EP0790847A1 - Attenuation des vibrations - Google Patents

Attenuation des vibrations

Info

Publication number
EP0790847A1
EP0790847A1 EP95901796A EP95901796A EP0790847A1 EP 0790847 A1 EP0790847 A1 EP 0790847A1 EP 95901796 A EP95901796 A EP 95901796A EP 95901796 A EP95901796 A EP 95901796A EP 0790847 A1 EP0790847 A1 EP 0790847A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
handle
combination
damper means
implement
damping device
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP95901796A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0790847A4 (fr
EP0790847B1 (fr
Inventor
Steven C. Sims
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Steven C Sims Inc
Original Assignee
Steven C Sims Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/062,997 external-priority patent/US5362046A/en
Application filed by Steven C Sims Inc filed Critical Steven C Sims Inc
Publication of EP0790847A1 publication Critical patent/EP0790847A1/fr
Publication of EP0790847A4 publication Critical patent/EP0790847A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0790847B1 publication Critical patent/EP0790847B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • A63B60/54—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like with means for damping vibrations

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to novel, improved methods and systems for so damping impact- generated vibrations as to keep those vibrations from discomforting or paining the wielder of an implement in which the vibration originated.
  • This stinging can lead to flinching, an altered grip, and other phenomena which adversely affect a player's performance.
  • the vibrations can also cause serious injury.
  • the stiff graphite and other high tech handles of modern tennis rackets vibrate at high frequencies, and the result is a higher incidence of debilitating tennis elbow.
  • the novel vibration damping systems of the present invention are fabricated from a soft visco- elastic polymer and have a mushroom-like configuration provided by a head and an integral stem.
  • the vibra ⁇ tion damper is attached to or installed in the handle of an implement which can advantageously be subjected to vibration damping.
  • the head and stem of the system are so configured and dimensioned that: (1) the stem can vibrate or oscillate generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the implement handle in any radial direction, and (2) peripheral portions of the damper head can oscillate in directions generally parallel to that axis at any location around the circumference of the damper head.
  • Vibration dampers employing the principles of the present invention have the advantage that harmful vibrations are damped by the dissipation of energy before they can be transmitted to the wielder of the implement. This is particularly important when the impact occurs off center or otherwise outside of the sweet spot of the implement as it is impacts in those locations that typically generate the most detrimental vibrations.
  • the damping devices disclosed herein have the impor ⁇ tant advantage that they in effect significantly increase the sweet spot areas of the implements to which they are attached.
  • novel vibration damping devices dis ⁇ closed herein also have the advantage that they effect to only a minimal extent the natural resonance fre- quencies of the implements with which they are em ⁇ ployed. This is important. The dead and other strange, performance affecting feels attributable to the use of damping devices which do have a significant effect on natural resonance frequencies — for exam- pie, those disclosed in the above-cited patent No. 3,941,380 — are avoided.
  • damping devices are simple and relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • the devices also have the advantage of being versatile in that they can be used to advantage to dampen deleterious vibrations set up in a wide variety of implements.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an energy dissipating, vibration damping device constructed in accord with and embodying the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a section through the handle end of a wooden bat equipped with an energy dissipating device as illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded section through the handle end of a hollow bat equipped with an energy dissipating device embodying the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a section through the handle end of a hollow bat equipped with a third form of energy dissipating device embodying the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a view of the butt end of a tennis racket equipped with an energy dissipating device embodying the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 6 and 7 are sections through the butt ends of tennis rackets equipped with two other forms of energy dissipating devices employing the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 8 is a section through the grip end of a golf club equipped with an energy dissipating device embodying the principles of the invention
  • FIG. 9 is a view showing the movements made by a device as depicted in FIG. 1 in the course of dissipating energy imparted to a bat equipped with the device;
  • FIG. 10 is a graph showing the decay of vibrations set up in a conventional, hollow aluminum bat by an impact on the bat;
  • FIG. 11 is a graph of the character present ⁇ ed as FIG. 10 showing the significant and unexpected ⁇ ly faster rate-of-decay of the impact-generated vibrations set up in a hollow aluminum bat equipped with an accessory embodying the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 12 is a graph showing the decay of vibrations set up in a conventional tennis racket with a graphite handle by an impact on the racket
