CA2013994A1 - Lightweight steel golf shaft - Google Patents
Lightweight steel golf shaftInfo
- Publication number
- CA2013994A1 CA2013994A1 CA002013994A CA2013994A CA2013994A1 CA 2013994 A1 CA2013994 A1 CA 2013994A1 CA 002013994 A CA002013994 A CA 002013994A CA 2013994 A CA2013994 A CA 2013994A CA 2013994 A1 CA2013994 A1 CA 2013994A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- steps
- inches
- sets
- butt
- 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
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/12—Metallic shafts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/06—Handles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/06—Handles
- A63B60/08—Handles characterised by the material
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/06—Handles
- A63B60/10—Handles with means for indicating correct holding positions
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Golf Clubs (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved steel golf shaft formed in a generally cylindrical configuration with a tip end and a butt end, the shaft having a central aperture extending axially the entire length thereof, three sets of steps continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt end to the tip end, the steps of the central set being spaced from each other by a distance greater than the distance between the steps of the other sets. Also disclosed are the matched sets of clubs, woods and irons, employing such shafts as well as their methods of fabrication.
An improved steel golf shaft formed in a generally cylindrical configuration with a tip end and a butt end, the shaft having a central aperture extending axially the entire length thereof, three sets of steps continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt end to the tip end, the steps of the central set being spaced from each other by a distance greater than the distance between the steps of the other sets. Also disclosed are the matched sets of clubs, woods and irons, employing such shafts as well as their methods of fabrication.
Description
Backqround Of The Invention This invention relates to lightweight steel golf shafts and, more particularly, to golf clubs having lightweight steel shafts with a plurality of step~ arranged in ~ets along the lengths of the ~haft~ and to their methods of fabrication.
E~ e~ Of The Backqround Alt In the game of golf, a player holds a club at a grip at the upper or butt end and 6wings it 80 that the head at the lower or tip end hits a ball to propel it toward a hole. The game of golf ha~ been played for hundreds of years and has produced numerous technical advancements in the ball, the golf course, and the club in an effort to lower scores and add to the en~oyment of the game. One area of particular importance is the golf club shaft, the part of the club between the grip and the head.
A large number of shaft improvements relate to materials. Shafts have been fabricated of materials ~uch as wood, steel, glass, etc. as well a~ more complex and expensive composite graphite materials. Advancements in materials allow for proper strength, weight, flexibility, torque, etc.
Mechanical advancements have also been made to promote proper shaft performance. Consider shaft BiZe, length, diameter, thickness, taper, weight distribution and steps. Steps .. ,~ .,~ . ., , ~ O. .
. . . . .. .... .. .
. . .: .
:
....
- - : . ..
. : : : : ~
-~ 3 ~
have been long utilized for ~tengthening shafts along their lengths to compensate for material and weight reduction. Such stepped shafts, however, generally employ a limited number of steps spaced along the length for strengthening purposes. They are ~ot, however, arranged in sets with pluralities of steps in each set in the manner a~ set forth herein for controlling the regions of torque abatement and flexibility enhancement.
While these prior art approaches discussed above, as well as the prior art patent referred to in the Information Di~closure Statement of this application, describe advantages in golf club shaft constructions, none discloses the structure by which applicant's invention may be utilized to optimize golf ~haft design and performance for lower scores and greater en~oyment during a golf game.
As illustrated by a great number of prior patents and known techniques, efforts are continuously being made in an attempt to improve golf shafts and render their use more efficient, convenient, reliable and economical. None of these previous efforts, however, provides the benefits attendant with the present invention. Additionally, prior techniques do n~ot suggest the pre~ent inventive combination of component elements as disclosed and claimed herein. The present invention achieves its intended purposes, ob~ectives and advantages over the prior art devices through a new, useful and unobvious golf shaft which '5~
is 6imple to u~e, with the utilization of a minimum number of component parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only readily available materials.
Although many ~uch advances are noteworthy to one extent or another, none achieves the ob~ectives of an efficient, reliable, inexpensive, golf shaft designed to accommodate the needs of a full range of clubs.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to pxovide an improved golf club comprising a head section with a grip thereon, a tip section with a head thereon, and a shaft therebetween, the shaft being formed of a plurality of ~ets of 6tep6 along its length with decreasing diameters from the head 6ection to the tip ~ection, the sets of steps being spaced from each other and from the ends of the shaft.
It is another object of this invention to step golf club shaft6 for creating 6tiff and flexible sections designed to accommodate the intended movement of the golf club shaft during a player'6 ~wing.
It is a further ob~ect of the invention to abate torque in golf club shafts during a player's swing.
Lastly, it is an ob~ect of the present invention to engineer golf club~ to produce the intended action and convert the movement of a player' 8 hands, arms and body to the action of t the golf club head during the hitting of the ball.
