Removable weight and kit for golf club head

• US 7,166,040 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2004
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Hoffman, Joseph H., Zimmerman, Gerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti; Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US10/785,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20040242343A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 411/378, 411/482, 473334-339, 473/324, 473345-349
• US Class Current: 473/334
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0412 Volume
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence

Abstract

A weight for use with a golf club head is provided. The golf club head defines a recess for receiving removable weights, and a threaded opening in a wall of each recess. The weight comprises titanium and has a total mass between about 1 gram and about 2 grams. In addition, the weight comprises a head and a threaded body. The head defines a socket for receiving an engagement end of a tool, and is configured to substantially conform to a recess of the club head. The threaded body, extends from the head and is configured to cooperatively engage the threaded opening of the club head. The threaded body also has an annular ledge, located in an intermediate region of the threaded body, which has a diameter greater than that of a threaded portion of the body.

Claims

1. A weight for use with a golf club head defining recesses for receiving removable weights, the club head defining a threaded opening in a wall of each recess, the weight comprising:

a head defining a socket for receiving an engagement end of a tool, the head configured to substantially conform to a recess of the club head; and

a threaded body extending from the head and configured to cooperatively engage the threaded opening of the club head, the threaded body having an annular ledge located in an intermediate region thereof, the annular ledge having a diameter greater than that of a threaded portion of the body, the weight comprising titanium and having a total mass between about 1 gram and about 2 grams.

2. A removable weight for a golf club head, the weight comprising:

a head having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion defining a socket adapted to engage a tool, the head having a first maximum diameter;

a cylindrical body having a top end, a bottom end, and a second maximum diameter, the top end directly coupled to the bottom portion of the head;

an annular ledge disposed about the bottom end of the cylindrical body, the annular ledge having a third maximum diameter; and

a male threaded portion directly coupled to the bottom end of the cylindrical body, the male threaded portion having a fourth maximum diameter;

wherein the first maximum diameter is greater than the second maximum diameter, the third maximum diameter is greater than the fourth maximum diameter, and the weight is formed as a unitary body.

3. The removable weight of claim 2, wherein the fourth maximum diameter is about 5 mm.

4. The removable weight of claim 2, wherein the male threaded portion has a thread configuration of M5×

0.8.

5. The removable weight of claim 2, wherein the first maximum diameter is about 13 mm.

6. The removable weight of claim 2, wherein the weight has a total mass of about 2 grams.

7. The removable weight of claim 2, wherein the weight is comprised of titanium.

8. The removable weight of claim 2, wherein the socket has multiple lobes.

9. A removable weight for a golf club head, the weight comprising:

a head having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion defining a socket adapted to engage a tool, the head having a first maximum diameter of about 13 mm;

a cylindrical body having a top end, a bottom end, and a second maximum diameter, the top end directly coupled to the bottom portion of the head;

an annular ledge disposed about the bottom end of the cylindrical body, the annular ledge having a third maximum diameter; and

a threaded portion directly coupled to the bottom end of the cylindrical body, the threaded portion having fourth maximum diameter of about 5 mm and a thread configuration of M5×

0.8;

wherein the first maximum diameter is greater than the second maximum diameter, the third maximum diameter is greater than the fourth maximum diameter, the weight having a mass of about 2 grams and comprising titanium.