ADJUSTABLE GOLF CLUB HEAD

• US 3,601,399 A
• Filed: 03/13/1969
• Issued: 08/24/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Martyn L. Agens, Robert S. Wallace
• Original Assignee: Martyn L. Agens, Robert S. Wallace
• Inventors: Agens, Martyn L., WALLACE, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Application Number:
  US04/807,051
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 273/79,80.1,81.2,168
• US Class Current: 473/247
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/026 loft angle only, i.e. relative angular adjustment between the shaft and the club head about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the intended line of play when the club is in its normal address position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/06 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like

Abstract

An adjustable gold club comprising a handle shaft, club head assembly and an elongated club head member movable within the club head but unable to be fully withdrawn therefrom. The handle shaft is connected to the club head member in the conventional hosel-type relationship. The club head and club head member possess corresponding splines, whereby when the splines are meshed the club head is prevented from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the club head member. Within the club head are holding structure, retaining components and adjustable elements connecting the club head member to the club head to provide limited axial movement of the member, while also allowing the club head to be angularly varied to the longitudinal axis of the member.

Claims

1. An adjustable golf club having a handle shaft and a club head assembly which includes:

a generally horizontal head shaft;

a club head member mounted on said head shaft for axial and rotational movement with respect thereto the head member having bore structure into which said shaft is received from one end of the said member;

spline means within said member interconnecting said club head member and said head shaft to prevent rotation therebetween, said spline means being disengageable by axially bodily moving said club head member with respect to said head shaft, whereby said member may be rotated with respect to said shaft;

holding means maintaining said club head member in such a position with respect to said head shaft as to engage said spline means, said holding means including a retainer member having a stem and a flange at opposite ends thereof, the stem having threaded connection with the shaft terminal within said bore so that the flange is received inwardly of the bore structure at the opposite end of said member, said retainer member acting to prevent the axial removal of said club head from said head shaft, and adjustable means having interconnection with said flange and manually adjustable to have a first position in which said axial movement of the club head member is blocked, and a second position in which said axial movement of the head member is unblocked.

2. A golf club as defined in claim 1 in which said spline means includes an external spline on the head shaft terminal, and an internal spline defined by said bore structure in spaced relation to said retainer member flange.

3. A golf club as defined in claim 1, having a hosel formed as a continuation of said head shaft adapted to receive said handle shaft.

4. A golf club as defined in claim 1, including a helical spring located within said bore structure, between a shoulder defined by said club head member and said flange.

5. The golf club as recited in claim 1 wherein said Adjustable means comprises a disc fitting within the member bore structure at said opposite end of the member, said disc defining a laterally elongated slot, a part projecting through said slot and a latch on said part movable into and out of latching relation with said retainer member head in response to lateral displacement of said part in said slot.

6. The golf club of claim 5 wherein said part has a button thereon at the outer side of said disc for manual deflection, laterally, and said retainer member flange has an undercut recess to interfit said latch.

7. An adjustable golf club having a handle shaft and a club head assembly which includes:

a hosel adapted to receive the lower end of said handle shaft;

a generally horizontal head shaft formed at an angle to said hosel and as an integral continuation thereof;

a club head member mounted on said head shaft for axial and rotational movement with respect thereto;

first spline means on the toe end of said head shaft;

second spline means defined within said club head member and by said bore structure, adapted to engage said first spline means to hold said club head member against rotation with respect to said head shaft, said first and second spline means being disengageable by axial bodily movement of said club head member with respect to said head shaft;

holding means maintaining said club head member in such a position with respect to said head shaft as to engage said spline means;

said holding means including a retainer member having a stem and a flange at opposite ends thereof, the stem having threaded connection with the shaft terminal within said bore so that the flange is received inwardly of the bore structure at the opposite end of said member, said retainer member acting to prevent the axial removal of said club head from said head shaft, and adjustable means having interconnection with said flange and manually adjustable to have a first position in which said axial movement of the club head member is blocked, and a second position in which said axial movement of the head member is unblocked.

8. A golf club as defined in claim 7, in which said holding means comprises engaging means mounted in said club head and operable to releasably engage a cooperating means on said retaining member.

9. A golf club as defined in claim 7, in which said holding means comprises a helical spring bearing against means connected to said club head and against means connected to said head shaft, to urge the club head toward said hosel, said spring being completely within said club head member.