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The foregoing ha~ outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the di~closed invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other ob~ects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention i~ defined by the appended claims with the specific embodiment shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention may be inco~porated into an improved golf club shaft formed of steel in a generally cylindrical configuration with a tip end and a butt end and a central aperture extending axially the entire length thereof. A plurality of ~ets of steps are formed on the shaft continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt end to the tip end. About 5-1/4 inche~ to about 8-3/4 inches of the upper 6haft ad~acent to the butt end and about 9-1/2 inches to about 12 inches of the lower shaft ad~acent the tip end are of a common exterior diameter. The shaft has three spaced sets of steps and four un-stepped regions. The ~teps of the central region are spaced greater than the steps ad~acent to the ends of the shaft. The set of steps constitutes between about 16-1/4 inches and 20 inches of the length of the shaft.
~he regions between the stepped sections constitute between about 6 inches of the length of the shaft. The shaft weighs between about 3.81 and 4.00 ounces. The shaft has a thickness of about 0.016 inche~ to about 0.020 inches ad~acent to its ends and about 0.014 inchQs therebetween.
The invention may also be incorporated into an improved steel golf shaft formed in a generally cylindrical ~ 3 ~ 3 r configuration with a tip end and a butt end, the shaft having a centrai aperture extendinq axially the entire length thereof, three set~ of steps continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt end to the tip end, the ~teps of the central set being spaced from each other by a distance greater than the distance between the steps of the other sets.
La~tly, the invention may be incorporated into an improved golf club comprising a head section with a grip thereon, a tip section with a head thereon, and a shaft therebetween, the 6haft being formed of a plurality of sets of steps along its length with decreasing diameters from the head section to the tip section, the sets of steps being spaced from each other and from the ends of the shaft.
The foregoing ha~ outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood 80 that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the sub~ect of the claim~ of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific ~mbodiment may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out ~he same purposes of ~ 3~
the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the 8pirit and ~cope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims~
. ~ ~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
_ For a fuller understanding of the nature and ob~ects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in con~unction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a golf clu~ employing a shaft constructed in accordance with a primary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the shaft shown in Figure 1.
Figures 3, 4, and 5 are plan views similar to Figure 2 buS showing alternate shaft constructions.
Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2.
Figures 7 and 8 are graphs of the results of tests performed with irons, comparing shafts of the present invention (Figure 7) with those of conventional shafts (Figure 8).
Figures 9 and 10 are graphs of the results of tests similar to Figures 7 and 8 but of tests performed with woods, comparing the shaft of the present invention (Figure 9) with those of conventional woods (Figure 10).
Similar referenced character~ refer to similar parts throughout ~he several Figures.
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E~ e~ Of The Backqround Alt In the game of golf, a player holds a club at a grip at the upper or butt end and 6wings it 80 that the head at the lower or tip end hits a ball to propel it toward a hole. The game of golf ha~ been played for hundreds of years and has produced numerous technical advancements in the ball, the golf course, and the club in an effort to lower scores and add to the en~oyment of the game. One area of particular importance is the golf club shaft, the part of the club between the grip and the head.
A large number of shaft improvements relate to materials. Shafts have been fabricated of materials ~uch as wood, steel, glass, etc. as well a~ more complex and expensive composite graphite materials. Advancements in materials allow for proper strength, weight, flexibility, torque, etc.
Mechanical advancements have also been made to promote proper shaft performance. Consider shaft BiZe, length, diameter, thickness, taper, weight distribution and steps. Steps .. ,~ .,~ . ., , ~ O. .
. . . . .. .... .. .
. . .: .
:
....
- - : . ..
. : : : : ~
-~ 3 ~
have been long utilized for ~tengthening shafts along their lengths to compensate for material and weight reduction. Such stepped shafts, however, generally employ a limited number of steps spaced along the length for strengthening purposes. They are ~ot, however, arranged in sets with pluralities of steps in each set in the manner a~ set forth herein for controlling the regions of torque abatement and flexibility enhancement.
While these prior art approaches discussed above, as well as the prior art patent referred to in the Information Di~closure Statement of this application, describe advantages in golf club shaft constructions, none discloses the structure by which applicant's invention may be utilized to optimize golf ~haft design and performance for lower scores and greater en~oyment during a golf game.
As illustrated by a great number of prior patents and known techniques, efforts are continuously being made in an attempt to improve golf shafts and render their use more efficient, convenient, reliable and economical. None of these previous efforts, however, provides the benefits attendant with the present invention. Additionally, prior techniques do n~ot suggest the pre~ent inventive combination of component elements as disclosed and claimed herein. The present invention achieves its intended purposes, ob~ectives and advantages over the prior art devices through a new, useful and unobvious golf shaft which '5~
is 6imple to u~e, with the utilization of a minimum number of component parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only readily available materials.
