Golf club shaft structure

Abstract

The utility model provides a shaft structure of a golf club, the shaft structure comprises a carbon fiber layer and at least one layer of plastic film or / and metal sheet, the layers are covered by a base material (Matrix) in a contact manner, and a shaft of the golf club is formed by heating and curing, the combination of the heterogeneous materials of the whole club body can endow the golf club with good elasticity, strong toughness and excellent shock absorption capability, and creates better force transmission and controllability, so that the golf club provides easy-to-control accuracy for remote swing or short-distance swing, and further provides shock absorption capability and unique hitting hand feeling for remote swing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a golf club shaft structure, and more particularly to a golf club shaft structure that can impart excellent elasticity, toughness, and shock absorption to the shaft, thereby providing easy control and precision for long-range swings or close-range putts, and further providing shock absorption and a unique hitting feel for long-range swings. Background Art

[0002] Golf clubs are designed to suit different hitting requirements, and therefore the club heads also have different designs. For example, if the initial "swing" is intended to land the ball closer to the hole on the green, the club head will be shaped differently than a "putt" already near the hole on the green. This type of club head design has seen many innovative structural changes. Furthermore, the shaft of a golf club has evolved from a single carbon fiber material in the early days to a carbon fiber layer formed by pre-impregnating a base material with thermosetting epoxy resin (TS) and then heating and curing it to form a solid bond. Currently, the shaft is made of a combination of metal and carbon fiber materials, and this is constantly being improved to provide golf enthusiasts with more diverse options.

[0003] However, when the golf club shaft is used for "putting" and "swinging", the user's own feel and strength are very important for the accuracy and stability of ball control. In addition to regular practice, the interaction between the materials of the golf club head and the shaft also has a direct impact. For example, a metal shaft is heavier, so the rolling stability of the ball's trajectory after "putting" or "swinging" is better (but the ball's rolling or flying distance is shorter); if the carbon fiber shaft is lighter, the rolling or flying distance of the ball after "putting" or "swinging" is longer (but the ball's rolling stability is worse). Based on this, it seems that choosing the appropriate shaft (metal or carbon fiber) according to the center of gravity and strength of the individual's hitting posture is more likely to achieve ideal ball control. However, it is difficult for beginners to choose the right shaft (metal or carbon fiber) based on their own hitting posture and strength. Although experienced golfers can choose a shaft that suits them, the limitations of metal or carbon fiber shafts make it difficult to control the ball's roll after "putting" or "swinging". In particular, the stability of the rolling trajectory, as well as the distance and accuracy of the swing, are even more difficult to control.

[0004] Furthermore, the aforementioned golf club shafts are made of metal and carbon fiber. Although this provides another option for golfers, it appears that the combination of metal and carbon fiber can enhance the stability, distance, and accuracy of the golf ball during the "putt" or "swing" process. However, this is not actually the case. Please cooperate. Figure 1 Further understanding is that the structure of the shaft 5 includes: an inner carbon fiber layer 51 and an outer metal layer 52, wherein the carbon fiber layer 51 is composed of a plurality of carbon fiber prepregs (Prepreg) with different angles; the metal layer 52 is a metal wire spirally wound on the outer surface of the carbon fiber layer 51. Therefore, the entire shaft structure is not fully covered by the metal wire, and a metal layer 52 like a mesh surface is formed. As such, the carbon fiber layer 51 is not fully covered by the metal wire, resulting in mesh gaps in the metal layer 52. Once the ball is hit by "putting" or "swinging", the rolling of the ball is also difficult to control, especially during the trajectory of the "swing" process. The stability of the golf ball's rolling, or the distance and accuracy are also affected. The main reason for this is that after hitting the ball, the force applied to the carbon fiber layer 51 of the entire shaft 5 is only partially absorbed by the metal wires wrapped around the outer surface of the metal layer 52. The vast majority of the force is released through the mesh gaps of the metal layer 52 on the mesh surface. This is like a gap between two sheets of glass where a thermoplastic PVB film is not "fully" placed between the layers, but only exists due to the mesh-like addition. When impacted, the gaps are released and glass fragments are scattered everywhere. Therefore, this type of shaft 5 cannot effectively absorb the impact force of the ball when it is hit, as the metal wires added to the outer surface of the carbon fiber layer 51 are intended to do. The golf ball control effect is basically the same as before the metal wires were wrapped.

