rates. The science behind the CG location; the farther forward the center of gravity is positioned toward the club face, the lower the trajectory and spin rate (with all other factors constant). Moving CG farther away from the club's face horizontally will increase launch angle and spin rate (with all other factors constant).

FIG. 17 shows the inside surface of the flange 29 where it is secured to the skirt 27. In this drawing two slots 36 are visible in the flange to allow it to be attached to the club head's skirt 27. The inside surface of the flange 29 has been configured with ridges of teeth 38 to provide a secure fit against the skirt 27. An enlargement is provided showing this feature in more detail. The attachment of the adjustable flange relies on structural mechanisms to resist various stresses at impact. Additionally, this configuration dampens vibration by solidifying the lateral surface contact of the flange to the skirt.

FIG. 18 represents the heel side skirt 27 equipped with two threaded male connectors 40 to extend through the slots 36 in the flange 29. These connectors allow the flange to be held solidly in place adjacent to the skirt 27. Female connectors will lock and hold the flange securely in place. The skirt wall is also equipped with ridges of teeth 39 to engage with those located on the flange's inside surface. This serves as a locking mechanism to resist the lateral stresses occurring at impact. The secure fit of the flange and the skirt is key to reducing vibration.

The top perspective view of FIG. 19 shows the teeth ridges 39 positioned along the skirt wall and two threaded male connectors 40 extending outward from the skirt wall to receive the flange 29. The flange 29 assembly has teeth ridges 38 to lock into those located on the skirt 27. The slots 36 in the flange 29 allow for movement forward and backward in relation to the club head's face.

In FIG. 20 the flange 29 has been placed at a selected location about the skirt 27. The flange is secured from lateral movement by a system of interlocking teeth located on the skirt 39 and teeth 38 positioned on the inside of the flange 29. This interlocking system of teeth extends vertically on both the skirt 27 and flange 29. The male fasteners 40 extending from the skirt pass through the slots located in the flange. Female locking connectors 41 are seen in alignment with the protruding threaded male fasteners 40. FIG. 21 shows the flange 29 now secured to the skirt 27 and club head, with the female locking connectors 41 in place.

FIG. 22 shows an alternative method for utilizing a connector system wherein the skirt 27 contains a female connector 43 to receive a threaded male connector 42 that passes through the slot in the flange 29. In FIG. 23 a view of the flange 29 secured to the skirt 27 is presented with the male threaded connector 42 locked into place in the female connector 43 located in the skirt wall. The teeth 39 positioned on the skirt and the teeth 38 located on the flange are engaged securing the flange in place.

A method for allowing the flange and hosel assembly to be adjusted laterally utilizing a slide track system is represented in FIG. 24. A hollow chamber 46 containing moveable and lockable female connectors 44 is included in the club head's skirt 27. These female connectors 44 may be moved laterally, but the chamber's 46 configuration provides a surface structure lip 47 along the top and bottom. These surface structure lips 47 provide a foundation for resistance when locking down the female fasteners 44. The inside surface of the flange shown in FIG. 25 shows two threaded male fasteners 42 extending through the flange wall. These fasteners will be secured to the female connectors 44 located in the chamber on the skirt. These threaded male fasteners 42 have heads designed to be tightened into a locked position with a tightening tool as seen in FIG. 26.

In FIG. 27 a top perspective of the slide track system shows the flange 29 has been secured to the skirt 27 with the threaded male connectors 42 locked into place with the female connectors 44 located inside the chamber 46. The inside of the surface lips 47 are configured with teeth 48 to lock the female fasteners in place along the channel's lips. The female fasteners 44 are designed with teeth 49 to interlock along the surface lips of the chamber. This locking system provides vibration dampening to the adjustable system improving feel and confidence for the player.

In FIG. 28 a club head is seen in the playing position. A longer dashed line positioned vertically, touches the extreme forward position of the club face 23, or its leading edge. Displayed also is a dotted line intersecting the center of the shaft 32 and lying on the plane perpendicular to the target line. The distance d2 between the dashed line and the dotted line represents the measure of face progression for this particular club head. In FIG. 29 we see a club head with the extreme forward most part of its face 23 touching the long dashed vertical line. The dotted line intersecting the center line of the shaft 32 and lying on the plane perpendicular to the target line. The distance d1 between the dashed line and the dotted line represents the measure of face progression for this particular club head. Looking at FIGS. 28 and 29 together, we can see the flange 29, hosel 24 and shaft 32 are located farther forward (toward the leading edge of the club head) in FIG. 29 as compared to the club head shown in FIG. 28. Thus, the club head in FIG. 29 has less face progression than the club head of FIG. 28. With a laterally adjustable flange and hosel assembly the player can adjust the club head's measure of face progression to best fit his game for optimal results.

