Method, apparatus, and system for golf product reconfiguration

• US 10,004,956 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2017
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: SRI Sports Limited (Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Beck, Christopher J., Casburn, Casey, Rae, John J., Salehi, Aram
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US15/468,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20170197120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350, 473287-292
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/70 Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/75 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/06 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications

Abstract

A weight element for slideable communication along first and second ribs of a weight path of a golf club head includes a first weight portion, a second weight portion, and a fastener extending through the first weight portion and at least partially into the second weight portion. The first and second weight portions are configured so that the first and second ribs may be interposed therebetween. The fastener is configured to independently rotate relative to the first and second weight portions, the rotation of the fastener causing the first and second weight portions to move toward each other in a manner capable of compressing contact surfaces of the first and second weight portions against the first and second ribs. And the contact surface of the first weight portion comprises an angular contour including surface portions angled to form at least one non-zero degree vertex.

Claims

1. A weight element for slideable communication along first and second ribs of a weight path of a golf club head, the weight element comprising:

a first weight portion;

a second weight portion; and

a fastener extending through the first weight portion and at least partially into the second weight portion;

wherein;

the first and second weight portions are configured so that the first and second ribs may be interposed therebetween;

the fastener is configured to independently rotate relative to the first and second weight portions, the rotation of the fastener causing the first and second weight portions to move toward each other in a manner capable of compressing contact surfaces of the first and second weight portions against the first and second ribs to thereby releasably secure the weight element to the golf club head; and

the contact surface of the first weight portion comprises an angular contour including surface portions angled to form at least one non-zero degree vertex.

2. The weight element of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a threaded screw.

3. The weight element of claim 1, wherein the first weight portion comprises a non-threaded aperture and the second weight portion comprises a threaded recess.

4. The weight element of claim 3, wherein the first weight portion comprises a first height and the second weight portion comprises a second height less than the first height.

5. The weight element of claim 3, wherein the first weight portion comprises a first width and the second weight portion comprises a second width less than the first width.

6. The weight element of claim 1, wherein the contact surface of the second weight portion comprises a substantially flat surface in cross-section.

7. The weight element of claim 1, wherein the angled surface portions form an interior angle greater than 180°

.

8. A weight element for slideable communication along first and second ribs of a weight path of a golf club head, the weight element comprising:

a first weight portion;

a second weight portion; and

a fastener extending through the first weight portion and at least partially into the second weight portion;

wherein;

the first and second weight portions are configured so that the first and second ribs may be interposed therebetween;

the fastener is configured to independently rotate relative to the first and second weight portions, the rotation of the fastener causing the first and second weight portions to move toward each other in a manner capable of compressing contact surfaces of the first and second weight portions against the first and second ribs to thereby releasably secure the weight element to the golf club head; and

the contact surface of the first weight portion comprises an angular contour including surface portions angled to form at least one non-zero degree vertex; and

the contact surface of the first weight portion comprises a recess, at least a part of the second weight portion being located within the recess when the weight element is in a secured position.

9. The weight element of claim 8, wherein the fastener comprises a threaded screw.

10. The weight element of claim 8, wherein the first weight portion comprises a non-threaded aperture and the second weight portion comprises a threaded recess.

11. The weight element of claim 10, wherein the first weight portion comprises a first height and the second weight portion comprises a second height less than the first height.

12. The weight element of claim 10, wherein the first weight portion comprises a first width and the second weight portion comprises a second width less than the first width.

13. The weight element of claim 8, wherein the contact surface of the second weight portion comprises a substantially flat surface in cross-section.

14. The weight element of claim 8, wherein the angled surface portions form an interior angle greater than 180°

.

15. A weight element for slideable communication along first and second ribs of a weight path of a golf club head, the weight element comprising:

a first weight portion comprising a non-threaded aperture;

a second weight portion comprising a threaded recess; and

a fastener extending through the non-threaded aperture of the first weight portion and at least partially into the threaded recess of the second weight portion, the fastener comprising a threaded screw,

wherein;

the first and second weight portions are configured so that the first and second ribs may be interposed therebetween;

the fastener is configured to independently rotate relative to the first and second weight portions to cause the first and second weight portions to move toward each other, thereby being capable of compressing contact surfaces of the first and second weight portions against the first and second ribs and releasably securing the weight element to the golf club head; and

the contact surface of the first weight portion comprises an angular contour including surface portions angled to form at least one non-zero degree vertex.

16. The weight element of claim 15, wherein the contact surface of the first weight portion comprises a recess and, when the weight element is in a secured position, at least a portion of the second weight portion is located within the recess.

17. The weight element of claim 15, wherein the first weight portion comprises a first height and the second weight portion comprises a second height less than the first height.

18. The weight element of claim 15, wherein the first weight portion comprises a first width and the second weight portion comprises a second width less than the first width.

19. The weight element of claim 15, wherein the contact surface of the second weight portion comprises a substantially flat surface in cross-section.

20. The weight element of claim 15, wherein the angled surface portions form an interior angle greater than 180°

.