IP Library Granted Patent US 9,216,334
Granted Patent B2
US 9,216,334 · App. 14/330,658 · Granted Dec 22, 2015

Variable length golf club shaft

Inventors: Augustin W. Rollinson (Carlsbad, CA); James A. Nycum (San Marcos, CA)
Assignee: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
A63B53/16A63B53/00A63B53/0487A63B59/0044
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,216,334
App. No.
14/330,658
Granted
Dec 22, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A variable length shaft assembly comprising at least one spacer, a shaft portion, and a threaded fastener, wherein the threaded fastener removably connects the spacer to the lower shaft, is disclosed herein. The variable length shaft assembly may further comprise at least two spacers that are stackable on a butt end of the shaft portion so a golfer can adjust the total length of the shaft. 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 (28)

1. A kit comprising:

a golf club comprising a head, a shaft, and a grip;

a shaft adapter comprising a threaded through bore and a first keyed socket having a first stepped portion;

a plurality of spacers, each spacer comprising a lower end with a first keyed projection having a second stepped portion, an upper end comprising a second keyed socket having a protrusion, and a through-bore;

a cap comprising a socket, a through-bore, and a second keyed projection having a third stepped portion; and

an elongate bolt comprising a head and a threaded body,

wherein the first keyed projection of each of the plurality of spacers fits within the first keyed socket of the shaft adapter and within the second keyed socket of each of the other spacers,

wherein the second keyed projection of the cap fits within the second keyed socket of each of the plurality of spacers, and

wherein the threaded body of the bolt extends through the through-bore of the cap and the through bore of each of the plurality of spacers and engages the threaded through bore of the shaft adapter to secure the cap and the plurality of spacers to the shaft.

2. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the upper end of each of the spacers comprises at least two shallow depressions, and wherein the lower end of each of the spacers comprises at least two nubs sized to fit within the shallow depressions.

3. The kit of claim 2 , wherein each of the shallow depressions and each of the nubs is circular.

4. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is composed of a composite material, the cap is composed of an aluminum alloy, and the spacers are composed of a plastic material.

5. The kit of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of spacers comprises a molded elastomeric cover disposed on the at least one curved side and the at least one flat side.

6. The kit of claim 5 , wherein the elastomeric cover is textured.

7. The kit of claim 5 , wherein the grip has the same texture as the elastomeric cover.

8. The kit of claim 5 , wherein the elastomeric cover is urethane.

9. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the head is a putter-type head.

10. The kit of claim 9 , wherein the putter-type head is a blade putter head.

11. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a shaft bore sized to receive the shaft adapter.

12. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the shaft bore is integrally formed with the shaft.

13. The kit of claim 11 , wherein an upper surface of the shaft adapter is flush with an upper surface of the shaft when the shaft adapter is fully engaged with the shaft bore.

14. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the shaft bore is threaded, and wherein the shaft adapter comprises external threads sized to reversibly mate with the threaded shaft bore.

15. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the shaft adapter is non-removably bonded within the shaft bore.

16. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the shaft adapter comprises a lower projection and an upper barrel, wherein the first keyed socket is disposed within the upper barrel.

17. The kit of claim 16 , wherein the lower projection comprises a threaded external surface.

18. The kit of claim 1 , wherein each spacer has at least one curved side and at least one flat side.

19. The kit of claim 1 , wherein each spacer has a length of no more than 1 inch.

20. The kit of claim 1 , wherein each spacer is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon composite, plastic, and aluminum.

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 Jul 14, 2014
From: ROLLINSON, AUGUSTIN W.; NYCUM, JAMES A.
To: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033307/0195 →
Continuity (3)
Division 13544536 · Jul 9, 2012
Provisional Application 61577366 · Dec 19, 2011
Related Publication 20140335970A1 · Nov 13, 2014