Golf club with insert.

Abstract

A golf club with an insert located in an ideal position to strike a golf ball. The head of the golf club and the insert have a built-in locking mechanism such that the insert is removable; the golfer can replace it with an insert of a different material, thereby changing the “feel” of the golf club through changes in the hardness/softness and density of the material from which the insert is made. The insert is screw-shaped with a flat head that is flush with the striking surface of the golf club when it is fully inserted. There is, optionally, an o-ring that slips over the threaded portion of the insert such that when the insert is screwed into the receptacle, the head is “padded” against the receptacle, thereby cushioning the impact and reducing the chances that the insert will rattle out of the receptacle due to frequent ball striking.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the invention

This invention relates to the general field of golf clubs, and more specifically to a golf club with an insert, where the head of the golf club and the insert have a built-in locking mechanism. Because the insert is removable, inserts of various materials can be used for experimentation and for adjusting to differing golfing circumstances. A preferred embodiment of this invention is the use of this technology in a putter.

The sport of golfing goes back 300 years. Early on, golfers realized that inserting different materials into the head of a golf club could yield desirable results. For example, inserting lead and other metals into the head of a driver has been known for many years as a way of increasing the weight of the head and providing a metal—as opposed to wooden—surface to strike the ball. Other golfers have inserted, grooved plugs into the golf club head that are designed to not only present a hard surface when striking the ball, but to impart to the ball a spin.

Experimentation with different inserts of different materials is important to the development of better, and in some cases, more aesthetically desirable golf clubs. For example, a wide range of different metals have been used which impart a different feel and sound when each strikes a golf ball. And the desired effects will differ depending on the different type of golf club being used. For example, a key goal of a wood, or driver, is to hit the ball as far as possible, while still keeping it under control. A putter, on the other hand, is not evaluated by how far it can send a golf ball flying, but rather on how accurately it can place a golf ball. With all of these variables, it is desirable to create a golf club that will allow for easy and efficient experimentation.

A continuing problem with the prior art, however, is that while it is fairly easy to insert a second material into a golf head, it is considerably more difficult to remove it and replace it with another insert. Thus, a golfer who wishes to experiment with a different striking surface material or configuration has to buy a second club. Since clubs vary even within the same model, a golfer wishing to experiment with different materials and configurations would find fewer confounding variables if he/she would be able to use the same club, and merely replace the insert.

A further problem is that while it is easy to insert a second material in the head of a golf club, it is considerably more difficult to do so in a manner that keeps the surface of the insert in planar alignment with the surface of the golf club. While the goal of many inserts is to provide a striking surface, golfers are not perfect and will often hit the ball a bit off the intended target. Should the insert have even a slightly different elevation than the rest of the golf club's striking face, the golf ball's trajectory can be significantly diverted from its intended path.

A third common issue among golfers is the sound the striking of a ball makes to the golfer. Clean shots usually sound soft, and can have almost a “plunk” sound to them, while errant shots often have a hard sound—sort of a “tink” or “plink” sound—tht is undesirable to most golfers. Different inserts will have different sounds, and since the insert is located in the ideal striking part of the golf club head, it would be desiratble to allow a golfer to know immediately, just by the sound, whether he/she hit the ball with the perfect location on the golf club head.

Thus, it would be desirable to create a golf club where inserts of different materials can in replaced at the will of the golfer, and where the face of the insert remains consistently in the same plane as the face of the golf club. A club designed along these lines will allow for a golfer to experiment with inserts of different materials, and yet not sacrifice the quality of his or her game through uneven surfaces skewing the golf balls to undesired directions.

The current invention provides just such a solution by having a golf club with a golf head modified with screw thread receptacles, which can accept an insert with mating screw threads. The insert can be made from metal, plastic, or other suitable materials, and has a head portion that nests in a countersunk cylinder in the golf club head, such that when fully “screwed in”, the surface of the insert is flush with the surface of the golf club. Because the insertion and removal of the insert is controlled by a corresponding hole on the back (non-striking) side of the golf club head, it is easy to insert and remove an insert. The invention also has an optional o-ring that nestles between the underside of the head of the insert and the countersunk portion of the receptacle, such that it cushions the point of contact between the insert and the receptacle. This creates a constant pressure between the threads of the insert and the threads of the receptacle, which serves to “lock” the insert into place and prevent it from rattling out due to the frequent jarring that will occur when the insert strikes the ball.

