CA2009334A1 - Golf club shaft having selective reinforcement - Google Patents
Golf club shaft having selective reinforcementInfo
- Publication number
- CA2009334A1 CA2009334A1 CA002009334A CA2009334A CA2009334A1 CA 2009334 A1 CA2009334 A1 CA 2009334A1 CA 002009334 A CA002009334 A CA 002009334A CA 2009334 A CA2009334 A CA 2009334A CA 2009334 A1 CA2009334 A1 CA 2009334A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- golf club
- polymeric composite
- composite shell
- rein
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 title claims description 4
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 42
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 15
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000012783 reinforcing fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920003235 aromatic polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims 4
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims 1
- 229920002430 Fibre-reinforced plastic Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000011151 fibre-reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002302 Nylon 6,6 Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920006231 aramid fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009730 filament winding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012784 inorganic fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003475 lamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002990 reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001567 vinyl ester resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000013585 weight reducing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
- A63B2209/02—Characteristics of used materials with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A golf shaft selectively reinforced with a composite outer shell substantially shorter in length than the golf shaft. A
single shell is molded at a selected location over the shaft.
The location of the shell controls the kick point of the golf shaft. The shell is comprised of a reinforced polymeric com-posite.
single shell is molded at a selected location over the shaft.
The location of the shell controls the kick point of the golf shaft. The shell is comprised of a reinforced polymeric com-posite.
Description
" ~ ~
GOLF CLUB SHAFT ~AVING SELECTIVE_REINFORCEMENT
The present invention relates to golf club shafts and par-ticularly to a golf club shaft having a reinforced polymeric com-posite shell selectively secured to said shaft so as to reinorce the shaft, vary the kick point of said shaft, and dampen virbra-tion.
Backqround of the Invention In recent years, golf club shafts formed of fiber reinforced plastic have increasingly replaced metallic shafts in order to attain weight reduction. Such shafts are usually manufactured by rolling layers of oriented unidirectional prepreg ~of graphite/carbon fibers) over a metallic mandrel. The lay-up is then compressed and heated to cure the epoxy matrix and Eorm the shaft.
In most of the conventional fiber-reinforced plastic shafts, the fiber orientatlon angle, which is the angle formed by each layer of prepreg relative to the shaft axis, varies from layer to layer paired with changes in shaft outside diameter through the entire shaft length and addition of costly high modulus fibers into certain sections of the shaft, which provide a particular flex section or kick point on the shaft. It is found to be desirable to be able to adjust the kick point, or shaft flex ~, a334 point, for various clubs in order to provide the feel of the club which is desirable for the golfer.
Various means have been disclosed and used for changing the kick point of the club of these fiber-reinforced plastic shafts.
One method of controlling the flex zone is disclosed in U. S.
Patent 4,319,750 issued March 16, 1982. In this particular patent, various laminations fabricated from various layers of fiber materials embedded in a suitable synthetic resin material are used to adjust the kick point of the shaft, and organic rein-forcing ibers and matrix serve to dampen vibration, thus, improving the feel of the shaft.
Another means of adjusting the kick point of the shaft is disclosed in U. S. Patent 4,725,060 issuea February 16, 1988.
This patent also relates to fiber-reinforced plastic shafts. In order to adjust the kick point of the shaftl an intermediate sec-tion is interposed between a head-side section and a grip-side section, with the filament-winding angle in the intermediate sec-tion being different from that in the head~side and grip-side sections so that a maximum bendability is provided at the flex section.
- While the above patents provide the desired results, it is quite clear that such systems are available only in fiber-reinforced plastic and some specially designed metallic shafts.
GOLF CLUB SHAFT ~AVING SELECTIVE_REINFORCEMENT
The present invention relates to golf club shafts and par-ticularly to a golf club shaft having a reinforced polymeric com-posite shell selectively secured to said shaft so as to reinorce the shaft, vary the kick point of said shaft, and dampen virbra-tion.
Backqround of the Invention In recent years, golf club shafts formed of fiber reinforced plastic have increasingly replaced metallic shafts in order to attain weight reduction. Such shafts are usually manufactured by rolling layers of oriented unidirectional prepreg ~of graphite/carbon fibers) over a metallic mandrel. The lay-up is then compressed and heated to cure the epoxy matrix and Eorm the shaft.
