GOLF CLUB SHAFT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A golf shaft comprising:
- an elongate substantially cylindrical shaft member having a tip end and butt end;
the shaft member including a tip section adjoining the tip end, butt section adjoining the butt end and midsection therebetween, the tip section, butt section and midsection being formed at least partially from composite material;
at least a portion of the tip section having at least one reduced neck portion; and
a deflection limiting outer sleeve which is bonded to an outer surface of the tip section and overlies the neck portion, the sleeve having a centrally located gap filled with a compressible material.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A golf club and golf club shaft includes a tubular member having at least one neck portion with a reduced outer diameter and at least one relatively rigid two-piece sleeve secured to the tubular member in overlying relationship to each neck portion. The two-piece sleeve defines a small central gap filled by a compressible ring to allow the two otherwise longitudinally aligned sleeve pieces to pivot relative to one another under dynamic loading of the tubular member during a golf swing, and then upon reaching a limit point restrict additional deflection or bending of the tubular member.
1 Citation
17 Claims
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1. A golf shaft comprising:
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an elongate substantially cylindrical shaft member having a tip end and butt end; the shaft member including a tip section adjoining the tip end, butt section adjoining the butt end and midsection therebetween, the tip section, butt section and midsection being formed at least partially from composite material; at least a portion of the tip section having at least one reduced neck portion; and a deflection limiting outer sleeve which is bonded to an outer surface of the tip section and overlies the neck portion, the sleeve having a centrally located gap filled with a compressible material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A golf shaft comprising:
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a hollow graphite tube having a tip end and butt end; the tube having a first neck section; a first deflection limiting sleeve bonded to an outer surface of the tube overlying the first neck section; the sleeve being formed of a material having a stiffness sufficient to restrict local flexing of the tube, and having a centrally located gap filled with a compressible material to allow portions of the sleeve on opposite sides of the gap to pivot relative to one another as the compressible material compresses. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A golf club comprising:
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a hollow composite golf shaft having an outer diameter that generally tapers from a butt end of the shaft to an opposed tip end of the shaft; a club head affixed to the shaft at the tip end; the shaft having at least a first neck portion to create at least a first localized flex zone; a first deflection limiting sleeve affixed to an outer surface of the shaft in the area of the first flex zone, the first limiting sleeve overlying the first neck portion and extending beyond both ends of the first neck portion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification