Abstract: A replaceable golf club includes a primary rod combined with a secondary rod. An upper insertion tube is inserted into a distal end of the primary rod. The upper insertion tube includes an upper shock absorbing portion rested on and flush with the distal end of the primary rod. A lower insertion tube is inserted into a distal end of the secondary rod. The lower insertion tube includes a lower shock absorbing portion rested on and flush with the distal end of the secondary rod. The lower shock absorbing portion is secured with the upper shock absorbing portion.

Abstract: A golf club shaft (1) in which a difference between a maximum EI value and aminimum 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 12.00 mm. The shaft (1) is applied to an iron golf club set consisting of a plurality of iron golf clubs having different numbers.

Abstract: A golf putter is provided. The putter is made of a substantially large (between 25 and 45 mm diameter) parallel thin walled shaft wherein part of the bare shaft forms the grip. A protruding curved end cap forms part of the grip to assist in consistency of positioning the hands when taking a grip of the putter. A thin walled end plate closes off the shaft to the putter head all being designed to maximize “feel” when strokiing the ball.

Abstract: A golf putter is provided. The putter is made of a substantially large (between 25 and 45 mm diameter) parallel thin walled shaft wherein part of the bare shaft forms the grip. A protruding curved end cap forms part of the grip to assist in consistency of positioning the hands when taking a grip of the putter. A thin walled end plate closes off the shaft to the putter head all being designed to maximize “feel” when stroking the ball.

Abstract: A golf club shaft comprising a laminate of a plurality of fiber reinforced resinous layers formed of one pair of angle layers consisting of a first angle layer and a second angle layer or a plurality of pairs of angle layers consisting of the first and second angle layers such that a fiber of the first angle layer and that of the second angle layer incline in opposite directions at an angle 20°-35° with respect to an axis of the golf club shaft. The first angle layer and the second angle layer are wound by 1.5 turns in a cross-sectional face of the golf club shaft. A winding start point of the first and that of the second angle layers are dislocated at 180° in a circumferential direction of the golf club shaft. In a cross-sectional face of the golf club shaft, a part consisting of two first angle layers and one second angle layer layered one upon another and a part consisting of one first angle layer and two second angle layers layered one upon another are formed.

Abstract: The golf club shaft according to the present invention is provided with a pseudo-cylindrical concave polyhedral shell structure composed of triangles or trapezoids on the entire outer circumferential surface or on a part of the outer circumferential surface. With this structure of the golf club shaft, the degradation in the mechanical strength and the increase in the material cost are prevented. At the same time, a lighter weight golf club shaft can be produced while a greater degree of freedom is allowed in designing the characteristics such as bending stiffness distribution, a kick point position, bend point, etc. upon designing the golf club shaft.

Abstract: A golf club includes a clubhead and a curved or bent shaft which has a tip end which extends at an angle relative to the remainder of the shaft. The tip end of the shaft is attached to a hosel on the clubhead and extends upwardly and forwardly from the clubhead. The upper end of the shaft extends away from the clubhead to provide the lie angle of the club. The angled tip end moves the upper end of the shaft forwardly relative to the center of gravity of the clubhead, and increases the ability to rotate the face of the clubhead back to a square position during the golf swing.

Abstract: A device for determining a neutral point on a golf club head. The device comprises a base. A calibration block is attached to the base. The calibration block comprises an index dial and the index dial comprises a neutral indicator. A head aligner is rotatably attached to the base opposite to the calibration block. The head aligner comprises a groove aligner and a sole plate. When the sole plate is in contact with a club sole of the golf club head and the groove aligner is aligned with a club groove of the golf club head the neutral point is aligned with the neutral indicator.

Abstract: A shaft for a golf club or other sporting equipment is disclosed, wherein the shaft is hollow and contains a wire or cable placed under tension therein, the wire being made of a superelastic material. The wire is connected at one end to a variation device such as a cam which varies the tension on the wire and thus the bending stiffness of the golf club. Because the wire is made of a superelastic material, for example Nitinol, it can reversibly elongate in response to pre-tensioning and dynamic stresses encountered during swinging the golf club, in order to counterbalance and accommodate, the stress encountered during normal use of the golf club, thus ensuring a long life and preventing damage to the golf club shaft.

Abstract: The preferred orientation, or planar oscillation plane, of a golf club shaft is located by measuring the oscillation of the shaft when an impulse is applied. Preferably, the out-of-plane oscillation is measured at a large number of angular positions about the shaft axis, and the principal planar oscillation plane is identified by that pair of opposed angular positions in which the out-of-plane oscillation is smallest. The location of the preferred orientation may be marked on the shaft and used to assemble a golf club with the planar oscillation plane in a predetermined orientation. The straightness of the shaft can also be determined by deriving its spring constant from its oscillation frequency and then measuring the restoring force when the shaft is deflected by the same nominal amount at different angular positions; differences in restoring force can be attributed to differences in actual deflection distance resulting from lack of straightness.

Abstract: A method for altering a golf club shaft by removing less than five grams of metal from an interior wall surface in a flex zone. This is performed without penetrating through an exterior wall surface of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club shaft having improved torsion characteristics comprising a base shaft having an internal surface and an external surface, and at least one wave shaped reinforced part on at least one of said surfaces, said wave shaped reinforced part comprising a plurality of reinforcement pieces. The wave shaped reinforced part is located on at least one of the upper portion, midpoint or lower portion. The golf club shafts of the present invention can be made by applying a base section of a prepreg sheet or assembly having a plurality of finger like elements to a portion of a base shaft, wrapping the finger like elements around the base shaft to provide a wave shaped reinforced part having a plurality of reinforcement pieces, and curing the shaft having the wave shaped reinforced part thereon to produce a golf club shaft having a wave shaped reinforced part.

Abstract: A golf club shaft having adjustability features, made as a composite device whose shaft members are connected by their adjacent faces having a tapered nature by which a wedging action is achieved by their assembly. The adjustability is particularly advantageous in the market situation by which the golf clubs are conventionally sold by the manufacturer for intended modification or custom-fitting by the person or business which tailors the club's shaft to the precise needs of the golfing customer. The easy assembly achieves a firm and positive holding together the shaft members, achieving desired variations in the club characteristics of length, weight and swing-effect, etc.

Abstract: A golf club having a weight member provided between a club and a head thereof, wherein the weight member is optionally made of materials with high density, and has a weight substantially equal to a weight of a standard head of a conventional golf club minus the weight of the head of the golf club of the invention, whereby the weight of the head is smaller than the standard head of the conventional golf club and the whole weight of the golf club is equal to the conventional golf club, so that the twisting force applying on the head of the golf club is lessened, and the stability of the golf club is improved.

Abstract: A double-tubed golf club shaft which is composed of a single piece outer tube and a single piece inner tube with multiple collar washers sandwiched therebetween to mitigate a vibrational shock power efficiently and thus provide precise strike and a comfortable swing for a player.

Abstract: A golf club shaft comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is made of a fiber tow of composite material and formed a tube by filament winding method. The second section is made of a fiber layer of composite material and formed a tube by sheet-rolling method. The first and the second segment overlapped and fixed together to form the golf club shaft. The first segment is design to provide the golf club shaft to have a homogenous mechanical property, and the second segment is designed to provide the golf club shaft to have a superior deflection capacity.

Abstract: A lightweight composite golf club shaft and method for its manufacture. The shaft preferably includes at least two biased plies extending approximately the length of the shaft and at least two longitudinal plies extending substantially less than the length of the shaft. The at least two biased plies contain fibers oriented at a substantial angle transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The at least two longitudinal plies contain fibers oriented approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. One of the at least two longitudinal plies aligns with the tip end of the shaft. One of the at least two longitudinal plies aligns with the butt end of the shaft. The at least two longitudinal plies at least partially overlap each other. The method for constructing such a shaft preferably includes rolling the plies onto a mandrel to form a rolled assembly where the plies are then fused together.

Abstract: A shaft for use in a golf-club or other shaft-based instrument, including a base member and a metal layer, and a method of making the same.