In most of the conventional fiber-reinforced plastic shafts, the fiber orientatlon angle, which is the angle formed by each layer of prepreg relative to the shaft axis, varies from layer to layer paired with changes in shaft outside diameter through the entire shaft length and addition of costly high modulus fibers into certain sections of the shaft, which provide a particular flex section or kick point on the shaft. It is found to be desirable to be able to adjust the kick point, or shaft flex ~, a334 point, for various clubs in order to provide the feel of the club which is desirable for the golfer.
Various means have been disclosed and used for changing the kick point of the club of these fiber-reinforced plastic shafts.
One method of controlling the flex zone is disclosed in U. S.
Patent 4,319,750 issued March 16, 1982. In this particular patent, various laminations fabricated from various layers of fiber materials embedded in a suitable synthetic resin material are used to adjust the kick point of the shaft, and organic rein-forcing ibers and matrix serve to dampen vibration, thus, improving the feel of the shaft.
Another means of adjusting the kick point of the shaft is disclosed in U. S. Patent 4,725,060 issuea February 16, 1988.
This patent also relates to fiber-reinforced plastic shafts. In order to adjust the kick point of the shaftl an intermediate sec-tion is interposed between a head-side section and a grip-side section, with the filament-winding angle in the intermediate sec-tion being different from that in the head~side and grip-side sections so that a maximum bendability is provided at the flex section.
- While the above patents provide the desired results, it is quite clear that such systems are available only in fiber-reinforced plastic and some specially designed metallic shafts.
-2-' `. ' : ~ d` ' ' ', s ' , 7; .' !
Even when reinforcing the shafts, the incorporation must be done during the manufacture of th~ shaft itself. When reinforcing a particular portion of a metallic shaft, the wall thickness and, therefore, the weight of the shaft are increased.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to be able to adjust the kick point and, thus, the feel of the shaft in a relatively easy-to-manufacture process using high strength/weight and stiffness/weight ratio materials. The present invention provides such a means for selecting the kick point of a shaft and rein-~orcing a section of the shaft by use of the lighter, stiffer composite material.
Summary of the Invention The present invention uses either a metallic or a reinforced plastic shaft which is selectively reinforced with a reinforced polymeric composite shell. The shell is substantially shorter in length than the golf shaft and may be secured to the shaft at selected locations over the shaft. The location of the shell controls the kick point of the golf shaft, and organic rein-forcing fibers and matrix serve to dampen vibrations, thus, improving the feel of the club. The composite shaft of the pre-sent invention has a cost advantage over an expensive, high-modulus, composite shaft with the same torsional value.
Brief DescriPtion of the Drawlnqs ~ 34 Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a golf club incorporating the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the golf club of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a modification of Fig~ 1, Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a standard golf club under orce F;
Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the golf club of Fig. 1 under force F;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a further modification of the club of Fig. l;
Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a modi~ication of the club of Fig. l;
Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the club of Fig. 7 under force F;
Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a shot pattern spread for a standard steel club; and Fig. 10 is a schematic view of a shot pattern spread for a ' _4_ .
~G
club a shown in Fig l.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Fig. l, there is shown golf club ll having shaft 13 terminating at one end in club head 15 and at the other end in grip 19~ In one embodiment of the invention there is shown composite shell 17 which, in the illustration, extends from the butt end and outwardly from the grip. Preferably, composite shell 17 extends at least six inches from the butt end of the club.
Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the shaft of Fig. l, showing the location of composite shell 17 about shaft 13 and inside of qrip l9. As indicated, composite shell 17 is located, in this instance, at the butt end of the club.
The composite shell is comprised of reinforcement and resin matrix. The reinforcement can be any high-strength reinforcing fiber such as graphite/carbon, aramid, fiberglass, ceramic, other organic or inorganic fibers, etc., or combinations thereo. The matrix can be a toughened polymeric matrix ~e.g., thermoset matrices such as epoxy or vinyl ester, or thermoplastic matrices such as nylon 6,6, ~BS, etcO).
After molding the composite shell to the shaft, a new flex, bounce point, or kick point is created to improve the feel by
Even when reinforcing the shafts, the incorporation must be done during the manufacture of th~ shaft itself. When reinforcing a particular portion of a metallic shaft, the wall thickness and, therefore, the weight of the shaft are increased.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to be able to adjust the kick point and, thus, the feel of the shaft in a relatively easy-to-manufacture process using high strength/weight and stiffness/weight ratio materials. The present invention provides such a means for selecting the kick point of a shaft and rein-~orcing a section of the shaft by use of the lighter, stiffer composite material.
