IP Library Granted Patent US 9,393,463
Granted Patent B2
US 9,393,463 · App. 14/505,394 · Granted Jul 19, 2016

Interchangeable shaft system

Inventors: Thomas Orrin Bennett (Carlsbad, CA); Stephanie Bezilla (Carlsbad, CA); Charles E. Golden (Encinatas, CA); Bradford Hughes Hartwell (Encinitas, CA); Scott A. Knutson (Escondido, CA); Stephen S. Murphy (Carlsbad, CA)
Assignee: Acushnet Company
A63B53/02A63B53/047A63B53/0466A63B60/42A63B2053/022A63B2053/023A63B2053/0412A63B2053/0491A63B2209/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,393,463
App. No.
14/505,394
Granted
Jul 19, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.

Claims (13)

1. A golf club kit, comprising:

a golf club head including a hosel having a proximal end;

an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis;

a grip coupled to a proximal end of the elongate shaft;

a shaft sleeve coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft, wherein an end surface of a portion of the shaft sleeve complements the proximal end of the hosel;

a plurality of rigid extension members, wherein each extension member includes a first surface and a second surface that is parallel to the first surface, the extension member being interposed between a portion of the shaft sleeve and the proximal end of the hosel such that the first surface abuts the shaft sleeve and the second surface abuts the hosel and so that a distal end of the extension member is proximal of the proximal end of the hosel, and wherein the shaft sleeve extends through the extension member such that a distal end of the shaft sleeve extends beyond a distal end of the extension member, wherein the extension members have different lengths that are between about 0.125 inch and about 3.0 inches, wherein the extension member is disposed so that the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft extends through the extension member when installed such that the length of the extension member affects the overall length of the golf club; and

a fastener that releasably couples the shaft sleeve to the club head.

2. The golf club kit of claim 1 , wherein the hosel comprises a plurality of alignment and anti-rotation features that include a plurality of notches disposed at the proximal end of the hosel.

3. The golf club kit of claim 1 , wherein the extension member comprises a plurality of alignment and anti-rotation features that include a plurality of notches disposed at the proximal and distal ends of the extension member.

4. The golf club kit of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of alignment and anti-rotation features disposed on the proximal end of the hosel and a plurality of alignment and anti-rotation features disposed on the proximal end of the extension member are shaped to complement a plurality of alignment and anti-rotation features disposed on the shaft sleeve.

5. The golf club kit of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the hosel alignment and anti-rotation features, the sleeve alignment and anti-rotation features and the extension alignment and anti-rotation features comprise a plurality notches.

6. The golf club kit of claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener extension including a proximal shank portion constructed to be removably coupled to a distal end of the shaft sleeve and a distal head portion constructed to be removably coupled to the fastener.

7. The golf club kit of claim 6 , wherein the shank portion comprises a threaded shank, and the head portion comprises a threaded bore.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2022
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061099/0236 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (ASSIGNS 039506-0030) Recorded Aug 3, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS RESIGNING ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061521/0414 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (035463/0473) Recorded Sep 7, 2016
From: KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 039939/0561 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2016
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 039506/0030 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2015
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 035463/0473 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2014
From: BENNETT, THOMAS ORRIN; BEZILLA, STEPHANIE; GOLDEN, CHARLES E.; HARTWELL, BRADFORD HUGHES; KNUTSON, SCOTT A.; MURPHY, STEPHEN S.
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033877/0145 →
Continuity (9)
Continuation 13975210 · Aug 23, 2013
Continuation 13568042 · Aug 6, 2012
Division 13030185 · Feb 18, 2011
Division 12560931 · Sep 16, 2009
Continuation In Part 12493517 · Jun 29, 2009
Continuation In Part 12336748 · Dec 17, 2008
Continuation In Part 12023402 · Jan 31, 2008
Continuation In Part 11958412 · Dec 18, 2007
Related Publication 20150038250A1 · Feb 5, 2015