Abstract:
A disconnectable golf club, comprising an upper section, and a lower section, which are secured together by means of a connector, one comprising a female part, the other a male part, and which includes one or more detents, and detent seats, that are constantly biased into engagement, to afford an interconnection of the golf club together, when assembled, but allows for prompt and remote disconnection, through the depression of a the detent or a control rod connected to the detent, when the golf club sections are to be separated, or a different club head is to be installed for usage and application for driving or putting of a golf ball.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates principally to a golf club, and more specifically to a golf club that can be disassembled, to attain compactness, to facilitate, as an example, the transit of a set of clubs during travel.  
           [0002]    Innovations to golf clubs have been made since the inception of the sport, and even the concept of reducing the size of the clubs, to facilitate their transit, has been considered. For example, the early Emens U.S. Pat. No. 782,955, shows a golf club, wherein its head portion disassembles from its shaft, apparently being locked into position by means of a bayonet style of lock, which is over lain by a ferrule, when assembled.  
           [0003]    The patent to Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 796,802, discloses another golf club, wherein its shaft portion disassembles from its driver, or head, once again, apparently being held together by means of a bayonet lock style of engagement.  
           [0004]    The patent to Bourke, U.S. Pat. No. 1,623,523, shows another golf club, where its wooden head affixes to its shaft, once again, by means of a bayonet lock style of engagement.  
           [0005]    The patent to Hadden, U.S. Pat. No. 1,665,811, shows a further embodiment for a golf club, where its iron head secures with its steel shaft through what appears to be a threaded engaging relationship, as noted.  
           [0006]    The patent to Dyce, U.S. Pat. No. 1,946,134, shows a golf club, and once again wherein the head of the club engages with its handle portion, in this particular instance, apparently through the application of a detent means, as noted.  
           [0007]    The patent Murphy, U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,666, discloses a personal golf set for par-3 course, wherein a simplified attachment of the club head to its disclosed shaft is provided through the usage of a resilient spring that engages within a corresponding slot integrally formed within its associated shaft.  
           [0008]    The patent Dopkowski, U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,227, shows a golf club set with carrying case, and wherein a single handle, or shaft, can be threadedly engaged to a variety of club heads, as can be seen.  
           [0009]    The patent to Lamanna, U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,577, shows a golf club assembly system and method, where once again, a bayonet form of lock engages the club head to the lower end of its shaft.  
           [0010]    The patent to Ko-Lee Wu, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,782, shows equipment for playing golf, and which includes a shaft that can be secured to a variety of club heads, depending upon the golf shot required.  
           [0011]    The patent to Walker, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,442, discloses golf clubs with quick release heads, wherein the shaft and the head are held together by means of a quick release pin.  
           [0012]    The patent to Barron, U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,901, shows a releasable fastening structure for trial golf club shafts and heads, as noted. In this instance, a spring bias bayonet type of locking arrangement appears to be provided for securement of these components of the club together, for usage.  
           [0013]    The British patent No. 325,677, shows means for threadedly engaging a golf shaft to its head, through the use of a cylindrical nut. In addition, British patent No. 376,474, shows a detent style of means for engaging the golf club head to the lower end of its shaft, to secure the same together during usage.  
           [0014]    The current invention is designed to facilitate the connection of a golf club head, to its shaft, by providing instrumentality for furnishing remote control, remote at least as of the upper end of the club shaft, or along the length of the shaft, to furnish quick engagement and disengagement of a club head, from a universal shaft, during usage of such clubs while participating in the sport of golf.  
           [0015]    Another attribute of this invention is to provide a symmetrically appearing golf club shaft which has minimum lines of disruption within its shape and appearance, and incorporates a non-distracting joint in connecting the shaft to the golf club head.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    The principal object of this invention is to provide a universal set of golf clubs, wherein a variety of golf club heads, may be stably connected with a singular shaft, and which can be quickly connected together, or removed as required, while participating in a round of golf.  
           [0017]    This invention contemplates the formation of means to facilitate the transit of golf clubs, particularly when one travels on vacation, or on a business trip, or simply carries the same to his/her club, in order to minimize the weight, the bulk, and other detriments presented by a standard set of golf clubs, in preparation and during usage. Furthermore, this invention contemplates a significant reduction in the bulk of a set of golf clubs, in addition to a lessening of their weight, when carried or hauled around the golf course during participation in the sport of golf. This is all accomplished in a design with minimal disruption of the lines and contours of a standard golf club.  
           [0018]    More particularly, this invention includes the usual set of golf club heads, whether it be the drivers, the irons, or the putter, and which either has directly applied to them, or to the upper end of their stub shaft, the remaining portion of the golf club handle in an upper end, through a quick engagement/release mechanism that can be conveniently assembled, instantaneously, for quick usage of a club, during partaking in a round of golf. More specifically, the set of golf clubs of this invention includes a detent form of interconnection between the two parts of the golf shaft, or the interconnection of the golf shaft directly into the shank portion of the club head, and which detent can be manipulated by an extending rod that projects through, or up to, the upper end of the handle of the golf club, or directly manipulated through the side of the lower shaft portion, which only needs to be depressed, to provide for rapid engagement or disengagement of these club components.  
           [0019]    The convenience of this arrangement allows the clubs to be immediately assembled, simply by sliding the handle portion of the shaft into the associated lower shaft or club head shank portion, for quick engagement, and the structure of the assembly includes pressure means that continuously bias these components into engagement, once they have been assembled. To disengage the components of the assembled club, merely depressing its conveniently disposed push button releases the engagement between the upper and lower shaft portions, and provides for disengagement of the two components of the club shaft. The two components can then either be promptly replaced into storage, or the upper shaft portion can be connected with another club head, depending upon the golf shot required at the moment.  
           [0020]    In any event, the structure of this disassembled golf club is such that it provides and facilitates the prompt engagement, and disengagement, of the club components, with just a fraction of time required, so as not to slow down or delay the play, but yet provide a full contingent of golf clubs, that may be required for all aspects of participating in a full round of golf, from the initial drive, to the use of irons, to provide an available wedge, and even furnish a putter, as required, to finish a hole of golf.  
           [0021]    Additional features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    In referring to the drawings:  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a front view of the lower section of the disassembled golf club of a first embodiment of this invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a front view of the upper section of the disassembled golf club of the first embodiment invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the assembled club sections at the vicinity of their connector for the first embodiment;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the sleeve portion of the connector that connects into the upper end of the lower golf section for the first embodiment;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the connector associated with the lower end of the upper section of the golf club for the first embodiment;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 shows the relationship of the ball detents in association with its control during disengagement of the golf club upper and lower sections of the first embodiment;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the control for the golf club connector for the first embodiment;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the housing for the control associated with the upper section of the golf club for the first embodiment;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the sleeve, showing its dimensions, and as previously disclosed in FIG. 4 for the first embodiment;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 10 is a multiple view of a second embodiment to the disassembled golf club;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 11 is a multi-view of the various components for a modification to the second embodiment to the disassembled golf club of this invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 12 is a multi-view of a further modification to the various components of the second embodiment forming the disassembled golf club of this invention;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 13 is a multi-view of further modification to the various components of the second embodiment;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment showing of this invention for securing the upper and lower sections of the golf club shaft together;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 15 discloses a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment showing the method for connection of these two components together as described in FIG. 14.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 16 a  is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve for the third embodiment;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 16 b  is a top view of the sleeve for the third embodiment;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 17 a  is a side view of the button-detent for the third embodiment; and  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 17 b  is a partial side view of the sidewalls and top of the button-detent for the third embodiment. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0042]    In referring to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower portion  1  and upper portion  2 , of the disassembled golf club of this invention, is readily disclosed. As can be seen, these sections include, at least with respect to the lower portion  1 , a portion of the golf club shaft  3  that is rigidly affixed with a golf club head  4 , which in this particular instance, comprises one of the irons. Within the upper end of the shaft  3  is a portion of the connector  5 , in this particular instance, comprising a sleeve  6  having at least one detent seat  7  provided through its side wall, and in this particular instance, in the preferred embodiment, a pair of such apertures or seats  7  are provided (See FIG. 1).  
         [0043]    The upper section  2  of the golf club shaft includes a portion of the shank or shaft  8  which has a hollow interior, or at least hollow enough to provide for the extension of a control rod  9  therethrough. The upper end of the shaft  8  includes the usual cushioned handle, normally formed of a wrap, or other polymer application, as can be seen at  10 . The upper end of the control rod  9  extends through an aperture  11  formed through the upper end or butt end of the club handle, and integrally formed with the upper end of the control rod  9  is a push button  12  which facilitates the manipulation of the control rod, during usage of the connection/disconnection means for this disassembled golf club. At the lower end of the upper section  2  of the disassembled golf club includes a housing  13 , and this housing includes a pair of apertures, as at  14 , therein, as through its side walls, and in which locate the ball detents  15 , as can be noted. Thus, in the assembled state, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the detent balls  15  are urged by means of the lower beveled end  16  urging said detent balls  15  outwardly, and into the detent seats  7 , of the lower sleeve  6 , as previously explained. The bias of the spring  17  urges the control rod  9  upwardly, thereby forcing its lower beveled surfaces  16  against the detent balls  15 , to provide for a continuous engagement of the club sections together, once assembled. Also, it is likely that the edges of the apertures  14  may bevel outwardly, so as to prevent escape of the detent balls  15 , once the club sections are disassembled, so as to prevent the balls from escaping from their housing  13 , once assembled.  
         [0044]    The control rod  9  has integral spacers  18 , which may be in the form of a washer, sleeve, or the like, or simply projections, as shown, in order to maintain the rod stably within the upper section  2  of the club shaft, but at the same time, freely allow the control rod  9 , and its lower beveled surfaces  16 , to shift axially within the shaft section  8 , during manipulation of the control while the club sections are being assembled, or disengaged.  
         [0045]    As can also be seen in FIG. 6, when the control rod  9  is depressed downwardly, or inwardly within the upper shaft section  8 , its lower beveled surfaces  16  extend further inwardly within its housing  13 , thereby depressing the spring  17 , and providing clearance for the inward movement of the detent balls  15 , as can be seen. Thus, in that position, the detent balls  15  are free to clear the detent seats  7 , and allow for the club shaft sections to be disengaged, by withdrawing the upper club section  8  from within the sleeve  5  provided at the upper end of the lower club section  3 , as can be noted, and understood. By simply releasing the pressure upon the control rod stem or head  12 , the spring  17  biases the control rod  9  upwardly, within its upper shaft section  8 , thereby urging the detent balls  15  outwardly, as when the upper portion  2  of the club shaft may be not in use, as for storage, or when the upper section of the club shaft is being reinserted for locking within a lower club shaft section, as when a different style of either driver, iron, wedge, or putter, is being promptly assembled, for usage, as previously explained. Thus, a quick disconnect is provided, when the upper shaft section  8  is removed from a club head, and a prompt reconnect is afforded, as when the universal upper club shaft section is re-engaged within the lower section of another golf club head, regardless what style of head may be attached, as previously reviewed.  
         [0046]    Thus, the connector of this design includes relatively few parts. Its female receptacle, formed in the club head lower sections, are simply rigidly connecting tubes, with holes or detent seats, in their side walls, as explained, in order to accept the detent or ball bearings of the male connector upper shaft section, which act to lock the two sections together, for ready usage. Only a single male connector is required for an entire set of golf clubs, this comprising the upper shaft section of the clubs, and which can be universally accepted and interconnected with a variety of lower shaft sections, and their integral golf club heads, whether they be for driving, iron shots, wedge application, or for putting. In order to lighten the weight of these components, for the assembled club, all of these components of the quick-release connector, except perhaps the spring, can be machined of a light weight metal, such as titanium, to lighten the weight of the clubs, and to keep the weight of the connector elements to a minimum, while at the same time, not sacrificing any of the club strength. Through a quick-release of the connector, which is operated by simply depressing a button or head at the upper end of the control rod, the butt or upper section of the club and its grip can be readily and quickly removed from the lower golf club head component.  
         [0047]    And, as previously reviewed, the uniformity of the attachment of the upper shaft section  8 , to its housing component  13 , may be provided so as to add uniformity of appearance, as in the vicinity of their interconnection, as at  18 , as noted. In addition, when the two club sections are assembled, the upper end of the lower club section, as at  19 , will abut against the lower surface  20 , when assembled, so as to provide the appearance of uniformity, and integration between the two club sections, totally concealing the connector assembly, and without providing any evidence of the ability of the club to be disassembled, into two sections, as previously reviewed.  
         [0048]    Another embodiment can be seen in FIG. 10. Here, a specially engineered metallic or other materials washer  21  is located upon a central shaft  24 , between the upper and lower components of the male connector, as shown at  22  and  23 , respectively. The outer edge of the upper component  22  is affixed to the inner wall of the upper part of the golf club, as noted.  
         [0049]    The beveled edges between the upper component  22  and the lower component  23  that face each other may be parallel to one another or of slightly differing angles, as noted. The shaft  24  is free to slide up and down through the upper component  22 , but is affixed to the lower component  23 , as disclosed. The lower component  23  is held in compression against the upper component  22 , by means of an axial compression spring  25 , that pushes against the top of the upper component  22 , and a stop  26  is affixed to the shaft  24 , at that location.  
