Golf putter unit

Abstract

To facilitate compatibility with various head shapes, enable adjustment of the neck mounting position in the front-rear, left-right, or combined directions, make it compatible with both right-handed and left-handed use, and further facilitate compatibility with multiple neck types, a golf putter unit is provided. 【Solution means】In the golf putter unit 1, the neck 20 detachably connected to the shaft 10 includes a protrusion 25 that projects in a shield shape above the lower end surface 24 of the lower part 22 and a female screw part 26 that opens on the lower end surface 24. The head 30 detachably connected to the neck 20 and having a face surface 31a is provided at least at three locations on the toe side, center, and heel side of the upper surface 33a, and has a mounting hole 35 into which the lower part 22 is inserted, a recessed part 36 that engages with the protrusion 25 and is continuous with the opening edge of the mounting hole 35, and an insertion hole 37 that is provided coaxially with the mounting hole 35, opens on the bottom surface 33b, and into which a fixing male screw that engages with the female screw part 26 is inserted with the lower part 22 inserted into the mounting hole 35.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a golf putter unit, and more particularly to a golf putter unit including a shaft, a neck, and a head.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, it is well-known that a golf putter includes a metal shaft provided with a grip on the upper end side, a head having a face surface for hitting a golf ball, and a neck (also referred to as a "hosel") for connecting the shaft and the head.

[0003] This neck is generally selected from four types: a crank neck, a bent neck, a center shaft, and a short slant neck, depending on the user's preference, including the case where the shaft and the neck are integrated.

[0004] At this time, the connection position between the neck and the head is also selected from a plurality of positions on the toe side, the center, and the heel side, and there is also a type that allows the user to change these multiple positions with one head and neck (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] In the following description, for the sake of convenience of explanation, regarding the direction, in the case of a right-handed swing, with reference to the relationship between the toe side and the heel side of the head, it is referred to as the "front-back direction" or the front side (toe side) and the rear side (heel side). Similarly, in the relationship between the face side and the back side of the head, it is described as the "left-right direction" or the front side (left side, face side) and the back side (right side, back side).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the golf putter unit described above, although it is possible to adjust the lie angle and the front-rear direction with a single neck, since it is a structure attached to the back side of the head, there has been a problem that it is difficult to cope with various head shapes in recent years.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a golf putter unit that can easily cope with various head shapes, can adjust the attachment position of the neck in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, or composite direction, can be used for both right-handed and left-handed strokes, and can further easily cope with a plurality of neck types.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a golf putter unit including a metal shaft provided with a grip on the upper end side, a neck detachably connected to the lower end side and the upper part of the shaft, and a head having a face surface for hitting a golf ball detachably connected to the lower part and the upper surface of the neck. The neck includes a protrusion protruding in a roof shape above the lower end surface of the lower part and a female screw portion opening on the lower end surface. The head includes mounting holes provided at at least three locations on the toe side, center, and heel side of the upper surface for inserting the lower part, recessed portions continuous with the opening edge of the mounting holes and engaging with the protrusions, and insertion holes provided coaxially with the mounting holes and opening at the bottom surface, into which fixing male screws screwed with the female screw portion are inserted in a state where the lower part is inserted into the mounting holes.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily cope with various head shapes, adjust the attachment position of the neck in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, or composite direction, be used for both right-handed and left-handed strokes, and further easily cope with a plurality of neck types.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Next, a golf putter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] In the following embodiments, although one type of shaft, four types of heads, and five types of necks are disclosed in all examples, for example, as long as the head and the neck are not integrated, that is, each of the shaft, neck, and head can be assembled / disassembled by the user's hand, it does not exclude the application to heads of various types in terms of appearance, or the application to known necks not disclosed (for example, a short slant neck, etc.).

[0014] Also, as a sales form of the golf putter unit, for example, by selling one shaft, one type of head, and multiple types of necks as one set, it is possible to satisfy the user's preferences, and the combinations can be diverse.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a golf putter unit 1 includes a metal shaft 10 provided with a grip (not shown) on the upper end side, a neck 20 (also referred to as a "hosel" or the like) whose lower end side and upper part 21 are detachably connected to the shaft 10, and a head 30 whose lower part 22 of the neck 20 and upper surface 33a are detachably connected and which has a face surface 31a for hitting a golf ball (not shown).

