A golf club device

Abstract

A golf club comprising a head with a golf ball striking surface 31 and an elongated shaft 1, 2, wherein the shaft comprises a plurality of parts combined through connecting means 13 (i.e. mating screw

Description

Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to a golf club device, in particular a device for aiding in the playing of golf; more particularly but not exclusively when travel is involved. Background 10 In many societies across the world there is an increasing desire to play sports, particularly sports that involve the outdoors, and more particularly golf. Traditional golf clubs are cumbersome to transport during travel, typically needed for a player to reach the golf course and thereby enjoy the benefits of being outdoors, 15 thereby presenting a challenge for golf enthusiasts who seek portability and convenience. Prior Art 20 US 2007 0 197 312 (CARPENTER) discloses a quick connect golf club set is easy to use, light weight in comparison to conventional golf clubs, can be carried anywhere and the set is complete from driver, iron's and putter, allows for a tight fit by clicking in place and then locking in place when the connector is locked down.. 25 US 6 371 866 (RIVERA) discloses a compact golf club, comprising: (a) a club head, having a threaded portion; (b) a club handle, the club handle having a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion, the first threaded portion threads being reverse to the second threaded portion; and (c) a club shaft, the club shaft having a first end, second end, and a sleeve, the club shaft first end having threads for threaded coupling 30 with the club handle threaded portion, the club shaft second end having threads for threaded coupling with the club head threaded portion, the club shaft sleeve having threads, the club shaft sleeve further being slidable along the club shaft such that the club shaft sleeve threads couple with the club handle second threaded portion. 35 US 1 613 360 (CHARLES) discloses a golf club comprising a handle section and a head section: means at the proximate ends of said sections securing said sections together comprising a threaded and tapered shank extending from one of said sections and 'received - in a threaded and tapered bore in the other of said sections forming a wedge connect-ion between said sections and a sleeve- received over the adjacent ends of said sections for closing said space between said sections and locking the sections together. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a golf club device comprising an elongated shaft and a head, the head providing a golf ball striking surface and the elongated head comprising a plurality of parts, wherein the parts are provided with mating screw threads so as to form a first element of a connecting means and the connecting means is provided with a locking means providing a further element of the connecting means. In this way the device of the present invention may provide an easy to transport club system, which nevertheless allows for a robust, secure and reliable club experience. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a bipartite shaft, which may thereby be halved in length for easy carriage and storage In some such embodiments of the device a lower shaft part provides connection for a head, which may in turn allow for a plurality of club heads and thereby styles to be utilised with a single shaft, further improving ease of storage and transport. In some embodiments of the device an upper shaft part provides a handgrip, for example a resilient and / or textured surface. In some embodiments of the device screw threads comprise a first element of the connecting means. In some embodiments of the device rubber rings comprise a second element of the connecting means, being arranged to deform during screwing so as to form increased friction to consolidate the grip. In some such embodiments of the device the rubber rings are located around a male screw thread. In some embodiments of the device grub screws comprise a third element of the connecting means. In other embodiments a further element may be provided by a clip and / or resilient and / or overcentre mechanism. In some embodiments of the device such a grub screw or grub screws comprise(s) a threaded bar, which may have a socket head for simplicity. In some embodiments of the device the grub screw comprises a hexagonal head socket. In some embodiments of the device the grub screw is trapped, so as to remain within an outer part of the connecting means for example, thereby ensuring that the connecting means is always available. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system of providing a plurality of variant golf clubs with a device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of a device according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows an exploded isometric view of the first embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the first embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, dismantled for transport and storage; and Figure 7 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 6. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown two embodiments of a golf club device 99 generally comprising an elongated shaft 1,2 and a head 3, the head providing a golf ball striking surface 31 and the elongated head comprising a plurality of parts 1,2, wherein the parts are provided with mating screw thread joints 13 so as to form a part of a connecting means and the connecting means is further provided with a locking means. In particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the embodiment comprises an elongated shaft formed of two rigid parts. These shaft parts are formed in stainless steel or titanium or the like, and a lower shaft part 2 provides a connecting means for the head 3. An upper shaft part 1 includes a rubber, plastic or silicone handgrip 11. The upper and lower shaft parts connect via a male screw thread 24 extending from the upper shaft part 1 and a female screw thread socket 27 in the lower shaft part 2, thereby providing a first element of the connecting means The head 3 comprises a female screw thread socket 27, and the lower shaft part provides a depending male screw thread 24, allowing a connecting means for the head to be easily and securely swapped, as shown in the embodiment as shown in Figure 3. The connecting means further comprises a second element, being nitrile rubber 26, latex or silicone O-rings, which act as gaskets at the screw threads, to tighten and seal the connecting means for added security. The connecting means further comprises two holes 14 in the outer face of the female screw thread socket. These holes perforate to the male screw thread and each accepts a hexagonal head threaded bar 35. Such bars thereby provide two grub screws, to provide a further third element of the connecting means, ensuring the screw threads are unable to turn, and consequently remain firmly secured or connected. It may be envisaged that these grub screws are trapped, or it may be envisaged that such grub screws are added in use. As shown in the exploded embodiment the upper of the connecting means is provided by an insert 22 inserted into the upper shaft part 1, which insert has a radially extending lip 23 above the depending screw thread 24 and lower depending guide part 25, which includes two holes for receipt of the grub screws. The guide patr further provides a seat for both nitrile rubber O rings 26. The lower shaft part 2 comprises an insert 28 for provision of the socket 27, inserted into the cylinder of the lower shaft part 2. The insert 28 has a paid of holes for passage of the grub screws 35. The lower shaft part 2 and the head 3 are connected by a similar insert 22 in the lower shaft part, a single O ring 26, and similar insert 28 into the neck 32 of the head 3. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A golf club device comprising an elongated shaft and a head, the head providing a golf ball striking surface and the elongated head comprising a plurality of parts, wherein the parts are provided with mating screw threads so as to form a first element of a connecting means and the connecting means is provided with a locking means providing a further element of the connecting means.

