Adjustable Weight Golf Club Head for Center of Gravity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf club technology has limitations in helping beginners and high handicappers achieve consistent and accurate shots, as existing club heads do not easily allow for adjustments in center of gravity and moment of inertia to correct mis-hits and improve ball flight trajectories.
Innovation Solution
The design of golf club heads with a cavity and removably engaged weight members that can be positioned to shift the center of gravity and moment of inertia, allowing for incremental adjustments to improve ball striking accuracy and consistency by altering the club head's weighting and shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If weight is strategically positioned to alter center of gravity and increase moment of inertia, then accuracy and consistency of ball striking is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for adjustable weight members and cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the weight distribution adjustable rather than fixed. Weight members can be moved between different positions in the cavity, allowing the center of gravity and moment of inertia to be dynamically changed according to the golfer's needs. This transforms a static club head into a dynamic system that can adapt to different playing conditions and skill levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the weight adjustment system into separate, removable weight members that can be independently positioned. Instead of a monolithic weight distribution system, the weight is segmented into discrete components that can be moved, removed, or replaced, simplifying the adjustment process while maintaining the ability to customize the club head characteristics.
2Reliability
If cavity back and perimeter weighted club heads are used to assist golfers with mis-hits, then forgiveness is improved, but the ability to customize for specific player needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static cavity back design into a dynamic system where weight members can be repositioned within the cavity. This allows the club head to adapt to different player needs while maintaining the forgiveness characteristics. Beginners can position weights for maximum forgiveness, while more skilled players can adjust weights to customize for their specific swing characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a single club head structure that can serve multiple functions through adjustable weight members. The same cavity back design provides both the forgiveness needed by beginners and the customizability needed by more advanced players, eliminating the need for separate club heads for different skill levels.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed weight positioning is used in club heads, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation and adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by creating separate, removable weight members that can be easily handled and repositioned. This segmentation allows for precise manufacturing of each weight component while making the overall adjustment process simple. The discrete nature of the weight members enables both high manufacturing precision and ease of user adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the fixed weight positioning into a dynamic system where weights can be easily moved, removed, or replaced. This dynamic design maintains manufacturing precision through defined weight member specifications while dramatically improving ease of operation, allowing players to adjust their club heads without specialized tools or expertise.
Data Source
AI summary
Golf clubs, club heads, and club weighting systems may include: (a) a club head body member; and (b) one or more weight members removably and/or movably engaged with the club head body member so as to move between a first position and a second position to change an overall exterior shape of the club head. This shape change may result in changes to the overall center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Alternatively or additionally, the weight member(s) may be removed from the club head body member, reoriented, and/or replaced with a different weight member, e.g., to change the overall exterior shape, center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Methods of making and using these clubs, club heads, and weighting systems also are described.