Particular Correlated Shaft Flexural Characteristic Patents (Class 473/289)
  • Patent number: 11975248
    Abstract: Disclosed golf club heads include a body defining an interior cavity, a face, a sole, a crown, and a hosel. Certain embodiments include a weight channel positioned in the sole and defining a path along the sole. Some embodiments include a weight member positioned in the weight channel that is configured to be adjusted to any of a range of selectable positions to adjust mass properties of the golf club head. A fastener may be configured to secure the weight member in any of the selectable positions, while the fastener itself, regardless of where the weight member is positioned along the path, may be secured to the body at a fixed location that is independent of the position of the weight member along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Harbert, Todd P. Beach
  • Patent number: 11759685
    Abstract: Disclosed golf club heads include a weight channel positioned in the sole and defining a path along the sole. A weight member positioned in the weight channel can be adjusted to any of a range of selectable positions to adjust mass properties of the golf club head. A fastener secures the weight member in any of the selectable positions, while the fastener itself, regardless of where the weight member is positioned along the path, is secured to the body at a fixed location that is independent of the position of the weight member along the path. Part of the weight channel and weight member can be covered by an overhanging portion of the sole, which can form a sit pad. The overhanging portion can be part of a composite sole insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew David Johnson, Todd P. Beach, Christopher John Harbert
  • Patent number: 11406881
    Abstract: Disclosed golf club heads include a body defining an interior cavity, a face, a sole, a crown, and a hosel. Certain embodiments include a weight channel positioned in the sole and defining a path along the sole. Some embodiments include a weight member positioned in the weight channel that is configured to be adjusted to any of a range of selectable positions to adjust mass properties of the golf club head. A fastener may be configured to secure the weight member in any of the selectable positions, while the fastener itself, regardless of where the weight member is positioned along the path, may be secured to the body at a fixed location that is independent of the position of the weight member along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Harbert, Todd P. Beach
  • Patent number: 10773137
    Abstract: A shaft set 2S includes a first shaft SF1, a second shaft SF2 shorter than the first shaft SF1, and a third shaft SF3 shorter than the second shaft SF2. At least the second shaft SF2 and the third shaft SF3 each include butt partial bias layers s3 and s4. Weights of the butt partial bias layers s3 and s4 are increased as the shaft is shortened. At least the first shaft SF1 and the second shaft SF2 each include tip partial bias layers s10 and s11. Weights of the tip partial bias layers s10 and s11 are decreased as the shaft is shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10328321
    Abstract: A diagnosis server includes a storing section configured to store exercise data of respective users and diagnosis criteria of respective customers and a processing section configured to perform diagnosis on the basis of exercise data of a user designated from a terminal of a customer among the exercise data of the respective users and diagnosis criteria of the customer among the diagnosis criteria of the respective customers and provide the terminal of the customer with a diagnosis result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenya Kodaira, Ikuo Hayaishi, Tsuyoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 10213668
    Abstract: A shaft 6 includes a tip end Tp and a butt end Bt. If a shaft length is defined as Ls, a distance between the butt end Bt of the shaft and a center of gravity G of the shaft is defined as Lg, and a ratio of the distance Lg to the shaft length Ls is defined as a ratio of the center of gravity of the shaft, then the ratio of the center of gravity of the shaft is equal to or less than 47%. The shaft length Ls is equal to or less than 991 mm. If a forward flex is defined as F1 (mm) and a backward flex is defined as F2 (mm), a flex point ratio C1 of the shaft calculated by the following formula (1) is equal to or less than 39%: C1=[F2/(F1+F2)]×100]??(1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10101252
    Abstract: A method includes exciting a work piece, measuring a dynamic response of the work piece with an optical imaging system and calculating a damping factor and a Q factor from said dynamic response. The method links two processes: an optical imaging system to output dynamic motion response data, and using the data to obtain a damping factor and a Q factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: RASSINI FRENOS, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventor: Manoj Nelagadde
  • Patent number: 9927338
    Abstract: A method includes exciting a work piece, measuring a dynamic response of the work piece with an optical imaging system and calculating a damping factor and a Q factor from said dynamic response. The method links two processes: an optical imaging system to output dynamic motion response data, and using the data to obtain a damping factor and a Q factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: RASSINI FRENOS, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventor: Manoj Nelagadde
  • Patent number: 9675862
    Abstract: Examples of methods, apparatus, and systems to custom fit golf clubs by providing gapping determination are generally described herein. Other examples may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Solheim, Gregory J. Swartz, Paul D. Wood, Marty R. Jertson
  • Patent number: 9623290
    Abstract: A club 2 includes a head 4, a shaft 6 and a grip 8. A club length L1 is 45 inches or greater and 48 inches or less. A ratio (Wh/Wc) of a head weight Wh to a club weight Wc is equal to or greater than 0.71. A moment of inertia Ix about an axis of a swing is equal to or less than 6.90×103 (kg·cm2). However, when the club weight is defined as Wc (kg); an axial-directional distance between a grip end and a center of gravity of the club is defined as Lc (cm); and a moment of inertia about the center of gravity of the club is defined as Ic (kg·cm2), the moment of inertia Ix (kg·cm2) is calculated by the following formula (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9079075
    Abstract: Provided is a golf club having a head disposed at a front end of a shaft and a grip disposed at a back end of the shaft. A club weight is not smaller than 290 g, and a ratio (head weight/club weight) of a head weight to a club weight is not lower than 0.67 but not higher than 0.72. When a distance from the front end of the shaft to a center of gravity of the shaft is LG and when a full length of the shaft is LS, 0.55?LG/LS?0.67 is satisfied, and when a frequency of flexural vibration of the club is F, 240 cpm?F?280 cpm is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Takashi Nakano
  • Patent number: 8894505
    Abstract: A method relating to an improved fitting system for a golf club shaft is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention utilizes specific data gathered from the golfer's golf swing itself to determine the best performing golf club shaft for this particular golf swing. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of infrared motion capturing cameras to record the location data of a golf club shaft throughout a swing. Based on the location data captured, one or more dynamic behavioral characteristics can be calculated to determine one or more preferred shaft characteristics. Using the preferred shaft characteristics, a shaft can be recommended for the golfer having this particular golf swing. The current inventive fitting methodology is preferred to the archaic fitting method of using data gathered from the result orientated ball flight data together with a tedious process of having to try numerous different shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Gregory D. Johnson, Ryan Margoles, Donald S. Bone
  • Patent number: 8845451
    Abstract: A method relating to an improved fitting system for a golf club shaft is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention utilizes specific data gathered from the golfer's golf swing itself to determine the best performing golf club shaft for this particular golf swing. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of infrared motion capturing cameras to record the location data of a golf club shaft throughout a swing. Based on the location data captured, one or more dynamic behavioral characteristics can be calculated to determine one or more preferred shaft characteristics. Using the preferred shaft characteristics, a shaft can be recommended for the golfer having this particular golf swing. The current inventive fitting methodology is preferred to the archaic fitting method of using data gathered from the result orientated ball flight data together with a tedious process of having to try numerous different shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ryan Margoles, Gregory D. Johnson, Nicholas F Abbruzzese
  • Patent number: 8808105
    Abstract: A method relating to an improved fitting system for a golf club shaft is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention utilizes specific data gathered from the golfer's golf swing itself to determine the best performing golf club shaft for this particular golf swing. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of infrared motion capturing cameras to record the location data of a golf club shaft throughout a swing. Based on the location data captured, one or more dynamic behavioral characteristics can be calculated to determine one or more preferred shaft characteristics. Using the preferred shaft characteristics, a shaft can be recommended for the golfer having this particular golf swing. The current inventive fitting methodology is preferred to the archaic fitting method of using data gathered from the result orientated ball flight data together with a tedious process of having to try numerous different shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ryan Margoles, Gregory D. Johnson, Dennis LeDuc
  • Publication number: 20140051526
