Releasable and Interchangeable Connections for Golf Club Heads and Shafts

• US 20130059676A1
• Filed: 08/23/2012
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Boyd, Robert, Sander, Raymond J., Boggs, Joshua Michael, Rubal, Matthew P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,050,506 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/307
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/023 adjustable angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/025 lie angle only, i.e. relative angular adjustment between the shaft and the club head about an axis parallel to the intended line of play when the club is in its normal address position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/026 loft angle only, i.e. relative angular adjustment between the shaft and the club head about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the intended line of play when the club is in its normal address position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/22 Adjustable handles

Abstract

Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: a shaft adapter, a collet, a ferrule, and a club head having an interior chamber. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts.

Claims

1. A golf club head/shaft connection assembly, comprising:

a shaft adapter being generally cylindrical in shape having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the first end includes a first opening providing access to a cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein an exterior surface of the cylindrical structure includes a first rotation-inhibiting structure, and wherein the second end includes a securing structure;

a hosel adapter being generally cylindrical in shape, wherein an internal bore on a first end of the hosel adapter includes a second rotation-inhibiting structure that engages the first rotation-inhibiting structure and a second end of the hosel adapter includes a first opening for receiving a securing member, and further wherein an exterior surface of the hosel adapter includes a third rotation-inhibiting structure;

a hosel ring being generally cylindrical in shape, wherein an internal bore of the hosel ring includes a fourth rotation-inhibiting structure that engages the third rotation-inhibiting structure; and

a securing system for releasably engaging the securing structure,

wherein the engagement between the first rotation-inhibiting structure and the second rotation-inhibiting structure limits the adjustment of one of a face angle or a loft angle of a club head and the engagement between the third rotation-inhibiting structure and the fourth rotation-inhibiting structure limits the adjustment of the other of the face angle or the loft angle of the club head.

2. The golf club head/shaft connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the first rotation-inhibiting structure includes a first spline configuration, the second rotation-inhibiting structure includes a second spline configuration, the third rotation-inhibiting structure includes a third spline configuration, and the fourth rotation-inhibiting structure includes a fourth spline configuration.

3. The golf club head/shaft connection assembly of claim 2, wherein the engagement of the first spline configuration and the second spline configuration limits the adjustability of the loft angle to five different loft angles.

4. The golf club head/shaft connection assembly of claim 3, wherein the five loft angles are 8.5 degrees, 9.5 degrees, 10.5 degrees, 11.5 degrees, and 12.5 degrees.

5. The golf club head/shaft connection assembly of claim 2, wherein the engagement of the third spline configuration and the fourth spline configuration limits the adjustability of the face angle to three different face angle configurations.

6. The golf club head/shaft connection assembly of claim 5, wherein the three face angle configurations are open, neutral, and closed.

7. A golf club, comprising:

a golf club head having a hosel area that provides access to a club head chamber defined in the club head, wherein the club head chamber extends completely through the club head and includes a first opening for receiving a securing member;

a shaft adapter being generally cylindrical in shape having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the first end includes a second opening providing access to a cylindrical interior chamber, wherein an exterior surface of the cylindrical structure includes a first rotation-inhibiting structure, and wherein the second end includes a securing structure;

a hosel adapter being generally cylindrical in shape, wherein an internal bore on a first end of the hosel adapter includes a second rotation-inhibiting structure that engages the first rotation-inhibiting structure and a second end of the hosel adapter includes a first opening for receiving a securing member, and further wherein an exterior surface of the hosel adapter includes a third rotation-inhibiting structure;

a hosel ring being generally cylindrical in shape and located within the club head chamber, wherein an internal bore of the hosel ring includes a fourth rotation-inhibiting structure that engages the third rotation-inhibiting structure;

a shaft engaged in the cylindrical interior chamber of the shaft adapter; and

a securing system for releasably engaging the securing structure,

wherein the engagement between the first rotation-inhibiting structure and the second rotation-inhibiting structure limits the adjustment of one of a face angle or a loft angle of a club head and the engagement between the third rotation-inhibiting structure and the fourth rotation-inhibiting structure limits the adjustment of the other of the face angle or the loft angle of the club head.

8. The golf club of claim 7, wherein the first rotation-inhibiting structure includes a first spline configuration, the second rotation-inhibiting structure includes a second spline configuration, the third rotation-inhibiting structure includes a third spline configuration, and the fourth rotation-inhibiting structure includes a fourth spline configuration.

9. The golf club of claim 8, wherein the engagement of the first spline configuration and the second spline configuration limits the adjustability of the loft angle to five different loft angles.

10. The golf club of claim 9, wherein the five loft angles are 8.5 degrees, 9.5 degrees, 10.5 degrees, 11.5 degrees, and 12.5 degrees.

11. The golf club of claim 8, wherein the engagement of the third spline configuration and the fourth spline configuration limits the adjustability of the face angle to three different face angle configurations.

