Removable weight and kit for golf club head

• US 20040242343A1
• Filed: 02/23/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Chao, Bing-Ling, Vincent, Benoit, Willett, Kraig A., Weed, Brian, Zimmerman, Gery, Hoffman, Joseph H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,166,040 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/334
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0412 Volume
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence

Abstract

Individual weights and a related kit for adjustably weighting a golf club head are provided, allowing a golfer to fine-tune the club for his or her swing. The kit is useable with a club head that defines a plurality of weight recesses spaced about the club head. The kit includes a plurality of weights, including weights of different mass. Each weight is sized to be threadably received within a recess of the club head. Varying placement of the weights enables a golfer to vary impact conditions in the club head, for optimum distance and accuracy. The kit may further include a tool having an engagement end configured to operatively mate with the fasteners of the weights. The tool preferably includes a torque limiting mechanism configured to inhibit over-tightening of the weights into the recess of the club head. The tool and weights may be provided along with the golf club. The kit may also include instructions, such as an instruction wheel, for selecting and positioning weights of the plurality of weight about the club head.

Claims

1. A kit for use with a golf club head defining recesses for receiving removable weights, the club head defining a threaded opening in a wall of each recess, the kit comprising:

a plurality of weights, the plurality of weights including weights of different mass, each weight sized to be received within a recess of the club head, each weight including a fastener having a head and a threaded body extending from the head, the head defining a socket, the threaded body configured to cooperatively engage the threaded opening of the club head,

at least one of the plurality of weights further including a mass element and a retaining cap,

the mass element disposed about the corresponding fastener and having an upper end and a lower end, the mass element defining a bore sized to allow the threaded body of the fastener extend out the lower end of the mass element, while inhibiting the head of the fastener from passing through the bore, and

the retaining cap attached to an upper end of the mass element such that the head of the corresponding fastener is captured therebetween, the retaining element defining an aperture aligned with the socket of the corresponding fastener.

2. A kit as defined in claim 1, wherein a golf club having the club head is included in the kit.

3. A kit as defined in claim 1, further comprising a tool having an engagement end configured to operatively mate with the fasteners of the weights.

4. A kit as defined in claim 3, wherein the tool further includes a torque limiting mechanism.

5. A kit as defined in claim 3, wherein the engagement end of the wrench includes a multi-lobular side wall and an end wall defining an axial recess, the socket of each fastener including an axial post, the socket of each fastener configured to operatively mate with the engagement end of the tool.

6. A kit as defined in claim 1, wherein the bore of the mass element includes a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion is sufficiently sized to freely receive the body of the fastener while not allowing the head of fastener to pass, the upper portion of the bore is sufficiently sized to allow the head of the fastener to rest therein.

7. A kit as defined in claim 6, wherein the upper portion of the bore and the retaining element are configured to threadably mate with each other such that the head of the fastener is captured between the mass element and the retaining element.

8. A kit as defined in claim 1, further comprising instructions for selecting and positioning weights of the plurality of weight about the club head.

9. A kit as defined in claim 8, wherein the instructions are provided by an instruction wheel having a top member and a bottom member rotatably mounted to each other, the top member having a graphical representation of the club head, including windows located at weight recess positions on the club head, the bottom member having groupings of weight icons positioned about the bottom member, each grouping positioned to be viewable through the windows upon proper rotational alignment of the top and bottom members;

wherein each grouping corresponds to a prescribed weight configuration for the club head.

10. A kit for use with a golf club head defining recesses for receiving removable weights, the club head defining a threaded opening in a wall of each recess, the kit comprising:

a plurality of weights, the plurality of weights including weights of different mass, each weight sized to be received within a recess of the club head, each weight including a fastener having a head and a threaded body extending from the head, the head defining a socket, the threaded body configured to cooperatively engage the threaded opening of the club head;

a tool having an engagement end configured to operatively mate with the fasteners of the weights; and

an instruction wheel having a top member and a bottom member rotatably mounted to each other, the top member having a graphical representation of the club head, including windows located at weight recess positions on the club head, the bottom member having groupings of weight icons positioned about the bottom member, each grouping positioned to be viewable through the windows upon proper rotational alignment of the top and bottom members;

wherein each grouping corresponds to a prescribed weight configuration for the club head.

11. A kit as defined in claim 10, wherein a golf club having the club head is included in the kit.

12. A kit as defined in claim 10, wherein the tool further includes a torque limiting mechanism.

13. A kit as defined in claim 10, wherein the engagement end of the wrench includes a multi-lobular side wall and an end wall defining an axial recess, the socket of each fastener including an axial post, the socket of each fastener configured to operatively mate with the engagement end of the tool.

14. A kit as defined in claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of weights further including a mass element and a retaining cap,

the mass element disposed about the corresponding fastener and having an upper end and a lower end, the mass element defining a bore sized to allow the threaded body of the fastener extend out the lower end of the mass element, while inhibiting the head of the fastener from passing through the bore, and

the retaining cap attached to an upper end of the mass element such that the head of the corresponding fastener is captured therebetween, the retaining element defining an aperture aligned with the socket of the corresponding fastener.

