U.S. patent application number 11/067646 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for vibration-absorbing structure for golf club shaft.
This patent application is currently assigned to NELSON PRECISION CASTING CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Chan-Tung Chen.
Application Number | 20060194643 11/067646 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36932567 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060194643 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Chan-Tung |
August 31, 2006 |
Vibration-absorbing structure for golf club shaft
Abstract
A golf club shaft includes a shaft having a tubular wall
delimiting an interior space. The shaft includes a first end
coupled with a head and a second end coupled with a grip. A light
vibration-absorbing member is mounted in the interior space of the
shaft. At least a portion of the light vibration-absorbing member
is in contact with the tubular wall for absorbing vibration that
results from striking a golf ball and that is transmitted from the
head to the shaft.
Inventors: |
Chen; Chan-Tung; (Kaohsiung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
NELSON PRECISION CASTING CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
36932567 |
Appl. No.: |
11/067646 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/318 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/10 20130101;
A63B 60/54 20151001; A63B 60/10 20151001; A63B 60/06 20151001; A63B
2209/02 20130101; A63B 60/08 20151001; A63B 53/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/318 |
International
Class: |
A63B 59/00 20060101
A63B059/00; A63B 53/10 20060101 A63B053/10; A63B 53/12 20060101
A63B053/12 |
Claims
1. A golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure,
comprising: a shaft including a tubular wall delimiting an interior
space, the shaft including a first end adapted to be coupled with a
head and a second end adapted to be coupled with a grip; and a
light vibration-absorbing member mounted in the interior space of
the shaft, at least a portion of the light vibration-absorbing
member being in contact with the tubular wall for absorbing
vibration that results from striking a golf ball and that is
transmitted from the head to the shaft.
2. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the light vibration-absorbing member is
made of foaming synthetic resin.
3. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the light vibration-absorbing member is
made of a material selected from a group consisting of rubber,
thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane, nylon, polypropylene,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyethylene terephthalate, vinyl
chloride, and high molecular vibration-absorbing material.
4. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the light vibration-absorbing member is
integrally formed in the whole interior space of the shaft by
injection molding.
5. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the light vibration-absorbing member
fills the whole interior space of the shaft.
6. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the light vibration-absorbing member
includes a hollow portion.
7. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 6, further including another light
vibration-absorbing member mounted in the hollow portion, said
another light vibration-absorbing member being made of a material
different from that of the light vibration-absorbing member,
providing different damping coefficients for obtaining a composite
vibration-absorbing effect.
8. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 6, further including another light
vibration-absorbing member mounted in the hollow portion, said
another light vibration-absorbing member and the light
vibration-absorbing member being made of the same material yet
filled in the interior space in different compactnesses, providing
different damping coefficients for obtaining a composite
vibration-absorbing effect.
9. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 6, further including a plurality of protrusions on
an inner periphery of the hollow portion for distributing the
vibration.
10. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 6, further including a plurality of recessed
portions on an inner periphery of the hollow portion for
distributing the vibration.
11. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 6, wherein the hollow portion includes a wavy or
threaded inner periphery for distributing the vibration.
12. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the light vibration-absorbing member
includes a plurality of protruded sections in contact with the
tubular wall and a plurality of recessed buffering sections not in
contact with the tubular wall, and wherein the protruded sections
and the recessed buffering sections are alternatively disposed,
providing a multi-stage vibration-absorbing effect.
13. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the light vibration-absorbing member is
a pre-formed column inserted into the interior space of the shaft
and fixed to the tubular wall by adhesive.
14. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 13, wherein the column is adjacent to the
head.
15. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 13, wherein the shaft includes a plurality of
columns of light vibration-absorbing members mounted in the
interior space, providing different damping coefficients for
obtaining a composite vibration-absorbing effect.
16. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 15, wherein the columns are made of different
materials.
17. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 15, wherein the columns are made of the same
material yet filled in the interior space in different
compactnesses.
18. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 15, wherein two of the columns adjacent to each
other are spaced by a spacer, providing a multi-stage
vibration-absorbing effect.
19. A golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure,
comprising: a shaft including a tubular wall delimiting an interior
space; and a plurality of light vibration-absorbing members mounted
in the interior space of the shaft, the light vibration-absorbing
members absorbing vibration that results from striking a golf ball
and that is transmitted from a head coupled to an end of the shaft
to the shaft.
20. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 19, wherein the light vibration-absorbing members
are spaced from one another.
21. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 19, wherein the light vibration-absorbing members
are in contact with one another.
22. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 19, wherein the light vibration-absorbing members
are fixed in the interior space by adhesive.
23. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 19, wherein at least one the light
vibration-absorbing members includes a hollow portion.
24. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 23, further including a plurality of protrusions
formed on an inner periphery of the hollow portion for distributing
the vibration.
25. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 23, wherein the hollow portion includes a wavy
inner periphery for distributing the vibration.
26. The golf club shaft with a vibration-absorbing structure as
claimed in claim 23, wherein the hollow portion includes a threaded
inner periphery for distributing the vibration.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a vibration-absorbing
structure. In particular, the present invention relates to a
vibration-absorbing structure for a golf club shaft.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a conventional golf club
comprising a shaft 10, a head 20, and a grip 30. The shaft 10 is
substantially an elongated tubular member with the head 20 coupled
to an end thereof and with the grip 30 coupled to the other end
thereof. The shaft 10 is made of a material having a high
coefficient of restitution. For example, the shaft 10 can be formed
by a plurality of windings made of carbon fiber prepreg, graphite
fiber prepreg, or fiberglass. Thus, the shaft 10 is highly
flexible. The head 20 is used to strike a golf ball and the grip 30
allows firm grip by the golfer. Such a golf club head is disclosed
in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,313,541; 4,023,801; 4,135,035; and
5,437,450.
[0005] When striking a golf ball, vibration is transmitted upward
from the head 20 through the shaft 10 to the grip 30. Each of the
head 20, the shaft 10, and the grip 30 absorb a portion of the
vibration. However, the vibration could not be completely absorbed,
and the unabsorbed vibration is transmitted to the golfer's hands.
The hands of a golfer that plays for a long time might feel
uncomfortable or numb. The striking accuracy is thus adversely
affected. The hands of the golfer might even be injured.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a
vibration-absorbing structure for a golf club shaft that provides
improved vibration-absorbing effect.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
vibration-absorbing structure for a golf club shaft that provides
increased gripping comfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A golf club shaft in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention comprises a shaft including a tubular wall
delimiting an interior space. The shaft includes a first end
coupled with a head and a second end coupled with a grip. A light
vibration-absorbing member is mounted in the interior space of the
shaft. At least a portion of the light vibration-absorbing member
is in contact with the tubular wall for absorbing vibration that
results from striking a golf ball and that is transmitted from the
head to the shaft.
[0009] The light vibration-absorbing member may be made of foaming
synthetic resin. In an embodiment, the light vibration-absorbing
member is made of a material selected from a group consisting of
rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane, nylon,
polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyethylene
terephthalate, vinyl chloride, and high molecular
vibration-absorbing material. Alternatively, the light
vibration-absorbing member is integrally formed in the whole
interior space of the shaft by injection molding.
[0010] Preferably, the light vibration-absorbing member fills the
whole interior space of the shaft.
[0011] The light vibration-absorbing member may include a hollow
portion. Another light vibration-absorbing member may be mounted in
the hollow portion and made of a material different from that of
the light vibration-absorbing member, providing different damping
coefficients for obtaining a composite vibration-absorbing effect.
Alternatively, the another light vibration-absorbing member and the
light vibration-absorbing member are made of the same material yet
filled in the interior space in different compactnesses, providing
different damping coefficients for obtaining a composite
vibration-absorbing effect. A plurality of protrusions or recessed
portions may be formed on an inner periphery of the hollow portion
for distributing the vibration. Alternatively, the hollow portion
includes a wavy or threaded inner periphery for distributing the
vibration.
[0012] In another embodiment, the light vibration-absorbing member
includes a plurality of protruded sections in contact with the
tubular wall and a plurality of recessed buffering sections not in
contact with the tubular wall. The protruded sections and the
recessed buffering sections are alternatively disposed, providing a
multi-stage vibration-absorbing effect.
[0013] In a further embodiment, the light vibration-absorbing
member is a pre-formed column inserted into the interior space of
the shaft and fixed to the tubular wall by adhesive. Preferably,
the column is adjacent to the head.
[0014] In still another embodiment, the shaft includes a plurality
of columns of light vibration-absorbing members mounted in the
interior space, providing different damping coefficients for
obtaining a composite vibration-absorbing effect. The columns may
be made of different materials or of the same material yet filled
in the interior space in different compactnesses.
[0015] In yet another embodiment, two of the columns adjacent to
each other are spaced by a spacer, providing a multi-stage
vibration-absorbing effect.
