Abstract: A golf club includes a golf club head, a shaft adapter secured within a hosel of the golf club head, and a shaft secured within the shaft adapter. The golf club shaft is formed from a fiber reinforced polymer and extends along a longitudinal axis between a tip end and a grip end. The golf club shaft includes a tip end section, a grip end section, and a tapered section between the tip end section and the grip end section. The tapered section of the shaft includes a reference portion within the upper half that has a frustoconical shape with a near-constant taper rate, and a narrowed portion within the lower half. The narrowed portion is recessed relative to a reference surface extrapolated from the frustoconical shape.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf coupling mechanisms for joining golf club heads and shafts are described herein. The golf coupling mechanism allows for adjustment of a club head loft angle, a club head lie angle, and a golf club shaft length while utilizing one club head and one shaft. In a fully extended configuration, the golf coupling mechanism includes a shaft sleeve, a removable spacer, and a removable extender, wherein a fastening assembly secures the golf coupling mechanism to the golf club head. In a contracted configuration, the golf coupling mechanism includes the shaft sleeve. The golf coupling mechanism further includes a shaft cap to soften the interaction between the shaft and the golf coupling mechanism. The golf coupling mechanism further comprises one or more arcuate coupler sets to frictionally lock the shaft relative to the golf club head.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an educational golf club comprising a shaft and a head, wherein the shaft has a weight increasing means disposed therein. The educational golf club according to the present invention is in a wide use since being adjusted in weight or length according to the user's height or age. Additionally, the educational golf club according to the present invention generates a hitting sound from the shaft realistically when the user hits the golf ball to arouse interest in golf.

Abstract: A multi-material golf shaft having a butt portion joined to a tip portion and possessing unique relationships, including rigidity relationships, which provide beneficial performance characteristics including improved stability.

Abstract: A constrained frequency resonator is incorporated into the shaft of a striking implement for transferring and, advantageously, amplifying momentum from a striking end to a gripped end of the striking implement, thereby amplifying the sensation of a strike felt at the gripped end. The resonator has a substantially hourglass shape, with wide ends and a narrow waist, and is made of stainless steel or another very hard material. The shape of the resonator causes it to act as a vibration frequency filter that transfers and, preferably, amplifies a certain frequency or band of frequencies. The striking implement may be a golf club, pool cue, or other implement in which frequency transfer to a gripping section is desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf club shaft. The shaft is made of a fiber reinforced resin. When a position 100 mm apart from a distal end of the shaft is represented by P1, a position 200 mm apart by P2, a position 500 mm apart by P3, and a position 1,000 mm apart by P4, thicknesses at the positions are defined as P1: not more than 1.0 mm, P2: not more than 0.9 mm, P3: not more than 0.6 mm and P4: not more than 0.6 mm. Each section between the positions has a thickness larger than a thickness transition obtained by connecting the thicknesses at the positions by a straight line. The shaft includes a plurality of prepregs which include first prepregs containing carbon fibers and a second prepreg containing a high specific gravity material.

Abstract: Disclosed a hybrid golf shaft in which one or more aramid fiber containing prepregs (H) are laminated in a length section of 5 cm or more of the whole length of the golf shaft, and three or more carbon fiber prepregs (C) are laminated in a length section of 50 cm or more of the whole length of the golf shaft. The golf shaft is configured in that aramid prepregs (H1) or hybrid prepregs (H2) with excellent impact absorbability are arranged in a length section of 5 to 50 cm from a thin end of the golf shaft or along the whole length (L) in an axial direction of the golf shaft, to thereby effectively reduce the number of vibrations in the golf shaft when the golf ball is hit.

Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft; a head mounted to the tip end of the shaft; a grip mounted to the butt end of the shaft; a first vibration damping member arranged on the head side of the shaft; and a second vibration damping member arranged on the grip side of the shaft. The first range of the shaft in which the first vibration damping member is arranged includes a position of the shaft corresponding to the top end of the hosel of the head and has a length of 25 to 250 mm in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. The second range of the shaft in which the second vibration damping member is arranged includes a position of the shaft corresponding to the tip end of the grip and has a length of 150 to 250 mm in the longitudinal direction of the shaft.

