Custom-fabricated golf club device and method

• US 6,120,384 A
• Filed: 03/22/1999
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stanley Drake
• Original Assignee: Stanley Drake
• Inventors: Drake, Stanley
• Primary Examiner(s): PASSANITI, SEBASTIANO
• Application Number:
  US09/274,086
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 473/244, 473/245, 473/246, 473/247, 473/248, 473/282, 473/287, 473/288, 473/305, 473/306, 473/307, 473/308, 473/309, 473/310, 473/311, 473/312, 473/313, 473/314, 473/315 , 473/409, 29/428, 29/464, 29/467, 29/468, 29/557, 29/525.01, 29/724
• US Class Current: 473/248
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/025 lie angle only, i.e. relative angular adjustment between the shaft and the club head about an axis parallel to the intended line of play when the club is in its normal address position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like

Abstract

A custom-fabricated golf club device comprising a golf club head with a recessed portion located at the front heel portion of the head and machined therein, the recessed portion comprising a substantially semi-spherical aperture. A hosel assembly has a lower portion, having a substantially semi-spherical aperture that aligns with the aperture of the head recessed portion, the hosel assembly further having a recessed portion at an upper portion thereof. A steel ball is located securely within the aperture of head recessed portion and the aperture of the hosel assembly lower portion, functioning to provide positive location of the club head and hosel assembly. In the preferred mode, a permanent weldment functions to securely affix the lower portion of the hosel assembly to the club head at the heel portion of the club head. The device is utilized in conjunction with golf clubs of both the iron and wedge variety to provide a cost-effective and convenient way to custom-fabricate golf clubs to the unique physical characteristics of individual players. By taking advantage of machining, rather than forging or casting the components, a wide range of lie angles with precise resolution can be achieved. In addition, the manufacturing techniques of the present invention diligently conform to the USGA rule that clubs other than putters shall not be designed to be adjustable except for weight.

Claims

1. A custom-fabricated golf club device (10) comprising:

A) a golf club head (12) which comprises a golf club head recessed portion (12A) located at the front of the heel portion of the club head (12) and machined therein, the recessed portion (12A) comprising a golf club head aperture (12AA), the aperture substantially semi-spherical in nature, the golf club head (12) further comprising a face portion (12B) functioning to come in contact with a golf ball during a golf swing;

B) a hosel assembly (16) comprising a hosel assembly lower portion (16A), the hosel assembly lower portion (16A) comprising a hosel assembly aperture (16AA), the aperture substantially semi-spherical in nature and aligning with the aperture (12AA) of golf club head recessed portion (12A), the hosel assembly (16) further comprising a recessed portion (16B) at an upper portion thereof;

C) a steel ball (14) located securely within the aperture (12AA) of golf club head recessed portion (12A) and the aperture (16AA) of the hosel assembly lower portion (16A), the steel ball (14) functioning to provide positive location of the club head and hosel assembly; and

D) an attachment means (18) functioning to securely affix the lower portion of the hosel assembly to the golf club head at the heel portion of the golf club head.

2. The custom-fabricated golf club device (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the device is utilized in conjunction with a golf club of the iron variety.

3. The custom-fabricated golf club device (10) as described in claim 2, wherein the device is utilized in conjunction with a golf club selected from the group consisting of a one-iron, two-iron, three-iron, four-iron, five-iron, six-iron, seven-iron, eight-iron, and nine-iron.

4. The custom-fabricated golf club device (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the device is utilized in conjunction with a golf club of the wedge variety.

5. The custom-fabricated golf club device (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the attachment means is a permanent weldment.

6. A method of producing a custom-fabricated golf club device comprising the steps of:

A) machining a recessed portion into a golf club head at the front of the heel portion of the club head;

B) creating an aperture within the recessed portion of the golf club head, the aperture substantially semi-spherical in nature;

C) creating an aperture within a lower portion of a hosel assembly, the aperture substantially semi-spherical in nature and aligning with the aperture of the golf club head recessed portion;

D) positioning a steel ball securely within the aperture of golf club head recessed portion and the aperture of the hosel assembly lower portion, the steel ball functioning to provide positive location of the club head and hosel assembly; and

E) securely welding the lower portion of the hosel assembly to the golf club head at the heel portion of the golf club head, wherein the hosel assembly is positioned at a previously determined desired angle.