US20120165111A1

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Publication number: US20120165111A1
Application number: US13/342,182
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael H.L. Cheng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-23
Filing date: 2012-01-02
Publication date: 2012-06-28

Abstract

Apparatus for connecting a golf club shaft to a golf club head, including an adjustment tube, and golf clubs including the same.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/978,381, filed Dec. 23, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

1. Field of the Inventions

The present inventions relate generally to golf clubs.

2. Description of the Related Art

Golfers frequently customize their clubs to better suit their particular swing during the trial and error process commonly referred to as “fitting.” A golfer may try various shafts and club heads, as well as various face, loft and lie angles for each shaft and club head combination, during the fitting process. In order to accommodate such customization, various connector apparatus that releasably and adjustably mount club heads onto shafts have been proposed. The present inventor has determined that such apparatus is susceptible to improvement. For example, the present inventor has determined that conventional connector apparatus can create an unstable connection between the shaft and club head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed description of embodiments of the inventions will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a golf club in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 1B is a partial section view of the golf club illustrated inFIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an adapter in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the adapter illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line4-4 inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an angular adjustment tube in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the angular adjustment tube illustrated inFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is another end view of the angular adjustment tube illustrated inFIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line8-8 inFIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a tube lock in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the tube lock illustrated inFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a section view taken along line11-11 inFIG. 9.

FIGS. 12A-12D are section and partial section views showing the assembly of a golf club in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of a portion of a golf club in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 14 is a top view of an adapter in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention showing the locations of various indicia around the perimeter of the adapter.

FIG. 15 is a top view of an angular adjustment tube in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention showing the locations of various indicia around the perimeter of the angular adjustment tube.

FIG. 16 is a partial section view of a portion of a golf club in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a tube lock in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 18 is an end view of the tube lock illustrated inFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a section view taken along line19-19 inFIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a section view of a portion of a golf club in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 21 is a section view of an angular adjustment tube in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 22 is a rear view of a portion of a golf club in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 23 is a side view of an angular adjustment tube in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 24 is an end view of the angular adjustment tube illustrated inFIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is another end view of the angular adjustment tube illustrated inFIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a section view taken along line26-26 inFIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a rear view of a portion of the golf club head illustrated inFIG. 22.

FIG. 28 is a top view of the golf club hosel illustrated inFIG. 22.

FIG. 29 is a side view of an angular adjustment tube in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 30 is a side view of a tube lock in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 31 is a rear view of a portion of a golf club in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 32 is a side, cutaway view of an adapter in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 33 is an end view of the adapter illustrated inFIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a side view of an angular adjustment tube in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 35 is an end view of the angular adjustment tube illustrated inFIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is another end view of the angular adjustment tube illustrated inFIG. 34.

FIG. 37 is a section view taken along line37-37 inFIG. 34.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the best presently known modes of carrying out the inventions. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the inventions.

Theexemplary golf club10 illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B includes ashaft100 with atip portion102 andgrip portion104, aclub head106 that has acylindrical hosel108 and is adjustably and releasably mounted on the tip portion of the shaft, and agrip110 carried on the grip portion of the shaft. Although the present inventions are not so limited, theexemplary golf club10 is a “driver” and theclub head104 is a driver type club head. The present inventions are, however, equally applicable to any and all golf clubs including, but not limited to, all “woods,” “irons,” and “wedges.” Theexemplary shaft102 is a fiber reinforced resin composite shaft. Other suitable shafts include, but are not limited to, metal shafts.

Theclub head106 is adjustably and releasably mounted onto theshaft100 by way of a mountingapparatus112 that is capable of positioning the club head at a variety of face angles, loft angles, lie angles and combinations thereof. Theexemplary mounting apparatus112 includes anadapter114 that is secured to theshaft tip portion102, an angular adjustment tube (or “adjustment tube”)116 and atube lock118. As discussed in greater detail below with reference toFIGS. 2-12D, theadapter114 may be permanently secured to theshaft100 and used to bias the shaft at a predetermined loft and/or lie angle, theadjustment tube116 may be used to fix the rotational orientation of the adapter and to bias the shaft at a loft and/lie angle that is combined with the adapter bias, and thetube lock118 may be used to fix the rotational orientation of the adjustment tube relative to theclub head106.

It should be noted that, as used herein, a first structure is “adjustably” mounted (or secured) to a second structure if the first structure can be mounted in more than one orientation relative to the second structure, and a first structure is “releasably” mounted (or secured) to a second structure if the first structure can be decoupled from the second structure without excessive effort or destruction of either structure or the instrumentality that is securing the structures to one another. By contrast, “permanently” mounted (or secured) structures may not be separated from one another without excessive effort, destruction of either structure and/or destruction of the instrumentality that is securing the two structures to one another. Examples of instrumentalities that “permanently” secure structures to one another include high strength adhesives, such as epoxy and cyanoacrylate adhesives, and welds.

