Club Head with External Hosel

An adjustable golf club head and method of manufacturing the adjustable golf club head. The adjustable golf club head consists of a striking face, a soleplate, a crown, and a skirt connecting the face, the soleplate and the crown with the flange and hosel assembly being adjustably attached to the skirt. The flange and hosel assembly may be moved: laterally, tilted, vertically, both laterally and vertically, allowing for the optimization of one or more of the following specifications—loft angle, lie angle, face angle, center of gravity and face progression.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, a prior art golf club head is shown. The golf club head1includes a face3, a soleplate11, a crown2, a toe5, a heel6, a skirt7, or other structure, used in connecting the crown2to the soleplate11, and a hosel4to which a golf club shaft12is secured, as well as any weight member(s) which might be incorporated into the club head1. As is readily apparent, the hosel is within the periphery of club head1, and flows directly from crown2.

Although a driver type golf club head, frequently called a “wood,” is disclosed herein in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the concepts underlying the present invention may be applied to a variety of golf club head types, for example, fairway woods and hybrids, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Referring now toFIGS. 3aand3b, these figures describe a wood of the invention wherein the hosel is displaced from the body of the wood club head, i.e., on the periphery of skirt27of the club head. The golf club head20includes a face23, a soleplate21, a crown22, a toe25, a heel26, and a skirt27. Affixed to skirt27is flange29, which is constructed to receive hosel24to which a golf club shaft32is secured. The flange29forms a channel32abetween the skirt27and the hosel24. The face23has a plurality of score lines or grooves33thereon to provide spin to the golf ball. Also, the face23is attached to the club head20around a periphery or rim1000of the face23(seeFIG. 5). As can be seen in the figures, the crown22, face23and soleplate21do not intersect any portion of flange29. This allows club head20to maintain a consistent shape and design without altering the components of club head20. The displacement of hosel24from club head20permits a more aerodynamic design of the club head.

Hosel24is affixed to or molded with flange29. Hosel24is positioned at a selected angle upward from flange29. The longitudinal axis of hosel24may be at any selected angle relative to face23and/or to the heel26of club head20. In the preferred embodiment, this angle is about 60°. Hosel24may then receive a club shaft32of a selected length and with selected characteristics. Also shown inFIGS. 3-6and8-9are score marks33, traditionally etched on faces of drivers.FIG. 4discloses club head20with reference lines between the heel portion26of skirt27(where flange29attaches to the skirt) and hosel24to show the displacement d1of the hosel from the club head body. The hosel24may be displaced at any selected distance from club head20, but the minimum distance that hosel24may be displaced from the club head body is about 1 mm. Also shown onFIG. 4is the displacement d2between soleplate21and the lower edge of flange29. Flange29may be displaced any selected distance from soleplate21, however, the minimum distance that flange29may be displaced from soleplate21is about 2 mm.FIG. 5discloses club head20with reference lines between the heel end of crown22and the top portion of flange29where it meets skirt27, showing distance d3. Flange29may be displaced any selected distance from crown22, however, the minimum distance d3between crown22and the top of flange29is about 2 mm.FIG. 5also shows the width w of flange29between crown22and soleplate21.FIG. 6is a side prospective view of the club head of the invention as seen from the heel of the club head and showing a portion of flange29spanning skirt27.

FIG. 7is a bottom view of club head20with soleplate21in plan view. The intersection of soleplate21and face23shows predominantly as a straight line. Distance d4is the displacement of flange29behind the leading edge of face23. Flange29may be displaced any selected distance behind the leading edge of face23, however, the minimum distance of d4is 1 mm. Also shown onFIG. 7is the lateral length l of flange29along skirt27. The length l and width w of the part of the flange attaching to skirt27determines the amount of stability of the club head. The minimum ratio of length l versus width w of flange29is about 1.25 to 1, but is much greater in this preferred embodiment.

