Abstract: A golf club shaft having a hollow body comprised of a fiber and resin composite and a tube-shaped stiffener substantially surrounding a lower portion of the body which comprises a material other than a fiber and resin composite. The stiffener is preferably a metal and comprises a pre-formed sheath.

Abstract: An improved shaft for a golf club and methods of manufacturing the same. A plurality of layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoset resin are bonded to one or more layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoplastic resin using a high peel strength nylon epoxy adhesive. Preferably, the layer(s) of composite fiber bound within the thermoplastic resin comprise the outermost layer of a golf club shaft.In one preferred form, a plurality of plies of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoset resin are wrapped around a mandrel and pre-cured. Thereafter, a layer of adhesive is wrapped over the pre-cured plies, at least one ply of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoplastic resin is wrapped over the adhesive, and a cellophane or polypropylene tape is wrapped over the outermost layer of pre-preg. Thereafter, the ply wrapped mandrel is placed in a mold and heated to a predetermined temperature for a time sufficient to allow curing of all of the plies comprising the golf club shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf club group comprising a plurality of golf clubs having the same number, in which each golf club shaft of the golf club is composed of a plurality of bias layers and a plurality of straight layers which are wind-formed so that it may be shaped into a tapered circular pipe having a diameter which gradually larger towards to is a butt end. The plurality of golf club shafts have approximately the same flexibility, assuming that each golf club shaft is constructed so that each straight layer may have the same thickness over the total length of the shaft, a distribution curve of flexural rigidity the shaft is set as a reference curve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club shaft which is easy to be gripped, and superior in strength and balance in its shaft portion. A golf club shaft is constituted by fiber-reinforced prepreg formed from reinforcing fibers impregnated with synthetic resin. A small-diameter portion is provided on a head side, a large-diameter portion is provided on a grip side, and a tapered portion is provided between the small-diameter portion and the large-diameter portion. An outer diameter of the small-diameter portion at its rear end portion is made smaller by 2 mm or more than an outer diameter of the large-diameter portion at its front end portion, and bending rigidity at the rear end portion is made to be 60 to 100% of that at the front end portion.

Abstract: A golf club shaft wherein an outer diameter of a base end of a grip side is arranged to be 16.5 mm to 26.0 mm, and weight of the shaft is arranged to be 30 g to 55 g. Low bend point rate determined by a formula {backward flex/(forward flex+backward flex)}.times.100 is set to be 55% to 61%.

Abstract: A lightweight shaft 22 includes a plurality of non-metallic fibers 42, 63, 66 and 70 arranged in prescribed orientations from one end of the shaft to the other and carried by a cured plastic material 103. Additional fibers 82 and 84 are carried by the cured plastic material 103 and are located at a butt end 28 of the shaft 22 to form a strengthening band 104 which precludes splitting and cracking of the shaft at the butt end. A lightweight filler element 106, which is composed of a rigid foam material, is located within a portion 27a of an opening 27 at a tip end 30 of the shaft 22 to strengthen the tip end.

Abstract: Tubular golf club shaft made from composite materials comprising layers of fibers impregnated with plastic resin and provided over its length with at least one are of enlargement (6) and or narrowing. The curve of generation of the internal diameter of the shaft as a function of its length beginning at the point of the smallest internal diameter and extending to at least one of the ends of the shaft incorporates at least one decreasing portion.

Abstract: A golf club shaft having a stiffness control section between the grip section and the main body section. The stiffness control section includes a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion. The circumference of the first tapered portion increases from the proximal end to the distal end thereof and the circumference of the second tapered portion decreases from the proximal end to the distal end thereof.

Abstract: In the field of golf equipment, a new shaft design incorporates passive damping to suppress the vibrations excited in the shaft before and after impact. The design comprises a viscoelastic material sandwiched between multiple layers of composite plies which induce large shear strains in the viscoelastic when the shaft is subjected to bending, extension, or twist, thus increasing damping losses over conventional golf shafts. In one embodiment, the sandwiching layers are of opposing orientation. In another embodiment, the layers are oriented in an opposing V-shape laminate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality of club shafts for an individually matched set of golf clubs is provided herein. The method includes using a specifically designed and separate mandrel for each club shaft of the matched set. Further, the method includes sequentially wrapping a specifically designed and separate group of patterns around each mandrel for each club shaft of the matched set. This procedure allows the manufacturer to specifically design each club shaft of the set of golf clubs. The resulting individually matched set of golf clubs has more consistent feel, flexure, frequency, weighting and torque characteristics. Additionally, the club shafts provided herein have improved swing weight characteristics for lighter heads.