  • FIG. 13 is a graph of the character present ⁇ ed as FIG. 10 showing the decay of vibrations set up by an impact on a racket of the same type but equipped with a prior art damping device
  • FIG. 14 is a graph like those presented in FIGS. 12 and 13 but showing the significant and unexpectedly faster rate-of-decay of the vibrations set up in a like tennis racket equipped with a vibra ⁇ tion damping accessory embodying the principles of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a vibration damping device 20 embodying the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 depicts a solid, wooden bat 22 of the type used in baseball and softball. This bat is equipped with vibration damping device 20.
  • vibration damping device 20 is attached to the exposed end 24 of the bat handle 26 with an appropriate adhesive 28 such as Super Glue or Adcam 728.
  • Vibration damping device 20 has a mushroom ⁇ like configuration and a T-like cross-section defined by a cylindrical head 30 with an annular, depending, peripheral lip 31 and an integral, also cylindrical stem 32.
  • Vibration damping device 20 is assembled to bat handle 26 with the exposed end 34 of stem 32 adjacent and bonded to the exposed end 24 of bat handle 26.
  • the longitudinal centerline 36 of the vibration damping device is coincident with the longitudinal axis 38 of bat 22.
  • Vibration damping device stem 32 consequently extends in the same direction as the bat, and head 30 is oriented normally to longitudinal centerline 36 of the bat.
  • Vibration damping device 20 is fabricated from a soft, viscoelastic material; i.e., a visco- elastic material with a Shore A hardness in the range of 3 to 20.
  • the preferred elastomer is NAVCOM, a soft, a phorous, rubberlike viscoelastic material available from Vibration Technology Incorporated, Redmond, Washington.
  • NAVCOM contains a mixture of chloroprene and butyl polymers and has the following physical properties:
  • the ratio between the diameter d of vibration damping device head 30 and the length 1 of the relatively short stem 32 is important.
  • the ratio d:l be between 5:1 and 1:1.
  • the illustrated, exemplary vibration damping device 20 is fabricated from the preferred NAVCOM material and has: a head 30 which is 1.6 inch in diameter and 0.25 inch thick, a stem 32 which is 0.178 inch long and 0.5 inch in diameter, and a weight of 4 grams.
  • vibration damping device 20 from a viscoelastic material with a hardness and the relative proportions specified above produces a device which effectively and rapidly dampens vibra ⁇ tions when bat 22 strikes a ball, particularly if the ball is not struck on the "sweet spot" of the bat and 08
  • vibration damping effect is attributable to the dissipation of the energy imparted to bat 22 upon impact by the novel pattern of vibrations thereupon set up in vibration damping device 20 (see FIG. 9) .
  • the stem 32 of vibration damping device 20 can vibrate in directions generally normal to longitu ⁇ dinal axes 36/38 as shown by arrows 40 in any and all directions around the circumference of the stem.
  • the peripheral edge portion 42 of vibration damping device stem 30 can vibrate around the circumference of the head in directions generally paralleling axes 36/38 as indicated by arrows 44.
  • This pattern of oscillatory movement is uniquely different from that of prior art vibration dampers such as the pendulum-like devices disclosed in the in the '380 patent and significantly contributes to the superiority of the novel vibration devices of the present invention.
  • the effectiveness of vibration damping device 20 was confirmed in tests in which bat 22 was suspended and then impacted.
  • Vibrations were detected with a piezoelectric pickup which had a mass of less than two grams and therefore had a negligible effect on the vibrations set up in bat 22.
  • the data acquired by the piezoelectric pickup was processed through a DSP 16 data acquisition system comprising a digital spectrum analyzer and an oscilloscope and employing modified hypersignal software.
  • FIG. 10 shows that large magnitude vibra ⁇ tions persisted in the undamped bat 22 for a period of 100 milliseconds or longer and that vibrations of significant magnitude were still present after a period of 500 milliseconds.
  • vibration damping device 20 has the advan ⁇ tage that it significantly and advantageously increas ⁇ es the area of the bat's sweet spot, again contribut- ing to batting efficiency.
  • vibration damping devices employing the principles of the present invention.
  • One of these is of course the wooden bat 22 just discussed.
  • FIG. 3 depicts a bat 50 of that character as equipped with a device 52 embodying the principles of the present invention for damping vibrations set up by an impact upon bat 50.
  • the bat shown in FIG. 3 has a hollow handle 54, and vibration damping device 52 is installed in the cavity 56 at the exposed end 57 of the handle.
  • Vibration damping device 52 is much like the device 20 of the same character discussed above. It is fabricated of a soft, viscoelastic material such as a NAVCOM; and it has a head 58 and stem 59 with a d:l ratio in the range specified above.
  • a fitting 60 is installed in the hollow handle 54 of bat 50; and vibration damping device 52 is fixed to that fitting as by the illustrated screw 61.
  • Fitting 60 has a trapezoidal section. That section is defined by: (a) a side wall 62 with dimensions and a configuration complementing those of bat handle 54; and (b) a flat, laterally extending, integral support 63 with a centrally located, drilled and tapped, through bore 64.
  • fitting 60 is press fitted into bat handle 54 and retained in place by friction or dimensioned so that the insert can be retained in place by an appropriate adhesive or in any other suitable manner.