15. A kit as defined in claim 14, wherein the bore of the mass element includes a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion is sufficiently sized to freely receive the body of the fastener while not allowing the head of fastener to pass, the upper portion of the bore is sufficiently sized to allow the head of the fastener to rest therein.

16. A kit as defined in claim 15, wherein the upper portion of the bore and the retaining element are configured to threadably mate with each other such that the head of the fastener is captured between the mass element and the retaining element.

17. A kit for use with a golf club head defining recesses for receiving removable weights, the club head defining a threaded opening in a wall of each recess, the kit comprising:

a plurality of weights, the plurality of weights including weights of different mass, each weight sized to be received within a recess of the club head, each weight including a fastener having a head and a threaded body extending from the head, the head defining a socket, the threaded body configured to cooperatively engage the threaded opening of the club head; and

a tool having an engagement end having a multi-lobular side wall and an end wall defining an axial recess, the socket of each fastener configured to operatively mate with the engagement end of the tool.

18. A kit as defined in claim 17, further comprising an instruction wheel having a top member and a bottom member rotatably mounted to each other, the top member having a graphical representation of the club head, including windows located at weight recess positions on the club head, the bottom member having groupings of weight icons positioned about the bottom member, each grouping positioned to be viewable through the windows upon proper rotational alignment of the top and bottom members;

wherein each grouping corresponds to a prescribed weight configuration for the club head.

19. A kit as defined in claim 17, further comprising a golf club having a club head, the club head defining a plurality of recesses spaced about the club head, each recess sized to receive a weight of the plurality of weights, the club head defining a threaded opening in a wall of each recess.

20. A kit as defined in claim 17, wherein at least one of the plurality of weights further including a mass element and a retaining cap,

the mass element disposed about the corresponding fastener and having an upper end and a lower end, the mass element defining a bore sized to allow the threaded body of the fastener extend out the lower end of the mass element, while inhibiting the head of the fastener from passing through the bore, and

the retaining cap attached to an upper end of the mass element such that the head of the corresponding fastener is captured therebetween, the retaining element defining an aperture aligned with the socket of the corresponding fastener.

21. A kit as defined in claim 20, wherein the bore of the mass element includes a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion is sufficiently sized to freely receive the body of the fastener while not allowing the head of fastener to pass, the upper portion of the bore is sufficiently sized to allow the head of the fastener to rest therein.

22. A kit as defined in claim 21, wherein the upper portion of the bore and the retaining element are configured to threadably mate with each other such that the head of the fastener is captured between the mass element and the retaining element.

23. A weight for use with a golf club head defining recesses for receiving removable weights, the club head defining a threaded opening in a wall of each recess, the weight comprising:

a fastener having a head and a threaded body extending from the head, the head defining a socket, the threaded body configured to cooperatively engage the threaded opening of the club head;

a mass element disposed about the corresponding fastener and having an upper end and a lower end, the mass element defining a bore sized to allow the threaded body of the fastener extend out the lower end of the mass element, while inhibiting the head of the fastener from passing through the bore; and

a retaining cap attached to an upper end of the mass element such that the head of the fastener is captured therebetween, the retaining element defining an aperture aligned with the socket of the corresponding fastener.

24. A weight as defined in claim 23, wherein the bore of the mass element includes a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion is sufficiently sized to freely receive the body of the fastener while not allowing the head of fastener to pass, the upper portion of the bore is sufficiently sized to allow the head of the fastener to rest therein

25. A weight as defined in claim 24, wherein the upper portion of the bore and the retaining element are configured to threadably mate with each other such that the head of the fastener is captured between the mass element and the retaining element.

26. A weight as defined in claim 23, wherein the mass element comprises tungsten, the total mass of the weight between about 10 grams and about 25 grams.

27. A weight as defined in claim 23, wherein the mass element comprises titanium, the total mass of the weight between about 5 grams and about 10 grams.

28. A weight as defined in claim 23, the threaded body of the fastener having a diameter of about 5 mm.

29. A weight as defined in claim 23, the threaded body of the fastener having a thread configuration of M5×

0.8.

30. A weight for use with a golf club head defining recesses for receiving removable weights, the club head defining a threaded opening in a wall of each recess, the weight comprising:

a head defining a socket for receiving an engagement end of a tool, the head configured to substantially conformed to the recess of the club head; and

a threaded body extending from the head and configured to cooperatively engage the threaded opening of the club head, the weight comprising titanium and having a total mass between about 1 gram and about 2 grams.

31. A weight as defined in claim 30, the threaded body having a diameter of about 5 mm at a threaded portion of the body.

32. A weight as defined in claim 30, the threaded body having an annular ledge located in an intermediate region thereof, the annular ledge having a diameter greater than that of a threaded portion of the body.

33. A weight as defined in claim 30, the threaded body having a thread configuration of M5×

0.8.

34. A weight as defined in claim 30, the head having a diameter ranging between about 11 mm and about 13 mm.

35. A weight as defined in claim 34, the threaded body having a diameter of about 5 mm.