. The club head 100 using the golf coupling mechanism has two degrees of freedom, wherein the shaft sleeve 156 can tilt forward and backward (i.e. strikeface 108 to rear 112 direction, or vice versa) to vary the loft angle, and the shaft sleeve 156 can tilt left and right (i.e. heel to toe direction, or vice versa) to vary the lie angle. The rotation of the shaft sleeve 156 within the hosel 132 can adjust the loft angle and the lie angle together.

The shaft sleeve 156 can comprise a coupler set 184 having a plurality of sleeve couplers protruding from an outer surface of the shaft sleeve 156. The coupler set 184 of the shaft sleeve 156 can protrude from the outer surface near the top end 160 of the shaft sleeve 156. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the coupler set 184 of the shaft sleeve 156 forms alternating concave and convex surfaces about the cylindrical outer surface of the shaft sleeve 156.

The sleeve couplers of the sleeve coupler set 184 can comprise arcuate surfaces configured to restrict rotation of the shaft sleeve 156 and the shaft 136 relative to the club head 100. The sleeve couplers of the sleeve coupler set 184 can be complimentary to the receiver couplers of the receiver coupler set 188 as described below. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each sleeve coupler of the sleeve coupler set 184 can comprise arcuate surfaces curved throughout the entire coupler. Each sleeve coupler of the sleeve coupler set 184 can comprise a horizontal radius of curvature extending generally in a heel to toe direction, and a vertical radius of curvature extending in a direction from the sleeve top end 160 to the sleeve bottom end 164.

The sleeve coupler set 184 of the shaft sleeve 156 can comprise at least four sleeve couplers. The sleeve coupler set 184 of the shaft sleeve 156 can comprise a first sleeve coupler, a second sleeve coupler, a third sleeve coupler, and a sleeve fourth coupler. The sleeve coupler set 184 of the shaft sleeve 156 can further comprise a sleeve fifth coupler, a sixth sleeve coupler, a seventh sleeve coupler, and an eighth sleeve coupler.

Referring to FIG. 5, the hosel bore 140 can comprise a receiver coupler set 188 having a plurality of receiver couplers indented into the internal surface of the hosel 132. The receiver couplers of the receiver coupler set 188 can be complementary to the sleeve couplers of the sleeve coupler set 184 described above. The receiver couplers of the receiver coupler set 188 can comprise arcuate surfaces complementary to the arcuate surfaces of the sleeve coupler set 184 of shaft sleeve 156. Each receiver coupler of the receiver coupler set 188 can comprise arcuate surfaces curved throughout the entire receiver coupler. Each receiver coupler of the receiver coupler set 188 can comprise a horizontal radius of curvature and a vertical radius of curvature similar to each coupler of the coupler set 184.

The receiver coupler set 188 of the hosel bore 140 can comprise at least four receiver couplers. The receiver coupler set 188 of the hosel bore 140 can comprise a first receiver coupler, a second receiver coupler, a third receiver coupler, and a fourth receiver coupler. The receiver coupler set 188 of the hosel bore 140 can further comprise a fifth receiver coupler, a sixth receiver coupler, a seventh receiver coupler, and an eighth receiver coupler.

In some embodiments, the sleeve couplers of sleeve coupler set 184 can be asymmetric about the outer surface of the shaft sleeve 156 such that one or more sleeve couplers are longer in length at a first area of the shaft sleeve 156 (i.e. coupler length measured in a sleeve top end 160 to sleeve bottom end 164 direction) than a second area of the shaft sleeve 156 (e.g. 90 degrees or 180 degrees away from the first area). The receiver couplers of the receiver coupler set 188 can be complementary to the asymmetric profile of the sleeve couplers of the sleeve coupler set 184.

