Sports device having a low drag shaft

Abstract

A shaft adapted to move through a fluid, wherein the shaft has a surface, diameter, and length, and wherein the shaft comprises at least two ridges extending along at least a portion of the length, such that fluid resistance encountered by the shaft as it is moved through the fluid is reduced.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A shaft adapted to move through a fluid, wherein the shaft has a surface, a length, and at least two ridges on the surface of the shaft extending along at least a portion of the length of the shaft, such that fluid resistance encountered by the shaft as it is moved through the fluid is reduced.  
     
     
         2 . The shaft of    claim 1   , wherein the shaft comprises two ridges located on the surface of the shaft less than 180° apart.  
     
     
         3 . The shaft of    claim 2   , wherein the shaft has a generally circular cross-sectional area, and a cross-sectional diameter, which is generally constant along a substantial portion of the length of the shaft.  
     
     
         4 . The shaft of    claim 3   , wherein the ridges have a height of about 0.05 to 0.025 times the shaft diameter and are located from about 126° to about 178° apart.  
     
     
         5 . The shaft of    claim 4   , wherein the ridges have a height of about 0.0125 times the shaft diameter and are located from about 174° to about 178° apart.  
     
     
         6 . The shaft of    claim 4   , wherein the ridges have a height of approximately 0.0175 times the shaft diameter and are located from about 168° to about 178° apart.  
     
     
         7 . The shaft of    claim 4   , wherein the ridges have a height of approximately 0.025 times the shaft diameter and are located from about 154° to about 168° apart.  
     
     
         8 . The shaft of    claim 4   , wherein the ridges have a height of approximately 0.05 times the shaft diameter and are located from about 126° to about 156° apart.  
     
     
         9 . The shaft of    claim 2   , wherein each ridge has an approximately rectangular cross-sectional area with a width of about 1 mm and a height of about 0.25 mm.  
     
     
         10 . The shaft of    claim 2   , wherein the shaft comprises a second set of two additional ridges, wherein each ridge of the second set of ridges is located approximately 30° apart from a ridge in the first set of ridges.  
     
     
         11 . A sports device comprising the shaft of    claim 1   , wherein the shaft has two ends, one of which includes a grip.  
     
     
         12 . The sports device of    claim 11   , in the form of a golf club, a baseball bat, a fishing pole, a ski pole, a tennis racket, a lacrosse stick, a bicycle frame member, or a rowing oar.  
     
     
         13 . A golf club comprising the shaft of    claim 1   , wherein the shaft has two ends and wherein the golf club comprises a head attached to one end of the shaft and a grip attached to the other end ofthe shaft, and wherein the at least two ridges extend along at least one third of the length of the shaft, beginning from the end of the shaft that is attached to the head of the club.