초록

Embodiments of shaft plugs for golf clubs and methods to manufacture golf clubs with shaft plugs are generally described herein. Other embodiments of shaft plugs may be described and claimed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A shaft plug comprising: an axial shaft member defining a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis defined by the axial shaft member;a sealing member formed at the distal end of the axial shaft member and extending outwardly at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the lo

1. A shaft plug comprising: an axial shaft member defining a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis defined by the axial shaft member;a sealing member formed at the distal end of the axial shaft member and extending outwardly at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis; anda first internal member, a second internal member, and a third internal member, each of the first, the second, and the third internal members being deformable and having a substantially circular configuration that defines a diameter, each of the first, the second, and the third internal members including a flat surface extending outwardly along the axial shaft member at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the axial shaft member and a tapered surface that extends from the axial shaft member at a non-perpendicular angle;wherein the diameter of each of the first, the second, and the third internal members decrease with location from the sealing member and the non-perpendicular angle of the tapered surface of each of the first, the second, and the third internal members increases with location from the sealing member; andthe diameter of the first internal member is approximately 0.280 inches and the non-perpendicular angle of the first member is approximately 10.8 degrees, the diameter of the second internal member is approximately 0.230 inches and the non-perpendicular angle of the second member is approximately 14.0 degrees, and the diameter of the third internal member is approximately 0.180 inches and the non-perpendicular angle of the third member is approximately 20.0 degrees. 2. The shaft plug of claim 1, wherein the first internal member is formed between the sealing member and the second internal member, wherein the second internal member is formed between the first internal member and the third internal member, and wherein the third internal member is formed between the second internal member and the proximal end of the axial shaft member. 3. The shaft plug of claim 1, wherein the shaft plug is made from a polypropylene material, a polyurethane material or a combination thereof. 4. A golf club comprising: a club shaft defining an elongated shaft body having a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the club shaft defines a shaft lumen in communication with a lumen opening formed at an end of the distal portion of the elongated shaft body;a hosel sleeve engaged to the distal portion of the club shaft, wherein the hosel sleeve defines a sleeve recess configured to receive the distal portion of the elongated shaft body; anda shaft plug configured to engage the shaft lumen of the club shaft, the shaft plug comprising; an axial shaft member defining a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis defined by the axial shaft member;a sealing member formed at the distal end of the axial shaft member and extending outwardly at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis; anda first internal member, a second internal member, and a third internal member, each of the first, the second, and the third internal members being deformable and having a substantially circular configuration that defines a diameter, each of the first, the second, and the third internal members including a flat surface extending outwardly along the axial shaft member at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the axial shaft member and a tapered surface that extends from the axial shaft member at a non-perpendicular angle;wherein the diameter of each of the first, the second, and the third internal members decrease with location from the sealing member and the non-perpendicular angle of the tapered surface of each of the first, the second, and the third internal members increases with location from the sealing member; andthe diameter of the first internal member is approximately 0.280 inches and the non-perpendicular angle of the first member is approximately 10.8 degrees, the diameter of the second internal member is approximately 0.230 inches and the non-perpendicular angle of the second member is approximately 14.0 degrees, and the diameter of the third internal member is approximately 0.180 inches and the non-perpendicular angle of the third member is approximately 20.0 degrees. 5. The golf club of claim 4, further comprising: a club head engaged to the hosel sleeve, the club head defining a face, a back, a top, a sole and a hosel, wherein the hosel is configured to receive the hosel sleeve therein. 6. The golf club of claim 4, further comprising: a club head engaged to the hosel sleeve, the club head defining a face, a back, a top, a sole and a hosel, wherein the hosel is configured to receive the hosel sleeve therein; andan epoxy disposed within a space defined between the hosel sleeve, the club shaft and the shaft plug. 7. The golf club of claim 4, further comprising: a club head engaged to the hosel sleeve, the club head defining a face, a back, a top, a sole and a hosel, wherein the hosel is configured to receive the hosel sleeve therein; andan epoxy disposed within a space defined between the hosel sleeve, the club shaft and the shaft plug,wherein the shaft plug is configured to substantially seal off the lumen opening when engaged to the shaft lumen such that the epoxy within the space is prevented from entering the shaft lumen. 8. The golf club of claim 4, wherein the sealing member is configured to seal off the shaft lumen of the club shaft when the shaft plug is engaged to the shaft lumen to prevent entry of an epoxy that coats the distal portion of the club shaft. 9. A method to manufacture a golf club comprising: forming club shaft defining a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the club shaft defines a shaft lumen in communication with a lumen opening formed at an end of the distal portion;forming a hosel sleeve engaged to the distal portion of the club shaft, wherein the hosel sleeve defines a sleeve recess configured to receive the distal portion of the club shaft; andforming a shaft plug including: an axial shaft member defining a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis defined by the axial shaft member;a sealing member formed at the distal end of the axial shaft member and extending outwardly at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis; anda first internal member, a second internal member, and a third internal member, each of the first, the second, and the third internal members being deformable and having a substantially circular configuration that defines a diameter, each of the first, the second, and the third internal members including a flat surface extending outwardly along the axial shaft member at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the axial shaft member and a tapered surface that extends from the axial shaft member at a non-perpendicular angle;wherein the diameter of each of the first, the second, and the third internal members decreases with location from the sealing member and the non-perpendicular angle of the tapered surface of each of the first, the second, and the third internal members increases with location from the sealing member; andthe diameter of the first internal member is approximately 0.280 inches and the non-perpendicular angle of the first member is approximately 10.8 degrees, the diameter of the second internal member is approximately 0.230 inches and the non-perpendicular angle of the second member is approximately 14.0 degrees, and the diameter of the third internal member is approximately 0.180 inches and the non-perpendicular angle of the third member is approximately 20.0 degrees;engaging the shaft plug to the shaft lumen such that the shaft plug substantially seals off the lumen opening;applying epoxy to the distal portion of the club shaft; andengaging the distal portion of the club shaft within the hosel sleeve such that the epoxy is prevented from entering the shaft lumen. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein engaging the shaft plug to the shaft lumen includes sealing off the lumen opening by the sealing member to disrupt fluid flow communication between the shaft lumen and the epoxy. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein engaging the shaft plug to the shaft lumen comprises deforming at least one of the first, the second, and the third internal members. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein engaging the shaft plug to the shaft lumen comprises deforming the at least one of the first, the second, and the third internal members such that fluid flow communication through the shaft lumen is prevented. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the shaft plug comprises forming the first internal member between the sealing member and the second internal member, and wherein the first sealing member is deformable. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the shaft plug comprises forming the shaft plug from a polypropylene material, a polyurethane material, or a combination thereof.