    Abstract: A method relating to an improved fitting system for a golf club shaft is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention utilizes specific data gathered from the golfer's golf swing itself to determine the best performing golf club shaft for this particular golf swing. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of infrared motion capturing cameras to record the location data of a golf club shaft throughout a swing. Based on the location data captured, one or more dynamic behavioral characteristics can be calculated to determine one or more preferred shaft characteristics. Using the preferred shaft characteristics, a shaft can be recommended for the golfer having this particular golf swing. The current inventive fitting methodology is preferred to the archaic fitting method of using data gathered from the result orientated ball flight data together with a tedious process of having to try numerous different shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Gregory D. Johnson, Ryan Margoles, Donald S. Bone
  • Publication number: 20130296065
    Abstract: The subject golf clubs have a shaft and clubhead. The shaft has a tip-end coupled to the clubhead, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion located adjacent the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion. The portions are coupled together at an interface. The remaining portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end. The reduced-EI portion is typically shorter than and has less stiffness than the remaining portion. The reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate (which can be zero) of stiffness reduction as a function of distance toward the tip-end. These rates can be similar or different. The interface can exhibit a greater rate in stiffness reduction than the other portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Drew T. DeShiell, Todd P. Beach
  • Patent number: 8506425
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for matching a test golfer with a particular golf club selected from a group of golf clubs having a plurality of styles. The method utilizes data set derived in an initial procedure in which the club style preferences for each of a large number of pre-test golfers is recorded and correlated with a set of performance parameters for the golf swings of such pre-test golfers. This data enables the pre-test golfers to be classified into subgroups, in which golfers within the same subgroup generally prefer the same club style and golfers in different subgroups generally prefer different club styles. After this data set has been established, the test golfer takes a golf swing with a golf club, while performance parameters for the swing are measured. Based on the measured performance parameters and the previously established data set, the test golfer is classified according to swing type, and the optimum golf club is then selected from the plurality of styles of golf clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian C. Wright, David Anderson, Peter J. Roberts, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 8491406
    Abstract: A plurality of two or more golf club shafts designed to optimize the performance of a specific shaft with respect to a specific golf swing is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a plurality of two or more golf club shafts wherein a dramatic difference in torque can be achieved by two golf club shafts within the same weight classification regardless of the flex of the shaft. A plurality of golf club shafts in accordance with the present invention may generally a difference in weight-to-torque ratio of greater than about 1.5 and a difference in butt-frequency-to-torque ratio of greater than about 8.0 between any two golf club shafts within the plurality of golf club shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Donald S. Bone
  • Patent number: 8465378
    Abstract: A shaft selection assist apparatus according to this invention includes a storage means for storing recommended shaft information indicating a correspondence between measurement parameters obtained upon a test strike with a golf club to which a predetermined reference shaft is attached, and recommended shafts among shafts of a plurality of types, an acquisition means for acquiring the measurement results of the measurement parameters associated with a test strike actually made by a user with the golf club, a selection means for selecting a recommended shaft by referring to the recommended shaft information based on the measurement results acquired by the acquisition means, and an output means for outputting information indicating the recommended shaft selected by the selection means. The recommended shaft information stored in the storage means is information which specifies recommended shafts based on the relationship between the shaft rigidity distribution and the measurement parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotada Iwade, Fumiaki Sato
  • Patent number: 8444501
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of at least three golf clubs having different club length Lk. The golf clubs 14; 20 comprises a shaft 21 with an upper end and a lower end, a grip section 22 on the upper end of the shaft, and a head 23; 30; 40 with a ball-striking surface mounted on the lower end of the shaft. The club length Lk of each golf club decreasing through the set and a value 61, 65, 75; 62, 66, 76; 63,67,77; 64, 68; 78 of at least one torsional moment PCF; HCF; ICF; GCF for each of the at least three golf clubs when swung by a golfer differs from each other. A linear function 71, 72, 73, 74 of club length Lk is based on the values of at least one torsional moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Isaren AB
    Inventors: Breit Olsson, Tony Björkman
  • Patent number: 8444510
