Golf club having an adjustable weight assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a golf club head having an adjustable weight assembly. More specifically, the adjustable weight assembly utilizes a weight member that's secured via a fastener along various positions within an elongate channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf club head comprising:
 a striking face;   a topline;   a sole opposite said topline;   a heel;   a toe opposite said heel;   a hosel proximate said heel for coupling said golf club head to a shaft; and   a back wall opposite said striking face and extending from said heel to said toe,   wherein said back wall comprises an elongated channel extending in a heel-to-toe direction,   wherein a weight member is located within said elongated channel,   wherein in an unlocked configuration said weight member is permitted to move within said elongated channel, and   wherein in a locked configuration, a fastener prevents movement of said weight member within said elongated channel.   
     
     
         2 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said fastener includes a threaded exterior portion configured to engage a threaded interior portion of said weight member, and
 wherein in said locked configuration said fastener forces said weight member against an inner wall of said elongated channel.   
     
     
         3 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between said elongated channel and said striking face varies along said heel-to-toe direction. 
     
     
         4 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , further comprising an opening in communication with said elongated channel, and
 wherein said opening is configured to allow a tool to engage said fastener.   
     
     
         5 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said back wall further comprises a plurality of discrete openings in communication with said elongated channel, and
 wherein each of said plurality of discrete openings is configured to allow a tool to engage said fastener.   
     
     
         6 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said back wall further comprises a slot in communication with said elongated channel, and
 wherein said weight member includes a tab protruding through said slot outside of said elongated channel.   
     
     
         7 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said back wall further comprises a slot in communication with said elongated channel, and
 wherein said weight member is removable from said elongated channel through said slot.   
     
     
         8 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said back wall further comprises a slot through an inner wall of said elongated channel most proximate said topline. 
     
     
         9 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said back wall further comprises an opening through a rearmost portion of said back wall. 
     
     
         10 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said back wall further comprises five discrete openings through a rearmost portion of said back wall. 
     
     
         11 . A golf club head comprising:
 a striking face;   a topline;   a sole opposite said topline;   a heel;   a toe opposite said heel;   a hosel proximate said heel for coupling said golf club head to a shaft; and   a back wall opposite said striking face and extending from said heel to said toe,   wherein said back wall comprises an elongated channel extending in a heel-to-toe direction,   wherein a weight member is located within said elongated channel, and   wherein said weight member is positionable at various locations within said elongated channel.   
     
     
         12 . The golf club head of  claim 11 , further comprising a fastener to prevent movement of said weight member within said elongated channel. 
     
     
         13 . The golf club head of  claim 12 , further comprising an opening in communication with said elongated channel, and
 wherein said opening is configured to allow a tool to engage said fastener.   
     
     
         14 . The golf club head of  claim 13 , wherein said opening is located at a rearmost portion of said back wall. 
     
     
         15 . The golf club head of  claim 14 , wherein said back wall comprises a plurality of discrete openings in communication with said elongated channel, and
 wherein each of said plurality of discrete openings is configured to allow a tool to engage said fastener.   
     
     
         16 . The golf club head of  claim 15 , wherein said back wall further comprises a slot in communication with said elongated channel, and
 wherein said weight member includes a tab protruding through said slot outside of said elongated channel.   
     
     
         17 . The golf club head of  claim 16 , wherein said weight member is removable from said elongated channel through said slot. 
     
     
         18 . The golf club head of  claim 17 , wherein a distance between said elongated channel and said striking face varies along said heel-to-toe direction. 
     
     
         19 . The golf club head of  claim 18 , wherein said fastener includes a threaded exterior portion configured to engage a threaded interior portion of said weight member, and
 wherein said fastener forces said weight member against an inner wall of said elongated channel in a locked configuration.   
     
     
         20 . The golf club head of  claim 19 , wherein said plurality of discrete openings include five discrete openings through said rearmost portion of said back wall.