Although many ~uch advances are noteworthy to one extent or another, none achieves the ob~ectives of an efficient, reliable, inexpensive, golf shaft designed to accommodate the needs of a full range of clubs.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to pxovide an improved golf club comprising a head section with a grip thereon, a tip section with a head thereon, and a shaft therebetween, the shaft being formed of a plurality of ~ets of 6tep6 along its length with decreasing diameters from the head 6ection to the tip ~ection, the sets of steps being spaced from each other and from the ends of the shaft.
It is another object of this invention to step golf club shaft6 for creating 6tiff and flexible sections designed to accommodate the intended movement of the golf club shaft during a player'6 ~wing.
It is a further ob~ect of the invention to abate torque in golf club shafts during a player's swing.
Lastly, it is an ob~ect of the present invention to engineer golf club~ to produce the intended action and convert the movement of a player' 8 hands, arms and body to the action of t the golf club head during the hitting of the ball.
' ' , . , ~ ,:
i rJ
The foregoing ha~ outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the di~closed invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other ob~ects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
.: . . ~ . . : :
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~ i . ~ v 3 ~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention i~ defined by the appended claims with the specific embodiment shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention may be inco~porated into an improved golf club shaft formed of steel in a generally cylindrical configuration with a tip end and a butt end and a central aperture extending axially the entire length thereof. A plurality of ~ets of steps are formed on the shaft continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt end to the tip end. About 5-1/4 inche~ to about 8-3/4 inches of the upper 6haft ad~acent to the butt end and about 9-1/2 inches to about 12 inches of the lower shaft ad~acent the tip end are of a common exterior diameter. The shaft has three spaced sets of steps and four un-stepped regions. The ~teps of the central region are spaced greater than the steps ad~acent to the ends of the shaft. The set of steps constitutes between about 16-1/4 inches and 20 inches of the length of the shaft.
~he regions between the stepped sections constitute between about 6 inches of the length of the shaft. The shaft weighs between about 3.81 and 4.00 ounces. The shaft has a thickness of about 0.016 inche~ to about 0.020 inches ad~acent to its ends and about 0.014 inchQs therebetween.
The invention may also be incorporated into an improved steel golf shaft formed in a generally cylindrical ~ 3 ~ 3 r configuration with a tip end and a butt end, the shaft having a centrai aperture extendinq axially the entire length thereof, three set~ of steps continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt end to the tip end, the ~teps of the central set being spaced from each other by a distance greater than the distance between the steps of the other sets.
La~tly, the invention may be incorporated into an improved golf club comprising a head section with a grip thereon, a tip section with a head thereon, and a shaft therebetween, the 6haft being formed of a plurality of sets of steps along its length with decreasing diameters from the head section to the tip section, the sets of steps being spaced from each other and from the ends of the shaft.
The foregoing ha~ outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood 80 that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the sub~ect of the claim~ of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific ~mbodiment may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out ~he same purposes of ~ 3~
the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the 8pirit and ~cope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims~
. ~ ~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
_ For a fuller understanding of the nature and ob~ects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in con~unction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a golf clu~ employing a shaft constructed in accordance with a primary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the shaft shown in Figure 1.
Figures 3, 4, and 5 are plan views similar to Figure 2 buS showing alternate shaft constructions.
Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2.
Figures 7 and 8 are graphs of the results of tests performed with irons, comparing shafts of the present invention (Figure 7) with those of conventional shafts (Figure 8).
Figures 9 and 10 are graphs of the results of tests similar to Figures 7 and 8 but of tests performed with woods, comparing the shaft of the present invention (Figure 9) with those of conventional woods (Figure 10).
Similar referenced character~ refer to similar parts throughout ~he several Figures.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INV~NTION
Shown in Figure 1 is a golf club 10 having a grip 12 and head 14 coupled by a shaft 16 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The shaft of Figures 1 and 2 i6 for an iron club of regular flexibility. The upper or butt section 18 is 5-1/4 inches in length and 0.625 inches in exterior diameter. This second section or upper stepped section 20 is 3-1/2 inches in length with steps 22 of 1/2 inch whereby the shaft decreases to 0.620, 0.615, 0.610, 0.605, 0.600, 0.595 and 0.590 inches in exterior diameters. The upper interior un-stepped section 24 is 2-1/2 inches in length and has an exterior diameter of 0.580 ~nches. The central stepped section 26 is 11-1/4 inches in length with a plurality of widely spaced 6teps 28 of 1-1/4 inch at 0.565, 0.550, 0.535, 0.515, 0.495, 0.475, 0.460, 0.445 and 0.430 inches in exterior diameter.
The next section is the lower interior un-stepped section 30 which i8 of a length of 3-1/2 inches at an exterior diameter of 0.415 inches. Next comes the lower stepped section 32 which is 1-1/2 inches in length. The diameters of the steps 34 are 0.400, 0.390 and 0.380 inches, closely 6paced steps as in the upper stepped section 20. For aesthetic purposes this lower stepped ~ection is provided with silk screen rings 38 at its extremitie~.
