US 4,085,934 · Granted 1978-04-25
The Adjustable-Weight Golf Club That Let Players Dial In Their Swing
Imagine a golf club head where you can slide different weights in and out of slots to change how heavy it feels and where the weight sits. This patent from the 1970s protected that sliding-weight idea, so golfers could customize their club's balance without buying a dozen different sticks.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a golf club head that contains an impact block with multiple openings, into which rod-shaped weights can be slid in and out. What's protected here is the specific design of using these removable, adjustable weights inside the club head to alter the overall weight distribution and balance characteristics of the club.
Why it matters
This patent opened the door to customizable golf equipment by letting players tune their clubs to their own swing style without replacing the entire club. The idea of modular, adjustable weighting systems later became standard in modern driver and putter design, giving manufacturers a way to offer one club that could suit different golfers or playing conditions.
Real-world use
Modern adjustable-weight drivers and putters—where golfers move weights around to shift the club's balance point—trace their design lineage directly back to this 1970s concept.
Original USPTO abstract
A golf club is disclosed including an impact block located in the head of the club. The impact block includes means for adjusting the weight and balance of the club. The impact block has a plurality of openings. Rod shaped weights are slideably inserted in said openings.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 4,085,934
- Filing date
- 1973-12-10
- Grant date
- 1978-04-25
- Assignee
- Roy Alexander Churchward
- Inventor(s)
- CHURCHWARD; ROY ALEXANDER
- CPC class
- A63B53/08
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