AU742041B2

AU742041B2 - Golf club with different shaft orientations and method of making same

Info

Publication number: AU742041B2
Application number: AU64514/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Daniel J. Kubica
Original assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 1997-12-11
Filing date: 1999-12-14
Publication date: 2001-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-10
Also published as: AU6451499A

Description

Our Ref:7463092 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): Address for Service: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation 2201 West Desert Cove Phoenix Arizona 85029 United States of America DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Golf club with different shaft orientations and method of making same Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 P.\WPDOCS DYSSPECIE7?43003o2specdo Octoba 2001 1- GOLF CLUB WITH DIFFERENT SHAFT ORIENTATIONS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to golf clubs and, in particular, to a golf club commonly referred to as a "metal wood".

U.S. Patent No. 5,232,224 to R. Zeider discloses a metal wood having a shaft attached to a head by a hosel tube. The shaft may be positioned in different orientations with respect to the head by repositioning the hosel tube relative to head. This repositioning of the hosel tube is accomplished by providing an opening in the head through which the hosel tube passes that is larger than the hosel tube. The hosel tube is tilted into a desired position and then welded to the head. Thus, shaft orientation may be adjusted.

1According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a golf club in 15 combination with a plurality of hosels wherein each of said hosels has a passage extending generally lengthwise thereof, said passage being disposed at a different predetermined angle for each of said hosels, said golf club comprising: a head including a hollow body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall arranged for impacting a golf ball, said head further including a heel end and a toe end, said head also having a 20 bore disposed in said heel end behind said body front wall extending downwardly from o; said body top wall toward said body bottom wall, said bore having a longitudinal axis *•co and a top end flush with said body top wall, said head being made of a first material eeeoe having an associated shear modulus of elasticity; a hosel selected from said plurality of hosels inserted into said bore, said selected hosel being made of a second material having 25 an associated shear modulus of elasticity lower than that of said first material for causing said selected hosel to absorb shock resulting from said head striking a golf ball on said body front wall and having an outer surface which mates with said head so as to position said hosel relative to said bore, said hosel passage being oriented at a selected angle relative to said longitudinal axis of said bore; a shaft having a tip end received in said selected hosel passage and extending through said hosel passage into said bore below said body top wall, said shaft being disposed at a desired orientation with respect to said head; and said selected hosel providing the desired orientation of said shaft with respect to said head and extending unsupported by said head above said body top wall.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of making a golf club comprising the steps of: forming a head having a heel end and a toe end said head includes a hollow body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a front -all a ged for impacting a golf ball, said head being made of a first material having an

I,

P.\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\743092spe.doc-9 Otobu 200)1 -2associated shear modulus of elasticity; forming a bore in said heel end of said head behind said front face having a longitudinal axis and a top end flush with said top wall so that said bore extends downwardly from said top wall toward said bottom wall; providing a plurality of hosels wherein each of said hosels is made of a second material having an associated shear modulus of elasticity lower than that of said first material for causing said selected hosel to absorb shock resulting from said head striking a golf ball on said front wall and having an outer surface which mates with said head so as to position said hosel relative to said bore, each of said hosels having a passage extending generally lengthwise thereof and disposed at a predetermined angle, said predetermined angle being different for each of said hosels; selecting a hosel from said plurality of hosels; inserting said selected hosel into said bore so that its passage is oriented at a selected angle relative to said longitudinal axis of said bore and so that it extends unsupported by said head above said top wall of said ."head; and inserting a tip end of a shaft into said bore below said top wall of said head through said passage of said selected hosel so that said shaft is disposed at a desired orientation with respect to said head.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a golf club including a shaft, a head and a hosel inserted in a bore in said head, with an end of said shaft inserted in said hosel, wherein said head comprises a hollow body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall arranged for impacting a golf ball, said bore having a 20 top end which is substantially flush with said body top wall and a bottom end which is spaced from said body bottom wall, said head further including a heel end and a toe end and a wall structure disposed in said heel end and defining said bore, said wall structure extending downwardly from said body top wall toward said body bottom wall and having a front side which is spaced apart from a rear side of said front wall of said body for S: 25 disposing said bore in a position with said bottom end above said body bottom wall and rearwardly away from said rear side of said front wall while supporting said shaft above said bottom wall with said inserted hosel which extends unsupported by said head above said body top wall.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club, partially broken away, according to the present invention; Fig. la is a perspective view of the head of the golf club shown in Fig. 1; Fig. lb is a front elevational view of the head shown in Fig. 1 a; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the golf club shown in Fig. 1 with the shaft removed; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the hosel used in the golf club shown in Figs. 1-3; 1. 'U

""U

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the hosel shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the hosel shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a rear elevational view of the hosel shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8-8 in Fig.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 in Fig.

