GOLF CLUB AND GOLF CLUB INSERT

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a golf club for striking a golf ball and a golf club insert that is detachably provided on the golf club.

BACKGROUND

As a related golf club such as a wood, an iron, a hybrid, a utility, and a putter, one in which a shaft with a grip is connected to a head via a hosel. The hosel is, for example, detachably connected to the shaft and the head. This configuration makes it easy to replace a head and a shaft (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

On the other hand, a golf club not having a hosel, which is one in which a shaft with a grip is connected to a head, has also been known to the public.

Related Art Reference
Patent Document

For example, a related art is disclosed in JP2021-058337 A and JP2014-036894 A.

In a golf club having a hosel, vibration generated when the golf ball is hit is transmitted to the palm of the user (golfer) that holds the grip via the shaft and recognized as part of impact feeling of the golf club. However, the hosel interposed between the shaft and the head may act to hinder the transmission of such vibration. For this reason, a golf club having a hosel less brings preferable impact feeling than a golf club 1 not having a hosel. Here, the “impact feeling” means sense of touch and the shooting feeling that the user experiences when striking a golf ball. Typical impact feeling includes sensory comfort (feeling) of the impact, such as sense of impact, feeling of control and sense of accomplishment as well as physical vibration.

In addition, a golf club not having a hosel has difficulty in bringing preferable impact feeling unless being contrived in some extent.

SUMMARY

With the foregoing problems in view, one of the objects of the present embodiment is to provide a golf club and a golf club insert that can enhance the impact feeling. In addition to this object, actions and effects that are derived from each configuration “embodiment(s) to carry out disclosure” to be described below and that related techniques do not attain can be regarded as other object of the present embodiment.

The present embodiment can be achieved in the following embodiments and applications. The disclosed golf club and golf club insert solves at least part of the above problems.

(1) The present golf club comprises a shaft formed in a shaft shape; a head being provided at a first end portion side of the shaft and having a striking surface that strikes a golf ball; a grip being provided at a second end portion side of the shaft and being gripped by a user; a hosel that connects the first end portion of the shaft to the head, and that is integrally formed with the head and the shaft in an unreplaceable state; and an impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism that emphasizes impact vibration or impact sound generated when the striking surface strikes the golf ball and transmits the emphasized impact vibration or emphasized impact sound to the user, wherein the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism comprises a diaphragm member that is attached to the hosel and that emphasizes the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit.

(2) The present golf club comprises a shaft formed in a shaft shape; a head being provided at a first end portion side of the shaft and having a striking surface that strikes a golf ball; a grip being provided at a second end portion side of the shaft and being gripped by a user; a hosel that connects the first end portion of the shaft to the head; and an impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism being provided inside the golf club, that emphasizes impact vibration or impact sound generated when the striking surface strikes the golf ball and transmits the emphasized impact vibration or emphasized impact sound to the user, wherein the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism comprises a vibration transmitting member formed in an elongated shape, having a first end being fixed to the head and transmitting vibration generated at the striking surface to the grip, and an installing member connecting a second end portion of the vibration transmitting member to the grip, the installing member is provided such that the position thereof is adjustable in an extending direction of the grip, and the installing member comprises a winding device that winds the second end portion of the vibration transmitting member manually or electrically, and a pinion that meshes with a rack and that is rotatably wound by the winding device.

(3) The present golf club comprises a head having a striking surface that strikes a golf ball; a shaft formed in a shaft shape; a hosel that connects a first end portion of the shaft to the head; a grip being provided at a second end portion of the shaft and being gripped by a user; and a fin or a plate-shaped member between the head and the hosel, wherein the fin or the plate-shaped member is formed by a plate-like member and is fixed so as to connect the head to the hosel in a direction substantially parallel to the striking surface.

Effects

Including the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism, the disclosed golf club can emphasize the impact vibration and the impact sound generated on the head when the golf ball is hit, so that the impact feeling can be enhanced.

In addition, the disclosed golf club, if being variously contrived, can efficiently transmits the impact vibration generated on the head when the golf ball is hit to the shaft even when the golf club is not provided with a hosel, so that the impact feeling can be enhanced.

Furthermore, by providing an insert on the head striking surface, the disclosed golf club not having a hosel can efficiently transmit the impact vibration generated on the head when the golf ball to the shaft, so that the impact feeling can be enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a golf club according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 2A to 2C are perspective views illustrating various types of a head of the golf club according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 3A to 3F are perspective views illustrating modifications of a hosel of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 4A to 4D are perspective view illustrating modifications of a hosel of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 5A to 5E are side view illustrating modifications of a hosel of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views illustrating an internal structure of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views illustrating modifications of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views illustrating modifications of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views illustrating modifications of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating modifications of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating modifications of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating modifications of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating modifications of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views illustrating modifications of the head of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 16A to 16E are perspective views illustrating modifications of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 17A to 17H are top views illustrating modifications of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are cross-sectional views illustrating modifications of the golf club of the first embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the golf club according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the second embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the second embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the second embodiment;

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a net member of the golf club of the third embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a golf club according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the third embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating a golf club according to a fourth embodiment;

FIGS. 28A and 28B are cross-sectional views illustrating modifications of the golf club of the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a golf club according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a process block diagram applied to the golf club of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 37A is a partial perspective view illustrating a golf club according to a sixth embodiment, and FIG. 37B is a partial perspective view illustrating a modification of the golf club of the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 38 is a process block diagram applied to the golf club of the sixth embodiment;

FIGS. 39A and 39B are side views illustrating the golf club according to modifications of the first to sixth embodiments;

FIGS. 40A to 40C are perspective views illustrating a golf club not having a hosel according to a seventh embodiment;

FIGS. 41A to 41C are diagrams illustrating a diaphragm member;

FIGS. 42A to 42C are diagrams illustrating a diaphragm member;

FIGS. 43A to 43C are perspective views illustrating a golf club with a hosel according to a seventh embodiment;

FIGS. 44A to 44D are diagrams illustrating a diaphragm member;

FIGS. 45A to 45E are diagrams illustrating a diaphragm member;

FIGS. 46A and 46B are diagrams illustrating a diaphragm member;

FIGS. 47A to 47F are diagrams illustrating modifications of the hosel;

FIGS. 48A to 48D are diagrams illustrating modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 49A to 49D are diagrams illustrating other modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 50A to 50E are diagrams illustrating further other modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 51A and 51B are diagrams illustrating the head and the hosel constituting a frame structure;

FIGS. 52A and 52B are diagrams illustrating modifications of the head and the hosel constituting the frame structure;

FIGS. 53A to 53D are diagrams illustrating modifications of the head and the hosel constituting the frame structure;

FIGS. 54A and 54B are diagrams illustrating modifications of the head and the hosel constituting the frame structure;

FIGS. 55A to 55F are diagrams illustrating modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 56A to 56H are diagrams illustrating modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 57A to 57C are diagrams illustrating modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 58A to 58E are diagrams illustrating modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 59A to 59D are diagrams illustrating a golf club according to an eighth embodiment;

FIGS. 60A to 60C are diagrams illustrating modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 61A to 61C are diagrams illustrating modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 62A to 62D are diagrams illustrating modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 63A to 63D are diagrams illustrating modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 64A and 64B are diagrams illustrating a vibration transmitting rib of a ninth embodiment;

FIGS. 65A to 65F are diagrams illustrating other modifications;

FIGS. 66A and 66B are diagrams illustrating a shaft provided with a vibration emphasizing member;

FIG. 67 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of an impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism;

FIGS. 68A and 68B are diagrams illustrating modifications of FIGS. 65D and 65E;

FIGS. 69A and 69B are diagrams illustrating a golf club mounted with a detachable weight;

FIGS. 70A to 70F are diagrams illustrating other modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 71A to 71C are diagrams illustrating further modifications of the diaphragm member;

FIGS. 72A and 72B are diagrams illustrating modifications of the golf club of the eighth embodiment;

FIGS. 73A and 73B are diagrams illustrating other modifications of the golf club 1; and

FIGS. 74A and 74B are diagrams illustrating further modifications of the golf club 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)
I. First Embodiment
1. Basic Structure

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a golf club 1 (putter) according to a first embodiment. The golf club 1 includes a head 3, a hosel 4, a shaft 5, and a grip 6. On the side surface of the head 3, a striking surface 2 (face) that strikes a golf ball is provided. As shown in FIG. 1B, the hosel 4 and the head 3 may be provided so as to be flush with (to form the same plane as) the striking surface 2. Needless to say, in the following examples of providing the hosel 4 and the head 3, the hosel 4 and the head 3 may be provided so as to be flush with the striking surface 2 as shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C are perspective views illustrating various types of the head 3 of the putter. The head 3 may have a pin-type shape as shown in FIG. 2A, a mallet-type shape as shown in FIG. 2B, or a neomallet-type shape as shown in FIG. 2C.

The shaft 5 is formed in an axial shape (elongated rod shape), and one end portion (first end portion, lower end portion in FIG. 1) thereof is connected to the head 3 via the hosel 4. The cross-sectional shape of the shaft 5 may be a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a polygonal shape. The grip 6 serving as a part to be gripped by the user is provided at the other end (second end portion, the upper end portion in FIG. 1) of the shaft 5. Similar to the shaft 5, the cross-sectional shape of the grip 6 may be a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a polygonal shape.

The hosel 4 is formed into a plate shape that extends in a plane direction parallel to the striking surface 2 and that has a constant thickness. The hosel 4 is formed integrally with the head 3 and the shaft 5, for example, in a non-replaceable manner. As shown in FIG. 3A, the shaft 5 may be connected to the end face of the hosel 4, or as shown in FIG. 3B, may be connected to the plate face of the hosel 4. The thickness of the hosel 4 (dimension in the thickness direction) may be set irrespective of the thickness of the shaft 5. If the shaft 5 is thick as compared with the thickness of the hosel 4, the shaft 5 may be processed so as to have a small cross-sectional area at the lower end portion, as shown in FIG. 3C.

Likewise, the width Dimension the hosel 4 when viewed from the front can be set irrespective of the thickness of the shaft 5. For example, as shown in FIG. 3D, the width dimension of the hosel 4 may be set to the same extend as the thickness of the shaft 5. In addition, the hosel 4 may be formed in such a shape that the width dimension is reduced only at the upper end portion connected to the shaft 5. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3E, the width dimension of the upper end portion of the hosel 4 may be set to the same extend as the thickness of the shaft 5. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3F, the upper end portion of the hosel 4 may be formed thinner than the shaft 5.

The direction of the hosel 4 fixed to the head 3 is set so as to extend in a plane direction parallel to the striking surface 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the hosel 4 may be arranged parallel to the striking surface 2. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, the hosel 4 in a flat plate shape may be obliquely tilted (e.g., in a posture that the upper portion is tilted toward the striking surface 2). Further, the shape of the lower end portion of the shaft 5 fixed to the hosel 4 may be a crank shape as shown in FIG. 4A, a straight line shape, or a bent shape.

The hosel 4 may be formed in a flat plate shape or may be formed in a bent plate shape. If being formed into a flat plate shape, the hosel 4 is formed into a rectangular flat plate shape as shown in FIG. 4A, or a polygonal (triangular or pentagonal) flat plate shape. Alternatively, if being formed into a bent plate shape, the hosel 4 may be curved such that a closer surface to the striking surface 2 on a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface 2 comes inside as shown in FIG. 4 (C), or such that the closer surface comes outside. FIG. 5A illustrates a side surface diagram of the golf club 1 illustrated in FIG. 4C.

The hosel 4 may be formed in a flat plate shape having an irregular quadrilateral shape. FIG. 4D and FIG. 5B are diagrams showing the hosel 4 formed in a flat plate shape in an irregular quadrilateral shape that looks like a side surface shape of a horseshoe. The irregular quadrilateral shape of the hosel 4 shown in FIG. 5B has a lower side 51 in contact with the upper surface of the head 3, a first side 52 and a second side 53, and an upper side 54 that is non-parallel to the lower side 51. The first side 52 is formed to form an angle A with the lower side 51 of equal to or larger than 40 degrees and less than 50 degrees. The second side 52 is formed to form an angle B with the lower side 51 of equal to or larger than 120 degrees and less than 130 degrees.

As illustrated in FIG. 5C, expandable mechanisms 55 and 56 may be built into the shaft 5. One expandable mechanism 55 is a mechanism capable of expanding and contracting in the extending direction of the shaft 5 (vertical direction in the drawing), and is a mechanism that adjusts the position in the vertical direction of the head 3 on the basis of the grip 6. Similarly, the other expandable mechanism 56 is a mechanism that can expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the expandable mechanism 55 (the left-right direction in the drawing), and is a mechanism that adjusts the position in the left-right direction of the head 3. In addition, an expandable mechanism 57 may be built into the hosel 4. The expandable mechanism 57 is a mechanism that can expand and contract in the vertical direction in the drawing, and is a mechanism that adjusts the position in the vertical direction of the head 3.

Further, a slidable mechanism 58 may be built into a connection point between the hosel 4 and the head 3. The slidable mechanism 58 is a mechanism that adjusts the position in the horizontal direction of the head 3 with respect to the hosel 4 (or the position in the horizontal direction of the head 3 with respect to the hosel 4). The sliding direction of the slidable mechanism 58 may be a left-right direction in the drawing or a direction perpendicular to the sheet of the drawing. Of course, as described above, the positions of the hosel 4 and the head 3 can be adjusted so as to be flush with the striking surface 2 as shown in FIG. 5D. Alternatively, the positions of the hosel 4 and the head 3 may be adjusted so as to be flush with a surface 2′ (which may also be the striking surface 2) on the opposite side to the striking surface 2 as shown in FIG. 5E. Furthermore, also in the embodiments to be detailed below, the surface on the opposite side to the striking surface 2 can also be used as a striking face.

As described above, stretching the hosel 4 in a planar shape having a constant thickness in parallel to the striking surface 2 makes it possible to convert the vibration of the striking surface 2 into the surface vibration (membrane vibration) of the hosel 4. With this structure, the vibration is efficiently transmitted to the shaft 5 and the grip 6, so that the user can feel accurate and subtle vibration. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with preferable impact feeling, and to enhance the impact feeling as compared with an existing golf club.

The head 3, the hosel 4, the shaft 5, the grip 6 may be integrally formed. The grip 6 may be formed separately from the other members 3 to 5. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are cross-sectional views of the golf club 1 in which the head 3, the hosel 4, and the shaft 5 are integrally formed. Such a golf club 1 may be formed by, for example, casting, or may be formed by seamlessly joining, by means of welding, individual parts formed separately. That is, the hosel 4 may be integrally formed with the head 3 and the shaft 5 in a non-replaceable manner.

The interior of each of the head 3, the hosel 4, the shaft 5, and the grip 6 may be formed in a hollow (a state in which there is a cavity therein) or solid (a state in which there is no cavity therein). FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of the golf club 1 in which hollows are formed inside the head 3, the hosel 4, and the shaft 5. Here, the hosel 4 has a hosel cavity 8 (first cavity) formed in a hollow inside thereof. Similarly, the shaft 5 has a shaft cavity 9 (second cavity) formed in a hollow inside thereof, and the head 3 has a head cavity 7 (fourth cavity) formed in a hollow inside thereof. Each of the head cavity 7 and the shaft cavity 9 is communicated with hosel cavity 8.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of a golf club 1 in which the inside of the hosel 4 is formed into a hollow and the insides of the head 3 and the shaft 5 are formed solid. FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views of the golf club 1 in which the insides of the hosel 4 and the shaft 5 are formed in hollows and the inside of the head 3 are solid. The cavity can be formed in any of the head 3, the hosel 4, the shaft 5, and the grip 6.

