IP Library Granted Patent US 8,475,291
Granted Patent B2
US 8,475,291 · App. 13/591,910 · Granted Jul 2, 2013

Multiple flex shaft method and system for golf clubs

Inventors: Randall B. Noble (Phoenix, AZ); Marty R. Jertson (Cave Creek, AZ); Jeff A. Blankenship (Phoenix, AZ)
Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,475,291
App. No.
13/591,910
Granted
Jul 2, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of multiple flex shaft systems are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also presented herein.

Claims (56)

1. A method comprising:

categorizing a plurality of golf club shafts into a plurality of golf club shaft sets based on a flexibility of the plurality of golf club shafts;

determining a golfing level of an individual to whom a proposed golf club shaft set will be matched; and

selecting the proposed golf club shaft set from the plurality of golf club shaft sets of different golfing levels to fit the golfing level of the individual;

wherein: categorizing the plurality of golf club shafts comprises:

measuring the flexibility of the golf club shafts using a flexibility measuring mechanism configured to apply a predetermined force to the plurality of golf club shafts, wherein the plurality of golf club shafts are decoupled from any golf club heads when the flexibility is measured;

the plurality of golf club shaft sets comprises:

a first golf club shaft set with a first shaft flexibility range and configured for a high golfing level;

a second golf club shaft set with a second shaft flexibility range and configured for a medium golfing level; and

a third golf club shaft set with a third shaft flexibility range and configured for a low golfing level;

the first shaft flexibility range is greater than the second shaft flexibility range;

the second shaft flexibility range is greater than the third shaft flexibility range;

the proposed golf club shaft set comprises proposed golf club shafts and a proposed shaft flexibility variance; and

the proposed shaft flexibility variance of the proposed golf club shaft set is irregular among the proposed golf club shafts within the proposed golf club shaft set.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

an amount of flex for each golf club shaft within the first golf club shaft set is less than

an amount of flex for each golf club shaft within the third golf club shaft set.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the proposed shaft flexibility variance is linear between three or more of the proposed golf club shafts of the proposed golf club shaft set.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein:

the three or more of the proposed golf club shafts of the proposed golf club shaft set comprise a non-linear relationship between golf club shaft length and golf club shaft oscillation frequency.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first golf club shaft set comprises:

a first subset of shafts comprising a first subset shaft flexibility variance therebetween; and

a second subset of shafts comprising a second subset shaft flexibility variance therebetween;

the first subset shaft flexibility variance is different than the second subset shaft flexibility variance;

the second golf club shaft set comprises:

a third subset of shafts comprising a third subset shaft flexibility variance therebetween; and

a fourth subset of shafts comprising a fourth subset shaft flexibility variance therebetween;

and

the third subset shaft flexibility variance is different than the fourth subset shaft flexibility variance.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the high golfing level is correlated to at least one of:

a high swing speed; or

a high skill level;

and

the low golfing level correlated to at least one of:

a low swing speed; or

a low skill level.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the plurality of golf club shaft sets comprises:

a first shaft flexibility range difference comprising a difference between the first and second shaft flexibility ranges; and

a second shaft flexibility range difference comprising a difference between the second and third shaft flexibility ranges;

and

the first and second shaft flexibility range differences are different from each other.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first shaft flexibility range is determined from a difference between:

a shaft flexibility of a shortest golf club shaft of the first golf club shaft set; and

a shaft flexibility of a longest golf club shaft of the first golf club shaft set;

the second shaft flexibility range is determined from a difference between:

a shaft flexibility of a shortest golf club shaft of the second golf club shaft set; and

a shaft flexibility of a longest golf club shaft of the second golf club shaft set;

and

the third shaft flexibility range is determined from a difference between:

a shaft flexibility of a shortest golf club shaft of the third golf club shaft set; and

a shaft flexibility of a longest golf club shaft of the third golf club shaft set.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2012
From: NOBLE, RANDALL B.; JERTSON, MARTY R.; BLANKENSHIP, JEFF A.
To: KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028999/0173 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 13172629 · Jun 29, 2011
Continuation 12193625 · Aug 18, 2008
Continuation In Part 11876508 · Oct 22, 2007
Continuation 10721854 · Nov 24, 2003
Related Publication 20120322572A1 · Dec 20, 2012