~astly, the lower~or stepped section is 11-1/2 inches in length ~`
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with a common exterior diameter of 0.370 inches ending in a lower or tip 6ection 42 for coupling with head 44.
The shaft 16 iB fabricated of steel in a generally cylindrical configuration with a central aperture extending axially through the entire lenqth thereof. The shaft is lightweight, about 3.87 ounces, plus or minus 1/8 ounce. The wall has a thickness of about 0.016 inches at the butt section 16 and 0.020 inches ad~acent to the tip ~ection 42 for greater rigidity but a thickness of about 0.014 inches therebetween for reduced weight.
The ~haft is formed with three sets of steps at sections 20, 26 and 32, continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt section 18 to the tip section 42. At least about 5-1/4 inches of the shaft ad~acent the butt end and about 11-1/2 inches of the shaft ad~acent the tip end are not stepped and are of a common diameter internally and externally~ The stepped sections con6titute about 16-1/4 inches of the length of the shaft whereas the un-stepped sections between the stepped sections constitute about 6 inche~ of the shaft.
The Figure 3 shaft is also a shaft for an iron club. It is of an identical construction to the Figure 2 shaft 1, 2 ~
except that the tip section is 2 inches shorter and the butt section i~ 2 inches longer. The weight i~ 4.00 ounces plu8 or minus 1/8 ounce. This effectively creates a stiffer shaft.
Shown in Figure 4 i8 a shaft 46 also consSructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The shaft of Figure 4 i~ for a wood club of regular flexibility. The upper or butt section 48 i8 7 inches in length and 0.625 inches in exterior diameter. This second section or upper stepped section 50 i8 3-1/2 inches in length with steps 52 whereby the shaft decreases to 0.620, 0.515, 0.610, 0.605, 0.600, 0.595, 0.590 and 0.585 inches in exterior diameters. The upper interior un-stepped section 54 is 2-1/2 inches in length and has the exterior diameter of 0.580 inches. The central stepped section 56 i8 15 inches in length with a plurality of widely spaced steps 58 at 0.565, 0.550, 0.535, 0.520, 0.505, 0.490, 0.475, 0,460, 0.4~5, 0.430, 0.415 and 0.400 inches in exterior diameter. The next section is the lower interior un-stepped section 60 which i~
of a length of 3-1/2 inches at an exterior diameter of 0.385 inches. Next comes the lower stepped fiection 62 which is l-l/2 inches in length. The diameters of the steps 64 are 0.370, 0.355, and 0.345 inqhes, closely spaced steps as $n the upper stepped section 50. For aesthetic purposes this lower stepped BeCtion i8 provided with silk screen rings 38 at its extremities.
~astly, the lower or stepped section is 12 inches in length with -- 11 -- ~
:' $~ ! ' ' , . 7. t ' : ' ' '. "' ".' ': ' :
a common exterior diameter of 0.335 inches ending in a lower or tip section 72.
The shaft 46 i5 also fabricated of steel in a generally cylindrical configuration with a centsal aperture extending axially through the entire length thereof. The shaft is lightweight, about 3.87 ounces, plus or minus 1/8 ounce. The wall has a thickness of abaut 0.016 inches at the butt section 76 and and a thickness of about 0.020 inches ad~acent to the tip section 42 for greater rigidity but a thickness of about 0.014 inches therebetween for reduced weight.
The shaft 46 is formed with three sets of steps at 6ection 50, 56 and 62, continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt section 48 to the tip ~ection 72. At least about 7 inches of the 6haft ad~acent to the butt end and about 12 inches of the 6haft adjacent the tip end are not stepped and are of a common diameter internally and externally. The stepped sections constitute about 20 inches of the length of the shaft whereas the un-stepped sections between the stepped sections constitute about 55-1/2 percent of the shaft.
The Figure 5 shaft 46 is also a shaft for a wood club. It is of an identical construction to the Figure 4 shaft except that the tip section is 1-3/4 inches shorter while the butt section iB 1-3~4 inches longer. The weight i6 4.00 ounce~
plus or minu~ 1/8 ounce. Thi~ effectively creates a ~tiffer shaft.
Greater detail of the 6haft can be seen with reference to the cross-~ectional illustration in Figure 6. Each 6tep~reduces the diameter of the shaft interiorly and exteriorly in the direction from the butt end to the tip end. At each step, the shaft is formed with curves forming a smooth radius during the conventional fabrication technique.
Golf clubs provided with shafts in accordance with the present invention are lightweight steel golf shafts with a slightly larger and stiffer butt than standard to remove the flex from the butt area of the shaft and to create more kick lower in the shaft for ea~e in launching the ball. The shaft tip is not designed with a small weak tip that would create unwanted whipiness. In fabricating a matched set of clubs, the shafts as described above are cut or trimmed from the tip end to an appropriate amount to couple with appropriate heads 14 for creating ma~ched sets of clubs. The progressively trimmed shaft tips create a matched set of golf shafts which 8110w the long irons to have more kick than conventionally designed steel~
shafts, the mid irons somewhat more kick than conventionally designed steel shafts, and the short irons an average amount of kick when compared to conventional steel shafts.
