U.S. patent application number 12/639130 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-16 for golf club sleeve and golf clubs for use therewith.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKE, Inc.. Invention is credited to Byron C. Slaughter, Jeremy Snyder, John T. Stites, Michael G. Taylor.
Application Number | 20110143855 12/639130 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43759730 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110143855 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snyder; Jeremy ; et
al. |
June 16, 2011 |
GOLF CLUB SLEEVE AND GOLF CLUBS FOR USE THEREWITH
Abstract
A golf club sleeve for use with various golf club structures is
presented. The golf club sleeve may have an airfoil shaped cross
section and may extend over at least a portion of the shaft of the
golf club to reduce drag associated with the shaft during a golf
swing, thereby increasing swing speed. The golf club sleeve may be
rotatable relative to the shaft of the golf club to orient itself
during a swing in order to improve air flow over the sleeve.
Inventors: |
Snyder; Jeremy; (Ft. Worth,
TX) ; Taylor; Michael G.; (Granbury, TX) ;
Slaughter; Byron C.; (Granbury, TX) ; Stites; John
T.; (Weatherford, TX) |
Assignee: |
NIKE, Inc.
Beaverton
OR
|
Family ID: |
43759730 |
Appl. No.: |
12/639130 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/317 ;
473/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/10 20130101;
B33Y 80/00 20141201; A63B 60/00 20151001; B33Y 70/00 20141201; A63B
69/3632 20130101; A63B 2225/01 20130101; A63B 2209/023 20130101;
A63B 53/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/317 ;
473/282 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/00 20060101
A63B053/00 |
Claims
1. A golf club, comprising: a golf club head; a shaft having a
first end connected to the golf club head at a hosel; a golf club
sleeve extending over the shaft and surrounding the shaft, the golf
club sleeve being formed of a substantially rigid material and
being freely rotatable relative to shaft, the golf club sleeve
having an airfoil shaped cross section including a midsection
positioned near the shaft, a leading edge extending outward from
the midsection in a first direction and a trailing edge extending
outward from the midsection in a second direction opposite the
first direction, wherein the trailing edge extends outward a
greater distance from the shaft than the leading edge; and a
reduced-friction transition surface connecting the golf club sleeve
to the hosel.
2. (canceled)
3. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the airfoil shaped geometry is
tear-drop shaped.
4. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the reduced-friction
transition surface includes ball bearings.
5. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the golf club sleeve extends
over substantially all of the shaft.
6. The golf club of claim 5, wherein the golf club sleeve is less
than or equal to 32 inches in length.
7. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the golf club sleeve is
rotatable relative to the shaft to orient the golf club sleeve
during a golf swing.
8. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the golf club sleeve is formed
of a composite material.
9. The golf club of claim 8, wherein the composite material is a
carbon composite.
10. A golf club, comprising: a golf club head; a shaft having a
first end to which the golf club head is connected; and a golf club
sleeve extending over the shaft and surrounding the shaft, the golf
club sleeve having a cross-section corresponding to an airfoil and
including a midsection of the airfoil surrounding the shaft, a
leading edge extending outward from the midsection in a first
direction, and a trailing edge extending outward from the
midsection in a second direction opposite the first direction,
wherein the trailing edge extends outward from the shaft a greater
distance than the leading edge, and the golf club sleeve being
removably connected to the golf club and rotatable relative to the
shaft.
11. (canceled)
12. The golf club of claim 11, wherein the thickness of the golf
club sleeve is greatest at a portion of the midsection.
13. The golf club of claim 10, wherein the golf club sleeve further
includes at least one closure mechanism for securing the golf club
sleeve to the golf club.
14. The golf club of claim 13, wherein the at least one closure
mechanism includes at least one of snap fits, mechanical fasteners,
hook and loop type closures, and snaps.
15. The golf club of claim 10, wherein the golf club sleeve
connects to the golf club at a hosel and the connection includes a
reduced-friction transition.
16. The golf club of claim 15, wherein the reduced-friction
transition is ball bearings.
17. The golf club of claim 10, wherein the golf club sleeve
includes an aperture extending through the golf club sleeve and
corresponding to the size of the shaft.
18. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the aperture is
approximately 0.6 inches in diameter.
19. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the aperture is tapered.
20. A golf club sleeve, comprising: a sleeve body having an airfoil
shaped cross section, the sleeve body including a leading edge, a
trailing edge and a mid-section extending between the leading edge
and the trailing edge, wherein a thickness of the sleeve body in at
least a portion of the midsection is greater than the thickness of
the sleeve body at the leading edge and the trailing edge and
wherein the trailing edge extends outward from the midsection a
greater distance than the leading edge; and an aperture extending
through the airfoil shaped sleeve body, the aperture being sized to
correspond to a shaft of a golf club.
