Adjustable golf clubs

Abstract

The present invention relates to a golf club or part thereof, which may comprise a ball striking head 1, a hosel 2 having a shank 5 extending along at least a portion of said head and engaging said head, and biasing means (e.g. a spring 9) which provides a locking force tending to move said head 1 and hosel 2 apart, thereby causing said head to remain locked in one or the other of a selection of loft settings 4. The club or part thereof is such that a manual force can be applied to move said head 1 inwardly to overcome said locking force, thereby releasing and rotating said head to another of said loft settings 4. Subsequent reverse movement of the head locks it in the other setting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a golf club having an adjustable loft setting.

Background Art

[0002] Golf clubs are known to have the function of adjusting the angle of the hitting head so as to change the loft of the entire club. As is known, all other conditions being equal, a head set at a steep angle (e.g., 60°) will launch a golf ball on a steeper and shorter trajectory than a club with a head at a more gradual angle (e.g., 10°). This adjustability means that one club can be used to provide the same loft range as multiple clubs. However, as a problem associated with at least some known clubs of this type, this adjustment mechanism can be inconvenient in production and / or use. Also, as a problem associated with known clubs of this type, the person making the loft adjustment may not be given any audible or tactile feedback during club adjustment. (Object)

[0003] The object of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is to at least somewhat assist in addressing one or the other of the above problems. This applies to the preferred embodiments, while the object of the present invention itself is simply to provide a useful option. Accordingly, any object or advantage applicable to the preferred embodiments should not be taken as a limitation to the more broadly expressed claims. (Definition)

[0004] The terms "comprises" or "has", when used herein with respect to one or more features, should not be considered to exclude the option that additional features not recited are present. The same applies to derivatives such as "comprising" and "having".

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Appearance 1 Locking mechanism In a first embodiment of the present invention, Batting head; A hosel having a shank that extends along at least a portion of the head and engages with the head; and A biasing means that provides a locking force to move the head and hosel apart, thereby maintaining the head locked in one or the other of the selected loft settings; Equipped with, The golf club or a portion thereof is such that a manual force can be applied to move the head inward to overcome the locking force, thereby releasing the head and rotating it to another setting among the loft settings, and that a subsequent reverse movement of the head locks it to the other setting; The head has a series of locking teeth, and the hosel has a series of locking teeth, which are configured to engage to lock the head to one of the loft settings, and then to disengage when the head is moved manually to overcome the locking force, allowing the head to rotate to another of the loft settings; A golf club or a portion thereof is provided, wherein the two sets of locking teeth are male-female engagements, with the teeth of the hosel being male and the teeth of the head being female, and each set of teeth is substantially conical and tapered outward toward the toe end of the club or a portion thereof.

[0006] Optionally, the biasing force of the locking force drives the head outward, locking the head in the other setting.

[0007] Optionally, the biasing force is provided by a spring.

[0008] Optionally, the spring is configured around the shank.

[0009] Optionally, the locking teeth of the head and the hosel each have a set of teeth that extend radially and longitudinally.

[0010] When the head is optionally locked to one of the loft settings, the set of teeth of the hosel sleeve-fits with the set of teeth of the head and engages with it.

[0011] Optionally, there is a nut fitted to the toe end of the shank, and a retainer fixed to the shank by the nut, wherein the retainer abuts against the head when the head is locked to one of the loft settings, thereby preventing the head from being pulled away from the shank.

[0012] Optionally, the abutting relationship is located between the retainer and the liner that forms part of the head.

[0013] Optionally, the liner is releasably screwed to another portion of the head.

[0014] Appearance 2 Locking mechanism In a further embodiment of the present invention, A hitting head having a series of cone-shaped locking teeth, each configured to extend in a straight line; A hosel having a series of conical locking teeth, each configured to extend in a straight line, and a shank extending along at least a portion of the head and engaging with the head; A biasing means that provides a spring-locking force that attempts to move the head and hosel apart, thereby maintaining the head locked in one or the other of the selected loft settings; Equipped with, A golf club is provided, wherein two sets of locking teeth are configured such that one cone shape fits into the other cone shape in an interlocking male-female relationship to lock them in place and prevent rotation, but the head can be moved inward, allowing manual force to be applied to release the head and rotate it to another of the loft settings, and the subsequent reverse movement of the head locks it to the other setting.

