JP2016523683A - Constructed golf club and shaft for consistent club gapping - Google Patents

Abstract

Some embodiments include a set of golf club shafts configured for consistent club gapping. Other embodiments for related golf club shafts and golf clubs and related methods are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 61 / 845,765, filed July 12, 2013. US Provisional Application No. 61 / 845,765 is hereby incorporated by reference.

  The present disclosure relates generally to sports equipment and more specifically to golf club shafts and golf clubs and related methods.

  Many people have consistent flight distances between golf shots hit with adjacent iron or hybrid type golf clubs (eg, 5 iron type golf clubs versus 6 iron type golf clubs). Experience difficulties in achieving (ie gap). This difficulty may be more pronounced when using longer iron or hybrid type golf clubs with smaller loft angles.

  In order to facilitate further description of these embodiments, the following drawings have been prepared.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary golf club shaft of one embodiment. FIG.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club shaft of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a base end side of the golf club shaft of FIG. 1 in the embodiment of FIG.

It is sectional drawing of the base end side of another golf club shaft of another embodiment.

It is the schematic which shows the golf club of another embodiment.

It is a side view of the set of the golf club of another embodiment.

It is a flowchart which shows the example procedure which implement | achieves the set of a golf club.

  For ease of illustration and clarity, the drawings illustrate a general fabrication scheme, and well-known features and technical descriptions and details may be omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure. In addition, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, some dimensions of those elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to enhance the understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference numbers in different figures represent the same element.

  In the description and claims, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, and like terms are used to distinguish similar elements and are not necessarily Not used to describe a sequential or temporal order. The terms used in this manner are in a different order than the embodiments described herein are illustrated, for example, or described in any other way. It will be understood that it can be exchanged under appropriate circumstances so that operation is possible. Furthermore, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “having”, and terms of these variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, whereby a process comprising a series of elements, A method, system, article, device, or apparatus is not necessarily limited to those elements, and is explicitly listed or unique to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus. Other elements may be included.

  In the description and claims, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “top”, “bottom”, and similar terms are for descriptive purposes. Used, not necessarily to describe a permanent relative position. The terminology thus used is an embodiment of the apparatus, method, and / or article described herein, for example, illustrated herein or described in some other way. It will be understood that it can be exchanged under appropriate circumstances so that a different orientation of operation is possible.

  “Coupled”, “coupled”, “coupled”, “joining”, and like terms should be understood in a broad sense, and two and more elements are mechanically and / or Or to connect in some other way. Two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled together, but not electrically or in some other way together. Coupling may be for any length of time, for example only permanently or semi-permanently or only for a short time. “Mechanical coupling” and similar terms are to be understood in a broad sense and include all types of mechanical coupling.

  There is no word “removably”, “removable”, and similar words that are close to the word “combined”, and similar words are removable, focused, combined, etc. Does not mean that it is or is not removable.

  As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” when they are made of the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” when each consists of a different piece of material.

  As defined herein, “about”, “approximately” means in some embodiments within ± 10% of the stated value. In other embodiments, “about” can mean within ± 5% of the stated value. In a further embodiment, “about” may mean within ± 3% of the stated value. In still other embodiments, “about” can mean within ± 1% of the stated value. The manufacturing apparatus, manufacturing method, and manufactured product described in this specification are not limited to this point.

  Various embodiments include a set of shafts for a golf club. The set of shafts may include two or more shafts each configured for an iron type, wedge type, or hybrid type golf club having different loft angles. Each shaft of the set of shafts may include a long body, a tip, a proximal end, a midpoint, and a center of gravity. The long body can extend between the distal end and the proximal end. The center of gravity may be located at a first distance from the midpoint. The first distance may be about 6.0% or more of the second distance from the midpoint to the proximal end. The center of gravity can be located closer to the proximal end than the distal end.

  Many embodiments include a set of golf clubs. A set of golf clubs may include two or more golf clubs, each of which is an iron type, wedge type, or hybrid type golf club having different loft angles. Each golf club in the set of golf clubs may include a shaft. The shaft may include a long body, a tip, a proximal end, a midpoint between the distal and proximal ends, and a center of gravity. The long body can extend between the distal end and the proximal end. The center of gravity may be located at a first distance from the midpoint. The first distance may be about 6.0% or more of the second distance from the midpoint to the proximal end. The center of gravity can be located closer to the proximal end than the distal end.

  Some embodiments may include a method. The method can include providing a set of golf clubs. A set of golf clubs may include two or more golf clubs, each of which is an iron type, wedge type, or hybrid type golf club having different loft angles. Each golf club in the set of golf clubs may include a shaft. The shaft can include a long body, a tip, a proximal end, a midpoint, and a center of gravity. The long body can extend between the distal end and the proximal end. The center of gravity may be located at a first distance from the midpoint. The first distance may be about 6.0% or more of the second distance from the midpoint to the proximal end. The center of gravity can be located closer to the proximal end than the distal end.

  Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a shaft 100 according to one embodiment. The shaft 100 is merely an example, and shaft embodiments are not limited to the embodiments presented herein. The shaft may be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically shown or described herein.

  The shaft 100 may be a long body and may have a distal end 101 and a proximal end 102. The long body can extend between the distal end and the proximal end. The shaft 100 can have a shaft length 107. In various embodiments, the shaft 100 may have a midpoint 103 such that a half-length distance 108 from the midpoint 103 to the proximal end 102 is ½ of the shaft length 107. The midpoint 103 can bisect the shaft 100 into a distal end side 104 and a proximal end side 105.

