US20120190475A1

US20120190475A1 - Golf Club Vibration Dampening Device

Info

Publication number: US20120190475A1
Application number: US13/358,498
Authority: US
Inventors: Kerim Antoine KFURI; Omar Abdul-Baki
Original assignee: SHOCK LOCK LLC
Current assignee: SHOCK LOCK LLC
Priority date: 2011-01-25
Filing date: 2012-01-25
Publication date: 2012-07-26

Abstract

A vibration dampening device that can be attached to the shaft and hosel of a golf club to absorb vibrations. The uniquely designed dampening device is positioned to immediately absorb vibrations of a golf club after the club head makes impact with a golf ball. The absorption of impact vibrations helps reduce injury that may be caused by stress from continual exposure to impact vibration. The vibration dampening device allows users to perform golf swing with less vibration during impact.

Description

The current application is a nonprovisional application and claims a priority to the U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/435,972 filed on Jan. 25, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device that can be attached to the shaft & hosel of a golf club to dampen vibrations. More specifically, the device comprises of a unique, reversible securing mechanism to prevent shifting of the device when the golf club is in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Prior art which relate to the present invention, includes the following patents:
Artus, U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,423 discloses a striking head having a hosel with an extended shaft fixed to the hosel. A vibration dampening means is fixed on the shaft. The vibration dampening means comprises a viscoelastic later and a rigid tubular sleeve. The rigid tubular sleeve constrains the viscoelastic layer to the shaft. The vibration is additionally integrated into an altered shaft. The present invention introduces a vibration dampener device that is placed over the hosel and shaft of any golf club. Unlike the prior art presented, the present invention has the ability to be removed from a user' club and does not structurally alter a golf club shaft. The present invention allows the golf club to maintain its structural stability.
Ling, U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,113 discloses a golf club that comprises a striking head having a hosel. A shaft is fixed to the hosel of the striking head and a grip. Attached to the shaft are constrained layer dampers. The layer dampers are non-tubular and each layer is constrained independently. Unlike the prior art, the present invention is tubular device that does will not hinder the aerodynamic flow of the shaft while a user is swinging the club. Unlike the non-tubular layer dampers, the tubular design of the present invention ensures and vibrations of shock are passed through the dampening component of the present invention.
Todd, U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,129 discloses a vibration dampening device for use on the shaft of a golf club. The device comprises of a dampening unit including a strip of elastomeric material that encircles the external periphery of a golf club shaft. The strip of elastomeric material comprises a viscoelastic polymer. A clip unit is used to receive both the dampening unit and the periphery of the shaft of a golf club. Unlike the prior art, the present invention utilizes an outer jacket with a reversible fastening system (e.g., latches, hooks, snaps, buttons, straps, hook-and-loops strips, magnets, ties, etc.) to secure the inner dampening component to a golf club.
In reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,155,932; 6,231,456; and 5,294,119, the prior art includes several different vibration dampening devices for golf clubs. While the prior art disclose devices for dampening vibration in a golf club, the prior art fails to isolate vibrations that are close to its source. The present invention is designed to fit over the hosel and shaft of the golf club to immediately dampen the vibrations caused by the striking head. Furthermore, the inner dampening component of the present invention is provided with a release through a block window on the outer jacket. Many of the prior art introduced disclose a vibration dampener that completely constrains the damper component onto the shaft. Viscoelastic materials exhibit both behaviors of viscous materials and elastic materials. However, when a load is placed and released from the material, mechanical energy can still be released from the viscoelastic materials. By binding the viscoelastic materials tightly or embedding the materials directly into the golf clubs, the ability of the material to absorb energy is altered. As a result, the remaining mechanical energy that is not dampened is directed back into the golf club. The present invention introduces an outer jacket window allowing the partial mechanical energy to be released as slight temporary deformations to the inner dampening component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vibration from golf clubs after impact with a ball is one of the known causes that induce injury to a player. When a user hits a golf ball, vibrations travel from the head of the club, up the shaft, and into the player's arms holding the club. Continuous exposure to vibrations from a golf club can place a large amount of stress on the muscles and joints of a user's arms. Several vibration dampening devices have been developed to combat the vibration resulting from the impact of golf balls. However, many of the existing dampening devices are simple viscoelastic cuffs that are attached in an arbitrary position on the shaft of a golf club. The present invention introduces a new vibration dampening device that is uniquely designed to attach to the base of the shaft and the hosel of the club head. The design of the present invention allows it to lock onto the shaft & hosel of the golf club and immediately dampen vibrations caused by the head after impact with a golf ball. The vibrations originating from the club head can also cause the user to tense up during a swing. This can also disrupt proper swing form of the user and lead to other injuries. The reduction or elimination of these vibrations allows the present invention to allow users to perform proper golf swings consistently and with less vibration during impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an alternate view of the assembled present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right-side elevational view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a left-side elevational view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the present invention in which a sectional view is taken and shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a right side sectional view of the present invention showing the hosel channel and the shaft channel of the inner dampening component.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the present invention without the inner dampening component in which a detailed view is taken and shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a detailed view showing the connection of the loop latch to the latch between the top portion and the bottom portion of the outer jacket.

