Abstract: A method of making golf clubs of thermoplastic composite material is disclosed. The present method is characterized in that the composite material wound around a mandrel is consolidated by using a metal sheet. This method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tapered mandrel, and wrapping the mandrel with at least a sheet of thermoplastic prepreg to form a laminated outer shell; (b) heating the thermoplastic prepreg to a molten state; (c) enclosing the laminated outer shell with at least a metal sheet, and heating the metal sheet and the laminated outer shell while constricting said metal sheet to thereby consolidate the molten prepreg to form a tubular body; and (d) releasing the metal sheet and withdrawing the mandrel from the tubular body.

Abstract: A golf club shaft (10) incorporating a piezoelectric device (12) which, upon deflection or deformation of the golf club shaft (10) caused by swinging of the golf club shaft, selectively stiffens a section of the golf club shaft. The piezoelectric device (12), includes a sensor (24) located along the golf club shaft (10) and configured such as to produce an electrical signal upon flexing of the golf club shaft. A piezoelectric stiffener (22) is electrically connected to the sensor (24), is located along the golf club shaft (10), and is designed to mechanically deform as a result of receiving the electrical signal from the sensor (24). The mechanical deformation of the piezoelectric stiffener (22) causes a corresponding deformation of the golf club shaft (10).

Abstract: A golf club shaft having a main body section and a grip section associated with the proximal end of the main body section. The grip section includes a top hand portion, a bottom hand portion and a substantially cylindrical bottom thumb portion. A kick section is provided between the grip section and main body section.

Abstract: A golf club shaft wherein an outer diameter of a base end of a grip side is arranged to be 16.5 mm to 26.0 mm, and weight of the shaft is arranged to be 30 g to 55 g. Low bend point rate determined by a formula {backward flex/(forward flex+backward flex)}.times.100 is set to be 55% to 61%.

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: Apparatus for fitting a golf club to an individual player comprises a plurality of shaft extension plugs that fit into the upper end of a club shaft so as to provide various effective shaft lengths. A removable elastomeric grip, configured as a tube having a closed end and a slit extending from the open end to a point near the closed end, is slid over the shaft and whatever extension plug is inserted into it. The inner diameter of grip is matched to the outer diameter of the shaft, and the inner surface of the grip is smooth. This arrangement provides a maximum contact area between the grip and the shaft in order to keep the shaft fro sliding out the grip when the player swings the try-club. One of the advantages of this arrangement is that it reduces the number of individual items of equipment that a fitting dealer needs to stock in order to cover a full range of performance parameters.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is provided with increased torsional stiffness by making the outside diameter of the tip end larger. The torsional stiffness per unit weight of the shaft is greater than the torsional stiffness per unit weight of prior shafts. The shaft can be attached to a clubhead by inserting the tip end over a male hosel or over a shaft adapter which is attached to a female hosel.

Abstract: A golf club is provided with a shaft that has a rectangular cross-section. The rectangular cross-section substantially restricts the movement of the golf club head to a direction parallel to the swing. The grip on the shaft also has a rectangular cross-section to guide the golfer's hands, thus providing a more consistent grip. The head of the golf club has a rectangular block shape for improved aerodynamics and a larger surface area on the club face for contact with the ball.

Abstract: A hand held article, such as a golf club, includes an elongated handle with an inner support structure mounted to the handle and a vibration absorbing material mounted around the inner support structure. The inner support structure includes a plurality of spaced rigid projections which extend into the vibration absorbing material to a location inwardly of the outer surface of the vibration absorbing material. In one embodiment the inner support structure is integral with the shaft of the handle. In another embodiment a sleeve is heat shrunk onto the shaft and the inner support structure and vibration absorbing material are mounted over the sleeve.

Abstract: A tubular metal blank for the production of golf club shafts for iron clubs, the blank being at least 44" in length, having a cylindrical tip portion, a cylindrical butt portion, and an intermediate, integral, tapering portion, remaining parameters of the blank including the material, the taper angle, the length of the intermediate portion, and the wall thickness being so chosen as to produce a blank of a stiffness characteristic such that by appropriate trimming of the butt and tip portions of the blank, the blank can be used to produce a shaft for any golf club from a 1 iron to a sand wedge in any of the recognized flex ranges Tour Stiff, S, R and A. There is also disclosed a method of producing a golf club shaft and a means of determining how much to cut from the blank to produce a shaft.

