Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Practice swingable implement or indicator associated with...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-22
2001-03-27
Passaniti, Sebastiano (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Practice swingable implement or indicator associated with...
C473S247000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206788
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the provision of an adjustable loft golf club that is adapted to take the place of a full set of golf clubs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to adjustably connect the head of a golf club to its shaft so that the loft angle of the club can be changed and a single club can be used in place of a set of clubs. These clubs are in the patent literature sometimes referred to as “universal clubs.” Examples of known “adjustable loft” or “universal” golf clubs are disclosed by the following United States Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 2,027,452, granted Jan. 14, 1936, to Gunnar Rusing; U.S. Pat. No. 2,091,794, granted Aug. 31, 1937, to Ray Pester; U.S. Pat. No. 2,214,079, granted Sep. 10, 1940, to Clair G. Horton; U.S. Pat. No. 2,962,287, granted Nov. 29, 1960, to R. D. Brouwer; U.S Pat. No. 3,601,399, granted Aug. 24, 1971, to Martyn L. Agens and Robert S. Wallace; U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,666, granted Nov. 7, 1989, to Rokuro Hosoda; U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,779, granted Jan. 28, 1992, to Brett A. Ungermann; U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,553, granted Jul. 28, 1992, to Stevan M. Divnick and U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,087, granted Jul. 27, 1999, to Elaine Simone Emberton, George Thomas Harvey and Thomas Ramsey Watson. An adjustable head golf club is also disclosed by British Patent No. 8864, granted May 10, 1892.
There is a need for an adjustable loft golf club that is adjustable for an infinite number of loft angles between the loft angle of a putter and the loft angle of a driving iron. There is also a need for such a golf club that is capable of being constructed from state-of-the-art materials and constructed to include state-of-the-art shaft and head shapes, and which is strong and durable yet simple in construction.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The golf club of the present invention is basically characterized by a hosel having a lower end eye portion that includes a transverse bolt receiving opening having first and second ends, and an annular, substantially flat, metal, first end surface at the first end of said opening. The golf club head has a heel, an internally threaded bolt receiving opening in the heel extending into said club head substantially lengthwise of the club head, and an annular, substantially flat, metal, heel surface surrounding the bolt receiving opening in said club head. A flat washer is positionable axially between the metal, first end surface on said hosel and the metal, heel surface on the club head. The washer has a center opening and opposite sides. The threaded shank of a bolt extends into and through the bolt receiving opening in the hosel, from the side thereof opposite the club head, then through the center opening in the washer, and then into the bolt receiving opening in the club head. The threaded shank of the bolt is threadable into the bolt receiving opening in the club head. The bolt includes a head opposite the threads that bears against the hosel when tightened. The club head can be rotated about the bolt axis to provide a desired loft angle. Then, the bolt can be tightened to connect the club head to the hosel at the selected loft angle.
According to the invention, the washer is made from a material that is softer than the metal, first end surface on the hosel and is softer than the metal, heel surface on the club head. The metal first end surface on the hosel and the metal, heel surface on the club head are rough surfaces having grains that penetrate into the opposite sides of the washer when the bolt is tightened, for holding the club head against rotation relative to the hosel.
In the preferred embodiment, the washer material is constructed of aluminum or an alloy that is predominately aluminum.
Preferably also, the hosel includes a countersink at the second end of the bolt receiving opening sized to receive the bolt head and the bolt head is in the countersink when it is tightened.
The grains that form the rough surfaces may be, for example, in the form of small points that penetrate into the washer, or in the form of small lines with edges that penetrate into the washer. The points may be formed by sandblasting the surfaces.
Pester U.S. Pat. No. 2,091,794; Agens et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,399; Hosoda U.S. Pat. No.4,878,666; Ungermann U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,779; Emberton et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,087 and Divnick U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,553 all utilize two sets of mating teeth for establishing the several positions of the club head relative to the club shaft. A problem with the use of teeth or splines is that they limit the possible loft angle settings. The golf club of the present invention provides for an infinite number of loft angle settings without sacrificing the ability of the adjustment mechanism to hold the club head secure in the selected loft angle relative to the shaft of the club.
Pester U.S. Pat. No. 2,091,794 connects the club head to a lower eye portion of a hosel by use of a connector assembly that includes a bolt having a head that is countersunk into a rear portion of the hosel eye. However, this club requires the use of a projection on the heel that includes teeth or serrations on its periphery. It also requires the presence of a lock bolt in the hosel and supporting structure that allows teeth or serrations on the lock bolt to move into and out from engagement with the serrations on the periphery of the projecting heel portion of the club head. The adjustable head club of the present invention provides a bolt connection with a countersunk head that is much simpler than the club disclosed by Pester U.S. Pat. No.2,091,794 and which permits utilization of a more conventional hosel and club shaft, and the construction of the club from state-of-the-art materials.
Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of the best mode set forth below, from the drawings, from the claims and from the principles that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated and described.
REFERENCES:
patent: 670522 (1901-03-01), Thompson
patent: 2777694 (1957-01-01), Winter
patent: 2882053 (1959-04-01), Lorthiois
patent: 5133553 (1992-07-01), Divnick
patent: 5462279 (1995-10-01), Culpepper
patent: 591595 (1947-08-01), None
Barnard Delbert J.
Passaniti Sebastiano
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