[0016] A golf club shaft in accordance with another aspect of the
present invention comprises a shaft including a tubular wall
delimiting an interior space. A plurality of light
vibration-absorbing members are mounted in the interior space of
the shaft. The light vibration-absorbing members absorb vibration
that results from striking a golf ball and that is transmitted from
a head coupled to an end of the shaft to the shaft.
[0017] In an embodiment, the light vibration-absorbing members are
spaced from one another.
[0018] In another embodiment, the light vibration-absorbing members
are in contact with one another.
[0019] Preferably, the light vibration-absorbing members are fixed
in the interior space by adhesive.
[0020] In a further embodiment, at least one the light
vibration-absorbing members includes a hollow portion.
[0021] In still another embodiment, a plurality of protrusions are
formed on an inner periphery of the hollow portion for distributing
the vibration.
[0022] In yet another embodiment, the hollow portion includes a
wavy inner periphery for distributing the vibration.
[0023] In still another embodiment, the hollow portion includes a
threaded inner periphery for distributing the vibration.
[0024] Other objects, advantages and novel features of this
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly sectioned, of a
conventional golf club;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly sectioned, of an
embodiment of a golf club in accordance with the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a shaft of the golf club in
FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a modified embodiment of the
shaft of the golf club in accordance with the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another modified embodiment of
the shaft of the golf club in accordance with the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a further modified embodiment
of the shaft of the golf club in accordance with the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of still another modified
embodiment of the shaft of the golf club in accordance with the
present invention;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of yet another modified
embodiment of the shaft of the golf club in accordance with the
present invention;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of still another modified
embodiment of the shaft of the golf club in accordance with the
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of yet another modified
embodiment of the shaft of the golf club in accordance with the
present invention;
[0035] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of still another modified
embodiment of the shaft of the golf club in accordance with the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of yet another modified
embodiment of the shaft of the golf club in accordance with the
present invention; and
[0037] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of still another modified
embodiment of the shaft of the golf club in accordance with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a golf club in accordance with
the present invention comprises a shaft 10, a head 20, a grip 30,
and a light vibration-absorbing member 40. The shaft 10 is an
elongated tubular member with the head 20 coupled to an end thereof
and with the grip 30 coupled to the other end thereof. The shaft 10
includes a tubular wall 11 delimiting an interior space 12.
[0039] The shaft 10 is made of a material having a high coefficient
of restitution so as to be highly flexible. In an example, the
shaft 10 is formed by a plurality of windings of carbon fiber
prepreg. Alternatively, the shaft 10 is integrally formed by metal
or alloy. The light vibration-absorbing member 40 is received in
the interior space 12 of the shaft 10. The head 20 is of an iron
club type, wooden club type, or putter type. The head 20 is used to
strike a golf ball. The grip 30 is made of an elastomeric material
such as rubber, allowing a golfer to grip for swinging or putting
purposes.
[0040] Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the light
vibration-absorbing member 40 may be made of foaming synthetic
resin or other resin material such as rubber, thermoplastic
elastomer, polyurethane (PU), nylon, polypropylene,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate
(PET), vinyl chloride or other high molecular vibration-absorbing
material. Preferably, the light vibration-absorbing member 40 is
integrally formed in the whole interior space 12 of the shaft 10 by
injection molding.
[0041] Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when striking a golf ball
with the golf club in accordance with the present invention,
vibration is generated while the golf ball is stricken by the head
20 and the vibration is transmitted upward through the shaft 10. A
portion of the upwardly transmitted vibration is absorbed by the
head 20 and the tubular wall 11 of the shaft 10, and the remaining
portion of the upwardly transmitted vibration is absorbed by the
light vibration-absorbing member 40. Thus, transmission of the
vibration to the grip 30 is effectively avoided. Uncomfortable
feeling or numbness of the golfer's hands holding the grip 30 is
less likely to occur, even after long-term playing. Striking
accuracy is assured and the risk of injury to the golfer's hands is
reduced.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the shaft 10,
wherein the light vibration-absorbing member 40 includes a hollow
portion 41, allowing adjustment of the vibration-absorbing
capacity.
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the shaft 10,
wherein another light vibration-absorbing member 40' is be received
in the hollow portion 41. The light vibration-absorbing members 40
and 40' may be made of different materials or of the same material
yet filled in the interior space 12 in different compactnesses to
provide different damping coefficients, thereby providing a
composite vibration-absorbing effect.
