Weight kit for golf club head

• US 7,452,285 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2006
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• 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: Chao, Bing-Ling, Vincent, Benoit, Willett, Kraig A., Zimmerman, Gery, Hoffman, Joseph H., Weed, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti; Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US11/647,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20070111817A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350, 473287-292, 473219-256, 473/407, 473/409
• US Class Current: 473/324
• 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

Individual weights and a related kit for adjustably weighting a golf club head are provided, allowing a golfer to fine-tune the club for his or her swing. The kit is useable with a club head that defines a plurality of weight recesses spaced about the club head. The kit includes a plurality of weights, including weights of different mass. Each weight is sized to be threadably received within a recess of the club head. Varying placement of the weights enables a golfer to vary impact conditions in the club head, for optimum distance and accuracy. The kit may further include a tool having an engagement end configured to operatively mate with the fasteners of the weights. The tool preferably includes a torque limiting mechanism configured to inhibit over-tightening of the weights into the recess of the club head. The tool and weights may be provided along with the golf club. The kit may also include instructions, such as an instruction wheel, for selecting and positioning weights of the plurality of weight about the club head.

Claims

1. A kit for adjustably weighting a golf club head, the kit comprising:

a plurality of weights configured to be coupled to the golf club head, wherein at least one of the plurality of weights comprises a head, a body extending from the head, the body having an upper portion, a threaded lower portion, and 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, and a mass element located between the head and the annular ledge;

a tool configured to operatively mate with each of the plurality of weights; and

instructions for selecting and positioning weights selected from the plurality of weights about the golf club head.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weights are each configured to be received within a plurality of recesses spaced about the golf club head.

3. The kit of claim 2, wherein the plurality of weights are each configured to be received within four recesses disposed about a periphery of the golf club head.

4. The kit of claim 2, wherein the plurality of weights and the plurality of recesses are configured such that when a weight is disposed within a recess, a peripheral portion of the weight abuts a sidewall of the recess, thereby preventing debris from entering the recess.

5. The kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weights includes at least two weights of differing mass.

6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weights are configured to be removably coupled to the golf club head.

7. The kit of claim 6, wherein the plurality of weights are configured to be threadably engaged to the golf club head.

8. The kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weights includes at least one weight having a mass selected from the group consisting of 2 grams, 6 grams, 14 grams, and 18 grams.

9. The kit of claim 1, wherein the mass of each of the plurality of weights is between 1 gram and 25 grams.

10. The kit of claim 1, wherein the tool includes a torque limiting mechanism.

11. The kit of claim 10, wherein the torque limiting mechanism provides a torque limit of between about 20 inch-lbs. to about 40 inch-lbs.

12. The kit of claim 1, wherein the instructions comprise an instruction wheel having a top member rotatably engaged to a bottom member.

13. A kit for adjustably weighting a golf club head, the golf club head defining four recesses adapted to receive removable weights therein, the kit comprising:

a plurality of weights, each weight configured to be received within a golf club head recess, wherein at least one of the plurality of weights comprises a head, a body extending from the head, the body having an upper portion, a threaded lower portion, and 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, and a mass element located between the head and the annular ledge, and wherein the mass of each of the plurality of weights is between 1 gram and 25 grams, and the plurality of weights includes at least two weights of differing mass;

a tool configured to operatively mate with each of the plurality of weights, wherein the tool includes a torque limiting mechanism adapted to provide a torque limit of between about 20 inch-lbs. to about 40 inch-lbs; and

instructions for selecting and positioning weights selected from the plurality of weights about the golf club head.

14. A method for adjustably weighting a golf club head, the method comprising:

providing a golf club head;

providing a plurality of weights configured to be coupled to the golf club head, wherein at least one of the plurality of weights comprises a head, a body extending from the head, the body having an upper portion, a threaded lower portion, and 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, and a mass element located between the head and the annular ledge;

providing a tool configured to operatively mate with each of the plurality of weights; and

providing instructions for selecting and positioning weights selected from the plurality of weights about the golf club head.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein adjustably weighting the golf club head alters the position of a center of gravity of the club head.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein adjustably weighting the golf club head positions the center of gravity of the club head in a center-back location, thereby resulting in a high ball launch angle and a low ball spin-rate.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein adjustably weighting the golf club head positions the center of gravity of the club head in a center-front location, thereby resulting in a low launch angle and a low ball spin-rate.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein adjustably weighting the golf club head results in a draw bias.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein adjustably weighting the golf club head results in a fade bias.