By providing cavities inside the head 3, the hosel 4, the shaft 5, the grip 6 and the like, the vibration of the striking surface 2 is also converted into the vibration of the air in the cavities. This structure can transmit the vibration of the striking surface 2 in the form of acoustic sound as well as physical vibration to the user. Accordingly, the user can confirm the vibration of the striking surface in the form of acoustic sound, and can enhance the impact feeling. Further, as shown by dashed lines in FIGS. 7B, 8B, and 9B, an opening 11 that communicates the inner space of the hosel cavity 8 with the outside of the hosel 4 may be formed, or a head opening 12 that communicates the inner space of the head 3 with the outside may be formed. This can increase the sound entering the ears of the user, and can further enhance the impact feeling. The positions of the opening 11 and the head opening 12 may be on the side (front surface) on which the striking surface 2 is formed, the opposite side (back surface), or a side surface. Either one of the openings 11 and 12 may be formed, or the openings 11 and 12 may be absent (without forming the openings 11 and 12). The hosel cavity 8 and the head cavity 7 communicated with the openings 11 and 12, respectively, may serve as resonance chambers (resonance mechanisms) that emphasize the impact sound generated in the cavities 7 and 8 when the golf ball is hit and transmit the impact sound to the outside from the openings 11 and 12. This structure can increase the sound entering the ears of the user, and can further enhance the impact feeling.

2. Vibration Transmitting Member

A vibration transmitting member 20 may be built into the golf club 1. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal structure of the golf club 1 in which a vibration transmitting member 20 is incorporated. Inside the golf club 1, in addition to the hosel cavity 8 and the shaft cavity 9, a grip cavity 10 is provided. The grip cavity 10 is a hollow (third cavity) formed inside the grip 6 and is in communication with shaft cavity 9. The upper end portion of the grip 6 is closed by a grip top-end plate 21.

The vibration transmitting member 20 is a member that transmits vibration generated on the striking surface 2 to the grip 6. The vibration transmitting member 20 is formed in an elongated shape and is provided inside the hosel cavity 8, the shaft cavity 9, and the grip cavity 10. Examples of the vibration transmitting member 20 include a wire (e.g., a wire such as a steel wire or a piano wire), a string (e.g., a string in which various fibers are braided), a rod member (e.g., a rod member formed of rod-shaped metal or wood), a linear elastic member (e.g., a linear elastic member formed of rubber or resin), and an elongated coil spring.

One end portion (first end portion, lower end portion in FIG. 10) of the vibration transmitting member 20 is fixed to the head 3 via fixing device 22. On the other hand, the other end portion (second end portion, the upper end portion in FIG. 10) of the vibration transmitting member 20 is attached to the inner circumference surface of the grip 6 via a grip inner plate 23 and a grip inner fixing device 24 (installing members). As shown in FIG. 10, a mass member 26 serving as a weight for amplifying vibration may be attached to the vibration transmitting member 20. The position of the mass member 26 may be fixed with respect to the vibration transmitting member 20 or may be movable (the fixed position is adjustable). Further, for example, the mass member 26 may be added according to the user's preference.

Vibration generated on the striking surface of the head 3 are transmitted to the grip 6 via not only the hosel 4 and the shaft 5 but also the vibration transmitting member 20. As described above, by incorporating the vibration transmitting member 20 in the shaft 5, the transmission paths of the vibration can be increased, and the vibration generated on the striking surface of the head 3 can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6 without being attenuated. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with preferable impact feeling, and to enhance the impact feeling as compared with an existing golf club.

The grip inner plate 23 and the grip inner fixing device 24 (installing members) provided at the second end portion (upper end portion of FIG. 10) of the vibration transmitting member 20 may be provided so as to be able to adjust their positions in the extending direction of the grip 6 by a non-illustrated electric or manual adjusting mechanism. With this structure, the tension of the vibration transmitting member 20 can be adjusted, and the vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6. Furthermore, the grip inner plate 23 may be formed in a membrane shape that is expanded in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the grip 6 (for example, a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the grip 6). By being formed into a membrane shape, the grip inner plate 23 can be surface-vibrated (membrane-vibrated), so that the vibration transmission efficiency can be enhanced.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the golf club 1 in which a vibration transmitting member 20 and an auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 are incorporated. Inside the head 3 of the golf club 1, the head cavity 7 is provided, and an auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is attached to the inside of the head cavity 7. The auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is a member that transmits vibration generated on the striking surface 2 to the vibration transmitting member 20. Like the vibration transmitting member 20, examples of the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 include a wire, a string, a rod member, a linear elastic member, and an elongated coil spring.

An end portion of head distal tip portion 31 (the left side in FIG. 11) of the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the head 3 via a fixing device 33 on a head distal-tip side. Further, an end portion of head base tip portion 32 (the right side in FIG. 11) is attached to the inner circumference surface of the head 3 via a fixing device 34 on a head base-tip side. The intermediate part of the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is attached to the inner circumference surface of the head 3 via the head inner plate 35 and the head inner fixing deice 36. Furthermore, the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 and the head inner fixing deice 36 are bound together by a biding device 37. The head inner plate 35 is perforated with a through-hole into which the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is loosely inserted. The position of head inner plate 35 is set in the vicinity of the striking surface 2, for example.

One end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 11) of the vibration transmitting member 20 is fixed to the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 via a connecting metal fitting 27. The other end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 11) of the vibration transmitting member 20 may be structured as shown in FIG. 10, or may be fixed to a grip top-end plate 21 via a fixing device 28 on a grip top-end side. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the intermediate part of the vibration transmitting member 20 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the grip 6 via the grip inner plate 23 and the grip inner fixing device 24. In addition, the vibration transmitting member 20 and the fixing device 24 in grip are bound together by biding device 25. The grip inner plate 23 is perforated with a through-hole into which the vibration transmitting member 20 is loosely inserted. Two pairs of the grip inner plate 23 and the grip inner fixing device 24 are provided.

Vibration generated on the striking surface of the head 3 are transmitted to the grip 6 via not only the hosel 4 and the shaft 5 but also the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 and the vibration transmitting member 20. As described above, by incorporating the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 in the head 3, the vibration transmitted to the vibration transmitting member 20 can be amplified, and the vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with preferable impact feeling, and to enhance the impact feeling as compared with an existing golf club.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the golf club 1 in which three pairs of the vibration transmitting member 20 and the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 are provided. Like this example, by providing multiple vibration transmitting members 20 and multiple auxiliary vibration transmitting members 30, the vibration generated on the striking surface 2 of the head 3 can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with preferable impact feeling, and to enhance the impact feeling as compared with an existing golf club.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a structure that makes it possible to adjust the position of the second end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 13) of the vibration transmitting member 20 in the extending direction of the grip 6. Here, the vibration transmitting member 20 is formed of any one of a wire, a string, a linear elastic member, and an elongated coil spring. The second end portion of the vibration transmitting member 20 is provided with a motor 43 and a winding device 44. To the motor 43, a pinion 42 is rotatably installed.

To the inner circumference surface of the grip cavity 10, a rack 41 that meshes with the pinion 42 is fixed. The pinion 42 is urged upward against the rack 41 by a non-illustrated urging member (for example, a spring or a rubber). The pinion 42 is moved downward along the rack 41 by rotating the motor 43 and winding the second end portion of the vibration transmitting member 20 by the winding device 44. In contrast, by rewinding the motor 43, the pinion 42 is moved upward along the rack 41. This structure makes it possible to adjust the position where the vibration is transmitted in the extending direction of the grip 6 with ease, so that the vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6.

Instead of the motor 43, a manually operated winding device 44 may be used. The winding device 44 may be configured to be rotated from the outside by using, for example, a jig such as a Phillips screwdriver or a flat-blade screwdriver. In this case, the second end of the vibration transmitting member 20 is wound by rotating the winding device 44 by hand, so that the pinion 42 is moved downward along the rack 41. The pinion 42 is moved upward along the rack 41 by rewinding the winding device 44 in the reverse direction. With this configuration, the position where the vibration is transmitted can be manually adjusted to the extending direction of the grip 6 with ease, so that the vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6.

3. Head

FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views for illustrating modifications of the head 3. As shown in these drawings, the head 3 may include a weight member 61 for changing the position of the center of gravity of the head 3. In this case, the head 3 may be configured to change the position of the center of gravity by making the attachment state (position or angle) of the weight member 61. The attachment state of the weight member 61 may be manually adjustable by a user or may be accomplished with a weight motor 62 (drive source) provided for moving the weight member 61.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing the head 3 that incorporates two sets of the motor 61 for weight and the weight motor 62 on the upper surface thereof. The weight members 61 are made of material different from the material constituting the head 3, and are provided inside the hollow-cylindrical recesses recessed on the upper surface of the head 3. The weight motors 62 change the positions of respective weight members 61 by moving the weight members 61 in the rotating directions along the inner circumferential surfaces of the recesses. With this configuration, the positions of weight members 61 can be easily changed and thereby the center of gravity of the head 3, so that preferable impact feeling can be provided.

FIG. 14B is a perspective view showing the head 3 in which weight members 61 are provided inside linear recesses recessed on the upper surfaces. The weight motors 62 change the positions of respective weight members 61 by sliding the weight members 61 along the inner circumferential surfaces of the recesses. Also with this configuration, the positions of weight members 61 can be easily changed and thereby the center of gravity of the head 3, so that preferable impact feeling can be provided.

4. Effects

(1) The golf club 1 of this embodiment includes the head 3, the shaft 5, the hosel 4, and the grip 6. The head 3 has the striking surface 2 that strikes a golf ball. The shaft 5 is formed in an axial shape. The hosel 4 integrally connects the head 3 with a first end portion of the shaft 5 in a non-replaceable manner. The grip 6 is provided at the second end portion of the shaft 5 and is gripped by the user. In this way, by forming the head 3 and the shaft 5 integrally with the hosel 4 in a non-replaceable manner, vibration passing through the hosel 4 can be inhibited from being attenuated and vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6. Consequently, the impact feeling can be further enhanced.

(2) The hosel 4 is formed into a plate shape that extends in a plane direction parallel to the striking surface 2 and that has a constant thickness. In this manner, stretching the hosel 4 in a planar shape having a constant thickness in parallel to the striking surface 2 makes it possible to convert the vibration of the striking surface 2 into the surface vibration (membrane vibration) of the hosel 4. With this structure, the vibration is efficiently transmitted to the shaft 5 and the grip 6, so that the user can feel accurate and subtle vibration. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with preferable impact feeling, and to enhance the impact feeling as compared with an existing golf club.

(3) The hosel 4 of the present embodiment may be formed in a rectangular flat plate shape as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, 3A to 3F, and 4A to 4B, for example. Forming the hosel 4 in a rectangular flat plate shape as the above makes it possible to enhance the transmission efficiency of vibration with a simple configuration. Consequently, the impact feeling can be further enhanced.

(4) As shown in FIG. 4C and FIG. 5A, for example, the hosel 4 of the present disclosure can be formed in a bent plate shape that is be curved such that a closer surface to the striking surface 2 on a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface 2 comes inside. This shape can bring the connecting position between the shaft 5 and the hosel 4 close to the striking surface in the top view while enhancing the efficiency in transmitting vibration. Therefore, preferable impact feeling can be provided. Alternatively, the position of the golf ball when the golf ball comes into contact with the striking surface 2 can also be arranged on the extension of the shaft 5.

As shown in FIGS. 4D and 5B, for example, the hosel 4 of the present disclosure can also be formed in a flat plate shape in an irregular quadrilateral shape that looks like a side surface shape of a horseshoe. The irregular quadrilateral has the lower side 51 in contact with the upper surface of the head 3, a lower side 52 forming an angle with the lower side 51 of equal to or larger than 40 degrees and less than 50 degrees, the second side 53 forming an angle with the lower side 51 of equal to or larger than 120 degrees and less than 130 degrees, and the upper side 54 connecting the lower side 52 and the second side 53 and being non-parallel to the lower side 51. Adopting a flat planer shape in an irregular quadrilateral shape that looks like a side surface shape of a horseshoe to the shape of the hosel 4 as the above makes it possible to provide a preferable impact feeling, ensuring the strength and the stiffness of the hosel 4.

(5) As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, for example, the hosel 4 of the present application may have a hosel cavity 8 (first cavity) formed in a hollow. By forming such a hosel cavity 8 inside the hosel 4, acoustic sound can be generated in the hosel cavity 8. As a result, the user can confirm the vibration of the striking surface 2 as acoustic sound, and the impact feeling can be further enhanced. In addition, by forming the opening 11 for transmitting the reverberation sound of the hosel cavity 8 to the outside of the hosel 4, the acoustic sound that the user hears can be increased, the impact feeling can be further enhanced, and the impact sound can be sufficiently confirmed.

(6) As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, for example, the shaft 5 of the present application may have a shaft cavity 9 (second cavity) formed in a hollow communicating with the hosel cavity 8 (first cavity) as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. By forming such a shaft cavity 9 in the shaft 5, the vibration can be reverberated also in the shaft cavity 9 and the acoustic sound that the user hears can be increased. Therefore, the impact feeling and the impact sound can be further enhanced.

(7) As shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 13, for example, the grip 6 of the present embodiment may have a grip cavity 10 (third cavity) formed into a hollow communicating with the shaft cavity 9 (second cavity) therein. By forming such a grip cavity 10 inside the grip 6, the vibration can be reverberated also in the grip cavity 10 so that the acoustic sound that the user hears can be increased. Therefore, the impact feeling and the impact sound can be further enhanced.

(8) The grip 6 of the present embodiment may be integrally formed with the shaft 5 as shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 13, for example. Providing that the shaft 5 and the grip 6 are separate members, vibration may be attenuated when passing through the joint portion between the two members, which may reduce vibration to be transmitted to the grip 6. This problem can be solved by integrally forming the shaft 5 and the grip 6, which makes it possible to efficiently transmit the vibration to the grip 6. Consequently, the impact feeling can be further enhanced.

(9) For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the golf club 1 of the present embodiment may be applied with the vibration transmitting member 20 that transmits vibration generated on the striking surface 2 to the grip 6. The vibration transmitting member 20 is formed in an elongated shape, and is fixed to the head 3 at the first end portion thereof, and is incorporated in the shaft cavity 9 (second cavity) and the grip cavity 10 (third cavity). In addition, a grip inner plate 23 and a grip inner fixing device 24 (attachment member) that connect the second end of the vibration transmitting member 20 and the grip 6 may be applied to the inside of the grip hollow 10 (third cavity). As described above, by incorporating the vibration transmitting member 20 in the shaft 5 and the grip 6, it is possible to efficiently transmit the vibration generated on the striking surface 2 of the head 3 to the grip 6 without attenuating the vibration, and can further enhance the impact feeling.

(10) For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the installing member (the pinion 42, the motor 43, the winding device 44 in FIG. 13, or the winding device 44 manually operated) that connects the other end of the vibration transmitting member 20 and the grip 6 may be provided such that the positions thereof is adjustable in the extending direction of the grip 6. This structure makes it possible to adjust the position to which the vibration of the vibration transmitting member 20 is transmitted, so that the vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6. Consequently, the impact feeling can be further enhanced.

In addition, the grip inner plate 23 and the grip inner fixing device 24 (installing members) shown in FIG. 10 may be provided so as to be able to adjust their positions in the extending direction of the grip 6 by a non-illustrated adjusting mechanism. With this structure, the tension of the vibration transmitting member 20 can be adjusted, and the vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6.

(11) The vibration transmitting member 20 of the present application may be formed of any one of a wire, a string, a rod member, and a linear elastic member. As a result, the vibration transmitting member 20 can be realized with a simple configuration, and the vibration transmission efficiency can be easily improved. Consequently, the impact feeling can be further enhanced.

(12) In addition, the grip inner plate 23 (installing member) of the present application can be formed in a membrane shape that is expanded in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the grip 6. By being formed into a membrane shape, the grip inner plate 23 (installing member) can be surface-vibrated (membrane-vibrated), so that the vibration transmission efficiency can be enhanced. Consequently, the impact feeling can be further enhanced.

(13) As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a mass member 26 serving as a weight for amplifying vibration may be attached to the vibration transmitting member 20 of the present embodiment. By providing the mass member 26, the vibration of the vibration transmitting member 20 can be easily amplified, or the attenuation of the vibration can be suppressed, so that the vibration transmission efficiency can be enhanced. Consequently, the impact feeling can be further enhanced.

(14) The head 3 of the present embodiment may have a head cavity 7 (fourth cavity) formed into a hollow communicating with the hosel cavity 8 (first cavity) therein. By forming such the head cavity 7 inside the head 3, the head cavity 7 can also reverberate vibration and the acoustic sound that the user hears can be increased. Consequently, the impact feeling can be further enhanced.

(15) As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, for example, the golf club 1 of the present embodiment is applied with an auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 that transmits vibration generated on the striking surface 2 to the vibration transmitting member 20. The auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is provided inside the head cavity 7 (fourth cavity). As described above, by incorporating the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 in the head 3, it is possible to efficiently transmit the vibration generated on the striking surface 2 of the head 3 to the vibration transmitting member 20 without attenuating the vibration, and the impact feeling can be further enhanced.

(16) As illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the head 3 is applied with the weight members 61 for changing the position of the center of gravity of the head 3. By changing the installing position and the installing angle of each of the weight members 61, the center of gravity of the head 3 can be easily moved, so that preferable impact feeling can be provided.

(17) As shown in FIG. 14A, the weight motors 62 may be provided as driving sources for moving the weight members 61. In this structure, the weight members 61 are provided inside the hollow-cylindrical recesses recessed on the upper surface of the head 3. The weight motors 62 rotate the respective weight members 61 along the inner circumferential surfaces of the recesses. This structure makes it possible to easily adjust the center of gravity of the head 3, using the weight motors 62. Consequently, the impact feeling can be further enhanced.

5. Modifications

The above first embodiment is merely example, and there is no intention to eliminate the application of various modifications and techniques not explicitly described therein. The configurations of the first embodiment can be variously modified without departing from the scope thereof. Also, the configuration can be selected or omitted according to the requirement or appropriately combined.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a vibration sensor 81 that detects vibration generated on the striking surface 2 may be incorporated in the hosel 4. The vibration sensor 81 may be attached to the outer surface of the hosel 4 or incorporated in the hosel 4. If the hosel cavity 8 is formed inside the hosel 4, the vibration sensor 81 may be arranged inside the cavity. Detection of the vibration by the vibration sensor 81 makes it possible to objectively capture the magnitude and the waveform of the vibration in the vicinity of the vibration generation source (the striking surface 2), so that the impact feeling can be further enhanced. In addition, since the magnitude and waveform of the vibration can be analyzed, it is possible to enhance the practicing effect of golf by utilizing the analysis result. The data detected by the vibration sensor 81 may be transmitted to a non-illustrated computer by, for example, wireless connection or a wired connection.

Further, the grip 6 may include a vibrating device 82 that vibrates based on the data of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 81. In a case where the grip cavity 10 is formed inside the grip 6, a vibrating device 82 may be arranged inside the cavity. The vibrating device 82 may function, for example, to amplify and output the unprocessed vibration detected by the vibration sensor 81. By amplifying the vibration by the vibrating device 82, the vibration actually transmitted to the user can be increased, so that the impact feeling can be further enhanced.

Further alternatively, the grip 6 may include a speaker 82A that emits sound based on the data of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 81. In a case where the grip cavity 10 is formed inside the grip 6, a speaker 82A including an amplifier may be arranged inside the cavity. The speaker 82A may function, for example, to amplify and output the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 81 in the form of unprocessed sound. As a result, when a golf ball is struck on one striking surface of the golf club, the vibration at that time is detected by the vibration sensor 81 and heard, as sound, from the speaker 82A. At this time, the hollow shaft 5 functions as a speaker box, and therefore makes the sound related to the vibration louder and outputs the loud sound. As a result, the golf club 1 can function as a kind of electronic musical instrument.

Of course, both the vibrating device 82 and the speaker 82A may be attached to the grip 6.

As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, fins 13 each in a thin-plate shape may be erected on the upper surface of the head 3. Each fin 13 is a portion in a thin-plate form or a hollow-plate form that functions to amplify the vibration generated in the head 3 and the hosel 4. The number of fins 13 may be appropriately set according to the size of the head 3 or the hosel 4, and may be one or two or more. Furthermore, each fin 13 may be disposed on the side close to the striking surface 2 or may be disposed on the side distant from the striking surface 2 on the basis of the position of the hosel 4 to which the shaft 5 is connected.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the height of each fin 13 may be set to the same height as (or substantially the same as) the hosel 4. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 16C, 16D and 16E, the height of each fin 13 may be set different from that of the hosel 4, for example, may be set to about the half of the height of the hosel 4. As the above, the magnitude relationship in the sizes (thickness, height, and depth) between the hosel 4 and each fin 13 can be appropriately set. In addition, the fin disposed closed to the hosel 4 may be formed integrally with or separately from the hosel 4.

In addition, an illuminating member 13B including, for example, an LED or a fluorescent material may be arranged on a top surface 13A of each fin 13. Alternatively, illuminating member 4B equivalent to the illuminating member 13B may be arranged on the top surface 4A of the hosel 4. The number of each of the illuminating members 4B and 13B may be, for example, one or more, and the illuminating members 4B and 13B may be arranged in a planar shape, in a row shape, or in a chain shape. This structure makes it possible to sufficiently confirm the trajectory of the head 3 even during practice in darkness. The illuminating member 4B may be omitted.

Furthermore, the fins 13 formed into curved shapes (crescent shapes) in the top view as shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C, or into corrugated shapes in the top view as shown in FIGS. 17D, 17E, and 17F can be used. Of course, the shape of the fin 13 may be a combination of a curved shape and a corrugated shape, or may be another shapes in the top view. If the fins 13 having such a shape is used, the hosel 4 can also be formed into a curved shape and a corrugated shape. In addition, by forming a curved shape or a corrugated shape in the top view, a fluctuation effect is generated, so that balanced feeling can be given to the user.

Further alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 17G and 17H, the longitudinal direction of the head 3 may be formed so as to coincide with the swing direction (see solid-line arrow or dashed-line arrow) of the head 3 in the top view or U-shaped fins 13 may be formed on the upper surface of the head 3. The number of fins 13 may be one or tow or more. The orientation of each fin 13 is preferably set such that the U-shape opens toward the striking surface 2 in the top view. Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 17C, 17F, and 17H, the positions of the hosel 4 and the head 3 may be made to flush with the striking surface 2.

FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B are cross-sectional views illustrating the internal structure of the golf club 1 illustrated in FIG. 16A. By providing the fins 13 on the upper surface of the head 3, the vibration can be easily amplified. In addition, if multiple fins 13 (each may be in a straight-line shape, a curved-line shape, or a corrugated shape in the top view) are provided, vibration may resonate between the fins 13 and be further amplified. Therefore, preferable impact feeling can be provided and the same effects and actions as those of the above embodiment can be provided.

II. Second Embodiment

The second embodiment relates to a golf club 1 which does not have hosel 4 unlike the first embodiment. In the golf club 1 of the second embodiment, the shaft 5 and the grip 6 are formed into hollows, and the vibration transmitting member 20 is provided in the hollow portions.

In other words, the vibration transmitting member 20 is incorporated in the golf club 1 not having the hosel 4. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the golf club 1 in which a vibration transmitting member 20 is incorporated. Inside the golf club 1, in addition to the shaft cavity portion 9 (second cavity), a grip cavity portion 10 (third cavity) is provided. The grip cavity 10 is a hollow formed inside the grip 6 and communicates with shaft cavity 9 The upper end portion of the grip 6 is closed by a grip top-end plate 21.

The vibration transmitting member 20 is a member that transmits vibration generated on the striking surface 2 to the grip 6. The vibration transmitting member 20 is formed in an elongated shape and is provided inside the shaft cavity 9 and the grip cavity 10. Examples of the vibration transmitting member 20 include a wire (e.g., a wire such as a steel wire or a piano wire), a string (e.g., a string in which various fibers are braided), a rod member (e.g., a rod member formed of rod-shaped metal or wood), a linear elastic member (e.g., a linear elastic member formed of rubber or resin), and an elongated coil spring.

One end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 19) of the vibration transmitting member 20 is fixed to the head 3 via fixing device 22. On the other hand, the other end portion (the upper end portion in FIG. 19) of the vibration transmitting member 20 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the grip 6 via a grip inner plate 23 and a grip inner fixing device 24 (installing members). As shown in FIG. 19, a mass member 26 serving as a weight for amplifying vibration may be attached to the vibration transmitting member 20. The position of the mass member 26 may be fixed with respect to the vibration transmitting member 20 or may be movable (the fixed position is adjustable). Further, for example, the mass member 26 may be added, modified, or replaced according to the user's preference.

The vibration generated on the striking surface of the head 3 is not only transmitted to the grip 6 via the shaft 5, but also transmitted to the grip 6 via the vibration transmitting member 20. As described above, by incorporating the vibration transmitting member 20 in the shaft 5, the transmission paths of the vibration can be increased, and the vibration generated on the striking surface of the head 3 can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6 without being attenuated. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with preferable impact feeling, and to improve the impact feeling as compared with an existing golf club.

The grip inner plate 23 and the grip inner fixing device 24 (installing members) provided at the other end portion (upper end portion of FIG. 10) of the vibration transmitting member 20 may be provided so as to be able to adjust their positions in the extending direction of the grip 6 by a non-illustrated electric- or manual-type adjusting mechanism. With this structure, the tension of the vibration transmitting member 20 can be adjusted, and the vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6. Furthermore, the grip inner plate 23 may be formed in a membrane shape that is expanded in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the grip 6 (for example, a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the grip 6). By being formed into a membrane shape, the grip inner plate 23 can be surface-vibrated (membrane-vibrated), so that the vibration transmission efficiency can be enhanced.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the golf club 1 in which a vibration transmitting member 20 and an auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 are incorporated. Inside the head 3 of the golf club 1, the head cavity 7 (fourth cavity) is provided, and an auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is attached to the inside of the head cavity 7. The auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is a member that transmits vibration generated on the striking surface 2 to the vibration transmitting member 20. Like the vibration transmitting member 20, examples of the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 include a wire, a string, a rod member, a linear elastic member, and an elongated coil spring.

An end portion of head distal tip portion 31 (the left side in FIG. 20) of the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the head 3 via a fixing device 33 on a head distal-tip side. Further, an end portion of head base tip portion 32 (the right side in FIG. 20) is attached to the inner circumference surface of the head 3 via a fixing device 34 on a head base-tip side. The intermediate part of the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is attached to the inner circumference surface of the head 3 via the head inner plate 35 and the head inner fixing deice 36. Furthermore, the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 and the head inner fixing deice 36 are bound together by a biding device 37. The head inner plate 35 is perforated with a through-hole into which the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is loosely inserted. The position of head inner plate 35 is set in the vicinity of the striking surface 2, for example.

One end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 20) of the vibration transmitting member 20 is fixed to the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 via a connecting metal fitting 27. The other end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 11) of the vibration transmitting member 20 may be structured as shown in FIG. 19 or as shown in FIG. 20, or may be fixed to a grip top-end plate 21 via a fixing device 28 on a grip top-end side. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the intermediate part of the vibration transmitting member 20 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the grip 6 via the grip inner plate 23 and the grip inner fixing device 24. In addition, the vibration transmitting member 20 and the fixing device 24 in grip are bound together by biding device 25. The grip inner plate 23 is perforated with a through-hole into which the vibration transmitting member 20 is loosely inserted. Two pairs of the grip inner plate 23 and the grip inner fixing device 24 are provided.

Vibration generated on the striking surface of the head 3 are transmitted to the grip 6 via not only the shaft 5 but also the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 and the vibration transmitting member 20. As described above, by incorporating the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 in the head 3, the vibration transmitted to the vibration transmitting member 20 can be amplified, and the vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with preferable impact feeling, and to enhance the impact feeling as compared with an existing golf club.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the golf club 1 in which three pairs of the vibration transmitting member 20 and the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 are provided. Like this example, by providing multiple vibration transmitting members 20 and multiple auxiliary vibration transmitting members 30, the vibration generated on the striking surface 2 of the head 3 can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with preferable impact feeling, and to enhance the impact feeling as compared with an existing golf club.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a structure that makes it possible to adjust the position of the second end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 22) of the vibration transmitting member 20 in the extending direction of the grip 6. Here, the vibration transmitting member 20 is formed of any one of a wire, a string, and a linear elastic member. The second end portion of the vibration transmitting member 20 is provided with a motor 43 and a winding device 44. To the motor 43, a pinion 42 is rotatably installed.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 19 to 22, the shaft 5 may have an opening that makes the inner space of the shaft cavity 9 (second cavity) communicate with the outside and that transmits the reverberation sound inside the shaft 5 to the outside, and the shaft cavity 9 may serve as a resonance chamber (resonance mechanism) that emphasizes the impact sound generated in the shaft cavity 9 when the golf ball is hit and transmits the impact sound to the outside through the opening. This structure can increase the sound entering the ears of the user, and can further improve the impact feeling.

III. Third Embodiment

The third embodiment relates to a golf club 1 characterized by an insert provided on the striking surface 2 of the head 3. As shown in FIG. 23, the golf club 1 includes the head 3, the shaft 5, and the grip 6.

On the side surface of the head 3, a striking surface 2 (face) that hits a golf ball is provided. The striking surface 2 is provided with an insert made of a surface vibration member 15 formed in a surface shape that, when colliding with the golf ball, surface-vibrates and provides reaction force to the golf ball. This structure can efficiently apply reaction force to the ball by small force and to extend the driving distance. The impact feeling can be improved by the surface vibration.

For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the surface vibration member 15 includes a net member 16 formed by knitting a string 19 into a net-like shape inside a frame 18 and a membrane member 17 which covers the entire surface of the net member 16 and is pasted onto the striking surface 2. The net member 16 has a structure similar to a tennis racket structure, for example. This structure can efficiently apply reaction force to the ball. The net member 16 and the membrane member 17 are preferably detachably installed to the striking surface 2 of the head 3 independently from each other.

The string 19 constituting the net member 16 includes at least one of natural fibers (gut (bovine and ovine intestine)), synthetic fibers (nylon fiber, polyester fiber), and elastic fibers (natural rubber fibers, synthetic rubber fibers), and the membrane member 17 includes at least one of a metal plate, a resin plate, a rubber membrane, and a leather membrane. Accordingly, by using existing string (e.g., tennis strings, rubber belts), the net member can be achieved at low cost, and by using existing membrane products (e.g., drum membrane, rubber membrane of a table tennis racket), the membrane member can be realized at low cost. Alternatively, the net member 16 and the membrane member 17 may be integrally formed to have a structure similar to the hitting surface structure of a table tennis racket, or the net member 16 may be formed by stretching the membrane of a drum may over a frame material. Further alternatively, the insert may be made of metal. In this case, the insert may be formed in a lattice shape like the lid of a grating.

The structure of the insert may be formed into one similar to a gong structure. Specifically, if the striking surface 2 of the insert is hang and the ball hits the striking surface 2 in the gong structure, a sound like a gong is generated.

If the net member 16 is formed by stretching a drum membrane over a frame material or if the striking surface 2 of the insert is formed into a gong structure, a vibration sensor that detects vibration of a drum membrane or vibration of an insert in the gong structure is provided, for example, inside of the head of the golf club or integrally with or close to the insert and the vibration of the drum membrane or the insert in the gong structure may be amplified and output in the form of sound from a speaker.

The surface vibration member 15 is detachably provided to the head 3. This allows the surface vibration member 15 to be attached or detached according to the preference of the user. In addition, the surface vibration member 15 may be attached to an existing golf club. Like the head cavity 7 of the first embodiment, a head cavity 7 formed by forming a hollow inside of the head 3 may be provided. For example, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 25, the head cavity 7 may be formed inside the head body 14, and an opening may be provided on the side surface of the head cavity 7. The surface vibration member 15 (net member 16, membrane member 17) is installed so as to cover the opening of the head body 14. This reverberates the surface vibration of the surface vibration member 15 in the head cavity 7 and can enhance the impact feeling.

In addition, a head inner wire (auxiliary vibration transmitting member) 30 may be installed inside the head cavity 7. The head inner wire 30 is stretched inside the head cavity 7 and connected to the surface vibration member 15 via a connecting wire 40. This can amplify the surface vibration of the surface vibration member 15 as the vibration of the head inner wire 30, and can enhance the impact feeling.

As shown in FIG. 25, similarly to the shaft cavity 9 in the first embodiment, the shaft cavity 9 formed by forming a hollow inside the shaft 5 may be provided. With such a configuration, the surface vibration can be reverberated also inside of the shaft cavity 9, and the impact feeling can be enhanced. As shown in FIG. 25, a shaft inner wire 20 may be provided inside the shaft cavity 9. The shaft inner wire 20 is stretched inside the shaft cavity 9 and is connected to the head inner wire 30. This structure can amplify the surface vibration of the surface vibration member 15 as the vibration of the shaft inner wire 20, and can enhance the impact feeling.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26, the shaft inner wire 20 may be stretched so as to connect the grip 6 and the head inner wire 30. In other words, the upper end of the shaft inner wire 20 may be fixed inside the grip 6 to transmit the vibration of the surface vibration member 15 to the grip 6. This structure makes it possible to efficiently transmit the vibration to the grip and to thereby further enhance the impact feeling.

In the event of hitting a golf club with the golf club, if the golf ball hits the sweet spot of the striking surface 2 of the insert, a chime, a gong, or a buzzer sounds as electronic sound, or the fact is notified via voice. The tone of the chime, the gong, or the buzzer may differ between a case where the golf ball hits the sweet spot and a case where the golf ball does not hit the sweet spot, or the voice may differ between the above cases. For this case, a sensor that detects that a golf ball hit the sweet spot or a sensor that detects that the golf ball missed the sweet spot is provided, and a speaker outputs sound of the chime, the gong, or the buzzer or voice via an amplifier on the basis of the data detected by this sensor (or these sensors).

Of course, the golf club having the insert head according to the third embodiment can also be applied to a golf club having a hosel according to the first embodiment. In other words, the insert like those shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 may be installed to the head of the striking face of the golf club with a hosel. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 25, a part on the inner surface of the insert and the auxiliary vibration transmitting member (head inner wire 30) can be directly connected to each other, so that the vibration in the insert is directly transmitted to the head inner wire 30, which contributes to the further enhancement in the transmission efficiency and in impact feeling.

IV. Fourth Embodiment

The fourth embodiment relates to a golf club 1 having a fin or plate member 86. The golf club 1 shown in FIG. 27 includes the head 3 having a striking surface 2 that hits a golf ball, the shaft 5 formed in a shaft shape, the hosel 4 connecting one end portion of the shaft 5 to the head 3, and the grip 6 being provided at the other end portion of the shaft 5 and being gripped by a user. The fin or plate member 86 is provided between the head 3 and the hosel 4.

The fin or plate member 86 is a plate-like member and is fixed so as to connect the head 3 to the hosel 4 in a direction substantially parallel to the striking surface 2. The fin or plate member 86 shown in FIG. 27 is formed in a triangular flat plate shape and is stretched between upper surface of the head 3 and the edge surface of the hosel 4. Although only one fin or plate member 86 appears in FIG. 27, the number of fin or plate members 86 is irrelevant, and multiple fin or plate members 86 may be provided.

The golf club 1 shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B is a golf club 1 not having a hosel 4. That is, the golf club 1 shown in FIG. 27 includes the head 3 having a striking surface 2 that hits a golf ball, the shaft 5 formed in a shaft shape, and the grip 6 being provided at the other end portion of the shaft 5 and being gripped by a user. The head 3 is connected to one end portion of the shaft 5. Between the head 3 and the shaft 5, one (or more) fin or plate member 86 is provided. With such a configuration, the fin or plate member 86 surface-vibrates when the the golf ball is hit, so that the impact feeling can be enhanced. In addition, the strength of installing of the shaft 5 or the hosel 4 to the head 3 can be reinforced. As shown in FIGS. 27, and 28 (A), an illuminating member 86B containing an LED or a fluorescent material may be arranged on top surface 86A of the fin or plate member 86. This structure makes it possible to sufficiently confirm the trajectory of the head 3 even during practice in darkness.

V. Fifth Embodiment

The fifth embodiment relates to a golf club 1 including the vibration transmitting member 20 and the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 and further incorporating therein pickups 20A,30A (first pickup 20A, second pickup 30A) that detect vibration. The first pickup 20A is a sensor that detects vibration of the vibration transmitting member 20 and converts the detected vibration into an electric signal, and is provided at a position close to the vibration transmitting member 20. Similarly, the second pickup 30A is a sensor that detects vibration of the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 and converts the detected vibration into an electric signal, and is provided at a position close to the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30. These pickups 20A, 30A generate electric signals corresponding to the vibration of the vibration transmitting members 20, 30 in the manner accomplished by an electric guitar, for example.

The golf club 1 shown in FIG. 29 includes the hosel cavity 8, the shaft cavity 9, the grip cavity 10, the vibration transmitting member 20, and a first pickup 20A. The vibration transmitting member 20 is a member that transmits vibration generated on the striking surface 2 to the grip 6. The vibration transmitting member 20 is formed in an elongated shape and is provided inside the hosel cavity 8, the shaft cavity 9, and the grip cavity 10. Examples of the vibration transmitting member 20 include a wire (e.g., a linear member containing magnetic material such as a steel wire or a piano wire). The installing manner of the vibration transmitting member 20 is as described in the foregoing embodiment.

The golf club 1 shown in FIG. 30 includes the hosel cavity 8, the shaft cavity 9, the grip cavity 10, the vibration transmitting member 20, the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30, the first pickup 20A, and the second pickup 30A. The auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is a member that transmits vibration generated on the striking surface 2 to the vibration transmitting member 20 and is arranged inside the head cavity 7. Like the vibration transmitting member 20, examples of the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 include a wire (e.g., a linear member containing magnetic material such as a steel wire or a piano wire). The installing manner of the vibration transmitting members 20, 30 is as described in the above embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 36, an electric signal detected by the first pickup 20A is amplified by an amplifier 90A built in the golf club 1 and also transmitted to a speaker 91A. Further, an electric signal detected by the second pickup 30A is, for example, amplified by the same amplifier 90A built in the golf club 1 and transmitted to the same speaker 91A. Alternatively, the electric signal detected by the second pickup 30A may be amplified by a different amplifier 90B from the amplifier 90A, or the amplified electric signal may be transmitted to a different speaker 91B from the speaker 91A. The speakers 91A, 91B output the inputted electric signals as sound. As a result, impact sound is outputted from the speakers 91A,91B. This impact sound can be adjusted by changing the amplifying properties of the amplifiers 90A,90B. Furthermore, filters may be interposed on the upstream side and/or the downstream side of the amplifiers 90A, 90B to remove noise or unnecessary frequency components from the electric signals as needed.

In the golf club 1 shown in FIG. 29, vibration generated on the striking surface 2 of the head 3 are transmitted to the grip 6 via not only the hosel 4 and the shaft 5 but also the vibration transmitting member 20. By incorporating the vibration transmitting member 20 in the golf club 1, the vibration generated on the striking surface 2 can be efficiently transmitted to the grip 6 without being attenuated. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with preferable impact feeling, and to enhance the impact feeling as compared with an existing golf club. Further, the vibration of the vibration transmitting member 20 is detected by the first pickup 20A, and the vibration is converted into an electric signal, amplified by the amplifier 90A, and then outputted as a sound from the speaker 91A. As a result, the impact sound is output together with the above-described impact feeling, and preferable impact feeling due to the synergistic effect can be provided to the user.

In the golf club 1 shown in FIG. 30, the vibration transmitting member 20 is incorporated in the hosel cavity 8 and the shaft cavity 9, and the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is additionally incorporated in the head cavity 7 (fourth cavity). As described above, by incorporating the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 in the head 3, it is possible to efficiently transmit the vibration generated on the striking surface 2 of the head 3 to the vibration transmitting member 20 without attenuating the vibration, and the impact feeling can be further enhanced. In addition, the vibration of the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 is detected by the second pickup 30A, and the sound corresponding to the detected vibration is outputted from the speakers 91A, 91B. As a result, the impact sound is output together with the above-described impact feeling, and preferable impact feeling due to the synergistic effect can be provided to the user.

In particular, if the golf club 1 includes the vibration transmitting member 20 and the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30, the pickups 20A, 30A detect vibration transmitting through the vibration transmitting member 20 and the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30 respectively, the electric signals originated from the respective vibrations are amplified by the amplifiers 90A,90B, appropriately filtered, and output as impact sound from the speakers 91A, 91B. This can provide more preferable impact feeling the user.

The speakers 91A,91B can be in shared, and amplifier 90A,90B can also be shared as needed. As shown in FIG. 31, in the golf club 1 including multiple vibration transmitting members 20 and auxiliary vibration transmitting members 30, the pickups 20A,30A may be provided one for each of the vibration transmitting members 20 and the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30, or may be shared by the vibration transmitting members 20 and the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30.

Further, as shown in FIG. 32, in the golf club 1 not having the hosel 4, a first pickup 20A may be provided in the vicinity of the vibration transmitting member 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 33 and FIG. 35, in the golf club 1 not having the hosel 4, a first pickup 20A may be provided in the vicinity of the vibration transmitting member 20, and a second pickup 30A may be provided in the vicinity of the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 34, in the golf club 1 including the surface vibration member 15, the surface vibration member 15 may be connected to the head inner wire 30 (auxiliary vibration transmitting member) via a connecting wire 40, and a third pickup 40A may be provided in the vicinity of the connecting wire 40. The third pickup 40A s a sensor having the same functions as other pickups 20A, 30A.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 36, an electric signal detected by the third pickup 40A is amplified by an amplifier 90C built in the golf club 1 and also transmitted to a speaker 91C. Also in this case, the speakers 91A-91C can be in shared, and the amplifiers 90A-90C can also be shared as needed. As shown in FIG. 34, in the golf club 1 including multiple connecting wires 40, the pickups 40A may be provided one for each of the connecting wires 40 or a single connecting wire 40 may be shared by the connecting wires 40.

Also in these golf clubs 1, the same actions and effects as those of the above-described the golf club 1 having the hosel 4 can be obtained. Of course, even in these examples, speakers 91A-91C can be shared, and amplifiers 90A-90C can also be shared as needed. In addition, in the golf club 1 including multiple vibration transmitting members 20, auxiliary vibration transmitting members 30, and the connecting wires 40, the pickups 20A,30A, 40A may be provided one for each of the vibration transmitting members 20, the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30, and the connecting wires 40 or may be shared by the vibration transmitting members 20, the auxiliary vibration transmitting member 30, and the connecting wires 40.

In this embodiment, the amplifiers 90A-90C and the speakers 91A-91C may be replaced with a smart phone or a computer (e.g., information terminal). In this case, the speakers 91A-91C may be worn to the user's ears in the form of earphones or headphones. The connection between the pickups 20A,30A,40A and the respective corresponding amplifiers 90A-90C may be wired or wireless. Similarly, the connection between the amplifiers 90A-90C and the respective corresponding speakers 91A-91C may be wired or wireless.

VI. Sixth Embodiment

In the sixth embodiment, on the upper surface of the head 3 of the golf club 1, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 100 serving as an electric indicator member that can indicate the hitting direction of the golf ball is provided. The LCD 100 may be configured, for example, as a color LCD that can display color images. The LCD 100 can also be applied to the golf club 1 having the hosel 4 as shown in FIG. 37A, or can also be applied to the golf club 1 not having the hosel 4 as shown in FIG. 37B.

As shown in FIG. 38, the LCD 100 is connected to an indicator 102 (inputting device) via a controller 101. When the indicator 102 provides an instruction for display, the LCD 100 is informed via the controller 101 of this instruction, and then LCD 100 displays the hitting direction of the golf ball. In this embodiment, since the other components are substantially the same as those of the foregoing embodiments, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The display by the LCD 100 may be an arrow or a series of circles indicating the hitting direction of the golf ball. In the latter case, the circles may be arranged so as to become smaller as approaching the distal end side indicating the direction. This configuration can enhance the impact feeling and also can display the hitting direction of the golf ball freely with the LCD 100, so that the convenience can be enhanced.

The indicator 102 and the controller 101 may be replaced by a smart phone. In this case, the connection between the controller 101 and the LCD 100 is preferably wireless. Further, the content of an instruction input into the indicator 102 may be input by, for example, a user of the golf club 1, an instructor (trainer), or an assistant (caddy).

In the present embodiment, in addition to displaying the hitting direction of the golf ball with the LCD 100, a rhythm box function for notifying the rhythm of hitting the golf ball in the event of hitting the golf ball may be provided. For this case, the golf club 1 is provided with a controller 101 having either one of a rhythm box function for notifying the rhythm when the golf ball is to be hit and a synthesized voice generating function and a speaker 100A outputting one of the rhythm sound and the synthesized voice generated by the rhythm box function and the synthesized voice generating function of the controller 101, respectively (see FIG. 38).

Furthermore, one or more impact sensors 103 may be provided in the head 3, and when the golf ball hits the striking surface 2, the impact data thereof may be detected by the impact sensors 103 and collected by the controller 101, and the impact data may be displayed on the LCD 100 in a numerical value and/or a graph (see FIG. 38).

In addition, if the head 3 is configured to be able to detect the difference in impact data between the sweet spot on the striking surface 2 and the other position, the impact data when the golf ball hits the sweet spot and when the golf ball does not hits the sweet spot can also be displayed on the LCD 100 in a numerical value and/or a graph via the controller 101. In this case, it is preferable that the impact data in a numerical value and/or a graph is displayed after the hitting direction of the golf ball is displayed. Alternatively, the hitting direction and the impact data may be alternately displayed at predetermined intervals.

VII. Miscellaneous

FIGS. 39A and 39B are side views illustrating modifications of the golf club 1 described in the first to sixth embodiments. On the lower surface of the head 3 of the golf club 1, one of multiple adapters 3A,3B is detachably attached. As adapters 3A,3B, multiple types having different shapes, weights, and centers of gravity points, for example, are prepared. For example, the adapter 3A illustrated in FIG. 39B is used when the user wishes to increase the lie angle L more than adapter 3B illustrated in FIG. 39A. Although FIGS. 39A and 39B illustrate the golf club 1 not having the hosel 4, the presence or absence of the hosel 4 is irrelevant.

The adapters 3A, 3B are assumed to be selected one therefrom and mounted to the lower surface of the head 3 by the user or the instructor (trainer), for example. The adapters 3A,3B are preferably mounted to the lower surface of the head 3 via, for example, a locking structure (clips) or a fastening structure (screw) that can be easily detached. By using the adapters 3A,3B suitable for the physique and the striking form of the user of the golf club 1, the swing trajectory of the golf club 1 can be easily optimized, and the practice effectiveness can be enhanced. Incidentally, the lie angle Lis an angle on the user's side from the shaft 5 between angles that the shaft 5 forms with respect to the horizontal plane when the striking surface 2 of the head 3 is viewed horizontally from the front.

As described above, examples of FIGS. 39A and 39B can be applied to any of the golf clubs described in the first to sixth embodiments, and needless to say, the configurations except for the adapters 3A,3B and the manner of mounting thereof are the same as those of the respective embodiments.

The vibration sensor 81, the vibrating device 82, and the speaker 82A of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 15 can be applied to any of the second to sixth embodiments. The various vibration transmitting members 20 and the auxiliary vibration transmitting members 30 described in the first and second embodiments can be applied to the golf clubs of the third, fourth, and sixth embodiments, of course. In addition, the insert described in the third embodiment can also be provided on the striking surface 2 of the head 3 of the first, second, fourth to sixth embodiments.

Needles to say, like the fourth embodiment, the first to third, the fifth, and the sixth embodiments may provide one or more fin or plate members 86 between the head 3 and the one end portion of the shaft 5 or the hosel 4. Further, in the first to sixth embodiments described above, the golf club 1 is exemplified by a putter, but the golf club 1 may of course also be other golf clubs (e.g., wood, hybrids, utilities). Throughout the first to the sixth embodiments described above, members denoted by the same reference signs represents the same member.

Further, although a circuit battery to amplify a signal detected by a sensor or a pickup in the amplifier and output the amplified signal from the speaker does not appear in the drawing, the circuit battery is provided inside or outside the golf club according to the requirement.

If the circuit is partly accomplished by a smartphone, the battery for the smartphone also serves as a circuit battery.

A switch SW1 (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 36) may be interposed in the circuit shown in FIG. 36. The position where switch SW1 is interposed is set, for example, between the pickup 20A, 30A, 40A and the amplifier 90A,90B, 90C or between the amplifier 90A, 90B, 90C and the speaker 91A, 91B, 91C. When the switch is turned on, the amplifier 90A,90B,90C amplifies the sound based on the detected data by the pickup 20A,30A,40A and a sensor, and the amplified sound is then output from the speaker 91A,91B,91C. On the other hand, such sound is not output when the switch is turned off. The on/off status of the switch SW1 can be appropriately selected by the user. For example, the switch SW1 is arranged at a position operable from the outer surface of the golf club 1. Alternatively, a switch SW1 that can switch the on/off status via radio communication is used.

Further, if a switching switch SW2 is interposed in the circuit shown in FIG. 38 and the switch SW2 is switched so as to be connected to the LCD 100, the LCD 100 displays the hitting direction and the impact data in a numerical value and a graph; when the switch SW2 is switched so as to be connected to the speaker 100A, the speaker 100A outputs one of rhythm sound and synthesized voice generated by one of the rhythm box function and the synthesized voice generating function of the controller 101; and when the switch SW2 is switched so as to be connected to both the LCD 100 and the speaker 100A, the LCD 100 displays the hitting direction, the impact data in a numerical value and a graph and the speaker 100A outputs one of rhythm sound and synthesized voice.

Of course, if the switch SW2 is not connected to neither the LCD 100 or the speaker 100A to be turned into the so-called off state, the LCD 100 will not be display and the speaker 100A will not output rhythm sound or synthesized voice.

In FIG. 38, when only the LCD 100 is provided, the SW2 may be sufficiently an on/off switch.

Further, a method of producing the golf club 1 may employ various manufacturing techniques in addition to or in place of a normal manufacturing technique.

For example, the golf club 1 can be manufactured using a 3D printer, manufactured using a seamless welding technique, manufactured using a casting technique, or manufactured by appropriately combining these techniques.

The vibration transmitting member 20 provided to the golf club 1 described above can be referred to as an impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism for emphasizing the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit. In other words, the above embodiments illustrate an example the golf club 1 that includes the vibration transmitting member 20 serving as an impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism.

In the seventh embodiment, a diaphragm member 200 serving as a impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism is attached to the head 3 of the golf club 1.

FIGS. 40A to 40C are perspective views of the golf club 1 according to the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 40A illustrates an example of the golf club 1 not having a hosel. This golf club 1 has the shaft 5 formed in a shaft shape, the head 3 provided on a lower end side (the first end side, one end side) of the shaft 5 and having the a striking surface 2 that strikes a golf ball, and the grip 6 provided on an upper end side (the second end side, the other end side) of the shaft 5 and gripped by a user, and a diaphragm member 200 is attached to the head 3.

The heads 3 in FIGS. 40A to 40C may have any well-known shapes, such as a mallet type and a neomallet type illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2C, in addition to those illustrated in FIG. 2A.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 40A has the shaft 5 extending in a straight line whereas the golf club 1 of FIG. 40B has the crank-shaped shaft 5 having a bending portion bent toward the front (the side where the striking surface 2 is located) of the head 3 at the lower end of the shaft 5. The golf club 1 of FIG. 40C has a structure in which the shaft 5 and the head 3 are connected by the hosel 4 having a bending portion bent toward the front (the side where the striking surface 2 is located) of the head 3.

The golf club 1 may have any known structure for connecting the head 3 and the shaft 5, such as a structure in which the straight shaft 5 is connected to the head 3, a structure in which a crank-shaped shaft 5 is connected to the head 3, and a structure in which the shaft 5 is connected to the head 3 via a crank-shaped hosel 4, as shown in FIGS. 40A to 40C, respectively.

The diaphragm member 200 is a plate member that emphasizes impact vibration generated when a golf ball is hit, and has, for example, a plate thickness, a stiffness, a shape, and a material set to emphasize the impact vibration. The diaphragm member 200 of the golf club 1 in FIG. 40 is formed of a flat plate being thin in thickness and extending in a plane parallel to the striking surface 2.

The diaphragm member 200 may be integrally attached to the head 3 in a non-replaceable manner (non-removable) manner, or may be detachably attached to the head 3 (retrofittable, in separated form). As a method of attaching the diaphragm member 200 to the head 3 in a non-detachable or detachable manner, any known method such as bonding, crimping, welding, and fitting may be used.

FIG. 41A is a side view of the head 3 of the golf club 1 of FIG. 40 as viewed from an arrow A, and a left side in the drawing is a side of a surface (front surface) on which the striking surface 2 of the head 3 is formed.

The diaphragm member 200 shown in FIG. 41A is attached to the head 3, and more specifically is attached to the front side where the striking surface 2 is formed. The diaphragm member 200 is formed to cover a part or all of the head 3. In other words, the diaphragm member 200 functions as the striking surface 2.

According to the golf club 1, the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit is transmitted to the diaphragm member 200 and emphasized by the diaphragm member 200. Therefore, it is possible to emphasize (increase) vibration transmitted to the palm of the user through the shaft 5 and the grip 6 and impact sound (acoustic sound) heard by the user. Consequently, the impact feeling and the impact sound can be enhanced as compared to a related golf club not attached with the diaphragm member 200.

FIGS. 41B and 41C are modifications of FIG. 41A. In FIG. 41B, the diaphragm member 200 is attached to the back surface side opposite to the front surface on the head 3.

FIG. 41C shows a head 3 having a sub-diaphragm member 201 in addition to diaphragm member 200 attached to the front surface of the head 3. The sub-diaphragm member 201 is attached to the back surface of the head 3 opposite to the front surface. The sub-diaphragm member 201 is a plate member having a function of emphasizing impact vibration generated when a golf ball is hit similar to the diaphragm member 200, and is provided as a plate member separated from the diaphragm member 200.

Also in these structures, the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit is transmitted to the diaphragm member 200 and emphasized by the diaphragm member 200, so that the vibration transmitted to the palm of the user and the impact sound (acoustic sound) heard by the user can be emphasized and the impact feeling and the impact sound can be enhanced.

The golf clubs 1 shown in FIGS. 42A to 42C are modifications of FIGS. 41A to 41C, and the heads 3 thereof each have a head hollow portion 202 (indicated by a dashed line in the drawing) formed in a hollow shape.

In the golf club 1 of FIG. 42A, an opening 202A communicating with head hollow portion 202 and the outside is provided on the front surface of the head 3, and the diaphragm member 200 is attached so as to cover the opening 202A. In the golf club 1 of FIG. 42B, an opening 202A communicating with head hollow portion 202 and the outside is provided on the back surface of the head 3, and the diaphragm member 200 is attached so as to cover the opening 202A. In the golf club 1 of FIG. 42C, openings 202A, 202A′ communicating with head hollow portion 202 and the outside are provided on the front surface and the back surface of the head 3, and the diaphragm member 200 and the sub-diaphragm member 201 are attached so as to cover the openings 202A, 202A′, respectively. The head 3 of FIG. 42C can be said to have a drum structure in which both sides (openings 202A,202A′) of the cavity of the head hollow portion 202 are covered with the diaphragm member 200 and the sub-diaphragm member 201.

In each of the golf clubs 1 illustrated in FIGS. 42A to 42C, the head hollow portion 202 serves as a resonance mechanism that emphasizes impact sound generated when the golf ball is hit and transmits the emphasized impact sound from the opening 202A (and 202A′) to the outside. In other words, the golf clubs 1 in FIGS. 42A to 42C have, as an impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism, the head hollow portion 202 that forms a resonance mechanism. With this structure, the impact sound (acoustic sound) that the user hears can be enhanced by emphasizing, by the head hollow portion 202, the impact sound generated when the golf ball is hit.

Furthermore, since the diaphragm member 200 (and the sub-diaphragm member 201) is attached to opening 202A (and 202A′), the impact feeling and the impact sound can be further enhanced.

In FIGS. 42A to 42C, the head hollow portion 202 forming the resonance mechanisms may have a structure not having opening 202A (and 202A′). Alternatively, FIG. 42A to 42C may have a structure not having the diaphragm member 200 (and sub-diaphragm member 201). This alternative structure emphasizes the impact sound resonated in the head hollow portion 202. In this case, at least on the side of the striking surface 2 may be closed without providing the opening 202A.

FIGS. 41A to 43C are perspective views of a golf club 1 in which a diaphragm member 200, serving as an impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism, is attached to the hosel 4. The golf clubs 1 shown in FIGS. 43A to 43C are constructed in the same manner as the golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 40A to 40C except that the diaphragm member 200 in a flat-plate shape is attached to the hosel 4. The hosels 4 of FIGS. 40A to 40C are each formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and the hosel 4 and the head 3 are provided so as to be flush with the striking surface 2 (to form the same plane).

The golf club 1 of FIG. 43A has the hosel 4 connected to the shaft 5 extending in straight line shape, whereas the golf club 1 of FIG. 43B has the hosel 4 connected to the crank-shaped shaft 5 having a bending portion bent toward the front (the side where the striking surface 2 is located) of the head 3. The golf club 1 of FIG. 43C has another hosel having a bending portion bent toward the front of the 3 and extending to the upper side on the hosel 4 in a flat plate shape.

In relation to the connecting structure between the hosel 4 and the shaft 5, the golf club 1 may have any known structure, such as a structure in which a straight shaft 5 is connected to the hosel 4, a structure in which a crank-shaped shaft 5 is connected to the hosel 4, and a structure in which a crank-shaped hosel is further extended from the hosel 4 as shown in FIGS. 43A to 43C.

FIG. 44A is a side view when the head 3 and a hosel of the golf club 1 of FIG. 43A viewed from an arrow B, and a left side in the drawing is a front side of the head 3.

The diaphragm member 200 in FIG. 44A is attached to the front surface of the hosel 4. The diaphragm member 200 is formed to cover a part or all of the hosel 4. The diaphragm member 200 may be formed separately from the hosel 4 or may be formed integrally with the hosel 4.

In this case, the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit is transmitted from the head 3 to the diaphragm member 200 attached to the hosel 4, and is emphasized by the diaphragm member 200. Therefore, it is possible to emphasize (increase) vibration transmitted to the palm of the user through the shaft 5 and the grip 6 and impact sound (acoustic sound) heard by the user. Consequently, the impact feeling and the impact sound can be enhanced as compared to a related golf club not attached with the diaphragm member 200.

FIGS. 44B, 44C, and 44D are modifications of FIG. 44A. In FIG. 44B, the diaphragm member 200 is attached to the back side of the hosel 4. In addition, the golf club 1 of FIG. 44C includes the sub-diaphragm member 201 attached to the back surface of the hosel 4 in addition to diaphragm member 200 attached to the front surface of the hosel 4. The diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 44D is attached at a position between the front and back surfaces of the hosel 4.

Also in these structures, the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit is transmitted from the head 3 to the diaphragm member 200 attached to the hosel 4 and emphasized by the diaphragm member 200, so that the vibration transmitted to the palm of the user and the impact sound (acoustic sound) heard by the user can be emphasized, and the impact feeling and the impact sound can be enhanced.

In each of the golf clubs 1 having the hosel 4 as shown in FIGS. 44A to 44D, in addition to or in place of the diaphragm member 200 (sub-diaphragm member 201) attached to the hosel 4, the diaphragm member 200 (sub-diaphragm member 201) may be attached to the head 3 as shown in FIGS. 41A to 41C.

The golf clubs 1 shown in FIGS. 45A to 45D each have the hosel 4 and attach the diaphragm member 200 over the head 3 and the hosel 4.

The diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 45A is formed of a single plate-like member extending over the front surfaces of both the head 3 and the hosel 4. The golf club 1 shown in FIG. 41B has a sub-diaphragm member 201 attached to the back surface of the hosel 4 in addition to diaphragm member 20 of the golf club 1 shown in FIG. 45A.

Further, in the golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 45C to 45E, the diaphragm member 200 attached over both the head 3 and the hosel 4 is bent in a crank shape (S-shape) when viewed from the side. Specifically, the diaphragm member 200 in FIG. 45C has a portion attached to the back surface of the head 3 and a portion attached to the front surface of the hosel 4 which portions are continuously provided via the bending portion. The diaphragm member 200 in FIG. 45D has a portion attached to the front side of the head and a portion attached to the back side of the hosel 4 which portions are connected by the bending portion. The diaphragm member 200 in FIG. 45E has a portion attached to the back side of the head and a portion attached to the back side of the hosel 4 which portions are connected by the bending portion.

Also in these golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 45A to 45D, the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit is transmitted from the head 3 to the diaphragm member 200 attached to the hosel 4 and emphasized by the diaphragm member 200, so that the vibration transmitted to the palm of the user and the impact sound (acoustic sound) heard by the user can be emphasized, and the impact feeling and the impact sound can be enhanced.

In each of FIGS. 45C to 45D, the diaphragm member 200 may have a bent portion of which corners are rounded.

FIG. 46A is a modification of FIG. 45B, in which the head 3 has a head hollow portion 202 (indicated by a dashed line in the drawing) and a opening 202A, and the hosel 4 has a hosel hollow portion 203 (indicated by a dashed line in the drawing) formed in a hollow-like shape, and opening 203A on the front side and opening 203A′ on the back side.

In FIG. 46A, the diaphragm member 200 is attached so as to cover the opening 202A of the head hollow portion 202 and the opening 203A on the front side of the hosel hollow portion 203. The sub-diaphragm member 201 is attached so as to cover the opening 203A on the back side of the hosel hollow portion 203.

FIG. 46B is a modification of FIG. 46A. In FIG. 46A, the head hollow portion 202 and the hosel hollow portion 203 are formed separately and do not communicate with each other. In contrast, in FIG. 46B, the head hollow portion 202 and the hosel hollow portion 203 communicate with each other.

Also in the golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 46A and 46B, by emphasizing the impact sound generated when the golf ball is hit by the head hollow portion 202 and the hosel hollow portion 203, which serve as the resonance mechanism, the impact sound (acoustic sound) that the user hears can be enhanced, and in addition, by the diaphragm member 200 (and sub-diaphragm member 201) attached to opening 202A, 203A (and 203A′) can further enhance the impact feeling and the impact sound.

The golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 46A and 46B are assumed to have the diaphragm member 200 and the sub-diaphragm member 201 like FIG. 45B. Alternatively, any of the the golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 45A to 45D can enhance the impact feeling and the impact sound by further forming the head hollow portion 202 and the hosel hollow portion 203 serving as the resonance mechanism like FIGS. 46A and 46B

The golf clubs 1 in FIGS. 47A to 47F are different in the shape of the hosel 4 from the golf club 1 in FIG. 43.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 47A includes the hosel 4 having a trapezoidal shape (or a substantially triangular shape) when viewed from the front, and a diaphragm member 200 attached to the trapezoidal hosel 4.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 47B includes the hosel 4 having a semicircular shape (or an arc shape) when viewed from the front, and a diaphragm member 200 attached to the semicircular hosel 4.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 47C includes the diaphragm member 200 attached to the trapezoidal the hosel 4, and is different from that of FIG. 47A in the point that the front surface of the hosel 4 is provided on the back side of the front surface (striking surface 2) of the head 3 (i.e., not flush with the striking surface 2).

The shapes of the hosel 4 of the golf clubs 1 shown in FIGS. 47A to 47C also make it possible to attach the diaphragm member 200 (and the sub-diaphragm member 201) in the manner shown in FIGS. 44A to 44C and FIGS. 45A to 45D. FIGS. 47A to 47C are exemplary, and the shapes, sizes, and thicknesses of the hosel 4 are arbitrary.

That is, attaching the diaphragm member 200 (and sub-diaphragm member 201) can enhance the impact feeling and the impact sound regardless of the shapes, sizes, and thicknesses of the hosel 4.

In addition, the golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 47D to 47F connect therein crank-shaped shafts 5 bent forward of the heads 3 as compared to the golf clubs 1 shown in FIGS. 47A to 47C. respectively. The structure to connect the hosel 4 with the shaft 5 may be any known structure.

FIGS. 48A to 48D are modifications of the diaphragm member 200 attached to the head 3 of the golf club 1 (see FIG. 40) not having the hosel 4. The diaphragm members 200 of FIGS. 48A to 48D are each formed of a plate member extending parallel to the striking surface 2, has a portion extending above the head 3, and is connected to the shaft 5 via a connecting portion 204 disposed on the upper end thereof. In other words, FIGS. 48A to 48D each have a structure in which the head 3 and the shaft 5 are connected to each other via the diaphragm member 200 in place of the hosel 4.

Specifically, the diaphragm member 200 shown in FIG. 48A is provided upright on the upper surface of the head 3 and is flush with the striking surface 2 of the head 3.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 48B includes the sub-diaphragm member 201 provided upright on the upper surface of the head 3 in addition to the diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 48A, and the sub-diaphragm member 201 is arranged on closer to the back surface of the head 3 than the diaphragm member 200.

The diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 48C is different from the golf club 1 of FIG. 48B in the point that the lower end the diaphragm member 200 extends to the lower end of the head 3 and is overlaid on (pasted onto) the striking surface 2 of the head 3.

It can be said that the golf clubs 1 in FIGS. 48B and 48C each have a drum structure in which the diaphragm member 200 and the sub-diaphragm member 201 arranged apart from and opposite to each other.

The diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 48D is different from the golf club 1 of FIG. 48A the lower end thereof extends to the lower end of the head 3 and the diaphragm member 200 is overlaid on the striking surface 2 of the head 3.

The golf clubs 1 shown in FIGS. 49A to 49D are modifications of those of FIGS. 48A to 48C. The diaphragm members 200 of FIGS. 48A to 48C are each formed of a plate member extending parallel to the striking surface 2 whereas the diaphragm members 200 of FIGS. 49A to 49D are each formed into a bent plate shape curved in a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface 2. The dimension and the curvature of the curved portion can be appropriately set so as to enhance the impact vibration and the impact sound.

Specifically, the diaphragm member 200 of FIGS. 49A and 49B are each provided upright on the upper surface of the head 3 like FIG. 48A, but are different from FIG. 48A in the point that the diaphragm member 200 is formed into a bent plate shape. The diaphragm member 200 may be integral with the head 3 or may be separated from the head 3.

The diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 49A is formed in a bent plate shape that projects toward the back side on a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface 2.

The diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 49B is formed in a bent plate shape that projects toward the front side on a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface 2.

The diaphragm members 200 of FIGS. 49C and 49D are modifications of FIG. 48C, and is different from FIG. 48C in the point that a portion above the upper surface of the head 3 of the diaphragm member 200 extending from the lower end of the head 3 to the connecting portion 204 is formed in a bent plate shape.

In the diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 49C, the portion above the upper surface of the head 3 is formed in a bent plate shape that projects toward the back side on a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface 2. In the diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 49D, the portion above the upper surface of the head 3 is formed in a bent plate shape that projects toward the front side on a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface 2.

The diaphragm members 200 of FIGS. 50A to 50E each extend from the lower end of the head 3 to the connecting portion 204 and has a bent portion bent in a crank shape (or S-shape). The direction of the bent portion, the shape of the diaphragm member 200, and the shape of the head 3 can be arbitrarily set according to the combination thereof.

FIG. 51A and FIG. 51B are front views of the golf club 1 and show the head 3 (and the hosel 4) in cross sections. The golf club 1 of FIG. 51A is one not having a hosel, and has a frame structure 3A in which the head 3 surrounds a circumference portion of the diaphragm member 200. The frame structure 3A is a frame surrounding the four sides (circumference portion) of the diaphragm member 200 in a rectangular shape. In this case, the diaphragm member 200 supported by frame structure 3A emphasizes the impacting vibration and the impact sound generated when the golf ball is hit, so that the impact feeling and the impact sound can be enhanced. In addition, since the head 3 is formed of a frame, the weight can be easily reduced.

Further, the golf club 1 can be configured as an assembled golf club (so-called “plastic model” type golf club formed by combining parts) of which parts such as the diaphragm member 200, a face (striking surface), a weight, a balance, an insert, a hosel, and a sub-diaphragm member 201 with respect to the frame structure 3A can be freely selected by the user and assembled.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 51(B) has a frame structures 3A, 4A in which the head 3 and the hosel 4 surround the circumference portion of the diaphragm member 200. The frame structures 3A, 4A of FIG. 51B are formed integrally.

The golf club 1 illustrated in FIGS. 52A and 52B includes the hosel 4 having a trapezoidal shape (or a substantially triangular shape) when viewed from the front. The golf club 1 of FIG. 52A is one in which the hosel 4 has a frame structure 4A, and the golf club 1 of FIG. 52B is one in which both the head 3 and the hosel 4 have frame structures 3A, 4A, respectively.

The golf clubs 1 illustrated in FIGS. 53A and 53B each include the hosel 4 having a semicircular shape. The golf club 1 of FIG. 53A is one in which the hosel 4 has a frame structure 4A, and the golf club 1 of FIG. 53B is one in which both the head 3 and the hosel 4 have frame structures 3A, 4A, respectively.

The golf club 1 illustrated in FIG. 53C has a structure that supports a diaphragm member 200 having a semi-circular outline at the upper portion with a frame structure 3A. The upper part of diaphragm member 200 extends above frame structure 3A, and the shaft 5 is connected to the upper part of diaphragm member 200.

The golf club 1 illustrated in FIG. 53(D) is a modification of a structure in which a diaphragm member 200 having an upper portion with a semi-circular outline is supported by the frame structure 3A, and has a structure in which the circumference of the diaphragm member 200 is surrounded by the frame structure 3A.

The golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 51B, 52A, 52B, and 53A to 53D bring the same effect as that of FIG. 51A.

FIG. 54A is the golf club 1 in which the head 3 having the frame structure 3A is integrally formed with the shaft 5 in an unreplaceable state. FIG. 54B is the golf club 1 in which the head 3 and the hosel 4 having the frame structures 3A, 4A, respectively is integrally formed with the shaft 5 in an unreplaceable state. Also these modifications bring the same effect as that of FIG. 51A.

FIGS. 55A to 55D are examples of a golf club 1 in which a diaphragm member 200 is formed into a truncated cone (cone) shape. The diaphragm member 200 in each of FIGS. 55A to 55D is installed in such a posture that the large diameter side of the truncated cone directs the back side of the head 3.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 55A is one not having the hosel 4, and the diaphragm member 200 thereof is attached to the back surface of the head 3. The golf club 1 of FIG. 55B is one having the hosel 4, and the diaphragm member 200 thereof is attached to the back surface of the hosel 4.

In this structure, in particular, the impact sound can be emphasized in the direction in which the large diameter side of the truncated-cone diaphragm member 200 directs (i.e., the back side of the head 3).

The golf club 1 of FIG. 55C is different from the golf club 1 of FIG. 55A in the point that an enclosure 200E that surrounds the circumference of the diaphragm member 200 is provided. FIG. 55D shows one that coaxially arranges two diaphragm members 200, 200′.

According to the respective structures of FIGS. 55C and 55D, the impact sound can be more emphasized.

The diaphragm member 200 shown in FIG. 55E is formed in a dome shape. The golf club 1 of FIG. 55A is one not having the hosel 4, and the diaphragm member 200 in a dome shape thereof is attached to the rear side of the head 3. The diaphragm member 200 is attached in a posture that protrudes toward the back side of the head 3. In this structure, in particular, the impact sound can be emphasized in the direction in which the apex of the dome-shaped diaphragm member 200 directs (i.e., on the back side of the head 3).

The diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 55F is a combination a truncated-cone diaphragm member and a dome-shaped diaphragm member. Specifically, the diaphragm member 200 has a dome portion (indicated by a dashed line in the drawing) and a conical portion extending from the circumference of the dome portion in a truncated-cone shape. The diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 55F is attached to the back side of the head 3 in such a posture that the large diameter side of the conical portion and the apex of the dome portion direct the back side of the head 3. The combination of the two diaphragm members of this example makes it possible to further emphasize the impacting sound.

FIGS. 56A to 56H are diagrams illustrating the diaphragm member 200 formed into a bent plate shape. The respective diaphragm members 200 are curved in arc shapes, and emphasize the impact vibration and the impact sound by the vibration of the arc-shaped curved surface. It is well known that the use of vibration of such curved surface can enhance the acoustic sound based on the vibration (enhancement in volume and hearability).

The golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 56A to 56C and 56G each have the head 3 formed into an L shape in a side view and do not have a hosel. The golf clubs 1 in FIGS. 56D and 56E each have the head 3 formed into a C shape in a side view and do not have a hosel, and the golf club 1 of FIG. 56F has a head 3 and the hosel 4 each formed into an L shape in a side view, which are assembled together into a C shape in a side view.

The diaphragm members 200 of FIGS. 56A to 56C are each attached in such a posture that extending toward the back side of the head 3, and formed in a bent plate shape curved upward or downward in a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface 2 (on a surface viewed from the side of the head 3). The diaphragm members 200 of FIGS. 56A and 56C are ones curved upward in a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface 2. The diaphragm member 200 of FIG. 56B is one curved downward in a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface 2.

The golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 56D and 56E are examples each in which two diaphragm members 200, 200′ in bent plate shapes are arranged on the back surface of the head 3, and the golf club 1 of FIG. 56F is an example in which two diaphragm members 200, 200′ in bent plate shapes are arranged on the back side of the head 3. The respective diaphragm members 200, 200′ are attached in a posture extending toward the back side of the head 3, and formed in a bent plate shape curved upward or downward in a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface 2. Further, the golf club 1 of FIG. 56H has a common structure to the golf club 1 of FIG. 56F except for that the diaphragm members 200, 200′ are attached to the head 3 formed into a C shape in a side view.

The combination of the postures, the sizes, and the curvatures of the diaphragm members 200,200′ can be arbitrarily set.

The diaphragm member of FIG. 56G is a combination of a diaphragm member 200 formed into a truncated cone shape illustrated in FIG. 55A and the above-described diaphragm member 200′ in a bent plate shape. Combining two diaphragm members different in type can further enhance the impact sound.

FIGS. 57A to 57C are modifications of a bent direction of the diaphragm member 200 in a bent plate shape. FIGS. 57A to 57C are plane views of the head 3 in a top view and the left side of the drawing is the front side (forward side).

The plate-shaped diaphragm members 200 shown in FIGS. 57A to 57C are ones formed into bent plate shape curved in one (or the other) direction on a horizontal plane when the head 3 are seen from the top. The head 3 of FIGS. 57A and 57B each have two diaphragm members 200, 200′ in bent plate shapes. The diaphragm member of FIG. 57C is a combination of a diaphragm member 200 formed into a truncated cone shape illustrated in FIG. 55A and the above-described diaphragm member 200′ in bent plate shapes. In FIG. 57B, the diaphragm members 200, 200′ in bent plate shape may be integrally formed.

FIGS. 58A to 58E are plane views of the head 3 illustrating modifications of the diaphragm member 200 and the left side of the drawing is the front side (forward side).

FIGS. 58A to 58C are modifications of the diaphragm member 200 in a bent plate shape in each of which an arc-shaped diaphragm member 200 protruding toward the back side of the head 3 is attached to the back surface of the head 3 on a horizontal plane when the head 3 is seen from a top. In FIG. 58A, the diaphragm member 200 is attached to the back surface of the head 3, and a rib 200R is attached between the diaphragm member 200 and the rear surface of the head 3 in a direction intersecting with the arc. The rib 200R reinforces the diaphragm member 200 and also enhances the transmission of the vibration.

FIG. 58B shows an example in which the diaphragm member 200 is mounted in a recess 3X recessed on the upper surface of the head 3. In FIG. 58C, the recess 3X to which diaphragm member 200 is mounted as FIG. 58B is covered with a cover 3Y.

FIG. 58D shows an arc-shaped diaphragm member 200 recessed toward the back side of the head 3 is attached to the back side of the head 3 on a horizontal plane when the head 3 is seen from a top. In FIG. 58D, on a curved surface of the diaphragm member 200, a rib 200R extending along the arc is attached. One or more ribs 200R may be attached. The multiple ribs 200R are aligned vertically, for example. That is, the number of ribs 200 may be one or more.

In FIG. 58E, the head 3 is formed in a mallet shape having a sole portion 3W extending to a planar side, and the diaphragm member 200 is attached to the upper surface of the sole portion 3W.

<Horn-Type Resonance Structure; Dome-Type Resonance Structure>

FIGS. 59A to 59D illustrate golf clubs 1 according to the eighth embodiment, and are specifically cross sectional views of the head 3 seen from a side.

In the golf club 1 of FIG. 59A, a horn-shaped piping route 206 is formed in a hollow portion 202 of the head 3 and the hosel 4, and an opening 206A communicating with the piping route 206 is provided. The piping route 206 and the opening 206A are unitedly configured as a resonance mechanism (horn-type resonance mechanism, phonograph-type resonance mechanism) that emphasizes, in the piping route 206, the impact sound generated when the golf ball is hit and transmits the emphasized impact sound from the opening 206A to the outside.

In the golf club 1 of FIG. 59B, the head 3 is provided with a horn-shaped piping route 206 and an opening 206A communicating with the piping route 206.

Since the piping route 206 is formed into an R shape, whose diameter comes to be wider as approaching the opening 206A, and therefore has excellent acoustical properties to further enhance the impact sound.

In the golf club 1 of FIG. 59C, a dome-shaped (spherical) piping route 206 is formed in a hollow portion 202 of the head 3 and the hosel 4, and an opening 206A communicating with the piping route 206 is provided. The piping route 206 and the opening 206A are unitedly configured as a resonance mechanism (dome-type resonance mechanism) that emphasizes, in the piping route 206, the impact sound generated when the golf ball is hit and transmits the emphasized impact sound from the opening 206A to the outside.

In the golf club 1 of FIG. 59D, the head 3 is provided with a horn-shaped piping route 206 and an opening 206A communicating with the piping route 206.

In this structure, the dome-shaped piping route 206 can resonate and enhance the impact sound.

The diaphragm member 200 may have a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 60A. Further, as shown in FIG. 60B, the diaphragm member 200 may be arranged such that the plate-shaped member extends horizontally from the back surface of the head 3. The manner of attaching the diaphragm member 200 to the head 3 may include folding the end of diaphragm member 200 into an L-shape and securing the portion folded into an L-shape to the back surface of the head 3. In addition to the above, the diaphragm member 200 may be attached to the head 3 by inserting the end of the diaphragm member 200 from the back side of the head 3, or by welding the end of diaphragm member 200 to the back surface of the head 3.

FIG. 60C is a top view of FIG. 60B. As shown in FIG. 60C, on the back surface of the head 3, multiple diaphragm members 200 having differing lengths are arranged side by side in the width direction of the head 3. That is, the number of diaphragm members 200 is one or more. The structure of FIGS. 60B and 60C vibrates the diaphragm members 200 cantilevered on the back surface of the head 3, and can generate acoustic sound due to the vibration of the diaphragm members 200 as in the marimba of a musical instrument.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 61A to 61C, a spoiler 200S can be provided between the diaphragm member 200 and the head 3. The spoiler 200S is detachable from the golf club 1 and can be retrofitted. This means that the spoiler 200S may be attached to an existing golf club to enhance the impact vibration and impact sound.

FIGS. 62A to 62D illustrate the shapes of the diaphragm member 200 viewed from a side. The diaphragm member 200 can be weighted to adjust the center of gravity, or can be removably attached with a blade. The shapes of the diaphragm member 200 in FIG. 62A to 62D are examples of the shapes that can enhance the impact vibration and the impact sound. Examples of a shape that can enhance the impact vibration and the impact sound include a C-shape (steel drum type) as shown in FIG. 62A, a V-shape one of the sides of which is vertically arranged as shown in FIG. 62B, a shape obtained by combining the V-shape as shown in FIG. 62B and a plate piece extending in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 62C, and a C-shape modified by extending the sole portion (lower surface portion) in the horizontal direction toward the back side of the head 3 as shown in FIG. 62D. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 62B, a detachable weight or blade member 200X may be attached to an end portion of the diaphragm member 200. The center of gravity of the golf club 1 can be adjusted by the member 200X. The member 200X can set another center of gravity on the back side of the head 3 in addition to the original center of gravity of the golf club 1 (set to be double-balanced). This facilitates hitting through when the user making follow-through.

FIG. 63A to 63D illustrates the diaphragm member 200 integrally formed with the shaft 5 and/or the hosel 4 in a non-replaceable manner. By integrating the diaphragm member 200 with the shaft 5, the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit can be directly transmitted to the shaft 5.

In FIG. 63A, the diaphragm member 200 integrated with the shaft 5 is detachably attached to the head 3 formed in a frame shape. The diaphragm member 200 is arranged so as to have gaps on both left and right sides in the frame-shaped head 3, and the both gaps are closed by plate members 200Y. Since the diaphragm member 200 is provided to be spaced apart from the head 3, the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit can be efficiently guided to the shaft 5 without being diffused in the head 3. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 70B to be detailed below, the diaphragm member 200 may be provided in the frame-shaped head 3 without a gap on the left and right sides. The plate members 200Y may be diaphragm member. That is, a diaphragm member different in material from the diaphragm member 200 integrated with the shaft 5 is arranged in place of the plate members 200Y. In this case, the diaphragm members made of different materials can be used in combination.

In FIG. 63B, the diaphragm member 200 integrated with the shaft 5 is detachably attached to the head 3 formed in a frame shape, and the both left and right sides on the upper side of the diaphragm member 200 are closed by the cover members 200Z. Further, a front cover member 200K covering the entire front surface of the head 3 may be detachably attached to the diaphragm member 200 so as to overlie from the front side.

In FIG. 63C, the diaphragm member 200 integrated with the shaft 5 is formed in a circular shape. The circular shape makes it possible to adjust the installing angle to the head 3. In this case, a locking mechanism is provided which locks, after the installing angle to the head 3 is adjusted, the diaphragm member 200 at the adjusted angle.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 63D has a diaphragm member 200 integrated with the hosel 4. In this example, the shaft 5 is connected to the hosel 4 integrated with the diaphragm member 200.

Since the golf clubs 1 in FIGS. 63A to 63D each have a structure in which the diaphragm member 200 is integrated with the shaft 5 and/or the hosel 4 and is detachably attached to the head 3 formed into a separated form, the diaphragm member 200 can be arbitrarily combined with the head 3. The attachment and detachment of the diaphragm member 200 to and from the head 3 can be freely performed, for example, like replacing a cartridge (cassette tape). That is, the golf club 1 can be configured as an assembled golf club of which parts such as the diaphragm member 200, a face (striking surface), a weight, a balance, an insert, a hosel, and a sub-diaphragm member 201 with respect to the head 3 can be freely selected by the user and assembled.

In addition, the golf club 1 in FIGS. 63A to 63E may have a structure in which a crank-shaped hosel 4 and/or shaft 5 as shown in FIGS. 40B, 40C, 43B, and 43C is integrated with the diaphragm member 200 as well as a straight shaft.

An insert may be arranged on the front surface of the diaphragm member 200, or incorporated into the diaphragm member 200. The diaphragm member 200 may be integrally formed with the insert or may be detachably attached with the insert. The shape of the diaphragm member 200 is not limited to the illustrated examples and can be arbitrary.

FIGS. 64(A), (B) illustrate a golf clubs 1 according to a ninth embodiment, which is provided with a vibration transmitting rib 210 serving as an impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism.

The vibration transmitting rib 210, as shown in FIGS. 64A and 64B, is extended in a rib form from the head 3 to the shaft 5, and transmits the impact vibration generated when a golf ball is hit from the head 3 to the shaft 5. The vibration transmitting rib 210 is a portion that forms a ridge-shaped protrusion from the head 3 to the front surface of the shaft 5, and is formed so as to emphasize the impact vibration.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 64A, which has the hosel 4, is provided with the transmitting rib 210. The golf club 1 of FIG. 64B, which has no hosel 4, is provided with transmitting rib 210. Specifically, the vibration transmitting rib 210 includes multiple branch portions 21A attached to the head 3 (and the hosel 4) and a trunk portion 210B extended along the axial direction of the shaft 5 and connected to the branch portions 210A at the lower end side of the shaft (compared to bones of a fan). Providing the vibration transmitting rib 210 can increase the impact vibration transmitted to the palm of the user, and thereby can enhance the impact feeling.

Other alternatives are shown in FIGS. 65A to 65E and 66. FIG. 65A shows a structure in which the diaphragm member 200 closes the opening 202A formed on the upper side of the head hollow portion 202 in the head 3 formed into a bowl shape (bell shape). In this structure, the impact sound generated when the golf ball is hit by the striking surface 2 of the head 3 resonates in the head hollow portion 202 and is emitted from the opening 202A to the outside, and also the striking impact is emphasized by the diaphragm member 200. The diaphragm member 200 that closes the opening 202A may be omitted. Also in this alternative, the effect of emphasizing the impact sound in the head hollow portion 202 can be obtained.

FIG. 65B illustrates a structure in which fins 5X are provided between the shaft 5 and the head 3. The fins 5X are provided as the diaphragm member 200 in a form of a thin plate or a membrane, and can emphasize the impact vibration. The fins 5X may be detachably attached to the golf club 1 (the head 3). With this structure, the fins 5X may be attached to an existing golf club and can emphasize the impact vibration. The golf club 1 of FIG. 65C includes, as the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism, a sound collector 220 attached to the back surface of the head 3 to collect the impact sound, an impact sound transmitting tube 221 that transmits the impact sound collected by the sound collector 220, and an earphone 222 that transmits the impact sound propagated through the impact sound transmitting tube 221 to the user.

In this example, the user can clearly hear the impact sound collected by the sound collector 220 via the earphone 222. Alternatively, the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism may be formed into a wireless configuration in which the impact sound transmitting tube 221 is omitted, the sound collector 220 is wirelessly connected to the earphone 222, and the impact sound collected by the sound collector 220 is transmitted to the earphone 222 via wireless communication.

The sound collector 220, the impact sound transmitting tube 221, and the earphone 222 may each be detachably attached to the golf club 1 (the head 3). In this case, the sound collector 220, the impact sound transmitting tube 221, and the earphone 222 can be arbitrarily attached to an existing golf club.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 65D includes, as impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism, a pickup 230 that detects impact vibration and converts the detected vibration into an electric signal, an amplifier unit 231 that amplifies the impact sound based on the electric signal detected by the pickup 230, and a speaker 232 that outputs the amplified impact sound. The amplifier unit 231 and the speaker 232 unitedly constitute a “speaker unit”. The pickup 230 (dashed line in the drawing), the amplifier unit 231 (dashed line in the drawing), and the speaker 232 are attached to the rear surface of the head 3. In this case, since the impact sound can be converted into an electric signal and the impact sound can be electrically amplified and output from speaker unit, the impact sound can be more clearly output.

FIG. 65E is a modification of FIG. 65D in which the pickup 230 (dashed line in the drawing), the amplifier unit 231 (dashed line in the drawing), and the speaker 232 (dashed line in the drawing) are provided in the head hollow portion 202 of the head 3. The pickup 230, the amplifier unit 231, and speaker 232 may be detachably attached to the golf club 1 (the head 3). This case allows the pickup 230, the amplifier unit 231, and speaker 232 to be freely attached to an existing golf club.

In the head 3 illustrated in FIG. 65F, the front side having the striking surface 2 is formed of a thin plate, and emphasizes the impact vibration by making the plate thickness on the striking surface 2 thin. As shown in FIG. 65F, various electric functions can be provided to the head 3 by detachably providing batteries 3E on both sides of the head 3 and appropriately wiring power lines from the batteries 3E. Examples of the electrical functions provided to the head 3 include LED lights, an electrical decoration, a laser, a sensor, a tester, and a communication function.

FIGS. 66A and 66B are diagrams illustrating a golf club 1 providing a vibration emphasizing member to the shaft 5, and specifically are cross-sectional views in the radial direction of the shaft 5. A vibration emphasizing member is a member that emphasizes the impact vibration generated when the striking surface 2 hits the golf ball and transmits the emphasized impact vibration to a user, and is provided on a circumference surface around the axis of the shaft 5 so as to extend in the axial direction of the shaft 5. In FIG. 66A, a vibration emphasizing member 5A is provided on an inner circumference surface of the shaft 5 formed in a hollow shape. For example, the vibration emphasizing member 5A is formed by a coating film formed on the inner circumference surface of the shaft 5 by plating rhodium, copper, gold, or the like. If carbon fibers are used as the vibration emphasizing member 5A, for example, multiple carbon fibers extending along the axial direction of the shaft 5 can be bundled and formed into a shape along the inner peripheral surface or outer circumference surface of the shaft 5.

In FIG. 66B, a vibration emphasizing member 5B is provided on an outer circumference surface of the shaft 5 formed in a hollow shape. For example, the vibration emphasizing member 5B is formed by a coating film formed on the outer circumference surface of the shaft 5 by plating rhodium, copper, gold, or the like. If carbon fibers are used as the vibration emphasizing member 5B, for example, multiple carbon fibers extending along the axial direction of the shaft 5 can be bundled and formed into a shape along the inner peripheral surface or outer circumference surface of the shaft 5.

The material used for the vibration emphasizing member 5A, 5B of FIGS. 66 (A) and (B) may be any material that emphasizes the impact vibration and can be exemplified by various metals such as rhodium, copper, alloy, and pure gold, and carbon fiber. If carbon fibers are used, for example, multiple carbon fibers extending along the axial direction of the shaft 5 can be bundled and formed into a shape along the inner peripheral surface or outer circumference surface of the shaft 5.

In the golf club 1 of FIG. 67, the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism includes a vibration sensor 300 that is attached to the head 3 and detects vibration generated on the striking surface 2 and an actuator 301 that vibrates on the basis of the electric signal outputted from the vibration sensor 300, and transmits the vibration of the actuator 301 to the user via the vibration transmitting member 20. In this example, since the vibration caused from the electric drive is transmitted to the user in addition to the actual impact vibration, the impact vibration can be emphasized.

In addition, the embodiments described above are exemplary, and can be freely combined.

Further, the shape of the golf club 1 (e.g., the shapes, sizes, and thicknesses of the head 3, the hosel 4, and the shaft 5) is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be any of known one.

For example, the installing position of the shaft 5 to the head 3 (or the hosel 4) is not limited to the illustrated examples. Specifically, the position of the shaft 5 in the front-rear direction of the head 3 may be arbitrary, such as the position on the front surface, the position on the back surface, and the intermediate position between the front and back surfaces of the head 3. The position of the shaft 5 in the width direction of the head 3 may be arbitrary, such as on a first end, the position near the center, or a second end of the width direction of the head 3, the position on the front surface, the position on the back surface, and the intermediate position between the front and back surfaces of the head 3.

For example, as shown in FIG. 68A, the golf club 1 having the hosel 4 and the head 3 can be provided with the pickup 230, the amplifier unit 231, and the speaker 232 attached to the back surface of the hosel.

Further, as shown in FIG. 68B, the golf club 1 having the hosel 4 and the head 3 may be configured such that the hosel hollow portion 203 of the hosel 4 is communicated with the head hollow portion 202 of the head 3, the speaker 232 is installed inside the hosel hollow portion 203, and the hosel hollow portion 203 is used as a speaker box to emit the impact sound output from the speaker 232 through the opening 203A.

Further, as one of the modifications, the golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 65D and 65E may be configured such that electric sound based on an electric signal detected by the pickup 230 is output from an electronic sound source. The tone of the electronic sound is, for example, a tone of an electronic drum. That is, an electronic drum may be attached to the golf club 1.

In addition, a radio, a smartphone, or the like can be detachably attached to the golf club 1.

The golf club 1 can be configured as an assembled golf club, i.e., a so-called golf club of plastic model type, formed by combining parts) of which parts such as the diaphragm member 200, a striking surface (face), a weight, a balance, an insert, a hosel, and a sub-diaphragm member 201 with respect to the head 3 can be freely selected by the user and assembled. Here, the insert may be formed integrally with the diaphragm member 200, or may be separate from the diaphragm member 200, for example. The head 3 may be formed integrally with or may be separate from the impact surface. The striking surface 2 may be formed integrally with or may be separate from the diaphragm member 200. For example, the golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 69A and 69B each detachably attach a weight 3W to the back surface of the head 3 formed into a frame shape. The golf club 1 of FIG. 69A is one in which the weights 3W are detachably attached to the both sides of a back surface of the head 3. The golf club 1 of FIG. 69B is one in which, on the back side of the head 3, the weight 3W extending in a planar shape rearward from the back surface is detachably attached. The size, the shape, and the number of the weights 3W are not limited to those described above, and may be arbitrary. If a diaphragm member 200 is provided, the number of the diaphragm members 200 may be one or more. When multiple diaphragm members 200 are provided, diaphragm member 200 in various shapes can be freely combined.

The shapes, the sizes, and the thicknesses of the diaphragm member 200 are not limited to those described above, and may be arbitrary.

FIGS. 70A to 70F illustrates modifications of a structure in which the diaphragm member 200 is integrated with the shaft 5. The golf club 1 shown in FIG. 70A is different from the golf club 1 shown in FIG. 63B in the points that the cover member 200Z is not provided and the upper edge of the diaphragm member 200 is formed to be flush with the upper surface of the head 3, but is common in the remaining points with that of FIG. 63B. The golf club 1 shown in FIG. 70B is different from the golf club 1 shown in FIG. 63B in the points that the plate member 200Y is not provided and the diaphragm member 200 is provided so as not form spaces in the width direction with the frame-shaped head 3, but is common in the remaining points with that of FIG. 63B.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 70C is configured such that the diaphragm member 200 integrated with the shaft 5 is attached to the hosel 4. The golf club 1 of FIG. 70D is configured such that the diaphragm member 200 integrated with the shaft 5 is attached to both the head 3 and the hosel 4.

The golf clubs 1 of FIGS. 70D and 70E is structured such that the diaphragm member 200 with an upper portion the outline of which is formed into a semi-circular when seen from the front is integrated with the shaft 5 and attached to the head 3. In the golf club 1 of FIG. 70D, the upper portion of the diaphragm member 200 protrudes upward more highly than the upper portion of the head 3. In the golf club 1 of FIG. 70E, the upper portion of diaphragm member 200 does not protrude from the upper portion of the head 3, and the circumference (upper portion, lower portion, and both sides) of the diaphragm member 200 is surrounded by the frame-shaped head 3.

As described above, the diaphragm member 200 may have any shape (e.g., outline, thickness). The diaphragm member 200 may be any of a thin plate having a small thickness, a plate having a relatively large thickness, or a film-like member having a very small thickness.

The foregoing various modifications may be combined appropriately.

The material used for the diaphragm member 200 is not particularly limited.

As the material, a material capable of emphasizing the impact vibration and the impact sound may be appropriately selected. Examples of the material include various metals such as steel, alloys, pure gold, rhodium, and copper; pottery; ceramics; synthetic resin such as plastic and urethane, and synthetic rubber; natural rubber (natural resin and rubber); wood; natural fiber (gut (bovine and ovine intestine); synthetic fiber (nylon fiber and polyester fiber); leather; Japanese paper; polyacetal; PET; glass; aluminum fiber; chemical fiber; resin; polypropylene; aluminum; copper; nanocellulose; paper; and polyester. The diaphragm member 200 may also be coated to emphasize the impact vibration and the impact sound.

The diaphragm member 200 is not limited to one formed of a single material, and may be formed by combining multiple materials including various materials exemplified above.

In addition, the diaphragm member 200 is not limited to being formed of a single plate-like member, and may be formed into a planar (membrane-like) shape by combining (knitting) a rod or a string members, for example.

The golf club 1 of FIG. 71A is a modification of the golf club 1 of FIG. 63C that forms the diaphragm member 200 in the circular form and integrated with the shaft 5, and is different from that of FIG. 63C in the point that the diaphragm member 200 is attached to the hosel 4. This alternative can adjust the installing angle of the diaphragm member 200 to the hosel 4. Furthermore, a fixing mechanism (locking mechanism) is provided which fixes, after the installing angle of the diaphragm member 200 to the hosel 4 is adjusted, the diaphragm member 200 at the adjusted angle.

FIG. 71B, which is a modification of FIG. 70A, is different in that the head 3 has, as the striking surface 2, a wall surface that closes the front surface, and the diaphragm member 200 is attached to the back side of the striking surface 2, but is common in the remaining points with that of FIG. 70A. In this alternative, the attachment and detachment of the diaphragm member 200 to and from the head 3 can be accomplished by inserting the diaphragm member 200 from the above the head 3 (like replacing of a cassette tape).

The golf club 1 of FIG. 71C is different from that of FIG. 71B in the point that diaphragm member 200 is incorporated in the head 3. As a modification of the golf club 1 of FIG. 71C, the connection between the diaphragm member 200 and the shaft 5 may be incorporated in the head 3 and the diaphragm member 200 may be exposed to the front side to serve as the striking surface.

FIGS. 72A and 72B are modifications of FIGS. 59B and 59D, and have structures in which a horn-shaped or dome-shaped piping route 206 are hollowed in the head 3.

In addition, the shapes of the head 3, the hosel 4, and the shaft 5 may be any well-known shapes and may be combined arbitrary. For example, the golf club 1 according to each of the above various embodiments and modifications is not limited to one that connects the shaft 5 to the head 3 in a straight-line shape shown in FIGS. 40A and 43A, and may alternatively one that connects the head 3 to the crank-shaped shaft 5 shown in FIGS. 40B and 43B, or one that connects the shaft 5 to the head via the crank-shaped shown in FIGS. 40C and 43B.

The bent direction of the crank-shaped shaft 5 or hosel 4 is not limited to the bent direction toward the front side as illustrated in FIGS. 40B, 40C, 43B and 43C, and may alternatively be bent toward one of the width directions, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 73A, 73B, 74A, and 74B.

In relation to embodiments including modifications, the following appendices are disclosed.

<Impact-Vibration/Impact-Sound Emphasizing Mechanism>
Appendix 1

A golf club comprising:

- a shaft formed in a shaft shape;
- a head being provided at a first end portion side of the shaft and having a striking surface that strikes a golf ball;
- a grip being provided at a second end portion side of the shaft and being gripped by a user; and
- an impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism that emphasizes impact vibration or impact sound generated when the striking surface strikes the golf ball and transmits the emphasized impact vibration or emphasized impact sound to the user.

Appendix 2

The golf club according to appendix 1, further comprising a hosel that connects the first end portion of the shaft to the head, wherein the hosel is integrally formed with the head and the shaft in an unreplaceable state.

Appendix 3

The golf club according to appendix 2, wherein the hosel comprises a first cavity formed in a hollow inside thereof;

- the shaft comprises a second cavity formed in a hollow communicating with the first cavity inside thereof;
- the grip comprises a third cavity formed in a hollow communicating with the second cavity inside thereof;
- the grip is integrally formed with the shaft;
- the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism comprises
  - a vibration transmitting member formed in an elongated shape, having a first end being fixed to the head, being provided inside the second cavity and the third cavity, and transmitting vibration generated at the striking surface to the grip, and
  - an installing member being provided inside the third cavity and connecting a second end portion of the vibration transmitting member to the grip,
  - the installing member is provided such that the position thereof is adjustable in an extending direction of the grip, and
- the installing member comprises
  - a winding device that winds the second end portion of the vibration transmitting member manually or electrically, and
  - a pinion that meshes with a rack fixed to an inner circumference surface of the third cavity and that is rotatably wound by the winding device.

Appendix 4

The golf club according to appendix 2, wherein

- the hosel comprises a first cavity formed in a hollow inside thereof;
- the shaft comprises a second cavity formed in a hollow communicating with the first cavity inside thereof;
- the grip comprises a third cavity formed in a hollow communicating with the second cavity inside thereof;
- the hosel comprises a vibration sensor that detects vibration generated on the strike surface inside thereof, and the grip comprises one of a vibrating device that vibrates and a speaker that emits sound based on the information of detected by the vibration sensor inside thereof, the vibration sensor and the one of the vibration device and the speaker serving as the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism,
- the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism comprises
  - a vibration transmitting member formed in an elongated shape, having a first end being fixed to the head, being provided inside the second cavity and the third cavity, and transmitting vibration generated at the striking surface to the grip, and
  - an installing member being provided inside the third cavity and connecting a second end portion of the vibration transmitting member to the grip,
- the installing member is provided such that the position thereof is adjustable in an extending direction of the grip, and
- the installing member comprises
  - a winding device that winds the second end portion of the vibration transmitting member manually or electrically, and
  - a pinion that meshes with a rack fixed to an inner circumference surface of the third cavity and that is rotatably wound by the winding device.

(Appendix 5) The golf club according to one of appendix 2 and appendixes 3 and 4 depending on at least appendix 2, wherein

- the hosel is formed into a plate shape that extends in a plane direction parallel to the striking surface and that has a constant thickness.

(Appendix 6) The golf club according to one of appendix 2 and appendixes 3-5 depending on at least appendix 2, wherein

- the hosel is formed into a rectangular flat plate shape.

(Appendix 7) The golf club according to one of appendix 2 and appendixes 3-6 depending on at least appendix 2, wherein

- the hosel is formed in a bent plate shape that is curved such that a closer surface to the striking surface on a lateral cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the striking surface comes inside.

<Fin>

(Appendix 8) The golf club according to one of appendix 2 and appendixes 3-7 depending on at least appendix 2, further comprising a fin or a plate-shaped member between the head and the hosel.

Appendix 9

The golf club according to appendix 8, further comprising an illuminating member arranged in a planar shape or a chain shape on a top surface of the fin or the plate-shaped member.

Appendix 10

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 1-7, wherein the fin is erected on an upper surface of the head.

Appendix 11

The golf club according to appendix 10, further comprising an illuminating member arranged in a planar shape or a chain shape on a top surface of the fin.

<Display on Upper Surface of Head>
Appendix 12

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 1-11, further comprising an electric indicator member provided on an upper surface of the head.

Appendix 13

The golf club according to appendix 12, wherein the electric indicator member is a liquid crystal display that displays at least one of a hitting direction of the golf ball and impact data when the golf ball is hit on the striking surface in response to an instruction from an external entity.

Appendix 14

The golf club according to appendix 1, wherein the shaft comprises a second cavity formed in a hollow;

- the grip comprises a third cavity formed in a hollow communicating with the second cavity inside thereof;
- the grip is integrally formed with the shaft;
- the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism comprises
  - a vibration transmitting member formed in an elongated shape, having a first end portion being fixed to the head, being provided inside the second cavity and the third cavity, and transmitting vibration generated at the striking surface to the grip, and
  - an installing member being provided inside the third cavity and connecting a second end portion of the vibration transmitting member to the grip,
- the installing member is provided such that the position thereof is adjustable in an extending direction of the grip, and
- the installing member comprises
  - a winding device that winds the second end portion of the vibration transmitting member manually or electrically, and
  - a pinion that meshes with a rack fixed to an inner circumference surface of the third cavity and that is rotatably wound by the winding device.

Appendix 15

The golf club according to appendix 2, wherein

- the shaft comprises a second cavity formed in a hollow;
- the grip comprises a third cavity formed in a hollow communicating with the second cavity inside thereof;
- the hosel comprises a vibration sensor that detects vibration generated on the strike surface and the grip comprises one of a vibrating device that vibrates and a speaker that emits sound based on the information of detected by the vibration sensor inside thereof, the vibration sensor and the one of the vibration device and the speaker serving as the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism,
- the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism comprises
  - a vibration transmitting member formed in an elongated shape, having a first end portion being fixed to the head, being provided inside the second cavity and the third cavity, and transmitting vibration generated at the striking surface to the grip, and
  - an installing member being provided inside the third cavity and connecting a second end portion of the vibration transmitting member to the grip,
- the installing member is provided such that the position thereof is adjustable in an extending direction of the grip, and
- the installing member comprises
  - a winding device that winds the second end portion of the vibration transmitting member manually or electrically, and
  - a pinion that meshes with a rack fixed to an inner circumference surface of the third cavity and that is rotatably wound by the winding device.

<Detail of Vibration Transmitting Member>
Appendix 16

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 3-15, wherein the installing member is formed of one of a wire, a string, a rod member, and a linear elastic member.

Appendix 17

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 3-16, wherein the installing member is formed in a membrane shape that is expanded in a direction intersecting an extending direction of the grip.

Appendix 18

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 3-17, wherein the vibration transmitting member comprises a mass member that amplifies the vibration.

Appendix 19

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 3-18, wherein the head comprises a fourth cavity formed in a hollow communicating with the first cavity inside thereof.

(Appendix 20) The golf club according to appendix 19, wherein the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism comprises an auxiliary vibration transmitting member that is provided inside the fourth cavity and transmits vibration generated on the striking surface to the vibration transmitting member.

Appendix 21

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 3-20, wherein

- the vibration transmitting member contains magnetic material,
- a first pickup is further provided as the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism near the vibration transmitting member, the first pickup detecting vibration transmitted by the vibration transmitting member and electrically converting the detected vibration.

Appendix 22

The golf club according to appendix 21, wherein

- a first amplifier is further provided as the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism inside or outside of the golf club, the first amplifier amplifying an electric signal detected in the first pickup.

<Actuator>
Appendix 23

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 1-22, wherein

- the impact-vibration and impact-sound emphasizing mechanism comprises a vibration sensor that is installed to the head and that detects vibration generated on the striking surface, and an actuator that vibrates on the basis of an electric signal outputted from the vibration sensor, and transmits the vibration of the actuator to the user via the vibration transmitting member.

<Weight Member>
Appendix 24

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 1-23, wherein

- the head comprises a weight member that changes a position of the center of gravity of the head.

Appendix 25

The golf club according to appendix 24, further comprising a drive source that moves the weight member, wherein

- the weight member is provided inside a hollow-cylindrical recess recessed on an upper surface of the head, and
- the drive source rotates the weight member along an inner circumferential surface of the recess.
  
  <Golf Club with Insert>

(Appendix 26) A golf club comprising:

- a shaft;
- a head being provided at a first end portion of the shaft and having a striking surface against a golf ball;
- a grip being provided at a second end portion side of the shaft; and
- an insert formed of a surface vibration member provided on the striking surface and formed in a surface shape that, when colliding with a golf ball, surface-vibrates and provides reaction force to the golf ball.

Appendix 27

The golf club according to appendix 26, wherein the surface vibration member comprises a net member formed by knitting a string into a net-like shape inside a frame.

Appendix 28

The golf club according to appendix 27, wherein the string comprises at least one of natural fiber, synthetic fiber, and elastic fiber.

Appendix 29

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 26-28, wherein the surface vibration member comprises a membrane member pasted onto the striking surface.

Appendix 30

The golf club according to appendix 29, wherein the membrane member comprises at least one of a metal plate, a resin plate, a rubber film, and a leather film.

Appendix 31

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 26-30, wherein

- the surface vibration member is detachably provided to the head.

Appendix 32

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 26-31, wherein

- the head comprises a head cavity formed into a hollow inside thereof.

Appendix 33

The golf club according to appendix 32, wherein

- the head comprises a head inner wire stretched inside the head cavity and connected to the surface vibration member a connecting wire.

Appendix 34

The golf club according to appendix 33, wherein

- the shaft comprises a shaft cavity formed in a hollow inside thereof.

Appendix 35

The golf club according to appendix 34, wherein

- the head comprises a shaft inner wire stretched inside the shaft cavity and is connected to the head inner wire.

Appendix 36

The golf club according to appendix 35, wherein

- the shaft inner wire is stretched so as to connect the grip to the head inner wire, and transmits vibration of the surface vibration member to the grip.
  
  <Golf Club with Fin>

Appendix 37

A golf club comprising:

- a head having a striking surface that strikes a golf ball;
- a shaft formed in a shaft shape;
- a hosel that connects a first end portion of the shaft to the head;
- a grip being provided at a second end portion of the shaft and being gripped by a user; and
- a fin or a plate-shaped member between the head and the hosel.

Appendix 38

A golf club comprising:

- a head having a striking surface that strikes a golf ball;
- a shaft formed in a shaft shape;
- a grip being provided at a second end portion of the shaft and being gripped by a user; and
- a fin or a plate-shaped member between the head and a first end portion of the shaft.

Appendix 39

The golf club according to appendix 37 or 38, wherein further comprising an illuminating member arranged in a planar shape or a chain shape on a top surface of the fin or the plate-shaped member.

Appendix 40

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 26-39, wherein

- the fin is erected on an upper surface of the head.

Appendix 41

The golf club according to appendix 40, further comprising an illuminating member arranged in a planar shape or a chain shape on a top surface of the fin.

(Appendix 42) The golf club according to according to any one of appendixes 26-41, further comprising an electric indicator member provided on an upper surface of the head.

Appendix 43

The golf club according to appendix 42, wherein the electric indicator member is a liquid crystal display that displays at least one of a hitting direction of the golf ball and impact data when the golf ball is hit on the striking surface in response to an instruction from an external entity.

(Appendix 44) The golf club according to any one of appendixes 1-43, further comprising:

- a controller having a rhythm box function for notifying a rhythm when the golf ball is to be hit; and
- a speaker that outputs one of rhythm sound and the synthesized voice generated by the rhythm box function of the controller and a synthesized voice generating function, respectively.

<Adapter>
Appendix 45

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 1-44, wherein an adapter suitable for a physique and a striking form of a user is detachably attached to a lower surface of the head.

<A Vibration Emphasizing Member>
Appendix 46

A golf club comprising:

- a shaft formed in a shaft shape;
- a head being provided at a first end portion side of the shaft and having a striking surface that strikes a golf ball;
- a grip being provided at a second end portion side of the shaft and being gripped by a user; and
- a vibration emphasizing member that is provided on a circumference surface around the axis of the shaft so as to extend in the axial direction of the shaft and that emphasizes impact vibration generated when the striking surface hits the golf ball and transmits the emphasized impact vibration to the user.

Appendix 47

The golf club according to appendix 46, wherein

- the shaft comprises a shaft hollow portion formed in a hollow, and
- the vibration emphasizing member is provided on an inner circumference surface of the shaft hollow portion.

Appendix 48

The golf club according to appendix 46 or 47, wherein the vibration emphasizing member is provided on an outer circumference surface of the shaft.

(Appendix 49) A golf club insert detachably provided on a striking surface against a golf ball in a golf club, the golf club comprising a shaft, a head being provided at a first end portion of the shaft and having the striking surface, and a grip being provided at a second end portion of the shaft, the insert comprising

- a surface vibration member formed in a surface shape that, when colliding with a golf ball, surface-vibrates and provides reaction force to the golf ball.

Appendix 50

The golf club insert according to appendix 49, wherein

- the surface vibration member comprises a net member formed by knitting a string into a net-like shape inside a frame.

Appendix 51

The golf club insert according to appendix 50, wherein

- the string comprises at least one of natural fiber, synthetic fiber, and elastic fiber.

(Appendix 52) The golf club insert according to any one of appendixes 49-51, wherein

- the surface vibration member comprises a membrane member pasted onto the striking surface.

Appendix 53

The golf club insert according to appendix 52, wherein

- the membrane member comprises at least one of a metal plate, a resin plate, a rubber film, and a leather film.

(Appendix 54) The golf club insert according to any one of appendixes 49-53, wherein the surface vibration member is formed as a vibration member having a gong structure provided to the head by means of a hang structure.

<Diaphragm Member>
Appendix 55

The golf club according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein

- the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism comprises a diaphragm member that is attached to the head and that emphasizes the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit.

(Appendix 56) The golf club according to appendix 2, wherein

- the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism comprises a diaphragm member that is attached to the hosel and that emphasizes the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit.

Appendix 57

The golf club according to appendix 2, wherein

- the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism comprises a diaphragm member that is attached to both the head and the hosel and that emphasizes the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit.

Appendix 58

The golf club according to any one of appendixes 55-57, wherein

- the impact-vibration/impact-sound emphasizing mechanism further comprises an auxiliary diaphragm member that is attached to at least one of the head and the hosel and that emphasizes the impact vibration generated when the golf ball is hit in addition to the diaphragm member.

<Form of Diaphragm Member>
Appendix 59