Abstract: A golf club which includes an adjustable shaft, in which the shaft comprises an inner shaft part, an outer shaft part which receives an end of the inner shaft within it in a telescoping arrangement, and an internal tube which is fastened within the outer shaft part and which extends along the inside of the outer shaft to engage the inner shaft part in a telescoping arrangement. One of the internal tube and the inner shaft part is split at its end. The club includes a locking mechanism by which the inner shaft and the internal tube can be locked together against relative axial and rotational movement, comprising an expander which can be withdrawn into the split end to cause it to become splayed, to engage the internal surface of the other of the internal tube and the inner shaft part. The expander can be withdrawn into the split end to cause its end to become splayed by the action of a resiliently deformable spring, which biasses the expander towards the locking position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf axial club with a vacuum electroplated layer on the surface. The club has a base pipe made of fiber compound material covered by a layer of plastic material. An outer layer on the plastic material is a metal formed by vacuum electroplating. The metal layer is covered by a transparent layer for protection.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is formed of an upper tubular body and a lower tubular body, which are different in flexibility from each other and are coaxially coupled by a connection rod in conjunction with a washer.

Abstract: A length adjustment mechanism useful on sports and other working implements allows the length of an implement to be easily adjusted. In the case of golf clubs, the length adjustment mechanism includes a handle with a set of interior threads that engage a set of exterior threads formed on an upper end of the golf club shaft. The handle can be screwed down over the threads on the upper end of the shaft to adjust the length of the club. The handle is then fixed with respect to the shaft, and a grip is formed over the handle. The handle can be selectively repositioned along the shaft to alter the length of the club by freeing the handle, screwing it to a new position, and re-fixing the handle in the new position.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is provided including a metal tip section and a composite butt section. The butt section includes a reduced diameter portion telescopically received within an axial bore of the tip section. An adhesive is disposed between the tip section and the butt section to secure the two together. An insulating layer may be disposed between the tip section and the butt section to prevent galvanic corrosion.

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: The incorporation of animal tissue into a golf club in an aesthetically pleasing manner through the use of an improved decorating process to provide a golf club that has the benefits of modern golf technology and a pleasing, intriguing, and noteworthy aesthetic appearance. A decorative member is formed about and bonded to a golf club shaft that comprises a piece of hollow elongate animal tissue. The pliable nature of the animal tissue allows for various contours to be readily formed during manufacture. A strong bond forms between the animal tissue and the shaft so as to prevent any twisting of the decorative member about the shaft without the use of an adhesive. The animal tissue is stainable, can receive and retain varnish, and is easily mounted on a particular golf club shaft to provide the appearance of a traditional wooden golf club without sacrificing modern performance characteristics.

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: A golf club having a hollow shaft whose flexibility is determined by the tension on a wire coinciding with the shaft longitudinal axis. The is attached between a fixed assembly in the handle and a fixed assembly at the shaft lower end. The upper assembly includes a cap member, a wire-end clamping member, and a tension support member. A first embodiment uses a thin round wire. A second embodiment uses a thin tape-shaped wire.

Abstract: A golf club fitting device (20) is disclosed herein. The fitting device (20) includes a club head (22) with an internal hosel (38) that has a bore (39) that extends from a crown opening (52) to a sole opening (62). A removable insert (51) is disposed within the internal hosel (38), and a shaft (40) is disposed within a chamber (77) of the removable insert (51). The removable insert (51) has an annular indentation (73) for engagement with a locking member (57), and a plurality of recesses (83) for engagement with a rotation detent (59). The chamber (77) is disposed at a predetermined angle within the removable insert (51) to define a face angle of the golf club fitting device (20). The removable insert (51) is capable of rotation within the bore (39) of the internal hosel (38) to adjust the face angle of the fitting device (20). Further, the removable insert (51) and shaft (40) are easily removed from the club head (22) and substituted therefor.

Abstract: A pressurizable bladder for the manufacture of a composite shaft manufactured from a flexible elastomeric material and adapted for supporting at least one layer of fiber impregnated with resin has an opening for pressurization of the bladder to compress the impregnated fiber against female tooling while the tooling is heated to cure the resin. The bladder has a wall of variable thickness to permit outer contours of the bladder to conform to inner contours of the female tooling.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing a golf club shaft out of a shaft rod is disclosed. This method utilizes a marking directly provided on the shaft rod. The marking may be scale, wording or marks. The marking provides cutting information to be adequately utilized by workers in cutting operations. The marking additionally provides property information of the shaft or a golf club incorporating the shaft.