Club head20is fabricated in its normal manner except for the absence of hosel24. Flange29is securely fastened to skirt27at a selected point on skirt27of club head20, the flange29extending to a selected point along the periphery of skirt27and either toward the back of the club head, or toward soleplate21, for providing additional structural support to club head20. This flange reduces the amount of torque and vibration induced by the club head striking a golf ball and improves the characteristics of the golf club. Since flange29may be located at various positions on skirt27, a club head may be made to specification in order to address a particular golfer's swing and to enable the golfer to more easily square up the club face to the target line at impact, and thus reducing the tendency to miss hit the shot.

With the ability to move hosel24forward or backward along the periphery of the club head, more design options are available to specifically relocate the center of gravity to the position delivering optimal performance to the golf ball. The center of gravity will change in the direction of the hosel location. If hosel24is situated higher on club head20, the center of gravity of club head20will be higher, and conversely, if hosel24is situated lower on club head20, the center of gravity will be lower. In addition, the additional amount of axial support by flange29will produce a better feel to the golfer. This construction also allows position of shaft32to be moved in relation to the plane of the club face without altering the design of the actual club head. This allows varying degrees of offset (measurement where the front of the hosel is located in front of the plane of the club face) to be designed into the club. When the shaft is located behind the plane of the club face the measurement (between the shaft's position and the club face plane) is defined as “face progression.” These different hosel positions are enabled by the various size and shape possibilities in flange design.

FIGS. 8 and 9disclose a hybrid and fairway wood, respectively, each constructed in the method of the invention with the same numbering for like components.

FIG. 10shows a golf club head20, with a flange29that contains the hosel24for securing the shaft32. The invention introduces an adaptor34attached to the shaft32and the adaptor34is to be positioned inside the hosel24, and secured in place by a threaded fastener35.

Referring now toFIGS. 11 and 12, these figures show a method by which the adaptor34is secured to the hosel24by a threaded fastener35extending upward through an opening in the bottom of the hosel24. The adaptor has a scalloped shape (female) on the bottom that is laterally secured by the male fixturing located in the bottom interior walls of the hosel24. The adaptor can be lifted and rotated to a desired positioning and re-secured by the re-attachment of the threaded fastener35.FIG. 12shows a cross sectional view of the adaptor34with the shaft32positioned inside the adaptor. The shaft would typically be secured in its position with an epoxy type product. The shaft32is positioned in the adaptor at a slight angle. This designated angle allows the shaft to alter the relationship between the club face plane and the plane intersecting the centerline of the shaft that is positioned perpendicular to the intended target line as the shaft is rotationally repositioned. This desired result allows the golf club to be altered for loft, lie and club face angle. This adjustability feature allows the player to ‘fine tune’ the club's playing characteristics to his or her needs.

FIG. 13shows the threaded fastener35secured in place through an opening located in the bottom side of the hosel24and attaching to the adaptor34. The flange29and hosel24designed to accommodate the adaptor system of the invention may be permanently attached to the skirt27or the flange and hosel assembly may be adjustable in nature.

Shown inFIGS. 14 and 15are the components comprising the club head20, a face23, a crown22, a sole21and a skirt27. The club head is not altered in shape. The flange29and hosel24are attached to a shaft and then positioned at a desired location for isolating desired playability characteristic of said club. Those characteristics include the ability to alter and adjust loft, lie angle, face angle, center of gravity location and face progression.

FIG. 16discloses a club head20with a flange29that incorporates horizontal slots36, to allow the flange to be located at various horizontal locations along the skirt27. The flange is positioned in the desired location and then secured at the points of attachment37with a fastening system. As the flange29is moved toward or away from the plane intersecting the club face23, the hosel24whose purpose is to secure the shaft, will alter the positioning of the plane intersecting the centerline of the shaft and lying perpendicular to the target line. The distance between the centerline of the shaft and the most forward position of the club head20is defined as face progression. Face progression affects a player's ability to return the plane of the club face perpendicular or ‘square’ to the intended target line. The club head and club face rotates as the club is swung on the downswing. During the downswing, the toe of the club head is moving faster than the heel. Players vary in the speed with which they rotate the club head returning it to a square position at impact. Players who struggle to rotate the club head fast enough to return it to a square position at impact, benefit from a wood type club with less face progression. This will allow them slightly more time to complete rotating the club head back to a square position. Conversely, players who rotate the club head more actively on the down swing, benefit from a wood type club with more face progression, thus not giving them the additional time to over rotate the club face.

