Appeal No. 2004-2234
Application No. 09/881,361
DISCUSSION
Shimazaki, the examiner’s primary reference, discloses a
system for adjusting the swing balance of a golf club. Of
particular interest is the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1
and 2:
[a]s in a first embodiment as shown in Fig. 1,
hosel part 2 is provided on head body 1, and shaft 4 is
inserted in inserting hole 3 of hosel part 2. Lower
hole 10 extended to the sole 1A side of head body 1 is
formed apparently on an extended line of inserting hole
3 of hosel part 2. Balance adjusting weight 11 is then
provided inside lower hole 10. In the embodiment,
inserting hole 3 and lower hole 10 are continuously
provided, and the diameter of lower hole 10 is made
slightly smaller than that of inserting hole 3. The
diameters of inserting hole 3 and lower hole 10 can
also be equivalent without any problem. Fig. 2
illustrates weight 11 and shaft 4 attached to each
other. Reference number 12 refers to a socket. An
adhesive is poured in inserting hole 3 and lower hole
10 in advance as similar to as in prior art golf clubs.
Both weight 11 and the tip of shaft 4 are adhered in
the respective holes with the adhesive. The following
four types of weights at the following weights are
prepared: a plastic weight at 0.5 g; an aluminum alloy
weight at 1.0 g; a stainless [steel] weight at 2.0 g;
and a lead weight at 3.0 g. These weights are formed
as cylinders of an equivalent volume and shape and
selected according to the swing balance to be adjusted
[translation, page 3, paragraph 0007].
With regard to the balance adjusting weights, Shimazaki
additionally teaches that
[w]eights 11 can be formed using an equivalent
material alone or various materials by a combination
when they are fixed. The following materials at the
following specific gravities are also utilized other
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Last modified: November 3, 2007