Patent Application
20170128797
The disclosure below may be subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the documents containing this disclosure, as they appear in the Patent and Trademark Office records, but otherwise reserves all applicable copyrights.
Golf clubs of all types generally have a golf club head, a shaft and a grip. The golf club has inherent mass properties such as a center of gravity location and mass moments of inertia that critically affect the golf club's performance. The center-of-gravity location and the mass moments of inertia of a golf club are a function of at least the weight and geometry of the golf club head, the weight, length and shape of the shaft, and the weight and geometry of the grip.
Golf club heads are often adapted to be customized, for example, by having interchangeable parts such as sole plates, face plates, and adapted to fit any of a variety of shafts and grips. However, modifications to a club head, e.g. substitution of a shaft having a different length, generally affect the mass properties of the club head in an unintended manner (e.g. change the swingweight of the golf club). Thus, conventional customizable club heads that do not provide means to adjust such mass properties are limited in their ability to be optimized for a wide range of golfers.
Certain embodiments of the present invention, in one or more aspects thereof, may advantageously comprise one or more weight members for effecting a change in the mass moments of inertia, center-of-gravity, and/or the swing weight of a golf club.
According to various embodiments, a weight member for removable attachment to a weight port of a golf club head comprises a head that has a tool mating port, or socket, for operatively receiving a portion of a fastening tool. The weight member also comprises a shaft associated with the head that terminates at an end surface. The shaft has a threaded external surface and a non-threaded internal bore extending from the end surface.
According to various embodiments, a kit of weights for removable and interchangeable attachment to a weight port of a golf club head includes a first weight and a second weight. The first weight comprises a first head that has a first head diameter and a first head end surface. The first weight also comprises a first shaft that has a first shaft end surface opposite the first head end surface, a first shaft diameter, and a first shaft length. The first weight further comprises a first internal bore extending from one of the first head end surface and the first shaft end surface, the first internal bore having a first internal bore depth. The second weight comprises a second head that has a second head diameter and a second head end surface. The second weight also comprises a second shaft that has a second shaft end surface opposite the second head end surface, a second shaft diameter that is substantially equal to the first shaft diameter, and a second shaft length. The second weight further comprises a second internal bore extending from one of the second head end surface and the second shaft end surface, the second internal bore having a second internal bore depth that is different from the first internal bore depth.
According to various embodiments, a kit of weights for removable and interchangeable attachment to a weight port of a golf club head includes a first weight and a second weight. The first weight comprises a first head that has a first head end surface. The first weight also comprises a first shaft that has a first shaft end surface opposite the first head end surface, a first shaft diameter, and a first shaft length. The first weight further comprises an internal bore extending from one of the first head end surface and the first shaft end surface. The first weight additionally comprises a first overall length and a first mass. The second weight comprises a second head. The second weight also comprises a second shaft that has a second shaft diameter that is substantially equal to the first shaft diameter, and a second shaft length. The second weight further comprises a second overall length such that a first ratio of the first overall length to the second overall length is no less than 0.85. The second weight additionally comprises a second mass such that a second ratio of the first mass to the second mass is no greater than 0.50.
According to various embodiments, a method of manufacturing a kit of weights for removable and interchangeable association with a weight port of a golf club head comprises providing a first weight by forming a first intermediate body having a first head and a first shaft associated with the first head and forming a first internal bore by removing a first mass from the first intermediate body. The method further comprises providing a second weight by forming a second intermediate body having a second head and a second shaft associated with the second head and forming a second internal bore by removing a second mass from the second intermediate body, the second mass being different from the first mass. The first weight includes a first shaft length and a first shaft diameter. The second weight includes a second shaft length and a second shaft diameter that is substantially equal to the first shaft diameter.
These and other features and advantages of the golf club head according to the invention in its various aspects, as provided by one or more of the various examples described in detail below, will become apparent after consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention, in one or more aspects thereof, is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:
For purposes of illustration, these figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. In all the figures, same or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals.
Representative examples of one or more novel and nonobvious aspects and features of the weight member according to the present invention, disclosed below, are not intended to be limiting in any manner. Furthermore, the various aspects and features of the present invention may be used alone or in a variety of novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations with one another. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, ratios, and numerical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.”