[0016] In the following description, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1(A), in the case of a right-handed swing, with respect to the relationship between the toe side and the heel side of the head 30, the "front-rear direction" or the front side (toe side) and the rear side (heel side) are defined. Similarly, in the relationship between the face side and the back side of the head 30, the "left-right direction" or the front side (left side, face side) and the back side (right side, back side) are used for explanation.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1(B), the shaft 10 includes a pair of protruding portions 12 that protrude in a eaves shape above the lower end surface 11 and a female screw portion 13 that opens on the lower end surface 11 at the lower end side. Note that, apart from their sizes and the like, regarding the attachment structure to the neck 20, since it is substantially the same as the attachment structure between the neck 20 and the head 30, the detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3(B), the neck 20 is provided integrally with the upper part 21 and is located coaxially with the axis center Q1 of the shaft 10. The axis center Q1 is offset to the front side (face surface 31a) with respect to the axis Q2 extending from the upper part 21 to the lower part 22. The neck 20 includes a substantially cylindrical shaft attachment portion 23, a pair of protruding portions 25 that protrude in a eaves shape above the lower end surface 24 of the lower part 22, and a female screw portion 26 that opens on the lower end surface 24. Note that, as shown in FIG. 3(A), the axis Q2 is adapted to coincide with the lie angle toward the sweet spot (in the vicinity).

[0019] The shaft mounting portion 23 includes a mounting hole 27 provided on the upper surface 23a into which the lower end side of the shaft 10 is inserted, a pair of recessed portions 28 that are continuous with the opening edge of the mounting hole 27 and engage with the pair of protruding portions 12, and an insertion hole 29 that is provided coaxially with the mounting hole 27, opens on the bottom surface 23b, and into which a fixing male screw 2 (not shown) that screws with the female screw portion 13 is inserted in a state where the lower end side is inserted into the mounting hole 27.

[0020] Here, the pair of recessed portions 28 are formed shallower than the mounting hole 27 and are in a facing relationship with each other and in a communicating state with the mounting hole 27. Therefore, the pair of protruding portions 12 are also formed at positions, sizes, and shapes that coincide with the pair of recessed portions 28.

[0021] Furthermore, the pair of recessed portions 28 are formed symmetrically with respect to a line P passing through the center of the mounting hole 27 so as to be parallel to the face surface 31a in a plan view. As a result, a grip (not shown) provided on the upper end side of the shaft 10 has a grip surface orthogonal to the face surface 31a so that the hitting direction can be easily defined, and an attachment state in which the grip surface is in an appropriate position can be ensured.

[0022] The head 30 integrally includes a face portion 31 in the shape of a standing wall having a face surface 31a on the front side, a sole portion 32 in the shape of a bottom wall extending from the back surface of the face portion 31 to the back side, a thick neck connecting portion 33 straddling the entire back width of the face portion 31 excluding a part of the toe side and the heel side and the upper surface of the sole portion 32, and substantially cylindrical corner portions 34 located at both front and rear end sides of the sole portion 32 and extending to the back side. That is, the head 30 in the present embodiment is similar to what is called a so-called neomallet type (also referred to as a large mallet type or a square mallet type, etc.), but the type is not particularly limited as long as an upper surface (33a) for connecting to the neck 20 can be arranged.

[0023] The head 30 is provided with mounting holes 35 that are evenly spaced at least at three locations on the toe side, center, and heel side of the upper surface 33a of the neck connection portion 33 and into which the lower portion 22 is inserted, a pair of recessed portions 36 that are continuous with the opening edge of the mounting holes 35 and engage with the protruding portions 25, and an insertion hole 37 that is provided coaxially with the mounting holes 35, opens to the bottom surface 33b of the neck connection portion 33, and into which a fixing male screw 2 that engages with the female screw portion 26 is inserted in a state where the lower portion 22 is inserted into the mounting holes 35.

[0024] The face portion 31 defines the front-rear direction and height direction of the face surface 31a, has a design function and a function of ensuring functions when viewed from the front, and a sweet spot mark 31b is provided on the upper surface at the center in the front-rear direction.