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining club parameters for at least one golf club, belonging to a set of golf clubs for a specific golfer, having arbitrary club length Lk,n. The method comprises: selecting club length of a first reference golf club and a second reference club; varying at least one club parameter belong to the group: club weight, club head weight, CG position and weight distribution of the first reference golf club and the second reference golf club; selecting a club parameter value for each selected club parameter. At least one torsional moment PCF, ICF, HCF, GCF is calculated and a relationship is determined as a function of club length. A club length for a first golf club belonging to the set of golf clubs is selected and club parameters for the first golf club is determined based on each determined relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Isaren AB
    Inventors: Breit Olsson, Tony Björkman
  • Patent number: 8398504
    Abstract: A shaft selection assist apparatus according to this invention includes a storage means for storing recommended shaft information indicating a correspondence between measurement parameters obtained upon a test strike with a golf club to which a predetermined reference shaft is attached, and recommended shafts among shafts of a plurality of types, an acquisition means for acquiring the measurement results of the measurement parameters associated with a test strike actually made by a user with the golf club, a selection means for selecting a recommended shaft by referring to the recommended shaft information based on the measurement results acquired by the acquisition means, and an output means for outputting information indicating the recommended shaft selected by the selection means. The measurement parameters include the vertical launch angle of a struck ball and the back spin amount on the struck ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotada Iwade, Fumiaki Sato
  • Patent number: 8360899
    Abstract: A method can include (i) identifying a reference shaft for an individual based on one or more characteristics of the individual; (ii) receiving shaft feedback information from the individual with respect to a performance of the reference shaft based on an assessment by the individual of one or more reference shaft characteristics of the reference shaft; (iii) executing a shaft comparison between shaft characteristic information of the reference shaft and shaft characteristic information of a plurality of available shafts based on the shaft feedback information of the individual, the shaft characteristic information of the reference shaft comprising information about the one or more reference shaft characteristics; and (iv) identifying one or more recommended shafts from the plurality of available shafts based on the shaft comparison to custom fit the individual. Other examples and related embodiments are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Karsten Manfacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Swartz, Marty R. Jertson, Paul D. Wood
  • Publication number: 20120322572
    Abstract: Embodiments of multiple flex shaft systems are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also presented herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Randall B. Noble, Marty R. Jertson, Jeff A. Blankenship
  • Patent number: 8282503
    Abstract: Embodiments of multiple flex shaft systems are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also presented herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Randall B. Noble, Marty R. Jertson, Jeff A. Blankenship
  • Patent number: 8128508
    Abstract: A shaft set includes plural shafts used for wood-type golf clubs each having a length of 40 inches to 48 inches. Among the plural shafts, a shaft used for a longer club has a smaller amount of change ?1 in bending stiffness in a section from 600 mm to 800 mm from a tip of the shaft. Among the clubs using the plural shafts, the amount of change ?1 in bending stiffness decreases at a constant rate in a range of 0.7×103 kgf·mm2/mm·inch to 1.6×103 kgf·mm2/mm·inch per inch increase in club length, and the bending stiffness at a position 800 mm from the tip of the shaft decreases at a constant rate in a range of 0.1×106 kgf·mm2/inch to 0.4×106 kgf·mm2/inch per inch increase in club length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumiaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20110312435
    Abstract: The subject golf clubs have a shaft and clubhead. The shaft has a tip-end coupled to the clubhead, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion located adjacent the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion. The portions are coupled together at an interface. The remaining portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end. The reduced-EI portion is typically shorter than and has less stiffness than the remaining portion. The reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate (which can be zero) of stiffness reduction as a function of distance toward the tip-end. These rates can be similar or different. The interface can exhibit a greater rate in stiffness reduction than the other portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Drew Tom DeShiell, Todd P. Beach
  • Publication number: 20110256948
    Abstract: Embodiments of multiple flex shaft systems are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also presented herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Randall B. Noble, Marty R. Jertson, Jeff A. Blankenship
  • Publication number: 20110151988
