Force diversion apparatus and methods and devices including the same

• US 7,367,898 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerospace Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aerospace Corporation
• Inventors: Tang, Ching-Yao, Hawkins, Gary F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti; Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US11/066,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20060191403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 473/329, 473/332, 473/342
• US Class Current: 473/329
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/015 with shock-absorbing means A41D13/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/064 with relative movement between layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/1208 for the breast and the abdomen, e.g. breast plates
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/10 for the head A63B71/081 takes precedence ; in the form of caps or hats A42B1/08; helmets A42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/12 for the body or the legs , e.g. for the shoulders A63B71/081 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/186 Additional energy absorbing means supported on bumber beams, e.g. cellular structures or material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/1866 Cellular structures
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/1886 Bumper fascias and fastening means therefor on fenders B60R2019/247
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/428 of strip- or leg-type springs
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 1/02 Armoured or projectile- or missile-resistant garments; Composite protection fabrics F41H5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 1/04 Protection helmets crash helmets A42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/04 composed of more than one layer outerwear resistant to mechanical aggressions A41D31/24; layered products B32B; shaping reinforced articles B29C67/00
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/02 Land vehicles with enclosing armour, e.g. tanks endless-track vehicles, steering thereof B62D ; vehicles for placing portable or sectional bridges E01D15/127; vehicles carrying floating bridges E01D15/22

Abstract

Force diversion apparatus, methods and devices including the same result in rotational motion being imparted to an impacting object.

Claims

1. A sports implement for use with an object, comprising:

a golf club head that is configured to collide with the object; and

a force diversion apparatus on the golf club head including

a club head strike plate having a surface with linear indentations and movable relative to the impact device; and

a force conversion portion, operably connected to the club head strike plate, configured to redirect at least a portion of a force that is perpendicular to the surface of the club head strike plate and associated with the object impacting the force diversion apparatus, the redirection being in a direction that is substantially parallel to the surface of the club head strike plate.

2. A sports implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the club head strike plate having a surface with linear indentations comprises a metal strike plate with score lines.

3. A sports implement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a golf club shaft connected to the golf club head.

4. A sports implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force conversion portion comprises a plurality of machines configured to convert compression force to shear force, and the force spreading portion comprises a layer of material operably connected to the plurality of machines and configured to spread the force over the plurality of machines.

5. A sports implement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of machines comprises a plurality of elongate machines defining asymmetrical cross-sections.

6. A sports implement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the machines include first and second planar portions and a transverse portion extending from the first planar portion to the second planar portion.

7. A sports implement as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

matrix material located between at least two adjacent machines.