FIG. 13 is an alternate exploded view of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
In reference to FIG. 1-7, the present invention is a vibration dampening device that comprises of an outer jacket 1 and an inner dampening component 2. The outer jacket 1 is the component of the present invention that is able to secure the inner dampening component 2 onto the shaft of the golf club. The inner dampening component 2 is the component of the present invention that wraps around the shaft and hosel of the golf club to absorb any vibration that originates from the head of the club. The present invention is encompassed about the hosel and the shaft to immediately dampen the resonating vibrations from the head when a user strikes a golf ball. The inner dampening component 2 of the present invention can be made of the materials including neoprene, buna-N, silicone, EPDM, natural gum, viton, styrene butadiene, vinyl, santoprene, epichlorohydrin, butyl, chlorosulfonated polyethelene, a non-dilatant newtonian material, or any other suitable materials with exceptional visco-elastic properties. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner dampening component 2 is made with a material with high visco-elastic properties. The inner dampening component 2 is able to dampen vibrations due to its visco-elastic properties. Visco-elastic materials are characterized to have both the properties of an elastic material and the properties of a viscous material. Elastic materials are able to store energy received from a load and later release that energy when the load is removed. Unlike elastic materials, viscous materials do not store energy and energy is lost. Visco-elastic materials have the ability to absorb a large portion mechanical energy and transform it into thermal energy. As a result, mechanical energy from shock or vibration is dramatically reduced, preventing it from travelling up the shaft of a club into the user's hands.
In reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 13, the inner dampening component 2 is tube shaped and comprises a slit 23, outer ribbings 24, a external mass element 25, a shaft channel 21, and a hosel channel 22. The slit 23 is a cut opening positioned on the side of the inner dampening component 2 arranged in parallel relationships along the length of the inner dampening component 2. The slit 23 allows the user to slip the inner dampening component 2 over the shaft and hosel of the golf club. The outer ribbings 24 are ring protrusions positioned on the outer surface of the inner dampening component 2. The outer ribbings 24 are patterned along the entire length of the inner dampening component 2. The external mass element 25 is a protrusion positioned on the outer surface of the inner dampening component 2 opposite of the slit 23. The shaft channel 21 and the hosel channel 22 are both cylindrical holes that traverse through the center of the inner dampening component 2. The shaft channel 21 is sized to tightly fit the shaft of the golf club. The hosel channel 22 is sized to tightly fit the hosel portion of the golf club. The present invention is designed to fit on the base of the shaft close to the club head. On the lower portion of a golf club, the shaft has a radius smaller than that of the hosel. Naturally, the hosel channel 22 will have a larger radius than the shaft channel 21. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaft channel 21 occupies sixty percent of the length of the inner dampening component 2 while the hosel channel 22 occupies the remaining forty percent. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the length ratio of the shaft channel 21 and the hosel channel 22 can be adjusted to produce different results. More specifically, in other embodiments of the present invention, the hosel channel 22 may be absent leaving only the shaft channel 21. This allows the user to attach the present invention directly to the shaft only. The shaft channel 21 comprises a shaft grip ribbing 211 and the hosel channel 22 comprises a hosel grip ribbing 221. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hosel grip ribbing 221 are thin fine rings patterned and positioned concentrically on the inside surface of the hosel channel 22. With the shaft channel 21 being longer than the hosel channel 22, the shaft grip ribbings 211 are wider ribs patterned and positioned on the inside surface of the shaft channel 21. The ability to tune the shaft ribbing to match the optimal frequencies of a specific golf club is known as modulated ribbing. In this embodiment, there are two discrete frequency bands within the ribbing. Other embodiments contain one or more spatial frequencies of ribbing depending on whether the part is to be tuned for a specific type of club (e.g., irons or drivers), or made to be a versatile broadband dampening element. In reference to FIG. 6-7, the slit 23 on the inner dampening component 2 comprises of corresponding ledges 231. The corresponding ledges 231 on the two sides of the slit 23 ensure that the inner dampening component 2 fully encompasses the shaft and hosel of the golf club.
In reference to FIG. 11-12, the outer jacket 1 is a tubular casing that is formed by two semi-tubular parts including a top portion 11 and a bottom portion 12. The outer jacket 1 is a rigid component that securely fastens the inner dampening component 2 to the golf club. The top portion 11 and the bottom portion 12 are separate pieces that unite together to form a cylindrically shaped shell for the present invention. The top portion 11 being semi-cylindrically shaped comprises a block window 112, top jacket ribbings 111, and a plurality of latch loops 113. The bottom portion 12 similarly being semi-cylindrically shaped comprises bottom jacket ribbings 121 and a plurality of latches 122. The block window 112 is an opening positioned on the top portion 11 shaped to correspond to the shape of the external mass element 25 on the inner dampening component 2. The block window 112 is positioned on the top portion 11 to allow the top portion 11 to be aligned consistently with the inner dampening portion. The top jacket ribbings 111 are ridges disposed along the length of the concave side of the top portion 11. The plurality of latch loops 113 extends from and is positioned along the length of the two straight edges of the top portion 11. The bottom jacket ribbings 121 are ridges disposed along the length of the concave side of the bottom portion 12. The plurality of latches 122 positioned along the outer surface of the bottom portion 12 adjacent to the two straight edges. The plurality of latch loops 113 and plurality of latches 122 are positioned on the top portion 11 and the bottom portion 12 to correspond to one another. The top portion 11 and the bottom portion 12 are connected by means of the plurality of latch loops 113 engaging the plurality of latches 122 to form the outer jacket 1. The connection of the top portion 11 and the bottom portion 12 allow the top jacket ribbings 111 and the bottom jacket ribbings 121 to combine and form a complete ring ridge pattern corresponding to the outer ribbings 24 of the inner dampening component 2. In an alternative embodiment, the outer jacket 1 comprises of a top portion 11 and a bottom portion 12 connected together by at least one hinge to form a singular piece as opposed to two separate pieces. The at least one hinge permits the top portion 11 and the bottom portion 12 to swing open and close without detachment from each other. A plurality of latch loops 113 and a plurality of latches 122 are positioned at the ends of the top portion 11 and the bottom portion 12 opposite to the at least one hinge. The top portion 11 and the bottom portion 12 are connected by means of the plurality of latch loops 113 when the outer jacket 1 is in a closed position and subsequently allow the bottom jacket ribbings 121 to combine and form a complete ring edge pattern corresponding to the outer ribbings 24 of the inner dampening components 2. The outer jacket 1 comprises of an outer element where the outer element is a surface modification selected from the group consisting of at least one aerodynamic groove, a gripping element, or a marketing element.