1. A self-retaining anti-rotation clip for a spherical-bearing rod end, the rod end comprising a body and a spherical ball rotatably carried within the body, the rod end also having a connector for attaching the rod end to another object, the clip comprising:
two opposing spacer plates, each spacer plate having a curved edge portion adapted for surrounding at least a portion of a ball of a rod end;
a connector plate connecting the spacer plates, such that the spacer plates are spaced from each other and generally parallel to each other;
retaining means carried on the clip and adapted for retaining each spacer plate in a position generally adjacent one side of a body of the rod end, such that the spacer plates are free from interference with the ball of the rod end.
2. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 1, wherein the curved edge of each spacer plate defines a hole.
3. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 1, wherein the curved edge of each spacer plate defines a hole; and
wherein the hole in each spacer plate is adapted to encircle the ball of the rod end.
4. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 1, wherein the connector plate has a hole adapted for receiving the connector of the rod end.
5. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means is a lip formed on at least one spacer plate.
6. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means is a lip formed on at least one spacer plate, and the lip is adapted for engaging a surface of the body of the rod end.
7. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means is a lip formed on the connector plate, and the lip is adapted for engaging a surface of the body of the rod end.
8. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 1, wherein the spacer plates are formed in at least two portions.
9. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 1, wherein each spacer plate is formed in at least two portions; and
wherein the portions are adapted to be joined by connectors when installed on the rod end.
10. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 1, wherein the connector plate is formed in at least two portions, one spacer plate being joined to each portion of the connector plate.
11. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 1, wherein the connector plate is formed in at least two portions, one spacer plate being joined to each portion of the connector plate; and
wherein the portions are adapted to be joined by connectors when installed on the rod end.
12. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 1, wherein the clip is adapted to substantially enclose the body of the rod end.
13. A self-retaining anti-rotation clip for a spherical bearing, the spherical bearing comprising an outer housing and a spherical ball rotatably carried within the housing, the clip comprising:
two opposing spacer plates, each spacer plate having a curved edge portion adapted for surrounding at least a portion of a ball of a spherical bearing;
a connector plate connecting the spacer plates, such that the spacer plates are spaced from each other and generally parallel to each other;
retaining means carried on the clip and adapted for retaining each spacer plate in a position generally adjacent one side of an outer housing of the spherical bearing, such that the spacer plates are free from interference with the ball of the spherical bearing.
14. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 13, wherein the curved edge of each spacer plate defines a hole.
15. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 13, wherein the curved edge of each spacer plate defines a hole; and
wherein the hole in each spacer plate is adapted to encircle the ball of the spherical bearing.
16. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 13, wherein the retaining means is a lip formed on at least one spacer plate.
17. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 13, wherein the retaining means is a lip formed on at least one spacer plate, and the lip is adapted for engaging a surface of the outer housing of the spherical bearing.
18. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 13, wherein the retaining means is a lip formed on the connector plate, and the lip is adapted for engaging a surface of the outer housing of the spherical bearing.
19. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 13, wherein the spacer plates are formed in at least two portions.
20. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 13, wherein each spacer plate is formed in at least two portions; and
wherein the portions are adapted to be joined by connectors when installed on the spherical bearing.
21. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 13, wherein the connector plate is formed in at least two portions, one spacer plate being joined to each portion of the connector plate.
22. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 13, wherein the connector plate is formed in at least two portions, one spacer plate being joined to each portion of the connector plate; and
wherein the portions are adapted to be joined by connectors when installed on the spherical bearing.
23. The self-retaining anti-rotation clip according to claim 13, wherein the clip is adapted to substantially enclose the spherical bearing.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A golf club, comprising:
a shaft having a tip-end, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion extending from the tip-end toward the butt-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion;
a clubhead removably attached to the tip-end of the shaft; and
a stiffener insert removably situated inside and axially coextensive at least with the reduced-EI portion;
wherein the remaining portion exhibits progressively reduced stiffness as a function of distance from the butt-end to the reduced-EI portion;
the reduced-EI portion has less stiffness than the remaining portion; and
the stiffener insert contributes stiffness to the reduced-EI portion.
2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the reduced-EI portion exhibits a progressive reduction in stiffness as a function of distance toward the tip-end.
3. The golf club of claim 1, wherein:
the remaining portion includes a butt-end region; and
the remaining portion has a substantially linearly progressive reduction in stiffness from the butt-end region to the reduced-EI portion.
4. The golf club of claim 1, wherein:
the remaining portion and the reduced-EI portion are coupled together at an interface zone; and
the reduced-EI portion exhibits progressively reduced stiffness as a function of distance from the interface zone to the tip-end.
5. The golf club of claim 4, wherein:
the remaining portion exhibits a substantially uniform rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end to the reduced-EI portion; and
the interface zone exhibits a greater rate of stiffness reduction, as a function of distance, than exhibited by the remaining portion.
