Abstract: An adapter to connect a straight golf shaft with a golf club head includes: a first end that is cylindrical and that is configured to be joined with the golf club head; and a second end that is connected to the first end, that is cylindrical, and that is configured to be joined with a tip end of the straight golf shaft, where an angle between (a) a first plane through a first axis of the first end and (b) a second plane through a second axis of the second end is between 0.5 degrees and 45 degrees.

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 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 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 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 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 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 device which uses a heat source for heating and diffusing fragrant oils or insecticidal oils. The oil is contained in a reservoir remote from the heat source and the device comprises means for transferring the oil from a reservoir to a surface of a heat-absorbing means wherein heat from the heat source is transferred by conduction to said surface to volatilise the oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a specialized shoe cleaning method that will clean athletic shoes in such a manner that the newly cleaned shoes resemble brand new shoes. The method or process includes applying a chemical to the outer part of the shoe, agitating the surface dirt via a motorized spinning brush, applying high pressure air to blow off any remaining dirt from the shoe, applying a chemical spray (e.g., for shoes with different type fabric), applying pressurized steam, applying an extraction process, using a specialized tool to extract dirt to clean the interior upper, and applying a drying process to dry the shoes. The application of cleaning solutions, high pressure air and steam in conjunction with the vacuum process is especially suited for the removal of dirt, stains and other foreign matter from the shoes.