  • Vibration damping device 52 is installed in the handle end cavity 56 with: (a) the exposed end 66 of stem 59 seated on the laterally extending component 63 of fitting 60, and (b) a central bore 68 through vibration damping device 52 aligned with the threaded aperture 64 in fitting 60. Screw 61 is then displaced through a central opening 70 in a washerlike rein ⁇ forcement 72 toward the exposed end 66 of vibration damping device stem 59 and threaded through the aperture 64 in fitting 60 to secure vibration damping device 52 in place. The assembly is completed by attaching a cover 74 to the handle 54 of bat 50 to cover the opening 76 in the exposed end 57 of the bat handle.
  • Threads, an adhesive, friction, or any other appropri- ate approach may be employed to hold cap 74 in place.
  • the results of hollow bat time analyses conducted as described above are shown graphically in FIGS. 12 and 13. Larger magnitude vibrations were damped in less than 12 milliseconds in the bat as equipped with the device 52 shown in FIG. 3 whereas they persisted for over three times that long in the undamped bat. Vibrations of significant magnitude persisted over the 100-millisecond duration of the test in the undamped bat but for less than 40 milli- seconds in the damper-equipped bat 50. Again, there ⁇ fore, vibration damping in accord with the principles of the present invention would minimize, if not entirely eliminate, stinging and other unpleasant sensations; reduce fatigue and prevent injury; and make batters more effective by de facto increasing the sweet spot of the bat.
  • FIG. 4 An alternative vibration damper for hollow implements such as Softball and baseball bats is depicted in FIG. 4 and identified by reference charac- ter 80.
  • the vibration damping device 80 is configured and dimen ⁇ sioned like the vibration damping device 52 shown in FIG. 3 but without the central aperture formed in the latter.
  • the vibration damping device is bonded with an appropriate adhesive or in any other suitable manner to a spade-sectioned fitting 82.
  • This fitting has a longitudinally extending stem 84 of essentially the same diameter as vibration damping device stem 59, and it is the exposed ends 66 and 86 of the two stems 59 and 84 which are bonded together.
  • Fitting 82 also has an integral, main body element 88 of circular configuration with a tapered, conical nose section 90. Nose section 90 facilitates the movement of the assembled vibration damper 80 and fitting 82 in the direction indicated by arrow 92 in FIG. 4 to install the vibration damper in the depicted location in the hollow handle 54 of bat 50.
  • fitting 82 has an integral segment 93 which, like side wall 62 of the FIG. 3 fitting 60, is dimen ⁇ sioned and configured for retention in bat handle 54 by friction or an adhesive or in any other desired manner. Fitting 82 will typically be made of a harder material than vibration damping device 80 so that the latter will vibrate in the patterns discussed above and shown in FIG. 9.
  • the opening 76 in the exposed end 57 of bat handle 54 is covered by a cap 74 after the assembly of vibration damping device 80 and fitting 82 is press fitted or otherwise installed in the bat handle.
  • FIG. 5 depicts a tennis racket 100 with a handle 102 having an exposed end portion 104 surrounded by a convention ⁇ al cup-like grip 106 typically fabricated from poly- urethane.
  • a vibration damping device of the character discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 2 and identi- fied by the same reference character 20 is adhesively bonded or otherwise fixed to the end surface 108 of grip 106.
  • Device 20 is provided to dampen vibrations set up in handle 102 when racket 100 strikes a tennis ball.
  • FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 show, in graphical form, the results of time analyses of a graphite racket with: (a) no damping device (FIG. 14) ; (b) a damping device as disclosed in above-discussed patent No. 3,941,380; and (c) damping device 20 adhesively bonded to the exposed end surface 108 of the racket. Both devices proved to have vibration damping capabil- ities (compare FIGS. 15 and 16 with FIG. 14) . Howev ⁇ er, a comparison of FIGS.
  • FIG. 6 depicts yet another specie of the present invention in which impact-attributable vibra ⁇ tions set up in the handle 120 of a tennis racket 122 are damped with a device embodying the principles of the present invention.
  • the particular damping device utilized in this application of the invention general- ly duplicates the damping device 52 depicted in FIG. 3.
  • a longitudinal extending cavity 124 opens onto the exposed end surface 126 of tennis racket handle 120.
  • Vibration damping device 52 is installed in cavity 124 with the exposed end 66 of the damping device stem 59 firmly contacting racket handle 120 at the inner end 128 of the cavity.
  • the screw 61 of the damping device is a conventional wood screw. It is threaded into handle 120 to hold the damping device in place against the tennis racket handle.
  • a grip 106 like that illustrated in FIG. 5 is then installed on the exposed handle end 126 to cover the open end 130 of the damping device-receiving recess 124 and thereby complete the assembly process.
  • FIG. 7 Another, albeit possibly less efficient, arrangement for damping impact-generated vibrations set up in the handle 120 of tennis racket 120 and employing a vibration damper 20 as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • the vibration damping device is fixed by the illustrated band of adhesive 140 to a relatively rigid, cup-shaped damping device support/grip 144.