         [0050]    The tapered end of the upper component  22 , the lower component  23 , and the washer  21 , slip into a female sleeve  27 , that is attached to the inner wall of the lower component part of the golf club, as shown.  
         [0051]    The washer  21  is designed such that when no compressive forces are applied to it, it buckles up into its “relaxed state.” When a compressive force is applied to the washer  21 , it flattens and redirects the compressive force radially outwardly towards its edges, as can be understood. Thus, when the male connector (including the upper component  22 , the lower component  23 , and the washer  1 ) is slipped into the female sleeve  27 , the washer redirects the compressive force exerted by the compression spring  25  through washer and against the inner side wall of the female sleeve  27 , thereby securing the top part of the golf club to the bottom part of the club, into a fixed relationship.  
         [0052]    Once the club is joined together, it can be quickly and easily released by depressing the button  28 , or  29 , at the top of the golf club. The button  28  is a design whereby the button is a mirror extension of the shaft  24 , through the top of the grip  30 , as noted.  
         [0053]    The connector design is a fail-safe relationship. That is, the washer  21  will always be pressing outwardly, and therefore activated, unless and until released by positive actuation of the button  28  or  29 , as noted.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 11 shows a twist-cam flex-washer type of interconnection, that holds the club&#39;s various components together, into an assembly for ready usage. Rather, instead of the lower component  33  being affixed to the shaft  34 , a helical groove  31  is cut in the inner surface of the lower component  33 , and a protruding knob  32  is affixed to the outer surface of the shaft  34 , such that it fits within the groove  31 , as can be seen. At the top of the golf club, there is located a cylindrical knob  35 , which is affixed to the top of the shaft  34 , as noted.  
         [0055]    When the knob  35  is twisted in one direction, it compresses the washer  36  by squeezing the lower component  33  against the upper component  32 , thereby actuating the locking mechanism, as can be understood.  
         [0056]    The disassembled club as shown in FIG. 12 provides a pressure-activated rubber washer type of interconnection. The part  36  is a gasket/washer comprised of rubber, polymer, or other such resilient material. When the knob  37  is twisted in one direction, it compresses the rubber washer  36  by squeezing the lower component  37  against the upper component  38 . This effectively compresses the rubber washer  36 , causing its outer surface to expand against the inner wall of the female sleeve  39 , thereby actuating the locking mechanism.  
         [0057]    When the knob  40  is twisted in the other direction, it separates the lower component  37  from the upper component  38 , the washer  36  returns to its relaxed state, and the locking mechanism is thereby released.  
         [0058]    As can be seen from FIG. 13, a further minor modification to the structure of this invention is disclosed herein, and is related to the usage of the washer  21 , for holding the male and female components of the club together, as previously described in FIG. 10. As shown herein, the washer  41 , similar to that as previously described with respect to the washer  21 , includes a series of slots  42  therein, and these slots are designed for cooperating with pins  43 , of the male part of the golf club  44 , such that when the male part slides downwardly for interconnecting with the female portion  45 , the pins insert through the slots  42 , of the sleeve  41 , to provide for an alignment and securement of these components of the shaft together, in addition to the interconnection provided through usage of the washer  41 , as previously described. In addition, holes may be provided as at  46 , in the internal base portion  47  of the female portion of the club, and the pins slide therein in order to fix these components together, and to secure an alignment of the two portions of the club shaft together, when interconnected. Thus, this provides for the prevention of axial rotation of one club portion, or the male portion  44 , within the female portion  45 , once interconnection occurs. In addition, it is likely that the holes  46  within the base  47  of the female portion of the club may be staggered, and not maintained in alignment, so that the pins  43  may only insert and become affixed within the female portion of the club shaft, in one position, so as to allow for the club head, and the female portion of the club shaft, to always be aligned in a particular manner when the club is assembled for usage, as previously explained. Thus, the washer means  41  allows for interconnection of the two components of the club shaft together, and the pins add further stability to their fastening together, and in addition, provides for its sustained alignment.  
         [0059]    Another advantage of this particular feature is that it minimizes the force necessary to actuate the locking mechanism, while at the same time eliminating axial rotation, while maintaining a simple and functional interconnecting design, for holding two portions of a club shaft together, once assembled.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 14 discloses yet another configuration for the structure and method for assembling the two components of the golf club shaft together, such as the lower shaft portion  48  and the upper shaft portion  49 . In this particular configuration, the lower shaft portion  48  includes a large diameter section  50  with a flared portion  51  at its outer end, thereat forming an interior canted surface  52 . A sleeve  48   a  (FIGS. 16 a  and  16   b ) is fixedly fit within the section  50 . A slot  48   b  is formed along one end of the sleeve  48   a  to provide unfettered access to the flared portion  51  when the sleeve  48   a  is properly positioned within the section  50 .  
