Athletic equipment with improved force respones

Abstract

Described are athletic devices containing superelastic components capable of producing a spring force in response to a deflection. The superelastic components improve the performance of athletic devices by increasing the contact duration between the active element of the device and objects the devices are configured to exert force. The superelastic components of also provide increased resistance to breakage or plastic deformation of the athletic device, especially when exposed to frequent deflections. Superelastic components are able to decrease the weight of the athletic device without sacrificing strength. The superelastic components also enable applying a specific spring force at a flex point of the device to enhance the dynamic response resulting from a desired deflection.

We claim as our invention:  
     
         1 . An athletic device for hitting an object comprising: 
 a shaft;    a base attached to the shaft;    a hitting surface associated with the base    at least one superelastic member securing the hitting surface to the base;    wherein said superelastic member is adapted to deflect in response to an external force and exert a counteracting force against said object;    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein 
 said athletic device comprises a racket;    said base comprises the head of a racket    said hitting surface comprises the strings of the racket; and    wherein, said superelastic member is wound through channels in the base and the strings are passed through individual windings of said superelastic member;    
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein 
 said athletic device comprises a golf club;    said base comprises the head of the club;    said superelastic member comprises at least one spring having a first side and a second side different from said first side; and    wherein, said superelastic member is secured to the base at said first side and secured to the hitting surface at said second side;    
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein 
 said shaft comprises an elongate member having a central lumen; and    wherein at least one superelastic member is contained within said lumen of said shaft; and    said superelastic member is bonded to said shaft;    
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one first superelastic member having first stiffness parameters and at least one second superelastic member having second stiffness parameters different from said first stiffness parameters are distributed throughout said athletic device;  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said superelastic member comprises a first end having first stiffness parameters and a second end having second stiffness parameters different from said first stiffness parameters;  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said shaft comprises at least one superelastic member;  
     
     
         8 . An athletic device for exerting a force against an object comprising: 
 an elongate shaft;    a hitting surface attached to said shaft    at least one superelastic member associated with at least one of said shaft and said hitting surface;    wherein, said superelastic member is adapted to deflect from a first configuration to a second configuration different from said first configuration in response to an external force, and said superelastic member returns towards said first configuration thereby exerting a force against said object;    
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said superelastic member comprises a first region having first stiffness parameters and a second region having second stiffness parameters different from said first stiffness parameters;  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said shaft comprises at least one superelastic member; and 
 said superelastic member is adapted to dampen vibrations that result from hitting the object;    
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said hitting surface comprises at least one superelastic member; and 
 said superelastic member is adapted to dampen vibrations that result from hitting the object;    
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said superelastic member is adapted to increase the force exerted against the object;