Abstract: A light-weight handle is disclosed for use on new or existing golf clubs regardless of their shaft material. The handle comprises an elongated tubular member having a radially expanded gripping surface and a way for attaching the handle to a golf club shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a pool table body made as a single integral moulding of reinforced synthetic resin material for supporting a covered slate bed providing the playing surface and a pool table including such a body. This construction facilitates construction and transport and enables coin operated mechanisms controlling the pool balls to be housed therein.

Abstract: A golf club shaft that is light in weight but which avoids problems related to a bending deformation of the section where these phenomena might otherwise occur. The bending strength of the shaft in the area sensitive to these phenomena is improved and the flexional and torsional stiffness characteristics are not significantly affected. Further, the mass and the mass distribution of the shaft are not significantly affected. According to one embodiment, the golf club shaft is tubular and includes a variable cross section along its length. The shaft has an enlarged butt at one end an a smaller radius tip at the opposite end. The shaft includes several layers of reinforcing fibers having different orientations with respect to the longitudinal axis, at least one of the layers being oriented at, or approximately at, 90.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis at least over a portion of the shaft where the external radius/thickness ratio is greater than or equal to 4.

Abstract: A lightweight shaft 22 of generally tubular configuration, for with a golf club 20, is formed with a first layer 34 of a non-metallic composite material of a given density including graphite fibers 86 and cured epoxy resin 86. A second layer 38 of the shaft 22 is composed of a two foam half-forms 124, or a foam full-form 142, having a density which is lower than the given density and which are located around at least a portion of the length of the first layer 34. A third layer 40 of the shaft 22 is also composed of a non-metallic composite material including graphite fibers 86 and cured epoxy resin 86 which is located around the second layer 38 of the shaft 22. A portion of the third layer 38 is also located about the first layer 34 at a tip end 30 of the shaft 22.

Abstract: A lightweight shaft 22 of generally tubular configuration, for use with a golf club 20, is formed with a first layer 34 of a non-metallic composite material of a given density including graphite fibers 86 and cured epoxy resin 86. A second layer 38 of the shaft 22 is composed of a two foam half-forms 124, or a foam full-form 142, having a density which is lower than the given density and which are located around at least a portion of the length of the first layer 34. A third layer 40 of the shaft 22 is also composed of a non-metallic composite material including graphite fibers 86 and cured epoxy resin 86 which is located around the second layer 38 of the shaft 22. A portion of the third layer 38 is also located about the first layer 34 at a tip end 30 of the shaft 22.

Abstract: A golf club shaft including a base rod and a hosel section of a substantially uniform predetermined thickness extending radially outwardly from a portion of club head end of the base rod. The length of hosel section is substantially greater than the length of the club head hosel recess into which the shaft will be inserted.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is formed of a fiber-reinforced plastic is disclosed which has a constant inside diameter of at least 7 mm between the tip end and a point G1 and a varying inside diameter increasing from the point G1 to a point G2, wherein G1 and G2 are located at positions spaced apart from the tip end distances equal to 20-50% and 70-100% of the length of the shaft, respectively. The shaft has a constant outer diameter of at least 8 mm between the tip end and a point H1 which is spaced apart from the tip end a distance equal to 20-170 mm, a varying outer diameter decreasing from H1 a point F1 which is spaced apart from the tip end a distance equal to 10-45% of the shaft, a constant diameter from F1 to a point F2 which is spaced apart from F1 a distance equal to 0-300 mm and a varying outer diameter increasing from F2 to a point H2 which is spaced apart from the grip end a distance equal to 0-300 mm.