Turning first toFIGS. 2-4, theexemplary adapter114 includes a cylindricalmain portion120 with top and bottom (or “longitudinal”) ends122 and124, acylindrical lumen126 within the main portion for the shaft100 (FIGS. 1A and 1B), anadapter rotation restrictor128 at the main portion bottom end, and alip130 at the main portion top end. Themain portion120 has a longitudinal axis A₁₂₀, anouter surface132 and aninner surface134 that defines thecylindrical lumen126. Thecylindrical lumen126, which has a longitudinal axis A₁₂₆, is angularly offset (or “biased”) relative to themain portion120 by an angle α. In other words, longitudinal axis A₁₂₆is not parallel to longitudinal axis A₁₂₀. Theshaft100 is carried within thecylindrical lumen126 when thegolf club10 is in the assembled state and will also be angularly offset from the main portion by angle α. Although not limited to any particular magnitude, angle α may range from an angle that is slightly greater than zero (e.g., about 0.125° or less) to 5° in some implementations, depending on club type, and is 1° in the illustrated implementation. Thelip130 will rest on the adjustment tube lip150 (discussed below) when theadapter114 is inserted into the adjustment tube116 (FIG. 1B). The exemplaryadapter rotation restrictor128 is configured to mate with a rotation restrictor on theadjustment tube116 in the manner described below.

Theexemplary adapter114 is also provided with an internal connector136 (e.g. a threaded lumen) that may be connected to a bolt170 (or other fastener) in the manner described below with reference toFIGS. 12C and 12D. In other implementations, such as that described below with reference toFIG. 16, theinternal connector136 may be omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 5-8, theexemplary adjustment tube116 includes a cylindricalmain portion138 with top and bottom (or “longitudinal”) ends140 and142, acylindrical lumen144 within the main portion for the adapter114 (FIGS. 1A and 1B), a firsttube rotation restrictor146 associated with the lumen, a secondtube rotation restrictor148 at the main portion bottom end, and alip150 at the main portion top end. Themain portion138 has a longitudinal axis A₁₃₈, anouter surface152 with ataper153, and aninner surface154 that defines thecylindrical lumen144. Thecylindrical lumen144 has a longitudinal axis A₁₄₄and is angularly offset (or “biased”) relative to themain portion138 by an angle β (as is the first tube rotation restrictor146). In other words, longitudinal axis A₁₄₄is not parallel to longitudinal axis A₁₃₈. Although not limited to any particular magnitude, angle β may range from an angle that is slightly greater than zero (e.g., about 0.125° or less) to 5° in some implementations, depending on club type, and is 1° in the illustrated implementation. Theadapter114 is carried within thecylindrical lumen144 when thegolf club10 is in the assembled state and will be angularly offset from the adjustment tubemain portion138 by angle β, while theshaft100 will be angularly offset from the adjustment tube main portion by the combination of angle α and angle β. Theexemplary adapter lip130, which is perpendicular to the adapter cylindricalmain portion120, will rest on theadjustment tube lip150 when theadapter114 is inserted into the adjustment tube116 (FIG. 1B). In order to insure a proper fit, thetop surface156 of theadjustment tube lip150 slopes at angle β. The firsttube rotation restrictor146 is configured to mate with theadapter rotation restrictor128, and the secondtube rotation restrictor148 is configured to mate with acorresponding rotation restrictor162 on thetube lock118, in the manner described below.

Theexemplary adjustment tube116 is also provided with

apertures

158aand158bthrough which a bolt170 (or other fastener) may pass in the manner described below with reference toFIGS. 12C and 12D. Giving the range of possible angular orientations of theadjustment tube116, the diameter of theaperture158bis larger than the diameter of the associated portion of the bolt170 (or other fastener) in order to insure sufficient clearance during assembly. The

apertures

158aand158bmay also be the same size in some embodiments. In embodiments that do not include such a fastener (e.g., the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 16), the apertures may be omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 9-11, theexemplary tube lock118 includes acylindrical wall160 and alock rotation restrictor162 associated with the wall. Thelock rotation restrictor162 is configured to mate with the secondtube rotation restrictor148 in the manner described below. Anaperture164, through which a bolt170 (or other fastener) may pass in the manner described below with reference toFIGS. 12C and 12D, may be provided. The diameter of theaperture164 is larger than the diameter of the associated portion of the bolt170 (or other fastener) in order to insure sufficient clearance during assembly. In embodiments that do not include such a fastener (e.g., the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 16), the aperture may be omitted.