The arcuate surfaces of the sleeve coupler set 184 and the receiver coupler set 188 can be configured to be continuously curved, such as to be devoid of inflection points or edges. The edgeless design of the sleeve couplers from the coupler set 184 and the receiver coupler set 188 maximizes the contact surface area between the couplers when the sleeve coupler set 184 sits against the receiver coupler set 188. Maximizing the contact surface area between the coupler sets allows forces during golf swings to be evenly distributed across the couplers. Even force distribution across the couplers minimizes high localized stress concentrations and increases the durability of the golf coupling mechanism 104. The contact of the sleeve couplers between the coupler set 184 and the receiver coupler set 188 frictionally locks and restricts rotation of the shaft sleeve 156 relative to the club head 100 thereby restricting rotation between the shaft 136 and the club head 100.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the golf coupling mechanism 104 comprises a shaft sleeve cap 192 configured to couple with the top end 160 of the shaft sleeve 156. The shaft sleeve cap 192 can be configured to elastically compress to be secured within the shaft sleeve 156. The shaft sleeve cap 192 is configured to act like a “shaft pillow” to soften the interaction between the golf coupling mechanism 104 and the shaft 136.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the shaft sleeve cap 192 can comprise centering features such as ribs or protrusions 196 to facilitate the concentricity of the shaft 136 within the shaft sleeve 156. For example, the shaft sleeve cap 192 can comprise protrusions 196 on an inner surface of the shaft sleeve cap 192. In another example, the shaft sleeve cap 192 can comprise an outer protrusion 196 extending outward from an outer surface of shaft sleeve cap 192. The shaft sleeve 156 can comprise a complementary receiving groove (not shown), wherein the receiving groove can be configured to receive the protrusion 196 when the shaft sleeve cap 192 is secured to the shaft sleeve 156.

Referring to FIG. 8, assembly of the golf coupling mechanism 104 can be completed prior to installing the shaft 136 within the hosel 132. The shaft cap 192 is inserted within the top end bore 168 of the shaft sleeve 156. The assembly comprising the shaft cap 192 and the shaft sleeve 156 is placed within the hosel bore 140 and twisted in the desired position, wherein the sleeve coupler set 184 of the shaft sleeve 156 sits against or abuts the receiver coupler set 188 of the hosel 132. The assembly comprising the shaft cap 192 and the shaft sleeve 156 is secured within the hosel 132 by the retaining assembly comprising the washer 148 and the fastener 152. The fastener 152 threadably engages the bottom end bore 172 of the shaft sleeve 156. A tool such as a torque-limiting tool can be used to tighten the retaining assembly. The retaining assembly comprising the washer 148 and the fastener 152 abuts the hosel flange 144 when tightening the fastener 152. Tightening the fastener 152 pulls the golf coupling mechanism 104 downward towards the sole 120 of the club head 100 to retain the shaft sleeve 156 within the hosel 132.

To adjust the loft angle and the lie angle of the club head 100, a golf fitter begins by using the torque-limiting tool to loosen the fastener 152. The fastener 152 does not need to be removed entirely from the hosel bore 140. Once the fastener 152 is loosened enough, the golf coupling mechanism 104 can be slightly lifted from its position within the hosel 132 and rotated. The golf fitter can rotate the golf coupling mechanism 104 to a desired lie angle setting indicator (as described in more detail below). Once the desired lie angle setting is selected, the golf coupling mechanism 104 can then be reseated within the hosel bore 140 and the fastener 152 can be tighten to secure golf coupling mechanism 104 within the hosel 132. The shaft 136 does not need to be removed from the golf coupling mechanism 104 to adjust loft and lie settings.

The golf coupling mechanism 104 can adjust the loft angle by 0.2 degrees to 2.0 degrees, and the lie angle by 0.5 degrees to 1.5 degrees. For example, the golf coupling mechanism 104 can adjust the loft angle by 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.33, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.85, 0.88, 0.89, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.22, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, or 2.0 degrees. For example, the golf coupling mechanism 104 can adjust the lie angle by 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.81, 0.85, 0.89, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.22, 1.3, 1.4, or 1.5 degrees.

The golf coupling mechanism 104 can comprise five settings: three weak loft angle settings (i.e. greater loft angle), and two strong loft angle settings (i.e. lower loft angle). In one example, the sleeve axis 176 can be angled 1.22 degrees away from the hosel bore axis 180. A neutral position of the golf coupling mechanism 104 can occur when the sleeve axis 176 is in line with a loft plane (i.e. a plane that is tangent to the strikeface 108). The neutral position can be the first weak loft angle setting, where the golf coupling mechanism 104 does not change the factory made loft and lie angle of the club head 100. The adjustments to the different weak loft angle settings starts from the neutral setting. The second weak loft angle setting occurs when the golf coupling mechanism 104 is rotated 45 degrees in a first direction to achieve a 0.33 degree loft angle decrease and a 0.89 degree lie angle increase. The third weak loft angle setting occurs when the golf coupling mechanism 104 is rotated 45 degrees in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to achieve a 0.33 degree decrease in loft angle and a 0.89 decrease in lie angle. In this example, the weak loft angle settings can adjust the loft angle and lie angle by less than 1 degree.

