Golf clubs and golf club heads

• US 8,986,130 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Hatton, Philip J., Kammerer, Brian, Hadden, Jeffrey A., Kramer, Gregory S., Thornton, Douglas A., Boggs, Joshua M., Jones, Sherry L., Lua, James H., Wisniewski, Daniel F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US13/828,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20130203518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 473222-226
• US Class Current: 473/223
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/24 Ice hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/035 with easily dismountable parts, e.g. heads, shafts or grips
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/08 with special construction of the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/005 Club sets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/007 Putters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 : wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 : iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/10 : Non-metallic shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 : Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/20 : having means, e.g. pockets, netting or adhesive type surfaces, for catching or holding a ball, e.g. for lacrosse or pelota
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/50 : Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/70 : with bent or angled lower parts for hitting a ball on the ground, on an ice-covered surface, or in the air, e.g. for hockey or hurling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 : Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 : Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/50 : with through-holes A63B60/18 takes precedence; for stringing purposes A63B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3632 : Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 : Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 : Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 : with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors

Abstract

Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.

Claims

1. A ball striking device comprising:

a ball striking head;

a shaft having a fixed end connected to the ball striking head and a distal end opposite the fixed end the shaft extending along an axis between the fixed end and the distal end, the shaft having a first maximum dimension measured perpendicular to the axis; and

an extension connected to the distal end of the shaft, the extension having a second maximum dimension measured perpendicular to the axis, wherein the second maximum dimension is greater than the first maximum dimension, and wherein the extension includes a receptacle configured to receive a component.

2. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the extension is removably engaged with the shaft.

3. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the extension has a first portion having a connector configured to engage the shaft to connect the extension to the shaft and a second portion defining the receptacle, wherein the second portion has the second maximum dimension, and the first portion has a third maximum dimension that is smaller than the second maximum dimension.

4. The ball striking device of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the extension and the second portion of the extension are integrally formed.

5. The ball striking device of claim 3, wherein the connector comprises a protrusion that extends from the second portion and is configured to fit within and extend into the shaft.

6. The ball striking device of claim 3, wherein the extension further comprises a step between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the step extends outwardly from the first portion and creates the difference between the second maximum dimension and the third maximum dimension.

7. The ball striking device of claim 1, further comprising a grip member surrounding a portion of the shaft proximate the distal end and at least partially surrounding the extension.

8. The ball striking device of claim 7, wherein the grip member comprises a first grip member surrounding the portion of the shaft and a second grip member at least partially surrounding the extension, and wherein the first and second grip members are substantially flush with each other.

9. The ball striking device of claim 7, wherein the grip member is formed of a single, integral piece.

10. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the extension has an opening providing access to the receptacle, and the ball striking device further comprises a cap configured to cover the opening.

11. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the first maximum dimension is 0.5-0.7 inches, and the second maximum dimension is 0.510-1.0 inches.

12. The ball striking device of claim 1, further comprising an electronic module received within the receptacle.

13. The ball striking device of claim 12, wherein the electronic module comprises a sensor configured for sensing a swing parameter of the ball striking device during use.

14. A ball striking device comprising:

a ball striking head;

a shaft having a fixed end connected to the ball striking head and a distal end opposite the fixed end, the shaft extending along an axis between the fixed end and the distal end; and

a grip assembly connected to the distal end of the shaft, the grip assembly comprising a receptacle configured to receive a component and a grip member connected to the receptacle to form the grip assembly as a single, integral piece, the grip member defining a central passage receiving the distal end of the shaft to connect the grip assembly to the shaft.

15. The ball striking device of claim 14, further comprising an electronic module received within the receptacle.

16. The ball striking device of claim 15, wherein the electronic module comprises a sensor configured for sensing a swing parameter of the ball striking device during use.

17. The ball striking device of claim 14, wherein the receptacle includes a first opening and a second opening formed in an end of the receptacle, the first opening extending generally longitudinally and having a first length, and the second opening extending generally longitudinally and having a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length, and wherein the first opening is configured to receive the component therein, and the second opening is configured to engage a connection member to retain the component within the first opening.

18. The ball striking device of claim 17, wherein the receptacle includes a recessed portion at the end of the receptacle, wherein the first opening and the second opening are open at the recessed portion.

19. The ball striking device of claim 17, further comprising a cartridge having a cap member and clip member, wherein the cap member covers the first and second openings and the clip member extends from the cap member into the first opening and is configured to engage the component and retain the component within the first opening.

