IP Library Granted Patent US 8,517,855
Granted Patent B2
US 8,517,855 · App. 13/305,523 · Granted Aug 27, 2013

Golf club

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,517,855
App. No.
13/305,523
Granted
Aug 27, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A golf club comprises a shaft, a club head, and a connection assembly that allows the shaft to be easily disconnected from the club head. In particular embodiments, a sleeve including a top portion, a middle portion connected to the top portion is described. The middle portion includes a thin wall thickness. A bottom portion is connected to the middle portion including a plurality of engaging surfaces. A central longitudinal axis and an offset angle offset from the central longitudinal axis is described. The offset angle allows a maximum loft change of about 0.5 degrees to about 4.0 degrees. The total weight of the sleeve is less than 9 g.

Claims (44)

1. A golf club head comprising:

a body comprising a face plate, a crown, a hosel, and a sole, with the hosel defining a hosel opening, an annular shoulder, and an upper bearing surface, and the sole defining an opening that is in communication with the hosel opening and an internal bearing surface;

an adjustable head-shaft connection system configured to allow the golf club head to be adjustably attachable to a golf club shaft in a plurality of different positions resulting in different combinations of loft angle, face angle, and lie angle, with the adjustable head-shaft connection system having a sleeve with an upper portion, the upper portion including an annular bearing surface, the annular bearing surface directly engaging the upper bearing surface of the hosel, the adjustable head-shaft connection system including a threaded lower opening and a screw extending through the opening in the sole and having a head defining a bearing surface engaging the internal bearing surface of the body and a threaded region engaging the threaded lower opening of the sleeve;

a hosel insert secured inside the hosel and contacting the annular shoulder, the hosel insert of a height dimension less than a height dimension of the hosel including a rotation prevention portion with splines configured to mate with a rotation prevention portion of the adjustable head-shaft connection system; and

at least two weights attachable to and removable from the body at a plurality of different positions relative to the body;

wherein at least a portion of the crown has an areal weight of less than about 0.36 g/cm 2 .

2. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the crown has an areal weight of less than about 0.36 g/cm 2 .

3. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the crown has an areal weight of between about 0.18 g/cm 2 and about 0.36 g/cm 2 .

4. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the crown has an areal weight of between about 0.18 g/cm 2 and about 0.36 g/cm 2 .

5. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the crown has an areal weight of less than about 0.27 g/cm 2 .

6. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the crown has an areal weight of less than about 0.27 g/cm 2 .

7. The golf club head of claim 3 , wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head has a Z-axis coordinate of less than or equal to about 0 mm.

8. The golf club head of claim 7 , wherein the golf club head moment of inertia about a head center of gravity X-axis is between about 200 kg·mm 2 and about 500 kg·mm 2 .

9. The golf club head of claim 8 , wherein the golf club head moment of inertia about a head center of gravity Z-axis is between about 400 kg·mm 2 and about 500 kg·mm 2 .

10. The golf club head of claim 9 , wherein the volumetric displacement of the golf club head is greater than about 400 cm 3 .

11. A golf club head comprising:

a body comprising a striking face, a crown, a sole, and a hosel, with the hosel defining a hosel opening, an annular shoulder, and an upper bearing surface, and the sole defining an opening that is in communication with the hosel opening and an internal bearing surface;

an adjustable head-shaft connection system configured to allow the golf club head to be adjustably attachable to a golf club shaft in a plurality of different positions wherein a longitudinal center axis of the hosel is offset from a longitudinal center axis of the shaft, with the adjustable head-shaft connection system having a sleeve with an upper portion engaging the upper bearing surface of the hosel and a threaded lower opening, and a screw extending through the opening in the sole and having a head defining a bearing surface engaging the internal bearing surface of the body and a threaded region engaging the threaded lower opening of the sleeve;

a hosel insert secured inside the hosel and contacting the annular shoulder, the hosel insert of a height dimension less than a height dimension of the hosel including a rotation prevention portion with splines configured to mate with a rotation prevention portion of the adjustable head-shaft connection system; and

at least two weights attachable to and removable from the body at a plurality of different positions relative to the body;

wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head has a Z-axis coordinate of less than or equal to about 0 mm.

12. The golf club head of claim 11 , wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head has a Z-axis coordinate of less than or equal to about −1 mm.

13. The golf club head of claim 11 , wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head has a Z-axis coordinate of less than or equal to about −2 mm.