The adjustments to the different strong loft angle settings starts from the neutral setting. The first strong loft angle setting occurs when the golf coupling mechanism 104 is rotated 90 degrees in the first direction to achieve a 1.22 degree loft angle decrease and a 1.22 lie angle increase. The second strong loft angle setting occurs when the golf coupling mechanism 104 is rotated 90 degrees in the second direction to achieve a 1.22 loft angle decrease and a 1.22 lie angle decrease. In this example, the strong loft angle settings can adjust the loft angle and the lie angle by greater than 1 degree.

Referring to FIG. 9, the golf coupling mechanism 104 can further comprise an indicator system 200 to indicate the lie angle of the club head 100. The indicator system 200 can comprise a plurality of sleeve indicators 204 disposed on the outer surface of the shaft sleeve 156, a plurality of hosel indicators 208 disposed on an outer surface of the hosel 132, and a viewing window 212. The viewing window 212 can be formed by removing material from the hosel 132 during the casting manufacturing process. The viewing window 212 can comprise a square-like or rectangular like shape. A topmost end and a bottommost end of the viewing window 212 can be rounded or comprise a radius of curvature. The indicator system 212 allows the golf fitter to identify a lie angle setting for the club head 100.

With continued reference to FIG. 9, the plurality of indicators 208 disposed on the hosel 132 can be arranged in a vertical orientation. In one embodiment, three hosel indicators 208 can be arranged in the vertical orientation. In reference to the three weak loft angle settings described above, the first weak loft or neutral setting occurs when a sleeve indicator 204 aligns with the central or middle hosel indicator 208. The second weak loft angle setting occurs when a sleeve indicator 204 aligns with the topmost hosel indicator 208. Alignment with the topmost hosel indicator 208 can indicate an upright configuration for the club head 100 (i.e. the second weak loft angle setting increases the lie angle). The third weak loft angle setting occurs when a sleeve indicator 204 aligns with the bottommost hosel indicator 208. Alignment with the bottommost hosel indicator 208 can indicate a flat configuration for the club head 100 (i.e. the third weak loft angle setting decreases the lie angle).

In reference to the two strong loft angle settings described above, the first strong loft angle setting occurs when a sleeve indicator 204 aligns with the topmost hosel indicator 208. The first strong loft angle setting allows for a strong loft angle configuration with an upright lie angle configuration. The second strong loft angle setting occurs when a sleeve indicator 205 algins with the bottommost hosel indicator 208. The second strong loft angle setting allows for a strong angle configuration with a flat lie angle configuration.

Golf Coupling Mechanism with Length Adjustment

The golf coupling mechanism 104 allows for the adjustment of a club head loft angle, a club head lie angle, and a golf club shaft length while utilizing one shaft. To achieve adjustments in loft and lie angle, as described above, the golf coupling mechanism 104 includes the shaft sleeve 156 having an off-axis tilt within the top end bore 168 and an asymmetric sleeve coupler set 184. The off-axis tilt and the asymmetric sleeve coupler set 184 enables the shaft sleeve 136, when rotated within the hosel 132, to have two degrees of freedom. To achieve adjustments in a length of the shaft 136, the golf coupling mechanism 104 further includes shaft lengthening components such as a removable spacer and a removable extender. The removable spacer and the removable extender enable the shaft sleeve 156 to have a third degree of freedom (i.e. extending and retracting within the hosel bore 140). The removable spacer and the removable extender control the lengthening of the shaft 136. The golf coupling mechanism 104 having the shaft lengthening components increases or decreases the shaft length while utilizing one shaft.

As described in more detail below, the removable spacer and the removable extender increase the length of the golf coupling mechanism 104 thereby increasing the length of the shaft 136. The removable spacer can comprise one or more coupler sets having a plurality of couplers similar to the sleeve coupler set 184 of the shaft sleeve 156 and the receiver coupler set 188 of the hosel 132. The one or more coupler sets of the removable spacer ensures the golf coupling mechanism 104 frictionally locks the shaft 136 relative to the club head 100 in a lengthen configuration. The removable extender comprises one or more engagement members that interlock with shaft sleeve 156. The one or more engagement members of the removable extender can non-threadably secure the removable extender to the shaft sleeve 156. The non-threaded connection between the removal extender and the shaft sleeve 156 eases the removal of the shaft lengthening components from the golf coupling mechanism 104 to adjust loft angle, lie angle, and shaft length.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, the golf coupling mechanism 104 can further comprise a removable spacer 216. The removable spacer 216 can be configured to couple with the shaft sleeve 156 near the top end 160. The removable spacer 216 can be configured to abut against the hosel 132 and be located outside or exterior the hosel 132 when the golf coupling mechanism 104 is secured within the hosel 132. The removable spacer 216 can comprise an external diameter greater than the internal diameter of the hosel bore 140.