  In some embodiments, the shaft 100 may have a center of gravity 106 that is located closer to the proximal end 102 than the distal end 101. The center of gravity 106 may be disposed along the proximal side 105 between the midpoint 103 and the proximal end 102. In particular, the center of gravity 106 may be located at a distance 109 from the midpoint 103 so that the shaft 100 has a high center of gravity. In many embodiments, the distance 109 may be about 6.0% or more of the half-length distance 108. In further embodiments, the distance 109 may be greater than or equal to about 9.0% of the half-length distance 108. In still further embodiments, the distance 109 may be about 11.0% or more of the half-length distance 108. For example, the distance 109 is about 6.0%, 6.5%, 7.0%, 7.5%, 8.0%, 8.5%, 9.0% of the half length distance 108, 9.5%, 10.0%, 10.5%, 11.5%, 12.0%, 12.5%, 13.0%, 13.5%, 14.0%, 14.5%, Alternatively, it may be 15.0% or more. As the distance 109 increases by a percentage of the half-length distance 108, the center of gravity 106 is positioned closer to the proximal end 102.

  Further referring to the drawings, FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal end side of the shaft 100. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the proximal end side of the shaft 100. The shaft 100 can comprise a tubular wall surrounding the hollow core. As shown in FIG. 2, at the tip of the shaft 100, the wall 201 may surround the hollow core 202, and the shaft 100 may have a tip outer diameter 203 and a tip inner diameter 204. The wall 201 may have a thickness 205 at the tip. At the proximal end of the shaft 100, as shown in FIG. 3, the wall 301 may surround the hollow core 302, and the shaft 100 may have a proximal outer diameter 303 and a proximal inner diameter 304. The wall 301 may have a thickness 305 at the proximal end. The walls of the shaft 100 (eg 201, 301) may be made of steel. The wall thickness may increase from the distal end to the proximal end so that the thickness 301 of the wall 301 at the proximal end 102 (FIG. 1) is greater than the thickness 205 at the distal end 201. In many embodiments, the wall thickness may gradually increase at a uniform rate as it moves from the distal end 101 (FIG. 1) to the proximal end 102 (FIG. 1). In other embodiments, the wall thickness may increase at a non-uniform rate as it moves from the distal end 101 (FIG. 1) to the proximal end 102 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, in each cross section of shaft 100, the wall can have a substantially uniform thickness. In many embodiments, the tip outer diameter 203 may be in the range of about 0.325 to 0.380 inches. Proximal outer diameter 303 may be in the range of about 0.560 to 0.630 inches. In further embodiments, the shaft 100 may have a wall thickness that varies from 0.008 to 0.030 inches, for example when the shaft 100 is steel. In some embodiments, the thickness 205 of the tip 101 (FIG. 1) may be in the range of about 0.008 to 0.018 inches, and the thickness 305 of the proximal end 102 (FIG. 1) is It may be in the range of about 0.015 to 0.030 inches. For example, the thickness 205 of the distal end 101 (FIG. 1) may be about 0.010 inches and the thickness 305 of the proximal end 102 (FIG. 1) may be about 0.025 inches. In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the shaft 100 may decrease as it moves from the proximal end 102 (FIG. 1) toward the distal end 101 (FIG. 1), but attaches to the club head hosel. It may be thicker within a few inches of the tip 102 to increase structural support. By making the wall thickness thicker at the proximal end 105 (FIG. 1) than at the distal end 104 (FIG. 1), the center of gravity of the steel shaft 100 is positioned closer to the proximal end 102 (FIG. 1). obtain.

  Alternatively or in addition, the shaft can be made of graphite (eg, carbon fiber), glass fiber, and / or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the shaft may be fabricated from a lower density material such as carbon fiber or glass fiber and impregnated with a higher density heavy material such as steel or tungsten. The density of the carbon fibers can be in the range of about 1.0 to 2.0 grams per cubic centimeter. The density of the glass fibers can be in the range of about 1.5 to 3.0 grams per cubic centimeter. The density of the steel can be in the range of about 7.5 to 8.2 grams per cubic centimeter. The density of tungsten can be in the range of about 14 to 19 grams per cubic centimeter.

  For example, FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the proximal side of the shaft 400 according to one embodiment. The shaft 400 may be similar to the shaft 100 (FIGS. 1-3), and the various components and / or structure of the shaft 400 may be the same as the various components of the shaft 100. The shaft 400 can comprise a tubular wall surrounding the hollow core. At the proximal end of the shaft 400, as shown in FIG. 4, the wall 401 may surround the hollow core 402 and the shaft 400 may have a proximal outer diameter 403 and a proximal inner diameter 404. The wall 401 may have a thickness 405 at the proximal end. The tip of the shaft 400 may be similar to the tip of the shaft 100, as shown in FIG. 2, and the thickness of the wall 401 is substantially uniform from the proximal end to the distal end, thereby increasing the thickness. The length 405 may be the same as the thickness of the tip of the shaft 400. Other embodiments of shaft 400 and graphite shaft may have a wall thickness in the range of about 0.010 to 0.100 inches. The wall 401 of the shaft 400 is made of carbon fiber and can be impregnated with a heavy material such as tungsten between the midpoint and the proximal end on the proximal side of the shaft 400. Heavy materials such as tungsten may have a higher density than carbon fibers. In some embodiments, the heavy material may be impregnated in the shaft 400 so that the density of the shaft 400 gradually increases from the tip to the base, or at least from the midpoint to the base. Can do. By using a heavy material impregnated on the proximal side of the shaft 400, the center of gravity of the shaft 400 can be positioned closer to the proximal end. In many embodiments, the center of gravity of the shaft is determined by changing the shaft density without adding weight to the outside of the shaft proximal side or to the hollow core of the shaft proximal side and / or the wall thickness of the shaft. It can be positioned closer to the proximal end by changing the height.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a golf club 500 according to one embodiment. Golf club 500 is merely an example, and golf club embodiments are not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Golf clubs may be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically shown or described herein.