[0015] Appearance 3 Audible and tactile accommodation In a further embodiment of the present invention, a golf club or a part thereof, a) The head of the batted ball; b) Hosel; and c) Slip gear Equipped with, The aforementioned club or a part thereof The head and the hosel engage with each other to lock the head in a releaseable position to one of a plurality of loft settings; A spring force acts on the slip gear, biasing the teeth of one slip gear to engage with the teeth of another slip gear; Manual force can be applied to the head so that it is rotated to another of the aforementioned loft settings and locked in one of the other loft settings; A golf club or a portion thereof is provided, wherein, when the head is rotated to the other loft setting, at least one of the slip gears is formed to overcome another of them, generating a clicking sound and / or tactile indication to give audible and / or tactile feedback of the adjustment to the person adjusting the club.

[0016] Optional, a) The hitting head is integrated with or fixed to a first locking gear having a spline, b) The hosel is integrated with or fixed to a second locking gear having splines; c) The spring force acts on the lock gears to bias them into engagement with each other; d) A manual force can be applied to the head to move the head toward the heel of the club against the biasing of the lock gears to unlock it, whereby it can be manually rotated to the other one of the loft settings and then released so that the head is locked in the other loft setting by the same biasing.

[0017] Optionally, the spring force acting on the male gear and the female gear, and the spring force acting on the slip gear are provided by a common spring.

[0018] Optionally, the common spring is compressed to urge the head away from the heel of the club and simultaneously exert a force to urge at least one of the slip gears into engagement with another slip gear.

[0019] Optionally, the spring force acting on the lock gears is provided by a first spring, and the spring force acting on the slip gears is provided by a second spring.

[0020] Optionally, the first spring provides a force that is substantially weaker than the second spring.

[0021] Optionally, the first spring and the second spring have elongated coils that are substantially aligned with each other.

[0022] Optionally, the central portion of the first spring does not have a support portion extending therethrough (e.g., it is not associated with an internally configured shaft or the like).

[0023] Optionally, the slip gear comprises an inner slip gear, an intermediate slip gear, and an outer slip gear, and the clicking sound is generated when the teeth of one or the other of the inner slip gear and the outer slip gear collide with the teeth of the intermediate slip gear.

[0024] Optional, a) The first lock gear is a female gear, and its splines are tapered in the longitudinal direction, with the taper extending from a narrower shape to a wider shape as it progresses toward the toe end of the club; b) The second lock gear is a male gear, and its spline also runs in a tapered configuration in the longitudinal direction, the taper extending from a thinner shape to a wider shape as it progresses toward the toe end of the club.

[0025] Optionally, one of the slip gears may be disabled.

[0026] Optionally, the first locking gear engages with the shaft at the heel end of the club.

[0027] Optionally, the second locking gear is fixed to the inside of the head or is integrated with the inside of the head.

[0028] Optionally, the slip gear is adjacent to the toe end of the club.

[0029] Optionally, each slip gear has the same number of gear teeth as the first lock gear and the second lock gear, respectively.

[0030] The slip gear is aligned with the first lock gear and the second lock gear such that, optionally, the rotation of the head to the other loft setting produces only one audible click for each change in the loft setting.

[0031] The slip gear is aligned with the first lock gear and the second lock gear such that, optionally, the rotation of the head to the other loft setting produces one tactile impact corresponding to the audible click.

[0032] Optionally, there may be more than two loft settings, and the loft of the head can be adjusted by rotating it sequentially to each setting.