[0025] In such a basic configuration, the golf putter unit 1 according to the present embodiment enables the shaft 10, the neck 20, and the head 30 to be assembled and disassembled as separate members. By providing the mounting holes 35, a pair of recessed portions 36, and the insertion hole 37 at three locations on the toe side, center, and heel side of the upper surface 33a (of the neck connection portion 33), it is possible to easily accommodate various shapes of the head 30 (see FIGS. 9 and 10 described later, etc.), and to adjust the mounting position of the neck 20 in the front-rear direction (FIG. 1(B), etc.), the left-right direction (FIG. 9), or the composite direction (FIG. 10). In addition, it can be used for both right-handed and left-handed use, and is configured to easily accommodate a plurality of neck types.

[0026] That is, the neck 20 inserts the lower portion 22 into any of the mounting holes 35 provided at three locations on the toe side, center, and heel side of the upper surface 33a of the neck connection portion 33, engages the pair of protruding portions 25 with the pair of recessed portions 36 for positioning, inserts the fixing male screw 2 from the insertion hole 37, and tightens the fixing male screw 2 to the female screw portion 26 that opens to the lower end surface 24 of the lower portion 22, thereby fixing it to the head 30.

[0027] (Another example of the neck) Incidentally, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the middle-type crank-shaped neck 20 is used in FIGS. 1(A) and 3 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0028] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a short-type crank-shaped neck 20B may be used.

[0029] The neck 20B shown in this embodiment has a shorter length (lower height) than the middle-type crank-shaped neck 20, and an acute axis Q3 as shown in FIG. 4(A) instead of the axis Q2 that defines the lie angle shown in FIG. 3(A). In the following other necks 20B, 20C, and 20D, components that are functionally identical or substantially identical to the neck 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0030] Thus, by shortening the length of the neck 20B, the axis Q3 that defines the lie angle will be directed more towards the toe side than the lower part 22. That is, in the case of the neck 20 where the axis Q2 that defines the lie angle is directed more towards the heel side than the lower part 22, it is optimal in terms of the relationship with the sweet spot when chucked in the mounting hole 35 located at the center. On the other hand, in the case of the neck 20B where the axis Q3 that defines the lie angle is directed more towards the toe side than the lower part 22, it is optimal in terms of the relationship with the sweet spot when mounted in the mounting hole 35 located on the heel side.

[0031] Also, for the crank-shaped necks 20 and 20B offset towards these face surfaces 31a, non-crank-shaped necks 20C, 20D, and 20E that are not offset can be used as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7(A).

[0032] That is, in the middle-type non-crank neck 20C shown in FIG. 5, the short-type non-crank neck 20D shown in FIG. 6, and the long-type non-crank neck 20E shown in FIG. 7(A), since there is no offset, a shaft mounting portion 23 is provided at the upper end portion of the upper part 21. As a result, it becomes possible to use the necks 20C to 20E for both right-handed and left-handed use.

[0033] That is, in the case of the neck 20 and the neck 20B, if the right-handed one is directly used as the left-handed one, the offset direction of the shaft mounting portion 23 will be the back side instead of the face side. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a separate one for left-handed use. On the other hand, in the necks 20C to 20E, such a problem does not occur, so they can be used for both right-handed and left-handed.

[0034] In addition, the attachment of the shaft 10 to the necks 20C to 20E can adopt a known shaft-neck connection structure in addition to a simple screw-fastening structure. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 7(B), when the shaft mounting portion 23 is offset to the toe side (or the back side) with respect to the upper part 21, a shaft-neck connection structure similar to the case where it is offset to the face side can be adopted.

[0035] By the way, in the long-type non-crank neck 20E shown in FIG. 7(A), when the lower part 22 is mounted in the toe-side mounting hole 35, the angle of the upper part 21 is made to correspond to the mounting hole 35 centered on the axis Q4 that defines the lie angle (in particular, it is desirable to set it as the sweet spot position), and the connection center with the shaft 10 on the upper surface 23a of the shaft mounting portion 23 is arranged to correspond to the heel-side mounting hole 35.

[0036] As a result, as shown in FIG. 7(C), even if the golf ball is hit outside the sweet spot SP, the occurrence of variation in the hitting repulsion force can be suppressed within a wide range W from the toe side to the heel side.

[0037] Note that, as shown in FIG. 8, the number and orientation of the recessed portions 28 are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment, for example, one recessed portion 28 is formed to be symmetric with respect to a line P passing through the center of the mounting hole 27 so as to be orthogonal to the face surface 31a in a plan view.