  The golf club 500 may include a club head 501, a shaft 503, and a grip 506. The shaft 503 may be similar or identical to the shaft 100 (FIGS. 1-3) and / or the shaft 400 (FIG. 4), and the various components and / or structures of the shaft 503 may include the shaft 100 and It may be the same as the various components of the shaft 400. The golf club 500 generally has a swing weight, which is a predetermined felt weight of the club when shaken. The swing weight of the golf club 500 can be measured by determining the net moment of the golf club 500 about the pivot point 512 on the fulcrum 505. The pivot point 512 may be at a distance 508 from the base end of the club. Distance 508 is defined as 14.0 inches relative to the Lloythmic swingweight scale. The club head 501 can place a center of gravity 502 at a distance 509 from the pivot point 512. The shaft 503 may place a center of gravity 504 at a distance 510 from the pivot point 512. The grip 506 may place a center of gravity 507 at a distance 511 from the pivot point 512. The weight of each golf club component (ie, club head 501, shaft 503, and grip 506) can affect the swing weight of the golf club 500. Further, the distance of the center of gravity from the pivot point for each component (ie, the distance 509 to the center of gravity 502 of the club head 501, the distance 510 to the center of gravity 504 of the shaft 503, and the distance 511 to the center of gravity 507 of the grip 506). Can affect swing weight. In other words, the swing weight can be changed by changing the weight of the club head 501, shaft 504, and / or grip 506, or by moving the center of gravity of the club head 501, shaft 504, and / or grip 506. it can. For example, the swing weight can be changed by increasing the length of the golf club 500 so as to increase the distance 509 and moving the center of gravity 502. The length of the shaft 503 and / or the length of the assembled golf club 500 can thereby affect the swing weight. Swing weight measurements, which can be measured in in-oz units, can be converted to alphanumeric combinations as shown in Table 1.

表1.スウィングウェイトの変換

Table 1. Swing weight conversion

  Still referring to the drawings, FIG. 6 shows a set of golf clubs 600. The set of golf clubs 600 is merely an example, and the embodiments of the set of golf clubs are not limited to the embodiments presented herein. A set of golf clubs may be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically shown or described herein.

  The set of golf clubs 600 includes three golf clubs 610, 620, and 630, each of which can be a different one of an iron type golf club. Each golf club (eg, 610, 620, or 630) in the set of golf clubs 600 may be similar or identical to golf club 500 (FIG. 5), and each golf club (eg, 610, 620, 630) may be the same as the various components of the golf club 500. Each golf club in the set of golf clubs 600 may include a shaft, a club head, and a grip. For example, the golf club 610 may include a shaft 611, a club head 612 having a face 613, and a grip 614. Golf club 620 may include a shaft 621, a club head 622 having a face 623, and a grip 624. Golf club 630 may include a shaft 631, a club head 632 having a face 633, and a grip 634. The shafts 611, 621, and / or 631 may be similar or identical to the shaft 100 (FIGS. 1-3) and / or the shaft 400 (FIG. 4), and the shafts 611, 621, and / or The various components and / or structures of 631 may be similar or identical to the various components of shaft 100 and / or shaft 400. Each golf club (eg, 610, 620, 630) has a separate club number associated with the loft angle of the face (eg, 613, 623, 633) of the club head (eg, 612, 622, 632). Can do. The club count can be used to identify a particular golf club in a set having a predetermined degree of loft. Club counts for iron-type golf clubs are from 1 to 9, and may include wedges such as pitching wedges (PW), utility wedges (UW), sand wedges (SW), and lob wedges (LW). Although the exact loft angle may be slightly different in various embodiments, the face loft angle may be converted to club count as shown in Table 2.

表2.アイアンタイプのクラブ番手およびロフト角

Table 2. Iron type club count and loft angle

  For example, the face 613 of the golf club 610 has a loft angle of 20 degrees and is a 3 iron, and the face 623 of the golf club 620 has a loft angle of 26 degrees and is a 5 iron. The face 633 of 630 has a loft angle of 32 degrees and may be a 7 iron. A shaft configured for a golf club having a particular club count can have a corresponding shaft count. In addition to changing loft angles, in many embodiments, iron-type golf clubs with lower loft angles may have a greater length than iron-type golf clubs with higher loft angles. Accordingly, lower count clubs are often referred to as long irons and higher count clubs are often referred to as short irons. In some embodiments, the set of golf clubs may include a hybrid type golf club. Although the club number of a hybrid type golf club is often specified by the loft angle, each hybrid type golf club can have an equivalent iron type club number as shown in Table 3 . For purposes of this description, a hybrid type golf club is designated by an equivalent iron type club number. For example, a No. 2 hybrid type golf club indicates a hybrid type club head having a loft angle of 17 degrees.

表3.ハイブリッドタイプのクラブ番手およびロフト角

Table 3. Hybrid type club number and loft angle

  Different club counts can be used to hit the golf ball at different distances. Lower club counts can be used to hit longer shots and higher club counts can be used to hit shorter shots. By using substantially the same swing in different clubs, various iron type golf clubs can be used to achieve different distances. However, many people are not good at achieving consistent changes in distance when using adjacent iron-type golf clubs. For example, many players prefer to increase the flight distance for a shot by 10-15 yards each time the club count drops. Depending on the player, this gap is often most difficult to achieve with long iron type golf clubs, such as 3 iron type to 7 iron type golf clubs. For example, the distance between shots using 3 iron type and 4 iron type golf clubs is between shots using short iron type golf clubs, such as 8 iron type and 9 iron type golf clubs. Cannot be as clear or consistent as the distance. Determining which club to use at long distances can be difficult because it is difficult to achieve consistent club gapping.

  In some embodiments, a set of golf clubs creates a greater difference in length between golf clubs of different club counts and / or greater weight of the club head of a golf club of different club counts It can be optimized for consistent club gapping by making a difference. Adding weight to the club head can increase the momentum of the club head, thereby increasing the energy transferred to the ball after contact. Similarly, increasing the length of the golf club can increase the speed of the club head, thereby increasing the energy transferred to the ball after contact. However, increasing the weight of the club head and / or increasing the length of the golf club can affect the swing weight, and many players maintain the same feel of swing between clubs. In order to prefer a consistent swing weight across a set of iron-type golf clubs. In various embodiments, shifting the weight toward the proximal end of the golf club offsets the increased weight of the club head and / or the increased length of the golf club, thereby providing a consistent swing weight. Can be maintained. In some embodiments, the weight of some club heads in a set of golf clubs can be increased and the length of the golf clubs in the set of golf clubs can be kept the same length. In other embodiments, the length of several golf clubs in a set of golf clubs can be increased and the weight of the club heads in the set of golf clubs can be kept the same. In further embodiments, the weight of some club heads can be increased and the length of some club heads can be increased. In many embodiments, the swing weight can be maintained by moving the center of gravity of the shaft toward the proximal end.

  For example, Table 4 shows data for an exemplary set of steel shafts according to one embodiment, where two or more shafts have a high center of gravity (ie, the center of gravity is towards the proximal end). Has been moved). The described length can be in the range of about ± 0.125 inches. The described weight can be in the range of about ± 3.6 grams. The center of gravity is positioned on the proximal side of the shaft, the distance from the center of gravity to the midpoint is identified, and the distance is further identified as a percentage of the half length of the shaft.

表4.高い重心を有する例示的なスチールシャフト

Table 4. Example steel shaft with high center of gravity

  Table 5 shows data for an exemplary set of graphite shafts, according to one embodiment, where two or more shafts have a high center of gravity. The described length can be in the range of about ± 0.125 inches. The described weight can be in the range of about ± 3.6 grams. The center of gravity is positioned on the proximal side of the shaft, the distance from the center of gravity to the midpoint is identified, and the distance is further identified as a percentage of the length of the shaft.

表5.高い重心を有する例示的なグラファイトシャフト

Table 5. Exemplary graphite shaft with high center of gravity

  In some embodiments, the set of shafts may include two or more shafts each configured for an iron type, wedge type, or hybrid type golf club having different loft angles. For example, the two or more shafts include a first shaft configured for a 4 iron type golf club, a second shaft configured for a pitching wedge type golf club, and a 3 hybrid type. And a third shaft configured for the other golf club. In some embodiments, two or more shafts may each be configured for different golf clubs ranging from a 1 iron type golf club to a 9 iron type golf club. For example, the two or more shafts may include a first shaft configured for a 3 iron type golf club, a second shaft configured for a 4 iron type golf club, and a 5 iron. And a third shaft configured for a type of golf club. In some other embodiments, two or more shafts may be configured for one or more iron type golf clubs and one or more wedge type golf clubs. For example, the two or more shafts may include a first shaft configured for a 5-iron type golf club and a second shaft configured for a sand wedge type golf club. In a further embodiment, the two or more shafts may each be configured for different golf clubs within a range from a No. 2 hybrid type golf club to a No. 5 hybrid type golf club. For example, the two or more shafts may include a first shaft configured for a No. 2 hybrid type golf club, a second shaft configured for a No. 3 hybrid type golf club, and a No. 4 hybrid. And a third shaft configured for a type of golf club.

