Automatic adjusting device for adjusting the position of the center of gravity of an object

• US 6,575,854 B1
• Filed: 12/11/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chia-Ching Lin, Der-Chuan Lin, Jian Kuo Yang, San Hsiang Yeh
• Original Assignee: Chia-Ching Lin, Der-Chuan Lin, Jian Kuo Yang, San Hsiang Yeh
• Inventors: Yeh, San Hsiang, Lin, Chia-Ching, Yang, Jian Kuo, Lin, Der-Chuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US10/011,408
• Publication Number:
  US 20030109337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 473/519, 473/524, 473/564, 473/559, 473/527, 473/463, 473/461, 473/457, 473/318, 473/333, 473/297, 473/345, 473/349
• US Class Current: 473/519
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0495 moving on impact, slidable, spring or otherwise elastically biased
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/02 Frames
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/08 with special construction of the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/40 Rackets or the like with flat striking surfaces for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for table tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/50 Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/80 Circular bats or paddles not provided for in groups A63B59/20 - A63B59/70
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/04 Movable ballast means A63B15/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/06 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/08 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/10 with means for indicating correct holding positions A63B60/12 takes 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

Abstract

An automatic adjusting device for adjusting the position of the center of gravity of an object comprises a weighting element, an elastic element, a base seat, and a hollow tube body. One end of the weighting element is connected to the elastic element and another end of the elastic element is connected to the base seat, such that the weighting element, the elastic element and the base seat are positioned within the hollow tube body. Initially, the C.G. of the device is located at the handle region of the device, and when the tube body is rapidly swung, the weighting element produces a centrifugal force that is greater than the force of the elastic element to move the weighting element to the front end of the tube body and move the C.G. simultaneously. When the swinging force of the tube body is released, the pulling force of the elastic element will cause the weighting element to be restored to its original position, and the C.G. will be simultaneously restored to its original position as well.

Claims

1. An automatic adjusting device employing centrifugal force for adjusting a position of a center of gravity of a racket, the device comprising a weighting element, an elastic element, and a base seat respectively positioned in a hollow tube body, the hollow tube body being defined by a passage formed in the racket, one end of the weighting element being connected to an end of the elastic element and another end of the elastic element being coupled to the base seat, the weighting element being formed by a circular disc having a plurality of rollers on top and bottom surfaces thereof, the racket having a plurality of open spaces and mounting structures are provided within the racket, initially the center of gravity of the device is located in a handle region of the racket, and when the racket is swung the weighting element produces a centrifugal force that is greater then a pulling force of the elastic element, the weighting element is thereby displaced to a front end of the tube body and simultaneously moves the center of gravity of the device to increase an impact force of the racket, when the swing of the racket has ceased, the pulling force of the elastic element restores the weighting element to its original position and thereby restores the center of gravity of the device to its original position.

2. An automatic adjusting device employing centrifugal force for adjusting a position of a center of gravity of a bat, the device comprising a weighting element, a first elastic element, and a base seat respectively positioned in a hollow tube body, the hollow tube body being longitudinally disposed in the bat, a front and a rear end of the bat being respectively provided with a top cover and a rear cover for respectively mounting a front and a rear end of the tube body thereto, the bat having a hollow structure with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves formed in an interior surface of a wall of the bat and a plurality of enhancing elements disposed in longitudinally spaced relationship within the bat, each of the enhancing elements having a plurality of ribs provided on a surface thereof and respectively engaged in said plurality of grooves in the interior surface of the wall of the bat, a plurality of second elastic elements being disposed external to the tube body and respectively disposed on opposing sides of each of the plurality of enhancing elements to apply a bias force thereto, one end of the weighting element being connected to an end of the first elastic element and another end of the first elastic element being coupled to the base seat, initially the center of gravity of the device is located in a handle region of the bat, and when the bat is swung the weighting element produces a centrifugal force that is greater then a pulling force of the first elastic element, the weighting element is thereby displaced to a front end of the tube body and simultaneously moves the center of gravity of the device to increase an impact force of the bat, when the swing of the bat has ceased, the pulling force of the first elastic element restores the weighting element to its original position and thereby restores the center of gravity of the device to its original position.

3. An automatic adjusting device employing centrifugal force for adjusting a position of a center of gravity of a golf club, the device comprising a weighting element, an elastic element, and a base seat respectively positioned in a hollow tube body, the hollow tube body being defined by a shaft of the golf club, one end of the weighting element being connected to an end of the first elastic element and another end of the first elastic element being coupled to the base seat, the golf club having a head with a passage formed therein in open communication with the shaft, the club head having top and bottom surfaces provided with a plurality of hollow spacing regions, initially the center of gravity of the device is located in a handle region of the shaft, and when the golf club is swung the weighting element produces a centrifugal force that is greater then a pulling force of the elastic element, the weighting element is thereby displaced to a front end of the tube body and simultaneously moves the center of gravity of the device to increase an impact force of the golf club, when the swing of the golf club has ceased, the pulling force of the elastic element restores the weighting element to its original position and thereby restores the center of gravity of the device to its original position.