[0038] (Another example of the head) Next, another example of the head 30 described above will be described. Note that, also in the heads 30B, 30C, 30D, and 30E shown in the following examples, since some of them are similar to the neomallet type as the basic configuration, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations that are functionally identical or substantially identical to the above head 30, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0039] The head 30B shown in FIG. 9 has a neck connecting portion 33 that extends not in the front-rear direction but in the left-right direction, that is, toward the back side, from the center position of the face surface 31a.

[0040] Note that, including the above-described embodiment, the "center" means the center in the front-rear direction of the face surface 31a, that is, it has a width in the front-rear direction centering on the sweet spot mark 31b. However, when the sweet spot position is not at the center in the front-rear direction, for example, when it is on the heel side rather than the center in the front-rear direction, the case where the sweet spot position is taken as the "center" is also included.

[0041] Even in the case of such a neck connecting portion 33 extending in the left-right direction, the mounting holes 35 into which the lower portion 22 is inserted can be arranged at equal intervals at at least three locations from the face side to the back side of the upper surface 33a.

[0042] The head 30C shown in FIG. 10 has a neck connecting portion 33 that extends in a T-shape in a plan view in both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction from the center position of the face surface 31a.

[0043] As a result, mounting holes 35 into which the lower part 22 is inserted can be arranged in an equally spaced manner at at least three locations on the toe side, center, and heel side of the upper surface 33a and at at least three locations from the face side toward the back side.

[0044] The head 30D shown in FIG. 11 has a neck connection portion 33 extending in the front-rear direction, and the recessed portion 36 of the mounting hole 35 located at the center is arranged such that a line segment R1 passing through the center of the mounting hole 35 and having a symmetrical overall shape in plan view including the recessed portion 36 is parallel to the face surface 31a.

[0045] On the other hand, the recessed portions 36 of the mounting holes 35 located on the toe side and the heel side are arranged such that line segments R2 and R3 passing through the center of the mounting hole 35 and having a symmetrical overall shape in plan view including the recessed portion 36 are inclined toward the face surface 31a as they approach the center.

[0046] As a result, when the neck 20 is attached closer to the toe side or the heel side, rotational loads F1 and F2 are applied to the hitting reaction force F when hitting a golf ball, so there is a possibility of a slight change in the hitting direction of the golf ball.

[0047] On the other hand, by arranging the pair of recessed portions 36 such that the line segments R2 and R3 are inclined toward the face surface 31a as they approach the center, it is possible to easily receive the rotational loads F1 and F2 and suppress a slight change in the hitting direction of the golf ball.

[0048] In addition, even when the directions of the recessed portions 36 of the mounting holes 35 are made different on the toe side, center, and heel side, in order to be able to use a common shaft 10, the neck 20E for the heel side shown in FIG. 11(B), the neck 20F for the center shown in FIG. 11(C), and the neck 20G for the toe side shown in FIG. 11(D) are prepared as unit parts, respectively.

[0049] The head 30E shown in FIG. 12 is provided with a plate mounting recess 31c on the front side of the face portion 31 so as to extend over substantially the entire surface of the face portion 31, and is provided (such as by adhesion) so that the sweet area plate 39 can be fitted into this plate mounting recess 31c.

[0050] This sweet area plate 39 complies with the requirements in the equipment rules of the Japan Golf Association, namely, having no unevenness, being hard and robust, and being permanently attached in such a way that it cannot be removed without special tools (all of these are the main points), and is designed to make it easier for the user to confirm the orientation of the face surface 31a when hitting a golf ball.

[0051] Specifically, in addition to the face surface 31a being white or a highly visible color, the entire surface of the face surface 31a is tilted by an angle θ, and furthermore, a chamfered portion 31d is formed at the upper edge on the face side of the face portion 31.

[0052] In this way, the golf putter unit 1 according to the present embodiment provides a unit configuration in which a plurality of mounting holes 35 are provided in one type of head 30, and a pair of protrusions 25 provided at the lower part 22 of an arbitrary neck 20 among a plurality of types are engaged with a pair of recessed portions 36 for positioning, and then the neck 20 is fixed to the head 30 with the fixing male screw 2, and at the same time, one type of shaft 10 is connected to the shaft mounting portion 23 provided at the upper part 21 of the neck 20. This can contribute to diversification according to the user's preferences.