    Abstract: A plurality of two or more golf club shafts designed to optimize the performance of a specific shaft with respect to a specific golf swing is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a plurality of two or more golf club shafts wherein a dramatic difference in torque can be achieved by two golf club shafts within the same weight classification regardless of the flex of the shaft. A plurality of golf club shafts in accordance with the present invention may generally a difference in weight-to-torque ratio of greater than about 1.5 and a difference in butt-frequency-to-torque ratio of greater than about 8.0 between any two golf club shafts within the plurality of golf club shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Donald S. Bone
  • Publication number: 20110077097
    Abstract: The subject golf clubs have a shaft and clubhead. The shaft has a tip-end coupled to the clubhead, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion located adjacent the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion. The portions are coupled together at an interface. The remaining portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end. The reduced-EI portion is typically shorter than and has less stiffness than the remaining portion. A stiffener insert is inserted into the shaft, such as in the reduced-EI portion, to add stiffness locally. The reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate (which can be zero) of stiffness reduction as a function of distance toward the tip-end. These rates can be similar or different. The interface can exhibit a greater rate in stiffness reduction than the other portions. The stiffeners can be user-selectable, from a kit supplied with the club, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Drew Tom DeShiell, Todd P. Beach
  • Publication number: 20110070968
    Abstract: A device for stiffening a golf club shaft which includes a strip of material configured to engage the exterior of the golf club shaft. The longitudinal axis of the strip may be configured to extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft when the strip engages the golf club shaft. The strip may be configured to increase the stiffness of a portion of the golf club shaft when the strip engages the portion of the golf club shaft. The strip may include longitudinal fibers configured to extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft when the strip is engaged to the exterior of the golf club shaft. An associated method for fitting a golf club with a shaft stiffening device is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: John T. STITES
  • Patent number: 7887440
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for matching a test golfer with a particular golf club selected from a group of golf clubs having a plurality of styles. The method utilizes data set derived in an initial procedure in which the club style preferences for each of a large number of pre-test golfers is recorded and correlated with a set of performance parameters for the golf swings of such pre-test golfers. This data enables the pre-test golfers to be classified into subgroups, in which golfers within the same subgroup generally prefer the same club style and golfers in different subgroups generally prefer different club styles. After this data set has been established, the test golfer takes a golf swing with a golf club, while performance parameters for the swing are measured. Based on the measured performance parameters and the previously established data set, the test golfer is classified according to swing type, and the optimum golf-club is then selected from the plurality of styles of golf clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian C. Wright, David Anderson, Peter J. Roberts, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 7758446
    Abstract: A moveable shaft insert assembly about 13 to 18 inches long weighing less than 50 grams is inserted into a hollow golf dub shaft wherein the depth of insertion of the shaft insert assembly may vary from about 1 to 10 inches. Changing the location of the shaft insert assembly allows a player to change the flex of the shaft and thereby optimize the performance of the club dynamics for that player for that day. The shaft insert is held in place by friction between the shaft and the shaft insert assembly. So shaft flex fitting can be administered by a player with or without coaching, and can be revisited at any time by a simple adjustment. The shaft inserts are useful on all hollow shaft clubs, and can be retrofitted to existing clubs without removing the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: George W Hodgetts
  • Patent number: 7758445
    Abstract: The method of producing tubular golf club shafts (10) of the same longitudinal stiffness and varying weights by wrapping composite materials on a tapered mandrel (15), or mandrels, having a given taper profile, producing a core (30) of angle-fiber-and-resin material and a shell (31) of longitudinal-fiber-and-resin material, and varying the weight of the cores to vary the shaft weight while maintaining the core size and the shell size the same. This is accomplished by moving the core along a taper profile to compensate for the change in the amount of material, thus maintaining the longitudinal stiffness/bending profile the same in the shafts of greatly varying weight. A representative family of shafts (10) has nominal weights of 55, 65, 75, 85, 95 and 105 grams, with the same stiffness/bending profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Aldila, Inc.