[0033] Optionally, the tactile indicator is a shock or vibration that can be felt by a person when the slip gear passes over the other slip gear. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described here, by example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] This is an isometric view of a golf club with adjustable loft. [Figure 1a] This shows the club's loft setting as viewed from the toe end of the club. [Figure 1b] This shows the same loft setting as viewed from the heel end of the club. [Figure 2] This is an exploded isometric view showing some of the components of the club. [Figure 3] This is an alternative exploded isometric view showing the same components. [Figure 4] This shows a lateral cross-section of the club when the club head is locked to one of its loft settings. [Figure 4a] Figure 4 shows the exterior of the club head. [Figure 5] This shows a lateral cross-section of the club when the clubhead is released to adjust to a different loft setting. [Figure 6] Various isometric detail views of the club's hosel are shown. [Figure 6a] This shows a side view of the club's hosel. [Figure 7] This shows the slip teeth that form part of the club head. [Figure 8] A diagram showing the types of slipped teeth is shown. [Figure 9] This is an exploded view showing some key details of a loft-adjustable club according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10a] A detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of the second embodiment is shown. [Figure 10b] A detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of the second embodiment is shown. [Figure 11a] A detailed cross-sectional view of the second embodiment, which has two moving stages, is shown. [Figure 11b] A detailed cross-sectional view of the second embodiment, which has two moving stages, is shown. [Figure 12a] A detailed view of the slip teeth forming part of the second embodiment is shown. [Figure 12b] A detailed view of the slip teeth forming part of the second embodiment is shown. [Figure 13] This is an exploded view showing some key details of a loft-adjustable club according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14a] A detailed cross-sectional view of the third embodiment, which has two moving stages, is shown. [Figure 14b] A detailed cross-sectional view of the third embodiment, which has two moving stages, is shown. [Figure 15a] A detailed view of the slip teeth forming part of the third embodiment is shown. [Figure 15b] A detailed view of the slip teeth forming part of the third embodiment is shown. [Figure 16] This is an exploded view of a loft-adjustable golf club according to a further embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] Figure 16 shows a detailed diagram of the club's internal assembly. [Figure 18] Figure 16 shows a detailed view of a slip-fit ​​tooth that forms part of the embodiment. [Figure 19A] Figure 16 shows how the slip teeth forming part of the club move. [Figure 19B]Figure 16 shows how the slip teeth forming part of the club move. [Figure 19C] Figure 16 shows how the slip teeth forming part of the club move. [Figure 20] Figure 16 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the club when it is set to one of the loft positions shown in the figure. [Figure 21] Figure 16 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the club as it is partially adjusted to a different loft position. [Figure 22] Figure 16 shows the anti-wobble mechanism for the club. [Figure 23] Figure 16 shows the anti-wobble mechanism for the club. [Figure 24] Figure 16 shows the anti-wobble mechanism for the club. [Figure 25] Figure 16 shows the anti-wobble mechanism for the club. [Figure 26] Figure 16 shows the anti-wobble mechanism for the club. [Figure 27] The club shown in Figure 16 exhibits a further form without floating slip teeth. [Figure 28] Further embodiments of the present invention are shown, which have a single spring without slip teeth and not supported at the center. [Figure 29] Further embodiments of the present invention are shown, which have a single spring without slip teeth and not supported at the center. [Figure 30] Figures 28 to 30 show further variations of the club. [Figure 31] Figures 28 to 30 show further variations of the club. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] [Embodiment 1] Referring to Figure 1, the golf club has a ball-hitting head 1 and a hosel 2 for connecting to a golf shaft 3. As usual, the upper end of the shaft 3 functions as a handgrip or handle for swinging the club. In this case, the configuration allows the head 1 to be manually moved relative to the hosel and locked to one of the loft settings 4, namely P, F, 6, 8, W, or S. These symbols represent a putter, fairway driver, 6-iron, 8-iron, pitching wedge, and sand wedge. In this example, these loft angles are 5°, 15°, 25°, 35°, 45°, and 55°, respectively, but in other embodiments, they may be any other useful combination of angles. Figure 1a shows the head when the loft settings are F, 8, and S, viewed from the toe 1a end of the head 1, and Figure 1b shows the corresponding view from the heel 1b end of the head 1.

[0036] Figures 2 and 3 show some components of the club before assembly. The hosel 2 has a cylindrical shank 5 that extends into the internal space of the head 1 and is configured to connect to a nut 6 at the toe end of the head. To enable this, the distal end of the shank has male threads 7 and the nut has complementary female threads 8. The shank 5 passes through a spring 9 inside the head 1 and the nut 6 is located inside a complementary retainer 10. A spacer 22 may be used to create compressive tension on the spring. A cylindrical weight 11 is configured to fit snugly into a further internal space of the head but is removable, and is held here by a grub screw 12. The weight 11 is to help "balance" the club and can be replaced with a similar weight that is heavier or lighter to suit the person using the club.

[0037] Referring to Figure 4, the retainer 10 is located inside the sleeve 1c, which can be considered part of the head 1 (in this example, the sleeve 1c is screwed onto the rest of the head 1). The spring 9 is compressed to provide a force that attempts to push the head 1 outward away from the heel end of the club. However, the head 1 and hosel 2 cannot be separated because the contact surface 13 of the liner 1c abuts against the complementary contact surface 14 of the retainer 10. In other words, the spring 9 cannot move the head outward beyond the shank 6 and retainer 10. Similarly, a further shoulder 15 of the liner 10 abuts against the shoulder 16 of the nut 6, helping to keep the liner and nut together. Figure 4a shows the exterior of the head 1 and hosel 2 in the configuration of Figure 4. A shaft retainer or circlip 23 may be used to assist in securing the male teeth 17 (see Figure 2).

[0038] Figure 5 shows the same components as in Figure 4, but with the head 1 manually pushed inward toward the heel of the club (i.e., to the right in the drawing) to make it more compact and to overcome the biasing force of the spring 9. This is done to release the club and adjust the angle between the head and the hosel. This movement disengages the complementary conical or non-conical, tapered "fin-like" or "spline-like" teeth of the male 17 and female 18 located inside the heel end of the head (the male teeth 17 are part integrated with or connected to the hosel 2, and the female teeth 18 are part integrated with or connected to the head 1). The teeth 17 and 18 may be considered "conical" as they run linearly to generally provide a conical perimeter. The male teeth 17 may be fixed to the shank 5 using a circlip (see Figure 2). Disengaging the teeth 17 and 18 allows the head to be manually rotated relative to the hosel. This has the effect of changing from one of the four loft settings to another (the settings are shown in Figure 1). When the manual force that overcomes the biasing force of spring 9 is released, the spring pushes the head back to the configuration in Figure 4, thereby re-engaging teeth 17 and 18 and locking the head to the new loft setting. This configuration is generally such that the smaller conical set of teeth 17 fits into the larger conical set of teeth 18. Figure 5a shows the exterior of the hosel and club head in the configuration of Figure 5.

[0039] Referring again to Figures 4 and 5, a centripetal force is generated by swinging the club in a normal golf swing, which tends to push the head 1 away from the hosel 2. However, in this case, the force actually functions to push the teeth 17 and 18, and therefore the head and hosel, more tightly into a locking engagement rather than pulling them apart. This happens because the teeth 18 associated with the head are the "female" teeth 17 of the hosel, and both teeth are tapered outward toward the toe end of the club. As the thinner (right-hand side) end of the female teeth 18 tries to move outward (to the left), it strikes violently against the gradually widening (left-hand side) taper of the male teeth 17. As a result, a locking dead end is created between the head 1 and the hosel 2.

[0040] Figures 6 and 6a show details of the hosel 2. An index line 19 allows for precise alignment of the various loft settings 4, which can also be seen in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 6, the heel end of the hosel has a series of radial slip teeth 20 extending outward, spaced behind the locking teeth 17. These slip teeth 20 are configured to engage with complementary radial slip teeth of the head. The two sets of slip teeth mesh / engage, but at the same time, when the head rotates to or from one of the loft settings 4, they can overcome each other, resulting in the person rotating the head hearing a "click" and feeling a jolt when they collide. This gives the user a pleasant audible "tactile" impression during loft adjustment. Figure 6a shows an example of an anti-rotation feature of the hosel, which is a key 24 at the beginning of the shank, configured to prevent the male spline 17 from rotating relative to the hosel. The slip teeth 21 of the head are shown in Figure 7.

[0041] Figure 8 shows the female teeth 18 connected to the remaining part of head 1.

[0042] Alternatively, the teeth may be formed as an integral part of the head.

[0043] The preferred embodiment described above includes a combination of a tapered spline at the heel end and a pair of complementary contact surfaces at the toe end, whereas in other embodiments of the present invention, there may be two pairs of tapered splines, one at the heel and one at the toe.

[0044] [Embodiment 2] Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a loft-adjustable golf club according to the present invention. For convenience, the same numbering is used for parts that are the same as or substantially equivalent to the parts mentioned above. The club has a ball-striking head 1, a hosel 2, and a shaft 3. The upper end of the shaft 3 functions as a handle for swinging the club. The hosel incorporates a cylindrical shank 5 that receives a conical set of longitudinally tapered male teeth 17. The male teeth 17 have internal slots, which are complementary to and engage with a key 24 that forms part of the shank 5. The key 24 prevents the male teeth 17 from rotating relative to the shaft 5. The drawings do not show an equivalent to the tapered female teeth 18 described earlier, because in this example they are located inside the head. However, the locking and unlocking engagement between the male teeth 17 and female teeth 18 is the same as described earlier.