14. A golf club head comprising:

a body comprising a striking face, a crown, a sole, and a hosel, with the hosel defining a hosel opening, an annular shoulder, and an upper bearing surface, and the sole defining an opening that is in communication with the hosel opening and an internal bearing surface;

an adjustable head-shaft connection system configured to allow the golf club head to be adjustably attachable to a golf club shaft in a plurality of different positions resulting in different combinations of loft angle, face angle, and lie angle, with the adjustable head-shaft connection system having a sleeve with an upper portion engaging the upper bearing surface of the hosel and a threaded lower opening, and a screw extending through the opening in the sole and having a head defining a bearing surface engaging the internal bearing surface of the body and a threaded region engaging the threaded lower opening of the sleeve;

a hosel insert secured inside the hosel and contacting the annular shoulder, the hosel insert of a height dimension less than a height dimension of the hosel including a rotation prevention portion with splines configured to mate with a rotation prevention portion of the adjustable head-shaft connection system; and

at least two weights attachable to and removable from the body at a plurality of different positions relative to the body;

wherein a golf club head moment of inertia about the head center of gravity X-axis is between 200 kg·mm 2 and 500 kg·mm 2 .

15. The golf club head of claim 14 , wherein the golf club head moment of inertia about a head center of gravity X-axis is between 200 kg·mm 2 and 300 kg·mm 2 .

16. A golf club head comprising:

a body comprising a striking face, a crown, a sole, and a hosel, with the hosel defining a hosel opening, an annular shoulder, and an upper bearing surface, and the sole defining an opening that is in communication with the hosel opening and an internal bearing surface;

an adjustable head-shaft connection system configured to allow the golf club head to be adjustably attachable to a golf club shaft in a plurality of different positions wherein a longitudinal center axis of the hosel is offset from a longitudinal center axis of the shaft, with the adjustable head-shaft connection system having a sleeve with an upper portion engaging the upper bearing surface of the hosel and a threaded lower opening, and a screw extending through the opening in the sole and having a head defining a bearing surface engaging the internal bearing surface of the body and a threaded region engaging the threaded lower opening of the sleeve;

a hosel insert secured inside the hosel and contacting the annular shoulder, the hosel insert of a height dimension less than a height dimension of the hosel including a rotation prevention portion with splines configured to mate with a rotation prevention portion of the adjustable head-shaft connection system; and

at least two weights attachable to and removable from the body at a plurality of different positions relative to the body;

wherein a golf club head moment of inertia about the head center of gravity Z-axis is between 400 kg·mm 2 and 500 kg·mm 2 .

17. The golf club head of claim 16 , wherein the golf club head moment of inertia about a head center of gravity Z-axis is between 420 kg·mm 2 and 450 kg·mm 2 .

18. A golf club head comprising:

a body comprising a striking face, a crown, a sole, and a hosel, with the hosel defining a hosel opening, an annular shoulder, and an upper bearing surface, and the sole defining an opening that is in communication with the hosel opening and an internal bearing surface;

an adjustable head-shaft connection system configured to allow the golf club head to be adjustably attachable to a golf club shaft in a plurality of different positions resulting in different combinations of loft angle, face angle, and lie angle, with the adjustable head-shaft connection system having a sleeve with an upper portion engaging the upper bearing surface of the hosel and a threaded lower opening, and a screw extending through the opening in the sole and having a head defining a bearing surface engaging the internal bearing surface of the body and a threaded region engaging the threaded lower opening of the sleeve;

a hosel insert secured inside the hosel and contacting the annular shoulder, the hosel insert of a height dimension less than a height dimension of the hosel including a rotation prevention portion with splines configured to mate with a rotation prevention portion of the adjustable head-shaft connection system; and

at least two weights attachable to and removable from the body at a plurality of different positions relative to the body;

wherein the volumetric displacement of the golf club head is greater than 400 cm 3 .

19. The golf club head of claim 18 , wherein the volumetric displacement of the golf club head is between 420 cm 3 and 475 cm 3 .

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: KOOKMIN BANK
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 058983/0516 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: KOOKMIN BANK
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 058978/0211 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 7, 2022
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058962/0415 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 7, 2022
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058963/0671 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 24, 2021
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: KOOKMIN BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 057293/0207 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 24, 2021
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: KOOKMIN BANK, AS SECURITY AGENT
Reel/Frame 057300/0058 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2021
From: ADIDAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057453/0167 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2021
From: KPS CAPITAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT, LLC
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057085/0262 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2021
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057085/0314 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: KPS CAPITAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044207/0745 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: ADIDAS NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044206/0765 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044206/0712 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2013
From: BEACH, TODD P.; SARGENT, NATHAN T.; WILLETT, KRAIG ALAN; HOFFMAN, JOSEPH HENRY
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 031019/0637 →