Patent Grant
8292073
This invention relates generally to golf clubs and golf club heads. More particularly, aspects of this invention relate to a fitting system cart for golf club heads and golf club shafts which have releasable connections between the golf club head and the shaft. The fitting system cart includes the cart, a shaft container, and a set of golf club head cases. The fitting system cart allows a golf club fitter or golf professional the ability to fit a specific golf club head and golf club shaft for individual golfers.
Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players—players of different genders and dramatically different ages and/or skill levels. Golf is somewhat unique in the sporting world in that such diverse collections of players can play together in golf events, even in direct competition with one another (e.g. using handicapped scoring, different tee boxes, in team formats, etc.), and still enjoy the golf outing or competition. These factors, together with the increased availability of golf programming on television (e.g. golf tournaments, golf news, golf history, and/or other golf programming) and the rise of well known golf superstars, at least in part, have increased golf's popularity in recent years, both in the United States and across the world.
Golfers at all skill levels seek to improve their performance, lower their golf scores, and reach that next performance “level.” Manufacturers of all types of golf equipment have responded to these demands, and in recent years, the industry has witnessed dramatic changes and improvements in golf equipment. For example, a wide range of different golf ball models now are available, with balls designed to complement specific swing speeds and/or other player characteristics or preferences, e.g., with some balls designed to fly farther and/or straighter; some designed to provide higher or flatter trajectories; some designed to provide more spin, control, and/or feel (particularly around the greens); some designed for faster or slower swing speeds; etc. A host of swing and/or teaching aids also are available on the market that promise to help lower one's golf scores.
Being the sole instrument that sets a golf ball in motion during play, golf clubs also have been the subject of much technological research and advancement in recent years. For example, the market has seen dramatic changes and improvements in putter designs, golf club head designs, shafts, and grips in recent years. Additionally, other technological advancements have been made in an effort to better match the various elements and/or characteristics of the golf club and characteristics of a golf ball to a particular golfer's swing features or characteristics (e.g. club fitting technology, ball launch angle measurement technology, ball spin rates, etc.).
Given the recent advances, there is a vast array of golf club component parts available to the golfer. For example, club heads are produced by a wide variety of manufacturers in a variety of different models. Moreover, the individual club head models may include multiple variations, such as variations in the loft angle, lie angle, offset features, weighting characteristics (e.g. draw biased club heads, fade biased club heads, neutrally weighted club heads, etc.). Additionally, the club heads may be combined with a variety of different shafts, e.g. from different manufacturers; having different stiffness, flex points, kick points, or other flexion characteristics, etc.; made from different materials; etc. Between the available variations in shafts and club heads, there are literally hundreds of different club head/shaft combinations available to the golfer.
Club fitters and golf professionals can assist in fitting golfers with a golf club head/shaft combination that suits their swing characteristics and needs. Conventionally, however, golf club heads are permanently mounted to shafts using cements or adhesives. Therefore, to enable a golfer to test a variety of head/shaft combinations, the club fitter or professional must carry a wide selection of permanently mounted golf club head/shaft combinations (which takes up a considerable amount of storage space and inventory costs) or the club fitter or professional must build new clubs for the customer as the fitting process continues (which takes a substantial amount of time and inventory costs). The disadvantages associated with these conventional options serve to limit the choices available to the golfer during a fitting session and/or significantly increase the expense and length of a session.
More recently, golf club fitters and golf professionals have been able to use golf clubs which have a releasable connection between the golf club head and the golf club shaft. Further, these golf clubs have head/shaft position adjusting features to allow easy interchange of shafts and heads and to allow easy modification of the head/shaft positioning properties. However, with the great number of combinations available to a golfer, this still may be a difficult task to organize and carry this equipment.
The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention and various features of it. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but it simply provides a general overview and context for the more detailed description that follows.
Aspects of this invention relate to a fitting system cart for use with golf club heads and golf club shafts. The fitting system cart in accordance with examples of this invention may include a base with a back panel, two side panels, and a top panel which all define an interior portion. The fitting system cart may also include two door panels which are connected to the base and movable between an open and closed position. The fitting system cart may also include a set of cases adapted to carry golf club heads. The case may have a bottom portion with an insert adapted to hold golf club heads and a top portion connected to the bottom portion, wherein the top portion is configured to be moved between an open and a closed position. The fitting system cart may also include a shaft container adapted to carry golf club shafts. The shaft container may have a first configuration wherein the shaft container is closed, and a second configuration wherein the shaft container is open. In one embodiment, the shaft containers further comprises a set of compartments to hold a set of golf club shafts, a cover that is connected to the compartments, and a stand connected to the compartments. In another embodiment, the interior portion of the fitting system cart may include storage areas for items that may assist a golf club fitter or golf professional.
Further aspects of the invention relate to a shaft container for golf club shafts. The shaft container has a first configuration where the shaft container is closed and a second configuration where the shaft container is open. Furthermore, the shaft container has a set of compartments which are adapted to carry golf club shafts. In one embodiment, there are four compartments, wherein there are two outer compartments and two inner compartments. The two outer compartments may be connected to the respective inner compartments, while the two inner compartments may be rigidly connected to each other. In the closed configuration, the two outer compartments are folded over the two inner compartments, forming a box-like structure. In the open configuration, the two outer compartments are folded open, so that the four compartments are standing in series next to each other. The shaft container may also include a cover that is rotatably connected to the compartments and a stand which is connected to the compartments and can be in a retracted configuration or an extended configuration.
In a further embodiment, as part of a kit, the golf club shafts may have a color-coded shaft grip cover in order to assist the club fitter or golf professional in selecting the correct shaft for a golfer. In yet an additional embodiment, the golf club shafts may have the detailed specifications, such as club type, shaft model and/or shaft flex listed on the shaft grip cover.
Further aspects of the invention include a display rack fitting system for use with golf club heads and golf club shafts. The display rack fitting system may include a display rack, a set of cases adapted to carry golf club heads, and a shaft container adapted to carry golf club shafts. The display rack may further include a base for setting the shaft container, and at least one support member attached to the base. The support members provide support to the display rack fitting system, as well as providing support for the shaft container. The support members may also provide a means to secure a set of shelves to store or hold the cases. In an embodiment, a display sign may be attached to the support members.
A more complete understanding of the present invention and certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following detailed description in consideration with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
In the following description of various example structures in accordance with the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example carts, containers, and cases in accordance with the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts and structures may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “rear,” “side,” “underside,” “overhead,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g. based on the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations in typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention.
In general, as described below, aspects of this invention relate to systems and methods for connecting golf club heads to shafts in a releasable manner so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or repositioned with respect to one another. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a sample system for connecting golf club heads to shafts in a releasable manner. In this illustrative example, a golf club head 300 is attached to a shaft 302 by means of a receiving member 304, a shaft adapter 306, and retaining member 308. This system may allow the golf club fitter and golf professional the ability to more easily assist the golfer to determine which golf club head and golf club shaft best fits the golfer.
Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below. The reader should understand that these specific examples are set forth merely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not be construed as limiting the invention.
A. Fitting System Cart for Golf Club Heads and Shafts
1. Cart
The cart 10 generally includes a base 20, a back panel 22, a first side panel 24, a second side panel 26, a first door panel 28, a second door panel 30 and a top side panel 32, which connect together to form a box-like structure. The back panel 22, first side panel 24 and second side panel 26 extend upwardly and intersect with the base 20. The back panel 22, first side panel 24 and second side panel 26 may be perpendicular to the base 20 in order to intersect with the base 20. Within the base 20, there may be a cavity 21. The cavity 21 is approximately the size of the bottom of the quiver 12. The cavity 21 is where the quiver 12 is stored within the cart 10 proximal to the back panel 22.