21. The golf club sleeve of claim 20, wherein the aperture extends
through the entire length of the golf club sleeve body.
22. The golf club sleeve of claim 20, wherein the aperture is
between 0.4 and 0.8 inches in diameter.
23. The golf club sleeve of claim 20, wherein the aperture is
tapered.
24. The golf club sleeve of claim 20, wherein the sleeve is
rotatable relative to the shaft of the golf club when connected to
the golf club.
25. The golf club sleeve of claim 20, wherein the sleeve extends
over substantially all of the shaft of the golf club when connected
to the golf club.
26. The golf club sleeve of claim 20, wherein the sleeve body is
less than or equal to 32 inches in length.
27. The golf club sleeve of claim 20, wherein the airfoil shaped
cross section is a tear drop shape.
28. The golf club sleeve of claim 20, wherein the sleeve body is
formed of a rigid material.
29. The golf club sleeve of claim 28, wherein the rigid material is
a composite material.
30. The golf club sleeve of claim 29, wherein the composite
material is a carbon composite material.
31. The golf club sleeve of claim 20, further including a closure
mechanism.
32. The golf club sleeve of claim 31, wherein the closure mechanism
is located at the trailing edge of the sleeve body.
33. The golf club sleeve of claim 31, wherein the closure mechanism
includes at least one of snap fits, mechanical fasteners, snaps,
and hook and loop type closures.
34. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the reduced-friction
transition surface includes lubrication provided on the surface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to golf clubs and
golf club accessories. Particular example aspects of this invention
relate to a golf club sleeve that extends over at least a portion
of a shaft of a golf club to reduce drag associated with the shaft
during a golf swing.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players--players of
different genders and dramatically different ages and/or skill
levels. Golf is somewhat unique in the sporting world in that such
diverse collections of players can play together in golf events,
even in direct competition with one another (e.g., using
handicapped scoring, different tee boxes, in team formats, etc.),
and still enjoy the golf outing or competition. These factors,
together with the increased availability of golf programming on
television (e.g., golf tournaments, golf news, golf history, and/or
other golf programming) and the rise of well known golf superstars,
at least in part, have increased golf's popularity in recent years,
both in the United States and across the world.
[0003] Golfers at all skill levels seek to improve their
performance, lower their golf scores, and reach that next
performance "level." Manufacturers of all types of golf equipment
have responded to these demands, and in recent years, the industry
has witnessed dramatic changes and improvements in golf equipment.
For example, a wide range of different golf ball models now are
available, with balls designed to complement specific swing speeds
and/or other player characteristics or preferences, e.g., with some
balls designed to fly farther and/or straighter; some designed to
provide higher or flatter trajectories; some designed to provide
more spin, control, and/or feel (particularly around the greens);
some designed for faster or slower swing speeds; etc. A host of
swing and/or teaching aids also are available on the market that
promise to help lower one's golf scores.
[0004] One aspect of the game that impacts performance is a
player's swing and, in particular, swing speed. Swing speed is the
speed at which a player moves his club through a swing and can
often affect the distance a ball is hit. For instance, as a golfer
swings the club from the end of the backswing through contact with
the ball, the speed of the swing may have an impact on the flight
of the ball, distance the ball will travel, etc. Increasing the
swing speed may, in some arrangements, increase the distance a golf
ball will travel. However, swing speed is impacted by the geometry
of the golf club. As air flows over the golf club during the swing,
various portions of the golf club, and the shaft in particular,
create drag through the air which reduces swing speed. Accordingly,
it would be advantageous to reduce the drag associated with the
shaft during a golf swing in order to increase swing speed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Aspects of this invention relate to a golf club sleeve that
may be used with various types of golf clubs, including wood-type
golf clubs, hybrid golf clubs, iron-type golf clubs, and the like.
The golf club sleeve may fit around and over at least a portion of
the shaft of the golf club and may be freely rotatable relative to
the shaft of the golf club. This rotatable connection may aid in
permitting the golf club sleeve to orient itself during a golf
swing to increase air flow over the golf club sleeve, thereby
reducing drag associated with at least the shaft of the golf
club.
[0006] The golf club sleeve may include a bearing member such as
ball bearings, or other type of non-friction transition, at a
connection point with the golf club, such as at the hosel. In some
examples, the golf club sleeve may be formed of lightweight
materials, such as carbon composite materials, in order to reduce
weight associated with the golf club sleeve.