Abstract: Light-weight and/or low density paint and coating formulations that yield light-weight coatings which exhibit advantageous durability and wear resistance, including golf club shafts incorporating such paint and coating formulations.

Abstract: A golf club shaft extending from a tip end to a butt end and made of fiber reinforced resin, comprises a weight being in a range of from 30 to 55 g, a whole length LS between the tip end and the butt end, a center of gravity of the shaft located with a distance LG from the tip end, a ratio of the distance LG to the whole length LS being in a range of from 0.54 to 0.65, a butt end portion which has a length of 300 mm from the butt end toward the tip end, the butt end portion including fibers including a low elastic fiber having an elastic modulus in a range of from 5 to 20 t/mm2, and a high elastic fiber having an elastic modulus greater than 20 t/mm2 and not more than 50 t/mm2.

Abstract: A golf club shaft extending from a tip end to a butt end and made of fiber reinforced resin, comprises a weight being in a range of from 30 to 55 g, a whole length LS between the tip end and the butt end, a center of gravity of the shaft located with a distance LG from the tip end, a ratio of the distance LG to the whole length LS being in a range of from 0.54 to 0.65, a tip end portion which has a length of 300 mm from the tip end toward the butt end, the tip end portion including fibers including a pitch based carbon fiber and a PAN based carbon fiber, and said fibers in the tip end portion comprising, in weight, the pitch based carbon fiber of from 15 to 25% and the PAN based carbon fiber of from 85 to 75%.

Abstract: A golf club and golf club shaft includes a tubular member having at least one neck portion with a reduced outer diameter and at least one relatively rigid two-piece sleeve secured to the tubular member in overlying relationship to each neck portion. The two-piece sleeve defines a small central gap filled by a compressible ring to allow the two otherwise longitudinally aligned sleeve pieces to pivot relative to one another under dynamic loading of the tubular member during a golf swing, and then upon reaching a limit point restrict additional deflection or bending of the tubular member.

Abstract: A method of applying decorative layers to a steel golf club shaft is disclosed. The method may be performed on any type of steel shaft and comprises buffing the steel shaft, applying a primer or sealer coat, curing the sealer coat, buffing the sealer coat, applying a decal or decorative layer, applying clear coat over the shaft and decal, and curing the clear coat layer. Some embodiments comprise applying a layer of base coat color before applying a decal. Disclosed methods can, for example, improve adhesion between chrome-plated steel golf club shafts and paint, for golf club branding with increased resistance to wear.

Abstract: A shaft for a golf club is capable of hitting a higher ball and reducing a spin on the ball. The shaft has a distal part that is provided with a clubhead, a proximal part that is provided with a grip, an intermediate part arranged between the distal and proximal parts, and a thick part set to thicken a wall thickness of the intermediate part relative to the distal part, a reinforcing part set at the intermediate part, or a combination of the thick part and the reinforcing part. With this, the shaft improves a rigidity at the intermediate part so that a change in rigidity between the distal part and the intermediate part has an inflection point.

Abstract: An improved golf club shaft comprised of a flexible insert device that adds additional flexibility to said club shaft and creates one or more pivot points along said shaft. The increased flexibility of the golf club shaft enables a golfer to impart greater force on a golf ball, and also dampens or reduces the amount of vibration and/or shock otherwise imparted to the golfer when the golf club head strikes the golf ball.

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.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a tubular body made from a novel fiber-reinforced epoxy resin material having improved strength. A tubular body made of a fiber-reinforced epoxy resin material according to the present invention is a tubular body made of a fiber-reinforced epoxy resin material comprising a cured product of an epoxy resin composition and a reinforcing fiber. The cured product of the epoxy resin composition has a swelling ratio of 20% by mass to 42.5% by mass in methyl ethyl ketone.

Abstract: Light-weight and/or low density paint and coating formulations that yield light-weight coatings which exhibit advantageous durability and wear resistance, including golf club shafts incorporating such paint and coating formulations.

Abstract: A golf club (2) comprising a shaft (20), a head and a damping device (1, 100). The damping device (1, 100) includes an anchor element (3, 103) and a damping element (4, 104) interconnected by a rigid rod (5, 105). The anchor element (3, 103) is anchored within the lower section of the shaft (20) that has a substantially constant diameter such that the damping element (4, 104) is in contact with an internal surface of the shaft (20) to dampen vibrations therein.

Abstract: A golf club shaft extending from a tip end to a butt end and made of fiber reinforced resin, comprises a weight being in a range of from 30 to 55 g, a whole length LS between the tip end and the butt end, a center of gravity of the shaft located with a distance LG from the tip end, a ratio of the distance LG to the whole length LS being in a range of from 0.54 to 0.65, a butt end portion which has a length of 300 mm from the butt end toward the tip end, the butt end portion including fibers including a low elastic fiber having an elastic modulus in a range of from 5 to 20 t/mm2, and a high elastic fiber having an elastic modulus greater than 20 t/mm2 and not more than 50 t/mm2.

Abstract: A golf club shaft extending from a tip end to a butt end and made of fiber reinforced resin, comprises a weight being in a range of from 30 to 55 g, a whole length LS between the tip end and the butt end, a center of gravity of the shaft located with a distance LG from the tip end, a ratio of the distance LG to the whole length LS being in a range of from 0.54 to 0.65, a tip end portion which has a length of 300 mm from the tip end toward the butt end, the tip end portion including fibers including a pitch based carbon fiber and a PAN based carbon fiber, and said fibers in the tip end portion comprising, in weight, the pitch based carbon fiber of from 15 to 25% and the PAN based carbon fiber of from 85 to 75%.

Abstract: A forearm crutch putter integrating the utility of a golf putter and a forearm crutch for senior golfers. The forearm rest and grip handle provide support for the user to walk with the present invention being used as a crutch, while the putting grip and putter provide functionality of the present invention as a club. A shock absorber is also present on the shaft of the invention to dissipate vibrations generated from hitting a golf ball.

Abstract: A golf club shaft assembly including a golf club shaft and a permanent shaft insert that is partially bonded, or is unbounded, to the golf club shaft.

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.

Abstract: A vibration dampening device that can be attached to the shaft and hosel of a golf club to absorb vibrations. The uniquely designed dampening device is positioned to immediately absorb vibrations of a golf club after the club head makes impact with a golf ball. The absorption of impact vibrations helps reduce injury that may be caused by stress from continual exposure to impact vibration. The vibration dampening device allows users to perform golf swing with less vibration during impact.

Abstract: A golf club with a rigid shaft band is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club with a rigid shaft band that is placed at a precise location on the shaft itself, utilizing a precise taper within the internal surface of the rigid shaft band to control the location. Even more specifically, the rigid shaft band may be placed at a distance that is greater than about 1 inch and less than about 3 inches away from the butt end of the golf club with a tapered internal surface of greater than about 0.573 degrees and less than about 1.146 degrees.

Abstract: During use of a golf club, the impact of the head of the club with a ball causes complex vibrations in the handle that are uncomfortable for the user and may adversely affect the force applied to and energy transferred to the ball. The invention aims to mitigate this problem by providing an end piece attached to an end of a shaft of the golf club thereby defining a tapered termination for an air column defined by said shaft.

Abstract: Golf clubs and/or golf club heads include a club head body defining an interior chamber, structure for engaging a shaft with the body, and/or a shaft engaged with the body. The club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.5 inches and an overall breadth of at least 4.2 inches. In other examples, the club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.6 inches and a ratio of the overall breadth dimension to the overall length dimension of 1 or less. If desired, the ratio of the head breadth to head length dimensions may be in a range from at least 0.94 to 1 or less.

Abstract: A vehicle handle with improved vibration proof function. A balance weight has an inner balance weight portion with a center-of-mass positioned in a handle pipe, and an outer balance weight portion. A floating damper interposed between an outer periphery of the inner balance weight portion and an inner surface of the handle pipe supports the balance weight in one location that includes the center-of-mass of the balance weight.

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.

Abstract: An energy absorbing apparatus for sport's equipment which comprises a helix that is capable of securing sports equipment along its length and reducing the shock and vibration transferred from the striking object to the person.

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.

Abstract: A shaft for a golf club is comprised of upper, central and lower sections. Flex is isolated to the central section of the club by making the upper and lower sections relatively stiffer than the central section. Though more flexible, the central section resists twisting by fabricating the section using a higher percentage of diagonally oriented fibers laid in a crossing pattern. A thickened tip and larger diameter butt end enhance resistance to twisting of the shaft.

Abstract: A golf club shaft includes an outer shaft and an inner shaft disposed in a hollow portion of the outer shaft. A void portion is formed between the outer shaft and the inner shaft. The golf club shaft has a double structure including the outer shaft and the inner shaft. This allows both of the shafts to integrally operate and also allows one of the shafts to primarily operate.

Abstract: A golf club (2) includes a head (4), a shaft (6) and a grip (8). An elastic member (10) is attached to an external surface of the shaft (6). The elastic member (10) is ring-shaped and has no end. The elastic member (10) is externally fitted in the shaft (6) in a state in which an elastic contracting force is maintained. It is preferable that a fastening member for fastening the elastic member (10) from an outside should be provided. The fastening member is constituted to enable a mutual transition of a fastening state in which the elastic member is fastened and a removing state in which the fastening member is removed from the elastic member and is also removed from the golf club. It is preferable that the fastening member should be provided in no contact with the shaft (6) in the fastening state.

Abstract: Construction and advantages of improved wavy composite structures made from wavy composite, unidirectional composites, and damping materials is revealed. By combining wavy composite laminae in various waveforms, offsets, angular orientations and material combinations, it is possible to provide axial, torsion, or shear properties equivalent to unidirectional materials but without the limitations related to fiber discontinuity, labor costs for fabrication, and weakness at seams where laminates overlap. By combining wavy composite layers with unidirectional crossplies, or by using woven mats with various fill fiber levels where the warp fibers are sinuously arranged, improved strength and damping is possible. Several examples of both wavy crossply laminates and unidirectional crossply laminates are analyzed and compared.

Abstract: A golf club shaft stiffening device with a flexible tubular body including an inner circumference and a length forming a tubular cavity is described. The inner circumference of the shaft stiffening device is sized and configured to circumscribe and constrictively engage an outer surface of a shaft and to cause the shaft to have an increased stiffness characteristic, allow the location of a kick point to be modified or modify other characteristics of the golf club. The shaft stiffening device may be housed on various sections of the shaft and may be slidably adjusted or positioned on the shaft. An associated method for fitting a golf club with a shaft stiffening device is also described. The shaft stiffening devices may be provided in a kit to facilitate fitting of a golf club with appropriate shaft stiffening devices.

Abstract: A golf club shaft wherein the flexibility of the club over a short segment at the butt or grip end is increased in a controlled manner. A flexible hollow shaft insert of approximately 6.5 to 10 inches in total length having an insert stub portion of approximately 1.5 to 3 inches in length is fitted within the shaft, and an extension member of approximately 5 to 7 inches in length extends from the insert stub portion, the outer diameter of the extension member being greater than the outer diameter of the insert stub member, such that a shoulder is defined at the juncture. The shoulder is abutted against the butt end of the golf shaft, thereby creating a flex point whereby the extension portion flexes in a hinge-like angular manner relative to the golf club shaft. The extension portion is constructed to be substantially stiff or rigid, such that it remains substantially linear when bent relative to the golf shaft.

