Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes – Pore forming in situ – Composite article making
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-23
2001-03-06
Kuhns, Allan R. (Department: 1732)
Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes
Pore forming in situ
Composite article making
C264S046500, C264S046900, C264S054000, C264S258000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06197232
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to the field of golf clubs, and in particular, to the shafts used in a golf club. U.S. Pat. No. 5.474,721, the entire disclosure of which, is herein incorporated by reference describes a process for curing composite shapes.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
There are three major elements in a golf club, namely a grip, a shaft and a head (butt). The shaft can be manufactured in wood, metal, plastic or composite materials. In order to achieve an acceptable weight, the shaft is generally made of tubes of metal or composite materials. The composite shafts are generally lighter, stronger and allow for improved club-head speed and greater impact to the ball. The use of the “double-wall” composite shaft allows for the more precise distribution of material for refining the degree of “flex” in the shaft, as provided for in the instant application. This is achieved by designing either of the two walls, which are separated by the less dense matrix material, to a desirable stiffness. The middle matrix material reduces any vibrations when the club comes in contact with a golf ball. This results in a superior deadening “feel” which is very comfortable in the golfer's hands. The juxtaposition of the two composite tubes act together to control the degree of flex of the shaft and allows for the two tubes to act together and in opposition to one another. This provides for a more resilient shaft giving more dynamic impact to the ball, which produces longer drives. Without the addition of extra weight, this invention provides a structurally sound shaft and an increased resistance to fractures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to create a new golf shaft combining lightness, strength, controllable flex characteristics and added response when hitting a golf ball, while reducing unwanted vibrations.
A golf club is formed by the design and fabrication of a unique hard or soft mold to produce a shaft consisting of two tubes (composite, metal or other material). One tube is inside the other and fabricated in one procedure in a unique mold that allows for the production of a “double-walled” tube in a single operation. The golf shaft will have a solid tip one to six inches in length, starting from the tip to the butt-end of the shaft, which can be made to accommodate the different hosel openings in the golf club head. The solid tip of the shaft described in this application is an improvement to the process for forming the “double-walled” shaft as depicted and described in the above issued patent, issued to this inventor (U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,721).
Utilizing the process described in the above-mentioned patent, the two tubes are consistent in dimensions and are designed to accommodate each of the two tubes. Each of the two tubes has a density greater than that of the middle matrix material, which expands upon the application of heat during the curing cycle of the composite tubes. The middle matrix material provides the needed pressure for the curing of the composite tubes. The entire golf club is fabricated in a single operation by unifying all the components of the “double-wall” composite shaft. The thickness of the tubes can be modified to affect the flex of the shaft, thereby affecting and customizing the “feel” of the golf-shaft and mitigating excessive vibrations upon hitting a golf ball.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4124670 (1978-11-01), Cecka et al.
patent: 5244211 (1993-09-01), Lukasiewicz
patent: 5474721 (1995-12-01), Stevens
patent: 5837181 (1998-11-01), Leimbacher et al.
patent: 5943758 (1999-08-01), Haas
patent: 6071460 (2000-06-01), Renaudin et al.
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