Shaft Structure with Configurable Bending, Weight, Moment-of-Inertia and Torque Profile

Abstract

A shaft structure with a configurable bending, weight, torque and moment-of-inertia profile is provided for golf clubs, fishing rods, and the like. The shaft structure employs an innovative inner and outer shaft structure. The golfer, in practice, configures the profile of a golf shaft by choosing from a plurality of different inner shaft structures each having a unique bending, weight, moment-of-inertia and torque profile. The inner shaft is securely fastened within the outer shaft. The combination of the inner shaft with the outer shaft results in an advantageous bending, weight, torque and moment-of-inertia profile. The golfer can, at any time and very easily, change the profile of the golf shaft according to their physical, course and weather conditions for any given day.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to shafts for golf clubs, fishing rods and the like and more particularly where the overall bending, weight, torque and moment-of-inertia profiles of these devices can be configured by the user to match their physical abilities as well as course and weather conditions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Golf shafts are typically manufactured with a predetermined bending, weight, torque and moment-of-inertia profile. The “bending profile” of a golf shaft refers to a distinct flex pattern that a conventional golf shaft exhibits when subjected to a force. The flex pattern is typically measured as the amount of deflection the shaft experiences when the shaft is positioned horizontally and subjected to a constant force.[0003]Previous knowledge of golf shaft dynamics resulted in a general understanding that the overall stiffness of a golf shaft played a role in the performance of a golf club. However, it has been discovered that the overall ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In order for a golf club to be effective and ultimately configured for a golfer by the golfer without requiring the golfer to have intimate knowledge or club-building skills, the present invention provides for a device that can be easily changed to accommodate the golfer's abilities, weather and course condition for any given day. The device can also be adapted for use in existing golf shafts.

[0013]The present invention overcomes the inability of prior art shafts to create a unique bending, weight, torque and moment-of-inertia profile. The present invention also overcomes the inability of the prior art to be able to effect a change in the performance of the golf shaft by providing a device which does not serve to present an axial stress force to a conventional shaft but rather provides a device which combines a shaft-in-a-shaft structure where an outer shaft is complimented by an inner, configurable bending, weight, torque and moment-of-inertia profile shaft. The inner shaft structure is placed within an outer shaft structure, in effect forming a shaft within a shaft. The bending, weight, torque and moment-of-inertia profile of the overall shaft structure is born form the compounded action of both the inner and outer shaft structures. Given this arrangement, new shafts as well as existing shaft's bending, weight, torque and moment-of-inertia profiles can be readily changed that will match the golfer's abilities so as to maximize both shot accuracy and distance.

[0014]The inner shaft structure can easily be exchanged with another thereby in effect changing the overall shaft bending, weight, torque and moment-of-inertia profile. Each unique inner shaft structure has a unique bending, weight, weight distribution and torque rating. The configurable profile shaft does not require special tools or skills to affect the configuration of the bending, weight, moment-of-inertia or torque profile of an overall shaft structure.

Problems solved by technology

However, some golfers find that a lighter shaft does not allow them to “feel” the position of the head through the swing and as result there is a loss of control.

Additionally, off center hits generate vibrational energy that is then transmitted via the golf shaft to the golfer's hands resulting in a “stinging” sensation.

Conversely, a golf shaft that has a low torque rating necessarily causes the golf club head to rotate less thereby more energy is converted to vibrational energy which is then transmitted to the golfer's hands.

So far as is known, these variable stiffness, hollow shaft structures of the prior art do not address changing a shaft's bending profile but rather have defined a device which indiscriminately promotes a stiffness change across the entire shaft and never addresses the ability to adjust the bending characteristics of the golf shaft.

Additionally, the prior art does not address being able to change a shaft's overall weight, torque or moment-of-inertia.

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