Abstract: Every amateur golfer wishes to improve their game. Doing so is usually achieved through significant practice and the hit-and-miss search for the right golf club. Accordingly to embodiments of the invention golf clubs imparting increased driving range through an overall increase in the mass of the golf club are presented. Additional aspects of the invention relate to achieving this without imparting a corresponding reduction in the swing velocity as well as providing for the addition of the mass a manner that reduces the tendency for the golfers swing to change, and allows for adjustment to address their natural tendency to hook or slice. As such the additional mass added to a driver may, according to embodiments of the invention, be compensated by the adjustment in the balance of the golf club and allowing for the additional mass to be added non-uniformly to the golf club head.

Abstract: Many sports rely upon the use by the sportsperson of one or more pieces of sports equipment such as bats, rackets, clubs, boards etc. Typically these items of sports equipment employ a shaft having predetermined geometry and properties established by the materials used to manufacture the equipment. However, the sportsperson typically uses these over a wide range of conditions rather than a narrow range that provides constraints on the design of conventional sports equipment. According to embodiments of the invention sports equipment are implemented with multiple elements within the shaft such that the stiffness of the item varies with induced flexure arising from use. As such under one range of motion the item exhibits stiffness characterized by a first Young's modulus and under a second range of motion the item exhibits stiffness characterized by a second Young's modulus.

Abstract: Golf is a massive industry as well as sport globally with golfers investing in continuous evolutions and modifications to golf clubs with sensitivity to weight of a few grams, offset in angle of a degree, “feel” etc. Prior art designs focused to the golf club head, grip, and in a few instances the shaft. However, considerations of accurate alignment between the elements during initial assembly/replacement are not addressed. It is, therefore, desirable to provide a means of assembling a golf club shaft that provides for an accurate alignment between the multiple elements such that alignment between them is established, can be maintained with replacements, and also allows for meaningful adjustments in the grip and head to be achieved as multiple other factors do not confound the desired interpretation of the impact of an adjustment. Accordingly the invention provides for such alignment between multiple elements of a golf club.

Abstract: Golf is a massive industry as well as sport globally with golfers investing in continuous evolutions and modifications to golf clubs with sensitivity to weight of a few grams, offset in angle of a degree, “feel” etc. Prior art designs focused to the golf club head, grip, and in a few instances the shaft. However, considerations of accurate alignment between the elements during initial assembly/replacement are not addressed. It is, therefore, desirable to provide a means of assembling a golf club shaft that provides for an accurate alignment between the multiple elements such that alignment between them is established, can be maintained with replacements, and also allows for meaningful adjustments in the grip and head to be achieved as multiple other factors do not confound the desired interpretation of the impact of an adjustment. Accordingly the invention provides for such alignment between multiple elements of a golf club.

Abstract: Ice skate blades represent the sole interface between a skater and the ice, a thin line of contact that must generate sufficient friction to melt the ice to allow gliding but not add drag under one state of usage and in another generate sufficient traction to support sharp turns and stopping. Today's skate blades have a single hollow of predetermined profile across their width terminating in sharp edges at the outer limits of the skate blade. However, improved performance at both the competitive and recreational levels of skating and hockey in terms of the athletes and their sporting equipment has not followed through into the ice skate blade despite significant innovations in the skate boots. Accordingly it would be beneficial to provide increased design flexibility by allowing multiple hollows per blade such that the performance can be adjusted between inner and outer edges as well as across the entire width.

Abstract: The competitive and technological evolution of sports with ice skates such as ice hockey, speed skating, and figure skating as well as the conditioning and training of these athletes places increased demands on their equipment. Amongst these are the ability to vary the blade profile at different points to increase speed, agility, acceleration, etc according to the sport and the athlete's personal preferences. In many instances matching left and right blades is also important. In contrast in amateur sports where users access retail skate sharpening services speed or service and cost of service is important. A system and method are taught for simultaneously profiling both blades of user for increasing speed and reducing cost in retail environments whilst aligning there profiles in more professional applications. The method further allows for profiles to vary in cross-section along the length of the blade.

Abstract: A control for enabling a clutch to be automatically engaged with a power source. An apparatus for automatically controlling the position of a clutch between a power source and a drive train characterized by a control which regulates pressure to a clutch engaging member according to performance criteria of the power source.