[0007] In some examples, the golf club sleeve may be releasably or
removably connected to the golf club such that a player may
selectively connect or detach the golf club sleeve as desired. The
golf club sleeve may include a closure mechanism to secure the golf
club sleeve to the golf club, such as mechanical fasteners,
snap-fits, hook and loop type closures, and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and
not limited in the accompanying figures, in which like reference
numerals indicate similar elements throughout, and in which:
[0009] FIGS. 1A and 1B generally illustrate features of club head
structures according to at least some examples of this
invention.
[0010] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate example golf club sleeves that
may be used with various golf clubs in accordance with at least
some examples of this invention.
[0011] FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view of one example golf club
sleeve that may be used in accordance with at least some examples
of this invention.
[0012] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the example golf club
sleeve of FIG. 3A in accordance with at least some examples of this
invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a connection region of
one example golf club sleeve that may be used in accordance with at
least some examples of this invention.
[0014] FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of one example golf club
sleeve illustrating air flow over the sleeve and rotation of the
golf club sleeve in accordance with at least some aspects of this
invention.
[0015] FIGS. 5B-5E further illustrate rotation of the golf club
sleeve around the golf club shaft during a golf swing in accordance
with at least some aspects of this invention.
[0016] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate cross sections of example golf
club sleeves having various airfoil geometries that may be used in
accordance with at least some aspects of this invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative arrangement of a golf club
sleeve in accordance with at least some aspects of this
invention.
[0018] The reader is advised that the various parts shown in these
drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following description and the accompanying figures
disclose features of golf club accessories, such as golf club
sleeves, in accordance with examples of the present invention.
I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE GOLF CLUB SLEEVES FOR USE WITH
VARIOUS GOLF CLUBS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS INVENTION
[0020] Aspects of this invention relate to golf club accessories,
including a golf club sleeve, for use with various types of golf
clubs. In at least some examples, golf clubs according to aspects
described herein may include a golf club head and a shaft having a
first end connected to the golf club head at a hosel. The golf club
may further include a golf club sleeve extending over the shaft and
surrounding the shaft, the golf club sleeve being formed of a
substantially rigid material and being freely rotatable relative to
shaft. In some arrangements, the golf club may also include a
reduced-friction transition connecting the golf club sleeve to the
hosel. In some examples, the reduced-friction transition may
include ball bearings. In some arrangements, the golf club sleeve
may extend over substantially all of the shaft of the golf club and
may have a cross section having an airfoil shaped geometry to
reduce drag associated with the shaft during a golf swing.
[0021] Still additional aspects of this invention relate to golf
clubs that may include a golf club head and a shaft having a first
end to which the golf club head is connected. The golf club may
further include a golf club sleeve extending over the shaft and
surrounding the shaft, the golf club sleeve having a cross-section
corresponding to an airfoil and being removably connected to the
golf club and rotatable relative to the shaft. In some examples,
the cross section corresponding to the airfoil includes a leading
edge, a trailing edge, and a midsection extending between the
leading edge and the trailing edge. Further, a thickness of the
sleeve may be greatest at a portion of the midsection.
[0022] In at least some examples, the golf club sleeve may further
include at least one closure mechanism for securing the golf club
sleeve to the golf club. The closure mechanism may include at least
one snap fits, mechanical fasteners, hook and loop type closures,
and snaps. The golf club sleeve may connect to the golf club at a
hosel and the connection may include a reduced-friction transition
that may, in some arrangements, include ball bearings. The golf
club sleeve may further include an aperture extending through the
golf club sleeve and corresponding to the size of the shaft. In
some examples, the aperture may be tapered.
[0023] Still other aspects of the invention relate to a golf club
sleeve. The golf club sleeve may include a sleeve body having an
airfoil shaped cross section, the sleeve body including a leading
edge, a trailing edge and a mid-section extending between the
leading edge and the trailing edge, wherein the thickness of the
body in at least a portion of the midsection is greater than the
thickness of the sleeve body at the leading edge and the trailing
edge; and an aperture extending through the airfoil shaped sleeve
body, the aperture being sized to correspond to a shaft of a golf
club. In at least some examples, the aperture extends through the
entire length of the golf club sleeve.
[0024] In some aspects, the golf club sleeve may be rotatable
relative to the shaft of the golf club when connected to the golf
club. The golf club sleeve may extend over substantially all of the
shaft of the golf club when connected to the golf club.
[0025] In still other examples, the airfoil shaped cross section of
the sleeve body may be tear drop shaped. In some examples, the
sleeve body may be formed of a rigid material, such as a composite
material. The sleeve body may also include a closure mechanism that
may be located at the trailing edge of the sleeve body and may be
configured to secure the sleeve body to the golf club.