The club head's center of gravity will move in the same direction the flange and hosel assembly is moved. This is a result of the weight of the flange and hosel assembly being repositioned about the periphery of the club head. Center of gravity (CG) has an effect on both launch angle and spin rates. The science behind the CG location; the farther forward the center of gravity is positioned toward the club face, the lower the trajectory and spin rate (with all other factors constant). Moving CG farther away from the club's face horizontally will increase launch angle and spin rate (with all other factors constant).

FIG. 17shows the inside surface of the flange29where it is secured to the skirt27. In this drawing two slots36are visible in the flange to allow it to be attached to the club head's skirt27. The inside surface of the flange29has been configured with ridges of teeth38to provide a secure fit against the skirt27. An enlargement is provided showing this feature in more detail. The attachment of the adjustable flange relies on structural mechanisms to resist various stresses at impact. Additionally, this configuration dampens vibration by solidifying the lateral surface contact of the flange to the skirt.

FIG. 18represents the heel side skirt27equipped with two threaded male connectors40to extend through the slots36in the flange29. These connectors allow the flange to be held solidly in place adjacent to the skirt27. Female connectors will lock and hold the flange securely in place. The skirt wall is also equipped with ridges of teeth39to engage with those located on the flange's inside surface. This serves as a locking mechanism to resist the lateral stresses occurring at impact. The secure fit of the flange and the skirt is key to reducing vibration.

The top perspective view ofFIG. 19shows the teeth ridges39positioned along the skirt wall and two threaded male connectors40extending outward from the skirt wall to receive the flange29. The flange29assembly has teeth ridges38to lock into those located on the skirt27. The slots36in the flange29allow for movement forward and backward in relation to the club head's face.

InFIG. 20the flange29has been placed at a selected location about the skirt27. The flange is secured from lateral movement by a system of interlocking teeth located on the skirt39and teeth38positioned on the inside of the flange29. This interlocking system of teeth extends vertically on both the skirt27and flange29. The male fasteners40extending from the skirt pass through the slots located in the flange. Female locking connectors41are seen in alignment with the protruding threaded male fasteners40.FIG. 21shows the flange29now secured to the skirt27and club head, with the female locking connectors41in place.

FIG. 22shows an alternative method for utilizing a connector system wherein the skirt27contains a female connector43to receive a threaded male connector42that passes through the slot in the flange29. InFIG. 23a view of the flange29secured to the skirt27is presented with the male threaded connector42locked into place in the female connector43located in the skirt wall. The teeth39positioned on the skirt and the teeth38located on the flange are engaged securing the flange in place.

A method for allowing the flange and hosel assembly to be adjusted laterally utilizing a slide track system is represented inFIG. 24. A hollow chamber46containing moveable and lockable female connectors44is included in the club head's skirt27. These female connectors44may be moved laterally, but the chamber's46configuration provides a surface structure lip47along the top and bottom. These surface structure lips47provide a foundation for resistance when locking down the female fasteners44. The inside surface of the flange shown inFIG. 25shows two threaded male fasteners42extending through the flange wall. These fasteners will be secured to the female connectors44located in the chamber on the skirt. These threaded male fasteners42have heads designed to be tightened into a locked position with a tightening tool as seen inFIG. 26.

InFIG. 27a top perspective of the slide track system shows the flange29has been secured to the skirt27with the threaded male connectors42locked into place with the female connectors44located inside the chamber46. The inside of the surface lips47are configured with teeth48to lock the female fasteners in place along the channel's lips. The female fasteners44are designed with teeth49to interlock along the surface lips of the chamber. This locking system provides vibration dampening to the adjustable system improving feel and confidence for the player.

