Thermoplastic/thermoset hybrid golf club shafts and methods of manufacturing the same
US6132323A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S273/07
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved shaft for a golf club and methods of manufacturing the same. A plurality of layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoset resin are bonded to one or more layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoplastic resin using a high peel strength nylon epoxy adhesive. Preferably, the layer(s) of composite fiber bound within the thermoplastic resin comprise the outermost layer of a golf club shaft. In one preferred form, a plurality of plies of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoset resin are wrapped around a mandrel and pre-cured. Thereafter, a layer of adhesive is wrapped over the pre-cured plies, at least one ply of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoplastic resin is wrapped over the adhesive, and a cellophane or polypropylene tape is wrapped over the outermost layer of pre-preg. Thereafter, the ply wrapped mandrel is placed in a mold and heated to a predetermined temperature for a time sufficient to allow curing of all of the plies comprising the golf club shaft. In an alternative form, the layer of fiber comprising the thermoplastic resin may be pre-cured and used as a shell during the curing process. Bladder molding is preferred in such embodiments.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.