GOLF CLUB AND GOLF CLUB HEAD STRUCTURES

• US 20180256948A1
• Filed: 05/09/2018
• Published: 09/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Stites, John T., Fujita, Yosimasa
• Granted Patent: US 10,363,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• 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 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/06 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/10 Non-metallic shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/002 Resonance frequency related characteristics
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 : with slits
• 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

A golf club head has a body defining a ball striking face. The body further has a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending away from the ball striking face wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void. The golf club head may further have support structures and adjustable weight members.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body having a crown,

a sole,

a toe portion,

a heel portion,

a rear portion, and

a ball striking face configured for striking a golf ball,

the club head body defining an interior chamber,

a first receptacle connected to the golf club head body,

the first receptacle comprising a first tube having an opening on the sole and a first length extending from the sole toward the crown,

wherein the first tube has a portion that is exposed to an exterior of the club head;

and a first weight member configured to be received by the first receptacle, the first weight member being elongated and having a first end and a second end,

with a second length defined between the first and second ends,

wherein the first end is heavier than the second end, and the second length generally corresponds to the first length,

wherein the first receptacle has internal threads configured to secure the first weight member within the first receptacle, and

wherein the first weight member is configured to be inserted into and removed from the first receptacle, and

the first weight member is further configured to be flipped such that the heavier first end can be located proximal the crown or proximal the sole to adjust a spin rate of the golf ball generated after the ball striking face strikes the golf ball; and

a second receptacle connected to the golf club head body,

the second receptacle comprising a second tube having an opening on the sole and a third length extending from the sole toward the crown,

wherein the second tube has a portion that is exposed to an exterior of the club head;

and a second weight member configured to be received by the second receptacle, the second weight member being elongated and having a third end and a fourth end,

with a fourth length defined between the third and fourth ends,

wherein the third end is heavier than the fourth end, and the fourth length generally corresponds to the third length,

wherein the second receptacle has internal threads configured to secure the second weight member within the second receptacle, and

wherein the second weight member is configured to be inserted into and removed from the second receptacle, and

the second weight member is further configured to be flipped such that the heavier third end can be located proximal the ball striking face or proximal the rear portion to adjust the spin rate of the golf ball generated after the ball striking face strikes the golf ball.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first weight member has a first longitudinal axis and the first receptacle has a second longitudinal axis,

wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are configured to be substantially aligned when the weight member is inserted in the receptacle.

3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are configured to be generally vertical when the first weight member is inserted in the receptacle.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second weight member has a third longitudinal axis and the second receptacle has a fourth longitudinal axis,

wherein the third and fourth longitudinal axes are configured to be substantially aligned when the second weight member is inserted in the second receptacle.

5. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein the third and fourth longitudinal axes are configured to be generally horizontal when the second weight member is inserted in the second receptacle.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising a first threaded fastener that mates with the internal threads of the first receptacle and engages the first weight member to secure the first weight member within the first receptacle.

7. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein the first weight member has shock absorbing features.

8. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising a second threaded fastener that mates with the internal threads of the second receptacle and engages the second weight member to secure the second weight member within the second receptacle.

9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the second weight member has shock absorbing features.

10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first weight member is configured such that mass may be added to or removed from the first weight member when the first weight member is removed from the first receptacle,

such that when the first weight member is inserted into the first receptacle, the overall mass of the golf club head is changed.

10-1. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second weight member is configured such that mass may be added to or removed from the second weight member when the second weight member is removed from the second receptacle,

such that when the second weight member is inserted into the second receptacle, the overall mass of the golf club head is changed.

11. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first weight member includes multiple portions having different weights.

12. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second weight member includes multiple portions having different weights.

13. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the multiple portions can be releasably fastened to one another.

14. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein the first weight member comprises at least one of steel, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, tungsten, graphite, or composite materials.

15. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second weight member includes multiple portions having different weights.

17. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the multiple portions can be releasably fastened to one another.

18. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the second weight member comprises at least one of steel, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, tungsten, graphite, or composite materials.

19. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first weight member is threaded to mate with the internal threads of the first receptacle.

20. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second weight member is threaded to mate with the internal threads of the second receptacle.

21. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the first weight member has a mass of 0.5 grams or less.