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates still another embodiment of the shaft 10,
wherein an inner periphery of the hollow portion 41 of the light
vibration-absorbing member 40 includes a plurality of protrusions
411 or recessed portions (not shown) for improving the
vibration-absorbing effect by further distributing the vibration
generated as a result of striking a golf ball.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates still another modified embodiment of the
shaft 10, wherein the inner periphery of the hollow portion 41' is
wavy or threaded for improving the vibration-absorbing effect by
further distributing the vibration generated as a result of
striking a golf ball.
[0046] FIG. 8 illustrates yet another modified embodiment of the
shaft 10, wherein the light vibration-absorbing member 40 includes
a plurality of protruded sections 42 in contact with the tubular
wall 11 and a plurality of recessed buffering sections 43 not in
contact with the tubular wall 11. Preferably, the protruded
sections 42 and the recessed buffering sections 43 are
alternatively disposed, providing a multi-stage vibration-absorbing
effect.
[0047] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of still another modified
embodiment of the shaft 10, wherein the light vibration-absorbing
member 40 is a pre-formed column inserted into the interior space
12 of the shaft 10 and fixed in place by adhesive. Preferably, the
column (i.e., the light vibration-absorbing member 40) is located
adjacent to the head 20 for instantly absorbing the vibration at
the beginning of the vibration.
[0048] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of yet another modified
embodiment of the shaft 10, wherein a plurality of columns of light
vibration-absorbing members 40c, 40b, 40a, 40b, and 40c are mounted
in the shaft 10 and stacked one another in sequence. Preferably,
the light vibration-absorbing members 40a, 40b, 40c, are made of
different materials or of the same material yet filled in the
interior space 12 in different compactnesses to provide different
damping coefficients, thereby providing a composite
vibration-absorbing effect. Preferably, the damping coefficients of
the light vibration-absorbing members 40c, 40b, 40a, 40b, and 40c
are low, medium, high, medium, and low in sequence (or high,
medium, low, medium, and high in sequence). A composite
vibration-absorbing effect is thus obtained.
[0049] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of still another modified
embodiment of the shaft 10, wherein a plurality of columns of light
vibration-absorbing members 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, and 40e are mounted
in the shaft 10 and stacked one upon the other in sequence.
Preferably, the light vibration-absorbing members 40a, 40b, 40c,
40d, and 40e are made of different materials or of the same
material yet filled in the interior space 12 in different
compactnesses to provide different damping coefficients, thereby
providing a composite vibration-absorbing effect. Preferably, the
damping coefficient of an upper one of the light
vibration-absorbing members 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, and 40e is higher
(or lower) than that of a lower one of the light
vibration-absorbing members 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, and 40e. A
composite vibration-absorbing effect is thus obtained.
[0050] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of yet another modified
embodiment of the shaft 10, wherein a plurality of light
vibration-absorbing members 40a, 40b, and 40c are mounted in the
shaft 10 and spaced from one another along a longitudinal direction
of the shaft 10. Preferably, the light vibration-absorbing members
40a, 40b, and 40c are made of different materials or of the same
material yet filled in the interior space 12 in different
compactnesses to provide different damping coefficients, thereby
providing a composite vibration-absorbing effect. Preferably, the
light vibration-absorbing members 40a, 40b, and 40c are fixed in
the interior space 12 of the shaft 10 by adhesive.
[0051] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of still another modified
embodiment of the shaft 10, wherein a plurality of light
vibration-absorbing members 40 are mounted in the shaft 10 and
spaced from one another along a longitudinal direction of the shaft
10 by a spacer 50, providing a multi-stage vibration-absorbing
effect. Preferably, the light vibration-absorbing members 40 are
made of different materials or of the same material yet filled in
the interior space 12 in different compactnesses to provide
different damping coefficients, thereby providing a composite
vibration-absorbing effect. Preferably, the light
vibration-absorbing members 40a, 40b, and 40c are bonded in the
interior space 12 of the shaft 10 by adhesive.
[0052] The structures shown in FIGS. 4 through 8 can be
incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 13. For example, at least
one of the light vibration-absorbing members 40 may include a
hollow portion 41. Further, at least one of the light
vibration-absorbing members 40 may include a hollow portion 41 in
which a different light vibration-absorbing member 40' is mounted.
At least one of the light vibration-absorbing members 40 may
include a hollow portion 41 having a plurality of protrusions 411
on an inner periphery thereof. The vibration-absorbing effect can
be further improved.
[0053] While the principles of this invention have been disclosed
in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by
those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended
to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and
variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended
to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the
appended claims.
* * * * *