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The same tip trLmming concept i8 used to also fabricate a matched set of shafts for golf woods. The longest wood has the most kick, the next longest has the next most kick, etc. while the shortest wood is more conventional in its kick.
U~ing golf clubs with exactly the ~ame loft, lie, length, and swing weight on the irons and the exact same loft, lie, face angle, roll, bulge length, and swing weight on the woods, a test was conducted with a robotic golfer to determine any difference in performance comparing the shaft of the present invention against a control of the most popular weight steel shaft.
The same power source, swing speed, set up and 6tandard test balls were used. A serie~ of face scanning hits were performed in a center hit, toe hit, center hit, heel hit, etc. sequence to show the scatter of shots that would occur from these different types of hits that would simulate the tendencies of live golfers.
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The test re~ults are as follows:
Gontrol Club with Standard Steel Shaft Avg. Lateral Deviation #5 Iron Distance from Center Line (Yds.) Center Hit 166 .5 left Toe Hit 162 .8 right Heel Hit 161 3.6 left Present Invention #5 Iron Center Hit 169 .1 right Toe Hit 165 1.3 right Heel Hit 164 .45 left Control Club with Standard Steel Shaft #l Wood Center Hit 250 1.4 right Toe Hit 236 18.6 right Heel Hit 250 7.7 left Present Invention ~1 Wood Center Hit 256 1.5 left Toe Hit 247 6.3 right Heel Hit 253 3.8 left As we can see from the distance results, the #5 iron of the present invention outdistanced the control #5 iron by
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INV~NTION
Shown in Figure 1 is a golf club 10 having a grip 12 and head 14 coupled by a shaft 16 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The shaft of Figures 1 and 2 i6 for an iron club of regular flexibility. The upper or butt section 18 is 5-1/4 inches in length and 0.625 inches in exterior diameter. This second section or upper stepped section 20 is 3-1/2 inches in length with steps 22 of 1/2 inch whereby the shaft decreases to 0.620, 0.615, 0.610, 0.605, 0.600, 0.595 and 0.590 inches in exterior diameters. The upper interior un-stepped section 24 is 2-1/2 inches in length and has an exterior diameter of 0.580 ~nches. The central stepped section 26 is 11-1/4 inches in length with a plurality of widely spaced 6teps 28 of 1-1/4 inch at 0.565, 0.550, 0.535, 0.515, 0.495, 0.475, 0.460, 0.445 and 0.430 inches in exterior diameter.
The next section is the lower interior un-stepped section 30 which i8 of a length of 3-1/2 inches at an exterior diameter of 0.415 inches. Next comes the lower stepped section 32 which is 1-1/2 inches in length. The diameters of the steps 34 are 0.400, 0.390 and 0.380 inches, closely 6paced steps as in the upper stepped section 20. For aesthetic purposes this lower stepped ~ection is provided with silk screen rings 38 at its extremitie~.
~astly, the lower~or stepped section is 11-1/2 inches in length ~`
_ g _ 2 ~
with a common exterior diameter of 0.370 inches ending in a lower or tip 6ection 42 for coupling with head 44.
The shaft 16 iB fabricated of steel in a generally cylindrical configuration with a central aperture extending axially through the entire lenqth thereof. The shaft is lightweight, about 3.87 ounces, plus or minus 1/8 ounce. The wall has a thickness of about 0.016 inches at the butt section 16 and 0.020 inches ad~acent to the tip ~ection 42 for greater rigidity but a thickness of about 0.014 inches therebetween for reduced weight.
The ~haft is formed with three sets of steps at sections 20, 26 and 32, continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt section 18 to the tip section 42. At least about 5-1/4 inches of the shaft ad~acent the butt end and about 11-1/2 inches of the shaft ad~acent the tip end are not stepped and are of a common diameter internally and externally~ The stepped sections con6titute about 16-1/4 inches of the length of the shaft whereas the un-stepped sections between the stepped sections constitute about 6 inche~ of the shaft.
The Figure 3 shaft is also a shaft for an iron club. It is of an identical construction to the Figure 2 shaft 1, 2 ~
except that the tip section is 2 inches shorter and the butt section i~ 2 inches longer. The weight i~ 4.00 ounces plu8 or minus 1/8 ounce. This effectively creates a stiffer shaft.
Shown in Figure 4 i8 a shaft 46 also consSructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The shaft of Figure 4 i~ for a wood club of regular flexibility. The upper or butt section 48 i8 7 inches in length and 0.625 inches in exterior diameter. This second section or upper stepped section 50 i8 3-1/2 inches in length with steps 52 whereby the shaft decreases to 0.620, 0.515, 0.610, 0.605, 0.600, 0.595, 0.590 and 0.585 inches in exterior diameters. The upper interior un-stepped section 54 is 2-1/2 inches in length and has the exterior diameter of 0.580 inches. The central stepped section 56 i8 15 inches in length with a plurality of widely spaced steps 58 at 0.565, 0.550, 0.535, 0.520, 0.505, 0.490, 0.475, 0,460, 0.4~5, 0.430, 0.415 and 0.400 inches in exterior diameter. The next section is the lower interior un-stepped section 60 which i~
of a length of 3-1/2 inches at an exterior diameter of 0.385 inches. Next comes the lower stepped fiection 62 which is l-l/2 inches in length. The diameters of the steps 64 are 0.370, 0.355, and 0.345 inqhes, closely spaced steps as $n the upper stepped section 50. For aesthetic purposes this lower stepped BeCtion i8 provided with silk screen rings 38 at its extremities.
~astly, the lower or stepped section is 12 inches in length with -- 11 -- ~
:' $~ ! ' ' , . 7. t ' : ' ' '. "' ".' ': ' :
a common exterior diameter of 0.335 inches ending in a lower or tip section 72.
The shaft 46 i5 also fabricated of steel in a generally cylindrical configuration with a centsal aperture extending axially through the entire length thereof. The shaft is lightweight, about 3.87 ounces, plus or minus 1/8 ounce. The wall has a thickness of abaut 0.016 inches at the butt section 76 and and a thickness of about 0.020 inches ad~acent to the tip section 42 for greater rigidity but a thickness of about 0.014 inches therebetween for reduced weight.
The shaft 46 is formed with three sets of steps at 6ection 50, 56 and 62, continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt section 48 to the tip ~ection 72. At least about 7 inches of the 6haft ad~acent to the butt end and about 12 inches of the 6haft adjacent the tip end are not stepped and are of a common diameter internally and externally. The stepped sections constitute about 20 inches of the length of the shaft whereas the un-stepped sections between the stepped sections constitute about 55-1/2 percent of the shaft.
The Figure 5 shaft 46 is also a shaft for a wood club. It is of an identical construction to the Figure 4 shaft except that the tip section is 1-3/4 inches shorter while the butt section iB 1-3~4 inches longer. The weight i6 4.00 ounce~
plus or minu~ 1/8 ounce. Thi~ effectively creates a ~tiffer shaft.
Greater detail of the 6haft can be seen with reference to the cross-~ectional illustration in Figure 6. Each 6tep~reduces the diameter of the shaft interiorly and exteriorly in the direction from the butt end to the tip end. At each step, the shaft is formed with curves forming a smooth radius during the conventional fabrication technique.
Golf clubs provided with shafts in accordance with the present invention are lightweight steel golf shafts with a slightly larger and stiffer butt than standard to remove the flex from the butt area of the shaft and to create more kick lower in the shaft for ea~e in launching the ball. The shaft tip is not designed with a small weak tip that would create unwanted whipiness. In fabricating a matched set of clubs, the shafts as described above are cut or trimmed from the tip end to an appropriate amount to couple with appropriate heads 14 for creating ma~ched sets of clubs. The progressively trimmed shaft tips create a matched set of golf shafts which 8110w the long irons to have more kick than conventionally designed steel~
shafts, the mid irons somewhat more kick than conventionally designed steel shafts, and the short irons an average amount of kick when compared to conventional steel shafts.
: ' `: `: :: : :
:: . - :
The same tip trLmming concept i8 used to also fabricate a matched set of shafts for golf woods. The longest wood has the most kick, the next longest has the next most kick, etc. while the shortest wood is more conventional in its kick.
U~ing golf clubs with exactly the ~ame loft, lie, length, and swing weight on the irons and the exact same loft, lie, face angle, roll, bulge length, and swing weight on the woods, a test was conducted with a robotic golfer to determine any difference in performance comparing the shaft of the present invention against a control of the most popular weight steel shaft.
The same power source, swing speed, set up and 6tandard test balls were used. A serie~ of face scanning hits were performed in a center hit, toe hit, center hit, heel hit, etc. sequence to show the scatter of shots that would occur from these different types of hits that would simulate the tendencies of live golfers.
- 14 _ :~. ` ` - . . ' :
':` ' ' - . ~ : ' ~ . ~ ' ' -::
The test re~ults are as follows:
Gontrol Club with Standard Steel Shaft Avg. Lateral Deviation #5 Iron Distance from Center Line (Yds.) Center Hit 166 .5 left Toe Hit 162 .8 right Heel Hit 161 3.6 left Present Invention #5 Iron Center Hit 169 .1 right Toe Hit 165 1.3 right Heel Hit 164 .45 left Control Club with Standard Steel Shaft #l Wood Center Hit 250 1.4 right Toe Hit 236 18.6 right Heel Hit 250 7.7 left Present Invention ~1 Wood Center Hit 256 1.5 left Toe Hit 247 6.3 right Heel Hit 253 3.8 left As we can see from the distance results, the #5 iron of the present invention outdistanced the control #5 iron by
3 yards on each impact point on the club face. The "spread,~
average farthest shot left added to the average farthest shot right, is shown to be 4.4 yards for the control club versus'a much tighter or more accurate shot by 1.75 yards for the #5 lron of the present invention. The wood club results show greater di~tance produced ~ the shafted club of the present invention by . , : :
3 to 11 yards, depending on the impart point on the club face.
The ~spread~ for the control club is 26.3 yards ver~us a very much tighter 10.1 yards with the shafted wood of the pre~ent invention.
Computer generated elipses are attached to show the landing locations of the golf balls hit by each club. ~H", "T", and "C" indicate the landing areas of the balls hit on the heel, toe and center of the head, respectively. The larger the elipses, the less accurate the club hits were. The larger the spread of sll the elipses together, the less accurate the club hits were.
The data and the elipses both clearly 6how that the shafted clubs of the present invention were longer and more accurate in producing their hits.
The shaft is lightweight to create easier swings and increased club head speed. The club's overall weight is nearly as light as a club with a high modulus graphite shaft due to a ~oint usage of the present inventive lightweight shaft and a lighter than conventional weight grip. Even with the lighter overall weight, conventional swing weight~ are achieved.
The butt of a shaft of the present invention is firmer than conventional shafts to remove any unnecessary flex in the hands area, thus creating a slightly lower flex point without the need for a whippy flexible tip design.
The long iron shafts are designed to have the most 2Q~ 3~
amount of kick to aid in achieving proper ball tra~ectory, while the mid-irons exhibit some increased kirk and the short irons, the scoring clubs, yield firmer more conventional feel.
The shaft of the pre~ent invention has been proven to be slightly longer in carry than conventional shafts but its greater attribute i8 its extreme accuracy versus standard steel and even the expensive high modulus graphite shafts. ~he landing area from balls hit with shafts of the pre~ent invention are half that of other conventional shafts.
The herein described lightweight steel golf shafts may be used in any golf clubs. Superior results are realized during use. Particularly superior results are realized when the herein described shafts are used with golf clubs having the grip as set forth in my co-pending U. S. Patent Application Serial Number (Attorney Docket Number P-2907) filed concurrently herewith.
The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description.
Although this invention has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and c,ombination and arrangement of parts may be - . :
:: . . , 2 ~
re~orted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Now that the invention has been described, '
average farthest shot left added to the average farthest shot right, is shown to be 4.4 yards for the control club versus'a much tighter or more accurate shot by 1.75 yards for the #5 lron of the present invention. The wood club results show greater di~tance produced ~ the shafted club of the present invention by . , : :
3 to 11 yards, depending on the impart point on the club face.
The ~spread~ for the control club is 26.3 yards ver~us a very much tighter 10.1 yards with the shafted wood of the pre~ent invention.
Computer generated elipses are attached to show the landing locations of the golf balls hit by each club. ~H", "T", and "C" indicate the landing areas of the balls hit on the heel, toe and center of the head, respectively. The larger the elipses, the less accurate the club hits were. The larger the spread of sll the elipses together, the less accurate the club hits were.
The data and the elipses both clearly 6how that the shafted clubs of the present invention were longer and more accurate in producing their hits.
The shaft is lightweight to create easier swings and increased club head speed. The club's overall weight is nearly as light as a club with a high modulus graphite shaft due to a ~oint usage of the present inventive lightweight shaft and a lighter than conventional weight grip. Even with the lighter overall weight, conventional swing weight~ are achieved.
The butt of a shaft of the present invention is firmer than conventional shafts to remove any unnecessary flex in the hands area, thus creating a slightly lower flex point without the need for a whippy flexible tip design.
The long iron shafts are designed to have the most 2Q~ 3~
amount of kick to aid in achieving proper ball tra~ectory, while the mid-irons exhibit some increased kirk and the short irons, the scoring clubs, yield firmer more conventional feel.
The shaft of the pre~ent invention has been proven to be slightly longer in carry than conventional shafts but its greater attribute i8 its extreme accuracy versus standard steel and even the expensive high modulus graphite shafts. ~he landing area from balls hit with shafts of the pre~ent invention are half that of other conventional shafts.
The herein described lightweight steel golf shafts may be used in any golf clubs. Superior results are realized during use. Particularly superior results are realized when the herein described shafts are used with golf clubs having the grip as set forth in my co-pending U. S. Patent Application Serial Number (Attorney Docket Number P-2907) filed concurrently herewith.
The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description.
