Abstract: A method includes: determining a mass of a golf shaft having a length; determining a center of mass of the golf shaft; determining one or more characteristics of an insert based on: the mass of the golf shaft; and a target mass for golf shafts having the length; determining a location of the insert between a first end of the golf shaft where a golf grip is to be attached and a second end of the golf shaft where a golf club head is to be attached based on: the center of mass of the golf shaft; and a target center of mass for golf shafts having the length; and inserting an insert having the determined one or more characteristics within an interior of the golf shaft at the determined location, thereby creating an interference fit between the insert and the interior of the golf shaft.

Abstract: A vibration damper to be inserted within an interior cavity of a sports shaft includes: an outer portion configured to directly contact and engage the interior cavity of the sports shaft; a central mass that extends coaxially with the outer portion and that is disposed within the outer portion; at least two arms that extend outwardly and connect the central mass to the outer portion; and at least apertures disposed between the central mass and the outer portion.

Abstract: A stepless golf shaft includes; a butt portion having: a proximal end configured to be attached to a golf grip; and a distal end; a tip portion having; a distal end configured to be attached to a golf club head; and a proximal end; and a midsection connecting the proximal end of the tip portion with the distal end of the butt portion, the midsection including; a first portion having a first outer diameter that gradually decreases in the direction of the proximal end of the tip portion at a first taper rate and not having any step changes in the first outer diameter; and a second portion having a second outer diameter that gradually decreases in the direction of the proximal end of the tip portion at a second taper rate, where the second taper rate is different than the first taper rate.

Abstract: A method for applying base paint non-uniformly to a golf shaft includes: inserting a portion of a golf shaft lengthwise through an aperture in a paint applicator, the paint applicator having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where one of (a) the aperture is non-circular and (b) the aperture includes a plurality of slits formed circumferentially around the aperture; actuating a painting apparatus, thereby causing the base paint to contact the golf shaft and the second surface of the paint applicator; and pulling the golf shaft lengthwise through the aperture in the paint applicator, thereby non-uniformly applying the base paint lengthwise along the portion of the golf shaft.

Abstract: A golf club shaft includes: a butt end; a tip end, where the golf club shaft is tapered between the butt end and the tip end; coils of fiber wound helically relative to an axis of the golf club shaft; and one or more layers of composite material wrapped around the coils of fiber and disposed radially outwardly of the coils of fiber.

Abstract: A method includes: determining a mass of a golf shaft having a length; determining a center of mass of the golf shaft; determining one or more characteristics of an insert based on: the mass of the golf shaft; and a target mass for golf shafts having the length; determining a location of the insert between a first end of the golf shaft where a golf grip is to be attached and a second end of the golf shaft where a golf club head is to be attached based on: the center of mass of the golf shaft; and a target center of mass for golf shafts having the length; and inserting an insert having the determined one or more characteristics within an interior of the golf shaft at the determined location, thereby creating an interference fit between the insert and the interior of the golf shaft.

Abstract: A piece of tubular sports equipment includes: a first layer of composite material including fibers oriented in a first direction; a second layer of composite material that directly contacts the first layer of composite material, that is arranged radially outwardly of the first layer of composite material, and that includes fibers oriented in a second direction that is different than the first direction; and a third layer of composite material that directly contacts the second layer of composite material, that is arranged radially outwardly of the second layer of composite material, that includes fibers oriented in a third direction that is different than the second direction, and that includes an aperture formed through the third layer such that a portion of the second layer is visible through the aperture.

Abstract: A system for fitting a bat to an athlete includes: a host control module configured to generate a graphical user interface including: an age field for input of a present age of the athlete; a height field for input of a present height of the athlete; a weight field for input of a present weight of the athlete; an association field for input of one of a league and a group with which the athlete is affiliated; a bat selection module configured to: determine a target drop based on data in the association field; determine a suggested bat length for the athlete based on data in the age, height, weight, and association fields; and determine a suggested bat weight based on the suggested bat length minus the target drop; and select one of a plurality of bats based on the suggested bat length and the suggested bat weight.

Abstract: A system and method for creating protective sports articles. The system includes a last. A liner of flexible material that defines a pocket is provided. A plurality of padding pieces are provided that each have a bottom surface and an adhesive disposed over the bottom surface. The method includes inserting the last into the pocket of the liner. The method also includes positioning the bottom surface of each of the padding pieces over the liner to engage the adhesive against the liner. The method further includes applying pressure to the padding pieces to bond the adhesive of the padding pieces to the liner to secure the padding pieces to the liner and to form a completed article. The method further includes removing the completed article from the last.

Abstract: A piece of sports equipment includes: a surface; and base paint including magnetic particles, the base paint being located on the surface of the piece of sports equipment, the magnetic particles being arranged based on a predetermined design after being subjected to magnetic field generated by one or more magnets. A method of manufacturing a piece of sports equipment includes: obtaining an object including one or more magnets arranged in a predetermined design; applying a base paint including magnetic particles to an exterior surface of the piece of sports equipment; while the base paint is fluid, positioning the piece of sports equipment within a magnetic field of the one or more magnets; and maintaining the positioning of the piece of sports equipment for at least a predetermined period, thereby allowing the magnetic particles in the base paint to arrange based on the predetermined design of the one or more magnets.

Abstract: A method includes: obtaining a raw steel golf shaft; and applying a colored coating directly to exterior surfaces of the raw steel golf shaft using an applicator. A golf club shaft includes: a raw steel tubular member; and a colored coating applied directly to exterior surfaces of the raw steel tubular member.

Abstract: A method for applying base paint non-uniformly to a golf shaft includes: inserting a portion of a golf shaft lengthwise through an aperture in a paint applicator, the paint applicator having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where one of (a) the aperture is non-circular and (b) the aperture includes a plurality of slits formed circumferentially around the aperture; actuating a painting apparatus, thereby causing the base paint to contact the golf shaft and the second surface of the paint applicator; and pulling the golf shaft lengthwise through the aperture in the paint applicator, thereby non-uniformly applying the base paint lengthwise along the portion of the golf shaft.

Abstract: A tubular steel golf shaft comprising a grip section, a tapered mid-section and a tip section. A loading zone is selectively formed along a portion of the shaft, preferably in the tapered mid-section, comprising a continuous series of closely spaced micro-steps, or reductions in diameter, each of which are less than 0.5 inches in length. Each micro-step section, in the direction from the grip section toward the tip section comprises a first peak which descends to valley and then ascends to a second peak. The diameter of the first peak is greater than the diameter of the second peak. A method of manufacturing the golf shaft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A blade for a hockey stick includes a front face, a rear face, a first end operable to be connected to a blade connecting end of a handle portion, a second end that is opposite the first end, an upper edge that extends between the first and second ends, and a lower edge that extends between the first and second ends. The blade includes a resiliently compressible core member and a covering member that partially encases the resiliently compressible core member. The covering member defines an exterior surface of the blade and includes an opening on the lower edge of the blade that exposes the resiliently compressible core member.

Abstract: A blade for a hockey stick includes a front face, a rear face, a first end operable to be connected to a blade connecting end of a handle portion, a second end that is opposite the first end, an upper edge that extends between the first and second ends, and a lower edge that extends between the first and second ends. The blade includes a resiliently compressible core member and a covering member that partially encases the resiliently compressible core member. The covering member defines an exterior surface of the blade and includes an opening on the lower edge of the blade that exposes the resiliently compressible core member.

Abstract: A golf club includes a tapered shaft, a club head attached to a first end of the shaft, and a grip attached to a second end of the shaft. The exterior surface of the shaft has a surface roughness of less than 143 micro inches. The exterior surface also includes a plurality of particles having a size in the range of about 20 microns to about 100 microns.

Abstract: A bat is provided including a handle portion, a barrel portion and a core member. The barrel portion has an interior cavity with an interior surface. The core member is disposed in the interior cavity of the barrel portion. The core member has an exterior surface engaged with the interior surface of the barrel portion. The handle portion extends into the interior cavity of the barrel portion and is coupled to the core member. The coupling of the core member to the handle allows the impact of the barrel portion on a ball to be transmitted to the user through the core member and the handle portion. The bat may thereby provide the user with an increased sense of the quality of the contact with the ball.