Adjustable length shaft for golf clubs, and the like

An adjustable shaft assembly, comprising:

• a. an elongated shaft, having a lower end and an upper end, and including at least one locking tooth extending transversely from said upper end;
• b. an inner sleeve positioned about an upper portion of said elongated shaft, said inner sleeve including at least one sidewall cam surface and a lower end cam surface, said sidewall cam surface having a configuration progressing from a lower left-hand position to an upper right-hand position, and said lower end cam surface having a configuration progressing from an upper left-hand position to a lower right-hand position, said sleeve further including a longitudinal slot for accommodating said tooth of said shaft, said slot being sized so as to allow longitudinal sliding adjustment of said tooth within said inner sleeve, but restraining any rotational movement of said tooth therein;
• c. a housing positioned about said inner sleeve, said housing including a cam follower engaged with said sidewall cam surface of said inner sleeve, and further including an elongated slot in a sidewall portion of said housing, said slot having a tooth rack extending along one side thereof, said slot being sized to accommodate sliding of said tooth in an unlocked position;
• d. an outer sleeve positioned about said housing, said outer sleeve having an upper end and including a transverse pin at said upper end;
• e. spring bias means located between an upper end of said inner sleeve and said upper end of said outer sleeve, for providing a downward bias force against said inner sleeve;
• and,
• f. a rotatable control handle positioned about a lower end of said outer sleeve, said handle including a cam pin extending inwardly toward said inner sleeve, said cam pin passing through a transverse cutout in a lower portion of said housing, said cam pin thereby engaging said lower end cam surface of said inner sleeve.

An adjustable shaft assembly, comprising:

• a. an elongated shaft, having a lower end and an upper end, and including at least one tooth extending transversely from said upper end;
• b. inner sleeve means, positioned about an upper portion of said elongated shaft, allowing longitudinal sliding adjustment of said tooth within said inner sleeve, but restraining any rotational movement of said tooth therein;
• c. housing means positioned about said inner sleeve means, said housing means including a tooth rack for selective engagement by said tooth;
• d. an outer sleeve positioned about said housing means;
• e. spring bias means located between an upper end of said inner sleeve and said upper end of said outer sleeve, for providing a downward bias force against said inner sleeve;
• and,
• f. control handle means positioned about a lower end of said outer sleeve, for rotating said tooth on said shaft selectively into and out of engagement with said tooth rack.