[0045] Referring further to Figure 9, this mechanism includes a tube 25 inside the head 1, with the shank 5 passing through this tube 25. As shown, the heel end of the tube has a protrusion 26. The spring 9 extends around the narrow portion of the tube 25 but is configured not to push beyond the protrusion 26. The protrusion 26 also contacts the male teeth 17, preventing their longitudinal movement, or in other words, axial movement. The toe end of the tube 25 passes through an internal slip-fit ​​tooth 27. The slip-fit ​​tooth 27 can slide longitudinally relative to the tube 25 but cannot rotate around it. A further feature of the slip-fit ​​tooth 27 is that it has a ring of slip teeth 28 facing the toe end of the club. These engage with the inwardly facing complementary rings of the slip teeth 29 of the external slip-fit ​​tooth 30. This external slip-fit ​​tooth 30 moves axially with the head and rotates with the head when the head rotates.

[0046] Continuing in Figure 9, the barrel nut 6 is threaded to screw onto the distal end of the shaft 5 and tightened onto the slider 31, and then the slider 31 is pressed against the tube 25. The slider 31 is configured to be trapped between the nut 6 and the tube 25. The slider 31 has a groove 32 that allows the inner slip teeth 27 to move axially but prevents rotation. Finally, the retainer 33 is screwed into the outer slip teeth 30 to hold the outer slip teeth 30 in place.

[0047] Referring to Figures 10a and 10b, these show the assembled mechanism of Figure 9, where both sets of slip teeth 28 and 29 are interlocked. They are pressed against each other by the pressure from the compressing spring 9.

[0048] When adjusting the club's loft, the head 1 is moved towards the heel end of the club, as before, disengaging the tapered set of teeth 17 and 18, thereby allowing the head to rotate around the shaft 5 to reach one of the different loft settings. The movement from the locked position to the unlocked position is shown in Figures 11a and 11b, respectively. When unlocked, the club head 1 is manually rotated to the new loft setting. When this is done, the slip teeth 28 and 29 slip over each other, as shown in Figures 12a and 12b. When this is done, the slip teeth 28 and 29 generate an audible click and a vibration or impact corresponding to the collision of each tooth. This provides the person adjusting the club with both audible and tactile feedback, which enhances the club's marketability and perceived quality.

[0049] [Embodiment 3] Figure 13 shows a further alternative embodiment of the present invention. It is substantially similar to Embodiment 2 described above, and therefore approximately equivalent parts are given the same reference numerals. Substantially, the only difference from Embodiment 2 is that in Embodiment 3, the inner slip teeth 27 are shorter and there is no slider 31. The tube 25 prevents axial movement of the inner slip teeth 27. Here again, the spring 9 is always compressed, with one end in contact with the outer slip teeth 30 and the other end in contact with the retainer 33. Again, the inner slip teeth 27 cannot rotate or slide relative to the tube 15. The outer slip teeth 30 can move axially inside the head 1, but cannot rotate relative to the head, and are pressed against the inner slip teeth 27 by the spring 9. Figures 14a and 14b show Embodiment 3 with the male teeth 17 and female teeth 18 locked and unlocked, respectively. Figures 15a and 15b show, as described above, how the slip teeth 28 and 29 overcome each other to produce a clicking sound and tactile impact.

[0050] The preferred embodiment described above includes a combination of a tapered spline at the heel end and a pair of complementary contact surfaces at the toe end, whereas in other embodiments of the present invention, there may be two pairs of tapered splines, one at the heel and one at the toe.

[0051] [Embodiment 4] Figures 16 and 17 show a loft-adjustable golf club representing a further alternative embodiment of the present invention. For most parts, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are substantially the same as those mentioned.

[0052] The club has a head 1, a hosel 2, and a handle 3. As shown, the hosel 2 incorporates a shortened shaft 5. A set of conical male locking teeth 17 is supported on the shaft 5 and is adapted to engage with a complementary set of conical female locking teeth 18 which are integral with the internal portion of the head 1. As described above, these sets of teeth 17 and 18 are tapered from the thinner end closest to the heel of the club to the wider end closer to the toe end of the club.

[0053] Head 1 can be manually moved axially toward the heel of the club to disengage teeth 17 and 18, thereby partially rotating the head and adjusting it to one of several available loft settings. When the manual force that caused the axial movement is released, teeth 17 and 18 automatically engage with each other under the tension of a spring, locking the club in place at each loft setting. This tension is provided by a spring 9 that acts to press the female teeth 18 against the taper or bank of the male teeth 17. As shown, the central portion of the spring 9 has no support extending within it (e.g., no central support shaft). As the spring 9 is compressed, the natural tendency of head 1 would be to be pulled away from the hosel, but this cannot be done as the slender heel-side end of the female teeth 18 cannot slide over the expanding taper of the male teeth 17. Here again, this lock is reinforced by the centripetal force when the club is swung to hit a golf ball as usual.