BACKGROUND ART

There is considerable prior art on placing inserts into the heads of golf clubs, and the problems with each of these inventions will further illustrate the need for, and benefit brought by, the current invention.

One known technique for creating an insert in a putter is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,979 to Mounfield. This patent describes heating a putter with two cavities such that it expands, then pouring in a molten material that will lock itself in as the unit cools. The problem with this method is that the process it relies upon—heating a metal to the point of melting, and then allowing it to cool—allows for nitrogen bubbles to enter the body as it cools, creating an uneven surface. As mentioned previously, a golf club with anything less than a planar surface cannot, by definition, send the golf ball on an intended trajectory. Also, the heating and cooling process, also seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,989 to Saksun, allows for air bubbles to form, weakening the golf club and creating vibrations and sounds that are inconsistent between otherwise identical clubs being manufactured at the same time. With the current invention, there is no melting and cooling, and the surface of the insert is precision molded or machined prior to insertion, so it is, and will remain, flush with the surface of the golf club.

The idea of placing flat inserts into cavities in the striking faces of golf clubs is also know. Publication JPH09327532 to Sam describes cylindrical plugs approximating the shape of watch batteries, which are formed through inserting crystal material in layers are inserted into cavities in the golf club face. However, the insert is retained in the cavity through soldering, which is known to add weight in an irregular manner to certain areas of the golf club, thereby throwing off its center of balance. Because this invention requires a layer of solder in between the golf club head and the insert, the solder would have to completely cover the back and sides of the insert, without any air pockets, or else there would be variables between golf clubs from even the same manufacturing day and time. Even if the solder were applied perfectly to all clubs (a near impossibility), it would create a third layer of material, whereas the current invention has only two.

The idea of using screws to attach an insert has also been tried as far back as 1923. However, U.S. Pat. No. 1,605,551 to Crawford, et. al., uses screw thread to “screw” the insert into the golf club face. However, this patent requires the use of tools to hold the insert in place and rotate it, thereby leaving indentations or abrasions on the surface which could skew the direction of a golf ball. The current invention, on the other hand, requires no tools whatsoever on its striking face—all the insertion and removal is accomplished through the back side of the golf club, thereby leaving no traces of the insertion or removal on the face of the insert.

There are also a number of prior art inventions that teach adding non-striking weights to the body—but not the face—of golf clubs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,447 to Taylor Made, U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,390 to Reimers, and Japanese Publication No. JP2001340499 to Meian, et. al., show various methods of adding weight to a golf club head, but these inventions do not related to either easy substitution of inserts, or creating a flush striking surface.

However, none of the prior art teaches an insert that can consistently create a flush striking surface, with no air bubbles, irregular soldering, or other variable that could cause irregularities between the same model of clubs. Nor does the prior art teach an insert that can be easily and quickly replaced with another in a manner that does not mar the striking face of the insert.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an insert that is readily removable, such that a golfer can experiment with several different materials to find the most suitable for his/her game, or for the conditions that exist on that particular day on that particular course.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of adjusting a golf club to different conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an insert that can be removed and replaced with another insert in a method that does not mar the striking surface of the insert.

A final object of the invention is to provide an insert that, when inserted, consistently provides a surface that is flush with the face of the golf club.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one aspect the invention includes an insert made from any one of a variety of metals, plastics or other suitable materials.

Preferably the insert has screw threads that mate with screw threads machined or molded into a golf club head.

The insert also has a head section that fits into a similarly sized cavity in the surface of the golf club, such that when the insert is fully inserted, the head section nestles into the cavity such that the insert is flush with the striking surface of the golf club.

A further aspect of the invention includes means to screw in and remove the insert, located in the back (the non-striking surface) of the golf club head, such that the insert can be screwed in and screwed out without touching (or marring) the striking surface of the insert.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

It should be understood the while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view and a back view of a golf club with insert according to a preferred form of the invention, showing the golf club head after a hole has been machined or molded into the golf club.

