Vibration-Damped Golf Club Swing-Weight Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf club weighting solutions fail to provide versatile, vibration-damped, and adjustable swing-weight distribution within the shaft, leading to inadequate customization and potential performance degradation due to increased shaft vibration and difficulties in weight placement and adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A plug assembly system with selectable weight rods and resilient damper sleeves, secured by a radially expandable element and machine screw, allows for precise placement and adjustment of weight within the golf club shaft, minimizing vibration and enabling easy relocation or removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If weights are attached directly to the shaft, then swing-weight adjustment is achieved, but shaft vibration increases and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vibration-damped weight plugs as intermediary components between the shaft and the added weight. These plugs incorporate vibration-damping materials that absorb and dissipate vibrational energy, preventing the weight from directly contacting the shaft and reducing harmful vibrations while still providing the necessary swing-weight adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight plugs are constructed using composite materials that combine vibration-damping properties with the necessary structural integrity. The plugs incorporate materials such as rubber or foam that can dampen vibrations while supporting the added weight, creating a composite structure that addresses both the swing-weight adjustment requirement and the vibration reduction need.
2Reliability
If weights are fixed in the shaft, then swing-weight is stabilized, but adjustability and experimentation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic fastening system using expandable rings that can transition between expanded and collapsed states. When collapsed, the ring allows easy insertion and adjustment of the weight plug; when expanded, it provides secure retention. This dynamic mechanism enables the system to switch between adjustability and stability modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight adjustment system is segmented into removable weight plugs that can be independently inserted, removed, and repositioned within the shaft. This segmentation allows golfers to experiment with different weight configurations and locations without permanently modifying the shaft, maintaining both stability during play and adjustability for experimentation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional weight attachment methods are used, then swing-weight modification is achieved, but ease of relocation and removal is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable ring fastening system provides a dynamic mechanism that facilitates easy relocation and removal of weight plugs. The ring can be collapsed to release the weight plug for repositioning or removal, then expanded to secure it in the desired location. This dynamic action simplifies the operation compared to permanent adhesive or friction-fit methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight plug system is designed to be self-servicing through the expandable ring mechanism. The same mechanism that secures the weight plug in place can be easily reversed to remove or reposition it, eliminating the need for specialized tools or complex removal procedures required by traditional attachment methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables customizable swing-weight distribution along the golf club shaft, reducing shaft vibration and enhancing performance by allowing precise weight adjustment and secure placement, addressing the limitations of existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
securely fastened in place in a vibration-damped manner by radial expansion of a cylindrical resilient expandable element
Implementation Method 2
A weight rod, made available in different materials, lengths and weights, is spaced from the shaft by one or more resilient damper sleeves to minimize shaft vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for installing and optimizing adjustable swing-weight in a vibration-damped manner inside a golf club shaft. A plug assembly of selectable weight is inserted through a circular opening in the golf grip cap with a special tool, moved to any desired location within the shaft and securely fastened in place in a vibration-damped manner by a resilient, cylindrical, radially-expandable element. At least one weight rod, made available in different materials, lengths and weights, is spaced from the shaft by one or more resilient damper sleeves to minimize shaft vibration. The expandable element is secured by a machine screw threaded into the upper end of the weight rod, and is dimensioned (unexpanded) so as to enable easy insertion and location adjustment of said plug assembly. The tool provides dual functions: as a screw head driver to expand/contract the expandable element radially by axial pressure/release as required, and as a removable coupler capable of pulling the plug assembly (with the expandable element unexpanded) upwardly, as well as pressing it downwardly within the shaft for adjustment to any desired location.