The rotation restrictors128,146,148 and162 fix the rotational orientations of theadapter114,adjustment tube116 and lock118 relative to one another and, as a result, the rotational orientations of angle α and angle β relative to one another and to the golf club head. Thegolf club head106 will, therefore, be biased relative to theshaft100 by the combination of angle α and angle β.

A wide varied of rotation restrictors may be employed. In the illustrated implementation, the

rotation restrictors

128,146,148 and162 are gear-like and includeprojections166 and recesses168. The respective configurations of theprojections166 and recesses168 are such that the projections of one rotation restrictor (e.g. rotation restrictor148) fit into recesses of the associated rotation restrictor (e.g. rotation restrictor162) and vice versa. The number of relative rotational orientations of theadapter114,adjustment tube116 andtube lock118 is dictated by the configurations of the rotation restrictors. In the illustrated implementations (including those described below with reference toFIGS. 22-37), there are eightprojections166 and eightrecesses168 and, accordingly, there are eight relative orientations of theadapter114 and theadjustment tube116 as well as eight relative orientations of theadjustment tube116 and thetube lock118. Thus, there are sixty-four combinations of the rotational position of angle α and the rotational position of angle β.

The number of indentations and recesses may be increased or decreased in other implementations and, although the number of possible relative orientations of theadapter114 andadjustment tube116 is equal to the number of possible relative orientations of theadjustment tube116 andtube lock118, the present inventions are not so limited. It should also be noted that the rotation restrictors are not limited to the illustrated gear-like configuration. By way of example, but not limitation, one or both of the rotation restrictors may be a geometric shape such as a square, triangle, or hexagon.

The exemplary rotation restrictors also have male/female relationships. To that end, the

rotation restrictors

128 and148 are respectively inserted into the

rotation restrictors

146 and162 when the recesses and protrusions are aligned. This relationship may be reversed in other implementations. It should also be noted that theadjustment tube116 has two rotation restrictors, one male and one female, although the adjustment tube may be provided with two male rotation restrictors or two female rotation restrictors in other implementations. The manner in which the exemplary mountingapparatus112 may be used to adjustably and releasably mount theclub head106 to theshaft100 at the desired loft and lie angles is described below with reference toFIGS. 12A-12D.

Referring first toFIG. 12A, thetube lock118 is positioned within theclub head hosel108 and permanently secured thereto by, for example, an epoxy adhesive or welding. In other implementations, thetube lock118 may simply be an integral portion of the club head hosel.

Theadjustment tube116 is then inserted into thehosel108. The outer diameter of the cylindricalmain portion138 is essentially identical to the inner diameter of thehosel108 and, accordingly, there is a tight fit therebetween. It should also be noted that theclub head106 includes ataper107 that is slightly greater than or equal to theadjustment tube taper153. Theadjustment tube116 may then be rotated about the longitudinal axis A₁₃₈of themain portion138 in order to position the cylindrical lumen144 (which is biased at angle β) at one of the eight possible orientations, relative to thetube lock118 andclub head106, where theprojections166 and recesses168 of the

rotation restrictors

148 and162 are aligned. Theadjustment tube116 is then pushed toward thetube lock118 until therotation restrictor148 is fully seated in therotation restrictor162 and thelip150 abuts the top of the hosel as shown inFIG. 12B. Rotation of theadjustment tube116 relative to thetube lock118 is thereby prevented. However, as the assembly is not complete, theadjustment tube116 may be pulled back, rotated, and pushed back into thetube lock118 if desired.

In some instances, a resilient washer (e.g. a rubber washer) or other washer may be positioned at the end of the adjustmenttube rotation restrictor148 and the bottom inner surface of thetube lock118. The washer prevents the bolt170 (or other fastener) from easily falling out of the club head when loosened.

Next, as also shown inFIG. 12B, theadapter114 is inserted into theadjustment tube116. Theshaft100 will have been inserted into theadapter lumen126, and permanently secured thereto with an adhesive or other suitable instrumentality, prior to theadapter114 being inserted into theadjustment tube116. The diameter of the adapterouter surface132 is essentially identical to the diameter of the adjustment tubeinner surface154 and, accordingly, there is a tight fit therebetween. The adapter114 (and shaft100) may then be rotated about the longitudinal axis A₁₂₀of themain portion120 in order to position the cylindrical lumen126 (which is biased at angle α) and theshaft100 at one of the eight possible orientations, relative to theadjustment tube116, where theprojections166 and recesses168 of the

rotation restrictors

128 and146 are aligned. Theadapter114 is then pushed toward theadjustment tube116 until therotation restrictor128 is fully seated in therotation restrictor146 and thelip130 abuts thetop surface156 of theadjustment tube lip150 as shown inFIG. 12C. Rotation of the adapter114 (and shaft100) relative to theadjustment tube116 is thereby prevented. However, as the assembly is not complete, theadapter114 may be pulled back, rotated, and pushed back into theadjustment tube116 if desired.

