The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 22, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 01, 1998
Martin Koebler, Mountain View, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A golf club shaft connects a grip of a golf club to a head of the golf club and has a longitudinal axis that extends from the grip of the golf club to the head of the golf club. At least a portion of the shaft has an aerodynamic cross-sectional shape defining an aerodynamic portion of the shaft. The aerodynamic portion of the shaft is oriented along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The aerodynamic portion of the shaft is oriented relative to the grip and the head such that, compared to a gulf club shaft having a circular cross-sectional shape, the aerodynamic portion of the shaft is able to improve the stability of the shaft as the golf club is swung through the air in a particular with the head oriented to squarely strike a golf ball. The aerodynamic portion of the shaft may be integrally formed as part of the golf club shaft. Alternatively, the aerodynamic portion of the shaft may be by as a separate aerodynamic fin that may be attached to a conventional golf club shaft. In another aspect of the invention, a golf club head includes a striking surface having a plurality of openings formed into the striking surface. The openings extend through the head thereby allowing air to pass through the openings when the golf club is swung in the certain manner.