The door panels 28, 30 may be connected to the base 20 and the side panel 24, 26 and extend upwardly and intersect with the base 20. The door panels 28, 30 may be perpendicular to the base 20 in order to intersect with the base 20. The door panels 28, 30 are movable from an open position and a closed position. The door panels 28, 30 may be equipped with a closing mechanism in order to ensure the door panels 28, 30 stay closed. Furthermore, the door panels 28, 30 may be equipped with a locking mechanism in conjunction with the closing mechanism in order to lock the interior of the cart 10. The door panels 28, 30 may provide storage capability for any number of items that might help the club fitter or golf professional when performing the club fitting session. Those items may include golf club shaft tape 34 for securing grips on the shaft, additional grips 36, or shaft tightening tools 38. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that additional items may be stored within the door panels 28, 30 and that the door panels 28, 30 may have additional storage configurations in order to store or hold items which the club fitter or club professional might use.
The base 20, back panel 22, side panels 24, 26, door panels 28, 30 and top panel 32 further define an interior to the cart 10. The interior may include storage compartments 40 to hold the club head cases 14, or other cases that may be included with the cart 10. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that between both the interior of the cart 10, the storage compartments 40, and the door panels 28, 30, there may be different combinations of storage capabilities as illustrated in this embodiment.
In a further aspect of the invention, a set of casters or wheels 19 is located at the bottom of the cart 10. The casters 19 may be located in the rear of the cart 10 along the base 20 of the cart 10. The casters 19 help provide mobility to the cart 10 and allow the golf fitter or golf professional the ability to more easily move the cart 10. The casters 19 may be made of a plastic or metal material or a combination thereof Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the casters 19 may be located in multiple places throughout the cart 10, and may be made of different materials.
In another aspect of the invention, the top panel 32 may have additional features. The top panel 32 may have a set of annular recesses 33 which may be sized and adapted to hold a golf club shaft. The annular recesses 33 may be used to hold a golf club so that the club fitter or golf professional may more easily work on a golf club and attaching, tightening, or adjusting the golf club head to the golf shaft. The top panel 32 may also have a tray 48 that slides out. The tray 48 may be located in a slot at the bottom of the top panel 32. The tray 48 may be pulled out from the front of the cart 10 in order to help facilitate the club fitter or golf professional during the club fitting process to provide a place to set parts or tools. Furthermore, the top panel 32 may be configured to be utilized as a work platform. For example, the top panel 32 may have grooves to help ensure tools and parts do not roll. Also, the top panel 32 may be in the form of a tray with side panels to ensure that the tools and parts are maintained on the top panel 32 and they do not fall off to the ground or floor.
In another aspect of the invention, there may be an arm 25 extended from each of the side panels 24, 26 directed towards the rear of the cart 10. A retaining bar 23 may be attached to each arm 25 spanning from one arm 25 to the other arm 25. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the retaining bar 23 may be made of plastic or metal and may be of many different shapes and sizes, such as a round, bar-like structure, as well as a square or rectangular structure. The quivers 12 may also have a support structure 51 which provides support to ensure the quivers 12 are maintained in the cart 10.
The retaining bar 23 may provide a dual purpose. First, it helps to keep the quivers 12 in place as they are set in the back of the cart 10. Second, it provides a means to help the golf fitter or golf professional move the cart 10 from point A to point B. When the golf fitter or golf professional wants to move the cart 10, they might stand to the rear of the cart 10. Then, the golf fitter or golf professional may tilt the top of the cart 10 back towards them allowing the cart 10 to sit on the casters 19. This action may allow the golf fitter or golf professional to more easily roll the cart 10 from point A to point B. When the golf fitter or golf professional is at a location of choice, the golf fitter or golf professional can tilt the cart 10 back down to the standing position.
Furthermore, the retaining bar 23 may be releasably attached to the arms 25 in order to more easily facilitate removing the quivers 12 from the back of the cart 10. When the golf fitter or golf professional wants to remove the quivers 12 from the back of the cart 10, the golf fitter or golf professional may release the retaining bar 23 from the arm 25 in order to more easily slide the quivers 12 out from the back of the cart 10 as opposed to lifting the quivers 12 over the retaining bar 23 and out of the cart 10. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the retaining bar 23 may be releasably attached to the arms 25 by any number of attachment means known in the art.