As mentioned, golf clubs of all types generally have a golf club head, a shaft and a grip. The golf club has a center of gravity location and mass moments of inertia that critically affect the golf club's performance. The center-of-gravity location and the mass moments of inertia of a golf club are a function of at least the weight and geometry of the golf club head, the weight, length and shape of the shaft, and the weight and geometry of the grip. Golf club heads are often adapted to be customized, for example, by having interchangeable parts such as sole plates, face plates, and adapted to fit any of a variety of shafts and grips. However, modifications to a club head, e.g. substitution of a shaft having a different length, generally affect the mass properties of the club head in an unintended manner (e.g. change the swingweight of the golf club).
Accordingly, the present invention, according to certain embodiments, is directed to one or more weight members that are selectable by a manufacturer and/or a user for installation in a golf club head for effecting a change in mass properties of a golf club, e.g. the mass moments of inertia, center of gravity location, and/or the swing weight of a golf club. Introducing one or more weight members into a golf club head at various locations within the golf club head has a number of advantages such as, but not limited to, enabling the manufacture of a customizable golf club head from a same master such that the golf club head is capable of assembly with a wide array of shafts and grips, and/or post-manufacture customization by a user, optionally with the use of simple tools. By affecting the mass properties of the golf club head based on user preference and/or performance specifications regarding various combinations of golf club heads, shafts and grips, the user's confidence in his shot making ability is increased. In addition, particularly in the case of correcting a swingweight, the use of interchangeable weight members, as opposed to conventional methods such as using “mouse glue,” permits precise placement of weight in desirable locations, as opposed to uncontrolled weight placement.
In one or more embodiments, and as depicted by way of example in
In various embodiments, the sockets 107c and 107d, for example, may be further configured to accommodate a bore (not shown) that extends entirely through the weight member 101 (as discussed below), or an internal bore that extends from an end surface of the head 105.
Each of the weight members 301 of the kit 300 vary in mass from one another. In one embodiment, the kit 300 comprises weight members 301 that, when ordered from lowest in mass to highest in mass, the mass of the weight member 301 with the lowest mass is no greater than 7 g. In another embodiment, the mass of the weight member 301 with the lowest mass is no greater than 8 g. In a further embodiment, the mass of the weight member 301 with the lowest mass is no greater than 9 g.
In various embodiments, the weight members 301 of kit 300 differ in mass from each other by any amount such that the differences in mass are evenly distributed among the kit 300. In additional embodiments, the weight members 301 of kit 300 differ in mass from each other by at least 1 g such that the differences in mass are evenly distributed among the kit 300. In other embodiments, the weight members 301 of kit 300 differ in mass from each other by at least 2.5 g such that the differences in mass are evenly distributed among the kit 300. In another embodiment, the weight members 301 of kit 300 differ in mass from each other by at least 3 g such that the differences in mass are evenly distributed among the kit 300. In a further embodiment, the weight members 301 of kit 300 differ in mass from each other by any amount such that the differences in mass are unevenly distributed among the kit 300.
In other embodiments, the weight members 301 of kit 300 evenly or unevenly differ in mass from each other by any amount such that a ratio of a weight member 301 having a smaller mass than a weight member 301 having a larger mass is no greater than 0.50. In this embodiment, the kit 300 has at least one pair of weight members 301 having mass properties that would result in this ratio. It should be noted that while the kit 300 is illustrated as having five different weight members 301a through 301e, the kit may be comprised of any number of weight members no less than two. In one or more embodiments, weight member 301a has a mass of 7 g, weight member 301b has a mass of 10 g, weight member 301c has a mass of 13 g, weight member 305d has a mass of 16 g, and weight member 305e has a mass of 18.5 g.
In one or more embodiments, the variation in mass between weight members 301 that are part of the kit 300 is caused by factors such as, but not limited to, variations in lengths of shafts 311, variations in materials of the weight members 301, the presence of one or more bores in the weight member 301, the lack of a bore, the number of bores, the dimensions of the one or more bores, including a depth of any internal bore, or any combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the golf club head is attachable to one of a set of interchangeable shafts, each having a different shaft length. Preferably, the weight members of the kit are configured such that the masses of the weight members are incremented in linear relationship with the shaft lengths of each shaft of the set.