[0054] As shown, spring 9 is located at the toe end of the club, in contact with retainer 33 which screws into head 1. The other end of the spring is located in contact with a top-hat shaped thrust pad 34, which then engages with the distal end of barrel nut 35. The other end of barrel nut 35 is threaded to fasten them together around shank 5. A second spring 37 is wound around the barrel nut and is maintained in a compressed state between the slip-fit ​​tooth configuration at the heel end and a washer 36 in the barrel nut. As shown, the washer 36 is located in contact with the side of the barrel nut closest to the heel end of the club. As shown in Figure 17, the slip-fit ​​tooth configuration has an inner slip-fit ​​tooth 27 and an outer slip-fit ​​tooth 30, which together sandwich an intermediate floating slip-fit ​​tooth 38. As shown, the inner slip teeth 27 abut against the set of male teeth 17, and the outer slip teeth 30 abut against the second spring 37.

[0055] As shown in Figure 18, the floating slip teeth 38 have a series of teeth on each side that are radially inclined to the right for engaging with the complementary shaped teeth of the inner and outer slip teeth, respectively. The three slip teeth are held in constant contact with each other by the pressure from the second spring 37. This means that they remain engaged even when the head 1 is moved axially toward the heel end of the club to adjust the loft setting. The second spring 37 preferably provides considerably stronger tension than the other spring 9. However, this does not prevent the axial movement of the head for loft adjustment, because the golfer only needs to overcome the weaker tension of spring 9 to do so.

[0056] When head 1 is rotated to adjust the loft setting, the teeth of the slip-fit ​​teeth overlap each other, causing the golfer to hear one click and feel one impact for each level of adjustment. For example, if a golfer hears two clicks and feels two impacts, they know they have adjusted the club by two loft settings, such as from the setting of a 7-iron to the setting of a 9-iron. This means that a golfer with limited vision (for example, one who needs reading glasses on a daily basis) can know what loft setting the club is at without having to look at the marker scale. Naturally, when the teeth overlap each other, they act against the tension of the second spring 9.

[0057] Referring again to Figure 18, when the club head 1 rotates in one direction, one side of the teeth of the floating slip-fit ​​tooth 38 is involved in producing a click, and when the head 1 rotates in the opposite direction, the opposite side of the teeth of the floating slip-fit ​​tooth 38 is involved in producing a click. Therefore, in one direction of rotation, the teeth of the outer slip-fit ​​tooth 30 collide with the teeth of the floating slip-fit ​​tooth 38 and produce a click, and in the other direction of rotation, the teeth of the inner slip-fit ​​tooth 27 collide with the teeth of the floating slip-fit ​​tooth 38 and produce a click. Furthermore, when the outer slip-fit ​​tooth 30 is moving, the inner slip-fit ​​tooth 27 is not moving, and vice versa. As can be understood, the rotational motion of the inner and outer slip-fit ​​teeth is ratchet-like, since they can only rotate in one direction each. Figures 19A to 19C show various different slip-fit ​​tooth collisions depending on the direction of rotation.

[0058] Figure 20 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figures 16-19C when the club head 1 is locked to the loft setting. Figure 21 shows the same configuration, but when the head 1 is moved axially toward the heel end of the club to adjust the loft of the club in the rotational direction, and the teeth 17 and 18 are unlocked.

[0059] Referring to Figures 22-26, the outer slip-fit ​​teeth 30 have a pair of anti-rattling teeth 39 that are opposed in the diametrical direction. When the club head 1 is moved axially toward the heel end for loft adjustment, these teeth 39 are positioned in complementary slots 40 within the head. This engagement functions to prevent rattling between the head and the hosel when loft adjustment is being made. However, when the loft is set and the club is ready for use, the teeth 39 are released from their respective slots 40.

[0060] Figure 27 shows a configuration similar to Figures 16 and 17, except that it does not include the floating slip-fit ​​teeth 38. In this case, the teeth of the inner 27 and outer 30 slip-fit ​​teeth may overlap each other to produce a click and impact that the golfer will notice during loft adjustment. To facilitate this, the teeth are not shaped to form a ratchet, but rather can overlap each other in either rotational direction.