Abstract: A light weight golf club shaft is described having a "modified hourglass" shape which provides many predetermined combinations of flex, stiffness and torque (which together are perceived as shaft and club "feel") and which is largely immune to breakage in normal play. The shaft is an improvement over our previous shaft defined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,872, and reduces shaft weight to the level desired by a golfer by using a substantially uniform shaft wall thickness while maintaining the unique "hour glass" external profile of our previous shaft. The shaft is formed of a base with axial sections: a grip section, an upper flare section, a flex control section, a lower flare section, and a hosel section, the whole forming an exterior shaft profile. The shaft may be made from metal such as steel, titanium, aluminum or their alloys, or composites formed of reinforcing fibers and polymeric materials.

Abstract: A structure and method for producing golf club heads from fiber reinforced plastic is described. A long fiber reinforced thermoplastic material is used to injection mold the golf club head. The long fiber reinforced thermoplastic material provides three-dimensional strength and stiffness. The long fiber reinforced thermoplastic material is injected into a mold so that the fibers become entangled with each other. Entangled fibers provide increased strength and stiffness in more than a single direction. A sole plate and face plate are also provided. Because of the strength and rigidity of the material used to fabricate the golf club head, the face plate may be fabricated from materials not otherwise useable. A flexible thermoplastic foam block is positioned in the interior of the golf club head to prevent rattle and to provide a realistic wood sound when hitting a golf ball.

Abstract: A disc which is used as a game piece for playing a game known as "Milk Caps"or "POGS". At least one side of the disc is decorated. The disc makes a metallic sound when it is dropped, thrown or slammed against a solid playing surface. The disc is preferably made of a strong plastic such as polyphenlene sulfide which prevents the disc from shattering. The disc may have an annular lip along its edge which facilitates manufacturing. The edge of the disc may be sloped or angled wherein the bottom portion of the disc has a slightly larger diameter than the top portion of the disc. This also facilitates manufacturing.

Abstract: An ironhead comprising a relatively heavy, inner core member, preferably of metal, and a relatively lightweight, injection-molded outer member, preferably of thermoplastic elastomer, is disclosed. Preferred thermoplastic elastomer materials are glass filled urethanes and glass-filled polycarbonates. Alternative inner core designs are disclosed, both with and without a lateral support member for the striking face of the clubhead.

Abstract: A golf club includes a straight shaft and a metallic member having a first end connected to the lower end of the shaft. The other end of the metallic member is bent to define an obtuse angle with the first end. In a preferred form, a flat metallic stiffener plate is welded or otherwise affixed to one side of the metallic member. These portions are placed in a suitable mold into which polyurethane is admitted, and heat is differentially applied to or removed from the various surfaces of the mold in order that the polyurethane solidifies to form a substantially flat striking layer of dense integral-skin polyurethane juxtaposed against the stiffener plate remote from the metallic member, and a back cushion enclosing the stiffener plate and all of the metallic member. The back cushion is thicker than the striking layer, and is of polyurethane less dense than that of the striking layer.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is described having a "modified hourglass" shape which provides many predetermined combinations of flex, stiffness and torque (which together are perceived as shaft and club "feel") and which is virtually immune to breakage in normal play. The shaft is formed of a base rod with expanded axial sections: a grip section, an upper flare section, a flex control section, a lower flare section, and a hosel section. The lower flare section increases in diameter from its junction with the flex control section to a maximum diameter at its junction with the hosel section, which when the club is assembled is preferably recessed into the club head hosel. Variation of the relative lengths and/or thicknesses of the flex control section and the lower flare section determine the location of the junction between them, and thus the relative amounts of flex, torque and stiffness which produce the feel desired in the shaft.

Abstract: A composite seamless filament-wound golf club shaft and method of manufacture, in which the shaft includes a hollow steel tubular core and a filament such as steel, fiberglass, graphite, or carbon, spirally wound about the core to form a seamless jacket thereabout. The filament is impregnated with an adhesive and permanently bonded to the core, and the core may be torsionally stressed prior to and during the winding thereupon and bonding thereto of the filament. The shaft can be made as an overlong blank universal shaft, then portions of the butt and tip of the shaft can be trimmed to produce a desired shaft length and natural frequency of vibration. When attached to a club head, the head may be weighted to produce a resulting golf club of desired swing weight.

Abstract: In a fibre-reinforced plastic golf club shaft, which has at the bottom an end portion for attaching a club head and at the top an end portion for attaching a grip and which is constructed in the form of a hollow profile. The cross-section of the profile is not constant over the shaft length and is provided with a shape, which is symmetrical to a median plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the shaft in the driving direction. The flex point of the shaft is in the area between the two end portions.

Abstract: A golf club head has a main body of head formed by coating the surface of a filling member made from foaming synthetic resin or the like with layers of fiber reinforced resin such as carbon reinforced resin, glass fiber reinforced resin. A metallic thin film layer is provided in the proximity of an outer surface of the main body of head.

Abstract: A golf club shaft which includes a tubular inner layer formed of a first, fiber-reinforced plastic and containing a first fiber group wound at a first winding angle within the range of 20.degree.-45.degree. relative to the longitudinal shaft axis and an outer layer formed of a second, fiber-reinforced plastic and containing a second fiber group wound at a second winding angle within the range of 5.degree.-30.degree. relative to the longitudinal shaft axis, the outer layer being integrally bonded onto the outer surface of the inner layer, the first winding angle at any point in the longitudinal direction of the shaft being greater than the second winding angle at that point, the second winding angle being maximum at a point intermediate the length of the shaft and being smaller toward both ends of the shaft.

Abstract: An improved archery bow limb fabricated by inserting a moldable slug having a plurality of longitudinally oriented resin impregnated fiber glass filaments into a bow limb profiling compression mold. The mold includes a female cavity mold and a male mold. The female mold having a raised portion defining a limb tip slot impression area so that when the mold is closed a depressed tip slot is formed in the slug. The raised portion may include peripherally thereabout, reinforcing filaments for strengthening the slot edge defined by said periphery. After the slug has been cured, the material remaining in the base of the depression is removed thereby providing a bow limb having a pair of forks for supporting an eccentric therebetweren. The resulting bow limb being fabricated with a reduced amount of severed longitudinal filaments.

Abstract: A wood-type metal golf club head comprising a hollow metal head body and a core material filling the inside of the metal head body, wherein the core material is an aggregate prepared by fusing expandable beads comprising a microcapsule of a synthetic polymer and an expanding gas enclosed therein to each other by the expansion of the gas and has a bulk specific gravity of 0.05 to 0.15 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A golf club head made of a fiber-reinforced resin, at least the outermost layer of the face thereof being composed of a cloth-reinforcing material impregnated with a matrix resin containing whiskers mixed therein so that the edges of the scoring lines will be composed of the matrix resin containing the whiskers mixed therein.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is produced by winding a plurality of material layers around a mandrel which is finally removed. The layers include an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is formed of a cloth prepreg which is cut out so that its fibers have angles of about .+-.45.degree.. The cloth prepreg is wound around the mandrel. The inner layer may be formed of sheets formed of fibers which extend in a single orientation and have a high strength and a high modulus. The sheets are cut out with angles of .+-.30.degree. to .+-.45.degree.. The intermediate layer is formed of a uni-directional sheet formed of fibers extending in a single orientation, the intermediate layer being wound around an outer periphery of the inner layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club head and a method of making the same. The golf club head has a reinforced fiber member integrally formed with metal or resin which forms a metal or resin layer positioned in a front face. In the method for making the golf club head of the present invention, the reinforced fiber member is disposed on the front face side of the insert core, then under the state that the reinforced fiber member is pressed to be fixed against the insert core by a mold, the molten metal or resin is flown into the space formed between the reinforced fiber member and the insert core, thereby integrally forming the reinforced fiber member with the above metal or resin.

Abstract: A golf club head composed of an outer shell made of a fiber-reinforced resin and a core made of a syntactic foam and formed in the outer shell, wherein the syntactic foam comprises a matrix resin with glass microballoons as a main component and whiskers mixed therein.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a frame having a plurality of hollow axial members extending from the front side to the rear side, and a hosel part is integrally formed with the frame. A foam resin core is deposited around the frame. A face plate is disposed at the front side of the frame. A synthetic resin covering is applied over the frame and over the core by installing the assembly of the frame and core in a mold and pouring in the synthetic resin material at a low pressure so as not to deform or shift the frame or the core and the synthetic resin fills the gaps among the frame, the core and the face plate.

Abstract: A hockey stick shaft is formed by a central wood core, a pair of fibre reinforcing layers reinforcing a pair of opposite sides of the core, a pair of intermediate wood layers one over each of the reinforcing layers in turn covered by a second pair of reinforcing layers positioned one over each of the intermediate layers and a pair of outer surface layers are laminated to each of the second reinforcing layers.Preferably the second reinforcing layers have a higher tensile strength than the first reinforcing layers.

Abstract: A golf club shaft of increased playability and feel is manufactured with a generally hollow and tapered cylindrical wall comprised of a plurality of layers of fibers and a resin binding the plurality of layers of fibers together into an integrated structure. The shaft includes a portion of constant outer diameter adjacent one end adapted to accept a grip and a portion of a smaller constant diameter adjacent the other adapted to be fitted to the hosel of a club head and a portion intermediate the two end portions with a uniformly tapering diameter. The golf club comprises a plurality of layers of fibers arranged and oriented within the shaft to resist torsional deflection and to provide a controlled and variable flexural resistance, permitting the player to recover energy stored in the shaft during the swing and to apply that energy to the ball for greater distance. The inner and outer layers of fibers include fibers running both perpendicular and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A filament winding process is disclosed for producing articles having a layer of wound helically extending fibers sandwiched between generally longitudinal fibers. The process is well adapted for use with thermoplastic resins and for producing articles having a high resistance to bending. In a preferred embodiment, there is disclosed a filament wound baseball bat formed from a thermoplastic resin, (poly(arylene sulfide).

Abstract: A two piece metallic and composite golf shaft utilizing metal for the construction of its lower tip section, and fiber/resin composite for the construction of its upper butt section, creating a hybrid golf shaft which retains the major characteristic advantages of these two shaft materials, while being largely free of their respective disadvantages; the shaft consisting of a tubular lower metallic tip section, comprising approximately one-third of total shaft length, having parallel or tapered sides, and a plurality of diametrally expanding steps at its upper terminal end where it joins a tubular upper composite butt section of larger diameter, having a lower end which telescopingly fits into and is bonded to the inside wall of the last elongated step of the lower metallic tip section, the junction between the two sections being flush, and from whence the upper composite butt section progressively tapers outwardly to its upper terminal end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a frame for a games racket e.g. tennis, of the type made as a hollow injection moulding of reinforced thermoplastics material. The frame has attachments for stringing in the form of a series of discrete lugs moulded integrally with the walls of the hollow frame and so positioned that the racket strings in their desired positions do not pass to the outer periphery of the head. The discrete lugs may for example be around the inner periphery of the head of the frame and each contain an integrally-moulded circumferential bore for string passage. The frame may be made by injection moulding around a fusible core and the shape of the core required to give the desired lugs provides strong resistance to movement under the injecting pressures hence giving improved product uniformity.

Abstract: In production of a composite type iron golf club head having a FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) backing in a rear recess, a peripheral flange to be caught by the main body is formed on the FRP backing by providing a bottom peripheral groove in the rear recess for fortified bonding of the FRP backing to the main body.

Abstract: A racket body formed of composite materials in which the shaft portion of the handle, two branches of a throat portion and a frame portion, which can be completed by a bridging portion, adjoin in end to end relationship and have cores and sheaths composed of different materials. The sheaths are comprised of fiber webs or braids impregnated with synthetic resin, the fibers differing along the length of the racket from at least one portion to another, while the orientations of the fibers with respect to the axes of the respective cores can differ from place to place as well. The end portions of thetwo branches of the throat are axially offset from one another so as to avoid the formation of a rupture zone.

Abstract: An archery bow having limbs constructed of laminae of pre-stressed fibers in a resin matrix, all of the laminae of the bow limb over at least a substantial intermediate portion of the length of the limb being pre-stressed and all of the laminae, as well as riser wedge and tip wedge portions of the limb, being adhesively interconnected in a pre-stressed configuration by an efficient adhesive. The limbs are free from any core of material which is not pre-stressed. One of the layers of material utilized in construction of the limb may contain layers of parallel pre-stressed fibers diagonally oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bow limb and additional parallel pre-stressed oppositely diagonally oriented fibers, in order to stabilize the bow limb against twisting during use.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a graphite composite racquet frame having a particular structure that provides internal and external shock absorption. The internal shock absorption is provided by a core material having high impact strength such as an aromatic aramid. External shock absorption is provided by a fiber reinforced plastic wrapping. The shock absorption elements allow graphite fibers to be used for construction of racquets which are commonly subject to a great deal of physical abuse such as racquetball racquets.

Abstract: An improved ice hockey stick is disclosed which is made with a handle component whose lower end tapers to fit closely into a closely conforming groove in the rear edge of a hardwood table. The handle component may be made of hardwood or it may be made of foam injected plastic material in accordance with another aspect of the subject matter disclosed. The foam injected handle component has a centrally located filler member and, on each side, a reinforcing strip of unidirectional strands of fibers in a suitable bonding agent mounted flush with the wide sides of the handle. A process for making a foam injected plastic component is disclosed as well as a method of making an ice hockey stick using the novel joint applicable to conventional hardwood handle components and to foam injected plastic handle components.

Abstract: A golf club head is provided, having an inner body formed of composite material and an outer body formed of a composite material secured to the outer surface of the inner body and accommodating the inner body. The inner body is hollow, and includes a plurality of rib plates therein to form a force bridge system, each rib plate extending from the inner surface of the inner body adjacent to the hitting surface of the outer body and radially to the surface opposite to the hitting surface.

Abstract: A metal golf club head having a core with a face or ball-addressing surface; the core being connected to a hosel. At least the core face is covered by a first layer of non-oriented short fiber reinforced synthetic resin, and a second layer of reinforced synthetic resin material disposed on said first layer. The first and second layers, being resilient, impart energy to the ball after striking. A reinforced fiber tape may be disposed about the zone joining the core and the hosel, as well as the hosel, for increasing the mechanical strength of such connecting portion; said first and second synthetic layers being disposed over said reinforced fiber tape.

Abstract: A bow limb which is totally molded essentially filled with unbroken longitudinal strands of fiberglass oriented in the central configuration in parallel strands, but as approaching the exterior of the bow, the strands conform to the exterior configuration of the limb. The bow limb is also characterized by a substantially constant cross-section even though width and thickness may vary longitudinally. This maintains a constant ratio of resin to fiberglass which is important to insure uniform strength characteristics. If the concentration of resin to fiberglass becomes too great, a brittle or weak point which invites breakage can occur. If the fiberglass to resin ratio is too great, inadequate bonding can result in bending failure.

Abstract: A golf club head having a face portion for striking a ball, the face portion being formed by a complex block comprising a plurality of ceramic plates and layers of glass fibers or carbon fibers laminated alternately. By such a complex construction, the sweet spot and the center of gravity distribution as well as the hardness and roughness of a ball striking surface can be changed as desired.

Abstract: Improved tennis racket in which an inverted chevron shaped yoke is provided having downward sloping side portions which match the curvature of the arcuate top portion of the racket head to provide vertical strings extending between the yoke and arcuate top portion which are of the same length. The equal length of vertical strings provide uniform elastic response to ball impact. The particular design of the chevron provides added structural strength to the neck of the racket. An improved racket made from a polycrystalline metal oxide fiber and resin matrix is also disclosed. In addition, an improved string protection system involving elastomer inserts which are molded into the head portion of composite material rackets is described.

Abstract: Improved tennis racket in which an inverted chevron shaped yoke is provided having downward sloping side portions which match the curvature of the arcuate top portion of the racket head to provide vertical strings extending between the yoke and arcuate top portion which are of the same length. The equal length of vertical strings provide uniform elastic response to ball impact. The particular design of the chevron provides added structural strength to the neck of the racket. An improved racket made from a polycrystalline metal oxide fiber and resin matrix is also disclosed. In addition, an improved string protection system involving elastomer inserts which are molded into the head portion of composite material rackets is described.