6. The golf club of claim 5, wherein the reduced-EI portion exhibits a rate of stiffness reduction, as a function of distance from the interface zone to the tip-end, substantially the same as exhibited by the remaining portion.
7. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the stiffener insert contributes stiffness to the reduced-EI portion such that the shaft with stiffener exhibits a substantially uniform rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end to the tip-end.
8. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the stiffener insert is selected from a kit of stiffeners each configured to contribute a respective amount of stiffness when attached to the shaft.
9. The golf club of claim 1, wherein:
the clubhead comprises a heel and defines a mounting bore extending from the heel; and
the clubhead is secured to or removed from the tip-end via the mounting bore.
10. The golf club of claim 9, further comprising a fastener in the mounting bore that engages the tip-end of the shaft to secure the clubhead to the tip-end;
wherein the fastener is configured to secure the stiffener removably to the reduced-EI portion and to secure the clubhead removably to the tip-end.
11. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the clubhead has a metal-wood configuration.
12. The golf club of claim 11, wherein the clubhead has a stated loft of 8.5 to 14 degrees.
13. A golf club, comprising:
a shaft comprising a first length region, a second length region, a third length region, and an interface zone, the first length region being a grip region and including a butt-end, the third length region being a tip region including a tip-end, the second length region extending between the first and third length regions and having less stiffness than the first length region, and the interface zone being located at or near a juncture of the second and third length regions;
a clubhead attached to the tip-end; and
a stiffener insert situated at least in the third length region to add stiffness to at least the third length region.
14. The golf club of claim 13, wherein:
the second length region exhibits a first rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the first length region;
the third length region exhibits a second rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the second length region;
the interface zone exhibits a third rate of stiffness reduction; and
the stiffener insert shifts the second rate of stiffness reduction relative to the first rate of stiffness reduction.
15. The golf club of claim 14, wherein the third rate is greater than the first rate.
16. The golf club of claim 14, wherein:
the first and second rates are substantially equal; and
the third rate is greater than the first and second rates.
17. The golf club of claim 13, wherein the clubhead is detachable from the tip-end of the shaft.
18. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the stiffener is inserted into the shaft by detaching the clubhead from the shaft.
19. The golf club of claim 13, wherein the clubhead has a metal-wood configuration.
20. The golf club of claim 13, further comprising a kit of one or more user-selectable stiffeners insertable into the shaft by the user, the one or more stiffeners contributing respective amounts of stiffness to the shaft.
21. A golf club, comprising:
a shaft having a butt-end at which shaft stiffness is greatest, a tip-end at which shaft stiffness is lowest, a reduced-EI portion extending from an interface to the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending from the butt-end to the interface, the interface connecting the reduced-EI portion to the remaining portion;
a clubhead situated on the tip-end;
a grip situated on the butt-end; and
a user-selectable stiffener insert situated inside at least the reduced-EI portion;
wherein the remaining portion exhibits a first rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end;
the interface exhibits a second rate of stiffness reduction that is significantly different from the first rate; and
the stiffener insert contributes stiffness to the reduced-EI portion.
22. The golf club of claim 21, wherein the reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction, as a function of distance from the remaining portion, substantially equal to the first rate.
23. The golf club of claim 21, wherein the reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction, as a function of distance from the remaining portion, less than the first rate.
24. The golf club of claim 21, wherein the stiffener is manually insertable and de-insertable.
25. The golf club of claim 21, wherein the golf club further includes a single unit screw that secures the stiffener in the shaft and secures the shaft to the clubhead.
26. A golf club, comprising:
a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a tip-end, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion, and a remaining portion extending between the reduced-EI portion and the butt-end, at least the reduced-EI portion being hollow and defining a lumen;
a stop situated in the lumen;
a stiffener insert situated in the lumen, the stiffener insert including a distal end configured to engage the stop and a threaded proximal end located near the tip-end of the shaft;
a clubhead mounted to the tip-end, the clubhead including a body and a hosel, the body having a heel and defining a through-bore extending along the axis from the hosel to the heel, the through-bore defining a shouldered aperture and including a threaded ferrule sleeve extending distally from the shouldered aperture and receiving the threaded proximal end of the stiffener insert so that, whenever the tip-end of the shaft is inserted into the hozel and the stiffener insert is inserted via the shouldered aperture into the lumen, rotation of the threaded proximal end of the stiffener about the axis relative to the threaded ferrule sleeve advances the stiffener insert toward the stop to secure the stiffener insert in the lumen between the ferrule sleeve and the stop; and
a clubhead-securing screw having a threaded portion and a head, the threaded portion extending axially through the shouldered aperture and threading into the ferrule sleeve to urge the head of the screw against the shoulder whenever the threaded portion is threaded into the ferrule sleeve sufficiently for the screw to secure the clubhead to the tip-end of the shaft.
