Golf club with vertically adjustable center of gravity

Abstract

The invention generally relates to golf clubs with adjustable mass properties. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods and mechanisms for adjusting a club head center of gravity in a vertical direction. Changing a center of gravity in the vertical direction can be done without substantially changing the center of a gravity in other directions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf club head comprising:
 a face, a hosel, an aft body, and a mechanism operable to change a position of a center of gravity of the club head in a direction that has a substantial component that is vertical when the club head is at address.   
     
     
         2 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises an openable cap. 
     
     
         3 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a reversible member. 
     
     
         4 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a separable cartridge member. 
     
     
         5 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises repositionable weights. 
     
     
         6 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a non-uniformly weighted member. 
     
     
         7 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a track for weight travel. 
     
     
         8 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises weights accessible at an exterior surface of a club head. 
     
     
         9 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is substantially concealed within the club head. 
     
     
         10 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is both accessible at an exterior surface and substantially contained within the club head. 
     
     
         11 . A golf club head comprising:
 a mechanism for adjusting a center of gravity in a vertical direction without substantially changing the center of a gravity in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.   
     
     
         12 . The club head of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism comprises a separable member that can be attached to the club head in at least two different orientations. 
     
     
         13 . The club head of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism comprises a separable bent strap that can be attached to the club head in a corresponding recess in an aft portion of the club head. 
     
     
         14 . The club head of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism comprises an elevator member that includes a threaded shaft, rotation of which changes a height of the center of gravity substantially only in the vertical direction. 
     
     
         15 . The club head of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism comprises a plurality of ports, each configured to receive and retain a weight. 
     
     
         16 . The club head of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of ports are accessible by opening a single hatch on the club head. 
     
     
         17 . The club head of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism comprises a hole in a surface of the club head, the hole being configured to receive a weight pylon that attaches to the surface and positions a weight member within the club head spaced away from the surface. 
     
     
         18 . The club head of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism comprises an aft portion of the club head that is moveable relative to the rest of the club head. 
     
     
         19 . A method for changing a vertical center of gravity of a golf club head, the method comprising:
 adjusting a center of gravity in a golf club head in a vertical direction without substantially changing the center of gravity in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising repositioning a separable member, wherein the separable member is one selected from the list consisting of:
 a separable member that can be attached to the club head in at least two different orientations,   a separable member with a non-uniform mass distribution,   a separable member that can be attached to the club head in a corresponding recess in an aft portion of the club head,   a separable member with a tab on one end dimensioned to be received by a slot on the club head,   a separable member that can be attached to the club head in two orientations related by a 180° rotation of the separable member, and   a threaded member.