2. Quiver
As illustrated in
The quiver 12 includes the set of compartments 52, 54, 56, 58 which are adapted to each individually hold a set of golf club shafts 70. Each compartment 52, 54, 56, 58 includes a baseplate 62, a back wall 64, a first side wall 66 and a second side wall 68, which connect together to form a box-like structure. The first side wall 66, second side wall 68 and back wall 64 extend upward and connect to the baseplate 62. The first side wall 66, second side wall 68, and back wall 64 may be perpendicular to the baseplate 62 in order to intersect with the baseplate 62. To help keep the golf club shafts 70 inside the compartment 52, 54, 56, 58, each compartment 52, 54, 56, 58 may include a lower retaining portion 72 and/or a middle retaining portion 74. The lower retaining portion 72 and middle retaining portion 74 may span from the front edge of the first side wall 66 to the front edge of the second side wall 68. The lower retaining portion 72 may be located proximate to the baseplate 62 near the bottom of the quiver 12, while the middle retaining portion 74 may be located at least more than halfway up the compartment 52, 54, 56, 58. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that there are be multiple methods to keep the golf shafts 70 inside the compartment 52, 54, 56, 58, such as having more than two retaining portions, having one large retaining portion, or having a inside retaining wall.
The compartments 52. 54, 56, 58 are attached to each other to form the quiver 12. In the illustrated embodiment in
The cover 50 may be rotatably attached to the middle two compartments, the second compartment 54 and third compartment 56. The cover 50 may be located at the top of the compartments 52, 54, 56, 58. The cover 50 may have a locking mechanism 76 in order to lock or close the quiver 12. The cover 50 may be sized in order to accept the golf club head cases 14 in order to provide a work station to place the case 14 on for the club fitter or golf professional. Furthermore, the stand 60 may be attached to the middle two compartments, the second compartment 54 and third compartment 56. The stand 60 may be located underneath the cover 50. The stand 60 can be extended to provide standing support for the quiver 12. Also, the stand 60 may be withdrawn and folded when the quiver 12 is not standing. The stand 60 can include two or more legs 78, 80 to help provide the standing support. Also, there may be an extending mechanism 82 included with the stand 60. The extending mechanism 82 may automatically extend the stand 60 when the quiver 12 is placed on the ground in an angled configuration. Conversely, when the quiver is picked up from the ground and sitting upright, the extending mechanism 82 may then automatically retract the stand 60 to its folded or closed position. The extending mechanism 82 may operate very similar to the stand mechanism currently in use on most standing golf bags designed to be carried.
As shown in
Further, while in the first configuration, or closed configuration, the cover 50 is folded over the compartments 52, 54, 56, 58. A locking mechanism or closing mechanism 76 may also be provided on the cover 50, as shown in
While in the second configuration, or open configuration, as shown in
3. Golf Club Head Case
The top portion 86, 106 may be connected to the bottom portion 84, 104 so that the top portion 86, 106 can rotate along a set of hinges to close the case 80, 100. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that there are various other ways the top portion 86, 106 may be connected to the bottom portion 84, 104 in order to allow the rotation for opening and closing the case 80, 100. The bottom portion 84, 104 and top portion 86, 106 may form a handle 92, 112 when the case 80, 100 is closed in order to more easily transport the case 80100. The case 80, 100 may have a locking portion on the front of the case 80, 100 which could either be included with the handle 92, 112 or separate from the handle 92, 112 (not shown). Both the driver head case 80 and the iron head case 100 may be sized such that they can be placed in the cover 50 of the open quiver 12 to be used as a work station.
