IP Library Granted Patent US 9,033,821
Granted Patent B2
US 9,033,821 · App. 13/686,677 · Granted May 19, 2015

Golf clubs

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,033,821
App. No.
13/686,677
Granted
May 19, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An exemplary golf club head can comprise a body comprising a hosel bore defining a hosel bore axis and an adjustable sleeve comprising a plurality of longitudinal splines that engage with the body within the hosel bore such that the sleeve is configured to be secured within the hosel bore in a plurality of discrete rotational positions relative to the hosel bore axis. The sleeve can further comprise a shaft bore defining a shaft bore axis that forms a sleeve angle with the hosel bore axis when the sleeve is secured within the hosel bore. The square loft angle of the golf club head can be adjusted by changing the rotational position of the sleeve within the hosel bore. The club head can further comprise an adjustable sole piece that can be locked on the sole at a plurality of discrete positions to adjust face angle.

Claims (19)

1. A golf club comprising:

a shaft;

a body comprising a hosel having an upper bearing surface and a hosel bore defining a hosel bore axis;

an adjustable sleeve comprising a plurality of engaging surfaces that engage with the body to restrict rotation of the sleeve relative to the body such that the sleeve is configured to be secured within the hosel bore in a plurality of discrete rotational positions relative to the hosel bore axis, the sleeve further comprising a shaft bore defining a shaft bore axis that forms a sleeve angle of at least 1.5° with the hosel bore axis when the sleeve is secured within the hosel bore, the shaft bore being secured to a distal end portion of the shaft such that the shaft extends along the shaft bore axis; and

a retainer configured to releasably secure a distal end portion of the sleeve to the body in one of the rotational positions;

an adjustable sole piece that can be secured to a sole of the club head at six or more different discrete rotational and axial positions with respect to an axis extending through sole piece, wherein the face angle of the club head is different at each position of the sole piece;

wherein the sole piece comprises an outer wall that includes a plurality of notches that are configured to engage with corresponding ridges on the sole of the club head body to prevent the sole piece from rotating when the sole piece is secured to the sole;

wherein the square loft angle of the golf club head can be adjusted to a plurality of different values by changing the rotational position of the sleeve within the hosel bore; and

wherein, when the sleeve is secured to the body via the retainer in one of the rotational positions, an intermediate portion of the sleeve extending axially from a lower shoulder of the sleeve to a distal end of a uniform diameter portion of the shaft bore is under a tension that is constant along the axial length of the intermediate portion of the sleeve.

2. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein tension in the sleeve is transferred directly from a shoulder portion of the sleeve to the upper bearing surface of the hosel.

3. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of discrete rotational positions of the sleeve comprises at least 12 discrete rotational positions.

4. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of engaging surfaces comprises at least 12 axially oriented splines.

5. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve angle is at least 2.0°.

6. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of different square loft angle values comprises a range of at least 4°.

7. The golf club of claim 6 , wherein the range of square loft angle values includes the range of from 8° to 12°.

8. The golf club of claim 6 , wherein a maximum increment between different square loft angle values is less than 1°.

9. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a first outer surface that is axisymmetric about the hosel bore axis when the sleeve is secured within the hosel bore, and a second outer surface that is axisymmetric about the shaft bore axis.

10. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the sole piece between the different discrete rotational and axial positions does not cause a substantial change in the square loft angle of the club head.

11. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the sole piece between the different discrete rotational and axial positions allows the face angle of the club head to be adjusted over a range of at least 8°.

Assignments (12)
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 SECURITY AGENT
Reel/Frame 057300/0058 →
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 →
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: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057085/0314 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2021
From: KPS CAPITAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT, LLC
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057085/0262 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044206/0712 →
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 →