Abstract: An improved aerodynamic golf club shaft is disclosed. The improved aerodynamic golf club shaft comprises a tube that has an exterior with a non-circular cross section. The golf club shaft may have an elliptical exterior cross section in one preferred embodiment. The golf club shaft has a leading edge that is on the half of the shaft aligned with the face of the golf club and a trailing edge on the half of the shaft aligned with the back of the club. A portion of the leading edge of the shaft has a smaller radius of curvature than the leading edge of a equivalently sized shaft having a circular cross section.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is constructed by a pipe-shaped body in which a sheet of reinforced fiber prepreg impregnated with synthetic resin is rolled. The golf club shaft includes: a front end portion to which a club head is attached; and a grip portion arranged on the opposite side to the front end portion, wherein a portion, the flexural rigidity of which is the maximum, is arranged on the front end portion side of the grip portion of the pipe-shaped body. The golf club shaft has a characteristic by which user's requirement can be satisfied.

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: A golf putter constructed to appear to be completely constructed from an elastrometric material. The putter has a putter head molded from urethane material and constructed so that it appears to have to be constructed entirely of that material. The putter preferably is color coordinated so that the putter may match a desired motif.

Abstract: A golf putter is provided. The putter is made of a substantially large (between 25 and 45 mm diameter) parallel thin walled shaft wherein part of the bare shaft forms the grip. A protruding curved end cap forms part of the grip to assist in consistency of positioning the hands when taking a grip of the putter. A thin walled end plate closes off the shaft to the putter head all being designed to maximize “feel” when strokiing the ball.

Abstract: The golf club has a length over 0.99 m, a loft angle of at least 35°, a head mass of about 0.260 kg or less, and a lie angle of less than 60°. The golf club allows long and high slots.

Abstract: A golf club shaft (12) is provided with ringlike shaft stiffening bodies (22) at a given location along the shaft in order to locate the shaft flex point appropriately for a particular individual. Each stiffening body (22) consists of a quantity of an epoxy and glass fibers mixture which is molded about the shaft (12) and sets up to a rigid condition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a golf putter having a bulbous mallet head joined to an upright shaft having a tapering grip that is at least flat on one of its sides and may be square in cross-section over its entire length and extends from the upper extremity of the shaft to adjacently above the head. The juncture of the shaft to the head is in the form of a goose-neck from adjacent the lower end of the grip to a rear entry into the head.

Abstract: A golf club shaft and a method especially suited for producing the shaft that provides appropriately high rigidity and ease of use and that allows inexpensive and easy manufacture.

Abstract: Formed tubular sporting articles subjected to repeated flexure such as golf club shafts are made from metal matrix composite materials (MMCs) in which a metal alloy matrix is discontinuously reinforced with undissolved particles or platelets in proportions to result in an article having a variable wall thickness, and a minimum modulus of elasticity of 10.4 and a minimum yield strength and minimum modulus of elasticity related by the equation: Y=71+6.84(E−10.4) where Y is yield strength in KSI and E is modulus of elasticity in units×106 psi. The sporting articles are lighter than conventional and have a modulus of elasticity substantially less than that of ordinary MMCs.

Abstract: A golf club shaft having an upper hollow portion with a handle end and a lower hollow portion with a head end and an intermediate flex portion therebetween. The upper portion has a lower end with a joining region extending into the flex portion. The lower portion has an upper end with a joining region extending into the flex portion. A connector in the flex portion has a central enlarged cylindrical section with a diameter extending outwardly to a diameter essentially equal to the exterior surface of the adjacent shaft portions, the connector also having an upper cylindrical section with a reduced diameter in interference contact with the interior surface at the lower end of the upper portion, the connector also having a lower cylindrical section with a reduced diameter in interference contact with the interior surface at the upper end of the lower portion of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bio-characteristic value measuring apparatus comprises an input device, a storage device, a measuring device, an arithmetic and control device, and a display device, in which: said input device inputs a personal body data of a test subject; said storage device stores said inputted personal body data; said measuring device measures a physical characteristics of a living body; said arithmetic and control device evaluates a condition of the living body of the test subject based on said physical characteristics and said inputted personal body data; and said display device indicates the inputted personal body data and evaluated result and the likes; wherein in said input device, upon setting the personal body data, a luminescent element corresponding to a section available for an entry operation is lighted up.

