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.

Abstract: Described herein is a system of golf clubs having shafts with ascending weights (shaft weights that increase as shaft lengths decrease). The system of golf clubs can be manufactured by implementing a method called “stepping”, which allows the system of golf clubs with ascending weights to be manufactured with reduced quantity of inventory.

Abstract: A rod-like object for ball games 1 usable for a ball games or practice thereof, the rod-like object 1 comprising a grip 20 on a proximal end side of an elongated main body 10, the main body 10 comprising a first flexible part 12 in which primary deflective deformation occurs along a first imaginary plane, a second flexible part 14 that is provided more toward the proximal end side than the first flexible part 12 is and in which principal deflective deformation occurs along a second imaginary plane, and a highly rigid part 19 interposed between the first flexible part 12 and the second flexible part 14, the first imaginary plane and the second imaginary plane intersecting each other, and the highly rigid part 19 having a flexural rigidity in a direction of the first imaginary plane that is equal to or greater than a flexural rigidity of the second flexible part 14 in the same direction and a flexural rigidity in a direction of the second imaginary plane that is equal to or greater than a flexural rigidity of t

Abstract: A tubular steel golf shaft comprising a grip section, a tapered mid-section and a tip section. A loading zone is selectively formed along a portion of the shaft, preferably in the tapered mid-section, comprising a continuous series of closely spaced micro-steps, or reductions in diameter, each of which are less than 0.5 inches in length. Each micro-step section, in the direction from the grip section toward the tip section comprises a first peak which descends to valley and then ascends to a second peak. The diameter of the first peak is greater than the diameter of the second peak. A method of manufacturing the golf shaft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A support structure may include a metallic tube having two opposing ends. The first end may have a first length, a first wall thickness, and a first outer diameter. The second end may have a second length, a second wall thickness, and a second outer diameter. A transition area may be disposed between the first length and the second length. The first wall thickness may be greater than the second wall thickness thereby providing variable thickness.

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: 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 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: A golf club steel shaft in which, when a distance from a front end of the shaft to a center of gravity point of the shaft is LG and when a full length of the shaft is LS, a center-of-gravity rate Y (%) obtained as LG/LS satisfies 51.0?Y?60.0, a shaft weight X (g) satisfies 80?X?140, and a full length of the shaft LS (inch) satisfies 30?LS?42.

Abstract: A shaft 6 has a plurality of layers a1 to a10. The layers include a bias layer in which an absolute angle ?a of a fiber to a shaft axis line is 10 degrees or greater and 70 degrees or less, and a hoop layer in which the angle ?a is equal to or greater than 80 degrees. The layers include a full length layer disposed all over in an axis direction of the shaft, and a partial layer partially disposed in the axis direction of the shaft. The partial layer includes back end reinforcing bias layers a4 and a6, and a backend reinforcing hoop layer a5. In the shaft 6, a torsional rigidity value GIt at a point separated by 300 mm from a butt end is 3.5×106 (kgf·mm2/deg) or greater and 5.0×106 (kgf·me/deg) or less.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is manufactured using a plurality of prepreg sheets a1 to a8. The plurality of prepreg sheets a1 to a8 includes full length sheets a2 to a7 disposed all over in a shaft axis direction and partial sheets a1 and a8 partially disposed in the shaft axis direction. The number of plies is substantially an integer in all the full length sheets a2 to a7. The full length sheets a2 to a7 include four or more bias sheets a2 to a5. Circumferential winding start positions of the bias sheets a2 to a5 are dispersed in four or more positions. Preferably, the circumferential winding start positions of the full length sheets a2 to a7 are dispersed in five or more positions.

Abstract: A graphite golf club which is formed on a mandrel is provided. The graphite golf club comprises a club head which strikes a golf ball; a club shaft which comprises a coupling unit to be coupled with the club head and a main body unit extending from the coupling unit to a golf club grip. The mandrel includes a mandrel joint unit which is formed with mandrel steps that decrease in diameter from one end of the mandrel to the other end of the mandrel. The golf club shaft is formed on the mandrel with a lower sheet layer contacting and overlapping the mandrel and an upper sheet layer overlapping an outer part of the lower sheet layer. The lower sheet layer and the upper sheet layer form a sheet joint unit which includes sheet steps decreasing in diameter corresponding to the mandrel steps.

Abstract: A tubular structural member that provides adjustable directional resistance to a device. When orientated in a certain manner with respect to the direction of use, the tubular structural member will provide a different stiffness to the device it is affixed. The tubular structural member may be integrated with these devices so that these devices can have adjustable resistance and stiffness.

Abstract: A graphite golf club which is formed by a mandrel is provided.

Abstract: A golf club shaft having an exterior with a non-circular cross-section along at least a portion of its length is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cross-section of the exterior of the shaft along an intermediate portion of the shaft between the butt end and the tip end is non-circular. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the exterior of the shaft at the end regions containing the butt and tip ends of the shaft may be circular. The cross-section of the intermediate portion may be any suitable shape, such as a symmetrical shape. In one version of such an embodiment, the cross-section of the exterior of the shaft along an intermediate portion of the shaft is substantially triangular in configuration.