12. The golf club of claim 11, wherein the three face angle configurations are open, neutral, and closed.

13. A golf club head/shaft connection assembly, comprising:

a shaft adapter being generally cylindrical in shape having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the first end includes a first opening providing access to a cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein an exterior surface of the cylindrical structure includes a first rotation-inhibiting structure, and wherein the second end includes a securing structure and a stop ring extending radially from the second end of the shaft adapter;

a hosel adapter being generally cylindrical in shape, wherein an internal bore on a first end of the hosel adapter includes a second rotation-inhibiting structure that engages the first rotation-inhibiting structure and a second end of the hosel adapter includes a first opening for receiving a securing member, and further wherein an exterior surface of the hosel adapter includes a third rotation-inhibiting structure, wherein the stop ring maintains the continual engagement of the hosel adapter with the shaft adapter;

a hosel ring being generally cylindrical in shape, wherein an internal bore of the hosel ring includes a fourth rotation-inhibiting structure that engages the third rotation-inhibiting structure; and

a securing system for releasably engaging the securing structure,

wherein the engagement between the first rotation-inhibiting structure and the second rotation-inhibiting structure limits the adjustment of one of a face angle or a loft angle of a club head and the engagement between the third rotation-inhibiting structure and the fourth rotation-inhibiting structure limits the adjustment of the other of the face angle or the loft angle of the club head.

14. The golf club head/shaft connection assembly of 13, wherein the stop ring is integral to the shaft adapter.

15. The golf club head/shaft connection assembly of 13, wherein the stop ring is a compression o-ring located in a channel that extends radially around the second end of the shaft adapter.

16. A golf club, comprising:

a golf club head having a hosel area that provides access to a club head chamber defined in the club head, wherein the club head chamber extends completely through the club head and includes a first opening for receiving a securing member;

a shaft adapter being generally cylindrical in shape having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the first end includes a second opening providing access to a cylindrical interior chamber, wherein an exterior surface of the cylindrical structure includes a first rotation-inhibiting structure, and wherein the second end includes a securing structure and a stop ring extending radially from the second end of the shaft adapter;

a hosel adapter being generally cylindrical in shape, wherein an internal bore on a first end of the hosel adapter includes a second rotation-inhibiting structure that engages the first rotation-inhibiting structure and a second end of the hosel adapter includes a first opening for receiving a securing member, and further wherein an exterior surface of the hosel adapter includes a third rotation-inhibiting structure, wherein the stop ring maintains the continual engagement of the hosel adapter with the shaft adapter;

a hosel ring being generally cylindrical in shape and located within the club head chamber, wherein an internal bore of the hosel ring includes a fourth rotation-inhibiting structure that engages the third rotation-inhibiting structure;

a shaft engaged in the cylindrical interior chamber of the shaft adapter; and

a securing system for releasably engaging the securing structure,

wherein the engagement between the first rotation-inhibiting structure and the second rotation-inhibiting structure limits the adjustment of one of a face angle or a loft angle of a club head and the engagement between the third rotation-inhibiting structure and the fourth rotation-inhibiting structure limits the adjustment of the other of the face angle or the loft angle of the club head.

17. The golf club of claim 16, wherein the stop ring is integral to the shaft adapter.

18. The golf club of claim 16, wherein the stop ring is a compression o-ring located in a channel that extends radially around the second end of the shaft adapter.

19. A golf club having a coupled head and shaft comprising:

a connection mechanism to couple the head to the shaft, said connection mechanism including a hosel adapter having an outer wall insertable into a hosel of the head and rotatable inside the hosel between a first plurality of rotational positions, said hosel adapter having a first internal inclined bore, and a shaft adapter coupled to the shaft at a distal end and having an outer wall configured to fit into said first internal inclined bore, said shaft adapter being rotatable inside said first internal inclined bore between a second plurality of rotational positions, said shaft adapter having a second internal inclined bore receiving said distal end of said shaft, and

further wherein the first plurality of rotational positions is limited by a first spline configuration between the hosel adapter and the hosel of the head and the second plurality of rotational positions is limited by a second spline configuration between the hosel adapter and the shaft adapter.

20. The golf club of claim 19, wherein the first and the second inclined bores are inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bore of that part.

21. The golf club of claim 19, wherein at least one of the shaft adapter or hosel adapter is releasably connected to either the shaft or the head.

22. The golf club of claim 19, wherein the first plurality of rotational positions changes a first angular relationship between the head and the shaft.

23. The golf club of claim 22, wherein the second plurality of rotational positions changes a second angular relationship between the head and the shaft, wherein the second angular relationship is independent of the first angular relationship.

24. The golf club of claim 23, wherein the first and second angular relationships are a face angle of the head and a loft angle of the head.

