Golf club with adjustable weight assembly
First Claim
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1. A golf club head comprising:
- a club head body comprising a front portion, a rear portion, a ball-striking face, a heel, a toe, a crown, and a sole;
a track formed along a length of the sole, the track having a first end defining a first weight mounting portion and a second end defining a second weight mounting portion;
a weight member coupled to the track, the weight member having a first end and an opposing second end and an out-of-plane axis; and
a fastener assembly coupling the weight member to the track and enabling the weight member to move between the first and second ends of the track and to rotate about the out-of-plane axis while remaining coupled to the track, thereby allowing the weight member to transition between a first position and a second position;
wherein, when in the first position, the weight member is secured to the first weight mounting portion and the first end of the weight member is oriented in a first direction with respect to the track; and
wherein, when in the second position, the weight member is secured to the second weight mounting portion and the first end of the weight member is oriented in a second direction with respect to the track, the second direction opposite the first direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention generally relates to golf clubs with adjustable mass properties. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods and mechanisms for adjusting a club head center of gravity and/or moment of inertia by way of an adjustable weight assembly positionable along the sole of the club head body. When in a first position, the weight assembly provides a lower center of gravity so as to increase launch angle and reduce spin rate, resulting in greater overall distance of ball flight. When in a second position, the weight assembly provides a greater mass moment of inertia, which effectively enlarges the sweet spot and produces a more forgiving club for off-center hits.
131 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A golf club head comprising:
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a club head body comprising a front portion, a rear portion, a ball-striking face, a heel, a toe, a crown, and a sole; a track formed along a length of the sole, the track having a first end defining a first weight mounting portion and a second end defining a second weight mounting portion; a weight member coupled to the track, the weight member having a first end and an opposing second end and an out-of-plane axis; and a fastener assembly coupling the weight member to the track and enabling the weight member to move between the first and second ends of the track and to rotate about the out-of-plane axis while remaining coupled to the track, thereby allowing the weight member to transition between a first position and a second position; wherein, when in the first position, the weight member is secured to the first weight mounting portion and the first end of the weight member is oriented in a first direction with respect to the track; and wherein, when in the second position, the weight member is secured to the second weight mounting portion and the first end of the weight member is oriented in a second direction with respect to the track, the second direction opposite the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for adjusting the mass properties of a golf club head, the method comprising:
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providing a golf club head comprising; a front portion, a rear portion, a ball-striking face, a heel, a toe, a crown, and a sole, the sole having a track formed along a length thereof and defining a first end and an opposing second end adjacent to the front and rear portions of the club head, respectively; a weight member coupled to the track, the weight member having a first end and an opposing second end and an out-of-plane axis; and a fastener assembly comprising a fastener rotatably coupled to the weight member and coupling the weight member to the track by way of engagement between the fastener and a retaining element slidably positioned within the track to thereby enable the weight member to move between the first and second ends of the track and to rotate about the out-of-plane axis while remaining coupled to the track; and adjusting the center of gravity and/or mass moment of inertia of the golf club head by moving the weight member between a first position and a second position; wherein, when in the first position, the weight member is received within and secured to a first weight mounting portion and the first end of the weight member is oriented in a first direction with respect to the track; and wherein, when in the second position, the weight member is secured to a second weight mounting portion and the first end of the weight member is oriented in a second direction with respect to the track, the second direction opposite the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification