Lightweight shaft
First Claim
1. A lightweight shaft of a generally tubular configuration and a prescribed length along an axis of the shaft, which comprises:
- a first layer of a material of a given density extending axially for a distance equal to the prescribed length,a second layer of a foam material of a density lower than the given density and in engagement with at least a portion of the first layer,the second layer extending axially for a distance less than the prescribed length;
a third layer of a metallic material in engagement with at least a portion of the second layer;
the third layer extending axially for a distance equal to the prescribed length and having at least a portion thereof in engagement with a portion of the first layer;
the shaft being formed axially with a butt end and a tip end at the axial extremities thereof and an intermediate section between the butt end and the tip end; and
the second layer being located in at least one of the butt end, the intermediate section and the tip end.
22 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lightweight shaft 22 of generally tubular configuration, for with a golf club 20, is formed with a first layer 34 of a non-metallic composite material of a given density including graphite fibers 86 and cured epoxy resin 86. A second layer 38 of the shaft 22 is composed of a two foam half-forms 124, or a foam full-form 142, having a density which is lower than the given density and which are located around at least a portion of the length of the first layer 34. A third layer 40 of the shaft 22 is also composed of a non-metallic composite material including graphite fibers 86 and cured epoxy resin 86 which is located around the second layer 38 of the shaft 22. A portion of the third layer 38 is also located about the first layer 34 at a tip end 30 of the shaft 22.
29 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A lightweight shaft of a generally tubular configuration and a prescribed length along an axis of the shaft, which comprises:
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a first layer of a material of a given density extending axially for a distance equal to the prescribed length, a second layer of a foam material of a density lower than the given density and in engagement with at least a portion of the first layer, the second layer extending axially for a distance less than the prescribed length; a third layer of a metallic material in engagement with at least a portion of the second layer; the third layer extending axially for a distance equal to the prescribed length and having at least a portion thereof in engagement with a portion of the first layer; the shaft being formed axially with a butt end and a tip end at the axial extremities thereof and an intermediate section between the butt end and the tip end; and the second layer being located in at least one of the butt end, the intermediate section and the tip end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A lightweight shaft of a generally tubular configuration and a prescribed length along an axis of the shaft, which comprises:
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a first layer of a metallic material extending axially for a distance equal to the prescribed length, a second layer of a foam material of a given density in engagement with at least a portion of the first layer, the second layer extending axially for a distance less than the prescribed length; a third layer of a material of a density greater than the given density of the material in the second layer and in engagement with at least a portion of the second layer; the third layer extending axially for a distance equal to the prescribed length and having at least a portion thereof in engagement with a portion of the first layer; the shaft being formed axially with a butt end and a tip end at the axial extremities thereof and an intermediate section between the butt end and the tip end; and the second layer being located in at least one of the butt end, the intermediate section and the tip end.
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13. A lightweight golf club, which comprises:
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a shaft of a prescribed length along an axis of the shaft which includes; a first layer of a material of a given density extending for a distance equal to the prescribed length; a second layer of a foam material of a density lower than the given density and in engagement with at least a portion of the first layer; the second layer extending for a distance less than the prescribed length; a third layer of a metallic material in engagement with at least a portion of the second layer; and the third layer extending for a distance equal to the prescribed length and having at least portions thereof in engagement with portions of the first layer; the shaft formed with a butt section at one end thereof, a tip section at an opposite end thereof and an intermediate section between the butt and tip sections; a grip mounted on the butt section of the club; a head mounted on the tip section of the club; and the second layer being located in at least one of the butt, intermediate and tip sections. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification