Abstract: A golf club may have a head that is symmetric about a mid plane. The head may include a generally planar face and a sole, with the face inclined at an angle of at least 10 degrees with respect to the plane of the sole. A shaft having a first bend and a second bend may be inserted into a hosel opening disposed on the head behind the plane of the face.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyolefin compositions having variable hardness and/or toughness properties. The polyolefin compositions include: a polyolefin prepared by the metathesis of an olefin monomer using a ruthenium or osmium carbene catalyst; and one or more hardness and/or toughness modulators. The polyolefin is preferably poly(dicyclopentadiene), or poly-DCPD. Also provided are articles of manufacture, such as molded parts, produced from the polyolefin compositions. The disclosed compositions are useful in marine, recreational and sports products.

Abstract: A sports shaft protector comprising an elongate flexible sheet member having a design, color or indicia on a surface, a detachable pressure sensitive adhesive applied over the design or indicia, and a release agent covering the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A composite golf club shaft having a reinforcing ribbon of composite material spiraling along an intermediate portion of the shaft and bonded thereto to reinforce the hoop strength of the shaft. The ribbon is shaped into a rib of different cross-sectional shapes, the preferred embodiment being a thin rectangular shape approximately 0.125 wide of an inch and spiraling at a rate of four turns per inch, producing a groove of equal width. The methods of the invention produces the shaft by providing a mandrel having the outside shape desired for the shaft's inside surface; wrapping a ribbon of reinforcing material around the shaft in a spiral groove therein; forming the shaft body around the mandrel; and separating the mandrel from the shaft after curing, by unscrewing the mandrel.

Abstract: Golf clubs, of putter and wood-type especially, each include an attachment between shaft and club head which is of a compliance to allow the club head to behave more closely as a ‘free-body’ in providing vertical gear-effect when striking the ball. The compliance is related to freeing the club head for rotation about an axis 35 which extends through the center of mass 31 with an orientation perpendicular to the shaft axis 37 in a plane parallel to the shaft axis 37 and containing the heel-toe axis 34 through the center of mass 31. In this regard, the compliance about axis 35 is not less than the force-couple bending compliance of a length of 1000/K, or 3000/K, or more preferably 10000/K, millimeters of the shaft measured from the tip-end. The rotational axis 35 is spaced by less than 0.33K millimeters, or not more than 4,25 or less than 2 millimeters, from the shaft axis 37.

Abstract: A novelty golf club, such as a putter, having a head and a shaft. The upper end of the shaft has a hollow, tubular grip section below which is a transparent tubular viewing section. Graphics are displayed on the viewing section. The upper section of the shaft is filled with a fluid. A sleeve is reciprocal within the fluid and has a specific gravity less than the fluid so that when the club is inverted the sleeve is located behind the graphics to obscure viewing of the graphics. When the club is inverted to a playing position, the sleeve, due to its buoyancy, will “float” to a position within the grip to allow viewing of the graphics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf club set having harmonized golf club performance among the club numbers. In the golf club set, for at least three golf clubs, a ratio or a sum of a frequency per unit time, the frequency being measured by vibrating a tip portion of a golf club shaft constituting each of the golf clubs, and a frequency per unit time, the frequency being measured by vibrating a rear end portion of the golf club shaft, is determined in relation with order of the club number.

Abstract: A set of golf clubs is provided with shafts that have a bend formed by three shaft segments. The second shaft segment connects the first and third shaft segments and offsets the third shaft segment from the first shaft segment, wherein the third shaft segment is on a line parallel to a line extending along the first shaft segment. Shafts offset as described are attached to a set of golf club heads such that the offset shafts are positioned in a forward offset position in front of the impact surface of the golf club head with the degree of forward offset increasing with the increasing club number of the club heads of the set. The overall degree of offset can be increased or decreased based on the skill of the golfer using the clubs.

Abstract: A tubular structural member that provides directional resistance. The tubular structural member has a flexural resistance that is greater in one direction than in another. The tubular structural member can be employed in variety of devices or structures so as to effect the overall stiffness of the device.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is formed of an upper segment of a fiber composite material, a lower segment of a metal material, a joint connecting the upper segment and the lower segment, and a sheath of a woody material for covering the upper segment, the lower segment, and the joint.

Abstract: A golf club including a club head and an interchangeable shaft is disclosed herein. A sleeve is mounted in an internal hosel of the club head. The sleeve includes a top section, which has a plurality of fingers and slits. The sleeve further includes a rib that extends diametrically across the interior of the sleeve. The shaft is inserted in the sleeve, and a mechanical fastener, which is placed over a tip end of the shaft and coupled to the sleeve, constricts the fingers of the sleeve about the shaft to removably secure the shaft to the club head. The tip end of the shaft has a notch formed therein. The notch in the shaft engages the rib of the sleeve to prevent the shaft from rotating with respect to the sleeve.

Abstract: A golf swing trainer comprises a shaft having a grip end and a head end, and a weighted filling inside the shaft. The weighted filling comprises lead shot, tungsten powder, and polyurethane resin to give the trainer the feel of a regular golf club.

Abstract: A golf putter and putting aid. The golf putter comprises a putter head, a shaft and a grip. The head includes a face, a sole and a handle attachment. The shaft includes a first end, a second, a reinforcing means and an interior region having a fill assembly positioned therein. The grip is coupled to the second end of the shaft. The putting aid comprises a base, opposing leg members and securing means. The base includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The opposing leg members extend upwardly from the upper surface of the base and are separated from each other a distance at least slightly greater than the diameter of a golf ball. The securing means secures at least one of the base and the opposing leg members to a putting surface.

Abstract: In a putter shaft having a tip end and a butt end, a curvature of the putter shaft is represented by a curvature curve of the putter shaft which increases monotonously from the tip end to the butt end. The curvature curve is defined as a curve showing variation of the curvature in a longitudinal axis direction of the putter shaft in a state where a load acts on the tip end to deform the putter shaft with the putter shaft being fixed at the butt end.

Abstract: A golf club set which comprises a plurality of golf clubs having shafts of different tapered section lengths, at least two golf club shafts of the set having differing taper lengths and preferably differing taper angles, the tapered section length of the shaft increases as the shaft length increases for each club throughout the set, and vice versa. Accordingly, each shaft throughout the set of shafts has a distinct taper length. The distinct variable taper clubs provide efficient energy transfer, better feel perception by the golfer, greater ball flight distance, less ball flight dispersion, and greater club stability.

Abstract: Disposable novelty sports apparatus has the appearance of authentic sports equipment and has a resilient shaft material allows a frustrated or stressed sports player to selectively determine whether to permanently break or to dramatically bend the sports equipment in a cartoon-like manner, thus alleviating pent up stress or frustration.

Abstract: A golf club shaft (1) in which a difference between a maximum EI value and a maximum EI value in the range from a tip (1a) to a position spaced therefrom at a distance corresponding to not less than 40% nor more than 60% of the whole length of the shaft (1) is set to less than 10% of the average of the maximum EI value and the minimum EI value in the range. The diameter of the tip (1a) of the shaft (1) is set to not less than 9.0 mm nor more than 12.0 mm. The shaft (1) is applied to an iron club set consisting of a plurality of iron golf clubs having different numbers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf club set having harmonized golf club performance among the club numbers. In the golf club set, for at least three golf clubs, a ratio or a sum of a frequency per unit time, the frequency being measured by vibrating a tip portion of a golf club shaft constituting each of the golf clubs, and a frequency per unit time, the frequency being measured by vibrating a rear end portion of the golf club shaft, is determined in relation with order of the club number.

Abstract: A flat shaft for use with conventional golf clubs and putters which includes a flat side of the shaft that faces the target at address. The flat shaft enables the user to view the golf ball with clear, non-distorted contrast on a flat plain, because your eye lines up the ball vertically. When the flat shaft is pointed at the target at address it also squares the golf club head. Tennis rackets and hockey sticks have flat shafts because they provide the best view of objects striking the hitting surface. The flat shaft device is positioned slightly ahead of putter head for recessed contact.

Abstract: Method for preparing a golf club shaft, set of shafts, or golf clubs having shafts which have been produced by a process that includes a hydroforming step. By utilizing a hydroforming prosses step, a metal or metal matrix composite golf club shaft can be formed into a variety of configurations or shapes heretofore not possible and can include hydroformed ornamental design features.

Abstract: Disposable novelty sports apparatus has the appearance of authentic sports equipment and has a resilient shaft material allows a frustrated or stressed sports player to selectively determine whether to permanently break or to dramatically bend the sports equipment in a cartoon-like manner, thus alleviating pent up stress or frustration.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the dynamic response of a golf club by selectively weighting the grip end of the club. One embodiment comprises a cylindrical member having a lower base portion and an upper housing portion. The base is sized to be inserted into the grip end of a golf club shaft with the upper housing extending wholly or partially from the end of the shaft. The housing has a hollow, open chamber in which a weighted insert is inserted and removably secured. Another embodiment comprises upper and lower complimentary cylindrical wedges, each with a bore along its longitudinal axis, sized to be inserted into the grip end of a golf club shaft and secured by a screw extending through the longitudinal bores and threaded into a threaded insert located in a cavity in the lower wedge.

Abstract: An extendable golf club having threadably intercoupled upper and lower shaft sections. The golf club can be extended by threadably coupling one or more spacers between the upper and lower shaft sections and tightening a set screw into engagement with a spacer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a golf club having a bend between a straight shaft and a straight club grip wherein the club grip is sufficient in size to accommodate both hands of the golfer. The bend of the golf club is in the direction of the user and allows the user to maintain a natural grip in order to produce pendulum-like swing. The golf club reduces the strain and stress on the wrists and hands of the user in order to reduce the user's distraction level and enhance the user's performance in the game of golf.

Abstract: This invention, relates to golf club putters, and golf clubs, and the improvement of this invention, is the lead filled shaft system, for the golf club putters, golf clubs, golf club shafts, and golf club putter shafts components, which improves the existing golf club putters with its unique ability, that allows the ball to die in the hole, or get next to the hole, with the correct line of sight. The specific method of the golf club shaft design simulates kind of a semi-anti-gravity effect, on a horizontal plane. In plane terms, this invention used as a golf club putter, slows the speed of the golf ball, using a normal golf putting swing, and the correct line of sight. This invention is described as follows: Utilizing existing, or manufacturing golf club shafts, filled with melted lead, also a variety of these putters will have a hollow area at the bottom of the shaft, right above the putter head, this is where the hollow area is, on the lead filled shaft, from zero to three inches, or more.

Abstract: A flat shaft for use with conventional golf clubs and putters which includes a flat side of the shaft that faces the target at address. The flat shaft enables the user to view the golf ball with clear, non-distorted contrast on a flat plain, because your eye lines up the ball vertically. When the flat shaft is pointed at the target at address it also squares the golf club head. Tennis rackets and hockey sticks have flat shafts because they provide the best view of objects striking the hitting surface. The flat shaft device is positioned slightly ahead of putter head for recessed contact.

Abstract: A weight collar for optimizing the dynamic response or feel of a sporting implement, such as a golf club. The collar comprises a notch or cut-out to allow the collar to be slipped over the shaft of the implement below the grip and a tapered interior wall to allow a snug fit between the inner wall of the collar and the exterior wall of the grip of the implement. Collars of varying weights may be substituted on an implement until the user subjectively determines that the implement has the best feel or until performance is maximized.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is 35-50 percent lighter than a conventional shaft while maintaining the outer diameter and structural characteristics of conventional shafts. The shaft has at least four layers of fiber reinforced material. The fiber reinforced layers are from innermost to outermost: a first angled layer; a first straight layer; a second angled layer; and a second straight layer. The angled layers are formed by bonding together two materials, each with fibers aligned in different directions. The second angled layer maintains the proper strength and rigidity of the shaft while keeping the shaft as light weight as possible. Aligning the second layer's fibers at an angle of 35-75 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the shaft ensures proper weight and strength characteristics of the shaft. The resulting shaft is light-weight and exhibits the flexural rigidity, flexural strength, torsional rigidity, torsional strength, and crushing strength of conventional shafts.

Abstract: An ultra lightweight golf club shaft which includes a butt section, a tip section, and a tapered section interconnecting the same. The tapered section can be a constant taper, or include a plurality of step portions interconnected by frustoconical transition areas. The shafts are extremely durable and allow a faster club head speed and a better feel than with the previous prior art shafts.

Abstract: This invention includes uiquely designed golf clubs with wooden heads and loft angles between 34 and 55 degrees and a method for using these clubs that will allow the golfer to utilize the same type of stroke that is used for putting for approach or chip shots. The golf clubs comprising this invention include clubs with three different wooden golf club heads with “loft angles” which vary between: 1) 34 and 41 degrees; 2) 42 and 47 degrees; and 3) 48 and 55 degrees. The three golf club heads are attached via normal means to metal golf club shafts. The metal golf club shafts attached to these club heads are shorter (between 34.5 and 37.5 inches long) than the normal metal shafts that are associated with drivers, 2, 3 and 4 woods. Each club head consists of three primary parts: a wooden base module, a metallic base plate that is affixed to the base module by at least two metallic screws, and a plastic strike plate insert that is glued to the wooden base module.

Abstract: A golf club which includes interconnected segments which can be added to extend the length thus providing an inexpensive alternative to buying new golf clubs. The segments are securely connected to achieve a rigid and sturdy golf club which can grow longer as a child grows taller. The segments preferably have a threaded male/female connection with epoxy applied to the threads followed by the added security of a roll pin inserted into the connection.

Abstract: A hybrid golf club shaft set is provided that includes at least two of the group including a composite shaft subset including shafts formed entirely of composite, a composite/metal shaft subset including shafts formed of composite/metal combination shafts, and a metal shaft subset including shafts formed entirely of metal.

Abstract: A hollow golf club shaft of circular cross-section comprises a tubular cover layer formed from an isotropic material and a tubular core layer formed from a non-isotropic material, wherein the cover layer and the core layer coextend substantially the entire length of the shaft.

Abstract: A golf club, such as a putter, having a first tube, a second tube, and a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly defines a longitudinally extending bore, a shoulder surface on the exterior surface of the clamp assembly, an orifice extending from the inner surface of the bore toward the exterior surface of the clamp assembly, and an aperture extending between the orifice and the exterior surface of the clamp assembly. A lower portion of the clamp assembly is received within the first tube. The putter further including a shaft and a captured fastening member. The shaft is received within the bore of the clamp assembly and a portion of the shaft proximate its rear end is received within the second tube. The fastening member is operatively received within the orifice of the clamp assembly and is in selective contact with a portion of the exterior surface of the shaft such that the shaft and the second tube may be fixed relative to the clamp assembly.

Abstract: There is provided a golf club shaft in which the shaft is properly flexed at the time of swing and an excessive deformation of the shaft is restricted at the time of impact, a high repelling force is generated, and thereby an initial speed of the ball and the carry of the ball are further improved and which is quite suitable for using a club head having a low center of gravity or a large sized club head. This golf club shaft is filled with the resilient material having a feature in which a rapid application of force against the entire inner part of the hollow shaft or its extremity end causes a high repelling force to be acted on to cause it to be hardly deformed and in turn a gradual application of force causes itself to be easily deformed.

Abstract: A round, substantially uniform diameter tubular golf club shaft of simplified configuration, having interchangeable butt and tip ends, either of said ends adapted to fit and directly attach to the external surface of a standard female hosel of a golf clubhead or to fit and directly attach to a standard golf club grip.

Abstract: A golf club including an elongated hollow club shaft connected at one end to a golf club head, and having a grip mounted at an opposite end thereof. The club shaft is vented to permit and facilitate transmission of shock energy generated upon normal striking impact with a golf ball from the golf club in the form of acoustic energy, while substantially reducing or eliminating transmission of the shock energy in the form of vibration to the golfer's hands. In a first embodiment, a plurality of vents are formed in the club shaft at a location near the grip. In a second embodiment, a plurality of vents are formed in a cap mounted onto the club shaft at the grip end thereof.

Abstract: A wood-type golf club comprises a club shaft and a club head, wherein a club length is in a range of from 43 to 48 inches, a volume of the club head is in a range of not less than 250 cc, and a torque T in degree of the club shaft and a gravity point distance L in mm between the gravity point of the club head and the center line of the club shaft satisfy conditions (1) T≧0.143L−2.79 and (2) T≦0.286L—7.14.

Abstract: A golf club shaft, set of shafts, or golf clubs having shafts which have been produced by a process that includes a hydroforming step. By utilizing a hydroforming step, a metal or metal matrix composite golf club shaft can be formed into a variety of configurations or shapes heretofore not possible and can include hydroformed ornamental design features. The hydroformed shafts offer enhanced club feel and/or performance.

Abstract: A golf club shaft, set of shafts, or golf clubs having shafts which have been produced by a process that includes a hydroforming step. By utilizing a hydroforming step, a metal or metal matrix composite golf club shaft can be formed into a variety of configurations or shapes heretofore not possible and can include hydroformed ornamental design features. The hydroformed shafts offer enhanced club feel and/or performance.

Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a head fixed to a forward end of the shaft. The said head has a recess formed in an upper surface of the head. The recess is not made to adhere to an outer circumferential surface of the shaft.

Abstract: Striking implements that have an improved ability to store and quickly release significant energy during flexure and at the same time have significant vibration damping capability to impart a desired “feel” to the user. A shape memory alloy element is inserted at a specific flex point along the length of the sports or utility striking implement to permit a desired degree of flexure, with an enhanced leverage effect, and to absorb undesired vibrational energy. Typical sports or utility striking implements utilizing the invention include, but are not limited to, golf clubs, hockey sticks, polo clubs, tennis rackets, racket ball rackets, baseball bats, pole vaults, rowing oars, picks, axes, hammers, and the like.

Abstract: A replaceable golf club includes a primary rod, a secondary rod, an upper insertion tube inserted into a distal end of the primary rod, and a lower insertion tube inserted into a distal end of the secondary rod and combined with the upper insertion tube. Thus, the user only needs to carry one primary rod and thirteen secondary rods without having to carry thirteen golf clubs, thereby facilitating the user carrying the golf club, and thereby reducing the weight of the golf club.

Abstract: A putter comprising a grip having an anatomically correct shape to promote proper grasping of the putter, a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the grip is attached to the first end of the shaft, a hosel attached to the second end of the shaft, a head attached to the hosel, the head having a striking face, and an alignment feature of the putter adapted to ensure correct assembly of the head onto the shaft.

Abstract: A shaft adapted to move through a fluid, wherein the shaft has a surface, diameter, and length, and wherein the shaft comprises at least two ridges extending along at least a portion of the length, such that fluid resistance encountered by the shaft as it is moved through the fluid is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the dynamic response of a golf club is disclosed. One embodiment is a shaft extension comprising a cylindrical member having a lower sleeve portion and an upper housing portion. The sleeve is sized to be inserted into the grip end of a golf club shaft with the upper housing extending from the end of the shaft. The housing has a hollow, open chamber in which a weighted insert is inserted and removably secured. Interchangeable inserts with varying masses are provided such that the dynamic response of the club may be tuned by adjusting the location of grip-end node of the fundamental modeshape of the club's response to a predetermined input.

Abstract: A tubular structural member that provides directional resistance. The tubular structural member has a flexural resistance that is greater in one direction than in another. The tubular structural member can be employed in variety of devices or structures so as to effect the overall stiffness of the device.

Abstract: In a putter shaft having a tip end and a butt end, a curvature of the putter shaft is represented by a curvature curve of the putter shaft which increases monotonously from the tip end to the butt end. The curvature curve is defined as a curve showing variation of the curvature in a longitudinal axis direction of the putter shaft in a state where a load acts on the tip end to deform the putter shaft with the putter shaft being fixed at the butt end.

Abstract: A golf club permits a swing that does less harm to the body of a golfer and, in particular, to his vertebral column. The club has a shaft length that, in an embodiment of the invention, is longer than a standard shaft length by more than 2 inches, and a lie angle that more acute than a standard lie angle.

Abstract: A golf club includes a club head and a club shaft attached to the club head. A plurality of bends which are spaced from one another are formed in the club shaft to define a straight first club shaft segment, a second club shaft segment adjoining and connected to the first club shaft segment extending upwardly from and laterally relative to the first club shaft segment, and a third club shaft segment adjoining and connected to the second club shaft segment and extending upwardly from the laterally relative to the second club shaft segment. The first club shaft segment and the third club shaft segment extend along spaced imaginary lines and the club head is closer to the golfer swinging the golf club than would be the case if the club shaft were straight along the length thereof.