Golf Club Shaft Adaptor Using Collet Clamp Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf club designs, particularly putters, often fail to account for individual golfer characteristics, leading to improper balance and performance due to lack of attention to technical details such as shaft length, weight distribution, and flexibility, and existing adjustable designs do not meet USGA rules for ease of adjustment during a round.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable golf club shaft system comprising a collet clamp assembly that allows for continuous or incremental adjustment of shaft length using a collet and collet clamp mechanism, secured with set screws requiring a special tool, ensuring compliance with USGA rules by preventing adjustments during play.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed shaft design is used, then manufacturing and design are simpler, but the club cannot be customized for individual golfer characteristics and proper balance
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into multiple sections that can be independently adjusted. The shaft includes a first section, second section, third section, and fourth section that can be repositioned relative to each other, allowing customization of shaft length and flexibility without requiring a completely different shaft design for each golfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft design incorporates movable and adjustable elements rather than fixed components. The shaft sections can be repositioned along the shaft length, and the flexibility characteristics can be modified by changing the configuration of the sections, enabling the same shaft to adapt to different golfer needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable shaft mechanism is added, then customization is enabled, but the mechanism may allow adjustments during play violating USGA rules
Solution Approach 1:
All shaft adjustments are performed beforehand using a special tool (such as an Allen key) before the golfer begins playing. The mechanism is designed to require this special tool for any adjustment, ensuring that adjustments cannot be made during play without violating USGA rules. The shaft sections are locked in position after adjustment to maintain compliance throughout the round.
3Adaptability or versatility
If shaft sections are made movable for adjustment, then length customization is possible, but the sections may work loose during use
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft sections are firmly locked in their adjusted positions before play begins. The mechanism includes locking features that secure the sections together, and the design ensures that once adjusted, the sections remain stable and do not work loose during use. The special tool requirement also prevents unintended adjustments that could compromise stability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple shaft sections are used for adjustment, then length flexibility increases, but the number of parts and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple shaft sections serve multiple functions: they enable length adjustment, provide flexibility modification, and maintain structural integrity. The same sections that allow for length customization also contribute to the overall strength and stability of the shaft when properly locked together, reducing the need for additional separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a shaft lengthening system for a golf club. The shaft lengthening system comprises three components: an upper shaft portion that is attached to a grip, a lower shaft portion or portions that are attached to a club head, and a collet clamp assembly that couples the upper and lower shaft components together. The shaft components slideably engage with each other. The collet clamp assembly may comprise a collet secured to one of the shaft components and a collet clamp that interacts with the collet. Preferably, the collet clamp is threaded over the collet to clamp a portion of the collet to the other of the shaft components thereby setting the position of the shaft components relative to each other, and thus setting the overall length of the golf club shaft.