Variable Face Golf Club with Mechanical Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers face inconvenience carrying both a putter and a chipper, and existing multi-function golf putters with magnetic coupling face issues with maintenance and magnetic force degradation over time.
Innovation Solution
A putter-chipper golf club design featuring a variable face with interchangeable putter and chipper surfaces, utilizing a coupling groove and protrusion mechanism with a spring for easy switching between functions, and adjustable weights for center of gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a golfer carries both a putter and a chipper, then each club can be optimized for its specific function, but it becomes troublesome and inconvenient to carry both clubs in a golf bag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a putter and chipper into a single integrated golf club. The club head includes a putter surface and a chipper surface that can be selectively positioned, allowing one club to perform both functions. This eliminates the need to carry separate clubs while maintaining optimized performance for both putting and chipping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The golf club is designed with multi-functionality, where a single club head can serve as both a putter and a chipper. The club includes a variable face mechanism that allows the user to switch between a putter surface with minimal loft and a chipper surface with greater loft, enabling one club to replace two specialized clubs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a magnetic coupling mechanism is used to attach the face block, then the putter can switch between putter and chipper modes, but the magnetic force weakens over time and coupling force reduces under impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic coupling mechanism with a mechanical coupling system. The face block is attached using mechanical fasteners such as screws or interference fits that provide reliable and consistent coupling force. This mechanical system maintains stable attachment under impact conditions and does not degrade over time like magnetic forces.
3Ease of manufacture
If the putter head and face block are completely separated, then the face block can be easily replaced, but it becomes difficult to maintain and the face block may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the face block is partially inserted into or integrated with the putter head body. The face block can be removed and replaced, but when installed, it forms a unified structure that is less prone to being lost. The mechanical coupling ensures the face block remains securely attached while still allowing for maintenance and replacement when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables seamless selection between putter and chipper functions, improving forward straightness and rotational force of the golf ball while minimizing maintenance and durability concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a spring stored in the through-hole of the coupling groove portion, and disposed on the circumference of a part of the coupling protrusion portion
Data Source
AI summary
A putter-chipper golf club may include: a body 110 including a coupling groove portion 110a having a through-hole formed therein; a variable face 120 disposed on one side of the body 110 and configured to function as a putter face or a chipper face; a spring 130 disposed on the circumference of a part of the coupling protrusion portion 120a; and a face cap 150 disposed adjacent to the spring 130. When the coupling groove portion 110a of the body 110 and the coupling protrusion portion 120a of the variable face 120 are disengaged from each other by pulling the variable face 120 from the body 110 toward one side, the golf club may be switched to a putter or a chipper through rotation of the variable face 120.