  • Grip 144 is typically fabricated from a material such as vinyl. It has a side wall segment 146 which surrounds the free or exposed end segment 148 of racket handle 120. It also has an integral, laterally extending segment 150 which spans the open end 130 of cavity 124 and has a central pedestal 152. As shown in FIG. 7, adhesive 140 fastens the exposed end 34 of vibration damping device stem 32 to pedestal 152 with the head 30 of the vibration damping device facing the inner end 128 of cavity 124.
  • the golf club 170 depicted in FIG. 8 is another implement which can advantageously be equipped with a device employing the principles of the present invention to rapidly dampen large magnitude vibrations with the significant and advantageous results dis ⁇ cussed above.
  • Golf club 170 has a conventional, hollow handle 172.
  • the vibration damping device installed in this handle at its exposed or free end 174 is identified by reference character 176.
  • Other major components of the vibration damper-equipped golf club 170 include a conventional grip 178, a grip support 180 which also surrounds and houses vibration damping device 176, and an internally threaded cap or cover 182 at the exposed end 184 of the grip support.
  • the vibration damper 176 illustrated in FIG. 1 The vibration damper 176 illustrated in FIG.
  • the damper 80/82 depicted in FIG. 4. It has: (a) a handle gripping damper support 186 with a tapered or pointed, installation-facilitating nose 188; and (b) an inte ⁇ gral damper 190 of mushroom-like configuration.
  • the damper part of the device has a circular head 192 and a stem 194.
  • stem 194 replaces the two separate stems 59 and 84 of the damper/support system shown in FIG. 4.
  • the integral damper component 190 also has a second, stem 196 longitudinally aligned with stem 194.
  • Stem 196 is capped by a second, laterally extending, circular head 198 disposed in spaced, parallel relationship to head 192.
  • Stems 194 and 196 are both dimensioned and configured for oscillation in the arrow 40 directions (see FIG. 9) .
  • Vibration damper heads 192 and 198 are dimensioned and config ⁇ ured for oscillation in the arrow 44 directions. This provision of multiple, oscillatable heads and stems makes vibration damper component 190 particularly efficient and effective.
  • Vibration damper device 176 is assembled to the hollow shaft 172 of golf club 170 by displacing it in the arrow 200 direction. This displacement is continued until support component 186 is seated in the bore 202 through shaft 172 in longitudinally spaced relationship to the exposed end 174 of the shaft with the heads 192 and 198 of the vibration damper compo ⁇ nent 190 located beyond that shaft end. As discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 4 embodiment of the invention, friction, an adhesive, or any other appro ⁇ priate mechanism can be employed to retain support component 1886in place.
  • the assembling of the vibration damper device 176 to the hollow golf club shaft 172 is followed by the installation of grip support 180.
  • Grip support 180 also has: (a) an integral, laterally extending flange segment 212 which abuts the outer end 174 of golf club shaft 172; and (b) a second, also longitudinally extending and integral, damper housing segment 214 which protrudes beyond the exposed end 174 of the golf club shaft.
  • Integral segment 214 has an outer diame ⁇ ter matching that of the golf club shaft 172, the outer surface 216 of segment 214 consequently consti ⁇ tuting an extension of the outer surface 218 of the shaft. This like diameter extension of hollow shaft 172 afforded by the segment 214 of grip support 180 allows grip 178 to transition smoothly from the shaft to the grip support, making the grip "feel right" to the golfer.
  • annular gap 220 is provided between the peripheries 222 and 224 of damping device heads 192 and 198 and the inner, cylindrical surface 226 of support segment 214. This accommodates the FIG. 9- depicted patterns of oscillation of the heads and damping component stems 194 and 196.
  • cover 182 The assembly process is completed by the installation of cover 182 over the exposed, open end 228 of grip support segment 214.
  • the illustrated, exemplary cover 182 has a laterally extending, domed segment 230 and an internally threaded, cylindrical side wall segment 232.
  • Cover 182 is screwed onto the externally threaded, free end segment 234 of grip support segment 214 until the exposed end 236 of cover side wall 232 reaches the exposed end 238 of grip 178 and the domed segment 230 of the cap is seated on the exposed end 184 of the grip support segment 214.
  • the invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from the spirit or essential charac- teristics of the invention.
  • devices with even more than two stems and heads can be employed; and it is not necessary that the device be located at the end of the implement handle.
  • the present embodi ⁇ ments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
  • the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Vibration Prevention Devices (AREA)
  • Golf Clubs (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne des dispositifs (20) d'atténuation des vibrations efficaces, légers et de petite taille qui sont destinés à des articles devant subir des chocs. Ces dispositifs d'atténuation comportent une tête (30) et une base (32) réalisés dans un matériau élastomère souple. La base est capable d'osciller sur un arc de 360 degrés dans des directions globalement perpendiculaires à l'axe longitudinal du dispositif. La partie périphérique de la tête peut osciller autour de sa circonférence dans des directions globalement parallèles audit axe.
EP95901796A 1993-05-17 1994-11-07 Attenuation des vibrations Expired - Lifetime EP0790847B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/062,997 US5362046A (en) 1993-05-17 1993-05-17 Vibration damping
CA002204762A CA2204762C (fr) 1993-05-17 1994-11-07 Attenuation des vibrations
PCT/US1994/012784 WO1996014108A1 (fr) 1993-05-17 1994-11-07 Attenuation des vibrations

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0790847A1 true EP0790847A1 (fr) 1997-08-27
EP0790847A4 EP0790847A4 (fr) 2000-02-23
EP0790847B1 EP0790847B1 (fr) 2006-06-14

Family

ID=27170363

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95901796A Expired - Lifetime EP0790847B1 (fr) 1993-05-17 1994-11-07 Attenuation des vibrations

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0790847B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1996014108A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3941380A (en) * 1972-07-31 1976-03-02 Patentex S.A. Tennis rackets and similar implements with vibration damper
US4765620A (en) * 1987-01-16 1988-08-23 Spalding & Evenflo Companies, Inc. Racket vibration dampener combined with grommet strip
EP0291434A1 (fr) * 1987-05-13 1988-11-17 Louis Boschian Perfectionnement aux atténuateurs de vibrations pour raquettes de tennis
EP0441971A1 (fr) * 1989-08-28 1991-08-21 Toray Industries, Inc. Articles de sport et materiau amortissant les chocs applique sur les articles de sport

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3704121A1 (de) * 1986-02-19 1987-08-20 Nippon Musical Instruments Mfg Schwingungsabsorber fuer ein rakett
BE1000688A6 (fr) * 1987-07-14 1989-03-14 Donnay Donnay S A Ets Poignee de raquette.
JPH04263876A (ja) * 1991-02-18 1992-09-18 Toray Ind Inc グリップエンド、それを装着したスポーツ用具、自転車および工具

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3941380A (en) * 1972-07-31 1976-03-02 Patentex S.A. Tennis rackets and similar implements with vibration damper
US4765620A (en) * 1987-01-16 1988-08-23 Spalding & Evenflo Companies, Inc. Racket vibration dampener combined with grommet strip
EP0291434A1 (fr) * 1987-05-13 1988-11-17 Louis Boschian Perfectionnement aux atténuateurs de vibrations pour raquettes de tennis
EP0441971A1 (fr) * 1989-08-28 1991-08-21 Toray Industries, Inc. Articles de sport et materiau amortissant les chocs applique sur les articles de sport

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 017, no. 052 (C-1022), 2 February 1993 (1993-02-02) & JP 04 263876 A (TORAY IND INC), 18 September 1992 (1992-09-18) *
See also references of WO9614108A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1996014108A1 (fr) 1996-05-17
EP0790847A4 (fr) 2000-02-23
EP0790847B1 (fr) 2006-06-14

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