Interchangeable golf club head and adjustable handle system

• US 6,547,673 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2001
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary Roark
• Original Assignee: Gary Roark
• Inventors: Roark, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): BLAU, STEPHEN LUTHER
• Application Number:
  US09/809,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20010011042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 473/239, 473/307, 473/298, 473/299, 473/296, 473/288, 403/327, 403/328
• US Class Current: 473/239
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/06 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/0085 Telescopic shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/22 Adjustable handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/28 with adjustable length

Abstract

A system for converting readily available standard off the shelf golf club parts into a interchangeable golf club system. A conversion system consists of a head insert which can be glued into the hosel of a standard golf club head. A shaft insert having a central flange is insertable and glueable into place on a standard shaft of a golf club. The shaft insert and the head insert forming a quick connect to attach the shaft to the golf club head. Through the use of different club heads representing the full range of woods, irons, and putter, each having a head insert pre-installed, the club may have emulating any club by attaching the desired club head. A shaft length adjustment is made by a cooperating pin installed in the top of the shaft and slidable within a number of slots provided in a telescoping sleeve slidable over the shaft.

Claims

1. A conversion system for converting a golf club having a club head, means defining a non-threaded socket within said club head for receiving a shaft, and a shaft, into an interchangeable club system, comprising:

a quick connect head insert for inserting into the socket of the club head;

a quick connect shaft insert adapted to cooperate with said head insert for inserting into the shaft of a golf club;

said shaft insert including a pin projecting radially outward from said head insert;

said head insert having means defining an axial slot extending axially along a portion of said head insert, and a second means defining a circumferential slot extending circumferentially from said axial slot;

whereby said club head is connected to said shaft by sliding said shaft insert pin along said axially slot and rotating said shaft insert to move said pin along said circumferential slot; and

said shaft insert further including a spring biased catch projecting radially outwardly from said shaft insert and means defining a hole in said head insert for receiving said spring biased catch to selective non-rotatably lock said shaft insert to said head insert;

whereby when said head insert is affixed within the socket of the golf club head and said shaft insert is affixed within the shaft, the golf club head can be selectively quickly connected to the shaft by quick connecting said head insert to said shaft insert to form a complete golf club.

2. The conversion system of claim 1, further including a telescoping shaft.

3. A method of converting a golf club into an interchangeable club system, consisting of the steps of:

a) providing a shaft and a golf head having means defining a non-threaded hosel therein;

b) providing a first insert having means defining a slot and having means separate from said slot defining a hole on an outer surface of said first insert;

c) providing a second insert having a pin for cooperating with said slot to guide said first insert onto said second insert and a ball for cooperating with said hole for locking said first insert onto said second insert; and

d) affixing one of said first insert or said second insert onto said shaft and affixing the other one of said first insert or said second insert onto said golf head;

e) connecting said first insert to said second insert to form a complete golf club.

4. The method of converting golf clubs according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

a) providing means defining a hole in said shaft at an upper end thereof;

b) providing a stop sized to fit on said upper end of said shaft;

c) providing a pin cooperating with said stop and sized to fit within said hole on said shaft;

d) inserting said pin through said hole in said shaft and into said stop to secure said stop non-slidingly within said shaft;

e) providing a telescoping sleeve having a plurality of slots and sized to fit slidingly on said shaft;

sliding said telescoping sleeve over said shaft and inserting said pin into one of said plurality of slots to selectively, non-slidingly secure said telescoping sleeve on said shaft.