ib; Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along lines 10-10 in Fig. Ib; Fig. 11 is a rear elevational view of another embodiment 'of the hosel shown in Figs. la and Ib; Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 12-12 in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along lines 13-13 in Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is another sectional view similar to Fig. 3 with the shaft oriented in different lie angle positions; Fig. 15 is another top plan view similar to Fig. 2 of the golf club shown in Fig. 1 with the shaft oriented in different progression angle positions; Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate pluralities of hosels with their passages disposed at different predetermined angles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Fig. i, a golf club 10 incorporating the present invention includes a head 12, a hosel 14 and a shaft 16. Head 12 is comprised of a hollow body 18 made of a first material such as titanium having a high shear modulus of elasticity. The hollow body 18 has a top wall 20, a bottom wall 22, a side wall 24 connecting the top and side walls and 22, and a front wall 26 arranged for impacting a golf ball. Further, the head 12 has a heel end 12a and a toe end 12b.

A bore 28 is provided in the heel end 12a of the head 12 extending downwardly from the body top wall 20 toward the body bottom wall 22. The bore 28 has a top end 28a which is open and a bottom 28b which is closed. As seen in Fig. 3, the top end 28a of the bore 28 is substantially flush with the top wall 20 of the body 18, and the bore bottom end 28b is spaced from the bottom wall 22 of the body 18. The bore 28 has a longitudinal axis 29 and is defined by a lateral wall connected with the side wall 24 of the body 18, and an end wall 32 connected with the lateral wall The hosel 14 is formed of a second material such as plastic having a low shear modulus of elasticity. Hosel 14 includes an upper portion 34 that extends upwardly from the top wall 20 of the body 18 and a lower portion 36 that is inserted into the bore 28. The upper and lower hosel portions 34, 36 are separated by a parting line 38. The hosel 14 also has a passage 40 extending generally lengthwise through its upper and lower portions 34, 36. When the golf club 10 is assembled as shown in Fig. 3, the hosel 14 contacts the bottom end 32 of the bore 28.

The shaft 16 is made of a third material, preferably graphite, having a low shear modulus of elasticity. Shaft 16 has a tip end 17 received in the hosel passage 40. The shaft tip end 17 extends completely through the hosel 14 and .oo.oi contacts the bottom end 32 of the bore 28. In the preferred embodiment of the golf club 10, the shear modulus of elasticity of the hosel 14 is much closer to the shear elastic modulus of the shaft 16 than to the shear elastic modulus of the head 12. This relationship of elastic moduli causes the hosel 14 to absorb much of the shock resulting from the head 12 striking a golf ball on the front face 26. Therefore, less shock is transmitted to the shaft 16 which prevents breakage of the shaft 16 and permits the shaft 16 to have a weaker tip end 17 which reduces cost.

Referring to Figs. 4-8, it is seen that the lower portion 36 of the hosel 14 has an irregular outside shape defined by a generally arcuate surface 15a covering its front and sides, and a generally flat surface 15b covering its back. The bore 28 in the head 12 has a complementary irregular inside shape defined by a generally arcuate surface 28a and a generally flat surface 28b. Therefore, the hosel 14 may be inserted into the bore 28 in only one orientation which ensures exact alignment of the shaft 16 relative to the head 12. In that orientation, the generally arcuate surfaces 15a, 28a of the hosel 14 and the bore 28 mate with each other, and the generally flat surfaces 15b, 28b of the hosel 14 and the bore 28 also mate with each other.

Since the hosel 14 is made of softer material than the head 12, the hosel 14 has a cushioning effect on the shaft 16.

This cushioning effect significantly reduces the amount of vibration that is transmitted to the shaft 16 which increases shaft life.

Referring to Figs. 8-10, it will be understood that the front wall 26 of the body 18 is reinforced by providing it with increased thickness near its geometric center C. The front wall 26 varies in thickness in a first plane A that is disposed substantially horizontally between the top and bottom walls 20, 22 of the body 18. The front wall 26 also varies in thickness in a second plane B that is disposed substantially vertically between the head heel and toe ends 12a, 12b.

As seen in Figs. 9 and 10, the front wall 26 has increased thickness along an axis X where the planes A and B intersect. Since this axis X extends through the geometric center C of the front wall 26, the increased thickness of the front wall 26 is greatest at the geometric center C. The front wall increased thickness gradually decreases in a first direction extending from the axis X to the top wall 20, in a second direction extending from the axis X to the bottom wall 22, in a third direction extending from the axis X to the heel end 12a, and in a fourth direction extending from the axis X to the toe end 12b.

