Golf club with improved weight distribution

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9827470-B2
Application number	US-201514946444-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 19, 2015
Priority date	Mar 14, 2014
Publication date	Nov 28, 2017
Grant date	Nov 28, 2017

Abstract

A system for optimizing weight distribution of a golf club including a weight receiving grip, the weight receiving grip configured to be affixed to a proximal end of a golf club shaft, wherein the weight receiving grip comprises a generally tubular member comprising a shaft bore configured to surround a proximal portion of the shaft, wherein the weight receiving grip comprises a weight retention portion at a proximal end of the weight receiving grip, the weight retention portion configured to engage a weight member, a grip expanding tool configured to deflect a portion of the weight receiving grip facilitating installation or removal of the weight members from the weight receiving grip.

First claim

We claim:

1. A system for optimizing weight distribution of a golf club, comprising:
a weight receiving grip, said weight receiving grip configured to be affixed to a proximal end of a golf club shaft;
wherein said weight receiving grip comprises a generally tubular member comprising a shaft bore configured to surround a proximal portion of said shaft, wherein said weight receiving grip comprises a weight retention portion at a proximal end of said weight receiving grip, said weight retention portion configured to engage a weight member;
a proximal weight member comprising a grip coupling portion and a heavy weighted portion, said proximal weight member configured to be installed within said weight receiving grip, said grip coupling portion configured to engage said weight retention portion of said weight receiving grip, said heavy weighted portion of said proximal weight member located adjacent said grip coupling portion of said proximal weight member;
a distal weight member comprising a grip coupling portion and a heavy weighted portion, said distal weight member configured to be installed within said weight receiving grip, said grip coupling portion configured to engage said weight retention portion of said weight receiving grip, said heavy weighted portion offset distally from said grip coupling portion of said distal weight member, said heavy weighted portion of said distal weight member offset at least 5 inches distally from said grip coupling portion of said distal weight member; and
a grip expanding tool configured to deflect a portion of said weight receiving grip facilitating installation or removal of said weight members from said weight receiving grip;
wherein said grip coupling portion of said proximal weight member and said grip coupling portion of said distal weight member each comprise a grip engaging member, wherein said grip expansion tool comprises a first member, a second member, and a plurality of expansion members, wherein said first member is rotatably coupled to said second member, wherein said plurality of expansion members are configured to engage said weight retention portion of said grip and define a weight insertion port, and wherein said plurality of expansion members are movably coupled to said first member and said second member such that relative motion of said first member relative to said second member alters the relative position of the plurality of expansion members such that the size of the weight insertion port changes, thereby allowing said grip engaging member to pass through said weight insertion port and into said weight retention portion of said grip.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said weight retention portion of said weight receiving grip comprises a cavity formed in an internal surface of said weight receiving grip, wherein said weight retention portion of said weight receiving grip comprises a weight retention lip proximal said cavity, said weight retention lip configured to limit said distal weight member and said proximal weight member from dislodging from said weight receiving grip, said grip engaging members each configured to reside within said cavity of said weight receiving grip.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said weight retention lip comprises a bore comprising an inner diameter, wherein said grip engaging member comprises an outer diameter, wherein said outer diameter of said grip engaging member is larger than said inner diameter of said bore of said weight retention lip.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein said grip expanding tool is configured to deform said weight retention portion of said grip and expand said inner diameter of said bore of said weight retention lip larger than said outer diameter of said grip engaging member, allowing said grip engaging member to pass through said bore of said weight retention lip.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein said grip expansion tool comprises a first member, a second member, and a plurality of expansion members, said first member rotatably coupled to said second member, wherein forcing a portion of said first member towards a portion of said second member causes said first member to rotate relative to said second member, wherein said grip expansion tool comprises a weight insertion port, wherein said plurality of expansion members are configured to translate relative to said first member and said second member as said first member rotates relative to said second member, wherein said plurality of expansion members are configured to engage and expand said inner diameter of said bore of said weight retention lip of said weight receiving grip, allowing said grip engaging member to pass through said weight insertion port and said bore of said weight retention lip.

6. A system for optimizing weight distribution of a golf club, comprising:
a weight receiving grip, said weight receiving grip configured to be affixed to a proximal end of a golf club shaft;
wherein said weight receiving grip comprises a generally tubular member comprising a shaft bore configured to surround a proximal portion of said shaft, wherein said weight receiving grip comprises a weight retention portion at a proximal end of said weight receiving grip, said weight retention portion configured to engage a weight member; and
a grip expanding tool configured to deflect a portion of said weight receiving grip facilitating installation or removal of said weight member from said weight receiving grip;
wherein said weight retention portion of said weight receiving grip comprises a cavity formed in an internal surface of said weight receiving grip, wherein said weight retention portion of said weight receiving grip comprises a weight retention lip proximal said cavity, said weight retention lip configured to limit said weight member from dislodging from said weight receiving grip;
wherein said weight retention lip comprises a bore comprising an inner diameter, wherein said weight member comprises a grip engaging member, wherein said grip engaging member comprises an outer diameter, wherein said outer diameter of said grip engaging member is larger than said inner diameter of said bore of said weight retention lip;
wherein said grip expanding tool is configured to deform said weight retention portion of said grip and expand said inner diameter of said bore of said weight retention lip larger than said outer diameter of said grip engaging member, allowing said grip engaging member to pass through said bore of said weight retention lip.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein said grip expansion tool comprises a first member, a second member, and a plurality of expansion members, said first member rotatably coupled to said second member, wherein forcing a portion of said first member towards a portion of said second member causes said first member to rotate relative to said second member, wherein said grip expansion tool comprises a weight insertion port, wherein said plurality of expansion members are configured to translate relative to said first member and said second member as said first member rotates relative to said second member, wherein said plurality of expansion members are configured to engage and expand said inner diameter of said bore of said weight retention lip of said weight receiving grip, allowing said grip engaging member to pass through said weight insertion port and said bore of said weight retention lip.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein said grip expansion tool comprises a first member, a second member, and a plurality of expansion members, wherein said first member is rotatably coupled to said second member, wherein said plurality of expansion members are configured to engage said weight retention portion of said grip and define a weight insertion port, and wherein said plurality of

Assignees

• Acushnet Co

Inventors

• Knutson Scott A
• Barksdale Dustin A
• Bone Donald S

Classifications

• A63B21/075

  with variable weights {, e.g. weight systems with weight selecting means for bar-bells or dumb-bells} · CPC title

• A63B60/02

  Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass (A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence) · CPC title

• A63B24/0003

  Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis · CPC title

• A63B2220/20

  Distances or displacements · CPC title

• A63B60/22

  Adjustable handles · CPC title