    Inventor: John E Oldenburg
  • Publication number: 20100167833
    Abstract: A shaft set includes plural shafts used for wood-type golf clubs each having a length of 40 inches to 48 inches. Among the plural shafts, a shaft used for a longer club has a smaller amount of change ?1 in bending stiffness in a section from 600 mm to 800 mm from a tip of the shaft. Among the clubs using the plural shafts, the amount of change ?1 in bending stiffness decreases at a constant rate in a range of 0.7×103 kgf·mm2/mm·inch to 1.6×103 kgf·mm2/mm·inch per inch increase in club length, and the bending stiffness at a position 800 mm from the tip of the shaft decreases at a constant rate in a range of 0.1×106 kgf·mm2/inch to 0.4×106 kgf·mm2/inch per inch increase in club length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fumiaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20100160065
    Abstract: An improved golf club shaft and corresponding golf club is disclosed. More specifically, a golf club shaft that is capable of minimizing or eliminating swingweight variations within a golf club despite being cut down to various different lengths to accommodate the length and heads of a set of irons is disclosed. The shaft may have an internal wall profile of variable thickness to adjust for various weight and center of gravity variations of a golf club shaft as it is being cut down in length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Donald S. Bone, Dustin A. Barksdale
  • Publication number: 20100041492
    Abstract: A golf club shaft having a weight distribution such that the balance point percentage is less than or equal to 44.50%. The weight distribution of the shaft allows for an increase in length and/or club head weight of a golf club while having a reduced impact on the swing weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Scott A. Rice, Donald S. Bone, Dustin A. Barksdale
  • Publication number: 20090239677
    Abstract: The subject golf clubs have a shaft and clubhead. The shaft has a tip-end coupled to the clubhead, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion located adjacent the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion. The portions are coupled together at an interface. The remaining portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end. The reduced-EI portion is typically shorter than and has less stiffness than the remaining portion. A stiffener is coupled to the shaft, such as in the reduced-EI portion, to add stiffness locally. The reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate (which can be zero) of stiffness reduction as a function of distance toward the tip-end. These rates can be similar or different. The interface can exhibit a greater rate in stiffness reduction than the other portions. The stiffeners can be user-selectable, from a kit supplied with the club, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Drew Tom DeShiell, Todd P. Beach
  • Publication number: 20090233729
    Abstract: A vibration reducing golf club includes a club main structure and a plurality of piezoelectric materials. The club main structure includes a club shaft and a ball head and can sustain the mechanical energy resulting from the swing of the club shaft and the collision between the ball head and a golf ball and consequently produces vibration and bending deformation. The piezoelectric materials are connected with conductive wires and adhered to the club shaft. When the club shaft undergoes mechanical deformation, the piezoelectric materials can transform the energy of mechanical deformation into electrical energy, thereby producing a voltage output and then feeding the voltage back to another piezoelectric material, so as to produce a deformation against the vibration direction of the club shaft. Thus, the vibration energy of the club shaft can be consumed. Therefore, the vibration reducing performance can be obtained by reducing the vibration of the club shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicants: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL MULTITECH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Dar-Ming Chiang, Shu-Ru Lin, Jaw-Min Pern, Sheng-Long Liang, Chin-Tang Chang, Huang-Chieh Fang, Hui-Yen Chuang
  • Publication number: 20090163287
    Abstract: A golf club comprising a grip, a shaft having a first end and a second end, with the first end of the shaft having the grip disposed upon it, a shaft cap disposed at the second end of the shaft, and a head having a face portion and a hosel portion with the second end of the shaft having the shaft cap disposed on the shaft coupled to the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Gil G. Vald'Via, Marty R. Jertson
  • Publication number: 20090143161
    Abstract: A shaft structure with a configurable bending, weight, torque and moment-of-inertia profile is provided for golf clubs, fishing rods, and the like. The shaft structure employs an innovative inner and outer shaft structure. The golfer, in practice, configures the profile of a golf shaft by choosing from a plurality of different inner shaft structures each having a unique bending, weight, moment-of-inertia and torque profile. The inner shaft is securely fastened within the outer shaft. The combination of the inner shaft with the outer shaft results in an advantageous bending, weight, torque and moment-of-inertia profile. The golfer can, at any time and very easily, change the profile of the golf shaft according to their physical, course and weather conditions for any given day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Gregory K. Qualizza
  • Publication number: 20090131193
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems to custom fit golf clubs are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory J. Swartz, Marty R. Jertson, Paul D. Wood
  • Publication number: 20090069109
    Abstract: A shaft 6 is formed by a prepreg sheet. The sheet of the shaft 6 includes full length sheets (a2), (a3), (a8) and (a11) provided wholly in a longitudinal direction of the shaft, and partial sheets (a1), (a4), (a5), (a6), (a7), (a9), (a10) and (a12) provided partially in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. The number of the full length sheets is equal to or greater than two. The number of the partial sheets is equal to or greater than four. Each of the partial sheets has an end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Tomio Kumamoto
  • Patent number: 7485048
    Abstract: A golf club device, more specifically a putter (1), comprising a head (2) and a shaft (3) attached to the head (2), the free end of the shaft (3) possibly being provided with a grip, wherein the moment of mass inertia of the head (2) constitutes less than seventy-nine per cent of the total moment of inertia of the putter (1) when the putter (1) is rotated about an axis of rotation (4), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (7) of the shaft (3) and about one hundred and twenty centimeters from the longitudinal axis (5) of the head (2), and/or wherein the mass of the shaft, including a possible displaceable weight (11), divided by the length of the shaft is at least one hundred and seventy grams per meter of shaft in a shaft which is up to one meter long, and at least one hundred and ninety grams per meter of shaft in a shaft which is longer than one meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Devilray AS
    Inventors: Johnny Nilsson, Jon Karlsen, Arnulf Larsg{dot over (a)}rd
  • Patent number: 7479069
    Abstract: A golf accessory is provided that includes an insert for removably and interchangeably mounting within an interior of a golf club shaft for interchangeably altering a predetermined stiffness or bending moment of the club shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventors: Michael H. L. Cheng, Eric M. Jones
  • Publication number: 20090005189
    Abstract: A moveable shaft insert assembly about 13 to 18 inches long weighing less than 50 grams is inserted into a hollow golf dub shaft wherein the depth of insertion of the shaft insert assembly may vary from about 1 to 10 inches. Changing the location of the shaft insert assembly allows a player to change the flex of the shaft and thereby optimize the performance of the club dynamics for that player for that day. The shaft insert is held in place by friction between the shaft and the shaft insert assembly. So shaft flex fitting can be administered by a player with or without coaching, and can be revisited at any time by a simple adjustment The shaft inserts are useful on all hollow shaft clubs, and can be retrofitted to existing clubs without removing the grip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: George W. Hodgetts
  • Publication number: 20080305882
    Abstract: A system and method relate to methods for matching a set of golf club shafts for a set of golf clubs. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Randall B. Noble, Marty R. Jertson, Jeff A. Blankenship
  • Publication number: 20080242438
    Abstract: A golf shaft includes: a hollow tubular structure; and a gradient structure in which an amount of retained austenite is increased from an approximate center in a thickness direction of the hollow tubular structure to a surface of the hollow tubular structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sato, Akira Katsuyama, Michihiko Ayada
  • Publication number: 20080234065
    Abstract: This invention provides a wood type golf club including a shaft, a grip at one end of the shaft, and a head at the other end of the shaft, wherein a mass m (g) of the golf club and a length L (cm) from a grip side end of the golf club to a barycentric position of the golf club satisfy m×L=2.55×104 (g·cm) and m×L2=2.322×106 (g·cm2), and a barycentric position of the shaft is at 48.3% a total length of the shaft from a head side end of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wataru Ban
  • Patent number: RE44862
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for matching a test golfer with a particular golf club selected from a group of golf clubs having a plurality of styles. The method utilizes data set derived in an initial procedure in which the club style preferences for each of a large number of pre-test golfers is recorded and correlated with a set of performance parameters for the golf swings of such pre-test golfers. This data enables the pre-test golfers to be classified into subgroups, in which golfers within the same subgroup generally prefer the same club style and golfers in different subgroups generally prefer different club styles. After this data set has been established, the test golfer takes a golf swing with a golf club, while performance parameters for the swing are measured. Based on the measured performance parameters and the previously established data set, the test golfer is classified according to swing type, and the optimum golf-club is then selected from the plurality of styles of golf clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian C. Wright, David Anderson, Peter J. Roberts, Benoit Vincent