B. Display Rack Golf Club Fitting System
A display rack golf club fitting system 210 is illustrated in
The display rack 202 may include a base 220, one or more support members 206, and a display sign 204. The base 220 may set on the ground or floor and provide both vertical and horizontal stability for the display rack fitting system 210 and ensure that the display rack fitting system 210 does not tip over. The support members 206 may be attached to the rear area of the base 220 and extended vertically upward and intersect with the base 220. The support members 206 may be perpendicular to the base 220. There may be one or more than one support member 206 in order to intersect with the base 220. The display sign 204 may be attached to the top of the support members 206. The display sign 204 may be a touch sensitive display or display monitor, which is coupled to a processor for providing information. The information may include golf club fitting information that may be helpful for the club fitter or golf professional when fitting the golfer with the golf clubs. The information may also include marketing information, which may be directed towards the golfer in order to provide details about the golf clubs, such as prices, benefits, and advantages to a certain brand of golf clubs. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that numerous methods of connection or attachment means may be used to connect the support member 206 to the base 220 and the display sign 204 to the support member 206.
Within in the base 220, there may be a cavity 221. The cavity 221 is approximately the size of the bottom of the quiver 212. The cavity 221 is where the quiver 212 is stored within the display rack fitting system 210 proximal to the set of golf club head cases 214. When the club fitter or golf professional wants to use the quiver and select a golf club shaft, they can simply lift the quiver 212 from the display rack fitting system 210 and remove the quiver 212. The club fitter or golf professional can then open the quiver 212 as described above and illustrated in
The golf club head cases 214 may be located next to or proximal to the quiver 212, on the display rack fitting system 210. These cases 214 are described in detail above, and they may be configured very similar to as described above and in
As shown in
The display rack fitting system 210 may also include a display sign 204. The display sign 204 may be located at the top of the display rack fitting system 210 to help golfers or prospective buyers see the golf clubs and the display rack fitting system 210. The display sign 204 may be used to communicate product information to the golfer, such as product features, product options, or other product marketing information.
The display rack fitting system 210 as described above and illustrated in
The club fitting cart 10 (
Additionally, the cases as they are designed provide quick access to the fitting components for the golf club fitter or golf professional in order to improve the efficiency of the golf-fitting experience. Also, because the cases are sized such that they can be placed into the open quiver (self-standing) to be used as a work station. This also can improve efficiencies by freeing up work space for the golf club fitter. Both the individual cases and the quivers can be transported to the golf range or training next easily to allow for a quick fit component for expert fitters. Sometimes it is hard to transport all the tools to do a simple driver fit. However, with the cases and quivers, the tools required are right on hand.
C. Kits
Indeed, as one example, one or more elements or components of a fitting system cart for golf clubs may be marketed, sold, or utilized as a kit. In one such embodiment of a kit that is directed towards the fitting system cart, the kit may include a set of golf club shafts, a shaft container configured to hold the set of golf club shafts, a set of golf club heads configured to be releasably connected to the golf club shafts, a set of golf club head cases configured to hold the set of golf club heads, and a fitting system cart configured to carry the shaft container and golf club head cases.
In another embodiment of a kit that is directed towards a shaft container, the kit may include a set of golf club shafts, and a shaft container configured to hold the set of golf club shafts. The shaft container may further include a set of compartments adapted to each individually hold the golf club shafts, a cover connected to the compartments, and a stand connected to the compartments adapted to be in a retracted configuration or an extended configuration.
In another embodiment of a kit that is directed towards a display rack fitting system, the kit may include a set of golf club shafts, a shaft container configured to hold the set of golf club shafts, a set of golf club heads configured to be releasably connected to the golf club shafts, a set of golf club head cases configured to hold the set of golf club heads, and a display rack. The display rack may further include a base, at least one support member connected to the base and a display connected to the top of the at least one support member.
In each of these embodiments of a kit, the golf club shafts may have features that can help facilitate the golf club fitting session. One such feature could be color-coded grip caps as shown in
While the invention has been described in detail in terms of specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those of skill in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and methods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
This Non-Provisional Application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/094,302 filed Sep. 4, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4344660 | Molnar et al. | Aug 1982 | A |
| 5234114 | Coffey | Aug 1993 | A |
| 20020193184 | Currie et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20100051505 A1 | Mar 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61094302 | Sep 2008 | US |