Summary of the Invention The present invention uses either a metallic or a reinforced plastic shaft which is selectively reinforced with a reinforced polymeric composite shell. The shell is substantially shorter in length than the golf shaft and may be secured to the shaft at selected locations over the shaft. The location of the shell controls the kick point of the golf shaft, and organic rein-forcing fibers and matrix serve to dampen vibrations, thus, improving the feel of the club. The composite shaft of the pre-sent invention has a cost advantage over an expensive, high-modulus, composite shaft with the same torsional value.
Brief DescriPtion of the Drawlnqs ~ 34 Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a golf club incorporating the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the golf club of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a modification of Fig~ 1, Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a standard golf club under orce F;
Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the golf club of Fig. 1 under force F;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a further modification of the club of Fig. l;
Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a modi~ication of the club of Fig. l;
Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the club of Fig. 7 under force F;
Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a shot pattern spread for a standard steel club; and Fig. 10 is a schematic view of a shot pattern spread for a ' _4_ .
~G
club a shown in Fig l.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Fig. l, there is shown golf club ll having shaft 13 terminating at one end in club head 15 and at the other end in grip 19~ In one embodiment of the invention there is shown composite shell 17 which, in the illustration, extends from the butt end and outwardly from the grip. Preferably, composite shell 17 extends at least six inches from the butt end of the club.
Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the shaft of Fig. l, showing the location of composite shell 17 about shaft 13 and inside of qrip l9. As indicated, composite shell 17 is located, in this instance, at the butt end of the club.
The composite shell is comprised of reinforcement and resin matrix. The reinforcement can be any high-strength reinforcing fiber such as graphite/carbon, aramid, fiberglass, ceramic, other organic or inorganic fibers, etc., or combinations thereo. The matrix can be a toughened polymeric matrix ~e.g., thermoset matrices such as epoxy or vinyl ester, or thermoplastic matrices such as nylon 6,6, ~BS, etcO).
After molding the composite shell to the shaft, a new flex, bounce point, or kick point is created to improve the feel by
3~
reducing vibration and playability of the shaft. This effect is obtained by increasing structural stiffness as well as rein-forcing that particular area of the shaft where the composite shell is located.
For instance, a steel shaft reinforced on the butt end as shown in Fig. 1 would effectively improve the feel by reducing vibrations of the club. Further, it lowers the kick point, thus creating higher trajectories on the golfer's shots. This has long been known to be an area of needed improvement by golfers.
Even though the additional material increases the overall weight of the shaft, a weiqht savings can be achieved with the use of a lightweight grip to fit over the additional material, thus creating standard or lighter-weight shafts, depending on what type of metallic shaft is used.
Fig. 3 shows a modification wherein a hybrid composite shell 17 is secured within the butt end of shaft 1~. In either of the disclosures of Figs. 2 or 3, the results are substantially the same. For purposes of clarity, the club grip is not shown in Fig. 3~
Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown schematically the effect of force F on standard golf shaft 21 having a grip 22~ The club is tested by placing the butt end in clamp 23. With a designated h33~
force F, kick point xl occurs at a particular point on the shaft, as indicated.
Fig. 5 illustrates schematically the same test results using club 13 as modified in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In this case, composite shell 17 has been secured as shown in Fig.
1, extending under grip 19 to the butt end of the club. The force F, which is the same force exerted in the illustration of Fig. 4, shows that kick point K2 has been moved in the direction of the club head by the addition of composite shell 17.
Fig. 6 is a further modification which reduces the weight of the club to compensate for the weight of the composite shell. In this case, diameter 29 of shaft 27 has been reduced substantially a distance equivalent to the width of composite shell 31. This not only compensates for the weight, but also provides a smooth, continuous surface over the shaft itself.
Fig. 7 illustrates the placement of composite web 37 ~urther down the shaft adjacent tne club head. A test of the forces on such a shaft is shown schematically in Fig. 8, wherein the place-ment of web 37 as illustrated in Fig. 7 causes kick point K3 to move in a direction towards the but~ end of the shaftO
As discussed above, the present invention provides a relati-vely economical and weight-saving method in which steel or other metallic shafts may be modified so as to adjust the kick point of the shaft, and organlc reinforcing fibers and matrix serve to dampen vibration, thus improving the feel of the golf club. For example, using a tailored hybrid composite composed of a toughened epoxy matrix stiffened with fifty per cent t50~) by volume aramid and fifty per cent (SO~) by volume graphite/carbon, braided reinforcing strands provide both structural stiffness and vibration damping since Aramid fiber composites have an order of magnitude higher damping ratio than graphite~carbon reinforced composites.
ExamPle Tests conducted by a robotic ~olfer developed the following results:
Using golf heads of exactly the same loft, lie, face angle, roll and bulge, two identical length clubs were built to the same swing weight specification.
The control club used was a standard steel-shafted club. The other club used was the shafted club oE
the present invention as shown in Fig. 1. The most notable difference in the clubs was the use vf the shaft of the present invention for one club~ which yielded a lighter overall weight of that clubo This resulted from the use of a thinner grip and li~hter weight steel shaft.
Using a mechanical golfer and the same standard launch conditions, machine power, and standard test golf balls, a test was conducted where a series o hits were conducted with the shafted club of the present invention and the standard steel control club. The hits were in a face scan sequence where a center hit is performed, then a toe hit, center hit againr then a heel hit, and so on, to create a series of impact points on the test field that show where the golf balls would land if hit on center or off center. The off center hits are important to simulate the tendencies of actual live golfers. The test produced the following results:
. Average Control Club Lateral Deviation with Standard Distance from Center Line Steel Shaft (Yards) _ ~Yards) Center Hit 252 1 Left Toe Hit - 239 19 Right Heel Hit 249 2 IJeft Shafted Average Club of the . ~ateral Deviation Present Distance from Center Line Invention (Yards) _ _~Yards) _ _ Center Hit 254 1 Right Toe Hit 247 12 Right Heel Hit 251 -O-_9_ If a shot pattern "spread" is created by looking at the average lateral aeviation of the shots farthest to the left an~
the distance to average lateral deviations of the shots farthest ~o the right, it is seen that a "spread" for the control club is 21 yards while the spread for the shafted club of the present invention is only 12 yards.
Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, there is shown computer generated elipses on the test field showiny the landing locations from the data that was gathered.
As can be seen by the above information and the test field pictures of Figs. 9 and 10, the shaft of the present invention was substantially more accurate, as well as longer in distance, most notably on the toe hits.
The benefits of the shaft of the present invention when the shell is placed at the butt end of the shaft are as follows:
(1) The shaft of the present invention stif~ens the butt so as to remove unnecessary flex in the butt of the shaft, thus creating a slightly lower flex pdint for better ~eel and higher trajectory.
t2) Achieves the same low torque (2-2.75 per ft. lbs.) as steel shafts for a much lower price than a high modulus graphite composite shaft.
:"~
(3) Allows the use of a softer flex (i.e., lighter) steel shaft that will create the desired stiffer flex after attaching the low density composite material.
reducing vibration and playability of the shaft. This effect is obtained by increasing structural stiffness as well as rein-forcing that particular area of the shaft where the composite shell is located.
For instance, a steel shaft reinforced on the butt end as shown in Fig. 1 would effectively improve the feel by reducing vibrations of the club. Further, it lowers the kick point, thus creating higher trajectories on the golfer's shots. This has long been known to be an area of needed improvement by golfers.
Even though the additional material increases the overall weight of the shaft, a weiqht savings can be achieved with the use of a lightweight grip to fit over the additional material, thus creating standard or lighter-weight shafts, depending on what type of metallic shaft is used.
Fig. 3 shows a modification wherein a hybrid composite shell 17 is secured within the butt end of shaft 1~. In either of the disclosures of Figs. 2 or 3, the results are substantially the same. For purposes of clarity, the club grip is not shown in Fig. 3~
Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown schematically the effect of force F on standard golf shaft 21 having a grip 22~ The club is tested by placing the butt end in clamp 23. With a designated h33~
force F, kick point xl occurs at a particular point on the shaft, as indicated.
Fig. 5 illustrates schematically the same test results using club 13 as modified in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In this case, composite shell 17 has been secured as shown in Fig.
1, extending under grip 19 to the butt end of the club. The force F, which is the same force exerted in the illustration of Fig. 4, shows that kick point K2 has been moved in the direction of the club head by the addition of composite shell 17.
Fig. 6 is a further modification which reduces the weight of the club to compensate for the weight of the composite shell. In this case, diameter 29 of shaft 27 has been reduced substantially a distance equivalent to the width of composite shell 31. This not only compensates for the weight, but also provides a smooth, continuous surface over the shaft itself.