The weight members 301 each have an overall length. In some embodiments, the overall length of each of the weight members 301 that make up the kit 300 are substantially equal. In alternative embodiments, the weight members 301 vary in overall length. For example, in some such embodiments (as shown in
It should be noted that the height of the head h, in certain embodiments, is variable among the weight members 301 of the kit 300. Altering the height of the head h also has an effect on the mass of the weight member 301, as well as the depth, for example, of the weight port 103.
In various embodiments, the kit 300 comprises at least two weight members 301 that each have an overall length L of differing values. For example, in the embodiment shown in
In various embodiments, the weight members 301 are comprised of any combination of materials such as stainless steel, titanium, nickel, tungsten, other metal, and/or a polymer. In some embodiments, the composition of each weight member 301 varies thereby affecting the mass of the weight member 301 as the materials have different densities. For example, a weight member 301 comprised of steel (density ˜7.85 g/cm3) would have a density that was lower than a weight member comprised of tungsten-nickel (density ˜14.0 g/cm3). Therefore, a weight member 301 comprised of steel, and occupying the same space (volume) as a weight member 301 comprised of tungsten-nickel would have a lower mass than the weight member comprised of tungsten-nickel.
In various embodiments, the kit 300 comprises at least two weight members 301 that each have a density of differing values, the density of a second weight member 301 being greater than the density of a first weight member 301. In some embodiments, a ratio of the density of the second weight member 301 to the density of the first weight member 301 is no less than 0.20. In another embodiment, the ratio of densities is between about 0.25 and about 0.75. In a further embodiment, the ratio of densities is no less than 0.50. In one or more embodiments, referring to
In various embodiments, at least one of the weight members 301 has a bore. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, for example in the embodiment shown in
In one or more embodiments, the bore depth D is compared to the shaft length L-h. The ratio of the bore depth to shaft length in this embodiment is no less than 0.15. In another embodiment, the ratio of bore depth to shaft length is no less than 0.20. In a further embodiment, the ratio of bore depth to shaft length is no less than 0.25.
In various embodiments, the kit 300 comprises at least a first and second weight member 301 that have bores with different depths D. For example, a first weight member 301a is shown in
Alternatively, the weight member may not have a bore 315 that displaces mass, but rather the weight member is solid throughout such as weight members 301b and 301e.
The above-discussed embodiments can be combined to produce any number of variables that affect the mass of the weight member 301. Further, the weight members 301 may or may not have different masses based on the same types of variables or combinations of variables.
Table 1-1 is an example of how various combinations of materials, shaft lengths, and bore depths affect the mass of the weight members 301.
The weight member 301c has a head surface 321 that is generally perpendicular to the central axis CA. The weight member 301c has an overall length L that is measured between the head surface 321 and the bottom surface 319. The length L, as discussed above, may vary among weight members 301 of the kit 300. In one embodiment, the overall length L is no less than 10 mm. In another embodiment, the overall length L is no less than 15 mm. In a further embodiment, the overall length L is no greater than 20 mm.
The head 305 has a height h that is measured from the head surface 321 to the end surface 317 along the central axis CA. The height h of the head is generally constant among each of the weight members 301c of the kit 300, but, in alternative embodiments, the height h can vary, for example to further increase the variance in mass of the weight member 301c from the lightest to the heaviest. The height h of the head 305c is no greater than 8 mm. In another embodiment, the height h of the head 305c is no greater than 6 mm. In a further embodiment, the height h of the head 305c is no greater than 4 mm.
The head 305c has a head outer diameter W that is no greater than 15 mm. In another embodiment, the head outer diameter W is no greater than 13 mm. In another embodiment, the head outer diameter W is no greater than 10) mm.
The shaft 311c has a shaft diameter ΦS that is an overall thickness of the shaft 311c in the cross-sectional view, measured from the outer extents of the threaded portion of the shaft. The shaft diameter ΦS, as discussed above, is substantially equal to the diameter of the weight port 103, allowing for tolerances necessary for securable and removable association of the weight member 301c and the weight port 103. The shaft diameter ΦS is less than or equal to the head outer diameter W. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the shaft diameter ΦS is no greater than 15 mm. In another embodiment, the shaft diameter ΦS is no greater than 13 mm. In a further embodiment, the shaft diameter ΦS is no greater than 10 mm.