The assembly of the mountingapparatus112 and, therefore, thegolf club10 is completed when the mounting apparatus is releasably anchored or otherwise releasably secured to theclub head106. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-12D, the mountingapparatus112 is releasably secured to theclub head106 by way of a bolt170 (FIGS. 12C and 12D), which has a threadedportion172 and ahead174, and aclub head recess176, which has anend wall178 and anend wall aperture180. Thebolt head174 may include an indentation (not shown) for a tool such as a screwdriver, Allen wrench or the like. The diameter of theend wall aperture180 is smaller than the diameter of thebolt head174. Thebolt170 is inserted through theend wall aperture180,tube lock aperture164 and

adjustment tube apertures

158aand158b,and is secured to theinternal connector136 on theadapter114 via rotation of the bolt. In some instances, a lock washer may be positioned between thebolt head174 and therecess end wall178. Tightening thebolt170 results in thebolt head174 abutting theend wall180, theadapter tube114 being pulled tightly against theadjustment tube116, and the adjustment tube being pushed tightly against thetube lock118 in the manner illustrated inFIG. 12D, thereby completing the assembly of the mountingapparatus112 andgolf club10. Should subsequent adjustment be desired, the user need only remove thebolt170 to facilitate disassembly of the mountingapparatus112.

In some implementations, aferrule182 may be positioned on theshaft110 and abutting theadapter tube114 for cosmetic purposes.

Another aspect of the assembly process is, as alluded to above, obtaining the desired rotational orientations of theadapter114 andadjustment tube116 relative to theclub head106. Referring toFIGS. 13-15, theclub head106 may be provided with amarker184 that serves as a reference point. Themarker184 may be located on theheel186, as shown, or any other suitable location. Theadapter114 andadjustment tube116 may be provided with indicia corresponding to the effects of the various orientations of the adapter and adjustment tube (and the angles α and β. thereof) relative to the reference point. Theadapter114 andadjustment tube116 in the illustrated implementation each have eight possible rotational positions relative to themarker184. The indicia may be provided on the sides of theadapter lip130 andadjustment tube lip150, as shown inFIG. 13, or on the top of the lips. The overall configuration of the mountingapparatus112, the orientation of thetube lock118, and location ofmarker184 are such that the indicia will be aligned with the marker at each rotational position of theadapter114 andadjustment tube116.

The indicia in the illustrated implementation includes letters “L,” “R,” “U,” “F” and dots therebetween. The respective positions of the exemplary indicia on the sides of theadapter lip130 andadjustment tube lip150 are shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. For both theadapter114 andadjustment tube116, alignment of the L with themarker184 results in a more leftward shot (i.e. a more closed face and slightly higher loft), alignment of the R with the marker results in a more rightward shot (i.e. a more open face and slightly lower loft), alignment of the U with the marker results in a more upright lie, alignment of the F with the marker results in a more flat lie, and alignment with the dots results in a combination of the biasing associated with the adjacent letters. For example, aligning the Ls of theadapter114 andadjustment tube116 with themarker184 would maximize the leftward bias without effecting the lie, while the orientations illustrated inFIG. 13 would result in slightly less bias to the left and a small increase in flat bias. It should also be noted that the biasing effect of the mountingapparatus112 may be eliminated by aligning the L of theadapter114 with theR adjustment tube116.

Suitable materials for the mountingapparatus112, e.g. theadapter114,adjustment tube116 and atube lock118, as well as the mountingapparatus112eand112f(and components thereof) described below, include but are not limited to 6061-T6 aluminum, 7075-T6 aluminum, 7075-T7 aluminum, titanium, and lightweight alloys of similar strength.