Fig. 7 illustrates the placement of composite web 37 ~urther down the shaft adjacent tne club head. A test of the forces on such a shaft is shown schematically in Fig. 8, wherein the place-ment of web 37 as illustrated in Fig. 7 causes kick point K3 to move in a direction towards the but~ end of the shaftO
As discussed above, the present invention provides a relati-vely economical and weight-saving method in which steel or other metallic shafts may be modified so as to adjust the kick point of the shaft, and organlc reinforcing fibers and matrix serve to dampen vibration, thus improving the feel of the golf club. For example, using a tailored hybrid composite composed of a toughened epoxy matrix stiffened with fifty per cent t50~) by volume aramid and fifty per cent (SO~) by volume graphite/carbon, braided reinforcing strands provide both structural stiffness and vibration damping since Aramid fiber composites have an order of magnitude higher damping ratio than graphite~carbon reinforced composites.
ExamPle Tests conducted by a robotic ~olfer developed the following results:
Using golf heads of exactly the same loft, lie, face angle, roll and bulge, two identical length clubs were built to the same swing weight specification.
The control club used was a standard steel-shafted club. The other club used was the shafted club oE
the present invention as shown in Fig. 1. The most notable difference in the clubs was the use vf the shaft of the present invention for one club~ which yielded a lighter overall weight of that clubo This resulted from the use of a thinner grip and li~hter weight steel shaft.
Using a mechanical golfer and the same standard launch conditions, machine power, and standard test golf balls, a test was conducted where a series o hits were conducted with the shafted club of the present invention and the standard steel control club. The hits were in a face scan sequence where a center hit is performed, then a toe hit, center hit againr then a heel hit, and so on, to create a series of impact points on the test field that show where the golf balls would land if hit on center or off center. The off center hits are important to simulate the tendencies of actual live golfers. The test produced the following results:
. Average Control Club Lateral Deviation with Standard Distance from Center Line Steel Shaft (Yards) _ ~Yards) Center Hit 252 1 Left Toe Hit - 239 19 Right Heel Hit 249 2 IJeft Shafted Average Club of the . ~ateral Deviation Present Distance from Center Line Invention (Yards) _ _~Yards) _ _ Center Hit 254 1 Right Toe Hit 247 12 Right Heel Hit 251 -O-_9_ If a shot pattern "spread" is created by looking at the average lateral aeviation of the shots farthest to the left an~
the distance to average lateral deviations of the shots farthest ~o the right, it is seen that a "spread" for the control club is 21 yards while the spread for the shafted club of the present invention is only 12 yards.
Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, there is shown computer generated elipses on the test field showiny the landing locations from the data that was gathered.
As can be seen by the above information and the test field pictures of Figs. 9 and 10, the shaft of the present invention was substantially more accurate, as well as longer in distance, most notably on the toe hits.
The benefits of the shaft of the present invention when the shell is placed at the butt end of the shaft are as follows:
(1) The shaft of the present invention stif~ens the butt so as to remove unnecessary flex in the butt of the shaft, thus creating a slightly lower flex pdint for better ~eel and higher trajectory.
t2) Achieves the same low torque (2-2.75 per ft. lbs.) as steel shafts for a much lower price than a high modulus graphite composite shaft.
:"~
(3) Allows the use of a softer flex (i.e., lighter) steel shaft that will create the desired stiffer flex after attaching the low density composite material.
(4) Creates larger outside diameter of shaft "butt," thus allowing the use of a lighter, thinner grip to yield standard outside diameter grip sizes. This allows the steel shaft, composite material, and light weight gI.ip to be equal to the weight of a high modulus, low torque, expensive graphite shaft and standard grip.
While a standard grip could be used over the composite shell and still retain the benefits of the shell as discussed above, the reduction of weiyht by using a lighter grip is a definite advan-tage.
The weight of the composite material is from 10 to 15 grams per foot and preferably 13 grams per foot. The length of the material will determine the final weight of tha shell~
The weight of the grip is preferably from 20 to 30 grams.
This is substantially lighter than the weight of the standard grip, which is approximately S2 grams.
3~
EXAMPLE OF WEIGHTS
Weight Shaft of the Present Inventionin Grams Light.Weight Steel Shaft 97 Composite Material 13 Light Weight Grip 39 Weight Expensive GraPhite Shaft in Grams High Modulus Graphite Shaft 98 Standard Grip 52 The above description and drawings are illustrative, only, since modifications could be made without departing from the invention, the scope of which is to be limited only by the following claims.
While a standard grip could be used over the composite shell and still retain the benefits of the shell as discussed above, the reduction of weiyht by using a lighter grip is a definite advan-tage.
The weight of the composite material is from 10 to 15 grams per foot and preferably 13 grams per foot. The length of the material will determine the final weight of tha shell~
The weight of the grip is preferably from 20 to 30 grams.
This is substantially lighter than the weight of the standard grip, which is approximately S2 grams.
3~
EXAMPLE OF WEIGHTS
Weight Shaft of the Present Inventionin Grams Light.Weight Steel Shaft 97 Composite Material 13 Light Weight Grip 39 Weight Expensive GraPhite Shaft in Grams High Modulus Graphite Shaft 98 Standard Grip 52 The above description and drawings are illustrative, only, since modifications could be made without departing from the invention, the scope of which is to be limited only by the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A shaft for a golf club comprising an elongated tubular shaft terminating in a butt end;
and a reinforced polymeric composite shell substantially shorter than said tubular shaft secured at a predetermined location adjacent said tubular shaft.
and a reinforced polymeric composite shell substantially shorter than said tubular shaft secured at a predetermined location adjacent said tubular shaft.
2. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 wherein said tubu-lar shaft is a metal.
3. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 wherein a section of said shaft has a reinforced polymeric composite shell over the tubular shaft which comprises a combination of graphite/carbon and organic or inorganic reinforcing fibers.
4. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 wherein said reinforced polymeric composite shell is molded about said butt end of said tubular shaft.
5. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 2 wherein the out-side diameter of said metal shaft beneath said outer reinforced polymeric composite shell is reduced substantially from the nor-mal outside diameter of a standard metal shaft.
6. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 wherein said rein forced polymeric composite shell is molded about the outer sur-face of said tubular shaft.
7. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 wherein said rein-forced polymeric composite shell is secured to the inner surface of said tubular shaft.
8. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 wherein said rein-forced polymeric composite shell comprises a combination of rein-forcements and a resin matrix.
9. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 wherein a section of said tubular shaft has a reinforced polymeric composite shell over said shaft comprising a combination of organic or inorganic reinforcing fibers.
10. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 4 wherein said shell extends at least six inches from the butt end of said tubular shaft.
11. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 wherein said rein-forced polymeric composite shell is molded substantially adjacent the tip of said tubular shaft.
12. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 2 wherein said metal shaft is steel.
13. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 wherein said rein-forced polymeric composite shell comprises a composite compound composed of a toughened epoxy matrix stiffened with fifty per cent by volume aramid and fifty per cent by volume graphite/carbon braided rein-forcing strands.
14. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 further comprising a grip covering at least a portion of said shell.
15. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 14 wherein said grip weighs from 20 to 39 grams.
16. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 14 wherein said grip weighs from 35 to 37 grams.
17. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 14 wherein the weight of said grip does not exceed 39 grams.
18. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 wherein the weight of said reinforced polymeric composite shell is from 5 to 15 grams per foot.
19. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 wherein the weight of said reinforced polymeric composite shell is 13 grams per foot.
20. The shaft for a golf club of Claim 1 further comprising a golf club head attached to the tip of said tubular shaft.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US33034789A | 1989-03-28 | 1989-03-28 | |
| US330,347 | 1989-03-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2009334A1 true CA2009334A1 (en) | 1990-09-28 |
Family
ID=23289363
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002009334A Abandoned CA2009334A1 (en) | 1989-03-28 | 1990-02-05 | Golf club shaft having selective reinforcement |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU5255690A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2009334A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9005702D0 (en) |
| IT (1) | IT9047718A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA901266B (en) |
-
1990
- 1990-02-05 CA CA002009334A patent/CA2009334A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-02-20 ZA ZA901266A patent/ZA901266B/en unknown
- 1990-03-02 IT IT047718A patent/IT9047718A1/en unknown
- 1990-03-14 GB GB909005702A patent/GB9005702D0/en active Pending
- 1990-04-04 AU AU52556/90A patent/AU5255690A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT9047718A0 (en) | 1990-03-02 |
| ZA901266B (en) | 1990-11-28 |
| GB9005702D0 (en) | 1990-05-09 |
| AU5255690A (en) | 1990-09-27 |
| IT9047718A1 (en) | 1990-09-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |