Universal connector for adjustable golf clubs

Abstract

A universal connector for an adjustable golf club is provided. Such a universal connector includes a first member having a head portion and a body portion and having a bore for receiving a terminal end of a shaft. The connector also includes a second member having a bore for receiving a portion of the first member therein. The first member includes a first anti-rotational member and the second member includes a second anti-rotational member. The first and second anti-rotational members are engageable with one another to prevent relative rotation of the first member relative to the second member about a longitudinal axis of the connector. The second member includes a third anti-rotational member, the third anti-rotational member configured to mate with an anti-rotational member of the golf club head to prevent relative rotation of the second member relative to the head.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A universal connector for connecting a golf club head and a golf club shaft, the golf club head having a bore and a golf club head anti-rotation member, the connector comprising:
 a first member having a head portion, a body portion, a shaft bore for receiving a terminal end of the golf club shaft, and a first anti-rotational member in the form of a plurality of axially facing teeth, the head portion, body portion, and first anti-rotational member formed as a single piece;   at least one second member having a head portion, a body portion, a second anti-rotational member in the form of a plurality of axially facing teeth, a third anti-rotational member, the head portion, body portion, second anti-rotational member, and third anti-rotational member being formed as a single piece, the at least one second member being matable with the first member, the first and second anti-rotational members axially and angularly engageable with one another to prevent relative rotation of the first member relative to the second member about a longitudinal axis of the connector, the first and second anti-rotational members form a mating interface which is exposed on an exterior radially outer facing surface of the connector, the third anti-rotational member configured to mate with the golf club head anti-rotational member of the golf club head to prevent relative rotation of the second member relative to the golf club head, the third anti-rotational member axially offset from the second anti-rotational member;   a threaded member axially biasing the first member into the second member maintaining the first anti-rotational member in axial engagement with the second anti-rotational member;   wherein the third anti-rotational member of the second member is selected from the group consisting of:
 a plurality of axially extending teeth that have an outer diameter that is different than an outer diameter of the second anti-rotational member and the outer diameter of the plurality of axially extending teeth is greater than an outer diameter of the body portion of the second member; 
 a plurality of axially extending teeth, the plurality of axially extending teeth of the third anti-rotational member having a first outer diameter, the second anti-rotational member having a second outer diameter, the second outer diameter being different than the first outer diameter, the body having a third outer diameter, the third outer diameter being different than the first outer diameter and different than the second outer diameter; and 
 a plurality of axially extending teeth, the plurality of axially extending teeth having a first shape, the plurality of axially extending teeth of the second anti-rotational member having a second shape, the second shape being different than the first shape such that the teeth of the plurality of axially extending teeth of the third anti-rotational member are configured differently than the teeth of the plurality of axially extending teeth of the second anti-rotational member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the third anti-rotational member is a plurality of axially extending teeth, the plurality of axially extending teeth having a first shape, the plurality of axially extending teeth of the second anti-rotational member having a second shape, the second shape being different than the first shape such that the teeth of the plurality of axially extending teeth of the third anti-rotational member are configured differently than the teeth of the plurality of axially extending teeth of the second anti-rotational member;   the first shape includes a first axial tip extending axially away from the second anti-rotational member and first and second sides that extend from the first axial tip towards the third anti-rotational member, the first and second sides are substantially parallel to one another;   the second shape includes a second axial tip and third and fourth sides that extend from the second axial tip towards the second anti-rotational member, the third and fourth sides are non-parallel to one another and taper away from one another when moving from the second axial tip towards the second anti-rotational member.   
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the second and third anti-rotational members have a same outer diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of axially extending teeth of the third anti-rotational member has a first outer diameter, the plurality of teeth of the second anti-rotational member has a second outer diameter, the second outer diameter being different than the first outer diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the axially extending teeth of the first member are formed at an axial extent of the head portion proximate the body portion of the first member;   the axially extending teeth of the second member are formed at an axial extent of the head portion of the second member; and   the axially extending teeth of the first member are received within spaces formed between the axially extending teeth of the second member to rotational fix the first member relative to the at least one second member.   
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the second member has a radial transition between the second and third anti-rotational members. 
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the third anti-rotational member is a plurality of axially extending teeth that have an outer diameter that is different than an outer diameter of the head portion of the second member and the outer diameter of the plurality of axially extending teeth is greater than an outer diameter of the body portion of the second member. 
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the third anti-rotational member is a plurality of axially extending teeth that have an outer diameter that is different than an outer diameter of the second anti-rotational member and the outer diameter of the plurality of axially extending teeth is greater than an outer diameter of the body portion of the second member. 
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the third anti-rotational member is a plurality of axially extending teeth, the plurality of axially extending teeth of the third anti-rotational member having a first outer diameter, the second anti-rotational member having a second outer diameter, the second outer diameter being different than the first outer diameter, the body having a third outer diameter, the third outer diameter being different than the first outer diameter and different than the second outer diameter. 
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the third anti-rotational member is a plurality of axially extending teeth, the plurality of axially extending teeth having a first shape, the plurality of axially extending teeth of the second anti-rotational member having a second shape, the second shape being different than the first shape such that the teeth of the plurality of axially extending teeth of the third anti-rotational member are configured differently than the teeth of the plurality of axially extending teeth of the second anti-rotational member. 
     
     
         11 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first member has:
 the first anti-rotational member positioned axially between the head portion and the body portion;   a first distal end proximate the head portion   a tapered portion that is positioned axially between the first distal end and the first anti-rotational member, the tapered portion an outer radial surface that reduces in outer diameter when moving axially away from the first anti-rotational member towards the first end, the tapered portion being axially offset from at least a portion of the body portion.   
     
     
         12 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein an upper most extent of the first member extends axially above an upper most extent of the second member when the first and second members are connected to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein, when in a fully assembled state, the first member forms a distal end of the connector. 
     
     
         14 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded member directly contacts the first member. 
     
     
         15 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first member has a second bore;   the threaded member is in the form of a mounting screw receivable in the second bore, the mounting screw configured to abut the golf club head and to engage the second bore to bias the first member into engagement with the second member.   
     
     
         16 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the head portion has a tapered portion with an outer radial surface that reduces in outer diameter when moving axially away from the first anti-rotational member;   the tapered portion being axially offset from at least a portion of the body portion; and   the tapered portion, body portion, and first anti-rotational member formed as a single piece.   
     
     
         17 . A universal connector for connecting a golf club head and a golf club shaft, the golf club head having a bore and a golf club head anti-rotational member, the connector comprising:
 a first member having a head portion, a body portion, a shaft bore for receiving a terminal end of the golf club shaft, and a first anti-rotational member in the form of a plurality of axially extending teeth, the head portion having a tapered portion with an outer radial surface that reduces in outer diameter when moving axially away from the first anti-rotational member, the tapered portion being axially offset from at least a portion of the body portion, the tapered portion, body portion, and first anti-rotational member formed as a single piece;   at least one second member having a head portion, a body portion, a second anti-rotational member in the form of a plurality of axially extending teeth, a third anti-rotational member, the head portion, body portion, second anti-rotational member, and third anti-rotational member being formed as a single piece, the at least one second member being matable with the first member, the first and second anti-rotational members axially and angularly engageable with one another to prevent relative rotation of the first member relative to the second member about a longitudinal axis of the connector, the first and second anti-rotational members form a mating interface which is exposed on an exterior radially outer facing surface of the connector, the third anti-rotational member configured to mate with the golf club head anti-rotational member of the golf club head to prevent relative rotation of the second member relative to the golf club head, the third anti-rotational member axially offset from the second anti-rotational member;   a threaded member configured to abut against the club head and threadedly engage the first member to axially bias the first member into the second member;   wherein the third anti-rotational member of the second member is selected from the group consisting of:
 a plurality of axially extending teeth that have an outer diameter that is different than an outer diameter of the head portion of the second member and the outer diameter of the plurality of axially extending teeth is greater than an outer diameter of the body portion of the second member; 
 a plurality of axially extending teeth that have an outer diameter that is different than an outer diameter of the second anti-rotational member and the outer diameter of the plurality of axially extending teeth is greater than an outer diameter of the body portion of the second member; 
 a plurality of axially extending teeth, the plurality of axially extending teeth of the third anti-rotational member having a first outer diameter, the second anti-rotational member having a second outer diameter, the second outer diameter being different than the first outer diameter, the body having a third outer diameter, the third outer diameter being different than the first outer diameter and different than the second outer diameter; and 
 a plurality of axially extending teeth, the plurality of axially extending teeth having a first shape, the plurality of axially extending teeth of the second anti-rotational member having a second shape, the second shape being different than the first shape such that the teeth of the plurality of axially extending teeth of the third anti-rotational member are configured differently than the teeth of the plurality of axially extending teeth of the second anti-rotational member. 
   
