Adjustable weight golf club

• US 5,947,840 A
• Filed: 07/24/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William H. Ryan
• Original Assignee: William H. Ryan
• Inventors: Ryan, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US08/899,939
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 473/324, 473/334, 473/335, 473/336, 473/337, 473/338, 473/339, 473/341, 473/345, 473/349, 473/291, 473/282
• US Class Current: 473/335
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like

Abstract

The present invention provides for golf clubs, in particular woods, which include a three dimensional weighting system including at least two weight ports which are attached to the outside of the clubhead. The weights are directly axially aligned to, and form an equilateral triangle with the clubs center of gravity. The weights are preferably located in close proximity to the sole plate of the club in the rear toe and heel position. The two double sided, from top to bottom weights, facilitate vertical, horizontal and lateral movement of the club'"'"'s center of gravity. The weights are made of various densities which can easily be interchanged to make the club lighter or heavier. This weighting system allows for individual customization of the club to increase or decrease the hooking or slicing of the ball. It also enables the club to have the greatest possible expansion of the moment of inertia, as well as the ability to lower or raise the clubs center of gravity to customize shot trajectory.

Claims

1. A golf club head, comprising a three-dimensionally-adjustable weighting system with means for adjusting the position of weight within said club head, wherein said weight positioning means are positioned within said club head so that an imaginary line drawn along a central axis of each of said weight positioning means is aligned with and intersects the center of gravity of said club head with the weight positioning means removed.

2. The golf club as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clubhead comprises a plurality of weight positioning means, wherein at least one of said weight positioning means is positioned towards a toe end of said clubhead and at least one of said weight positioning means is positioned towards a heel end of said clubhead.

3. A golf club head provided with means for adjusting the position of weight within said club head, wherein said weight positioning means are positioned within said club head so that an imaginary line drawn alone a central axis of each said weight positioning means is aligned with and intersects the center of gravity of said club head with the weight positioning means removed, wherein said weight positioning means comprises one or more two-sided weights, each side of said weights being defined relative to a central axis of said weight positioning means, wherein the individual weight of each side of said two-sided weights is the same or different from the weight of the other side of said two-sided weight.

4. The golf club head as claimed in claim 3, wherein one side of each of said two-sided weights has a different mass than the other side.

5. The golf club as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the sides of said two-sided weights is comprised of a material of a different density.

6. The golf club as claimed in claim 5, wherein said material is metal or a metal alloy.

7. The golf club head as claimed in claim 3, wherein said two-sided weights are configured to permit adjustable alignment of said two-sided weights within said club head, thereby facilitating the adjustment of the overall weight distribution within said club head.

8. The golf club head as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two-sided weights comprise a light weight side and a heavy weight side and wherein the two-sided weights are aligned so that the heavy weight sides are above the center of gravity of said club head 1.

9. The golf club head as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two-sided weights comprise a light weight side and a heavy weight side and wherein the two-sided weights are aligned so that the heavy weight sides are below the center of gravity of said club head.

10. The golf club head as claimed in claim 7, wherein said weight positioning means are maintained within chambers formed within the body of said club head and held in position within said chambers by securing means.

11. The golf club head as claimed in claim 10, wherein said securing means pass through the center of said two-sided weight and are aligned with the center of gravity of said club head.

12. The golf club as claimed in claim 10, wherein said securing means are screwing means.

13. The golf club head as claimed in claim 7, wherein said weight positioning means are maintained on the outside of the body of said club head and held in position within chambers formed on the outside of the body by securing means.

14. The golf club as claimed in claim 13, wherein said two-side weights are generally circular in cross-section.

15. The golf club as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of the sides of said two-sided weights is comprised of a material independently selected from the group consisting of metal, metal alloys, composite, graphite, polymer, plastic, ceramic, Kevlar, or combinations thereof.

16. The golf club as claimed in claim 7, wherein said two-sided weights are generally square-shaped in cross-section.

17. A golf club head comprising a plurality of weight positioning means, wherein at least one of said weight positioning means is positioned towards a toe end of said club head and at least one of said weight positioning means is positioned towards a heel end of said club head, wherein the weight positioning means positioned towards the toe end is positioned below the center of gravity of said club head, and the weight positioning means positioned towards the heel end is positioned above the center of gravity of said club head.