The threads 313 are formed along an external circumferential surface of the shaft 311. In one embodiment, the threaded external surface includes no less than three threads 313. In another embodiment, the threaded external surface includes no less than five threads 313. In a further embodiment, the threaded external surface includes no less than six threads 313. In an additional embodiment, the threaded external surface includes no less than 8 threads 313.
In embodiments, the number of threads 313 can also be referred to in terms of threads/mm. In one embodiment, the threads/mm of the threads 313 of any of the weight members 301 of the kit 300 ranges from 0.27-1.10 threads/mm. In another embodiment, the threads/mm of the threads 313 of any of the weight members 301 of the kit 300 ranges from 0.55-0.94 threads/mm. In a further embodiment, the threads/mm of the threads 313 of any of the weight members 301 of the kit 300 ranges from 0.62-0.84 threads/mm. In an additional embodiment, the threads/mm of the threads 313 of any of the weight members 301 of the kit 300 is about 0.79 threads/mm.
In embodiments, the threads 313 have a thread height ht that is measured between an outer circumferential surface of the shaft 311 and a tip of the thread 313 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA. In one embodiment, the thread height ht of the threads 313 of any of the weight members 301 of the kit 300 ranges from 0.50 mm-2 mm. In another embodiment, the thread height ht of the threads 313 of any of the weight members 301 of the kit 300 ranges from 0.70 mm-1.50 mm. In a further embodiment, the thread height ht of the threads 313 of any of the weight members 301 of the kit 300 ranges from 0.80 mm-1.10 mm. In an additional embodiment, the thread height ht of the threads 313 of any of the weight members 301 of the kit 300 is about 0.91 mm. In some embodiments, the thread count remains substantially constant for each weight member of the kit 300. Likewise, in some embodiments the number of threads per millimeter remains substantially constant for each weight member of the kit 300. Such configuration is advantage in reducing manufacturing costs and enabling interchangeability of each weight member of the kit with regards to a single weight port.
In embodiments, the bore 315 has a bore width in its cross-section that is generally a diameter BD in a case where the bore 315 is round. The bore width, like the bore depth D, may be varied from one weight member to another weight member, within the kit 300, to affect the mass of the weight member 301. In one embodiment, the bore width BD is about 6.35 mm and may be kept consistent among all of the weight members 301 of kit 300, or it may change to affect the mass of the weight members 301 of the kit 300. In another embodiment, the bore width BD ranges between 2 mm and 8 mm. In a further embodiment, the bore width ranges between 5 mm and 7 mm.
In various embodiments, the bore 315, as discussed above, is generally circular when viewed from an entry direction. The bore profile may alternatively be of any shape such as a square, rectangle, octagon, hexagon, any other polygon, or an ellipse or other arced or curved shape with or without straight lines or edges. In other embodiments, while the bore 315 is illustrated as having generally straight sides, the inside of the bore 315 may be stepped, ribbed, curved, angled beveled, etc. with respect to the central axis CA. In other words, in some embodiments, the bore profile varies along the central axis CA. In further embodiments, while the bore 315 is illustrated as generally having a uniform bore width BD, from an opening to near its end, the opening may have a width that is greater than or less than the rest of bore 315. The sides of the bore 315 may also be concave, convex, or any combination thereof.
In various embodiments, the kit 400 is configured in like manner to the embodiments discussed above with reference to the kit 300, but the kit 400 specifically illustrates bores having flat-shaped ends. The weight members 401 have bores 415a, 415c or 415d (collectively referred to as bore(s) 415) that displace a specified mass from the weight members 401a, 401c and 401d, for example. The bores 415, as illustrated, are threadless and at least two vary in depth from one another such that the mass that is displaced from the corresponding weight member 401 is different from any of the other weight members 401. In embodiments, the bores 415 may be threaded to accommodate additional members (not shown) configured to be installed within the bore 415. The additional members may be any of another weight member, a vibration damper, and the like. Alternatively to a threaded interior to the bore, a pop-in socket link may be configured within the bore 415 to accommodate the additional member.
