Interchangeable Golf Shaft Adapters for Mass and Stability Trade-offs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current golf club shaft adapters, particularly the skewed shim type, are more massive and have inherent weaknesses in their connection to the head, leading to undesirable movement during ball impact, while elemental shaft adapters lack the ability to independently adjust angular properties and require rotation, which can be undesirable.

Innovation Solution

Designing interchangeable skewed shim and elemental shaft adapters that allow for retrofitting and selection based on customer needs, with the elemental adapter being less massive and providing improved connection rigidity, and the skewed shim adapter offering adjustable angular properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If skewed shim shaft adapter is used, then adjustable angular properties are provided, but the adapter becomes more massive and connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable angular propertiesVSAvoidadapter mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is divided into separate functional components: a base adapter providing structural support and connection, and adjustable elements (shims or indexing structures) that provide angular adjustment. This segmentation allows the majority of the mass to be in the stable base structure while the adjustment mechanism adds minimal weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter incorporates adjustable elements that can be modified after installation, such as interchangeable shims or rotatable indexing structures. This dynamic capability provides angular adjustment without requiring the entire adapter structure to be massive and over-engineered for all possible adjustment scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If skewed shim shaft adapter is used, then adjustable angular properties are provided, but connection stability during ball impact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable angular propertiesVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into a rigid base structure and a separate adjustment mechanism. The base adapter and head connection are designed with robust geometry and material properties to ensure stability during ball impact, while the adjustment mechanism (shims or indexing structures) is designed to be rigid in the adjustment direction but stable in the load-bearing direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the adapter have different structural properties optimized for their specific functions. The connection region between adapter and head has enhanced rigidity and stability for withstanding impact forces, while the adjustment region provides angular modification capability. This local differentiation allows stability in critical areas without unnecessary mass throughout the entire adapter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of moving object

If elemental shaft adapter is used, then adapter mass is reduced, but ability to independently adjust angular properties is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadapter massVSAvoidangular adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lightweight adapter incorporates adjustable elements that can be modified after installation, such as interchangeable shims or rotatable indexing structures. This dynamic capability provides angular adjustment without requiring the entire adapter structure to be massive and over-engineered for all possible adjustment scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter system includes adjustment mechanisms that allow technicians or users to modify angular properties without requiring replacement of the entire adapter. The indexing structures and shim systems enable self-adjustment capability built into the lightweight design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Weight of moving object

If elemental shaft adapter is used, then discretionary mass in club head is increased, but angular adjustment requires rotation which can be undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscretionary massVSAvoidadjustment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20210228946A1Interchangable Golf Shaft Adapters

Publication Date: 2021.07.29 HOLTZMAN BARRY LYN

AI summary

Golf shaft adapters of two different types, a skewed shim shaft adapter and an elemental shaft adapter, are interchangeable in their connection to a head. These interchangeable shaft adapters are particularly useful in retrofitting the elemental shaft adapter to a head which is manufactured to be fitted with the skewed shim shaft adapter. An assemblage, comprising the head, the skewed shim shaft adapter, and the elemental shaft adapter, provides a technician a choice between a skewed shim shaft adapter and head assembly comprising the head and the skewed shim shaft adapter, or an elemental shaft adapter and head assembly comprising the head and the elemental shaft adapter. This assemblage allows the technician to choose the shaft adapter which is more beneficial to his customer.