2. A golf club device according to claim 1 comprising a bipartite shaft.

3. A golf club device according to claim 2 wherein a lower shaft part provides connection for a head.

4. A golf club device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein an upper shaft part provides a handgrip.

5. A golf club device according to any preceding claim wherein screw threads comprise a first element of the connecting means.

6. A golf club device according to any preceding claim wherein rubber rings comprise a second element of the connecting means.

7. A golf club device according to claim 6 wherein the rubber rings are located around a male screw thread.

8. A golf club device according to any preceding claim wherein grub screws comprise a third element of the connecting means.

9. A golf club device according to claim 8 wherein the grub screw comprises a threaded bar.

10. A golf club device according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the grub screw comprises a hexagonal head.

11. A golf club device according to claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein the grub screw is trapped.

12. A system of providing a plurality of variant golf clubs with a device according to any of the preceding claims and a plurality of heads.* Concept HouseCardiff Road, Newport" NP10 8QQIntellectual ,,T +44 (0) 30 0300 2000PropertyOfficeSearch report under Section 17 of the Patents Act 1977\ Application No.: GB2412586.6Claims searched: 1-12Date search completed: 15 January 2026International classificationSubclass and subgroup Valid from A63B53 / 00 01 / 01 / 2015Field of searchWorldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC: A63BDatabases used in the preparation of this search report:SEARCH-PATENTDocuments considered to be relevantPatent literatureCategory Relevant to claims Document of relevance X 1-5, 9-12 US 4253666 A (MURPHY) - see figure 5 X 1-11 US 5282619 A (NAPOLITANO et al.) - see figure 1 X 1-12 GB 2205758 A (SALOMON SA) - see figure 5 X 1-11 CA 3131452 A1 (HAMBURGER EDWARD) - see figures 1 and 3Non-patent literature[None]Categories

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