[0005] Furthermore, the impact of a golf ball during a "swing" often causes injury to the player. Therefore, conventional golf club grips already have designs and technical documentation that can absorb this impact (shock absorption). However, the shaft of a golf club does not have this shock-absorbing function. Imbuing the shaft with shock-absorbing properties would enhance the overall golf club's shock absorption, unique feel, and controllability. Furthermore, conventional golf club shafts, made from a multi-layered carbon fiber prepreg and a thermosetting epoxy resin (TS) prepreg matrix, are not environmentally friendly and cannot be recycled. Furthermore, their elasticity, toughness, and shock-absorbing properties are less than ideal, and thus urgently need improvement. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this application is to provide a golf club shaft structure that combines the characteristics of metal, carbon fiber, and plastic materials, and can provide the shaft with excellent elasticity, strong toughness, good flexibility, shock absorption, unique hitting feel, and controllability. Furthermore, the metal material adopts a thin sheet design and a fully covered setting, which can effectively solve the problem of interlayer delamination caused by the extremely different expansion coefficients between the coatings of different materials. In other words, the relatively small volume change of the metal sheet material, when the coated object is a carbon fiber material, the interlayer delamination stress generated by the metal sheet material is relatively small, and can effectively solve the problem of interlayer delamination between the contact surfaces of different materials (carbon fiber material and metal material). Conversely, an excessively thick metal layer cannot solve the significant impact caused by interlayer delamination on the contact surface. Furthermore, the metal sheet material fully envelops the carbon fiber material, effectively absorbing the impact of impact when the ball is struck, unlike the prior art where spirally wrapped metal wires are unable to absorb impact due to force penetration through gaps. This allows for greater control over the golf club's swing distance and precision. Furthermore, the thin film design of the plastic material leverages its directional properties, excellent shock absorption, and superior toughness to overcome the unidirectional impact absorption limitations of unidirectional carbon fiber. This effectively disperses the impact force during impact, providing the golf club shaft with a comfortable impact response, shock absorption, and controllable swing.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the shaft structure of the golf club of the present application includes a carbon fiber layer and at least one layer of plastic film, wherein the carbon fiber layer is at least one layer of carbon fiber prepreg cloth (Prepreg), which overlaps and fully covers the at least one layer of plastic film, and there is a matrix (Matrix) between each material layer to contact and cover, and the shaft of the golf club is formed by heating and curing.

[0008] According to the above, the thickness of the carbon fiber layer is greater than that of the plastic film; the prepreg matrix is ​​made of thermosetting epoxy resin (Thermoset, TS) or thermoplastic plastic (Thermoplastic, TP); the plastic film is a plastic film that can withstand high temperatures and has a melting point (Tm) above 150°C.

[0009] According to the above, the shaft structure further includes at least one metal layer, and the metal layer, the carbon fiber layer and the plastic film are overlapped by three different materials. There is a matrix (Matrix) between each material layer. After coating, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft is a growth ring structure, and it is heated and cured to form a golf club shaft. By combining the material advantages and characteristics of different materials, the unique hitting feel of the golf club shaft is enhanced, creating better shock absorption and precise control effects.

[0010] According to the above, the metal layer is a metal sheet, and the thickness of the carbon fiber layer is greater than the thickness of the metal sheet. The metal sheet can be selected from one of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, steel, titanium, titanium alloy, and magnesium-aluminum alloy, and its thickness is less than 0.4 mm. During the winding, heating and curing process, the carbon fiber layer and plastic film of the entire shaft are fully covered, so that the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft is a growth ring structure.

[0011] According to the above, the thickness of each layer of metal sheet is preferably less than 0.1 mm.

[0012] Another feature of the golf club shaft structure of the present application is that the shaft structure includes a carbon fiber layer and at least one layer of metal sheet, wherein the carbon fiber layer is at least one layer of carbon fiber prepreg, which overlaps and fully covers the at least one layer of metal sheet, and there is a matrix (Matrix) between each material layer. After covering, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft has an annual ring structure, and the shaft of the golf club is formed by heating and curing.

[0013] According to the above, the thickness of the carbon fiber layer is greater than the thickness of the metal sheet; the prepreg matrix is ​​made of thermosetting epoxy resin (Thermoset, TS) or thermoplastic plastic (Thermoplastic, TP).

[0014] According to the above, the metal sheet can be selected from one of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, steel, titanium, titanium alloy, and magnesium aluminum alloy, and its thickness is less than 0.4 mm, and it can fully cover the carbon fiber layer and prepreg matrix of the entire shaft.