  Each shaft (eg, shaft 611 (FIG. 6), shaft 621 (FIG. 6), or shaft 631 (FIG. 6)) is identical to shaft 100 (FIGS. 1-3) and / or shaft 400 (FIG. 4). Or may be substantially similar, and the various components and / or structures of the shaft may be the same as the various components of shaft 100 and / or shaft 400. In particular, each shaft may be a long body having a distal end, a proximal end, a midpoint, and a center of gravity, and the long body may extend between the distal end and the proximal end. The center of gravity is located closer to the base end than the tip, and the center of gravity can be a distance from the midpoint that is about 6.0% or more of half the length of the shaft. As explained above, in other embodiments, the distance from the center of gravity to the midpoint is about 6.0%, 6.5%, 7.0%, 7.5 of half the length of the shaft. %, 8.0%, 8.5%, 9.0%, 9.5%, 10.0%, 10.5%, 11.5%, 12.0%, 12.5%, 13.0 %, 13.5%, 14.0%, 14.5%, or 15.0% or more. In some embodiments, the set of shafts may include more than two shafts, each having a different loft angle. In other embodiments, the set of shafts may include four or more shafts, each having a different loft angle. In further embodiments, the set of shafts may include five or more shafts, each having a different loft angle.

  For example, for a steel shaft described in Table 4, the set of shafts may include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or even 8 shafts, each having a high center of gravity. In particular, the distance from the center of gravity within each shaft of the set of shafts to the midpoint is about 12.0% or more of the half length of the shaft. In some embodiments, two or more shafts may be configured for any iron type golf club number including a wedge (eg, PW, UW, SW, LW). In other embodiments, the two or more shafts may each be configured only for a 1 iron type to 9 iron type golf club. In particular, two or more shafts may be configured only for iron-type golf clubs having loft angles of about 40 degrees or less in some embodiments. In various embodiments, the two or more shafts are each configured for a different one of the iron type golf clubs in the range from a 1 iron type to a 9 iron type golf club, for example, Golf club from No. 1 iron type to No. 7 iron type Golf club from No. 1 iron type to No. 5 iron type Golf club from No. 1 iron type to No. 3 iron type, No. 2 iron type to No. 7 iron Golf clubs up to type, golf clubs from 2 iron type to 5 iron type, golf clubs from 2 iron type to 3 iron type, golf clubs from 3 iron type to 9 iron type, 3rd Golf golf from iron type to 6 iron type Golf club from No. 3 iron type to No. 4 iron type Golf club from No. 4 iron type to No. 8 iron type Golf club from No. 4 iron type to No. 6 iron type From No. 5 iron type to 7 It may be configured for golf clubs up to iron type, or another suitable range of iron type golf clubs.

  In some embodiments, one or more of the shafts configured for an iron-type golf club is provided with a fully untrimmed length and is high as described above. It may have a center of gravity characteristic. In other embodiments, one or more of the shafts may be provided with a full trimmed length for a golf club and have a high center of gravity characteristic as described above. In some embodiments, each shaft is incorporated into a golf club with a trimmed length and may have a high center of gravity characteristic as described above. When assembled into a set of golf clubs, the shaft can have a standard length or can be lengthened or shortened, such as for tall or short people. Table 6 shows data for an exemplary steel shaft assembled in a golf club trimmed to a standard length. Table 7 shows data for an exemplary steel shaft assembled in a golf club trimmed to a length one inch longer than the standard length. Table 8 shows data for an exemplary steel shaft assembled in a golf club trimmed to a length 2 inches longer than the standard length. Table 9 shows data for an exemplary steel shaft assembled in a golf club trimmed to a length that is 1 inch shorter than the standard length. Table 10 shows data for an exemplary steel shaft assembled in a golf club trimmed to a length that is 2 inches shorter than the standard length. In each case, the set of shafts can have a high center of gravity characteristic, as described above.

表6.標準的な長さのクラブに対してトリムされた例示的な高い重心を持つスチールシャフト

Table 6. Exemplary high center of gravity steel shaft trimmed against a standard length club

表7.標準的な長さよりも1インチ長いクラブに対してトリムされた例示的な高い重心を持つスチールシャフト

Table 7. Exemplary high center of gravity steel shaft trimmed for clubs 1 inch longer than standard length

表8.標準的な長さよりも2インチ長いクラブに対してトリムされた例示的な高い重心を持つスチールシャフト

Table 8. Steel shaft with exemplary high center of gravity trimmed for clubs 2 inches longer than standard length

表9.標準的な長さよりも1インチ短いクラブに対してトリムされた例示的な高い重心を持つスチールシャフト

Table 9. Steel shaft with exemplary high center of gravity trimmed for clubs 1 inch shorter than standard length

表10.標準的な長さよりも2インチ短いクラブに対してトリムされた例示的な高い重心を持つスチールシャフト

Table 10. Exemplary high center of gravity steel shaft trimmed for clubs 2 inches shorter than standard length

  In some embodiments, the set of golf clubs may include two or more golf clubs, each of which is an iron type, wedge type, or hybrid type golf club having different loft angles. For example, the two or more golf clubs may include a 4 iron type golf club, a pitching wedge type golf club, and a 3 hybrid type golf club. In some embodiments, the two or more shafts may each be a different golf club ranging from a 1 iron type golf club to a 9 iron type golf club. For example, the two or more golf clubs may include a 3-iron type golf club, a 4-iron type golf club, and a 5-iron type golf club. In some other embodiments, the two or more golf clubs may be one or more iron type golf clubs and one or more wedge type golf clubs. For example, the two or more golf clubs may include a 5-iron type golf club and a sand wedge type golf club. In further embodiments, the two or more golf clubs may each be a different golf club within a range from a No. 2 hybrid type golf club to a No. 5 hybrid type golf club. For example, the two or more golf clubs may include a No. 2 hybrid type golf club, a No. 3 hybrid type golf club, and a No. 4 hybrid type golf club.

  The set of golf clubs may be the same as or substantially similar to the set of golf clubs 600 (FIG. 6), and the various components and / or structures of the set of golf clubs may be different. It may be the same as the various components of the set. Each golf club may be the same as or substantially similar to golf club 500 (FIG. 5), and the various components and / or structures of the golf club may differ from the various components of golf club 500. It may be the same. In particular, each golf club of the set of golf clubs can include a shaft. The shaft may be the same as or substantially similar to shaft 100 (FIGS. 1-3) and / or shaft 400 (FIG. 4), and the various components and / or structures of the shaft may be 100 and / or various components of shaft 400 may be the same. As explained above, each shaft may be a long body having a distal end, a proximal end, a midpoint, and a center of gravity, where the long body extends between the distal end and the proximal end. obtain. The center of gravity is located closer to the base end than the tip, and the center of gravity can be a distance from the midpoint that is about 6.0% or more of half the length of the shaft. As explained above, in other embodiments, the distance from the center of gravity to the midpoint is about 6.0%, 6.5%, 7.0%, 7.5 of half the length of the shaft. %, 8.0%, 8.5%, 9.0%, 9.5%, 10.0%, 10.5%, 11.5%, 12.0%, 12.5%, 13.0 %, 13.5%, 14.0%, 14.5%, or 15.0% or more. In some embodiments, a set of golf clubs may include three or more golf clubs, each having a different loft angle. In other embodiments, the set of golf clubs may include four or more golf clubs, each having a different loft angle. In further embodiments, the set of golf clubs may include five or more golf clubs each having a different loft angle.

  A set of golf clubs may include two or more golf clubs, each having a shaft with a high center of gravity, as described above. In some embodiments, the two or more golf clubs may be any iron type club number including a wedge (eg, PW, UW, SW, LW). In other embodiments, the two or more golf clubs may each be a 1 iron type to a 9 iron type golf club, and may be limited to clubs having loft angles of about 40 degrees or less. In various embodiments, the two or more golf clubs may each be a different one of an iron type golf club in a range from a 1 iron type to a 9 iron type golf club, for example, Golf club from 1 iron type to 7 iron type Golf club from 1 iron type to 5 iron type Golf club from 1 iron type to 3 iron type 2 golf type from 7 iron type Golf club up to iron type Golf club from 2 iron type to 5 iron type Golf club from 2 iron type to 3 iron type Golf club from 3 iron type to 9 iron type, 3 Golf clubs from No.Iron type to No.6 Iron type Golf club from No. 3 iron type to No. 4 iron type Golf club from No. 4 iron type to No. 8 iron type Golf club from No. 4 iron type to No. 6 iron type From No. 5 iron type to 7 It may be a golf club up to the iron type, or another suitable range of iron type golf clubs.

  In some embodiments, the club head weight and / or golf club length for each of two or more golf clubs in a set of golf clubs is increased to optimize club gapping. In some such embodiments, the swing weight of each golf club in the set of golf clubs may be the same or substantially similar. In some embodiments, the swing weight measurement for each golf club in the set of golf clubs may be ± about 1.0 in-oz. For example, a first golf club in a set of golf clubs can have a swing weight of 212.50 in-oz (corresponding to an alphanumeric swing weight of D0) and a second golf club in the set of golf clubs. The golf club can have a swing weight of 211.90 in-oz, and a third golf club in the set of golf clubs can have a swing weight of 213.10 in-oz. In some embodiments, the swing weight of each golf club is in the range of about 205.00 to 216.50 in-oz. Table 11 is an example that is optimized for consistent club gapping (both in this embodiment both have head weight gain) and also has a high center of gravity steel shaft to maintain swing weight. Data for an iron type golf club is shown. Table 12 is an example that is optimized for consistent club gapping (both in this embodiment both have head weight gain) and also has a high center of gravity graphite shaft to maintain swing weight. Data for an iron type golf club is shown. The listed club weights may be minimal club head weights to optimize consistent club gapping. For example, a first golf club in a set of three or more golf clubs can be a 3-iron type golf club having a club head weight of at least 247 grams. The second golf club in the set of three or more golf clubs may be a 4-iron type golf club having a club head weight of at least 254 grams. The third golf club of the set of three or more golf clubs may be a 5-iron type golf club having a club head weight of at least 260 grams. In further embodiments, the length of each golf club can be increased by at least about 3% from the lengths listed in Tables 11 and 12. In a further embodiment, both club head weight and golf club length can be increased to optimize consistent club gapping.

表11.高い重心を持つスチールシャフトによる一貫性のあるクラブギャッピングとなるように最適化された例示的なグラフクラブ

Table 11. An exemplary graph club optimized for consistent club gapping with a steel shaft with a high center of gravity

表12.高い重心を持つグラファイトシャフトによる一貫性のあるクラブギャッピングとなるように最適化された例示的なゴルフクラブ

Table 12. Exemplary golf clubs optimized for consistent club gapping with a high center of gravity graphite shaft

  Increasing the length of the golf club and / or increasing the weight of the club head of the set of golf clubs is advantageously more uniform and / or for many players among iron-type golf clubs. Or it can facilitate consistent club gapping. Increased weight and / or increased length will help to regain flight distance that may be lost by being unfamiliar with or failing to hit an iron type golf club, particularly a long iron type golf club. Can be possible. By positioning the center of gravity higher on each shaft, a set of iron-type golf clubs can have substantially similar swing weights, which is advantageously consistent between iron-type golf clubs. It can make it easier to obtain a characteristic feel. Additional benefits include inertia to allow additional optimization of club heads, such as positioning the club head center of gravity so that the increased weight of each club head strikes higher, or failure to strike. It may be possible to enhance.

  Referring again to the drawings, FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram for a method 700 that can be used to realize, form, and / or manufacture a set of golf clubs and / or a set of shafts according to the present disclosure. Method 700 is merely an example and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. The method 700 may be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically shown or described herein. In some embodiments, the procedures, processes, and / or activities of method 700 may be performed in the order presented. In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and / or activities of method 700 may be performed in any suitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, processes, and / or activities of method 700 may be combined or skipped.

  Referring to FIG. 700, the method 700 can include a block 710 for providing a set of golf clubs. In many embodiments, the set of golf clubs may be substantially similar to or identical to the set of golf clubs 600 (FIG. 6). The set of golf clubs of method 700 may include two or more golf clubs, each of which is an iron type, wedge type, or hybrid type golf club having different loft angles. Each golf club in the set of golf clubs of method 700 may be similar to or identical to golf club 500 (FIG. 5). Each golf club of the set of golf clubs of method 700 may comprise a shaft. Each shaft may be similar or identical to shaft 100 (FIG. 1) and / or shaft 400 (FIG. 4). Each shaft may be an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, a midpoint, and a center of gravity, with the elongated body extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The center of gravity is disposed at a position closer to the proximal end than the distal end, and can be disposed at a distance from the middle point that is approximately 6.0% or more of the distance from the middle point to the proximal end. In some embodiments, the set of golf clubs of method 700 may include more than two golf clubs, each having a different loft angle. In other embodiments, the set of golf clubs of method 700 may include four or more golf clubs, each having a different loft angle. In many embodiments, the center of gravity for each shaft of the golf club set of method 700 may be about 9.0% or more of the distance from the midpoint to the proximal end. In a further embodiment, the center of gravity for each shaft of the golf club set of method 700 may be about 11.0% or more of the distance from the midpoint to the proximal end. In many embodiments, the swing weight of each golf club in the set of golf clubs of method 700 may be the same or substantially similar.

  In some embodiments, the set of golf clubs of claim 700 can be realized by performing one or more sub-processes. Implementing a set of golf clubs may include a block 720 that provides a set of shafts. Each shaft of the set of shafts may be configured for an iron type, wedge type, or hybrid type golf club having a different loft angle. In many embodiments, the set of shafts in block 720 may include more than one shaft, as described above in connection with block 710, and may be annealed, forged, milled, machined, molded. And / or may be realized through a process, in which parts of the shaft may be a single piece or coupled together, such as via welding, brazing, and / or adhesives May be provided. In some embodiments, the steel shaft may be realized through annealing such that the wall thickness of each shaft is greater at the proximal end than at the distal end and the position of the center of gravity approaches the proximal end. In other embodiments, the graphite shaft is realized by weaving carbon fibers and impregnating with a filler material such as tungsten or steel so that the center of gravity can be positioned closer to the proximal end. In some embodiments, realizing the set of shafts may include realizing an untrimmed shaft. In some other embodiments, realizing the set of shafts may include trimming each shaft to a length suitable for assembly into an iron type golf club.

  Providing a set of golf clubs may include a block 730 that provides a set of club heads. A set of club heads may include more than one club head. The club head may be realized through casting, forging, milling, machining, molding, and / or processes.

  Providing a set of golf clubs may include a block 740 that assembles each club head of the club head set and each shaft of the shaft set. Each shaft of the set of shafts and each club head of the set of club heads can be assembled through welding, brazing, adhesive, and / or other processes.

  While golf clubs and shafts configured for consistent club gapping have been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. You will understand that you can make minor changes. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that blocks 710, 720, 730, and / or 740 of FIG. 7 are composed of many different procedures, processes, and activities, and are performed in many different orders by many different modules. That the elements of FIGS. 1-7 can be modified and that the foregoing description of some of those embodiments does not necessarily form a complete description of all possible embodiments. It will be easy to understand.

  Golf rules change from time to time (for example, golf standards organizations or management agencies, such as the National Golf Association (USGA), Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R & A)) adopt new rules or eliminate old rules. Golf equipment related to the manufacturing devices, methods, and articles described herein may or may not conform to golf rules at a particular point in time. There is also a possibility. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the manufacturing devices, methods, and articles described herein may be published as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment, or may be offered for sale or sold. The manufacturing devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

  Although the above examples may be described in connection with iron-type golf clubs and hybrid-type golf clubs, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be used for wood-type golf clubs or putters It may be applicable to other types of golf clubs, such as types of golf clubs. Alternatively, the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are applicable to other types of sports equipment such as hockey sticks, tennis rackets, fishing rods, ski stocks, etc. Good.

  Additional examples of such changes are given in the above description. Other permutations of different embodiments having one or more of the various figure features are contemplated as well. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.

  The golf clubs and shafts described herein may be implemented in various embodiments, and the foregoing description of some of those embodiments is not necessarily for all possible embodiments. There is no complete explanation. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment and may disclose alternative embodiments.