Abstract: The sport implement, more particularly a golf club, has a shaft with a flexible joint dividing the shaft in at least two sections. The joint includes first and second sleeve members receiving and secured to the respective shaft sections. An abutment member defining two flanges normal to each other extends from and is secured to the first sleeve member. The second sleeve member fits into the abutment member when the two shaft sections are aligned and an elastic member interconnects the two sleeve members to allow pivoting of the second sleeve member in any plane away from said two flanges and to bias the two shaft sections into alignment. Flexing is made easier in a plane at 45° to said two flanges than in planes normal to the same. The invention concerns more particularly a golf club with the flexible joint adjacent the hand grip.

Abstract: A golf putter is provided. The putter is made of a substantially large (between 25 and 45 mm diameter) parallel thin walled shaft wherein part of the bare shaft forms the grip. A protruding curved end cap forms part of the grip to assist in consistency of positioning the hands when taking a grip of the putter. A thin walled end plate closes off the shaft to the putter head all being designed to maximize “feel” when stroking the ball.

Abstract: A golf club having a hollow shaft whose flexibility is altered by rotating the club handle. Change in flexibility results from change in tension on a wire coinciding with the shaft longitudinal axis. The wire is attached between a longitudinally movable assembly in the handle and a fixed assembly at the shaft lower end. The movable assembly includes outer and inner tension tuner members, a collar, a clamp and bifurcated collet, and outer and inner twist-prevention housings.

Abstract: A golf shaft for attachment to a hossel of a club head, said shaft comprising: (a) a first section comprising a first material and having a hossel end and a first joint end, said first section having a linear weight no greater than 2.4 g/in; (b) a second section comprising a second material and having a butt end and a second joint end, said second joint end being connected to said first joint end; (c) wherein said second material is less dense than said first material; and (d) wherein said first material has a shear modulus greater than that of said second material.

Abstract: A low center of gravity golf club shaft for attachment to a lightweight golf club head having a toe, heel, face, sole, and top made of titanium or similar density material comprising: a hollow tapered cone-like shaft with a smaller club end attached to the club head proximate the heel, and a handle end; the shaft made of graphite wrapped with uni-direction tape to form at least two nodes to selectively stiffen or allow the shaft to flex at pre-selected points along the shaft, and a handwrap tape of desired length wrapped around the handle end of the shaft to provide a handgrip.

Abstract: A vibration damping insert adapted to be positioned within the hollow tubular shaft of a golf club. The insert includes a central rod member sized to fit within the hollow shaft of the club and a plurality of circumferentially spaced fins extending radially outwardly from and substantially coextensive with the rod member, with the fins sized and configured to engage the inner tubular surface of the shaft. The fins form a part of an annular outer body separate from the central rod member and formed of a material having a durometer hardness less than the durometer hardness of the central rod member. The central rod member and annular outer body are preferably formed in a coextrusion process.

Abstract: The present invention includes an athletic apparatus such as a golf shaft that includes a first tubular segment, a second tubular segment, and a bond apparatus to couple the first and second tubular segments. The first segment includes an inner surface defining a passage. The second segment includes a shoulder and projection extending axially from the shoulder. The projection defines a bonding surface and extends into the passage. The bond apparatus is between the bonding surface and the inner surface of the first segment. The bond apparatus includes an adhesive coupling the first tubular segment to the second tubular segment and a separation element engaging the inner surface of the first segment and the bonding surface of the second segment to maintain at least a predetermined separation distance between the inner surface and bonding surface.

Abstract: A golf club component is coated with a corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant, impact-resistant material, such as zirconium nitride, titanium nitride, di-titanium nitride, titanium aluminum nitride, titanium carbonitride, titanium zirconium nitride, or titanium aluminum carbonitride. Deposition is preferably accomplished by a cathodic arc process using linear deposition sources with simultaneous heating and rotation of the golf club component substrate relative to the deposition sources.