[0015] According to the above, when the metal sheets are stacked closely together, the thickness of each layer of metal sheet is preferably less than 0.1 mm.

[0016] The shaft structure of the golf club of the present application is further characterized in that: the shaft structure includes a carbon fiber layer and at least one layer of metal mesh, wherein the carbon fiber layer is at least one layer of carbon fiber prepreg, which overlaps with the at least one layer of metal mesh, and each material layer is contact-coated with thermoplastic plastic (TP). After coating, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft has an annual ring structure, and is heated and cured to form the shaft of the golf club. Since the plastic material properties of the matrix (Matrix) are not easy to adhere to the metal surface due to the properties of the thermoplastic plastic (TP) material itself, the metal mesh properties are utilized and heated at high temperature to completely melt the thermoplastic plastic into a highly viscoelastic liquid state, passing through the gaps in the metal mesh, and can be tightly connected and fixed to the carbon fiber material to form a whole.

[0017] The details of other functions and embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a conventional golf club shaft comprising metal wire wrapped around a carbon fiber surface;

[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a golf club having the shaft structure of the golf club of the present application;

[0021] Figure 3 、 Figure 4 Cross-sectional views of first and second embodiments of the golf club shaft structure of the present application;

[0022] Figure 5 、 Figure 6 2 are cross-sectional views of the third and fourth embodiments of the golf club shaft structure of the present application.

[0023] Explanation of symbols

[0024] 1: Golf club 2, 2', 2": Shaft

[0025] 20, 20', 20": Carbon fiber layer 21, 21', 21": Plastic film

[0026] 22, 22": Sheet Metal DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The positional relationships described in the following embodiments include up, down, left, and right. Unless otherwise specified, they are based on the directions of the components shown in the drawings.

[0028] See also Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional diagram of a golf club having a shaft structure of the golf club of the present application. As shown in the figure, the golf club 1 has the shaft structure of the present application. The shaft 2 is matched with Figure 3 (First embodiment of the present application) Referring to the embodiment, the carbon fiber layer 20 and the plastic film 21 are included. The thickness of the carbon fiber layer 20 is greater than that of the plastic film 21. The carbon fiber layer 20 is at least one layer of carbon fiber prepreg (Prepreg) that is stacked and wound and stacked with the plastic film 21. There is a prepreg matrix (Matrix, not shown in the figure) between each material layer. Through the winding process, each layer of the carbon fiber layer 20 and the plastic film 21 can be integrated, and then heated and cured to form a complete shaft. The aforementioned prepreg matrix is ​​made of thermosetting epoxy resin (Thermoset, TS) or thermoplastic plastic (Thermoplastic, TP). The matrix is ​​contacted and coated between each of the aforementioned material layers. In a winding process, each layer of carbon fiber prepreg is heated and wound into a carbon fiber layer 20 with excellent elasticity and strong toughness. During the winding process, a plastic film 21 is added. The plastic film 21 is made of a high-temperature resistant plastic film with a melting point (Tm) above 150°C, such as PVB film, PEEK plastic film, PC plastic film, or PI thermosetting film. When the plastic film 21 contacts the carbon fiber layer 20 of the entire shaft 2 and is heated and cured, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft 2 after processing is completed has an annual ring structure. In this way, the shaft 2 is endowed with excellent elasticity, strong toughness, and shock absorption capabilities, thereby providing the golf club 1 with better shock absorption and a unique hitting feel for long-range swings. It is worth mentioning that because the thermoplastic (TP) matrix is ​​a recyclable material with strong shock absorption, excellent elasticity and toughness, the shaft structure of the first embodiment does not include the plastic film. Instead, multiple layers of carbon fiber prepreg are overlapped, with the thermoplastic (TP) matrix between each layer contacting and coating the prepreg layers. The golf club shaft is then heated and cured. This also imparts excellent elasticity, toughness, and shock absorption to the golf club, providing enhanced shock absorption and a unique feel for long-range swings.