  All elements claimed in a particular claim are essential to the embodiment claimed in that particular claim. Thus, an alternative to one or more claimed elements is a reconfiguration and not a repair. In addition, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. A benefit, advantage, problem solving solution, and one or more elements that may provide or be significant to a benefit, advantage, or solution are such benefits, advantages, problem solving solutions, or elements Should not be construed as any significant, essential, or essential feature or element of any claim, unless explicitly stated in such claim.

  Further, the embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not claimed to be explicitly claimed in the claims (1) and / or (2) are subject to equivalent principles. It is not an explicit element and / or restriction in a paragraph, or provided as public under the principles of public ownership if it is potentially equivalent.

Claims (25)

A set of shafts for a golf club,
Comprising two or more shafts, each configured for an iron type, wedge type, or hybrid type golf club having different loft angles;
Each shaft in the set of shafts has a long body, tip, base, midpoint, and center of gravity,
The long body extends between the distal and proximal ends,
The center of gravity is located at a first distance from the midpoint;
The first distance is about 6.0% or more of the second distance from the midpoint to the base end;
A set of shafts for golf clubs where the center of gravity is located closer to the proximal end than to the distal end.   The set of shafts for a golf club according to claim 1, wherein the two or more shafts include three or more shafts each having a different loft angle.   The set of shafts for a golf club according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, for each shaft, the first distance is about 9.0% or more of the second distance.   4. A set of shafts for a golf club according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein for each shaft, the first distance is about 11.0% or more of the second distance.   5. The shaft according to claim 1, wherein the two of the shafts are configured for different golf clubs each ranging from a 1-iron type golf club to a 9-iron type golf club. A set of shafts for the described golf club.   5. The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the two or more shafts are configured for one or more iron-type clubs and one or more wedge-type clubs. 6. Shaft set.   5. The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the two or more shafts are configured for different golf clubs within a range from a No. 2 hybrid type to a No. 5 hybrid type golf club, respectively. Set of shafts for.   Each shaft comprises a wall comprising carbon fibers, the walls are impregnated with a heavy material between the midpoint and the proximal end, the heavy material having a higher density than the carbon fibers. A set of shafts for a golf club according to claim 7.   The shaft for a golf club according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each shaft includes a wall containing steel, and the thickness of the wall is thicker at the proximal end than at the distal end wall. Set.   For each shaft, the distal wall thickness is in the range of about 0.008 to 0.018 inches and the proximal wall thickness is in the range of about 0.015 to about 0.030 inches. A set of shafts for a golf club according to claim 9. A set of golf clubs,
Comprising two or more golf clubs each having different loft angles, each of which is an iron type, wedge type, or hybrid type golf club;
Each golf club in a set of golf clubs
A shaft with a long body, distal end, proximal end, midpoint between the distal end and proximal end, and a center of gravity;
The long body extends between the distal and proximal ends,
The center of gravity is located at a first distance from the midpoint;
The first distance is about 6.0% or more of the second distance from the midpoint to the base end;
A set of golf clubs including a shaft whose center of gravity is located closer to the base end than the tip end.   The set of golf clubs according to claim 11, wherein the two or more golf clubs include three or more golf clubs each having a different loft angle.   The first golf club of three of many golf clubs is a 3-iron type golf club having a club head weight of at least 247 grams, and the second golf of three of many golf clubs. The club is a 4-iron type golf club having a club head weight of at least 254 grams, and the third of three of the many golf clubs has a club head weight of at least 260 grams. The set of golf clubs according to claim 12, which is an iron type golf club.   The set of golf clubs according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the swing weight of each golf club in the set of golf clubs is the same.   The set of golf clubs of claim 14, wherein the swing weight of each golf club is in the range of about 205.00 to 216.50 in-oz.   16. The set of golf clubs according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein for each golf club, the first distance is about 9.0% or more of the second distance.   The set of golf clubs according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein, for each golf club, the first distance is about 11.0% or more of the second distance.   The set of golf clubs according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the two or more golf clubs are different golf clubs within a range from a 1-iron type to a 9-iron type golf club.   The set of golf clubs according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the two or more golf clubs are one or more iron type clubs and one or more wedge type clubs.   18. A golf according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the two or more golf clubs are each configured for a different golf club within a range from a No. 2 hybrid type to a No. 5 hybrid type golf club. A set of clubs. A method,
Providing a set of golf clubs including two or more golf clubs, each of which is an iron type, wedge type, or hybrid type golf club having different loft angles;
Each golf club in a set of golf clubs
A shaft with a long body, tip, base, midpoint, and center of gravity;
The long body extends between the distal and proximal ends,
The center of gravity is located at a first distance from the midpoint,
The first distance is about 6.0% or more of the second distance from the midpoint to the base end;
A method comprising a shaft, wherein the center of gravity is located closer to the proximal end than to the distal end.   The method of claim 21, wherein providing a set of golf clubs comprises providing a set of golf clubs comprising three or more golf clubs each having a different loft angle.   23. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein providing a set of golf clubs comprises providing each golf club in the set of golf clubs wherein the first distance is about 9.0% or more of the second distance. Method.   24. The providing a set of golf clubs comprises providing each golf club in the set of golf clubs, wherein the first distance is about 11.0% or more of the second distance. The method according to one item.   25. Providing a set of golf clubs comprises providing each golf club in the set of golf clubs, and the swing weight of each golf club in the set of golf clubs is the same. The method according to one item.

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