Patent Application
20150238824
The present disclosure relates generally to sport equipment, and more particularly, to systems for custom fitting golf clubs.
In order for an individual to play golf to the best of his or her abilities, the individual can be fitted for custom golf clubs. There are various fitting methods and systems available in the marketplace. The various fitting systems and methods can be configured to custom fit golf clubs to an individual's unique swing characteristics, physical characteristics, and/or playing preferences. The various fitting systems and methods can suggest the proper golf club length, mass, grip, shaft, swing weight, or model for an individual. The proper fitting system can customize a golf club that will facilitate an individual to play golf to the best of his or her abilities.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the various views of the drawings. The headings used in the figures should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled together but not be electrically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant. “Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include mechanical coupling of all types. The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.
As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.
As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value. In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.
The detailed description provided below, in connection with the appended drawings, is intended as a description of the present examples, and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.
In one example, a golf club fitting system can comprise interchangeable correlated golf club shafts. The interchangeable correlated golf club shafts can include at least one mass increment between adjacent ones of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts, a net moment tolerance for the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts, and a substantially constant shaft length for the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts. The golf club fitting system also can include at least one golf club head that is configured to be removeably coupled to the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts.
In another example, a golf club shaft fitting system can comprise interchangeable correlated golf club shafts. The interchangeable correlated golf club shafts have a substantially constant length. The interchangeable correlated golf club shafts can include a first correlated golf club shaft with a first mass, a second correlated golf club shaft with a second mass, and a third correlated golf club shaft with a third mass. The second mass can be a mass increment greater than the first mass, and the third mass can be a mass increment greater than the second mass. The interchangeable correlated golf club shafts also can include a net moment tolerance that is associated with the first, second, and third correlated golf club shafts.
In a further example, a method for providing a golf club fitting system can include providing interchangeable golf club shafts comprising predetermining at least one mass increment between adjacent ones of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts; predetermining a net moment tolerance for the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts; and predetermining a substantially constant shaft length for the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts. Providing the golf club fitting system can comprise providing a golf club head configured to be coupled to the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts.
Turning to the figures,
In particular, block 110 of the golf club fitting process 100 describes the step of receiving physical and swing characteristic information about an individual. Block 110 can gather information about an individual and the individual's golf game. For example, block 110 may involve a question and answer session wherein an individual provides preferences regarding golf club length, golf club weight, golf club flex, golf club swing weight, golf club make or model, or any other suitable preference. Further, block 110 can include an initial evaluation of the individual's swing characteristics such as swing speed, swing travel path, golf ball contact location, and any other suitable swing characteristic. The individual's preferences and swing characteristics can be received electronically or written down by hand.
Turning to block 120 of the golf club fitting process 100, a golf club can be assembled with an interchangeable correlated golf club shaft and a golf club head, based on the gathered information, and the assembled golf club can be provided to the individual. The individual can swing the golf club, or otherwise inspect the golf club to provide feedback regarding the golf club and/or the correlated golf club shaft. For example, the individual can hit a golf ball to see how the correlated golf club shaft affects the ball striking, ball flight, or distance the golf ball travels. Further, the individual can experience how the correlated golf club shaft contributes to how the golf club feels and/or how the golf club appears when held.
After the individual has experienced the correlated golf club shaft, block 130 of the golf club fitting process 100 provides for receiving feedback regarding the individual's performance and the club's performance. As an example, block 130 can include receiving feedback regarding the performance of the correlated golf club shaft, the feel of the correlated golf club shaft, and/or the appearance of the golf club assembled with the correlated golf club shaft.
Next, block 140 of the golf club fitting process 100 provides for determining whether the provided golf club with the correlated golf club shaft has the optimal shaft for the individual. For example, the individual can provide feedback regarding the length, the mass, the swing weight, and/or the flex of the correlated golf club shaft. More specifically, the individual may provide feedback regarding a change to the mass of the correlated golf club shaft while holding the other characteristics of the shaft constant (e.g., the length, the swing weight, the flex, etc.).
If the shaft is not the optimal shaft, then the golf club fitting process 100 can return to block 120 where a different correlated golf club shaft is assembled to the golf club head and provided to the individual to repeat the processes of block 130 and block 140. In some embodiments block 120, block 130, and block 140 can be repeated any number of times until feedback indicating that the correlated golf club shaft has been optimized is received. More specifically, blocks 120, 130, and 140 can be repeated until the mass of the correlated golf club shaft has been optimized for the individual.
Next, block 150 may be reached when the correlated golf club shaft has been optimized by the fitting process 100. For example, the individual may provide feedback indicating that the correlated golf club shaft has been optimized. More specifically, the individual may indicate that optimal mass has been provided by the correlated golf club shaft.