25. A golf club having a coupled head and shaft comprising a connection mechanism to couple the head to the shaft, said connection mechanism including a pair of radially nested mutually independently rotatable members, one of said members having an outer wall configured to fit inside said club head and the other of said members having a bore for receiving said shaft, both members having inclined bores whereby two angular relationship parameters between said head and said shaft may be adjusted independently of each other, and

further wherein the rotation of a first member and the head is limited by a first spline configuration between the first member and the head and the rotation of a second member and the first member is limited by a second spline configuration between the first member and the second member.

26. The golf club of claim 25, wherein the inclined bores are inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bore of that member.

27. The golf club of claim 25, wherein at least one member is releasably connected to either the shaft or the head and is connected by an auto-locked mechanism.

28. A golf club as claimed in claim 25, wherein the two angular relationships are a loft angle of the head and a face angle of the head.

29. A golf club having a releasably coupled head and shaft comprising:

a connection mechanism to couple the head to the shaft, said connection mechanism including a hosel adapter having an outer wall insertable into a hosel of the head and rotatable inside the hosel between a first plurality of rotational positions, said hosel adapter having a first internal inclined bore with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bore of the hosel adapter, and a shaft adapter coupled to the shaft at a distal end and having an outer wall configured to fit into said first internal inclined bore with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bore of the shaft adapter, said shaft adapter being rotatable inside said first internal inclined bore between a second plurality of rotational positions, said shaft adapter having a second internal inclined bore receiving said distal end of said shaft,

wherein at least one of the hosel adapter or shaft adapter is releasably connected to either the shaft or the head, further wherein the first plurality of rotational positions changes a first angular relationship between the head and the shaft and the second plurality of rotational positions changes a second angular relationship between the head and the shaft, wherein the second angular relationship is independent of the first angular relationship,

further wherein the first plurality of rotational positions is limited by a first spline configuration between the hosel adapter and the hosel of the head and the second plurality of rotational positions is limited by a second spline configuration between the hosel adapter and the shaft adapter.

30. A golf club as claimed in claim 29, wherein the first and second angular relationships are a face angle of the head and a loft angle of the head.

31. A golf club having a releasably coupled head and shaft comprising:

a connection mechanism to couple the head to the shaft, said connection mechanism including a hosel adapter insertable into a hosel of the head and rotatable inside the hosel between a first plurality of rotational positions associated with a loft angle of the head, said first part having a first internal inclined bore with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bore of the hosel adapter, and a shaft adapter coupled to the shaft at a distal end and insertable into the hosel adapter and rotatable inside said hosel adapter between a second plurality of rotational positions associated with a face angle of the head, said shaft adapter having a second internal inclined bore receiving said distal end of said shaft,

wherein at least one of the hosel adapter or the shaft adapter is releasably connected to either the shaft or the head, further wherein the first plurality of rotational positions changes the loft angle of the head and the second plurality of rotational positions changes the face angle of the head and the shaft, wherein changing the face angle is independent of changing the loft angle,

further wherein the first plurality of rotational positions is limited by a first spline configuration between the hosel adapter and the hosel of the head and the second plurality of rotational positions is limited by a second spline configuration between the hosel adapter and the shaft adapter.

32. A golf club having a coupled head and shaft comprising:

a connection mechanism to couple the head to the shaft, said connection mechanism including a hosel adapter having an outer wall insertable into a hosel of the head and rotatable inside the hosel between a first plurality of rotational positions, said hosel adapter having a first internal inclined bore, and a shaft adapter coupled to the shaft at a distal end and having an outer wall configured to fit into said first internal inclined bore, said shaft adapter being rotatable inside said first internal inclined bore between a second plurality of rotational positions, said shaft adapter having a second internal inclined bore receiving said distal end of said shaft, and

wherein the shaft adapter includes a stop ring extending radially from the second end of the shaft adapter such that the stop ring maintains the continual engagement between the hosel adapter and the shaft adapter.

33. A golf club having a coupled head and shaft comprising:

a connection mechanism to couple the head to the shaft, said connection mechanism including a hosel adapter having an outer wall insertable into a hosel of the head and rotatable inside the hosel between a first plurality of rotational positions, said hosel adapter having a first internal inclined bore, and a shaft adapter coupled to the shaft at a distal end and having an outer wall configured to fit into said first internal inclined bore, said shaft adapter being rotatable inside said first internal inclined bore between a second plurality of rotational positions, said shaft adapter having a second internal inclined bore receiving said distal end of said shaft, and

further wherein the first plurality of rotational positions is limited by a first spline configuration between the hosel adapter and the hosel of the head and the second plurality of rotational positions is limited by a second spline configuration between the hosel adapter and the shaft adapter,

wherein a first spline configuration engagement between the hosel adapter and the shaft adapter limits the adjustability of the loft angle to five different loft angles, wherein the five loft angles are 8.5 degrees, 9.5 degrees, 10.5 degrees, 11.5 degrees, and 12.5 degrees, and further wherein a second spline configuration engagement between the hosel adapter and the hosel of the head limits the adjustability of the face angle to three different face angle configurations, wherein the three different face angle configurations open, neutral, and closed.