FIG. 2 is a series of views of the insert from different angles.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a golf club with insert, showing a golf club head after the receptacle has been machined into place.

FIG. 4 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of the golf club with an insert that has been screwed into place.

FIG. 5 is a top, partial cut-away view of the insert outside and inside the receptacle.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the back of the golf club with the insert fully screwed in.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the golf club with the insert fully screwed in.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing how the insert aligns with the receptacle.

FIG. 9 is a series of views of the tool used to screw in and screw out the insert.

FIG. 10 is a series of views of an insert that has grooves in the face, rather than a mere front face.

FIG. 11 is a series of views of an o-ring that is used to cushion and secure the insert into the receptacle.

FIG. 12 is a series of views of a typical insert.

FIG. 13 is a series of views of an o-ring being used on a typical insert.

FIG. 14 is a series of views of an o-ring being used on a typical insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1. Golf club head, front face.
• 2. Golf club head, back face.
• 3. Hole
• 4. Insert, general reference number.
• 5. Head of insert.
• 6. Threads of insert.
• 7. Back of insert.
• 8. Front of insert.
• 9. Indentation in back of insert.
• 10. Receptacle.
• 11. Countersunk portion.
• 12. Threaded hole.
• 21. O-ring
• 90. Grip.
• 91. Extension.
• 92. Plug.
• 93. Projections.

FIG. 1 is a front view and a back view of a golf club with insert according to a preferred form of the invention, showing the golf club head after a hole has been machined or molded into the golf club. In this preferred embodiment, a putter is used. The putter has a front face 1 and a back face 2. In its initial stage of manufacture, a hole 3 is created in the golf club. The hole extends from the front face 1 to the back face 2. It is contemplated that the hole 3 can be created through either machining or molding.

FIG. 2 is a series of views of the insert from different angles. The insert has a head 5, which is larger in diameter than the threads 6. The front 8 of the insert—the portion that strikes the ball—is flat. The back 7 of the insert has one or more indentations 9, that can be used by a tool (show in FIG. 9) to screw in and out the insert. By requiring that the tool accomplish its task of screwing in and screwing out the insert by using only the back 7 of the insert, the front 8 does not get scratched or require any indentations or other alterations similar to the head of a traditional flat-head or Phillips screw. Because the front 8 remains unmarred, it will send the ball on a more true trajectory than if the front 8 was lined, scratched, or otherwise not a perfectly flat surface. It should be noted, again, that some golf club faces have lines or grooves on them to better control, spin, or direct the ball after striking. Thus, the advantage of removing the insert from the back extends to all types of golf club faces.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a golf club with insert, showing a golf club head after the receptacle has been machined into place. After the hole 3 is created, a receptacle 10 is created. It is contemplated that this can be machined into the hole 3, created through the molding process, or even be molded separately and later inserted into the hole 3. Regardless of the means of manufacture, the receptacle 10 is designed to receive an insert, with a threaded hole 12 that mates with the threads 6 on the insert, and a countersunk portion 11 into which the head 5 of the insert will fit and stop further movement of the insert. By careful machining or molding of the receptacle and the insert, the front 8 of the insert will be exactly flush with the striking face of the front face 1 of the golf club. It is important to note that while a “screw in” function is utilized for placing the insert into the receptacle, the number of threads can be as few a single thread in the receptacle and on the insert.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the golf club with an insert that has been screwed into place. Access to the insert is through that portion of the hole 3 on the back face 2 of the golf club, rather than screwing the insert in and out through manipulating the front 8 portion. In this manner, golfers wishing to experiment with different types of inserts can easily screw them in and out, without ever endangering the front portion. In this figure, the countersunk portion 11 and the threated hole 12 are illustrated.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the insert outside and inside the receptacle. The hole and receptacle are located at the “sweet spot” in a golf club. For each type of golf club, this will vary, but can be found easily through use of, for example, a Kronos® fulcrum. In any case, the goal is to locate the hole such that the golfer should use the insert to strike the ball, thereby allowing a golfer to experiment with different inserts, or to adapt to different conditions, by merely removing the existing insert through the front face 1 of the golf club and screwing in another through the back face 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the back of the golf club with the insert fully screwed in. The back 7 of the insert can be seen, as can the one or more indentations 9. In this embodiment, three indentations are used. As can be seen in this figure, the insert can be easily removed and replaced with another without the tool coming close to the finely machined or molded front 8 of the insert.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the golf club with the insert fully screwed in. This figure shows the ease with which the indentations in the back of the insert 7 can be accessed through the back face 2 of the golf club.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing how the insert aligns with the receptacle. The threads on the insert mate with the threads in the threaded hole 12, and the head of the insert fits flush against the countersunk portion 11.

