IP Library Granted Patent US 8,454,451
Granted Patent B2
US 8,454,451 · App. 13/038,254 · Granted Jun 4, 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: Callaway Golf Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,454,451
App. No.
13/038,254
Granted
Jun 4, 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 (21)

1. A variable length golf club shaft comprising:

at least one upper shaft portion;

a lower shaft portion;

an upper adapter having a hole through its center;

a lower adapter having a threaded hole through its center, and

a threaded fastener,

wherein the upper adapter is affixed to a lower, interior surface of the at least one 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,

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

wherein the at least one upper shaft portion comprises an upper shaft piece and an upper grip piece,

wherein the lower shaft portion comprises a lower shaft piece and a lower grip piece,

wherein the upper grip piece comprises a first collar and the lower grip piece comprises a second collar, and

wherein the upper grip piece contacts the lower grip piece when the at least one upper shaft portion and the lower shaft portion are connected.

2. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , wherein the upper grip piece and the lower grip piece contact each other at a ninety degree angle with respect to a vertical shaft axis.

3. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , wherein the upper grip piece and the lower grip piece contact each other at a non-ninety degree angle with respect to a vertical shaft axis.

4. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , wherein the upper grip piece comprises a first set of serrations, wherein the lower grip piece comprises a second set of serrations, and wherein the first and second sets of serrations interlock when the upper grip piece contacts the lower grip piece.

5. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , wherein the upper grip piece and the lower grip piece are composed of a rubber compound.

6. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , wherein the first collar contacts the upper adapter, and wherein the second collar contacts the lower adapter.

7. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , wherein the first collar comprises at least one slit.

8. The variable length golf club shaft of claim 1 , wherein each of the upper shaft piece and the lower shaft piece is composed of graphite.

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 Mar 1, 2011
From: EVANS, D. CLAYTON; GOUDARZI, TIM; CACKETT, MATTHEW T.
To: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025883/0048 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 13008806 · Jan 18, 2011
Provisional Application 61422982 · Dec 14, 2010
Related Publication 20120149487A1 · Jun 14, 2012