The present inventions are not limited to the bolt-based releasable anchoring of the mounting apparatus described above. To that end, theexemplary golf club10aillustrated inFIG. 16 is substantially similar togolf club10 and similar elements are represented by similar reference numerals. Here, however, the mountingapparatus112ais releasably secured to theclub head106awith aremovable cap188. There are a variety of ways to releasably secure thecap188 to theclub head106a.In the illustrated embodiment,

threads

190 and192 are provided on the outer surface of theclub head106aand the inner surface of thecap188. Thecap188 also has anabutment surface194 that engages theadapter lip130. Thecap188 drives theadapter114ainto theadjustment tube116a,and drives the adjustment tube into thetube lock118a,as it is screwed onto theclub head106a.If desired, theadapter114a,

adjustment tube

116aandtube lock118amay be provided without theinternal connector136 and

apertures

158a,158band164 (shown inFIG. 12C), and theclub head106amay be provided without theclub head recess176 and endwall aperture180. Theexemplary cap188 also has anaperture196 for theshaft100. Given the wide variety of possible angular orientations of theshaft100, the diameter of theaperture196 is larger that the diameter of the corresponding portion of theshaft100. Also, thecap188 will typically be positioned on theshaft100 prior to permanently securing theadapter114ato the shaft.

Turning toFIGS. 17-19, theexemplary tube lock118bis essentially identical totube lock118 and similar elements are represented by similar references numerals. Here, however, therotation restrictor162 extends from top to bottom. Thetube lock118bmay be employed in, among others, the exemplary mounting

apparatus

112 and112a.Thetube lock118bmay also be a separate structure that is attached to the club head (as shown) or an integral portion of the club head hosel.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, angle α and angle β are both non-zero, i.e. there is some possible biasing associated with both the adapter and the adjustment tube. In other implementations, the angle α may be zero and the angle β may be non-zero, or the angle α may be non-zero and the angle β may be zero.

It should also be noted that many of the cylindrical surfaces described herein may slightly tapered, i.e. slightly frusto-conical, if necessary or desired. For example, should the tip portion of the associated golf club shaft be tapered, the adapter lumen126 (FIG. 4) may be slightly tapered. The main portion outer surface132 (FIG. 2) and adjustment tube inner surface154 (FIG. 8) may be slightly tapered. Should the associated golf club hosel be tapered, the adjustment tube outer surface152 (FIG. 5) may be slightly tapered.

The locations of the rotations restrictors may also vary from the illustrated locations. For example, the adapter rotation restrictor128 (FIG. 4) may be located on the exterior of themain portion120 near thelip130 and the adjustment tube rotation restrictor146 (FIG. 8) may be located along theinner surface154 inward of thelip150.

Turning toFIG. 20, thetube lock118c,with arotation restrictor162c,may be an integral portion of theexemplary club head106cand located at the top of thehosel108c.Theadjustment tube116cis provided with a corresponding secondtube rotation restrictor148c(in place of therotation restrictor148 inFIG. 8) as well as a firsttube rotation restrictor146 in the position illustrated inFIG. 8.

Various portions of the exemplary angular adjustment tube116 (FIGS. 5-8) may be omitted. As illustrated for example inFIG. 21, theangular adjustment tube116dincludes amain portion138dthat is only long enough to accommodate the first and

second rotation restrictors

146 and148, and is significantly shorter than the length of the hosel. Thefirst rotation restrictor146 is biased to angle β as is described above.

Another exemplary golf club is generally represented byreference numeral10einFIG. 22. Thegolf club10eincludes aclub head106 that is adjustably and releasably mounted onto theshaft100 by way of a mountingapparatus112ethat is capable of positioning the club head at a variety of face angles, loft angles, lie angles and combinations thereof. The mountingapparatus112eis substantially similar to mountingapparatus112 in form and function and similar elements are represented by similar reference numerals. For example, the mountingapparatus112eincludes the adapter114 (described above with reference toFIGS. 2-4) that is secured to the shaft tip portion102 (FIG. 2). Here, however, the mountingapparatus112eincludes an angular adjustment tube (or “adjustment tube”)116eand atube lock118ethat differ from the above-describedadjustment tube116 andtube lock118 in the manner described below. Most notably, theadjustment tube116eandtube lock118eengage one another at the top of the club head hosel.

Turning toFIGS. 23-26, theexemplary adjustment tube116eis similar toadjustment tube116 and similar elements are represented by similar reference numerals. For example, theadjustment tube116eincludes a cylindricalmain portion138 with top and bottom ends140 and142, acylindrical lumen144 within the main portion for theadapter114, a firsttube rotation restrictor146 associated with the lumen (e.g. the bottom end of the lumen), and alip150 at the main portion top end. Themain portion138 has a longitudinal axis A₁₃₈, anouter surface152, and aninner surface154 that defines thecylindrical lumen144. Thecylindrical lumen144 has a longitudinal axis A₁₄₄and is angularly offset (or “biased”) relative to themain portion138 by the angle β discussed above. The firsttube rotation restrictor146 is also biased by the angle β. Theexemplary adapter lip130 will rest on theadjustment tube lip150 when theadapter114 is inserted into theadjustment tube116e(FIG. 22). In order to insure a proper fit, thetop surface156 of theadjustment tube lip150 slopes at angle β. The firsttube rotation restrictor146 is configured to mate with the adapter rotation restrictor128 (FIGS. 2-4) in the manner described above with reference toFIG. 12B.