[0061] [Embodiment 6] Figures 28 and 29 show a loft-adjustable golf club representing a further embodiment of the present invention. Substantially similar parts mentioned are given the same reference numerals first.

[0062] The club has a head 1, a hosel 2, and a handle 3, as previously described. It also has a set of conical male teeth 17 and a complementary set of conical female teeth 18. These function as described above to lock the club in a releaseable position at any of the set loft angles.

[0063] In this embodiment, the male teeth are preferably integrated with the hosel, and the hosel does not have a shaft. Rather, the spring 9 that biases the set of teeth 17, 18 to the locked position is located around the base 41 of the set of male teeth at one end and around the base 42 of the retainer 33 at the toe end of the head. The spring 9 is compressed, thereby pushing the head 1 naturally away from the hosel, which of course functions to lock the teeth 17, 18 as described above. However, when the club head is manually moved axially toward the heel end of the club, the teeth 17, 18 are released, thereby allowing the head 1 to rotate and change the loft setting of the club. The spring 9 does not have any support shaft extending through its axial center.

[0064] Figures 30 and 31 show a configuration similar to that of Figures 28 and 29, except that the spring 9 is located in the recess 43 on the front surface of the set of male teeth 17, rather than around the base. The opposite end of the spring 9 is screwed into a grab screw 44 or otherwise pressed against a disc 43 located within it. The grab screw is also screwed into the toe end of the head and can be screwed forward to a greater or lesser extent to adjust the tension on the spring 9.

[0065] In other embodiments of the present invention, any of the golf clubs of the above embodiments may be modified such that a male locking gear is associated with the head 1 and a female locking gear 18 is associated with the hosel. In that example, the taper of these gears is in either case the opposite of the taper of the above embodiments. In other words, the conical portions of each gear 17, 18 are wider closer to the heel end than to the toe end.

[0066] While some embodiments of the present invention are described as examples, it should be understood that modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

[0067] With regard to disclosure, this specification assumes and relies on any feature referred to herein, either by itself or in combination with one or more other features referred to herein, even if such combination is not claimed.

Claims

1. It is a golf club, A batting head with a toe-side end; A hosel having a shank that extends along at least a portion of the head and engages with the head; and A biasing means that provides a locking force to move the head and hosel apart, thereby maintaining the head locked in one or the other of the selected loft settings; Equipped with, The golf club is such that a manual force can be applied to move the head inward to overcome the locking force, thereby releasing the head and rotating it to another setting among the loft settings, and that a subsequent reverse movement of the head locks it to the other setting; The head has a series of locking teeth, and the hosel has a series of locking teeth, which are configured to mesh to lock the head to one of the loft settings, and then disengage when the head is moved manually to overcome the locking force, so that the head can be rotated to another of the loft settings; The two sets of locking teeth are male-female engagements, with the locking teeth of the hosel being male and the locking teeth of the head being female, and each set of locking teeth is formed to have a substantially conical shape that is tapered outward toward the toe end, so that when the golf club is swung in a normal golf swing, the centrifugal force from the swing presses the set of locking teeth of the head against the set of locking teeth of the hosel, thereby creating a locking effect.

2. The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force of the locking force is formed to drive the head outward and lock the head in the other setting.

3. The golf club according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the biasing force is provided by a spring.

4. The golf club according to claim 3, wherein the spring is configured around the shank.

5. The golf club according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locking teeth of the head and the hosel each have a set of teeth extending in the radial and longitudinal directions.

6. The golf club according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the head is locked to one of the loft settings, the set of teeth of the hosel sleeve-fits and engages with the set of teeth of the head.

7. A golf club according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a nut fitted to the toe end of the shank, and a retainer fixed to the shank by the nut, wherein the retainer abuts against the head when the head is locked to one of the loft settings, so that the head cannot be pulled away from the shank.