Referring to FIG. 13, the removable spacer 216 can comprise a coupler set 220 having a plurality of couplers protruding from an outer surface of the spacer 216. The coupler set 220 of the removable spacer 216 can be similar in shape, quantity, and profile as the sleeve coupler set 184 of the shaft sleeve 156. The coupler set 220 of the removable spacer 216 can be configured to sit against and compliment the receiver coupler set 188 of the hosel 132.

With continued reference to FIG. 13, the removable spacer 216 can comprise a receiver coupler set 224 having a plurality of couplers indented into an internal surface of the removable spacer 216. The receiver coupler set 224 of the removable spacer 216 can be similar in shape, quantity, and profile as the receiver coupler set 188 of the hosel 132. The receiver coupler set 224 of the removable spacer 216 can be configured to sit against and compliment the sleeve coupler set 184 of the shaft sleeve 156.

Referring to FIGS. 12-15, the golf coupling mechanism 104 can further comprise a removable extender 228. The removable extender 228 can be configured to engage with the bottom end 164 of the shaft sleeve 156. The removable extender 228 can be completely disposed within the hosel bore 140. The removable extender 228 is not visible when viewing the club head 100 from a point away and outside the club head 100. The removable extender 228 comprises an external diameter less than the internal diameter of the hosel bore 140.

Referring to FIGS. 12, 14, and 15, the removable extender 228 can comprise one or more engagement members 232. In one example, the removable extender 228 can comprise a first engagement member 232 and a second engagement member 232. The first and second engagement member 232 can be features such as protrusions, prongs, hooks, pegs, or features capable of interlocking with the shaft sleeve 156. The first and second engagement member 232 of the removable extender 228 can be configured to interlock with locking channels 236 formed on the shaft sleeve 156. As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 12, and 15, the shaft sleeve 156 comprises a first locking channel 236 and a second locking channel 236 located near the bottom end 164 of the shaft sleeve 156. The first and second engagement member 236 of the removable extender 228 slidably engages the locking channels 236 of the shaft sleeve 156 to ensure the removable extender 228 is secured to the shaft sleeve 156. The interlocking connection between the removable extender 228 and the shaft sleeve 156 can be devoid of threading or a connection that requires the threads.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the golf coupling mechanism 104 can comprise a removable extender 240 having a threaded post 244. The removable extender 240 can be configured to engage with the bottom end 164 of the shaft sleeve 156. The removable extender 240 can be completely disposed within the hosel bore 140. The removable extender 240 can comprise an external diameter less than the internal diameter of the hosel bore 140. In this embodiment, the threaded post 244 of the removable extender 228 can threadably engage with the bottom end bore 172 of the shaft sleeve 156. In this embodiment, a threaded the connection between the removable extender 240 and the shaft sleeve 156 uses threading.

Referring to FIG. 15, assembly of the golf coupling mechanism 104 including the shaft lengthening components such as the removable spacer 216 and the removable extender 228 can be completed prior to installing the shaft 136 within the hosel 132. The shaft cap 192 is inserted within the top end bore 168 of the shaft sleeve 156. The removable spacer 216 is coupled near the top end 160 of the shaft sleeve 156, wherein the sleeve coupler set 184 of the shaft sleeve 156 sits against or abuts the receiver coupler set 224 of the removable spacer 216. The removable extender 228 is engaged to the bottom end 164 of the shaft sleeve 156, wherein the first and second engagement member 232 interlock with the locking channels 236 of the shaft sleeve 156. The assembly comprising the shaft cap 192, the shaft sleeve 156, the removable spacer 216, and the removable extender 228 is disposed within the hosel bore 140 and rotated in the desired position, wherein the spacer coupler set 220 of the removable spacer 216 sits against or abuts the receiver coupler set 188 of the hosel 132. The golf coupling mechanism 104 is then secured within the hosel 132 by the retaining assembly comprising the washer 148 and the fastener 152. The fastener 152 threadably engages with a threaded bore 248 of the removable extender 228. Tightening the fastener 152 pulls the golf coupling mechanism 104 downward towards the sole 120 of the clubhead 100 to allow the golf coupling mechanism 104 to be retained within the hosel 132.

To adjust the length of the shaft 136, a golf fitter begins by using the torque-limiting tool to remove the fastener 152. Once the fastener 152 is removed from the hosel bore 140, the golf coupling mechanism 104 can be removed from the hosel 132. The golf fitter can couple the removable spacer 216 and the removable extender 228 to the shaft sleeve 156. Once the removable spacer 216 and the removable extender 228 are secured to the shaft sleeve 156