Abstract: A new method of fabricating the joint between a golf club head and the golf club shaft, and the article fabricated therefrom, is described herein. The golf club head in which the shaft is inserted has a bore hole having a recessed contoured aperture. The hollow, metal, or electrically conductive golf club shaft is placed into the bore hole of the club head, and an electric coil is placed inside the shaft. The electric coil is electrically pulsed, causing the shaft to expand outwardly to fit the contour of the aperture. The electro-formed, mechanically-bonded shaft is now permanently and integrally anchored to the golf club head. The club head aperture is additionally fitted with a plurality of vertically-disposed grooves along the vertical shaft axis. These vertical grooves capture the shaft as it expands outwardly to the internal surface during electromagnetic forming. The electromagnetically-formed shaft expands into these grooves and is prevented from rotationally or angularly slipping about the club head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a damper comprising a compressible and resilient shaft and at least one constrained layer damping section attached to the exterior of the shaft via an adhesive. The damper can be compressed and inserted into a cavity or hollow in an article to be damped whereupon it can expand and provide vibration damping properties as well as optional acoustic absorbing properties. The present invention also provides the damped article and a method of damping the article.

Abstract: A golf shaft grip which is lightweight, provides sufficient hand to grip adhesion qualities and can be installed without the use of glue, tape or solvents, the grip including grip nodules positioned along the grip end of a golf shaft and attached to the shaft at holes spatially positioned thereabout.

Abstract: A golf club support for raising a golf club grip above a golf green or fairway. The golf club support comprises an elongated support member having a distal end. The support member is hingedly attached to the golf club shaft intermediate the golf club head and the golf club grip. The support member is moveable between a first position, in which the distal end of the support member is remote from the golf club shaft so that the golf club grip is supported above the golf green or fairway, and a second position in which the distal end of the support member is proximate the golf club shaft. The golf club support includes a coiled spring for biasingly urging the support member to the second position when the golf club grip is not being supported above the golf green or fairway.

Abstract: A golf club has a head with a ball contact face and a shaft with surface indicia thereon or on an attachment thereto which may be used to provide for aligning the club face to be in a plane substantially perpendicular to a predetermined ball trajectory. The shaft or attachment may be of rectangular or square cross section with one or two surfaces extending normal to the club face and including contrasting indicia on such surfaces with respect to surfaces which extend parallel to the club face. The shaft may be of circular cross section with contrasting indicia provided on opposite sides of the shaft with respect to a plane through the central axis of the shaft and parallel to the club face, or include a hand grip with a generally flat thumbrest surface with contrasting indicia and extending in a plane perpendicular to the ball contact face.

Abstract: A golf club 10 includes a shaft 12 with a grip 18 assembled on a butt end 20 of the shaft. A club head 22 is mounted on a tip end 24 of the shaft 12. The shaft 12 is composed of a non-metallic material, such as fibers in a cured plastic matrix, and is formed with an tapered intermediate section 26. The section 26 includes two segments 28 and 30 which taper at different taper rates. A bulge 32 is formed in the shaft 12 near an inboard extremity of the tip end 24. The bulge 32 is formed with a central cylindrical section 34 and transition sections 36 and 38 on opposite axial ends of the central section. The diameter of the bulge 32 at any cross section thereof is greater than the diameter of the immediately adjacent portions of the shaft 12. Also, the bulge 32 is formed with an axial opening 16, the diameter of which is less than the diameter of the immediately adjacent portions of the shaft 12.

Abstract: The present invention entails a dual shaft putter having a putting head and a pair of shafts extending generally upwardly therefrom. The shafts include lower sections that are secured to the putter head in general transverse alignment. In addition, the shafts include upper parallel sections which lie in a plane, that when extended downwardly, intersects the center of mass of the putting head.

Abstract: A tubular blank for producing golf club shafts comprises a butt section having a uniform cross-sectional configuration along its length, a tip section also having a uniform cross-sectional configuration along its length, and a tapered section interconnecting the butt and tip sections. Metallurgically formed rifling on the interior surface of the blank extends throughout the entirety of the butt, tip and tapered sections. The golf club shafts produced from these blanks have increased strength and stiffness which is a direct result of the interior rifling. A set of golf club shafts preferably is produced from a group of these tubular blanks with each blank of the group having the same length and the same natural frequency. Predetermined portions are then selectively removed from the tip and butt sections.

Abstract: The separable shaft of the present invention employs plugs adhesively secured within adjoining shaft ends, with one plug exhibiting a male thread and the other exhibiting a female thread. The adjoining shaft ends are sized to fit one tightly within the other and the plugs are positioned to cause one shaft end to overlap and to frictionally engage the other shaft end.

Abstract: A golf club has a high modulus of elasticity grip which is, preferably, an all-metal grip. The grip is connected to the shaft and the shaft is connected to the head without intervening material, such as by welding, brazing, force fit, pinning or similar method, or by intervening material having a modulus of elasticity 100,000 psi or greater. The golf club, or its parts, may be cast, forged, bonded, or otherwise manufactured and assembled. In the preferred embodiment, which is a putter, the grip and shaft both have high modulus of elasticity. In the putter, there is achieved a very stiff, but sensitive, low frequency "feel". Such metal or high modulus of elasticity grip is also used in irons, woods and playing utility clubs and provides an improved "feel" and sound.

Abstract: Improved methods for manufacturing a shaft for a golf club, devices useful in such methods, and golf club shafts manufactured in accordance with such methods. A plug is detachably affixed to a distal end of a mandrel. A plurality of plies of pre-preg composite sheet are wrapped around the mandrel and plug and, thereafter, heated causing the resin comprising the various plies to be cured. The mandrel is then removed from the formed shaft, leaving the plug as an integral part of the distal tip of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention is directed to manipulator assembly (2) for holding and manipulating a surgical instrument (14) in a telerobotic system. The assembly comprises a base (6) fixable by passive or power driven positioning devices to a surface, such as an operating table, and an instrument holder (4) movably mounted on the base. The instrument holder comprises a chassis (6) and an instrument support (70) movably mounted on the body and having an interface engageable with the surgical instrument to releasably mount the instrument to the instrument holder. A drive assembly (7) is operatively coupled to the instrument holder for providing the instrument with at least two degrees of freedom. The instrument holder is separable from the base and the drive assembly so that the holder can be sterilized. The assembly further includes a force sensing element (52) mounted distal to the holder and the drive assembly for detecting forces exerted on the surgical instrument and providing feedback to the surgeon.

Abstract: A golf club shaft for use in a golf club such as a putter. The shaft preferably comprises an over-sized hollow, circular tube having an outer diameter of at least 0.75 inches along substantially its entire length. In an alternate embodiment, the shaft includes a tapered intermediate section, and the tip end has an outer diameter of approximately 0.63 inches to accommodate an oversized club head.

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 and 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.

Abstract: A golf putter is provided having a head and shaft. The shaft enters the head at a point at least about 70% of the length of the putter away from the front face. The shaft is angled about 10.degree. to about 20.degree. toward the front face of the head and angled about 10.degree. to about 20.degree. toward a user grasping the shaft.

Abstract: A golf putter comprising a putter head and an elongated shaft having an enlarged diameter gripping end. The shaft may also include a tapered major center length portion intermediate of the grip and hosel ends. A peripheral sighting edge is provided which is structured and arranged to appear when in use tangential to a peripheral edge of the golf ball when the ball is aligned with the sweet spot of the ball-striking surface. The primary longitudinal axis of the shaft passes through the center of the golf ball when the ball is situated contiguous with the ball-striking surface and aligned with the sweet spot.

Abstract: An improved putter of the type which has a filled hollow shaft. The improved putter has a shaft which is filled with a resin, which in turn, is filled with micro-balloons. The filling bonds to the interior of the putter shaft and is essentially concompressive giving the putter a vastly improved feel.

Abstract: Tubular golf club shaft made from composite materials comprising layers of fibers impregnated with plastic resin and provided over its length with at least one are of enlargement (6) and or narrowing. The curve of generation of the internal diameter of the shaft as a function of its length beginning at the point of the smallest internal diameter and extending to at least one of the ends of the shaft incorporates at least one decreasing portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf club shaft and to a process for manufacturing same. The golf club shaft is made of a fiber- and resin-base composite material, the shaft including, along a part of its length, a neck portion in which a ring is inserted, such ring being made of a material having a density higher than the density of the composite material and the ring having a first end portion and a second end portion each having an inner surface in contact with the surface of the neck portion which flares out gradually up to the ends of the ring.