[0029] Please see further Figure 4 The second embodiment of the golf club shaft structure of the present application is shown in the figure. The structure of the shaft 2 of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. In addition to having the functions provided by the structural features of the first embodiment, the second embodiment can further enhance the structural functions of the entire shaft. That is, the shaft 2 of the second embodiment also includes: a carbon fiber layer 20 and a plastic film 21, and further has a metal sheet 22. The carbon fiber layer 20 is at least one layer of carbon fiber prepreg (Prepreg) that is laminated and wound; the plastic film 21 is made of a high temperature melting point (Melting Point) The metal sheet 22 is selected from one of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, steel, titanium, titanium alloy, and magnesium-aluminum alloy, and has a thickness of less than 0.4 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm. The overall thickness is less than the thickness of the carbon fiber layer 20. There is a prepreg matrix (Matrix, not shown) between each material layer. After coating, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft has an annual ring structure. Through the winding process, each layer of carbon fiber layer 20 is integrated with the plastic film 21 and the metal sheet 22, and then heated and cured to form a complete shaft 2.

[0030] By making the metal sheet 22 of the shaft 2 thinner than the carbon fiber layer 20, the difference in expansion coefficients between the carbon fiber layer 20 and the metal sheet 22 results in a relatively small volume change for the metal sheet 22. Consequently, the interlayer delamination stress generated by the volume change between the carbon fiber layer 20 and the metal sheet 22 is also relatively reduced, effectively preventing delamination between the contact surfaces of the different materials. Conversely, using an excessively thick metal layer would fail to prevent the significant impact of delamination on the contact surface. Therefore, in the present application, making the metal sheet 22 thinner than the carbon fiber layer 20 ensures a stable bond between the carbon fiber layer 20 and the metal sheet 22. Thus, the shaft 2 of the second embodiment is formed by overlapping the carbon fiber layer 20, the plastic film 21, and the metal sheet 22, and each material layer is covered with a matrix (TS / TP) in contact with the other layers. After covering, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft has an annual ring structure and is cured by heat, which can provide the shaft 2 with better elasticity and toughness, providing easy control accuracy for long-range swings or close-range putts, and providing shock absorption and a unique hitting feel.

[0031] Therefore, from the above Figure 3 and Figure 4As described above, the structure of the golf club shaft 2 of the present application combines the advantages of multiple materials such as carbon fiber, plastic, and metal, and can provide the shaft 2 with excellent elasticity and strong toughness, making it easy to control the distance and accuracy of the swing process, and providing shock absorption and a unique hitting feel for the long-range swing. That is, the structure of the golf club shaft 2 of the present application is that the carbon fiber layer 20 and the metal sheet 22 are fully covered with each other, which can provide easy control of the ball rolling after the impact of the "putt" or "swing", especially the trajectory rolling stability or the distance and accuracy of the "swing" process. The plastic film 21 can also provide the shaft 2 with excellent elasticity, strong toughness, excellent shock absorption and a unique hitting feel, so that the golf club 1 can provide shock absorption for the long-range swing, and give the golf club shaft 2 a comfortable and unique hitting feedback effect when holding the "swing".

[0032] Furthermore, the metal layer in the golf club shaft of the present application can also be a metal mesh. This metal mesh can enhance the surface adhesion and fixation between the thermoplastic (TP) and carbon fibers. Specifically, the shaft structure of the present application includes a carbon fiber layer and at least one metal mesh layer. The carbon fiber layer is also at least one layer of carbon fiber prepreg (prepreg) that overlaps the at least one metal mesh layer, and each material layer is covered with thermoplastic (TP) in contact with each other. Since the plastic properties of a thermoplastic (TP) matrix material make it difficult to adhere to a metal surface, the metal mesh utilizes the properties of the thermoplastic. High-temperature heating completely melts the thermoplastic into a highly viscoelastic liquid state, allowing it to pass through the gaps in the metal mesh and firmly connect and fuse with the carbon fiber material. This provides the shaft with excellent elasticity and toughness, providing shock absorption and flexibility.

[0033] See further Figure 5 and Figure 6 : are cross-sectional views of the third and fourth embodiments of the golf club shaft structure of the present application. Figure 5 As shown, the structure of the golf club shaft 2' of the present application is mainly Figure 3 In the first embodiment, the plastic film 21' is provided with two or more layers inside the carbon fiber layer 20', that is, the carbon fiber layer 20' is located at the outermost layer of the shaft 2' during the winding and heat curing process. Figure 6 The structure of the golf club shaft 2" shown in the present application is mainly a combination of Figure 3 and Figure 4In various embodiments, the plastic film 21" and the metal sheet 22" are arranged in a multi-layered overlapping manner within the carbon fiber layer 20", that is, the plastic film 21" and the metal sheet 22" are successively wound during the winding and heat curing process, and the carbon fiber layer 20" is positioned at the outermost layer of the shaft 2". Figure 5 and Figure 6 The horizontal cross-section can be seen as an annual ring structure, which can give the shaft 2', 2" good elasticity and toughness, as well as provide shock absorption and a unique hitting feel, giving the golf club shaft 2" a comfortable hitting feeling feedback, shock absorption effect and controllability when holding and "swinging".

