IP Library Granted Patent US 8,425,344
Granted Patent B2
US 8,425,344 · App. 13/008,806 · Granted Apr 23, 2013

Variable length golf club shaft

Inventors: D. Clayton Evans (San Marcos, CA); Tim Goudarzi (San Marcos, CA); Matthew T. Cackett (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: Callway Golf Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,425,344
App. No.
13/008,806
Granted
Apr 23, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A variable length shaft assembly comprising at least one upper shaft portion, a lower shaft portion and a threaded fastener, wherein the threaded fastener removably connects the upper shaft portion to the lower shaft portion, is disclosed herein. The variable length shaft assembly may further comprise at least two upper shaft portions having different lengths so a golfer can adjust the total length of the shaft by removing one upper shaft portion and replacing it with another upper shaft portion having a different length. Methods of adjusting the length of a golf club shaft without damaging any portion of the shaft and variable length shaft kits are also disclosed herein.

Claims (19)

1. A variable length golf club shaft comprising:

at least one upper shaft portion;

a lower shaft portion;

a threaded fastener,

wherein the threaded fastener removably connects the upper shaft portion to the lower shaft portion;

and upper adapter having a hole through its center and a lower adapter having a threaded hole through its center, wherein the upper adapter is affixed to a lower, interior surface of the upper shaft portion, wherein the lower adapter is affixed to an upper, interior surface of the lower shaft portion, wherein the threaded fastener is insertable through the holes in the center of the upper and lower adapters, and wherein a head portion of the threaded fastener is permanently enclosed by a screw captivator affixed to the upper adapter.

2. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , wherein the upper shaft portion comprises an upper shaft piece and an upper grip piece.

3. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 2 , wherein the upper shaft piece is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, steel, magnesium, magnesium alloy, plastic, and graphite composite.

4. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 3 , wherein the upper shaft piece is composed of graphite composite.

5. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , wherein the lower shaft portion comprises a lower shaft piece and a lower grip piece.

6. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 5 , wherein the lower shaft piece is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, steel, magnesium, magnesium alloy, plastic, and graphite composite.

7. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 6 , wherein the lower shaft piece is composed of graphite composite.

8. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , wherein the upper adapter is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, steel, magnesium, magnesium alloy, plastic, and graphite composite.

9. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , wherein the lower adapter is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, steel, magnesium, magnesium alloy, plastic, and graphite composite.

10. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , further comprising an upper o-ring disposed proximate the upper adapter and a lower o-ring disposed proximate the lower adapter.

11. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , further comprising at least two upper shaft portions, wherein the at least two upper shaft portions have different lengths.

12. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 11 , wherein the at least two upper shaft portions differ in length from each other by no less than 0.5 inch.

13. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 11 , wherein the at least two upper shaft portions differ in weight from each other.

14. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 11 , wherein the at least two upper shaft portions have the same weight.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 063665/0176 Recorded Jun 1, 2026
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY (F/K/A TOPGOLF CALLAWAY BRANDS CORP.); TRAVISMATHEW, LLC; OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WORLD GOLF TOUR, LLC
Reel/Frame 075834/0150 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2023
From: TOPGOLF CALLAWAY BRANDS CORP.; OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TOPGOLF INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TRAVISMATHEW, LLC; WORLD GOLF TOUR, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063692/0009 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 16, 2023
From: TOPGOLF CALLAWAY BRANDS CORP. (FORMERLY CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY); OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TOPGOLF INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TRAVISMATHEW, LLC; WORLD GOLF TOUR, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063665/0176 →
RELEASE (REEL 048172 / FRAME 0001) Recorded Mar 17, 2023
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: TOPGOLF CALLAWAY BRANDS CORP. (F/K/A CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY); OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 063622/0187 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2019
From: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY; CALLAWAY GOLF SALES COMPANY; CALLAWAY GOLF BALL OPERATIONS, INC.; OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.; CALLAWAY GOLF INTERACTIVE, INC.; CALLAWAY GOLF INTERNATIONAL SALES COMPANY; TRAVISMATHEW, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 048110/0352 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 4, 2019
From: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY; OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048172/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 16, 2018
From: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY; CALLAWAY GOLF SALES COMPANY; CALLAWAY GOLF BALL OPERATIONS, INC.; OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.; CALLAWAY GOLF INTERACTIVE, INC.; CALLAWAY GOLF INTERNATIONAL SALES COMPANY
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 045350/0741 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2011
From: EVANS, D. CLAYTGON; GOUDARZI, TIM; CACKETT, MATTHEW T.
To: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025656/0061 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120184389A1 · Jul 19, 2012