Golf club with improved weight distribution

• US 9,421,421 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2015
• Issued: 08/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Knutson, Scott A., Stone, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): BLAU, STEPHEN LUTHER
• Application Number:
  US14/665,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20150258398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0608 Eccentric weights put into orbital motion by nutating movement of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/075 with variable weights , e.g. weight systems with weight selecting means for bar-bells or dumb-bells
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/08 anchored at one end
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/00 Golfing accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/22 Adjustable handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/24 Weighted handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand

Abstract

A weight member for optimizing weight distribution of a golf club, comprising a removable weight member configured to reside within a shaft of the golf club, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end opposite a head of the golf club, the distal end adjacent the head of the golf club, the weight member comprising a heavy weighted portion, the heavy weighted portion offset distally from the proximal end of the shaft, the weight member comprising a plurality of locating members, the plurality of locating members configured to limit movement of the heavy weighted portion relative to an inner wall of the shaft.

Claims

1. A weight member for optimizing weight distribution of a golf club, comprising:

a removable weight member configured to reside within a shaft of said golf club;

said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end opposite a head of said golf club, said distal end adjacent said head of said golf club;

said weight member comprising a heavy weighted portion;

said heavy weighted portion offset distally from said proximal end of said shaft;

said weight member comprising a plurality of locating members;

said plurality of locating members configured to limit movement of said heavy weighted portion relative to an inner wall of said shaft;

wherein at least one of said plurality of locating members is located at a proximal end of said heavy weighted portion and at least one of said plurality of locating members is located at a distal end of said heavy weighted portion; and

wherein each of said plurality of locating members comprises a plurality of engaging arms extending outwards from said heavy weighted portion.

2. The weight member of claim 1, wherein said weight member comprises a grip coupling portion configured to engage a grip of said golf club, wherein said grip coupling portion comprises a grip engaging member, said grip engaging member configured to reside within a cavity formed in said grip.

3. The weight member of claim 2, wherein said weight member further comprises a weight rod, said weight rod configured to affix said heavy weighted portion to said grip coupling portion.

4. The weight member of claim 3, wherein said heavy weighted portion is offset distally from said grip coupling portion of said weight member at least 5 inches.

5. The weight member of claim 3, wherein said weight member further comprises a rod weight coupling member, said rod weight coupling member configured to couple said weight rod to said heavy weighted portion, said rod weight coupling member configured to retain one of said plurality of locating members.

6. The weight member of claim 5, wherein said rod weight coupling member comprises a threaded portion configured to engage a threaded portion of said heavy weighted portion.

7. The weight member of claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of locating members comprises a central bore, said threaded portion of said weight rod coupling member configured to pass through said central bore of one of said plurality of locating members.

8. The weight member of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of locating members comprises relief slots between each of said engaging arms.

9. The weight member of claim 1, wherein said plurality of locating members comprise a three dimensional geometry wherein each of said engaging arms are angled upwards towards said proximal end of said shaft.

10. The weight member of claim 1, wherein said plurality of locating members are deformable, allowing said plurality of locating members to adapt to a variety of shafts having different internal diameters as well as shafts with tapered internal diameters.

11. A weight member for optimizing weight distribution of a golf club, comprising:

a removable weight member configured to reside within a shaft of said golf club;

said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end opposite a head of said golf club, said distal end adjacent said head of said golf club;

said weight member comprising a heavy weighted portion;

said heavy weighted portion offset distally from said proximal end of said shaft;

said weight member comprising a plurality of locating members;

wherein each of said plurality of locating members comprises a plurality of engaging arms extending outwards from said heavy weighted portion;

wherein each of said plurality of locating members is deformable, allowing each of said plurality of locating members to adapt to a variety of shafts having different internal diameters as well as shafts with tapered internal diameters;

wherein each of said plurality of locating members is configured to limit movement of said heavy weighted portion relative to an inner wall of said shaft; and

wherein at least one of said plurality of locating members is located at a proximal end of said heavy weighted portion and at least one of said plurality of locating members is located at a distal end of said heavy weighted portion.

12. The weight member of claim 11, wherein said weight member comprises a grip coupling portion configured to engage a grip of said golf club, wherein said grip coupling portion comprises a grip engaging member, said grip engaging member configured to reside within a cavity formed in said grip.

13. The weight member of claim 12, wherein said weight member further comprises a weight rod, said weight rod configured to affix said heavy weighted portion to said grip coupling portion.

14. The weight member of claim 13, wherein said weight member further comprises a rod weight coupling member, said rod weight coupling member configured to couple said weight rod to said heavy weighted portion, said rod weight coupling member configured to retain said locating member.

15. The weight member of claim 14, wherein said rod weight coupling member comprises a threaded portion configured to engage a threaded portion of said heavy weighted portion.

16. The weight member of claim 15, wherein each of said plurality of locating members comprises a central bore, said threaded portion of said weight rod coupling member configured to pass through said central bore of one of said plurality of locating members.

17. The weight member of claim 12, wherein said heavy weighted portion is offset distally from said grip coupling portion of said distal weight member at least 5 inches.

18. The weight member of claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of locating members comprises relief slots between each of said engaging arms, wherein each of said plurality of locating members comprises a three dimensional geometry wherein each of said engaging arms are angled upwards towards said proximal end of said shaft.