In other embodiments, the bores 415 vary in diameter from one another and may be of the same or differing depths. In further embodiments, while the bore 415 is illustrated as being a single bore, the weight member 401 alternatively has multiple bores 415. The bore depth, in certain embodiments, may also be greater than, less than, or equal to the shaft length L-h of shaft 311. In other words, the bore depth may extend into the head 405.
In various embodiments, the kit 400 comprises at least two weight members 401 that each have a bore depth of differing values, the absolute value difference between the bore depths of each of the weight members 401 being no less than 0.50 mm, for example. In another embodiment, the absolute value difference between bore depths is no less than 1.00 mm. In a further embodiment, the absolute value difference between bore depths is no less than 1.50 mm.
Alternatively, the weight member may not have a bore 415 that displaces mass, but rather the weight member is solid such as weight members 401b and 401e.
The above-discussed embodiments can be combined to produce any number of variables that affect the mass of the weight member 401. Further, the weight members 401 may or may not have different masses based on the same types of variables or combinations of variables.
In various embodiments, the kit 500 has many of the same features as those discussed above with reference to the kit 300, but the kit 500 specifically illustrates bores having flat-shaped ends and that extend from the head 505 rather than the bottom surface 519 of the weight member 501. Specifically, the weight members 501 have bores 515a, 515c or 515d (collectively referred to as bore(s) 515) that each displace a specified mass from the weight members 501a, 501c and 501d, for example. The bores 515, as illustrated, are threadless and all vary in depth from one another such that the mass that is displaced from one of the weight members 501 is different from at least one other weight member 501. In embodiments, the bores 515 may be threaded to accommodate additional members (not shown) configured to be installed within the bore 515. The additional members may be any of another weight member, a vibration damper, and the like. Alternatively to a threaded interior to the bore, a pop-in socket link may be configured within the bore 515 to accommodate the additional member.
In other embodiments, the bores 515 vary in diameter from one another and may be of the same or differing depths. In further embodiments, while the bore 515 is illustrated as being a single bore, the weight member 501 alternatively has multiple bores 515. The bore depth, in certain embodiments, may also be greater than, less than, or equal to the shaft length L-h of shaft 511. In other words, the bore depth, in some embodiments, and for at least one of the weight members 501, extends into the head 505.
In various embodiments, the kit 500 comprises at least two weight members 501 that each have a bore depth of differing values, the absolute value difference between the bore depths of at least two of the weight members 501 being no less than 0.50 mm, for example. In another embodiment, the absolute value difference between bore depths is no less than 1.00 mm. In a further embodiment, the absolute value difference between bore depths is no less than 1.50 mm. Alternatively, the weight member may not have a bore 515 that removes mass, but rather the weight member is solid such as weight members 501b and 501e. The above-discussed embodiments can be combined to produce any number of variables that affect the mass of the weight member 501. Further, the weight members 501 may or may not have different masses based on the same types of variables or combinations of variables.
Next, in step 607, a second weight is provided by forming a second intermediate body having a second head and a second shaft associated with the second head. The process 600 continues to step 609 in which a second internal bore is formed by removing a second mass from the second intermediate body, the second mass being different from the first mass. This material removal process, in some embodiments, includes a milling process. In other embodiments, the material removal process includes a drilling process or the like. Then, in step 611, a second external threaded surface is formed on the second shaft. In some embodiments, additional processes are added. For example, any of the first and second weight members may undergo forging, work hardening, heat-treating, coating, plating, anodizing, media-blasting, painting, peening, laser-peening, and/or chemical etching processes. Further, in some embodiments, the relative order of processes discussed above varies. For example, in some embodiments, the second weight member is provided prior to the first weight member. Similarly, in some embodiments, for either or both process of providing the first weight member and providing the second weight member, the step of forming an external thread occurs prior to the step of forming a bore.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while the present invention has been described in association with presently preferred aspects thereof, numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/215,809, filed Aug. 23, 2011, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13215809 | Aug 2011 | US |
| Child | 15415382 | US |