[0026] Given the general description of various example aspects of
the invention provided above, more detailed descriptions of various
specific examples of golf clubs and golf club head structures
according to the invention are provided below.
II. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE GOLF CLUB ACCESSORIES FOR USE
WITH VARIOUS GOLF CLUBS ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION
[0027] The following discussion and accompanying figures describe
various example golf clubs sleeves in accordance with the present
invention. When the same reference number appears in more than one
drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this
specification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar
parts throughout.
[0028] Various golf club sleeves in accordance with aspects
described herein may be used with various types of golf clubs. For
instance, the golf club sleeve may be used with wood-type golf
clubs and golf club heads, e.g., clubs and club heads typically
used for drivers and fairway woods, as well as for "wood-type"
utility or hybrid clubs, or the like. Such club head structures may
have little or no actual "wood" material and still may be referred
to conventionally in the art as "woods" (e.g., "metal woods,"
"fairway woods," etc.). The golf club sleeves may also be used with
iron-type golf clubs and golf club head structures.
[0029] The club heads may include a multiple piece construction and
structure, e.g., including one or more of a sole member, a face
member (optionally including a ball striking face integrally formed
therein or attached thereto), one or more body members (e.g.,
material extending around the perimeter and making up the club head
body), a crown member, a face plate, a face frame member (to which
a ball striking face may be attached), an aft body, etc. Of course,
if desired, various portions of the club head structure may be
integrally formed with one another, as a unitary, one piece
construction, without departing from the invention (e.g., the body
member(s) may be integrally formed with the sole and/or crown
members, the face member may be integrally formed with the sole,
body, and/or crown members, etc.). Optionally, if desired, the
various portions of the club head structure (such as the sole
member, the crown member, the face member, the body member(s),
etc.) individually may be formed from multiple pieces of material
without departing from this invention (e.g., a multi-piece crown, a
multi-piece sole, etc.). Also, as other alternatives, if desired,
the entire club head may be made as a single, one piece, unitary
construction, or a face plate member may be attached to a one piece
club head aft body (optionally, a hollow body, etc.). More specific
examples and features of golf club heads and golf club structures
according to this invention will be described in detail below in
conjunction with the example golf club structures illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 6.
[0030] FIGS. 1A and 1B generally illustrate an example wood-type
golf club 100 and/or golf club head 102 in accordance with this
invention. As mentioned above, aspects of the golf club sleeve
described herein may be used with various other types of golf clubs
and golf club head structures, including hybrid type clubs,
iron-type clubs, and the like. Although the general description of
golf club structures found in FIGS. 1A and 1B is generally directed
to wood-type golf club heads, nothing in the disclosure should be
viewed as limiting use of golf club sleeves as described herein to
use with only wood-type golf clubs. Instead, the golf club sleeves
described herein may be used with various types of golf clubs
without departing from the invention.
[0031] In addition to the golf club head 102, the overall golf club
structure 100 of this example includes a hosel region 104, a shaft
member 106 received in and/or inserted into and/or through the
hosel region 104, and a grip or handle member 108 attached to the
shaft member 106. Optionally, if desired, the external hosel region
104 may be eliminated and the shaft member 106 may be directly
inserted into and/or otherwise attached to the head member 102
(e.g., through an opening provided in the top of the club head 102,
through an internal hosel member (e.g., provided within an interior
chamber defined by the club head 102), etc.).
[0032] The shaft member 106 may be received in, engaged with,
and/or attached to the club head 102 in any suitable or desired
manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the
art, without departing from the invention. As more specific
examples, the shaft member 106 may be engaged with the club head
102 via a hosel member 104 and/or directly to the club head
structure 102, e.g., via adhesives, cements, welding, soldering,
mechanical connectors (such as threads, retaining elements, or the
like), etc.; through a shaft-receiving sleeve or element extending
into the club head body 102, etc. If desired, the shaft 106 may be
connected to the head 102 in a releasable manner using mechanical
connectors to allow easy interchange of one shaft for another on
the head.
[0033] In some examples, the club head/shaft connection may include
an "off-axis" or angled bore hole or interior chamber in which the
shaft 106 (optionally a straight shaft) is received. More
specifically, an outer cylindrical surface of the connection member
may extend in a first axial direction, and an interior cylindrical
surface of the bore hole may extend in a second axial direction
that differs from the first axial direction. In this manner, while
the shaft connection member exterior maintains a constant axial
direction corresponding to that of the interior of the club head
hosel and its opening, the shaft 106 extends away from the club
head 102 at a different and, in some examples, adjustable angle
with respect to the club head 102 and its ball striking face.
Additional aspects of this off-axis arrangement are described in
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/846,370 filed Aug. 28, 2007 and
entitled "Releasable and Interchangeable Connections for Golf Club
Heads and Shafts," which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0034] The shaft member 106 also may be made from any suitable or
desired materials, including conventional materials known and used
in the art, such as graphite based materials, composite or other
non-metal materials, steel materials (including stainless steel),
aluminum materials, other metal alloy materials, polymeric
materials, combinations of various materials, and the like. Also,
the grip or handle member 108 may be attached to, engaged with,
and/or extend from the shaft member 106 in any suitable or desired
manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the
art, e.g., using adhesives or cements; via welding, soldering,
adhesives, or the like; via mechanical connectors (such as threads,
retaining elements, etc.); etc. As another example, if desired, the
grip or handle member 108 may be integrally formed as a unitary,
one-piece construction with the shaft member 106. Additionally, any
desired grip or handle member 108 materials may be used without
departing from this invention, including, for example: rubber
materials, leather materials, rubber or other materials including
cord or other fabric material embedded therein, polymeric
materials, and the like.
[0035] The club head 102 itself also may be any of various types of
golf club heads and may be constructed in any suitable or desired
manner and/or from any suitable or desired materials without
departing from this invention, including from conventional
materials and/or in conventional manners known and used in the art.
For example, in the exemplary structure 102 shown in FIGS. 1A and
1B, the club head 102 includes a ball striking face member 102a
(optionally including a ball striking face plate 102b integrally
formed with the face member 102a or attached to the club 100 such
that the face plate 102b and a frame member together constitute the
overall face member 102a). The club head 102 of this illustrated
example further includes a crown 102c, a sole 102d, and at least
one body portion 102e located between the crown or top portion 102c
and the sole 102d (e.g., material extending from the face member
102a, around the club head periphery from the heel to the toe).
This body portion 102e, which extends to a location substantially
opposite the striking face member 102a, may include a rear portion
of the club head structure. A wide variety of overall club head
constructions are possible without departing from this invention.
For example, if desired, some or all of the various individual
parts of the club head 102 described above may be made from
multiple pieces that are connected together (e.g., by welding,
adhesives, or other fusing techniques; by mechanical connectors;
etc.). The various parts (e.g., crown 102c, sole 102d, and/or body
portion(s) 102e) may be made from any desired materials and
combinations of different materials, including materials that are
conventionally known and used in the art, such as metal materials,
including lightweight metal materials. More specific examples of
suitable lightweight metal materials include steel, titanium and
titanium alloys, aluminum and aluminum alloys, magnesium and
magnesium alloys, etc.
[0036] As additional examples or alternatives, in order to reduce
the weight of the club head 102, if desired, one or more portions
of the club head structure 102 advantageously may be made from a
composite material, such as from carbon fiber composite materials
that are conventionally known and used in the art. Other suitable
composite or other non-metal materials that may be used for one or
more portions of the club head structure 102 include, for example:
fiberglass composite materials, basalt fiber composite materials,
polymer materials, etc. The composite or other non-metal
material(s) may be incorporated as part of the club head structure
102 in any desired manner, including in conventional manners that
are known and used in the art.
[0037] The various individual parts that make up a club head
structure 102, if made from multiple pieces, may be engaged with
one another and/or held together in any suitable or desired manner,
including in conventional manners known and used in the art. For
example, the various parts of the club head structure 102, such as
the face member 102a, the ball striking plate 102b, the crown 102c,
the sole 102d, and/or the body portion(s) 102e may be joined and/or
fixed together (directly or indirectly through intermediate
members) by adhesives, cements, welding, soldering, or other
bonding or finishing techniques; by mechanical connectors (such as
threads, screws, nuts, bolts, or other connectors); and the like.
If desired, the mating edges of various parts of the club head
structure 102 (e.g., the edges where members 102a, 102b, 102c,
102d, and/or 102e contact and join to one another) may include one
or more raised ribs, tabs, ledges, or other engagement elements
that fit into or onto corresponding grooves, slots, surfaces,
ledges, openings, or other structures provided in or on the facing
side edge to which it is joined. Cements, adhesives, mechanical
connectors, finishing material, or the like may be used in
combination with the raised rib/groove/ledge/edge or other
connecting structures described above to further help secure the
various parts of the club head structure 102 together.
[0038] The dimensions and/or other characteristics of a golf club
head structure according to examples of this invention may vary
significantly without departing from the invention.
[0039] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate example golf club shaft sleeves
200 in accordance with aspects of the invention. The golf club
sleeve 200, as described herein, may generally cover a shaft 106 of
a golf club (such as golf club 100 in FIGS. 1A and 1B) in order to
reduce drag associated with the shaft 106 during swinging of the
golf club, both for use during practice and during rounds of golf.
For instance, in one exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 200 may
generally have an airfoil shape. The airfoil shape of the golf club
sleeve 200 may generally reduce drag, thereby increasing speed, as
the club 100 moves through a swing, as will be discussed more fully
below. In some arrangements, the golf club sleeve 200 may be
removably connected to the shaft 106 to permit a user to
selectively use the golf club sleeve 200 as desired, as will be
discussed more fully below. Additionally or alternatively, the golf
club sleeve 200 may be rotatably connected to the shaft 106 in
order to permit the golf club sleeve 200 to rotate freely about the
shaft 106. This arrangement may permit the golf club sleeve 200 to
orient itself during a golf swing, as will be discussed more fully
below.
[0040] In some examples, the golf club sleeve 200 may cover
substantially all of the shaft 106 of the golf club in order to
reduce drag associated with the shaft 106 during swinging of the
club. For instance, the golf club sleeve 200 may generally extend
from a grip region 110 of the golf club to the head region 120.
More specifically, in some arrangements, the golf club sleeve 200
may extend from a bottom 112 of the grip 108 to the hosel 104 of
the golf club 100. In some examples, the golf club sleeve 200 may
be approximately 25 inches to 35 inches in length. In still other
examples, the golf club sleeve 200 may be less than or equal to 32
inches in length. The length of the golf club sleeve 200 may, in
some arrangements, be determined based on the length of the golf
club 100 it will be used on. For instance, a golf club sleeve 200
that may be used on a driver or other wood-type golf club may be
longer than a golf club sleeve 200 that may be used on an iron-type
golf club. In still other examples, the length of the golf club
sleeve 200 may be customized to fit an individual's specific club
length. For instance, a set of clubs having a custom club length
(i.e., longer or shorter than a standard club) may have a golf club
sleeve 200 that is a customized length to fit that particular shaft
length.
[0041] In still other examples, the golf club sleeve 200 may cover
less than substantially all of the shaft 106 of the golf club. For
instance, a portion of the shaft 106a may be exposed when the golf
club sleeve 200 is connected to the golf club, as shown in FIG. 2B.
However, the golf club sleeve 200 may generally cover a substantial
portion of the shaft 106b. In arrangements in which less than all
of the shaft 106 is covered by the golf club sleeve 200, a stop may
be used to maintain the position of the sleeve 200 on the shaft
106. For instance, a gasket (not shown), such as a rubber gasket,
may be connected to the bottom of the sleeve 200 to maintain the
position of the sleeve 200 on the shaft 106. The gasket may be on
the bottom of the sleeve 200 or contained within the sleeve 200. In
some arrangements, a coating or other substance may be placed on
the gasket in order to aid rotation of the sleeve 200 about the
shaft 106.
[0042] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a cross sectional view and a
perspective view, respectively, of one example golf club sleeve 200
having an airfoil shape. Additional airfoil geometries may also be
used, as will be discussed below. The airfoil shape depicted may be
generally tear-drop shaped, having a leading edge 215, a midsection
217, and a trailing edge 213. In some examples, the length of the
sleeve 200, i.e., the distance from the leading edge 215 to the
trailing edge 213 may be between 3/4 in. and 3 in. Further, the
airfoil shaped golf club sleeve may be formed of a lightweight
material and may be relatively thin in order to reduce weight and
provide ease of rotation of the sleeve 200 around the shaft. For
instance, the thickness of the sleeve may be between 0.5 and 5.0 mm
in some examples.
[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the midsection
217 of the sleeve 200 may be greater, in at least a portion of the
midsection 217, than the thickness at the leading edge 215 or
trailing edge 213. Stated differently, the thickness of the sleeve
200 may be greatest at a point in the midsection 217. In some
examples, the thickness of the midsection 217 may be between 0.25
inches and 0.75 inches. The golf club sleeve 200 may have a central
aperture or bore 220 into which the shaft 106 of the golf club may
fit when the golf club sleeve 200 is in use. This aperture 220 may
be sized to correspond to the diameter of the shaft 106 in order to
fit snugly with the shaft 106, while still permitting rotation of
the golf club sleeve 200 relative to the shaft 106, as will be
discussed below. For instance, the aperture 220 may have a diameter
of 0.2 to 0.8 inches. In some arrangements, the diameter may be
approximately 0.6 inches. In still other arrangements, the diameter
of the aperture 220 may not be constant and instead may vary to fit
the shaft 106 of the golf club. For instance, as a golf club shaft
106 tapers, the golf club sleeve aperture 220 may have a
corresponding taper to provide a snug fit along the length of the
shaft 106.
[0044] With further reference to FIG. 2A, to connect the golf club
sleeve 200 to the golf club, the golf club sleeve 200 may, in some
arrangements, slide over the shaft 106 to connect at the hosel 104,
as described below. In other arrangements, the golf club sleeve 200
may separate at one side, i.e., the sleeve 200 may have a split at
the trailing edge 213, and may have one or more closure mechanisms
250 located at the trailing edge 213 to connect the two sides of
the golf club sleeve 200. For instance, the golf club sleeve 200
may have a zipper, hook and loop type fastener, snaps, snap fits,
mechanical fasteners, and the like, associated with each side of
the split that may connect the sides to secure the golf club sleeve
200 along the shaft 106. Thus, the golf club sleeve 200 may, in
some arrangements, be sold as an after-market accessory that may be
used with various golf clubs. In other arrangements, the golf club
sleeve 200 may be sold with a particular golf club (such as a
driver or other wood-type club) or set of clubs (such as iron-type
clubs). In still other arrangements, the golf club sleeve 200 may
be permanently connected to the golf club.
[0045] Further, the golf club sleeve 200 may be connected to the
golf club at the hosel 104 or ferrule (not shown). In some
arrangements, the golf club sleeve 200 may be connected to the golf
club at a non-friction or reduced-friction transition member, such
as ball bearings. Additionally or alternatively, lubrication may be
added to the shaft and/or the sleeve 200 in order to aid in
rotation of the sleeve 200. For instance, LANO-LUBE may be applied
to the shaft and/or the sleeve 200, or portions thereof including
the transition, in order to aid in rotation of the sleeve 200
around the shaft. FIG. 4 illustrates one arrangement in which a
bearing member in the form of ball bearings 260 are used to
rotatably connect the golf club sleeve 200 to the golf club 100
while minimizing friction. The cross-section shown in FIG. 4
depicts the ball bearings 260 on which the golf club sleeve 200 may
rest or be connected. The non-friction transition member 260 may be
positioned on or near the hosel 104. This arrangement aids in the
rotation of the golf club sleeve 200 about the shaft 106 by
reducing friction associated with the rotation of the golf club
sleeve 200 relative to the shaft 106 and may aid in the golf club
sleeve orienting itself during a golf swing, as discussed more
fully below.
[0046] The golf club sleeve 200 may, as mentioned above, be
rotatably connected to the shaft 106 in order to rotate relative to
the shaft 106. This independent rotation may permit the golf club
sleeve 200 to orient itself during a golf swing to improve air flow
over the sleeve 200. Examples of air flow over the sleeve and
associated rotation of the golf club sleeve 200 are shown in FIGS.
5A-5E. With reference to FIG. 5A, as the golf club is swung and air
flows across the golf club sleeve 200 (as indicated by arrow 270),
the pressure gradient caused by the air flow across the golf club
sleeve 200 may cause the golf club sleeve 200 to rotate about the
shaft. Arrows 272 illustrate movement of the golf club sleeve 200
around the shaft 106 due to the air flow and associated pressure
gradient. The golf club sleeve 200 may rotate to a position in
which it is oriented with the leading edge 215 and trailing edge
213 in appropriate positions during the swing to reduce drag
associated with the shaft 106 of the golf club during the swing.
For instance, FIGS. 5B-5E illustrate one example golf swing in
which the golf club sleeve 200 rotates around the shaft 106 of the
golf club. During a portion of a player's swing (e.g., backswing,
downswing, etc.), the pressure gradient over the golf club sleeve
200 may orient the leading edge 215 in front of the shaft 106
(i.e., into the air flow) during the swing while the trailing edge
213 may be behind the shaft 106. This arrangement will orient the
airfoil shaped golf club sleeve 200 to improve airflow over the
sleeve 200 (and thus the shaft 106 of the golf club) in order to
reduce drag during the swing, thereby increasing the speed of the
swing.
[0047] FIG. 5B illustrates the golf club sleeve 200 during a start
of an example backswing. As indicated by arrow 280, the golf club
281 is being pulled backward and upward. Accordingly, the leading
edge 215 is shown in front of the shaft 106 in the backswing. That
is, as the club 281 is pulled backward, the golf club sleeve 200
rotates around the shaft 106 such that the leading edge 215 is
heading into the air flow ahead of or in front of the shaft 106
(which is covered by the sleeve 200) and the trailing edge 213
follows behind the shaft 106. This arrangement may improve airflow
over the shaft 106 and sleeve 200.
