Improvements in Golf Clubs.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 16th May, 1894-Accepted, 16th June, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Golf Clubs.
I, CHARLES ASHFORD of the Firm of W. & G. Ashford of Essex Street,
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to golf clubs, known as drivers, brassy drivers, bulgers,
brassy bulgers, and all wooden headed clubs and it consists in constructing the
head of the driver or other similar club with an iron socket which has an extended
iron portion into or onto which the wooden head or driving face is secured, the iron
socket fits onto the shaft in a similar manner to the usual iron heads of certain
golf clubs.
One of the methods I adopt is to cast or otherwise form a frame or flat loop of
iron which is a continuation of the socket portion, this frame or loop is so formed
that the wooden head can be driven in and firmly held in place within such loop,
if found necessary screws may be used to further assist in keeping the parts rigid
by screwing them together.
Instead of an iron frame or loop the iron socket may be cast with a straight
centre piece of metal of any desired width and provided with flange pieces at the
socket end and also at the top, the wooden head is fitted between the flanges
which clip the same, the centre piece runs up the back of the head which is
screwed thereto.
Another way in which I may attach the wooden head is to continue from the iron
socket a central strip or blade of metal which passes through the centre of the
wooden head of the club which will be made in two halves placed on each side of
the metal centre and all screwed firmly together: this will give the appearance of
an ordinary club.
There may be several other variations as to the metal arrangement in connection
with the wooden heads of golf clubs but the object that I have in view is to provide
a more effective means than hitherto adopted, whereby the heads are securely
attached to the shafts, so that a very much stronger club is produced.
Moreover should the wooden head split in use it is a very easy matter to replace
the same.
By this principle in the case of beginners or an imperfect stroke being made
such as "heeling a ball, the neck cannot be broken by reason of the iron
socket etc.
"
Dated this 8th day of Nazombor AD 1802
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Golf Clubs.
I, CHARLES ASHFORD of the Firm of W. & G. Ashford of Essex Street
40 Birmingham in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to those kinds of golf clubs, known as drivers, brassey

page_text: drivers bulgers, brassey bulgers, and all wooden headed or partially wooden headed
clubs and it consists in constructing the head of the driver, or other club with a
socket of iron steel or other suitable metal, to receive the shaft or handle, which
metal socket terminates in an extended metal portion of any suitable formation into
or onto which the wooden head (with its driving face) of the club is secured.
The socket portion fits onto the shaft or handle in a similar manner to the usual
iron or other metal heads of certain golf clubs such for instance as a cleek.
The principle and object of my invention may be carried into effect in a variety
of ways all tending to the same purpose namely secure attachment of the wooden
heads to their shafts and strength at the parts needed.
Some of the methods embodied in my improvements I have illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and I will proceed to describe the same.
Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 in which is shewn the head of a driver in
side view, and plan, I cast or otherwise construct a frame, case, or flat loop of iron,
or of other suitable metal A which is a continuation of and in one piece with the
socket portion B, to which is attached the shaft or handle C, the metal frame
partially encases the wooden head or driving face D, and is so formed that the
wooden block or head D. can be driven into the metal frame A and firmly held in
place therein, and may furthermore be additionally secured if found necessary by
two or more screws, rivets, or pins, E. passing either through the base plate of
the metal frame as shewn or if preferred through the top thereof, or through
both parts.
The shaft or bandle C. may be attached to the metal socket B. in the usual (or
other suitable) manner common to other golf clubs as named above.
Another method I employ will be seen by reference to side, anu plan views,
Figures 3 and 4.
In this case the metal socket B. is cast or otherwise formed with a straight.
centre piece or rib F. of any desired width, and strength, and having suitably
shaped flange pieces G at the socket end and also at the extreme end of
the centre rib, these flange pieces are obviously of similar curvature to the wooden
head H, which is fitted between them, and firmly impinged by them, the central
rib F, running at the back, or base, of the wooden head which can be further
secured in its place by two or more screws or rivets I, 1.
Another method I employ will be seen in plan view Figure 5. In this case I
cast or form the metal socket B. with a centre piece or blade J. thereon which
passes through the centre of the wooden head K. which may be made in one piece,
or may be in two halves, one half placed on cach side of the metal centre piece J.
and all screwed rigidly together by screws or other means, L. This arrangement
will give the appearance of an ordinary driver.
Another method will be seen in plan view Figure 6. I cast or otherwise form
the metal socket B with a curved extended back plate M. of the same depth and
shape as the wooden head N. which fits into the curve and is attached to the same
by any suitable number of screws or rivets O, or by other means.
Another method of carrying my invention into effect will be seen in side, and
plan views Figures 7, 8, and 9. By this arrangement I cast or otherwise form in
combination with the metal socket B an extended base, plate P. of the required
shape and thickness of metal, a projecting central lip or flange piece Q terminates
the front surface as shewn, the wooden head R. is driven in between the base plate,
and flange piece, and secured firmly by screws, or rivets, S. and T. through the
base plate and flange piece.
A further development of my invention is shewn in Figures 10 and 11 in side,
and edge views. I cast or otherwise form the metal socket B, with an extended
metal blade U similar in shape to a golf cleek, upon the face of which blade I
attach and secure the wooden head or driving face V. by means of screws, or rivets,
or by other convenient arrangement.
By the use of clubs made upon the principle of my invention herein described,
great advantages exist over those hitherto used, which are liable to break in the

page_text: "
hands of beginners, or by an imperfect stroke being made such as "heeling a
ball, moreover should the wooden head split in use by my methods it can be
readily replaced.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the particular
formation or construction of the several methods herein illustrated and described as
there may be other variations as to the arrangement of the metal portions in.
connection with the wooden heads of golf clubs, the end that I have in view is to
provide a more effective means than hitherto adopted, whereby the heads are
securely attached to the shafts or handles, and a very much stronger club is
produced.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is-
Firstly. In the manufacture of golf clubs of, all kinds having wooden heads, or
partially wooden heads, the application and method of attaching the said wooden
heads to their shafts or handles, by means of metal sockets, having extended metal
portions of suitable shape and construction cast or otherwise formed in one piece-
with the said sockets, for the purpose substantially as herein set forth.
Secondly. In golf clubs of all kinds whereon are used wooden, or partially
wooden heads, the principle herein described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2,
that is to say the particular construction of a metal frame, or loop, cast or otherwise
formed in one piece with the metal socket in combination with the wooden head
substantially for the purpose set forth.
Thirdly. In golf clubs of all kinds whereon are used wooden, or partially
wooden heads, the particular formation and construction shewn in Figures 3, 4, 5
and 6 substantially for the purpose set forth.
Fourthly. In the manufacture of golf clubs of all kinds having wooden heads, or
partially wooden heads, the particular formation and construction of parts described
and illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9 for the purpose substantially as herein.
set forth.
Fifthly. In the manufacture of golf clubs of all kinds having wooden, or partially
wooden heads the particular formation and construction of parts in combination
described and illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 for the purpose substantially as set.
forth.
Sixthly. The principle of manufacturing certain golf clubs by any of the methods
herein described or by other similar acting means.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.