The golf club fitting process 100 is merely exemplary of a golf club fitting process. Some golf club fitting processes may involve more steps to optimize the golf club characteristics. Still more golf club fitting processes may involve providing any number golf club heads and/or golf club shafts. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
While a particular order of actions is illustrated in the golf club fitting process 100, these actions may be performed in other temporal sequences. For example, two or more actions depicted in the
Turning to
The fitting system 200 can include a set of interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 and at least one golf club head 220. Golf club head 220 is configured to be removeably attached to the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 (e.g., see the golf club 500 of
While golf club head 220 is depicted as a wood-style golf club head in
The interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 in
The major components of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 in
In other embodiments, the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 can have other major components. For example, the major components can include a frequency rating (e.g., a first frequency rating, a second frequency rating, and a third frequency rating), a balance point (e.g., a first balance point, a second balance point, and a third balance point), and a tow part coupler for removeably attaching the golf club head 220 to each of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210. The frequency rating, the balance point, and the attachment mechanism will be discussed in further detail below.
The major components of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 can influence the characteristics of the golf club (i.e., the golf club 500 in
Generally, the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 include predetermined major component values. Some of the major component values can vary between the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210, and some of the major component values can remain substantially constant between the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210. Some exemplary values for the major components of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 (e.g., the substantially constant shaft lengths, the shaft masses, and the net moments) are shown in Table 1 below. The values for the major components of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 shown in Table 1 are exemplary, and are of only one embodiment of many possible embodiments of interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210. The exact values of the major components can vary from embodiment to embodiment, and can vary within certain embodiments of the fitting system 200. This disclosure is not limited in this regard.
The interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 can all be substantially constant in length like the correlated golf club shafts 230, 240, and 250 in Table 1. The length of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 will depend on the type of golf club head 220, the desired length of the assembled golf club (i.e, the golf club 500 of
Still referring to Table 1 and to
In one embodiment of fitting system 200, the mass increments separating the first mass, the second mass, and the third mass can be substantially the same. As described in Table 1, the first correlated golf club shaft 230 has a first mass of 53 grams, the second correlated golf club shaft 240 has a second mass of 62 grams, and the third correlated golf club shaft 250 has a third mass of 71 grams. In this embodiment the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 have a constant mass increment between adjacent correlated golf club shafts 230, 240, and 250. Further, the correlated golf club shafts 230, 240, and 250 may each be configured to be removeably attached to golf club head 220 in order to vary the assembled golf club mass. Or in another embodiment, correlated golf club shafts 230, 240, and 250 can be configured to be removeably attached to various golf club heads similar or different from golf club head 220 in order to vary the assembled golf club masses. This disclosure is not limited in this regard.
Turning to Table 2, another embodiment of the golf club fitting system 200 is described. In Table 2, the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 255 can include a first correlated golf club shaft 260, a second correlated golf club shaft 270, and a third correlated golf club shaft 280. Correlated golf club shafts 260, 270, and 280 can be similar to correlated golf club shafts 230, 240, and 250 (e.g., they can have the major components and can be configured to be removeably attached to one or more golf club heads similar to golf club head 220, etc.). The major component values for the correlated golf club shafts 260, 270, and 280 are shown in Table 2. The interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 255 can have substantially similar lengths, a net moment tolerance, and more than one mass increment. For example, in Table 2 the first mass increment separating the first mass of the first correlated golf club shaft 260 and the second mass of the second correlated golf club shaft 270 is 9 grams. In other words, the first mass increment is 9 grams. Further, the second mass increment that separates the second mass of second correlated golf club shaft 270 and the third mass of the third correlated golf club shaft 280 is 11 grams. In other words, the second mass increment is 11 grams. Accordingly, the second mass increment is different than the first mass increment; or more specifically the first mass increment is less than the second mass increment. In other embodiments, the first mass increment can be greater than the second mass increment, and in another embodiment there may be three or more different mass increments between the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 255.
The mass increment can be any predetermined mass increment suitable for the golf club fitting system 200, and the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 255 of the golf club fitting system 200 can span any predetermined mass variation. For example, when the golf club fitting system 200 includes three correlated golf club shafts (e.g., first correlated golf club shaft 260, second correlated golf club shaft 270, and third correlated golf club shaft 280), the mass variation for the fitting system is 20 grams, with a minimum mass increment of 9 grams and a maximum mass increment of 11 grams. In another embodiment, the mass increments can be lesser in magnitude. For example, the mass increment can be 5 or 8 grams. In another embodiment the mass increments can be greater in magnitude. For example, the mass increment can be 13 or 15 grams. In another embodiment, the mass increments could be a combination of greater and lesser magnitudes. For example, a first mass increment can be 8 grams, and a second mass increment can be 15 grams. The current disclosure is not limited to any particular, or any consistent mass increment for a set of interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 255.
Turning to
Referring back to
Referring back to
In general, as the shaft masses increase in magnitude so will the net moment tolerances. Accordingly, when the mass increments are increased in magnitude, so is the net moment tolerance. For example, in a set of interchangeable correlated golf club shafts that have a mass increment of more than 25 grams, the net moment tolerance can be no greater than approximately 50 gram-inches. In another example, if the mass increment is more than approximately 20 grams the net moment tolerance can be no greater than approximately 15 gram-inches. Though the net moment tolerance can be influenced by the mass increments between interchangeable correlated golf club shafts, the current disclosure is not limited in this regard.