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the top portion 11 and the bottom portion 12 may have a hinge connection with the plurality of latch loops 113 and the plurality of latches 122 for securing the inner dampening component 2 to a golf club. The plurality of latch loops 113 and the plurality of latches 122 are male and female components of a reversible fastening system 13. The reversible fastening system 13 comprises a male and a female fastener component which is, but not limited to, at least one latch and latch loop, hooks, snaps, buttons, straps, hook-and-loop strips, magnets, or ties. In the preferred embodiment as previously described, the reversible fastening system 13 comprises of a plurality of latch loops 113 and a plurality of latches 122. However, in alternative embodiments, the fastening system is not limited to latches and loops but may be any fastening components capable of securing the top portion 11 and the bottom portion 12 together to form the outer jacket 1 which in turn, secures the inner dampening component 2 to the shaft. In yet another embodiment, the reversible fastening system does not comprises of a male and a female fastener component. Instead, the reversible fastening system 13 may be a rubber band or any component which secures the outer jacket 1 or the inner dampening component 2 to the shaft of the golf club. However, it is important to note that the reversible fastening system 13 does not compromise weight and does not comprise aerodynamics of the overall present invention. Furthermore, the reversible fastening system should provide for a certain level of grip and is compatible with the external mass element 25.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer jacket 1 can further comprises of external ribbings that are positioned along the length of the top portion 11 and the bottom portion 12. The external ribbings provide the outer jacket 1 with an aesthetic design and can further provide the present invention with a more aerodynamic shape. As a result of the aerodynamic shape, the user will experiences a smoother swing with minimal air resistance.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the outer jacket 1 can be made from a cloth material. In this embodiment, the outer jacket 1 is bound about the inner dampening component 2 by means of adhesives or fastening straps such as hook-and-loop fasteners. The outer jacket can be a single piece or a two piece jacket. The single piece can be made with the loops distributed on an outer side of the outer jacket with the hooks being positioned on one end of the inner side of the outer jacket. This allows the outer jacket to loop around the inner dampening component and hook onto the loops on the outer side. The two piece jacket can be made in a similar fashion where the top portion is made with the loops distributed on the outer side and the hooks distributed on the two ends of the inner side of the bottom portion. In other embodiments of the present invention, the outer jacket can use other means of adhesives to be fastened onto a golf club shaft.
In reference to FIG. 8-10 and FIG. 13, to assemble the present invention onto a golf club, the inner dampening component 2 is first wrapped around the shaft and hosel of the golf club. The top portion 11 of the outer jacket 1 is then aligned and engaged to the inner dampening component 2. The engagement of the top portion 11 to the inner dampening component 2 allows the external mass element 25 to be inserted and fitted into the block opening. Once the top portion 11 has engaged the inner dampening component 2, the bottom portion 12 is engaged to the top portion 11 by means of the plurality of latch loops 113 and the plurality of latches 122. The connection of the outer jacket 1 over the inner dampening component 2 tightens and secures the inner dampening component 2 to the golf club. The hosel grip ribbing 221 and the shaft grip ribbing 211 provide additional surface area contact between the inner dampening component 2 and the shaft of a club. The increased surface area contact allows the increased amount of surface area in which mechanical energy can be absorbed into the inner dampening component 2. Furthermore, the increased surface area of contact between the inner dampening component 2 and the shaft increases the grip to prevent the shifting of the overall device. To prevent the shifting of the outer jacket 1 over the inner dampening component 2, the outer ribbings 24 of the inner dampening component 2 corresponds and fits to the top jacket ribbings 111 and the bottom jacket ribbings 121. The external mass element 25 protruding from the block window 112 also provides additional stability of the outer jacket 1. With the present invention secured over the base of the shaft, vibrations at the club head caused by impact are immediately absorbed by the inner dampening component 2. The unique positioning of the present invention at the base of the shaft also contributes to the overall reduction of remaining vibrations that are able to travel up the shaft. By immediately absorbing high frequency vibrations directly after the club head, any remaining weaker vibrations are required to travel up the entire length of the shaft. The distance of travel along the length of the shaft to handle serves to further weaken or eliminate the remaining vibrations.
In one embodiment, the inner dampening element contains an external mass element which protrudes through a block window in the outer jacket. This design allows for the maximal vibration reduction while offering negligible product weight with respect to the total weight of an entire golf club. As a result, the attachment of the present invention will not affect the swing of a user. Instead, by absorbing vibrations from impact, the users are able to swing with more confidence without fearing the pain caused by mishit. In another embodiment, the inner dampening component contains modulated ribbings that focus the vibrational energy into the protruded mass element.
The present invention is also designed to aerodynamically match with the shaft of a golf club to prevent drag or alterations to user's normal golf swing. In one embodiment, aerodynamic grooves are added to the outer jacket. In another embodiment, the aerodynamic grooves are optimized for easy gripping during reversible attachment, since elderly golfers may lack precise hand coordination. Using the present invention, the user is provided with prolonged endurance during practices. This allows the user to further perfect their stroke for an improved golfing experience.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A golf club vibration dampening device comprises,