Abstract: A new method is disclosed of fabricating the joint between a golf club post and a drive shaft, as is the article fabricated therefrom. The golf club post to which the shaft attaches includes a circumferential recessed contour. The hollow, metal, electrically conductive golf club shaft is placed over the post, and an electric coil is placed around the shaft and post juncture. The electric coil is electrically pulsed, causing the shaft to shrink fit to the contour of the post. The electro-formed, mechanically bonded shaft is now permanently and integrally anchored to the golf club post. In a second embodiment, a non-conductive shaft of carbon fiber, for example, is electromagnetically bonded to the post, using a metallic ring, which is electromagnetically formed around the non-metallic shaft and post. In a third embodiment, the club head post is additionally fitted with at least one vertically disposed groove along the vertical axis of the post.

Abstract: An articulated pendulum putter is provided having first and second shaft sections connected by a simplified ball joint. The first shaft section carries a golf club putter head at its lower end. A pivot piece in sliding operative engagement with the shaft sections provides a pivoting joint between the two shaft sections. Preferably, the pivot piece is in direct sliding contact with the shaft section(s). The pivot piece can be spherical or can have at least one surface that is a zone of a sphere to contact the shaft section(s). The second shaft section, the pivot piece, and an upper portion of the first shaft section are wrapped by a grip, which also serves to maintain the shaft sections in sliding operative engagement with the pivot piece. Thus, two grip portions are defined--an upper grip and a lower grip--each of which is held by a hand of a golfer making a putt.

Abstract: Article of manufacture comprising a golf club shaft is described as having a grip region which approximates the diameter of a standard golf club with a compliant grip. Applied to the shaft is an ultra thin grip with a view to reducing the overall weight of the shaft and thereby shifting the balance point of a golf club incorporating the shaft to a region just proximate the head.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is described which has an upper grip portion with significantly greater diameter than the largest diameter of the lower power portion, with the two portions joined by an S-shaped transition portion. The large diameter of the grip portion permits recreational players or players with relatively weak hands to exert more power and greater control of the fine movements of the club shaft and golf club. The grip section has a minimum diameter at least 35% greater than the maximum diameter of the power section and the transition section has a length not greater than 15% of the overall length of the shaft. The shaft may be made of any convenient material which can be formed into the curves of the transition section without imposing undue stresses in the curved portions. The shaft may be formed of metal or, preferably, a fiber/polymer composite material.

Abstract: A golf shaft extender is glued into the handle end of a golf shaft. The extender has a stepped down portion with at least one type of reinforcement used to reinforce the stepped down portion to prevent breakage at the step down. Specifically, the step down is reinforced with an internal rib, tapered inner wall, greater wall thickness, an external concave fillet radius, a tapered outer wall or some combination thereof. The portion of the golf shaft extender glued into the golf shaft has circumferential grooves intersected by longitudinal grooves to aide the even dispersion of the adhesive.

Abstract: A golf club shaft has the usual handle portion at one end, a golf club head ounting portion at the opposite end, and a tapered intermediate portion therebetween. The tapered intermediate portion includes a substantially inflexible section adjacent the handle portion and a substantially flexible section adjacent the club head mounting portion. With this arrangement, rather than the entire shaft flexing in a substantially smooth curve during a normal swing of the club, the flexing is limited to the substantially flexible section of the club. This provides a club with increased control.

Abstract: A golf club having a vibration damping device including a club head, a shaft connected to the club head having resonant frequencies over a predetermined range and a rod disposed within the shaft with a viscoelastic material interposed between the shaft and the rod. The rod is flexible and has resonant frequencies over the same frequency range as the shaft such that the shaft and rod vibrate out of phase with respect to each other and thereby deform the viscoelastic material to damp vibrations in the shaft.

Abstract: A golf putter shaft having an integrally formed handle intended for use without a soft grip overwrapping having a handle section preferably of D shaped cross-section sized to assist the golfer to keep his wrists from breaking during putting. The putter shaft is preferably made from aluminum alloy of increased stiffness compared to ordinary golf club shafts. Supplementary weighting may be provided in the handle section to result in a putter having its balance point located near the mid-length of the shaft.

Abstract: A golf club comprises a handle and a head having a planar face, a toe portion, a heel portion, and a center of percussion between the toe and heel portions. A dual shaft extends from the handle, comprising a toe shaft and a heel shaft joined respectively to the toe portion and the heel portion of the head. The toe and heel shafts extend into and define the handle. The toe shaft overlies the heel shaft within the handle to define a handle plane which is parallel to the plane of the club head face to give a user an indication through the grip of the orientation of the club face. The toe shaft and the heel shaft diverge at their junction with the handle and extend to the head without interconnection therebetween to mutually independently control the torque applied to the head when a golf ball is impacted off the center of percussion.