     
     
         18 . A universal connector system for connecting a golf club head having a hosel and a golf club shaft, the connector comprising:
 a first member having a head portion and a body portion and having a bore for receiving a terminal end of a shaft, the first member formed as a single piece;   at least one second member, the at least one second member having a head portion and a body portion, the body portion configured to mate with the hosel, wherein the at least one second member is matable with the first member, the at least one second member formed as a single piece, wherein an upper most extent of the first member extends axially above an upper most extent of the second member when the first and second members are mated to one another;   wherein the first member includes a first anti-rotational member in the form of a plurality of downwardly extending teeth and the at least one second member includes a second anti-rotational member in the form of a plurality of upwardly extending teeth formed on the head portion thereof, the first and second anti-rotational members engageable with one another to prevent relative rotation of the first member relative to the second member about a longitudinal axis of the connector, the first and second anti-rotational members forming a mating interface which is exposed on an exterior radially outer periphery formed by the first and second members when mated to one another; and   the at least one second member including a third anti-rotational member formed on the body portion of the at least one second member axially below the second anti-rotational member, the third anti-rotational member configured to mate with an anti-rotational member of the golf club head to prevent relative rotation of the second member relative to the head;   a one-piece threaded member directly axially biasing the first member into the second member to maintain the first anti-rotational member in engagement with the second anti-rotational member;   the third anti-rotational member of the second member being selected from the group consisting of:
 a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs that are axially offset from the head portion of the second member such that the body portion of the second member forms a cylindrical region between the plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs and the head portion of the second member, the cylindrical region having an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the head portion of the second member; 
 a plurality of downwardly extending teeth that have an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the head portion of the second member and the outer diameter of the plurality of downwardly extending teeth is greater than an outer diameter of the body portion of the second member; 
 a plurality of radially outwardly facing facets that are radially outward facing flat faces formed at the interface between the head portion and the body portion of the second member; 
 a plurality of outwardly extending ribs formed along an outer periphery of the body portion of the second member between the head portion and an end of the body portion, the plurality of outwardly extending ribs have an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the head portion of the second member; and 
 a plurality of members in the form of teeth, ribs or facets that have an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the head portion of the second member. 
   
     
     
         19 . The universal connector system of  claim 18 , wherein a first end of the first member defines an upper most axial extent of the universal connector system. 
     
     
         20 . The universal connector system of  claim 18 , wherein an upper most extent of the first member extends axially above an upper most extent of the second member when the first and second members are mated to one another. 
     
     
         21 . The universal connector system of  claim 18 , wherein the threaded member is in the form of a screw. 
     
     
         22 . A universal connector system for connecting a golf club head having a hosel and a golf club shaft, the connector comprising:
 a single piece first member having a first anti-rotational member formed thereon and configured for receipt of the shaft;   at least one second member having a second anti-rotational member formed thereon and configured for mating with the hosel, the first anti-rotational member engageable with the second anti-rotational member, wherein the at least one second member is formed as a single piece, the at least one second member including a head portion, a body portion and a third anti-rotational member, the third anti-rotational member being selected from the group consisting of:
 a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs that are axially offset from the head portion of the second member such that the body portion of the second member forms a cylindrical region between the plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs and the head portion of the second member, the cylindrical region having an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the head portion of the second member; 
 a plurality of downwardly extending teeth that have an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the head portion of the second member and the outer diameter of the plurality of downwardly extending teeth is greater than an outer diameter of the body portion of the second member; 
 a plurality of radially outwardly facing facets that are radially outward facing flat faces formed at the interface between the head portion and the body portion of the second member; 
 a plurality of outwardly extending ribs formed along an outer periphery of the body portion of the second member between the head portion and an end of the body portion, the plurality of outwardly extending ribs have an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the head portion of the second member; and 
 a plurality of members in the form of teeth, ribs or facets that have an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the head portion of the second member; and 
   a threaded member directly acting on the first member, wherein tightening of the threaded member axially biases the first member and the at least one second member together maintaining the first anti-rotational member in axial engagement with the second anti-rotational member.   
     
     
         23 . The universal connector of  claim 22 , wherein the threaded member is a screw.