Golf club

• US 5,855,525 A
• Filed: 04/24/1996
• Issued: 01/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Terry S. Turner
• Original Assignee: Terry S. Turner
• Inventors: Turner, Terry S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US08/636,891
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 473/300, 473/201, 473/202, 473/203, 473/302, 473/316, 473/313, 473/314, 473/317, 473/318, 473/319, 473/320, 473/321, 473/251, 473/252, 473/324, 473/340, 473/349
• US Class Current: 473/300
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/007 Putters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/08 characterised by the material

Abstract

A golf club has a high modulus of elasticity grip which is, preferably, an all-metal grip. The grip is connected to the shaft and the shaft is connected to the head without intervening material, such as by welding, brazing, force fit, pinning or similar method, or by intervening material having a modulus of elasticity 100,000 psi or greater. The golf club, or its parts, may be cast, forged, bonded, or otherwise manufactured and assembled. In the preferred embodiment, which is a putter, the grip and shaft both have high modulus of elasticity. In the putter, there is achieved a very stiff, but sensitive, low frequency "feel". Such metal or high modulus of elasticity grip is also used in irons, woods and playing utility clubs and provides an improved "feel" and sound.

Claims

1. A playing golf club, other than a putter, said golf club comprising a grip comprised of a body, said playing golf club further comprising a shaft and a head, said head having a face for striking a golf ball, said shaft having opposite ends, said grip connected to one of said ends and said head connected to the other of said ends, and wherein said body of said grip is comprised of one or more materials having a modulus of elasticity substantially greater than 2,000,000 psi and wherein said shaft extends a substantial distance into said grip and wherein said shaft is fitted to the inner diameter of said high modulus of elasticity grip throughout said distance.

2. The playing golf club of claim 1, wherein said shaft extends into said grip substantially throughout the length of said grip.

3. The playing golf club of claim 1 wherein said grip has an open channel through which said shaft may be felt.

4. A playing golf club, other than a putter, said golf club comprising a grip comprised of a body, said playing golf club further comprising a shaft and a head, said head having a face for striking a golf ball, said shaft having opposite ends, said grip connected to one of said ends and said head connected to the other of said ends, and wherein said body of said grip is comprised of one or more materials having a modulus of elasticity substantially greater than 2,000,000 psi and wherein said shaft extends a substantial distance along the length of said grip and is connected to said grip substantially throughout said distance.

5. A playing golf club comprising a grip comprised of a body, said playing golf club further comprising a shaft and a head, said head having a face for striking a golf ball, said shaft having opposite ends, said grip connected to one of said ends and said head connected to the other of said ends, and wherein said body of said grip is comprised of one or more materials having a modulus of elasticity substantially greater than 2,000,000 psi and wherein said shaft extends a substantial distance into said grip and wherein said shaft is fitted to the inner diameter of said high modulus of elasticity grip throughout said distance and wherein said grip and said shaft are connected with no intervening material having a modulus of elasticity substantially less than 100,000 psi.

6. A playing golf club comprising a grip comprised of a body, said playing golf club further comprising a shaft and a head, said head having a face for striking a golf ball, said shaft having opposite ends, said grip connected to one of said ends and said head connected to the other of said ends, and wherein said body of said grip is comprised of one or more materials having a modulus of elasticity substantially greater than 2,000,000 psi and wherein said shaft extends a substantial distance into said grip wherein said grip has a tapered entrance to receive said shaft.

7. The golf club of claim 6 wherein a resilient material is included in said tapered entrance, and wherein said resilient material is disposed to cushion the flexing of said shaft against said tapered entrance of said grip.

8. The golf club of claim 7 wherein said resilient material comprises one or more "O" rings.

9. A playing golf club, other than a putter, said golf club comprising a grip having a body, a shaft and a head, said head having a face for striking a golf ball, said shaft having opposite ends, said grip connected to one of said ends and said head connected to the other of said ends, and wherein said body of said grip is constructed substantially throughout of one or more materials having a modulus of elasticity substantially greater than 2,000,000 psi and wherein said shaft extends a substantial distance within said grip and wherein said shaft is fitted to said grip substantially throughout said distance.

10. A playing golf club comprising a grip having a body, a shaft and a head, said head having a face for striking a golf ball, said shaft having opposite ends, said grip connected to one of said ends and said head connected to the other of said ends, and wherein said body of said grip is constructed substantially throughout of one or more materials having a modulus of elasticity substantially greater than 2,000,000 psi, and wherein said golf club is entirely plated.

11. A playing golf club, other than a putter, said golf club comprising a grip having a body, a shaft and a head, said head having a face for striking a golf ball, said shaft having opposite ends, said grip connected to one of said ends and said head connected to the other of said ends, and wherein said body of said grip is constructed substantially throughout of one or more materials having a modulus of elasticity substantially greater than 2,000,000 psi, and wherein said shaft is hollow and wherein is included sealing means at or near each end of said shaft and wherein said shaft extends into said grip a substantial distance and wherein said shaft is attached to said grip substantially throughout said distance.

12. A playing golf club comprising a grip having a body, a shaft and a head, said head having a face for striking a golf ball, said shaft having opposite ends, said grip connected to one of said ends and said head connected to the other of said ends, and wherein said body of said grip is constructed substantially throughout of one or more materials having a modulus of elasticity substantially greater than 2,000,000 psi, and wherein said grip has a slot therein through which the shaft can be felt by the golfer while hitting the ball.