InFIG. 28a club head is seen in the playing position. A longer dashed line positioned vertically, touches the extreme forward position of the club face23, or its leading edge. Displayed also is a dotted line intersecting the center of the shaft32and lying on the plane perpendicular to the target line. The distance d2between the dashed line and the dotted line represents the measure of face progression for this particular club head. InFIG. 29we see a club head with the extreme forward most part of its face23touching the long dashed vertical line. The dotted line intersecting the center line of the shaft32and lying on the plane perpendicular to the target line. The distance d1between the dashed line and the dotted line represents the measure of face progression for this particular club head. Looking atFIGS. 28 and 29together, we can see the flange29, hosel24and shaft32are located farther forward (toward the leading edge of the club head) inFIG. 29as compared to the club head shown inFIG. 28. Thus, the club head inFIG. 29has less face progression than the club head ofFIG. 28. With a laterally adjustable flange and hosel assembly the player can adjust the club head's measure of face progression to best fit his game for optimal results.

FIGS. 30,31and32represent the options available when the flange29is attached to the skirt27through a single point of attachment37as to allow the flange29to be tilted. A tilting of the flange29will reposition the angle of the hosel24designed to secure the shaft. The relationship between the plane intersecting the centerline of the hosel lying perpendicular to the target line and the plane of the club face is the club's loft. Loft is measured in degrees and in driver type clubs, generally ranges between 8 to 12 degrees.

InFIG. 30we see a club head with the flange and hosel assembly positioned with the hosel in a “neutral” vertical position. InFIG. 31we see the flange and hosel assembly has been moved upward (counter clockwise) around a pivot point37. This adjustment reduces effective loft. When comparing the loft of the face23of the club head ofFIG. 30(neutral position) and that of the face23of the club head shown inFIG. 31, the club head ofFIG. 31has less loft than the club head ofFIG. 30.

InFIG. 32the flange and hosel assembly has been adjusted with forward portion of the assembly moving downward (counter clockwise) around pivot point37. This adjustment increases effective loft. When comparing the loft of the face23of the club head ofFIG. 32and that of the face23of the club head ofFIG. 30(neutral position) the club head ofFIG. 32has more loft than the club head ofFIG. 30.

The ability to independently adjust loft while not affecting lie or face angle maintains the playing characteristics of the club for the player. Should playing conditions change, the player can simply alter the loft of the club to increase or decrease to a desired initial launch angle.

FIGS. 33,34and35show a club head with a threaded male connector40extending from the skirt27and passing through the slot36in the flange29. The slot36in the flange29is positioned vertically. This allows the flange29and the hosel24contained within the flange to be moved vertically in relation to the club head.FIG. 33shows the threaded male fastener40positioned in the middle of the slot36located in the flange29.

FIG. 34presents the threaded male fastener positioned in the top of the slot36of the flange29. In comparison to the positioning of the flange and hosel assembly ofFIG. 33, the flange and hosel assembly is positioned lower on the club head ofFIG. 34. This lower positioning of the flange and hosel assembly will lower the club head's center of gravity location. This lowering of the club head's center of gravity location will produce an increase in the launch angle at impact and increase the golf ball's spin rate.

FIG. 35presents the threaded male fastener40positioned in the bottom of the slot36of the flange29. In comparison to the positioning of the flange and hosel assembly ofFIG. 33, the flange and hosel assembly is positioned higher on the club head ofFIG. 35. This higher positioning of the flange and hosel assembly will raise the club head's center of gravity location. This raising of the club head's center of gravity location will produce a lower launch angle at impact and decrease the golf ball's spin rate.

FIGS. 36,37and38show a club head with a threaded male connector40extending from the skirt27and passing through the slot36in the flange29. The slot36in the flange29is formed in such a manner to allow horizontal adjustability and vertical adjustability.FIG. 36shows a threaded male fastener40located in a “neutral” or “central position” of the slot36of the flange29.FIG. 37shows the threaded male fastener positioned in the lower rear location of the slot36of the flange29.FIG. 38shows the threaded male fastener40positioned in the highest front location of the slot36of the flange29. The adjustment options presented in this adjustability configuration include; face progression through the lateral movement of the flange and hosel assembly, center of gravity location both laterally and vertically, and lie angle when the flange29and club head's skirt27are designed with a matching lateral and vertical radius.

While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the introduction of new materials may change the characteristics of club design, and may permit reducing the size of the range. This invention may be embodied in many different forms should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.