Although this invention has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and c,ombination and arrangement of parts may be - . :
:: . . , 2 ~
re~orted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Now that the invention has been described, '
Claims (15)
1. A golf club shaft formed of steel in a generally cylindrical configuration with a tip end and a butt end, the shaft having a central aperture extending axially the entire length thereof, a plurality of sets of steps formed on the shaft continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt end to the tip end, with about 5-1/4 inches to about 8-3/4 inches of the upper shaft adjacent to the butt end and with about 9-1/2 inches to about 12 inches of the lower shaft adjacent the tip end being of a common exterior diameter.
2. The shaft as set forth in Claim 1 wherein the shaft has three spaced sets of steps and four un-stepped regions.
3. The shaft as set forth in Claim 2 wherein steps of the central region are spaced greater than the steps adjacent to the ends of the shaft.
4. The shaft as set forth in Claim 3 wherein the sets of steps constitutes between about 16-1/4 inches and about 20 inches of the length of the shaft.
5. The shaft as set forth in Claim 4 wherein the regions between the stepped sections constitute between about 6 inches of the length of the shaft.
6. The shaft as set forth in Claim 1 wherein the shaft weighs between about 3.87 and 4.00 ounces plus or minus 1/8 ounce.
7. The shaft as set forth in Claim 6 wherein the shaft has a thickness of about 0.016 inches adjacent to its butt end and about 0.020 inches adjacent to its tip end and about 0.014 inches therebetween.
8. A steel golf shaft formed in a generally cylindrical configuration with a tip end and a butt end, the shaft having a central aperture extending axially the entire length thereof, three sets of steps continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt end to the tip end, the steps of the central set being spaced from each other by a distance greater than the distance between the steps of the other sets.
9. A golf club comprising a butt section with a grip thereon, a tip section with a head thereon and, therebetween a shaft formed in a generally cylindrical configuration with a tip end and a butt end, the shaft having a central aperture extending axially the entire length thereof with three sets of steps continuously decreasing in diameter externally and internally from the butt end to the tip end, the steps of the central set being spaced from each other by a distance greater than the distance between the steps of the other sets.
10. A matched set of golf clubs each club of the set comprising a butt section with a grip thereon, a tip section with a head thereon, and a shaft therebetween, each shaft being formed with a plurality of sets of steps along its length with decreasing diameters from the butt section to the tip section, the sets of steps being spaced from each other and from the ends of the shaft, the shaft of each club being formed from shafts of a common size and configuration but trimmed to different lengths at the tip section.
11. The matched set of golf clubs as set forth in claim 10 wherein the clubs are irons.
12. The matched set of golf clubs as set forth in claim 11 wherein the clubs are woods.
13. The method of fabricating a matched set of golf clubs comprising the steps of:
a) providing a plurality of shafts of a common length and configuration, each shaft having a plurality of steps along is length decreasing in diameter from its butt end to its tip end;
b) trimming each shaft from its tip end to a different length; and c) adding a different head to each trimmed shaft.
a) providing a plurality of shafts of a common length and configuration, each shaft having a plurality of steps along is length decreasing in diameter from its butt end to its tip end;
b) trimming each shaft from its tip end to a different length; and c) adding a different head to each trimmed shaft.
14. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the clubs are irons.
15. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the clubs are woods.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US33533589A | 1989-04-10 | 1989-04-10 | |
| US335,335 | 1989-04-10 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2013994A1 true CA2013994A1 (en) | 1990-10-10 |
Family
ID=23311348
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002013994A Abandoned CA2013994A1 (en) | 1989-04-10 | 1990-04-05 | Lightweight steel golf shaft |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0363076A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU5306890A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2013994A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2232605A (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2157329A1 (en) * | 1994-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | William H. Bolton | Golf club shaft with multiple kick points |
| US5685781A (en) * | 1996-02-20 | 1997-11-11 | Swix Sport A/S | Golf club shaft |
| JP2013248165A (en) * | 2012-05-31 | 2013-12-12 | Dunlop Sports Co Ltd | Steel shaft for golf club |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB389353A (en) * | 1932-04-15 | 1933-03-16 | American Fork & Hoe Co | Improvements in golf club shafts |
| JPS5347132A (en) * | 1976-10-13 | 1978-04-27 | Hitachi Construction Machinery | Control method of facing stability of tunnel excavator |
| US4169595A (en) * | 1977-01-19 | 1979-10-02 | Brunswick Corporation | Light weight golf club shaft |
| US4288075A (en) * | 1979-08-27 | 1981-09-08 | Brunswick Corporation | Ultra light weight golf club shaft |
| GB2090536B (en) * | 1981-01-02 | 1984-10-10 | Acushnet Co | Golf club shaft |
-
1990
- 1990-04-05 CA CA002013994A patent/CA2013994A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-04-09 GB GB9008040A patent/GB2232605A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1990-04-09 AU AU53068/90A patent/AU5306890A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-04-10 JP JP2093301A patent/JPH0363076A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9008040D0 (en) | 1990-06-06 |
| JPH0363076A (en) | 1991-03-19 |
| GB2232605A (en) | 1990-12-19 |
| AU5306890A (en) | 1990-10-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |