Abstract:
This is an interchangeable golf club system, which allows particular golf club heads to be interchanged on the shaft of a golf club. Additionally, the length of the golf club can be adjusted using this same device. A set of locking rings allow appropriate adjustment of the length of the club or the replacement of the golf club head are provided.

Description:
STATEMENT CONCERNING RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a continuation in part of the application with Ser. No. 11/509,353 and a filing date of Aug. 24, 2006 now abandoned. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A. Field of the Invention 
   This is related to golfing and, in particular, being able to change the golf club head on a given shaft and being able to adjust the length of the club. 
   B. Prior Art 
   There are many other prior art references related to golfing in general. There are other references related to changing golf club heads and lengths of clubs. A representative example of this type of device is found at Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,096. Lee is a golf club putter, having an adjustable shaft length. This does not, however, enable the individual to remove the putter head but only to lengthen the shaft. Another example in the prior art can be found at Benson, U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0116197. Benson discusses an extensible golf club, which again extends the length of the club but does not affect the type of club that will be used or allow for the golf club head to be changed. 
   Another example in the prior art, which teaches a changeable golf club head can be found at Roark, U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,673, which is an interchangeable golf club head. 
   The system in Roark will allow the user to change a golf club head; however, it does not anticipate using a chuck system and instead uses an interlocking/coupling type of mechanism, which is substantially different than the present system. The current system also does not modify the golf club externally. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In the game of golf, it is sometimes necessary and oftentimes desirable to change the length of a golf club. This may be due to a particular user&#39;s golf swing or the height of an individual using the club. This may be particularly true if the clubs are rented. 
   Rather than incur the expense of buying a specific set of clubs for a specific person, this device allows a specific club head or a set of clubs to be used interchangeably. All golf club heads can be changed, including putters, irons and woods. 
   Additionally, the length of the club can also be adjusted to fit the specific parameters of a person&#39;s body type, height and also the form of the person&#39;s swing. 
   It is an object of this device to allow an individual to change the golf club head as well as adjust the length of a golf club shaft. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the device with a driver head attached. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the device with an iron head attached and the length shortened. 
       FIG. 3  is a view according to line  3 - 3  on  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3A  is an enlarged view of the locking ring assembly. 
       FIG. 4  is a view according to line  4 - 4  on  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a fragmented cross-sectional view of the shaft near the grip. 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the various clubs that may be changed and a figure showing the mating end of the shaft. 
   

   NUMBERING REFERENCES 
   
       
         5 . Device 
         10 . Grip 
         11 . Grip shaft 
         15 . Exterior outer shaft 
         16 . Inner telescoping shaft 
         20 . Locking mechanism 
         20 A. Outer locking shell 
         20 B. Inner locking shell 
         20 T. Threaded portion of outer locking means 
         25 . Exposed portion of inner telescoping shaft 
         26 . Jaw 
         26 T. Threaded portion on jaw 
         27 . Chuck key 
         28 . Key hole to tighten chuck 
         29 . Club head shaft 
         30 . Club head (Driver) 
         31 . Lower shaft stop 
         32 . Upper shaft stop 
         33 . Teeth 
         34 . Club head (Putter) 
         35 . Seal 
         36 . Club head (Iron) 
         38 . Club head (Wedge) 
         39 . Spring 
         40 . Protuberance on outer locking shell 
         41 . Groove in shaft 
         43 . Inner Locking Shell Protuberance 
         44 . Groove on outer locking means 
     
  
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   The device  5  has the look of a standard golf club, including a grip  10 , an exterior outer shaft  15 , and a golf club head  30 . Various golf club heads are used with this device, and any golf club head may be used with this device.  FIG. 1  depicts the device with the grip  10  detached and a driver attached as the club head  30 .  FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the device with the handle shortened, and a three iron  32  as the detachable club head. 
   An individual grips the golf club on the gripping surface  10  of the golf club at one end of the shaft. The grip or gripping surface  10  surrounds a shaft  11 , which extends from one end of the grip to the other. Golf clubs are typically smooth surfaces and the grip  10  improves the ability of the golfer to handle the club. At one end of the grip is a locking ring  20 . In the interior of the hollow grip shaft is a stop mechanism  32 , which predetermines the amount of adjustment that may be made to the length of the club. Three locking rings are used on the device, a first locking ring near the junction of the grip  10  and the exterior upper shaft  15 , a second locking ring  20  in the approximate middle of the club and a third locking ring near the junction of the exposed portion of the inner telescoping shaft  25  and the club head  30  such as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
   An exterior outer shaft  15  extends from a connection point near one end of the grip  10  to a second locking ring  20  at the opposite end of this exterior outer shaft near the middle of the club. This second locking ring  20 , which is positioned on the exterior outer shaft, allows the height or length of the golf club shaft in that portion near the grip to be adjusted. The exterior outer shaft  15  is hollow. 
   A portion of an inner telescoping shaft  16  is placed a predetermined amount within the hollow exterior outer shaft  15 . An exposed portion of the inner telescoping shaft  25  is not placed within the hollow exterior outer shaft  15  so that the golfer can make the appropriate height adjustments for the particular club using the markings  28  for that purpose. 
   In operation, each of the locking rings  20 , which are comprised of an outer locking shell  20 A and an inner locking shell  20 B, surround a set of jaws  26  which abut the surface of the respective portion of the shaft. On one surface of the locking ring  20  is a set of exterior teeth  33  which mates with a chuck key  27 . The jaw  26  will have a threaded portion  26 T at one end, which mates with a set of internal threads  20 T on the interior surface of the outer locking shell  20 A. A protuberance  40  is provided on one end of the outer locking shell  20 A which mates with a groove  41  on the shaft of the club. 
   The outer locking shell  20 A surrounds the inner locking shell  20 B as depicted in  FIG. 3 ; the inner locking shell surrounds a portion of the jaw  26  that abuts the outer surface of the shaft. A inner locking shell protuberance  43 , which mates with a groove on the outer locking shell  44 , is provided on one end of the inner locking shell  20 B. This insures that the various parts of the locking shells remain in alignment and move as the chuck key  27  is turned and moves the jaws  26  along the shaft. The respective threaded portions mate and force the portion on the jaw that abuts the shaft to move up or down the shaft  25  of the club. 
   A chuck key hole  28  is provided to use the chuck key  27  to move the outer locking shell  20 A. This tightening means is similar to the means that is used to tighten a drill bit in a drill. The locking ring is internally threaded to the jaws of the locking ring and a means to secure the locking ring to the shaft is provided. Because of the internal threads and because the locking ring is secured to the shaft, when the chuck key  27  is turned in a certain direction, the jaws  26  will constrict around the club surface. When the chuck key  27  is turned in the opposite direction, the jaws  26  move away from the club surface. 
   A spring  39  is located in the cavity of the outer locking shell  20 A and is compressed as the chuck key  27  is turned in one direction or is allowed to expand as the chuck key is turned in the opposite direction. 
   Because the exposed portion of the inner telescoping shaft  25  will be exposed to significant amounts of force when the ball is struck, a seal  35  is placed in a notch on one end of the jaw  26  for that purpose. Many different seal materials may be used and no specific material is being claimed. Possible examples of seal materials include rubber or neoprene. 
   One end of the exterior outer shaft is connected to the club at one end near the grip at the position of the locking ring for that purpose and at the other at another locking ring. 
   An inner telescoping shaft  16 , which telescopes inside the exterior outer shaft  15  allows a length adjustment of the club. Height adjustment markings  28  are provided on the exposed portion of the inner telescoping shaft  25  so that an individual can properly adjust the length of the club based on the height adjustment markings  28 . 
   At the end of the device near the club head is another locking ring which allows the club head to be taken off and placed back on. A stop mechanism  31  which is placed within the hollow interior shaft prevents the club head from moving too much vertically. A protrusion  29  on the respective club head rests flush with one side of the stop mechanism  31  when the club head is installed. A variety of different club heads may be used with this single device. 
   When the device is to be used the person loosens the appropriate locking ring  20 , adjusts the interior shaft relative to the height adjustment marking  28  and then locks and tightens the respective locking rings until jaws are secured to the shaft and the length of the club is appropriate. The locking rings prevents the club from swaying from side to side or bending excessively. In order to reinforce the device, cushioning material may be included in the hollow sections of the grip and exterior outer shaft. 
   The person places the appropriate club head on the end of the club for instance, a driver  30 , a three iron  32  or a putter  34 . Additionally, a separate locking ring  20  similar to the other locking rings on this device is used to change the club head  30 . 
   As stated previously, this device may be used on any type of club as depicted in  FIG. 6 . This may include, for example, a five iron  36 , a putter  34 , a three wood  30  or a four iron  38 .