[0053] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it goes without saying that the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described here. It is obvious that those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various changes, modifications, combinations, etc. within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention described in the claims. Therefore, these techniques of changes, modifications, combinations, etc. also naturally belong to the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0054] As described above, the golf putter unit according to the present invention can easily accommodate various head shapes, and can adjust the mounting position of the neck in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, or combined direction. It can also be used for both right-handed and left-handed use, and can further easily accommodate a plurality of neck types. It is useful for the entire golf putter unit including the shaft, neck, and head.

Explanation of Signs

[0055] 1 Golf putter unit 2 Male screw for fixing 10 Shaft 11 Lower end surface 12 Protrusion 13 Female screw part 20 Neck 21 Upper part 22 Lower part 23 Shaft mounting part 23a Upper surface 23b Bottom surface 24 Lower end surface 25 Protrusion 26 Female screw part 27 Mounting hole 28 Concave part 29 Insertion hole 30 Head 31 Face part 31a Face surface 31b Sweet spot mark 31c Plate mounting recess 31d Chamfered part 32 Sole part 33 Neck connection part 33a Upper surface 33b Bottom surface 34 Corner part 35 Mounting hole 36 Concave part 37 Insertion hole 39 Sweet area plate

Claims

1. A metal shaft with a grip on the upper end, A neck to which the lower end side and the upper end of the shaft are detachably connected; a head having a face surface for striking a golf ball, the face surface being detachably connected to a lower portion and an upper surface of the neck; A golf putter unit comprising: The neck is A protrusion portion protruding upward in an eave shape from a lower end surface of the lower portion; A female screw portion opening on the lower end surface; Equipped with The head is At least three mounting holes are provided on the toe side, center, and heel side of the upper surface, into which the lower part is inserted; a recessed portion that is continuous with an opening edge portion of the mounting hole and engages with the protrusion; an insertion hole that is provided coaxially with the mounting hole, opens to a bottom surface, and receives a fixing male screw that screws into the female screw portion when the lower part is inserted into the mounting hole; Equipped with The golf putter unit is characterized by the above.

2. A metal shaft with a grip on the upper end, A neck to which the lower end side and the upper end of the shaft are detachably connected; a head having a face surface for striking a golf ball, the face surface being detachably connected to a lower portion and an upper surface of the neck; A golf putter unit comprising: The neck is A protrusion portion protruding upward in an eave shape from a lower end surface of the lower portion; A female screw portion opening on the lower end surface; Equipped with The head is At least three mounting holes are provided on the upper surface from a face side toward a back side, and the lower portion is inserted into the mounting holes; a recessed portion that is continuous with an opening edge portion of the mounting hole and engages with the protrusion; an insertion hole that is provided coaxially with the mounting hole, opens to a bottom surface, and receives a fixing male screw that screws into the female screw portion when the lower part is inserted into the mounting hole; Equipped with The golf putter unit is characterized by the above.

3. A metal shaft with a grip on the upper end, A neck to which the lower end side and the upper end of the shaft are detachably connected; a head having a face surface for striking a golf ball, the face surface being detachably connected to a lower portion and an upper surface of the neck; A golf putter unit comprising: The neck is A protrusion portion protruding upward in an eave shape from a lower end surface of the lower portion; A female screw portion opening to the lower end surface; Equipped with The head is At least three mounting holes are provided on the top surface of the club head, on a toe side, a center side, and a heel side, and at least three mounting holes are provided on the top surface of the club head from a face side toward a back side, into which the lower portion is inserted; a recessed portion that is continuous with an opening edge portion of the mounting hole and engages with the protrusion; an insertion hole that is provided coaxially with the mounting hole, opens to a bottom surface, and receives a fixing male screw that screws into the female screw portion when the lower part is inserted into the mounting hole; Equipped with The golf putter unit is characterized by the above.

4. The at least three mounting holes provided from the face side toward the back side are located at a center between the toe side and the heel side of the head.

4. The golf putter unit according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The recessed portions are provided at two locations opposite to the mounting hole, the recess located at the center is arranged such that a line segment that passes through the center of the mounting hole and is symmetrical with respect to the overall shape in a plan view including the recess is parallel to the face surface; The recesses located on the toe side and the heel side are arranged such that a line segment passing through the center of the mounting hole and symmetrical with respect to the overall shape in a plan view including the recesses is inclined toward the face surface as it approaches the center.

2. The golf putter unit according to claim 1.

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