8. The abutting relationship is between the retainer and the liner forming a part of the head, as described in claim 7.

9. The golf club according to claim 8, wherein the liner is releasably screwed into another portion of the head.

10. A golf club, A head for hitting a ball, having a toe end and a series of conical locking teeth, each configured to extend in a straight line; A hosel having a series of conical locking teeth, each configured to extend linearly to complement the series of conical locking teeth of the head, and a shank extending along at least a portion of the head and engaging with the head; A biasing means that provides a spring-locking force that attempts to move the head and hosel apart, thereby maintaining the head locked in one or the other of the selected loft settings; Equipped with, Each of the series of conical locking teeth is tapered outward toward the toe end, and the two series of locking teeth are configured such that one conical shape sleeve-fits into the other conical shape in an interlocking male-female relationship, locking them to prevent rotation, and when the golf club is swung in a normal golf swing, the centrifugal force from the swing presses the series of locking teeth on the head against the series of locking teeth on the hosel, thereby creating a locking effect, and the head can be moved inward, allowing manual force to be applied to release the head and rotate it to another loft setting, and the head can then be locked to the other setting by the reverse movement of the head.

11. A golf club having a toe end and a heel end, a) A ball-hitting head that is integrated with or fixed to a first locking gear having a spline; b) A hosel that is integrated with or fixed to a second lock gear having splines; and c) Slip gears having multiple teeth; Equipped with, The aforementioned golf club is The head and the hosel engage with each other to lock the head in a releaseable manner to one of a plurality of loft settings; A first spring force acts on the first lock gear and the second lock gear, biasing them to engage with each other; A second spring force acts on the slip gear, biasing the teeth of one slip gear to engage with the teeth of another slip gear; A manual force can be applied to the head to move it toward the heel end of the golf club against the biasing force on the first and second locking gears, thereby unlocking the head and allowing it to be manually rotated to another of the multiple loft settings, thereby releasing the head so that it can be locked in other loft settings by the same biasing force; When the head is rotated to the other loft setting, at least one of the slip gears is configured to move over another of the gears to produce a clicking sound and / or tactile indication, giving audible and / or tactile feedback of the adjustment to the person adjusting the golf club; A golf club in which the first spring force acting on the first lock gear and the second lock gear, and the second spring force acting on the slip gear, are provided by a common spring.

12. The golf club according to claim 11, wherein the common spring is compressed to push the head away from the heel of the golf club and at the same time exerts a force to push at least one of the slip gears to engage with another slip gear.

13. The golf club according to claim 11, wherein the first spring force acting on the first lock gear and the second lock gear is provided by a first spring, and the second spring force acting on the slip gear is provided by a second spring.

14. The golf club according to claim 13, wherein the first spring provides substantially less force than the second spring.

15. The golf club according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the first spring and the second spring have elongated coils arranged substantially in a line with respect to each other.

16. The golf club according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the central portion of the first spring does not have a support extending through it (for example, it is not associated with a shaft or the like that which is configured inside).

17. The golf club according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the slip gear comprises an inner slip gear, an intermediate slip gear, and an outer slip gear, and the clicking sound is generated when the teeth of one or the other of the inner slip gear and the outer slip gear collide with the teeth of the intermediate slip gear.

18. a) The first lock gear is a female gear, and its spline runs in a tapered configuration along its longitudinal direction, with the taper extending from a narrower shape to a wider shape as it progresses toward the toe end of the golf club; b) The second lock gear is a male gear, and its spline also runs in a tapered configuration in the longitudinal direction, with the taper extending from a narrower shape to a wider shape as it progresses toward the toe end of the golf club. A golf club according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

19. The golf club according to claim 11, wherein one of the slip gears is not rotatable.

20. The golf club according to claim 18, wherein the first locking gear is engaged with the shaft at the heel end of the golf club.

21. The golf club according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the second locking gear is fixed to the inside of the head or is integral with the inside of the head.

22. The golf club according to any one of claims 11 to 21, wherein the slip gear is adjacent to the toe end of the golf club.

23. The golf club according to any one of claims 11 to 22, wherein each slip gear has the same number of gear teeth as the first lock gear and the second lock gear, respectively.

24. The golf club according to any one of claims 11 to 23, wherein the slip gear is aligned with the first lock gear and the second lock gear such that the rotation of the head to the other loft setting produces only one audible click for each change in the loft setting.

25. The golf club according to any one of claims 11 to 24, wherein the slip gear is aligned with the first lock gear and the second lock gear such that the rotation of the head to the other loft setting produces one tactile impact corresponding to an audible click.

26. The golf club according to any one of claims 11 to 25, wherein there are more than two of the aforementioned loft settings, and the loft of the head can be adjusted by rotating it sequentially to each of the settings.

27. The golf club according to any one of claims 11 to 26, wherein the tactile indicator is an impact or vibration that can be felt by the person when the slip gear goes over another slip gear, as described in claim 11.

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