         [0061]    A locking detent  53  (FIG. 17 a ), operatively associated with the upper shaft portion  49  (FIG. 15), can be depressed downwardly against the canted surface  52  for eventual alignment and snapping through the aperture  54 , formed through the outer shaft  48  and the sleeve  48   a , for securement of the two golf club shaft components together. Internally of the inner shaft portion  49  is an operative connector  55 , which is fixedly fit partially within the upper shaft portion  49 . The connector  55 , further along its length, includes a series of concentric counterbores, transversely arranged, as at  56 , and into which the detent  53  locates. The detent  53  is held into position, extending from the connector  55 , by means of the closure plate  57 , which biases a spring  58  internally of the connector  55 , and forces the detent  53  laterally, exposed externally of the connector  55 . The detent  53  is only allowed to project laterally, to the extent that the shoulder  59  of the connector  55  will allow.  
         [0062]    The detent  53  is generally rounded along its top  53   a  (FIG. 17 b ) to provide for a smooth engagement of the upper and lower shaft portions  48  and  49  together, both along the flared portion  51  and through the aperture  54 . Descending from the top of the detent  53   a  is a first sidewall  53   b  and a second sidewall  53   c . When the upper and lower shaft portions  48  and  49  are properly engaged with one another, the aperture  54  aligns with the first sidewall  53   b . A slight radial slope exists in the sidewall  53   b  that causes the diameter of the detent  53  to increase from the outer edge of the top  53   a  to the second sidewall  53   c . The sloped surface of the first sidewall  53   b  enables the detent to self-align within the aperture  54 , and provides a self-adjusting feature to accommodate wear of the detent  53  or the aperture  54 .  
         [0063]    Thus, as can be readily understood, when the upper shaft  49  locates, by means of the front end  60  of its connector  55 , within the section  50  of the lower shaft segment  48  (FIG. 15), and the detent  53  is generally aligned with its cooperating aperture  54 , and the two shaft components  48  and  49  are then slid together, the detent  53  will slide inwardly, within its connector  55 , by means of the beveled or canted surface  52 , until such time as the detent  53  aligns concentrically with and projects through the aperture  54 , thereby engaging the two shaft components together, and to a very tight securing relationship, for use for golfing purposes, as can be understood. The angular cross-sectional design of the detent or button  53  provides for a self-adjusting capability of this detent when locking the two shaft sections together.  
         [0064]    But, when it is desired to break down the shaft, all one need do is to press the detent  53  inwardly, until it clears inwardly of the aperture  54  of the shaft section  50 , at which time the two shaft parts may be pulled apart, to allow for their disassembly into smaller components of a golf club.  
         [0065]    While we have reviewed and described a variety of designs that may be encompassed within the preferred embodiment of this invention, all of the above-described different locking mechanisms can be actuated by a number of other and related types of means, including but not limited to a lever attached to a cam to lock it in an opened or a closed position. The lever may be located at the top of the club, or along the side of the shaft. In addition, a push-button attached to a lever or cam within the shaft, may operate just as effectively, and it may be arranged along the side and laterally of the shaft, for easy access and manipulation. In addition, an actuation may be accomplished through a “pulling” rather than “pushing” on the interlocking device. Finally, a ratchet with a quick-release incorporated into the shaft, or at the top of the shaft, may likewise be utilized for this purpose.  
         [0066]    In addition, the connector  55  may include grooves to accommodate O-rings or gaskets to tighten the engagement of the upper and lower shaft portions  48  and  49 . A cup or lip may be formed at the inner end of the sleeve  48   a  to hold a pliant or elastic material, such as rubber, against which the end  60  of the connector  55  may be pressed during engagement of the upper and lower shaft portions  48  and  49  to further tighten the portions together.  
         [0067]    A variety of materials may be used in the present invention, such as titanium or aluminum, having strength and light weight to provide the structural stability necessary for the device to operate properly, yet provide a reduction in weight. Where springs are disclosed in the described embodiments, alternate means for providing pressure may be used, such as the use of rubber and other elastic materials.  
         [0068]    Variations or modifications to the structure of this disconnectable golf club assembly may occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the subject matter of this invention. Such variations, if within the spirit of this disclosure, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of this invention. The description of the preferred embodiment as set forth herein, and as shown in the drawings, is provided for illustrative purposes only.