an outer jacket;

an inner dampening component;

the outer jacket being tubular and formed by two corresponding semi-tubular pieces; and

a reversible fastening system.

2. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 1 comprises,

the outer jacket comprises of a top portion and a bottom portion;

the inner dampening component being cylindrically shaped and comprises a shaft channel, a slit, an outer ribbing, and an external mass element;

the top portion comprises a top jacket ribbing, and a block window; and

the bottom portion comprises a bottom jacket ribbing.

3. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 2 comprises,

the inner dampening component being made from a visco-elastic material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, buna-N, silicone, EPDM, natural gum, viton, styrene butadiene, vinyl, santoprene, epichlorohydrin, butyl, chlorosulfonated polyethelene, and a non-dilatants newtonian material;

the outer jacket comprises of an outer element wherein the outer element being a surface modification selected from the group consisting of at least one aerodynamic groove, a gripping element, or a marketing element; and

the reversible fastening system being a fastener selected from the group consisting of at least one latch and latch loop, hooks, snaps, buttons, straps, hook-and-loop strips, magnets, or ties.

4. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 2 comprises,

the block window being centered and positioned on the top portion;

the block window being shaped consistently with the external mass element of the inner dampening component; and

the top portion being aligned and connected to the bottom portion by means of the reversible fastening system, wherein the engagement of the top portion and the bottom portion forms the outer jacket.

5. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 2 comprises,

the inner dampening component comprises a hosel channel;

the shaft channel being a cylindrical hole traversing through the inner dampening component;

the hosel channel being a cylindrical hole traversing through the inner dampening component;

the hosel channel being connected to the shaft channel;

the hosel channel being sized larger than the shaft channel; and

the slit being an opening positioned along the inner dampening component leading into the hosel channel and shaft channel.

6. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 5 comprises,

the shaft channel comprises of shaft grip ribbings;

the hosel channel comprises of hosel grip ribbings;

wherein the shaft grip ribbings and the hosel grip ribbings can be modified for modulated ribbings;

the slit comprises of corresponding ledges;

the corresponding ledges being overlapped;

the shaft grip ribbings being protruded and patterned along the shaft channel; and

the hosel grip ribbings being protruded and patterned along the hosel grip.

7. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 5 comprises,

the outer ribbings being protruded and patterned along the inner dampening component;

the external mass element being protruded from the inner dampening component, where in the vibrational energy is focused to the external mass element; and

the external mass element being positioned on the inner dampening component opposite of the slit.

8. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 6 comprises,

wherein the modulated ribbings provides various spatial frequencies tuned to match a multiple discrete bands of resonant modes of a golf club; and

wherein the modulated ribbings provide the various spatial frequencies tuned to a continuous band of resonant modes optimized across a plurality of golf clubs.

9. A golf club vibration dampening device comprises,

an outer jacket;

an inner dampening component;

the outer jacket being tubular and formed by two corresponding semi-tubular pieces;

a reversible fastening system;

the outer jacket comprises of a top portion and a bottom portion;

the top portion comprises a top jacket ribbing, and a block window; and

the bottom portion comprises a bottom jacket ribbing.

10. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 9 comprises,

the top portion having a first concave side;

the bottom portion having a second concave side;

the top jacket ribbing being protruded and distributed along the first concave side;

the bottom jacket ribbing being protruded and distributed along the second concave side; and

the outer jacket comprises of an outer element wherein the outer element being a surface modification selected from the group consisting of at least one aerodynamic groove, a gripping element, or a marketing element.

11. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 9 comprises,

the top portion having first straight edges;

the bottom portion having second straight edges;

the block window being centered and positioned on the top portion;

12. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 9 comprises,

the inner dampening component comprises a hosel channel;

the hosel channel being connected to the shaft channel;

the hosel channel being sized larger than the shaft channel; and

13. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 12 comprises,

the shaft channel comprises of shaft grip ribbings;

the hosel channel comprises of hosel grip ribbings;

the slit comprises of corresponding ledges;

the corresponding ledges being overlapped;

the hosel grip ribbings being protruded and patterned along the hosel grip.

14. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 12 comprises,

15. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 13 comprises,

wherein the modulated ribbings provides various spatial frequencies tuned to match a multiple discrete bands of resonant modes of a golf club;

wherein the modulated ribbings provide the various spatial frequencies tuned to a continuous band of resonant modes optimized across a plurality of golf clubs;

the inner dampening component being made from a visco-elastic material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, buna-N, silicone, EPDM, natural gum, viton, styrene butadiene, vinyl, santoprene, epichlorohydrin, butyl, chlorosulfonated polyethelene, and a non-dilatants newtonian material; and

16. A golf club vibration dampening device comprises,

an outer jacket;

an inner dampening component;

a reversible fastening system;

the top portion comprises a top jacket ribbing, and a block window;

the bottom portion comprises a bottom jacket ribbing;

the inner dampening component comprises a hosel channel;

the hosel channel being connected to the shaft channel;

the hosel channel being sized larger than the shaft channel; and

17. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 16 comprises,

the top portion having a first concave side;

the bottom portion having a second concave side;

the bottom jacket ribbing being protruded and distributed along the second concave side;

the outer jacket comprises of an outer element wherein the outer element being a surface modification selected from the group consisting of at least one aerodynamic groove, a gripping element, or a marketing element;

the top portion having first straight edges;

the bottom portion having second straight edges;

the block window being centered and positioned on the top portion;

the top portion being aligned and connected to the bottom portion by means of the reversible fastening system, wherein the engagement of the top portion and the bottom portion forms the outer jacket;

18. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 17 comprises,

the shaft channel comprises of shaft grip ribbings;

the hosel channel comprises of hosel grip ribbings;

the slit comprises of corresponding ledges;

the corresponding ledges being overlapped;

the hosel grip ribbings being protruded and patterned along the hosel grip.

19. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 17 comprises,

20. The golf club vibration dampening device as claimed in claim 18 comprises,