Abstract: This invention presents an apparatus for force adjustment within a golf shaft. The apparatus includes load member and a force adjuster and parts for coupling the apparatus to a golf shaft. A lightweight design for the load member is introduced and a method of assembling the apparatus into the golf club shaft is described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing elongate wooden handles for floor mops and the like comprises (a) splitting a green bamboo cane lengthwise and then spreading it into the shape of a sheet, (b) planing both surfaces of the sheet to give it a substantially uniform thickness, (c) cutting the bamboo sheet into an elongate section of selected width, (d) drying that bamboo section, (e) providing an assembly comprising a pair of dowels, at least one elongate core member, said bamboo sections and an adhesive, with the bamboo section wrapped around the dowels and the core member and the adhesive disposed between the bamboo section and the dowels and core member, (f) heating that assembly under pressure so the adhesive will bond the dowels and core member to the surrounding bamboo section and thereby form an elongate pole, and (g) turning the elongate pole to a selected outer diameter.

Abstract: A highly versatile damper-weight system enables the installation of adjustable swing-weight in a vibration-damped manner inside a golf club shaft. A plug assembly of selectable weight is inserted through a circular opening in the golf grip cap with a special tool, moved to any desired location within the shaft and securely fastened in place in a vibration-damped manner by radial expandable of a cylindrical resilient expandable element. A weight rod, made available in different materials, lengths and weights, is spaced from the shaft by one or more resilient damper sleeves to minimize shaft vibration. The expandable element is secured by a machine screw threaded into the upper end of the weight rod, and is dimensioned (unexpanded) to enable easy insertion and location adjustment of said plug assembly.

Abstract: A golf club shaft having adjustable stiffness. An elongated tensioning member extends through the shaft and is mounted to both ends of the shaft. A tensioner assembly is mounted to the shaft and is connected to the tensioning member for allowing manual adjustment of the axial tension in the tensioning member, thereby allowing a technician or a user to increase or decrease the stiffness of the shaft as desired.

Abstract: Insert assemblies for use with a golf club shaft including an insert and an insert lock, insert assembly systems, and apparatus for use with insert assemblies.

Abstract: A one way action golf club flex modification system mounted within a golf club. The non-linear shape of the flex modification member engages the interior wall of the hollow shaft at two regions on opposite sides of the shaft interior and is affixed to a third point in the handle. The “free” end of the flex modification system is closest to the head and generally oriented toward the striking face of the head. The one way action reduces the flexibility of the shaft during the swing toward the golf ball but allows the shaft to flex forward with the travel of the ball. The plane described by the waive shape of the flex member may be fixedly rotated relative to the shaft to allow fine tuning to accommodate the individual swing of the golfer.

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.

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.

Abstract: A shaft structure with an adjustable stiffness is provided for golf clubs, fishing rods and like apparatuses. The shaft structure employs an inner and outer shaft structure. The golfer, in practice, configures the stiffness of a golf shaft, by adjusting the pressure of an inner shaft structure. The combination of outer and inner shaft structure stiffness results in an advantageous stiffness profile. The golfer can, at any time and very easily, change the stiffness profile of the golf shaft.

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.

Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft body, a head body connected to the shaft body, and a thermochromic portion provided on at least one of the shaft body and the head body and including a thermochromic blend. The thermochromic blend is made by blending a coating material or a molding material with a thermochromic material.

Abstract: Ball striking devices may include: (a) a sole member; (b) at least one intermediate body member; (c) a crown member; and (d) a face member. The materials making up the sole member, the intermediate body member(s), and the crown member may be selected so that the densities of the materials generally increase as one moves in a direction from the sole member toward the crown member. Such devices may be formed as golf club heads and/or golf clubs (such as “wood-type” golf clubs and golf club heads).