Theexemplary adjustment tube116ealso has a secondtube rotation restrictor148e.The secondtube rotation restrictor148eis associated with the main portiontop end140 and is configured to mate with acorresponding rotation restrictor162e(discussed below) on thetube lock118e.Although not limited to any particular rotation restrictor, therotation restrictor148eis gear-like and includeprojections166 and recesses168. Theprojections166 are located on the exterior of themain portion152, and extend radially outwardly from the main portion exterior and downwardly from thetop end140 andlip150. Therecesses168 here are simply the spaces (or “gaps”) between theprojections166. The bottom of therecesses168 is the exterior of themain portion152.

As illustrated for example inFIGS. 27 and 28, thetube lock118eis associated with the top of the hosel of theclub head106e.Thetube lock118emay be integrally formed with the club head (i.e., a one-piece, unitary structure), or may be a separate structure that is secure to the club head. Theexemplary tube lock118eincludes acylindrical wall160eand arotation restrictor162eassociated with the wall. The tubelock rotation restrictor162eis configured to mate with the secondtube rotation restrictor148eand, to that end, includes a corresponding plurality ofprojections166 and recesses168. Theprojections166 extend upwardly from thecylindrical wall160eand therecesses168 are simply the spaces (or “gaps”) between theprojections166. Thetube lock118ealso defines anaperture164ethat is aligned with thehosel108 and through which theadjustment tube116emay pass as it is inserted into the hosel.

Referring again toFIGS. 23-26, thelower region139 of the cylindricalmain portion138, i.e., the region that is coextensive with the firsttube rotation restrictor146, may have a reduced outer diameter (as shown) to reduce the weight of theadjustment tube116e,or may have the same outer diameter as the remainder of the main portion. The bottom portion of thehosel108 will have an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the main portionlower region139. Thebottom end158bof the cylindricalmain portion138 is open. As such, when thegolf club10eis being assembled, a bolt or other fastener may be inserted into theinternal connector136 of theadapter114 in the manner illustrated inFIGS. 12C and 12D.

Although theexemplary projections166 and recesses168 are generally rectangular in shape, the present inventions are not so limited and other shapes may be employed. Referring for example toFIG. 29, theexemplary adjustment tube116fincludes arotation restrictor148fwithtrapezoidal projections166fand recesses168f.A corresponding tube lock188f(FIG. 30), with arotation restrictor162fthat hastrapezoidal projections166 and recesses168, may be associated with a club head.

Another exemplary golf club is generally represented by reference numeral10ginFIG. 31. The golf club10gincludes aclub head106 that is adjustably and releasably mounted onto theshaft100 by way of a mountingapparatus112gthat is capable of positioning the club head at a variety of face angles, loft angles, lie angles and combinations thereof. The mountingapparatus112gis substantially similar to mountingapparatus112 in form and function and similar elements are represented by similar reference numerals. For example, the mountingapparatus112gincludes the

tube lock

118 and118bthat are described above with reference toFIGS. 9-11 and19. Here, however, the mountingapparatus112gincludes an theadapter114g,which is secured to the shaft tip portion102 (FIG. 2), and an angular adjustment tube (or “adjustment tube”)116gthat differ from the above-describedadapter114 andadjustment tube116 in the manner described below. Most notably, theadapter114gand theadjustment tube116gengage one another at the top of the club head hosel. Also, both of the rotation restrictors on theadapter114gare on the exterior of the adapter and neither rotation restrictor is located within the lumen.

Referring toFIGS. 32 and 33, theexemplary adapter114 includes a cylindricalmain portion120 with top and bottom (or “longitudinal”) ends122 and124, acylindrical lumen126 within the main portion for theshaft100, an adapter rotation restrictor128gat the main portion top end and alip130. Themain portion120 has a longitudinal axis A₁₂₀, anouter surface132 and aninner surface134 that defines thecylindrical lumen126. Thecylindrical lumen126, which has a longitudinal axis A₁₂₆, is angularly offset (or “biased”) relative to themain portion120 by the angle α discussed above. Theshaft100 is carried within thecylindrical lumen126 when thegolf club10eis in the assembled state and will also be angularly offset from themain portion120 by angle a. Theexemplary adapter114gis also provided with a reduceddiameter portion129 that has an internal connector136 (e.g. a threaded lumen) that may be connected to a bolt170 (or other fastener) in the manner described above with reference toFIGS. 12C and 12D.