Referring to
The interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 410 have predetermined balance points (i.e., similar to the balance point 320 of
In
Generally, the balance points 435, 445, and 455 are predetermined to be further from the respective grip ends 433, 443, and 453 as the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 430, 440, and 450 have more mass. As is shown in Table 3, the first correlated golf club shaft 430 has the lowest mass value (52.9 grams), and the first distance 438 value (22.3 inches, or 56.642 centimeters) is the largest of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 410. While the third correlated golf club shaft 450 has the greatest mass value (72 grams), and the third distance 430 value (20.2 inches, or 51.308 centimeters) is the least of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 410. In other embodiments, there can be different numbers of interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 410. Generally, the more mass an interchangeable correlated golf club shaft has relative to other interchangeable correlated golf club shafts, the closer the balance point will be to the grip end relative to the other interchangeable correlated golf club shafts. By predetermining the balance point to be relatively closer to the grip end based on the mass of the interchangeable correlated golf club shaft, the net moment of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts can remain in the net moment tolerance despite the difference in masses and the substantially similar lengths.
Referring to
Generally, the major components of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 and/or 410 can all be predetermined along with one frequency rating. For example, the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 or 410 can be classified as stiff and have a frequency rating in the range of 251-271. In another embodiment, each of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 and/or 410 can have distinct frequency ratings. For example, a first correlated golf club shaft 230 and a second correlated golf club shaft 240 can be classified as a stiff correlated golf club shaft and have a frequency rating in the range of 251-271; while the third correlated golf club shaft 250 can have an extra tour-stiff rating and have a frequency rating of 290-315. Table 4 below depicts twelve interchangeable correlated golf club shafts (i.e., each row in Table 4 has major component values for a correlated golf club shaft). The interchangeable correlated golf club shafts in Table 4 have substantially similar lengths, more than one mass increment between adjacent interchangeable correlated golf club shafts, a net moment tolerance of 50 gram-inches, and different balance point locations, and three of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts have been predetermined to be in each frequency rating. The major component values in Table 4 are merely exemplary of one embodiment and are not limitations on the current disclosure. In other embodiments there may be two interchangeable correlated golf club shafts in each frequency rating. In other embodiments, there may be one interchangeable correlated golf club shaft in each frequency rating. In other embodiments there may be only two frequency ratings (e.g., 251-270 CPM and 271-310 CPM), and six interchangeable correlated golf club shafts predetermined to be in each of the two frequency ratings. The current disclosure is not limited in this regard.
Turning to
Generally, the interchangeable correlated golf club shaft 510 is removeably attached to the golf club head 520 via a two-part coupling mechanism. A two-part coupling mechanism can include a first part that is coupled to the correlated golf club shaft 510. The first part of the coupling mechanism is secured to the correlated golf club shaft 510 near or at the end opposite the grip end 530 (e.g., the tip end). The first part can be molded, adhered, or mechanically fixed to the correlated golf club shaft 510. A second part of the two-part coupler is fixed to the club head 520. The second part can be molded, cast, adhered, or mechanically fixed to the golf cub head 520. Additionally, there can be more than one club head similar to golf club head 520 that includes the second part of the two-part coupler such that any correlated golf club shaft 510 can be coupled to any of the golf club heads 520. When the interchangeable correlated golf club shaft 510 is removeably attached to the golf club head 520, the first part of the coupler and the second part of the coupler are in communication with each other to form a secure attachment point. For example, the attachment can happen with a threaded fastener, a pin or post, a latch or any other suitable attachment. The method of removeable attachment is not a limitation to the current disclosure.
Turning to
The method 600 comprises block 610 for providing the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts. In some examples, the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts can be similar to the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts 210 (
Block 620 of the method 600 includes providing at least one golf club head that is configured to be coupled to the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts. In some examples, the golf club head that is configured to be removeably coupled to the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts can be similar to the golf club head 220 (
In some examples, one or more of the different blocks of the method 600 can be combined into a single block or performed simultaneously, and/or the sequence of such blocks can be changed. For example, in some embodiments, blocks 610 and 620 may be combined if desired. In the same or other examples, some of the blocks of the method 600 can be subdivided into several sub-blocks. As an example, block 610 may comprise a sub-block for predetermining at least one mass increment between adjacent ones of the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts, and a sub-block for predetermining a net moment tolerance for the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts. There also can be examples in which the method 600 can include further or different blocks. As an example, the method 600 may comprise another block for predetermining a frequency rating for the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts, and/or another block for predetermining a substantially constant shaft length for the interchangeable correlated golf club shafts. In addition, there may be examples where the method 600 can comprise only part of one or more of the steps described above. For instance, block 620 may be optional in some implementations. Other variations can be implemented for the method 600 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Although the golf club fitting systems and related methods herein have been described with reference to specific embodiments, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Other permutations of the different embodiments having one or more of the features of the various figures are likewise contemplated. Accordingly, the specification, claims, and drawings herein are intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of this application shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.
The golf club fitting systems and related methods discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment, and may disclose alternative embodiments.
All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly stated in such claims.
As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulations may be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golf standard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be conforming or non-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