FIGS. 30, 31 and 32 represent the options available when the flange 29 is attached to the skirt 27 through a single point of attachment 37 as to allow the flange 29 to be tilted. A tilting of the flange 29 will reposition the angle of the hosel 24 designed to secure the shaft. The relationship between the plane intersecting the centerline of the hosel lying perpendicular to the target line and the plane of the club face is the club's loft. Loft is measured in degrees and in driver type clubs, generally ranges between 8 to 12 degrees.

In FIG. 30 we see a club head with the flange and hosel assembly positioned with the hosel in a “neutral” vertical position. In FIG. 31 we see the flange and hosel assembly has been moved upward (counter clockwise) around a pivot point 37. This adjustment reduces effective loft. When comparing the loft of the face 23 of the club head of FIG. 30 (neutral position) and that of the face 23 of the club head shown in FIG. 31, the club head of FIG. 31 has less loft than the club head of FIG. 30.

In FIG. 32 the flange and hosel assembly has been adjusted with forward portion of the assembly moving downward (counter clockwise) around pivot point 37. This adjustment increases effective loft. When comparing the loft of the face 23 of the club head of FIG. 32 and that of the face 23 of the club head of FIG. 30 (neutral position) the club head of FIG. 32 has more loft than the club head of FIG. 30.

The ability to independently adjust loft while not affecting lie or face angle maintains the playing characteristics of the club for the player. Should playing conditions change, the player can simply alter the loft of the club to increase or decrease to a desired initial launch angle.

FIGS. 33, 34 and 35 show a club head with a threaded male connector 40 extending from the skirt 27 and passing through the slot 36 in the flange 29. The slot 36 in the flange 29 is positioned vertically. This allows the flange 29 and the hosel 24 contained within the flange to be moved vertically in relation to the club head. FIG. 33 shows the threaded male fastener 40 positioned in the middle of the slot 36 located in the flange 29.

FIG. 34 presents the threaded male fastener positioned in the top of the slot 36 of the flange 29. In comparison to the positioning of the flange and hosel assembly of FIG. 33, the flange and hosel assembly is positioned lower on the club head of FIG. 34. This lower positioning of the flange and hosel assembly will lower the club head's center of gravity location. This lowering of the club head's center of gravity location will produce an increase in the launch angle at impact and increase the golf ball's spin rate.

FIG. 35 presents the threaded male fastener 40 positioned in the bottom of the slot 36 of the flange 29. In comparison to the positioning of the flange and hosel assembly of FIG. 33, the flange and hosel assembly is positioned higher on the club head of FIG. 35. This higher positioning of the flange and hosel assembly will raise the club head's center of gravity location. This raising of the club head's center of gravity location will produce a lower launch angle at impact and decrease the golf ball's spin rate.

FIGS. 36, 37 and 38 show a club head with a threaded male connector 40 extending from the skirt 27 and passing through the slot 36 in the flange 29. The slot 36 in the flange 29 is formed in such a manner to allow horizontal adjustability and vertical adjustability. FIG. 36 shows a threaded male fastener 40 located in a “neutral” or “central position” of the slot 36 of the flange 29. FIG. 37 shows the threaded male fastener positioned in the lower rear location of the slot 36 of the flange 29. FIG. 38 shows the threaded male fastener 40 positioned in the highest front location of the slot 36 of the flange 29. The adjustment options presented in this adjustability configuration include; face progression through the lateral movement of the flange and hosel assembly, center of gravity location both laterally and vertically, and lie angle when the flange 29 and club head's skirt 27 are designed with a matching lateral and vertical radius.

While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the introduction of new materials may change the characteristics of club design, and may permit reducing the size of the range. This invention may be embodied in many different forms should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising: a striking face;a soleplate;a crown;a skirt for connecting the face, the soleplate, and the crown; anda hosel displaced from the crown of the club head by a flange; anda shaft;an adapter coupled to said shaft; anda hosel coupled to said adapter for adjustably securing said shaft to said club head.