Theexemplary adapter114galso has rotation restrictor128g,associated with the main portiontop end122, that is configured to mate with a corresponding rotation restrictor146g(discussed below) on theadjustment tube116g.Although not limited to any particular rotation restrictor, the rotation restrictor128eis gear-like and includeprojections166 and recesses168. Theprojections166 are located on the exterior of themain portion132, and extend radially outwardly from the main portion exterior and downwardly from thetop end122 andlip130. Therecesses168 here are simply the spaces (or “gaps”) between theprojections166. The bottom of therecesses168 is the exterior of themain portion132.

Turning toFIGS. 34-37, theexemplary adjustment tube116gis similar toadjustment tube116 and similar elements are represented by similar reference numerals. For example, theadjustment tube116gincludes a cylindricalmain portion138 with top and bottom ends140 and142, acylindrical lumen144 within the main portion for theadapter114, a secondtube rotation restrictor148 associated with the lumen (e.g. the bottom end of the lumen), and alip150 at the main portion top end. Themain portion138 has a longitudinal axis A₁₃₈, anouter surface152, and aninner surface154 that defines thecylindrical lumen144. Thecylindrical lumen144 has a longitudinal axis A₁₄₄and is angularly offset (or “biased”) relative to themain portion138 by the angle β discussed above. The first tube rotation restrictor146gis also biased by the angle β. The wall thickness of themain portion138 and secondtube rotation restrictor148 is about 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm at its thinnest region in the exemplary embodiment.

Theexemplary adjustment tube116galso has a first tube rotation restrictor146g.The first tube rotation restrictor146gis associated with the top of thelip150 and is configured to mate with the corresponding rotation restrictor128gon theadapter114g.Although not limited to any particular rotation restrictor, the rotation restrictor146gis gear-like and includeprojections166 and recesses168. Theprojections166 are located on, and extend upwardly from, the top of thelip150. In order to insure a proper fit, the top surfaces of thelip150 and the free ends of the projections166 (as a group) both slope at angle β. Therecesses168 are simply the spaces (or “gaps”) between theprojections166. Thebottom end158bof theadjustment tube116gis open. As such, when the golf club10gis being assembled, a bolt or other fastener may be inserted into theinternal connector136 of theadapter114gin the manner described above with reference toFIGS. 12C and 12D.

Although theexemplary projections166 and recesses168 illustrated inFIGS. 32-37 are generally rectangular in shape, the present inventions are not so limited and other shapes may be employed. For example, as noted above with reference to

FIGS. 29 and 30 trapezoidal projections and recesses may be employed. Also, although theadjustment tube116fhas amale rotation restrictor148 that is inserted in thecorresponding rotation restrictor162 on the tube lock118 (FIGS. 9-11), this relationship may be reversed.

Although the present inventions have been described in terms of the preferred embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the scope of the present inventions extend to all such modifications and/or additions. Moreover, the present inventions include golf clubs having a shaft, a club head, and the apparatus described above and claimed below.

Claims

1. An adjustment tube for use with a golf club shaft adapter having an adapter rotation restrictor and a golf club head with a hosel having a hosel rotation restrictor, the adjustment tube comprising:

a main portion defining first and second longitudinal ends, an exterior and a main portion longitudinal axis;

a lumen, within the main portion and adapted to receive the golf club shaft adapter, defining an opening associated with the first longitudinal end of the main portion and a lumen longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the main portion longitudinal axis;

a first main portion rotation restrictor, on the exterior of the main portion and associated with the first longitudinal end, configured to engage the adapter rotation restrictor; and

a second main portion rotation restrictor, on the exterior of the main portion, configured to engage the hosel rotation restrictor.

2. An adjustment tube as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the main portion has a cylindrical outer surface.

3. An adjustment tube as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the lumen comprises a cylindrical lumen.

4. An adjustment tube as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the lumen longitudinal axis and the main portion longitudinal axis are angularly offset by an angle of about 5 degrees or less.

5. An adjustment tube as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the second main portion rotation restrictor is associated with the second longitudinal end of the main portion.

6. An adjustment tube as claimed inclaim 1, the first main portion rotation restrictor includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections that extend axially away from the first longitudinal end of the main portion.

7. An adjustment tube as claimed inclaim 6, wherein

the circumferentially spaced projections define free ends; and

the free ends of the projections together define a slope that is angularly offset from the main portion longitudinal axis by an angle of about 5 degrees or less.

8. An adjustment tube as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the circumferentially spaced projections are substantially rectangular in shape.

9. An adjustment tube as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the circumferentially spaced projections are substantially trapezoidal in shape.

10. An adjustment tube as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the main portion defines an outer diameter, the adjustment tube further comprising:

a lip, defining an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the main portion, located between the first longitudinal end of the main portion and the first main portion rotation restrictor.

11. An adjustment tube as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the second main portion rotation restrictor includes a plurality of projections and a plurality of recesses.

12. An apparatus for use with a golf club shaft, the apparatus comprising:

a golf club head including

a hosel having a top end and a bottom end, and

a hosel rotation restrictor associated with the hosel;

an adapter including

an adapter main portion defining first and second longitudinal ends, an exterior and a main portion longitudinal axis,

an adapter lumen, within the adapter main portion and adapted to receive the golf club shaft, defining an opening associated with the first longitudinal end of the main portion and a lumen longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the main portion longitudinal axis, and

an adapter rotation restrictor at the first longitudinal end on the exterior of the adapter main portion; and

an adjustment tube including

an adjustment tube main portion defining first and second longitudinal ends, an exterior and a main portion longitudinal axis,

an adjustment tube lumen, within the adjustment tube main portion and adapted to receive the adapter, defining an opening associated with the first longitudinal end of the adjustment tube main portion and a lumen longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the main portion longitudinal axis,

a first adjustment tube rotation restrictor, on the exterior of the adjustment tube main portion and associated with the first longitudinal end, configured to engage the adapter rotation restrictor, and

a second adjustment tube rotation restrictor, on the exterior of the main portion, configured to engage the hosel rotation restrictor.

13. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the hosel rotation restrictor is located at the bottom end of the hosel.

14. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the hosel rotation restrictor includes a plurality of projections and a plurality of recesses.

15. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, further comprising:

an internal connector associated with the second longitudinal end of the adapter main portion.

16. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the adapter lumen longitudinal axis and the adapter main portion longitudinal axis are angularly offset by an angle of about 5 degrees or less.

17. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the adapter rotation restrictor includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections that extend outwardly from the main portion.

18. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein

the adapter main portion defines an outer diameter and includes a lip located at the first longitudinal end of the adapter main portion, the lip defining an outer diameter that is greater than the adapter main portion outer diameter; and

the adapter rotation restrictor includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections that extend outwardly from the adapter main portion and extend from the lip toward the second longitudinal end of the adapter main portion.

19. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the adjustment tube lumen defines an adjustment tube lumen diameter; and

the adapter main portion defines an adapter main portion outer diameter that is substantially equal to the adjustment tube lumen diameter.

20. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein

the hosel defines a hosel inner diameter;

the adjustment tube main portion defines an adjustment tube main portion inner diameter and an adjustment tube main portion outer diameter that is substantially equal to the hosel inner diameter; and

the adapter main portion defines an adapter main portion outer diameter that is substantially equal to the adjustment tube main portion inner diameter.

21. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the adjustment tube lumen longitudinal axis and the adjustment tube main portion longitudinal axis are angularly offset by an angle of about 5 degrees or less.

22. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the second adjustment tube rotation restrictor is associated with the second longitudinal end of the adjustment tube main portion.

23. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, the first adjustment tube rotation restrictor includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections that extend axially away from the first longitudinal end of the adjustment tube main portion.

24. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 23, wherein

the circumferentially spaced projections define free ends; and

the free ends of the projections together define a slope that is angularly offset from the adjustment tube main portion longitudinal axis by an angle of about 5 degrees or less.

25. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein

the adjustment tube main portion defines an outer diameter and includes a lip that defines an outer diameter that is greater than the adjustment tube main portion outer diameter, the lip being located between the first longitudinal end of the adjustment tube main portion and the first adjustment tube rotation restrictor.

26. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the second adjustment tube rotation restrictor includes a plurality of projections and a plurality of recesses.

27. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein

the adjustment tube includes a bottom end; and

the adjustment tube includes an aperture that extends from the adjustment tube lumen to the bottom end.

28. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 27, further comprising:

means for releasably securing the adapter and adjustment tube to the golf club head.

29. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein

the first adjustment tube rotation restrictor and the adapter rotation restrictor are respectively configured such that they can be engaged with one another at a plurality of different rotational orientations; and

the second adjustment tube rotation restrictor and the hosel rotation restrictor are respectively configured such that they can be engaged with one another at a plurality of different rotational orientations.