Abstract: A toy golf club (10) is disclosed comprising a handle (12), a hollow shaft (14), and a club head (16). The shaft (14) defines an internal ball magazine chamber (34) sized to receive and store multiple toy golf balls through an upper aperture (40). The balls are ejected one at a time through a lower aperture (42) that extends through a lower bevelled surface (45) at the heel portion of the head (16). Sequential ejection of the balls is controlled by a gate assembly (58) comprising a lower hood member (60) pivotally mounted to the bottom of the shaft (14) within the chamber (34); a linkage arm (62) connected at a lower end to the hood member (60) and extending within the shaft (14) to the handle (12); and a trigger member (64) that is attached to the upper end of the linkage arm (62) and projects through an opening (30) in the handle (12).

Abstract: A golf club including a club shaft having two shaft segments offset from one another to bring the club head of the club closer to the golfer employing the club than would be the case if the club shaft were straight along its entire length. The club is part of a set of golf clubs wherein the offset is greater in shorter clubs of the set than in longer clubs of the set.

Abstract: A golf club including a golf club shaft having a cylindrical shaft portion with a first end and a second end. The first end of the cylindrical shaft portion may be attached to a golf club head. The golf club shaft also includes a flattened handle portion in the vicinity of the second end of the cylindrical shaft portion and integral with the cylindrical shaft portion. The flattened handle portion is flattened in a plane extending in a direction parallel to a direction faced by a golfer addressing a golf ball to be hit by the golf club. The flattened handle portion has a thickness in a direction parallel to the plane at least three times the thickness of the flattened handle portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane. A golf club head is attached to the golf club shaft in the vicinity of the first end of the cylindrical shaft portion.

Abstract: A shaft for an indoor bandy stick, comprising a hollow tube. The tube has a substantially circular bottom end which turns elliptical when progressing upwards while the tube expands conically. The ellipse has a major axis (a) which at its maximum is at least about 15%, preferably about 30% longer than its minor axis and the conicity is such that the diameter of the ellipse parallel to the major axis (a) increases at least about 30%, preferably about 50% or more and the diameter parallel to the minor axis (b) increases 0-30%.

Abstract: A golf putter comprising a putter head and an elongated shaft having an enlarged diameter gripping end. The shaft may also include a tapered major center length portion intermediate of the grip and hosel ends. A peripheral sighting edge is provided which is structured and arranged to appear when in use tangential to a peripheral edge of the golf ball when the ball is aligned with the sweet spot of the ball-striking surface. The primary longitudinal axis of the shaft passes through the center of the golf ball when the ball is situated contiguous with the ball-striking surface and aligned with the sweet spot.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf club, such as a driver, wherein the club includes a shaft, at the lower end of which a head is mounted, and at the upper end of which a grip is mounted. The club is light in weight and, according to a first embodiment, has a mass of less than 340 grams and an LPE/LC ratio (Equivalent Pendulum Length)/(Length of Club) of less than 0.87, preferably between 0.87 and 0.85 and, according to a second embodiment, has a mass of less than 310 grams and an LPE/LC ratio of between 0.87 and 0.885.

Abstract: A golf club shaft for use in a golf club such as a putter. The shaft preferably comprises an over-sized hollow, circular tube having an outer diameter of at least 0.75 inches along substantially its entire length.

Abstract: A golf pitching wedge for training a golfer to repeatedly swing the wedge using a constant chipping swing and a method for using the same. The constant chipping swing is defined by the movement of the shoulders of the golfer in a pendulum motion. A wedge-shaped club head having a top and a ball striking face is provided. A first hosel has a first end coupled to the top of the club head and a second end for rigidly holding a connecting end of a first shaft in a fixed position relative to the club head. A second hosel has a first end coupled to the top of the club head and a second end for rigidly holding a connecting end of a second shaft in a fixed position relative to the club head.

Abstract: A golf putter is provided having a head and shaft. The head is provided with spaced-apart weights which extend at least about 35% of the maximum distance between the front face and back edge of the head. The shaft enters the head at a point at least about 65% of the length of the putter away from the front face. The shaft is angled toward the front face of the head and toward a user grasping the shaft.