2. An adjustable golf club head comprising: a striking face;a soleplate;a crown;a skirt for connecting the face, the soleplate, and the crown;an adjustably coupled flange extending from the skirt; anda hosel extending from the flange.

3. The adjustable golf club head of claim 2 further comprising: (a) a shaft;(b) an adapter coupled to said shaft, said adapter being capable of adjustably receiving said shaft; and(c) a hosel coupled to said adapter for adjustably coupling said shaft to said club head body.

4. The adjustable club head of claim 2, wherein said flange is laterally adjustably coupled to said skirt.

5. The adjustable golf club head of claim 2, wherein said flange is vertically adjustably coupled to said skirt.

6. The adjustable golf club head of claim 2, wherein said flange is laterally and vertically adjustably coupled to said skirt.

7. The adjustable golf club head of claim 2, wherein said flange is laterally and rotatably coupled to said skirt.

8. The adjustable golf club head of claim 2, wherein said skirt is indented to integrally form a slide track mechanism extending laterally from the striking face to rear skirt and said flange is adjustably coupled to said skirt.

9. The adjustable golf club head of claim 2, wherein the striking face is attached to a rim of uniform thickness comprised of the crown, skirt and sole and maintains a minimum displacement of the flange from the striking face of 1 mm.

10. An adjustable golf club head comprising: a striking face;a soleplate;a crown;a skirt for connecting the face, the soleplate, and the crown; and further comprising a periphery;an adjustably coupled flange extending from the periphery of said skirt; anda hosel extending from the flange.

11. The adjustable golf club head of claim 10, further comprising an adapter threadably connected to said hosel and adapted to adjustably receive said shaft for adjustably coupling said shaft to said hosel.

12. The adjustable golf club head of claim 10, (a) wherein said skirt defines a plurality of vertically oriented grooves therein and(b) wherein said flange defines a plurality of vertically oriented ridges thereon matingly engageable with the plurality of grooves for vertically positioning said flange relative to said skirt.

13. The adjustable golf club head of claim 10, further comprising a fastener assembly connected to said skirt and engageable with said flange for removably fastening said flange to said skirt.

14. The adjustable golf club head of claim 13, wherein said fastener assembly comprises: (a) an externally threaded male connector outwardly projecting from said skirt for mounting said flange on said male connector, and(b) an internally threaded anchor threadably engageable with said externally threaded male connector for removably connecting said flange to said skirt while said flange is mounted on said male connector

15. The adjustable golf club head of claim 14, wherein said male connector is integrally formed with said skirt for preventing separation of said connector from said skirt.

16. The adjustable golf club head of claim 15, (a) wherein said flange defines a slot therethrough, and(b) wherein said male connector is sized to extend through the slot and threadably engage said female connector for removably connecting said flange to said skirt.

17. The adjustable golf club head of claim 16, wherein the slot defined by said flange is laterally oriented for allowing lateral displacement of said flange relative to said skirt.

18. The adjustable golf club head of claim 16, wherein the slot defined by said flange is vertically oriented for allowing vertical displacement of said flange relative to said skirt.

19. The adjustable golf club head of claim 15, (a) wherein said flange defines a plurality of interconnected slots arranged laterally and vertically, and(b) wherein said male connector is sized to extend through a predetermined slot selected from the plurality of slots and threadably engage said female connector for adjustably connecting said flange laterally, or optionally, vertically to said skirt.

20. The adjustable golf club head of claim 15, wherein said flange rotatably engages said male connector for rotatably positioning said flange about said male connector.

21. The adjustable golf club head of claim 10, (a) wherein said skirt defines a threaded bore therein, and(b) wherein said flange defines a slot alignable with the threaded bore and sized to receive a threaded male connector extending through the slot and threadably engaging the threaded bore defined by said skirt for removably connecting said flange to said skirt.

22. The adjustable golf club head of claim 10, wherein said skirt is indented to integrally form a slide track mechanism extending laterally from the striking face to rear skirt and said flange is adjustably coupled to said mechanism.

23. The adjustable golf club head of claim 10, wherein the striking face is attached to a rim of uniform thickness comprised of the crown, skirt and sole and maintains a minimum displacement of the flange from the striking face of 1 mm.

24. A method of manufacturing a golf club head, comprising the steps of: coupling a striking face, a soleplate, and a crown to a skirt;coupling an adjustable flange to the skirt; andcoupling a hosel to the flange.