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: 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 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: A golf club comprises a handgrip; a club head, and a club body between the first end and the second end. A cross section area of the club body includes a front portion having a first and a second including surfaces that define a front cusp in front of said first and said second inclined surfaces; a rear portion having a third and a fourth inclined surface that define a rear cusp at a rear connecting end of the third and fourth surfaces; and a middle section being curved inwards. In a direction from the handgrip to the club head, the club body has at least one reduced segment having a smaller size than other portion thereof, and a shoulder is formed between each reduced segment and an adjacent other portion of the golf club.

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: 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: 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: It is a subject of the invention to show excellent decorative properties of golf shafts, to maintain the decorative properties for a long time, and to improve its usability. An upper ply being transparent or at least having translucency to the extent that the interior surface is visible and a lower ply having different surface configuration from the upper ply and the surface configuration of which can be seen through the upper ply provided underneath the upper ply are provided. The lower ply and the upper ply are formed of materials having different oscillation damping rate.

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 formed by winding prepregs of an angular layer and those of a straight layer around a mandrel (10) having a steeply tapered part (10B) formed at a tip side thereof and a gently tapered part (10C) formed, at a butt side thereof, continuously with the steeply tapered part (10B). Prepregs (17, 18) of the angular layer are disposed at the tip side of the mandrel (10). Butt-side ends (17a, 18a) of the prepregs (17, 18) of the angular reinforcing layer at the tip side of the mandrel (10) are disposed at the butt side of the mandrel (10) with respect to a boundary position (P2) disposed at a boundary between the steeply tapered part (10B) and the gently tapered part (10C). A distance from the butt-side ends (17a, 18a) of the prepregs (17, 18) of the angular reinforcing layer at the tip side of the mandrel (10) to the boundary position (P2) is not less than 5% nor more than 30% of a whole length of the shaft.

Abstract: A flex-segmented golf club shaft having tip and butt sections of preselected stiffness and flex characteristics, respectively, that are formed as separate pieces, with the larger butt section overlapping and fused to the smaller tip section and forming an external step in the shaft profile. An alternative embodiment has three such sections and two steps. The method of forming the shaft by wrapping a preselected tip section from a selection of available sections on a mandrel having a pronounced step, and then wrapping a preselected butt section from a selection of available sections on the mandrel in overlapping relation with the tip section, to provide optimized characteristics for a particular golf swing.

Abstract: A golf club includes first and a second shaft members that are releasably connected by a connector that is preferably substantially hollow. The connector has a male connector that has a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is threaded on an exterior surface. The first portion of the male connector is coupled to one of the connecting ends of the shaft members. The connector also has a substantially hollow female connector that is coupled to the other shaft member. The threads on the exterior of the male connector are releaseably mated with interior threads on the female connector to provide an assembled golf club that may be disassembled for travel, but has characteristics that do not substantially vary from a similar conventional club. The mass of one connector is concentrated on its periphery.

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: 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: A set of golf shafts is disclosed. The set comprises a plurality of shafts that decrease in length along the set. Each shaft includes a reverse taper section disposed a distance from the tip section on each shaft. The distance of the reverse taper section varies along a number of shafts as the shaft length decreases.A golf club shaft is disclosed. The shaft includes a tip section, lower section, and an upper section. The tip section connects with a golf club head. The lower section includes a tapered section and a reverse taper section. The tapered section extends from the tip section. The tapered section increases in diameter in a direction away from the tip section. The reverse taper section extends between the tapered section and the upper section. The reverse taper section has a diameter that decreases in a direction away from the tip section. The shaft further includes a resilient plug wedged inside the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club shaft which is easy to be gripped, and superior in strength and balance in its shaft portion. A golf club shaft is constituted by fiber-reinforced prepreg formed from reinforcing fibers impregnated with synthetic resin. A small-diameter portion is provided on a head side, a large-diameter portion is provided on a grip side, and a tapered portion is provided between the small-diameter portion and the large-diameter portion. An outer diameter of the small-diameter portion at its rear end portion is made smaller by 2 mm or more than an outer diameter of the large-diameter portion at its front end portion, and bending rigidity at the rear end portion is made to be 60 to 100% of that at the front end portion.

Abstract: The golf club according to the invention consists, besides a grip and a head, of a compound shaft which has at least an outer shaft defining a hollow portion, a head end, a head end section, a grip end section and a butt end; and an inner shaft partially disposed within the hollow portion of the outer shaft, wherein the inner shaft has a fixed first end region, a second end region, and an intermediate section. During bending of the golf club shaft, at least the second end region of the inner shaft engages the inner surface of the outer shaft, and that at least a portion of the intermediate section has clearance with the inner surface of the outer shaft when the outer shaft is not in bending. A higher frequency mode of vibration is formed when the shaft is in bending.