[0048] FIG. 5C illustrates a golf club 281 at the beginning of a
downswing. At this point, the player has begun to move the club 281
downward, as indicated by arrow 282. Accordingly, as air flows over
the golf club 281, the golf club sleeve 200 will rotate around the
shaft 106 to orient itself with the leading edge 215 in front of or
ahead of the shaft 106 into the air flow and the trailing edge 213
behind the shaft. FIGS. 5D and 5E illustrate additional portions of
the downswing and further illustrate rotation of the golf club
sleeve 200 around the shaft 106. As the club moves through the
downswing, the sleeve 200 orients itself (e.g., rotates around the
shaft) to maintain a position with the leading edge 215 in front of
the shaft 106 into the airflow and the trailing edge 213 behind the
shaft through the remaining phases of the golf swing, as shown by
arrows 284 and 286. This position with the leading edge into the
air flow aids in improving air flow around the shaft 106 and sleeve
200 and may aid in increasing swing speed.
[0049] FIGS. 6A and 6B provide some additional example airfoil
geometries that may be used with the golf club sleeve 300 in order
to aid in reducing drag associated with the shaft 306 during swing.
With the various airfoil geometries shown and discussed herein, as
the shaft 306 of the golf club moves through the air, air flow over
the airfoil shaped golf club sleeve 300 is increased due to the
shape of the sleeve 300. This increase in air flow provides a
corresponding increase in swing speed. Although the particular
airfoil geometries in FIGS. 3-6B are shown and described, various
additional airfoil geometries may be used without departing from
the invention and nothing in the specification and figures should
be viewed as limiting the golf club sleeve to only the airfoil
geometries shown in the various figures.
[0050] With further reference to the arrangements of FIGS. 2A-5,
while the airfoil shaped golf club sleeve 200 may aid in reducing
drag during a golf swing, it may be desirable to minimize the
additional weight associated with the golf club sleeve 200 in order
to reduce the amount of total weight associated with a golf club.
For example, in some arrangements, the golf club sleeve 200 may
weigh between 10 and 70 grams. The golf club sleeve 200 may be made
of various lightweight materials. For example, the golf club sleeve
200 may be formed of titanium, aluminum, alloys or combinations
thereof, any suitable plastic material, polymers, thermosets,
composite material, such as a carbon composite, and the like. The
golf club sleeve 200 may be formed using conventional forming
methods, such as molding, and the like. In some arrangements, the
golf club sleeve 200 may be formed using a rapid prototyping
additive fabrication technique, such as laser sintering, solid
deposition modeling, stereolithography, and the like.
[0051] In some examples, the golf club sleeve 200 may be formed
having varying surface textures. For instance, the golf club sleeve
200 may, in some examples, have a smooth surface. In other
examples, the golf club sleeve 200 may have a texture or pattern
formed in the exterior surface to provide improved air flow over
the golf club sleeve 200 and/or improved aesthetic appearance.
[0052] In some alternative arrangements, the golf club sleeve may
have an adjustable length. For instance, the sleeve may be formed
of a plurality of shorter sleeves which may connect to each other
(e.g., using known methods of attachment such as adhesives, hook
and loop, snaps, buttons, mechanical fasteners, snap fits, etc.).
One or more of the plurality of sleeves may be connected to each
other to form a golf club sleeve of a desired length. For instance,
FIG. 7 illustrates one example golf club sleeve 400 having a
plurality of sleeve portions 400a-400d. Although four portions or
sections are shown here, any desired number of sections or portions
may be used. The portions 400a-400d may be removably connected to
each other in order to shorten or lengthen the length of the golf
club sleeve, as desired to suit the length of the club in use. In
some examples, smaller or shorter portions may be used in order to
make finer adjustments to the length of the sleeve.
[0053] In still other examples, the golf club sleeve may include
various colors, patterns, logos, etc. For instance, a manufacturer
logo may be placed on the golf club sleeve. In other arrangements,
the golf club sleeve may be painted or otherwise include colors
associated with a team, e.g., a college golf team, high school golf
team, etc. In still other examples, the golf club sleeve may
include a mascot or other identifier associated with a favorite
team, such as a professional sports team, college sports team, a
player's alma mater, and the like.
III. CONCLUSION
[0054] The present invention is described above and in the
accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of example
structures, features, elements, and combinations of structures,
features, and elements. The purpose served by the disclosure,
however, is to provide examples of the various features and
concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the
invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that
numerous variations and modifications may be made to the
embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the
present invention, as defined by the appended claims. For example,
the various features and concepts described above in conjunction
with FIGS. 1A through 7 may be used individually and/or in any
combination or subcombination without departing from this
invention.
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