FIG. 9 is a series of views of the tool used to screw in and screw out the insert. The tool has a grip 90, an extension 91, a plug 92, and one or more projections 93. The one or more projections 93 are similar in number and arrangement to the one or more indentations in the back of the insert.

FIG. 10 is a series of views of an insert that has grooves in the front 8 of the insert, rather than a mere flat front face. The other parts in the insert (the back 7, the indentations 9, the head 5 and the threads 6) are the same no matter what the surface configuration is, but the important design points is that because the user accesses the back 7 of the insert to put it in and remove it from the golf club, the front 8 of the insert is not damaged by the tools.

FIG. 11 is a series of views of an o-ring 21 that is used to cushion and secure the insert into the receptacle.

FIG. 12 is a series of views of a typical insert. The insert, generally referenced as 4, has threads 6 that will be used to screw the insert into the receptacle (not shown in this figure). Because the insert will be made of some plastic or other sturdy material, there may be some “play” between the head 5 of the insert and the receptacle. Thus, as one of the embodiments, an o-ring is provided to cushion between the head of the insert and the receptacle. The o-ring also assists in retaining the insert as it maintains a constant pressure between the head of the insert and the receptacle, thereby minimizing the “play” that may occur.

FIG. 13 is a series of views of an o-ring being used on a typical insert. The o-ring 21 is of a diameter that is slightly larger than the threads 6 of the insert, but smaller in diameter than the head 5 of the insert. Thus, the o-ring nestles under the head of the insert 5 and cushions the point of contact between the underside of the head of the insert and the receptacle.

FIG. 14 is a series of views of an o-ring being used on a typical insert. As mentioned previously, the o-ring 21 has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the threaded portion of the insert, such that the o-ring is clearly visible from a bottom view, and yet the outer diameter of the o-ring 21 is small enough to be completely obscured by the head 5 of the insert.

It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

Claims

1. A golf club with an insert, comprising: a golf club with a golf club head, where the golf club head has a front face and a back face, a hole, where the hole extends from the front face through the back face, a receptacle, and an insert, where the insert comprises a head, one or more threads, a back, and a front, where the back additionally comprises one or more indentations, where the insert can be placed in the hole, where the receptacle additionally comprises a countersunk portion and a threaded portion comprising one or more threads, where the threaded portion of the receptacle mates with the one or more threads of the insert, and where the countersunk portion is approximately the same general shape and depth as the head of the insert, such that when the insert in fully screwed into the receptacle, the head of the insert is flush with the front face, additionally comprising an o-ring, where the o-ring has an inner diameter and an outer diameter, where the insert additionally comprises a thread diameter, which is the diameter of the insert at the one or more threads, and a head diameter, which is the diameter measured across the head of the insert, and where the inner diameter of the o-ring is slightly larger than the thread diameter, such that the o-ring can slip over the one or more threads, and where the outer diameter of the o-ring is smaller than the head diameter, such that when the insert is inserted into the receptacle, the head can be screwed into the receptacle such that the head is flush with the front face of the golf club.

2. A golf club with an insert, comprising: a golf club with a golf club head, where the golf club head has a front face and a back face, a hole, where the hole extends from the front face through the back face, a receptacle, and an insert, where the insert comprises a head, one or more threads, a back, and a front, where the back additionally comprises one or more indentations, where the insert can be placed in the hole.

3. The golf club of claim 2, where the receptacle additionally comprises a countersunk portion and a threaded portion comprising one or more threads, where the threaded portion of the receptacle mates with the one or more threads of the insert, and where the countersunk portion is approximately the same general shape and depth as the head of the insert, such that when the insert in fully screwed into the receptacle, the head of the insert is flush with the front face.

4. The golf club of claim 3, where the receptacle is molded into head of the golf club during a molding process.

5. The golf club of claim 3, where the receptacle is machined into head of the golf club after the molding process.

6. The golf club of claim 3, where the receptacle is a separate device that is manufactured separately from the molding process by which the head of the golf club was created, and where the receptacle is inserted into the hole and adhered to the hole by a suitable means.

7. The golf club of claim 3, where the insert is made of metal.

8. The golf club of claim 3, where the insert is made of plastic

9. The golf club of claim 3, where the insert comprises at least one of synthetics, composites, wood, fiberglass, resin, metal, and plastic.

10. The golf club of claim 3, additionally comprising an o-ring, where the o-ring has an inner diameter and an outer diameter, where the insert additionally comprises a thread diameter, which is the diameter of the insert at the one or more threads, and a head diameter, which is the diameter measured across the head of the insert, and where the inner diameter of the o-ring is slightly larger than the thread diameter, such that the o-ring can slip over the one or more threads, and where the outer diameter of the o-ring is smaller than the head diameter, such that when the insert is inserted into the receptacle, the head can be screwed into the receptacle such that the head is flush with the front face of the golf club.

11. A kit for golfers to exchange inserts into the head of a golf club, comprising: a golf club with an insert, comprising: a golf club with a golf club head, where the golf club head has a front face and a back face, a hole, where the hole extends from the front face through the back face, a receptacle, and an insert, where the insert comprises a head, one or more threads, a back, and a front, where the back additionally comprises one or more indentations, and an insert exchange tool, where the tool comprises a grip, an extension, a plug and one or more projections, where the grip is a horizontally oriented member capable of being grasped by the hand of a golfer, where the extension is a vertically-oriented member, where the extension has a grip end and a projection end, where the extension is connected at its grip end to the grip, and at its projection end to the plug, where the plug is a cylindrical body with one or more projections, where the one or more projections are aligned in number and spacing such that they mate with the one or more indentations in the back of the insert, such that a golfer can use the tool to turn the insert and effectively insert it or remove it from the receptacle.

12. The kit of claim 11 where the receptacle additionally comprises a countersunk portion and a threaded portion, there the threaded portion mates with the plurality of threads of the insert, and where the countersunk portion is approximately the same general shape and depth as the head of the insert, such that when the insert in fully screwed into the receptacle, the head of the where the receptacle additionally comprises a countersunk portion and a threaded portion comprising one or more threads, where the threaded portion of the receptacle mates with the one or more threads of the insert, and where the countersunk portion is approximately the same general shape and depth as the head of the insert, such that when the insert in fully screwed into the receptacle, the head of the insert is flush with the front face.

13. The kit of claim 12, where the receptacle is molded into head of the golf club during a molding process.

14. The kit of claim 12, where the receptacle is machined into head of the golf club after the molding process.

15. The kit of claim 12, where the receptacle is a separate device that is manufactured separately from the molding process by which the head of the golf club was created, and where the receptacle is inserted into the hole and adhered to the hole by a suitable means.

16. The kit of claim 12, where the insert is made of metal.

17. The kit of claim 12, where the insert is made of plastic

18. The kit of claim 12, where the insert where the insert comprises synthetics, composites, wood, fiberglass, resin, or other suitable materials.

19. The kit of claim 12, where the insert comprises at least one of synthetics, composites, wood, fiberglass, resin, metal, and plastic.

20. The kit of claim 12, additionally comprising an o-ring, where the o-ring has an inner diameter and an outer diameter, where the insert additionally comprises a thread diameter, which is the diameter of the insert at the one or more threads, and a head diameter, which is the diameter measured across the head of the insert, and where the inner diameter of the o-ring is slightly larger than the thread diameter, such that the o-ring can slip over the one or more threads, and where the outer diameter of the o-ring is smaller than the head diameter, such that when the insert is inserted into the receptacle, the head can be screwed into the receptacle such that the head is flush with the front face of the golf club.