[0034] The embodiments and / or implementation methods described above are only used to illustrate the preferred embodiments and / or implementation methods for realizing the technology of the present application, and do not impose any form of limitation on the implementation methods of the technology of the present application. Any person skilled in the art may make slight changes or modifications to other equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical means disclosed in the content of the present application, but they should still be regarded as technologies or embodiments that are essentially the same as those of the present application.

Claims

1. A golf club shaft structure, characterized in that: The shaft structure includes a carbon fiber layer and at least one layer of plastic film. The carbon fiber layer is at least one layer of carbon fiber prepreg cloth, which overlaps and fully covers the at least one layer of plastic film, and there is a prepreg substrate in contact and covering between each material layer. After covering, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft is a growth ring structure, and the shaft of the golf club is formed by heating and curing.

2. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 1, wherein: The carbon fiber layer is thicker than the plastic film.

3. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 2, wherein: The plastic film is a high temperature resistant plastic film with a melting point above 150°C.

4. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 3, wherein: The prepreg base material adopts thermosetting epoxy resin or thermoplastic plastic.

5. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 4, wherein: The shaft structure further includes at least one metal layer, which is overlapped and fully covered with the carbon fiber layer and the plastic film. There is a base material contacting and covering each material layer. After covering, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft is a growth ring structure and is formed by heating and curing.

6. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 4, wherein: The thickness of the plastic film is less than 0.4 mm, and the carbon fiber layer of the entire shaft is fully covered. After covering, the transverse cross section of the entire shaft is a growth ring structure.

7. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 4, wherein: The thickness of each layer of plastic film is preferably less than 0.1 mm.

8. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 5, wherein: The metal layer is a metal sheet and can be selected from one of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, steel, titanium, titanium alloy, and magnesium-aluminum alloy, and its thickness is less than 0.4 mm. It comprehensively covers the carbon fiber layer and plastic film of the entire shaft. After covering, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft is a growth ring structure.

9. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 8, wherein: The carbon fiber layer is thicker than the metal sheet.

10. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 9, wherein: The thickness of the metal sheet is preferably less than 0.1 mm.

11. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 5, wherein: The metal layer is made of metal mesh, which overlaps with the carbon fiber layer and the plastic film to fully cover the shaft. After covering, the transverse cross section of the entire shaft is a growth ring structure, and the shaft of the golf club is formed by heating and curing.

12. A golf club shaft structure, characterized in that: The shaft structure includes a carbon fiber layer and at least one layer of metal sheet. The carbon fiber layer is at least one layer of carbon fiber prepreg cloth, which overlaps and fully covers the at least one layer of metal sheet, and there is a prepreg substrate in contact and covering between each material layer. After covering, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft is a growth ring structure, and the shaft of the golf club is formed by heating and curing.

13. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 12, wherein: The carbon fiber layer is thicker than the metal sheet.

14. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 13, wherein: The prepreg base material adopts thermosetting epoxy resin or thermoplastic plastic.

15. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 14, wherein: The metal sheet can be selected from one of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, steel, titanium, titanium alloy, and magnesium-aluminum alloy, and its thickness is less than 0.4 mm, and it comprehensively covers the carbon fiber layer of the entire shaft. After covering, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft has an annual ring structure.

16. The golf club shaft structure according to claim 15, wherein: The thickness of each layer of metal sheet is preferably less than 0.1 mm.

17. A golf club shaft structure, characterized in that: The shaft structure includes a carbon fiber layer and at least one layer of metal mesh, wherein the carbon fiber layer is at least one layer of carbon fiber prepreg cloth, which overlaps with the at least one layer of metal mesh, and each material layer is contacted and coated with thermoplastic plastic. After coating, the transverse cross-section of the entire shaft is a growth ring structure, and is heated and cured to form the shaft of a golf club.

18. A golf club shaft structure, characterized in that: The shaft structure is composed of carbon fiber layers, wherein the carbon fiber layers are at least one layer of carbon fiber prepregs overlapped with each other, and the carbon fiber prepreg layers are contacted and coated with a thermoplastic plastic substrate, and are heated and cured to form the shaft of the golf club.

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