The head front wall 26 has a first thickness dimension T1 at its geometric center C, a second thickness dimension T2 adjacent the heel and toe ends 12a, 12b, and a third thickness dimension T3 adjacent the top and bottom walls 20, 22. The thickness dimension T1 is greater than the thickness dimensions T2 and T3; and the thickness dimensions T2 and T3 may be equal. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness dimension-T1 is between 0.130 and 0.180 inch, the thickness dimension T2 is between 0.040 and 0.125 inch, and the thickness dimension T3 is between 0.040 and 0.125 inch.

By reinforcing the front wall 26 with the increased thickness T1 as described above, front wall 26 is strengthened at its geometric center C where loading is the greatest when impacting a golf ball. Also, by providing the front wall 26 with the decreased thickness dimensions T2 and T3, mass is redistributed to other parts of the head 12 to enhance performance of the golf club Referring to Figs. 11-13, another embodiment of the head 12 is shown wherein the side wall 24 of the hollow body 18 has a recess 42 formed therein between the heel and toe ends 12a, 12b substantially opposite the front wall 26. The recess 42 has a continuous side wall 42a and an end wall 42b. A back weighting member 44 having a predetermined volume is disposed in the recess 42. The back weighting member 44 is selected from a plurality of back weighting members (not shown) that have the same predetermined volume but have different densities and thus different weights. Therefore, the desired weight of the body 18 may be adjusted without changing the ooooo predetermined volume of the back weighting member 44. By selecting a back weighting member 44 of the proper weight, manufacturing tolerances can be overcome and swingweight of the golf club 10 may be adjusted in a simple effective manner.

The back weighting member 44 is preferably formed of a suitable plastic with metal fillers.

ee As seen in Fig. 14, the golf club 10 may be custom fit to a particular golfer by positioning the shaft 16 in a desired S orientation 16a with respect to the head 12 which is commonly known as shaft lie angle. In this shaft orientation 16a, the hosel passage 40 is disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis 29 of the bore 28. The shaft orientation 16a is provided by using the hosel 14a (Fig. 16) and is considered a standard lie angle position in relation to the ground G. The hosel 14a is selected from a plurality of hosels 14a, 14b, 14c shown in Fig. 16 that will have their passages 40 disposed at different predetermined angles relative to the bore longitudinal axis 29 when inserted into the bore 28. If a golfer desires a shaft orientation that is more upright in relation to the ground G such as shown at 16b in Fig. 14, a different hosel 14b is selected from those seen in Fig. 16 that has its passage 40 disposed at a more upright angle relative to the longitudinal axis 29 of the bore 28.

Conversely, it a golfer desires a shaft orientation that is less upright in relation to the ground G such as shown at 16c in Fig. 14, another hosel 14c is selected from those seen in Fig. 16 that has its passage 40 disposed at a less upright angle relative to the bore longitudinal axis 29.

Referring to Fig. 15, it will be understood that the golf club 10 may also be customized by positioning the shaft 16 in a further desired orientation 16d with respect to the head 12 which is known as shaft progression angle. In this shaft orientation 16d, the hosel passage 40 is disposed at another predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis 29 of the bore 28. The shaft orientation 16d is provided by using the hosel 14d (Fig. 17) and is considered a neutral progression angle position in relation to the leading edge 27 of the front face 26. If a golfer desires a shaft orientation that is tilted forwardly such as shown at 16e in Fig. 15, a different hosel 14e is selected from those seen in Fig. 17 that has its passage 40 positioned at a forward angle relative to the bore longitudinal axis 29. Conversely, if a golfer desires a shaft orientation that is tilted rearwardly such as shown at 16f in Fig. 15, another hosel 14f is selected from those seen in Fig. 17 that has its passage 40 positioned at a rearward angle relative to the longitudinal axis 29 of the bore 28.

Many different hosels 14 may be utilized in the golf club to orient the shaft 16 in many different lie angle positions and in many different progression angle positions.

This is accomplished by providing hosels 14 that have their passages 40 located at different predetermined angles with respect to the bore longitudinal axis 29 when the hosels 14 are inserted into the bore 28. For example, a hosel 14 may be used that positions the shaft 16 in the combined orientations 16a and 16d. Another hosel 14 may be used that positions the :i shaft 16 in the combined orientations 16a and 16e. A further hosel 14 may be used that positions the shaft 16 in the combined orientations 16a and 16f. Still other hosels 14 may be used that position the shaft 16 in the following combined orientations: 16b and 16d; 16b and 16e; 16b and 16f; 16c and 16d; 16c and 16e; 16c and 16f.

P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\7463092spe.doc-9 October 2001 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. A golf club in combination with a plurality of hosels wherein each of said hosels has a passage extending generally lengthwise thereof, said passage being disposed at a different predetermined angle for each of said hosels, said golf club comprising: a head including a hollow body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall arranged for impacting a golf ball, said head further including a heel end and a toe end, said head also having a bore disposed in said heel end behind said body front wall extending downwardly from said body top wall toward said body bottom wall, said bore having a longitudinal axis and a top end flush with said body top wall, said head being made of a first material having an associated shear modulus of elasticity; a hosel selected from said plurality of hosels inserted into said bore, said selected hosel being made of a second material having an associated shear modulus of elasticity lower than that of said first material for causing said selected hosel to absorb shock resulting from said head striking a golf ball on said body front wall and having an outer surface which mates with said head so as to position said hosel relative to said bore, said hosel passage being oriented at a selected angle relative to said longitudinal axis of said bore; a shaft having a tip end received in said selected hosel passage and extending 9 20 through said hosel passage into said bore below said body top wall, said shaft being disposed at a desired orientation with respect to said head; and said selected hosel providing the desired orientation of said shaft with respect to said head and extending unsupported by said head above said body top wall.

2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said hollow body further includes a sidewall connecting said top and bottom walls.

3. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said bore has a top end which is open and a bottom end which is closed. golf club of claim 3, wherein said bore top end is substantially flush with said P:\WPDOCSDYS\SPECE7463092sp.doc-9 Octob 2001 -12- body top wall and wherein said bore bottom end is spaced from said body bottom wall. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said hosel has a lower portion received in said bore and an upper portion extending upwardly from said body top wall.

6. A method of making a golf club comprising the steps of: forming a head having a heel end and a toe end wherein said head includes a hollow body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall arranged for impacting a golf ball, said head being made of a first material having an associated shear modulus of elasticity; forming a bore in said heel end of said head behind said front face having a longitudinal axis and a top end flush with said top wall so that said bore extends downwardly from said top wall toward said bottom wall; providing a plurality of hosels wherein each of said hosels is made of a second material having an associated shear modulus of elasticity lower than that of said first *material for causing said selected hosel to absorb shock resulting from said head striking a golf ball on said front wall and having an outer surface which mates with said head so as to position said hosel relative to said bore, each of said hosels having a passage extending generally lengthwise thereof and disposed at a predetermined angle, said predetermined S: 20 angle being different for each of said hosels; selecting a hosel from said plurality of hosels; inserting said selected hosel into said bore so that its passage is oriented at a selected angle relative to said longitudinal axis of said bore and so that it extends unsupported by said head above said top wall of said head; and inserting a tip end of a shaft into said bore below said top wall of said head through said passage of said selected hosel so that said shaft is disposed at a desired orientation with respect to said head.

7. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said hosel is made of plastic.

8. The golf club of claim 7, wherein said head is made of titanium. OFF- P:\WPDOCS\DYSkSPECIE7463092sp.doo9 ODbao 2001 -13-

9. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said head is made of titanium. The golf club of claim 1, wherein a front wall of said bore is spaced from said front wall of said body of said head.

11. A golf club including a shaft, a head and a hosel inserted in a bore in said head, with an end of said shaft inserted in said hosel, wherein said head comprises a hollow body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall arranged for impacting a golf ball, said bore having a top end which is substantially flush with said body top wall and a bottom end which is spaced from said body bottom wall, said head further including a heel end o .o and a toe end and a wall structure disposed in said heel end and defining said bore, said wall structure extending downwardly from said body top wall toward said body bottom wall and having a front side which is spaced apart from a rear side of said front wall of said body for disposing said bore in a position with said bottom end above said body bottom wall and rearwardly away from said rear side of said front wall while supporting said shaft above said bottom wall with said inserted hosel which extends unsupported by said head above said body top wall. 20 12. The golf club of claim 11, wherein said bore top end is open and said bore bottom end is closed.

13. The golf club of claim 11, for use with a plurality of said hosels, each of said hosels having a different passage extending generally lengthwise thereof, said passage being disposed at a different predetermined angle for each of said hosels, said hosel inserted in said bore being selected from said plurality of hosels and having said passage oriented at a selected angle relative to a longitudinal axis of said bore, wherein said bore is shaped so as to establish a fixed angular position of said hosel passage relative to said bore longitudinal axis when said hosel is inserted in said bore.

14. The golf club of claim 11, wherein said hosel has a passage therein in which said U *r 'O'FF P:\WPDOCS\DYSSPECI 7463092spe.doc-9 October 2001 -14- shaft end is inserted, and wherein said passage has a longitudinal axis which is at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of said bore. The golf club of claim 11, wherein said hosel is made of plastic and said head is made of titanium.

16. A golf club substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A method of making a golf club substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 9" day of October, 2001 KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION 15 By Its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Y