Extension for a golf club shaft and method of installing the same

Abstract

An apparatus for extending a length of a golf club shaft is disclosed. The apparatus includes an expandable plug with an extension length that is fitted in the hollow interior of a shaft of the golf club in a grip area of the club. The plug has wedge portions which provide the mechanism for anchoring the plug to the golf club shaft. The plug may be provided as part of a kit including instructions related to the plug and a golf club. The kit may allow the plug to be retrofitted on an existing golf club to alter a length of the club. A method of extending the length of the golf club is also disclosed.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . The golf club of  claim 19  further comprising a grip over the extension length in the grip area. 
   
   
       16 . The golf club of  claim 19  wherein the plug is inserted into the shaft hollow interior such that only the top wedge portion extension length is exposed from the hollow shaft. 
   
   
       17 . The golf club of  claim 19  wherein the shaft is formed from a composite material. 
   
   
       18 . The golf club of  claim 19  wherein the top wedge portion extension length and top wedge portion outer engagement surface are monolithically formed. 
   
   
       19 . A golf club comprising:
 a head and a shaft extending from the head to a grip area of the club, the grip area being adapted to receive a grip for the club, the shaft having a hollow interior adjacent the grip area; and a plug disposed in the shaft hollow interior in the grip area, the plug comprising top and bottom wedge portions each with outer engagement surfaces engaging a surface defining the shaft hollow interior and solely securing the plug to the shaft, the top wedge portion having an angled face abutting an angled face of the bottom wedge portion, the bottom wedge portion having a threaded hole for a connector of the plug, the top wedge portion including an extension length extending axially from the outer engagement surface and an access surface axially opposite the angled face, the top wedge portion having a first bore extending from the access surface and partially through the top wedge portion thereby forming an internal seat spaced from the top wedge portion angled surface, the top wedge portion having a second bore extending from the internal seat to the top wedge portion angled face, the top wedge portion second bore being larger than a diameter of a shaft of the connector, the top wedge portion first bore being larger than a diameter of a head of the connector; the connector extending through the top wedge portion first and second bores into the bottom wedge portion threaded hole in a manner to maintain the opposed angled faces of the top and bottom wedge portions in abutting contact and the outer engagement surfaces of the top and bottom wedge portions in engagement with the shaft, the connector having a hollow interior in communication with the shaft hollow interior;   wherein the connector has a hollow interior in communication with the shaft hollow interior.   
   
   
       20 . The golf club of  claim 19  wherein the top wedge portion extension length has longitudinal ribs. 
   
   
       21 - 22 . (canceled)