27. The golf club of claim 26, wherein:
the stop comprises a locator bushing; and
the distal end of the stiffener insert is inserted coaxially into the locator bushing.
28. The golf club of claim 26, wherein the proximal end of the stiffener insert is male-threaded.
29. The golf club of claim 28, wherein the proximal end of the stiffener insert comprises a male-threaded end that is rotatable about the axis relative to the stiffener.
30. The golf club of claim 26, wherein:
at least a portion of the stiffener insert is hollow; and
the threaded proximal end of the stiffener insert includes an insert portion and a male-threaded portion, the insert portion being inserted into a hollow proximal portion of the stiffener insert.
31. The golf club of claim 26, wherein:
the stiffener insert contributes a respective predetermined stiffness to the reduced-EI portion; and
the stiffener insert is selected from a kit of stiffeners each providing a different respective predetermined stiffness contribution to the reduced-EI portion when inserted into the lumen.
32. The golf club of claim 26, wherein the stiffener insert in the lumen is coaxial with the shaft.
33. The golf club of claim 26, wherein the clubhead is configured as a metal-wood clubhead having a stated loft in the range of 8.5 to 14 degrees.
34. The golf club of claim 26, wherein:
the reduced-EI portion exhibits a progressive reduction of stiffness with decreased distance to the tip-end; and
the lowest stiffness is 10 N\xb7m or higher.
35. A shaft assembly for attachment to a clubhead of a golf club, comprising:
a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a tip-end, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion, and a remaining portion extending between the reduced-EI portion and the butt-end, at least the reduced-EI portion being hollow and defining a lumen;
a stop situated in the lumen;
a stiffener insert situated in the lumen, the stiffener insert including a distal end, configured to engage the stop, and a proximal end located near the tip-end of the shaft;
a securing screw including a head, a male thread, and a distal end configured to axially engage the proximal end of the stiffener insert; and
a ferrule sleeve having a female thread configured to receive the male thread of the securing screw, the ferrule sleeve being situated relative to the proximal end of the stiffener insert such that proximal end coaxially engages the distal end of the securing screw as the male thread of the securing screw is threaded into the female thread to secure the stiffener insert in the lumen between the stop and the ferrule sleeve while also securing the shaft to a clubhead.
36. The shaft assembly of claim 35, wherein the proximal end of the stiffener insert includes a male thread configured to be threaded into the female thread of the ferrule sleeve ahead of the securing screw.
37. The shaft assembly of claim 35, wherein:
the stop comprises a locator bushing;
the distal end of the stiffener insert is inserted coaxially into the locator bushing; and
the stiffener insert in the lumen is coaxial with the shaft and the ferrule sleeve.
38. The shaft assembly of claim 35, wherein the stiffener insert is selected from a kit of stiffener inserts each providing a different respective stiffness contribution to the reduced-EI portion when inserted into the lumen.
39. A golf-club kit, comprising:
a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a tip-end, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion, and a remaining portion extending between the reduced-EI portion and the butt-end, at least the reduced-EI portion being hollow and defining a lumen;
a stop situated in the lumen;
multiple clubheads individually selectable and mountable to the tip-end of the shaft, each clubhead having a respective clubhead body and a respective hosel, the body having a heel and defining a through-bore extending along the axis from the hosel to the heel, the through-bore defining a shouldered aperture and including a female-threaded ferrule sleeve extending distally from the shouldered aperture into the hosel;
a securing screw including a head, a male thread, and a distal end, the securing screw being configured to extend axially through the shoulder aperture; and
multiple stiffener inserts each having a respective predetermined stiffness and each being individually selectable for insertion into the lumen between the stop and the female-threaded ferrule sleeve to provide a respective desired stiffness contribution to at least a portion of the reduced-EI portion, each stiffener insert having a distal end, configured to engage the stop, and a proximal end configured to be engaged by the distal end of the securing screw whenever the male thread of the securing screw is threaded into the female thread of the ferrule sleeve so that, whenever the tip-end of the shaft is inserted into the hozel and the stiffener insert is inserted via the shouldered aperture into the lumen, rotation of the securing screw about the axis relative to the female-threaded ferrule sleeve advances the stiffener insert toward the stop to secure the stiffener insert in the lumen while, as the head of the screw is urged against the shoulder, securing the clubhead to the shaft.
40. The kit of claim 39, wherein the clubheads in the kit are all configured as respective metal-wood clubheads.
41. The kit of claim 39, wherein:
each stiffener insert in the kit includes a male-threaded proximal end that, whenever the insert is located in the lumen, is located near the tip-end of the shaft;
the male-threaded proximal end threads into the female thread of the ferrule sleeve ahead of the securing screw.