Adjustable weight golf clubs

• US 20080020861A1
• Filed: 07/18/2006
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hilco Tag, LLC
• Original Assignee: Huffy Sports Delaware, Inc. (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chu, Simon, Adams, Mark Wayne
• Application Number:
  US11/487,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20080020861A1
• 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 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/04 Movable ballast means A63B15/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits

Abstract

The present invention relates to golf clubs having a movable weight which may be used to adjust the center of gravity of the golf club head. The golf club may include a slidable weight movable to various positions along a slot between the heel and the toe of the club. The head may include a cavity shaped to receive an insert. In one embodiment, a slidable weight consisting of a screw and a weight which may engage with each other may be configured to move along the length of the insert. During assembly, the weight may be inserted into an opening in the end of the insert and slid along a close fitting channel running the length of the insert. The weight'"'"'s position along the channel may be secured by engaging the screw and tightening down the screw with a portion of the insert secured between the screw head and the weight. The assembled insert and slidable weight may then be press fit into the cavity in the head. By adjusting the position of the weight and screw within the insert, the center of gravity of the golf club may be adjusted.

Claims

1. An adjustable weight golf club comprising:

a shaft;

a head;

a movable weight; and

an insert for slidably receiving said movable weight;

wherein said insert is positionable within said head.

2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said insert is made of non-metal material.

3. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said insert is made of metal material.

4. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said insert is held within said head using a press fit.

5. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said insert includes means for attaching said insert to said head.

6. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said insert is held within said head using an adhesive or epoxy.

7. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said insert includes a hole for receiving said movable weight and wherein the hole is closed upon positioning said insert in said head.

8. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said insert is removably positioned within said head.

9. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said insert includes an opening providing access for a user to adjust the location of said movable weight when said movable weight is slidably received by said insert.

10. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said movable weight includes a locking portion, the locking portion having at least a first and a second position.

11. The golf club of claim 10, wherein when the locking portion is in a first position, said movable weight is prevented from sliding within said insert and when the locking portion is in a second position, said movable weight is permitted to slide within said insert.

12. The golf club of claim 10, wherein the locking portion is a threaded screw.

13. The golf club of claim 10, wherein the locking portion is a spring and pin combination configured to engage with holes within said insert.

14. The golf club of claim 2, wherein said insert is made of blow molded plastic or injection molded plastic.

15. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said head includes a top, a sole, a heel and a toe and wherein said insert is positionable between said top and said sole and between said heel and said toe.

16. The golf club of claim 15, wherein said head further includes a ball striking surface having a first and a second side, the first side being configured to strike a golf ball and said insert being positionable on the second side.

17. A method of manufacturing an adjustable weight golf club, the method comprising:

manufacturing a golf club head configured to attach to a golf club shaft;

manufacturing an insert configured to slidably receive a movable weight; and

positioning the insert within the golf club head.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of positioning includes holding the insert within the head using a press fit.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of slidably inserting a movable weight into the insert prior to the step of positioning the insert within the golf club head.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the movable weight is inserted into the insert using a hole in the insert.