20. The ball striking device of claim 19, wherein the clip member has a base and a finger extending generally transversely from the base, and wherein the cap member, the base, and the finger are configured to engage the component.

21. The ball striking device of claim 19, wherein the cap is received in a recessed portion at the distal end of the receptacle and is flush with the distal end.

22. The ball striking device of claim 21, wherein the cap includes an orifice, wherein the orifice is aligned with the second opening, and wherein a threaded fastener is configured to be inserted through the orifice and secured in a threaded insert within the second opening.

23. The ball striking device of claim 20, further comprising an electronic module wherein the finger engages a first end of the electronic module and the cap engages a second end of the electronic module.

24. A grip assembly configured to connect to a shaft of a ball striking device, the grip assembly comprising:

a grip member having a hollow central passage configured to receive and engage a shaft of a ball striking device to connect the grip assembly to the shaft, the grip member being formed of a first material;

a receptacle located at a distal end of the grip assembly and configured to receive a component, the receptacle being formed of a second material having less flexibility than the first material;

wherein the receptacle and the grip are co-molded to form a single, integral piece.

25. The grip assembly of claim 24, wherein the receptacle includes a first opening and a second opening that extend generally longitudinally inward from the distal end, the first opening having a first length and the second opening having a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length, wherein the first opening is configured to receive the component, and the second opening is configured to engage a connection member to retain the component within the first opening.

26. The grip assembly of claim 25, wherein the receptacle includes a recessed portion at the distal end, wherein the first opening and the second opening are open at the recessed portion.

27. The grip assembly of claim 25, further comprising a cartridge having a cap member and a clip member, wherein the cap member covers the first and second openings and the clip member extends from the cap member into the first opening and is configured to engage the component and retain the component within the first opening.

28. The grip assembly of claim 27, wherein the clip member has a base and a finger extending generally transversely from the base, and wherein the cap member, the base, and the finger are configured to engage the component.

29. The grip assembly of claim 27, wherein the cap is received in a recessed portion at the distal end of the grip assembly and is flush with a distal end of the grip assembly.

30. The grip assembly of claim 29, wherein the cap includes an orifice, wherein the orifice is aligned with the second opening, and wherein a threaded fastener is configured to be inserted through the orifice and secured in a threaded insert configured to fit it the second opening.

31. The grip assembly of claim 24, wherein the receptacle includes a first opening extending inward from the distal end and a recessed portion at the distal end, wherein the first opening is open within the recessed portion, the grip assembly further comprising a cartridge having a cap member and a clip member, wherein the cap member covers the first opening and the clip member extends from the cap member into the first opening and is configured to engage the component and retain the component within the first opening.

32. The grip assembly of claim 24, wherein the grip member surrounds the receptacle to form a continuous outer gripping surface, and wherein an end of the receptacle is exposed to enable insertion of the component.

33. A method comprising:

forming a receptacle from a first polymer material, the receptacle having an opening configured to receive one or more components;

molding a grip member by injecting a second polymer material at least partially around the receptacle to form a single, integral co-molded grip assembly, wherein the grip member has a hollow central passage;

wherein the grip assembly is configured to connect to a shaft of a ball striking device by receiving a portion of the shaft within the hollow central passage, wherein the receptacle is located at a distal end of the grip assembly.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising connecting the shaft to the grip assembly by inserting the portion of the shaft within the hollow central passage.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the receptacle includes a first opening extending inward from the distal end and a recessed portion at the distal end, wherein the first opening is open within the recessed portion, the grip assembly further comprising a cartridge having a cap member and a clip member, wherein the cap member covers the first opening and the clip member extends from the cap member into the first opening and is configured to engage the component and retain the component within the first opening.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the grip member surrounds the receptacle to form a continuous outer gripping surface, and wherein an end of the receptacle is exposed at the distal end of the grip assembly to enable insertion of the component.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the receptacle includes a first opening and a second opening that extend generally longitudinally inward from the distal end, the first opening having a first length and the second opening having a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length, wherein the first opening is configured to receive the component, and the second opening is configured to engage a connection member to retain the component within the first opening.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising inserting a threaded insert into the second opening.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the receptacle includes a recessed portion at the distal end, wherein the first opening and the second opening are open at the recessed portion.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising connecting a cartridge to the grip assembly, the cartridge having a cap member and a clip member, wherein the cap member covers the first and second openings and the clip member extends from the cap member into the first opening and is configured to engage the component and retain the component within the first opening.

41. The method of claim 33, wherein the receptacle is formed by injection molding the first polymer material.