Golf Club Hosel Assembly for Low-Cost Adjustable Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing golf club fitting systems are costly and inefficient due to the need for custom-manufactured club heads and the use of additional components like hosel adapters, which increase weight and complexity, making it difficult to achieve a cost-effective and ergonomic fitting process.

Innovation Solution

A golf club fitting system using production club heads with a shaft sleeve adapter and compression nut, eliminating the need for custom club heads and hosel adapters, thereby reducing production costs and weight while allowing for adjustable loft and lie angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If custom-manufactured club heads are used in fitting systems, then adaptability to different shafts is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different shaftsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hosel adapter is designed to be universally compatible with multiple shaft types and configurations. It features a standardized interface that can accommodate different shaft diameters, materials, and connection methods, allowing a single adapter design to work across various golf club fittings without requiring custom manufacturing for each shaft type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The hosel adapter serves as an intermediary component between the club head and the shaft. This mediator component enables compatibility between otherwise incompatible interfaces, allowing production club heads to work with various shaft types without modifying the club head itself, thus avoiding custom manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If hosel adapters are used to enable shaft compatibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaft compatibilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hosel adapter integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides shaft mounting, loft/lie angle adjustment, and structural connection between the club head and shaft. By combining these functions that would otherwise require separate components, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hosel adapter is designed as a multi-functional component that handles shaft attachment, angle adjustment, and structural support simultaneously. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If hosel adapters are used for fitting adjustments, then adaptability is improved, but weight increases affecting ergonomics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting adjustabilityVSAvoidclub weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hosel adapter enables adjustment of critical parameters such as loft angle and lie angle through controlled changes in its orientation and positioning. By allowing parameter adjustment without adding significant weight, the adapter maintains ergonomic performance while providing fitting flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3727615B1Golf club alternative fitting system
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 KARSTEN MFG CORP
  • EP3727615B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3727615B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3727615B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention is an alternative fitting system for golf clubs including a adapted production head with a threaded hosel and a shaft sleeve adapter and a compression nut. The shaft sleeve adapter is permanently adhered to a golf club shaft. The compression nut holds together the shaft sleeve adapter and the threaded hosel of the club head. Alignment notches on the threaded hosel and alignment features on the shaft sleeve adapter prevent unwanted rotation. Furthermore, some embodiments of the shaft sleeve adapter comprise an angled bore hole, which allows for various loft and lie configurations.