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 hollow golf club shaft including a plurality of diverging and converging substantially frustoconical sections. The sections have respective predetermined substantially constant wall thicknesses.

Abstract: A golf club 20 includes a shaft 22 having a club head 32 secured to a tip end section 24 thereof and a grip 34 secured to a butt end section 26 thereof. A central section 28 of the shaft 22 is formed with a plurality of segments 44 which are of successively smaller diameters between the butt end section 26 and the tip end section 24. The wall of the tip end section 24 has portions which are of a prescribed thickness. The wall of the butt end section 26 has portions which are of a thickness less than the prescribed thickness. The wall of the central section 28 has portions which are of a thickness less than the thickness of the portion of the wall of the butt end section 26.

Abstract: A golf club is composed of a tapered shaft, a grip fastened at one end of the shaft, and a head fastened at another end of the shaft. The shaft is reinforced by a ridged structure consisting of at least two ridges extending along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A golf club shaft including a tip section, a grip section, a main body section and a vibration control section. The vibration control section prevents first harmonic vibrations, second harmonic vibrations, third harmonic vibrations, and so on from be transmitted to the hands of the golfer after impact.

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: A golf club shaft having a stiffness control section between the grip section and the main body section. The stiffness control section includes a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion. The circumference of the first tapered portion increases from the proximal end to the distal end thereof and the circumference of the second tapered portion decreases from the proximal end to the distal end thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a golf club shaft which comprises an upper section, a tip section, and a lower section therebetween. The tip section connects with a golf club head. The lower section includes a first tapered section and a hump section. The first tapered section is connected between the tip section and the hump section. The first tapered section increases in diameter in a direction away from the tip section. The hump section has a diameter that decreases in a direction away from the tip section, which is a reverse taper. The lower and upper sections are shaped so that the lower section is stiffer than the upper section.

Abstract: A stepped golf club shaft with cylindrical segments joined by conical bands. The shaft is a composite with longitudinal and helical reinforcing fibers. The majority of the longitudinal fibers are located within the inner half of the shaft sidewall thickness, and the helical fibers are located within the outer half. A cutting tool is inserted into the bore of the hollow shaft and severs some of the longitudinal fibers to reduce the shaft stiffness, and therefore the natural frequency of oscillation, of the shaft.

Abstract: A golf club shaft comprises three interconnected tubular members whose diameters, flexional rigidities, lengths, materials, etc. are selected to make the golf club shaft more flexible near a club head or a club grip or at a middle portion.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is formed of graphite and includes an upper portion and tapers to a lower portion. The upper portion is designed to couple with a handle while the lower portion is adapted to coupled to a club head. A first flex point is disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion of the shaft. A second flex point is disposed between the first flex point and the lower portion of the shaft. A third flex point is disposed between the second flex point and the lower portion of the shaft. The shaft tapers to the first flex point and widens to taper to each successive flex point.

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: 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 area of enlargement 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: A system measures and records deflection of an elongated shaft such as the shaft of a golf club and provides a trace or diagram of the swing of the club. The system includes an elongated rod, mounted to the golf club shaft, and a separate recording system. Preferably the recording system is a writing platform mounted to the golf club shaft. The recording member is biased into contact with the writing platform. During swing of the golf club, deflection of the golf club shaft causes relative movement between the writing implement and the writing platform and a trace or diagram of the golf club swing is created.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is formed of a fiber-reinforced plastic is disclosed which has a constant inside diameter of at least 7 mm between the tip end and a point G1 and a varying inside diameter increasing from the point G1 to a point G2, wherein G1 and G2 are located at positions spaced apart from the tip end distances equal to 20-50% and 70-100% of the length of the shaft, respectively. The shaft has a constant outer diameter of at least 8 mm between the tip end and a point H1 which is spaced apart from the tip end a distance equal to 20-170 mm, a varying outer diameter decreasing from H1 a point F1 which is spaced apart from the tip end a distance equal to 10-45% of the shaft, a constant diameter from F1 to a point F2 which is spaced apart from F1 a distance equal to 0-300 mm and a varying outer diameter increasing from F2 to a point H2 which is spaced apart from the grip end a distance equal to 0-300 mm.

Abstract: A hollow golf club shaft including a plurality of diverging and converging substantially frustoconical sections. The sections have respective predetermined substantially constant wall thicknesses.

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 10 includes a shaft 12 with a grip 14 assembled on a butt end 16 of the shaft. A club head 18 is mounted on a tip end 20 of the shaft 12. The shaft 12 is composed of steel and is formed with an intermediate section 22 having a plurality of sections 22a through 22n of decreasing diameter from the butt end 16 toward the tip end 20. A bulge 24 is formed in the shaft 12 near an inboard extremity of the tip end 20. The bulge 24 is formed with a central cylindrical section 26 with three cylindrical step surfaces 30, 32 and 34 at one axial end of the section 26 and three step surfaces 36, 38 and 40 at the opposite axial end of the section 26. The diameter of the central section 26 is greater than the diameter of the immediately adjacent portions of the shaft 12.