Shaft Structure with Configurable Bending Profile

Abstract

A shaft structure with a configurable bending profile is provided for golf clubs, fishing rods, and the like. The shaft structure employs a plurality of tensioned sections. The golfer, in practice, configures the bending profile of a golf shaft by adjusting the internal pressure of the sections in order to change the stiffness of that section. The combination of sections and their associated stiffness results in an advantageous bending profile. The golfer can, at any time and very easily, change the bending profile of the golf shaft.

1 . A configurable bending shaft structure comprising a plurality of sections including a first section having a first stiffness and a second section having a second stiffness. 
   
   
       2 . The shaft structure as in  claim 1  wherein said first and second sections are tensioned by a tensioning apparatus. 
   
   
       3 . The shaft structure as in  claim 2  wherein said tension serves to stiffen said first and second sections. 
   
   
       4 . The shaft structure as in  claim 2  wherein said tensioning apparatus is comprised of a compressed fluid. 
   
   
       5 . A shaft structure as in  claim 4 , wherein said compressed fluid is pressurized by a first pressurizing apparatus to adjust said tension. 
   
   
       6 . A shaft structure as in  claim 5 , wherein said first pressurizing apparatus includes a first piston. 
   
   
       7 . A shaft structure as in  claim 5 , wherein said pressurizing apparatus includes a first biasing apparatus to adjust said pressure of said compressed fluid. 
   
   
       8 . A shaft structure as in  claim 5 , wherein the shaft structure includes a second pressurizing apparatus having a second piston. 
   
   
       9 . A shaft structure as in  claim 8 , wherein said second pressurizing apparatus includes a second biasing apparatus to adjust a second pressure. 
   
   
       10 . A shaft structure as in  claim 1 , wherein the shaft structure is connected to a golf club. 
   
   
       11 . A shaft structure as in  claim 1 , wherein the shaft structure connected to a fishing rod. 
   
   
       12 . A method for configuring a configurable bending shaft structure, comprising the steps of:
 setting the first stiffness of a first section;   setting the second stiffness of a second section;   
   
   
       13 . A method for configuring a configurable bending shaft structure as in  claim 12  wherein said first section and said second section is a fluid-filled chamber. 
   
   
       14 . A method for configuring a configurable bending shaft structure as in  claim 13 , wherein the method includes the step of adjusting said first stiffness of said first section by changing a first pressure by a first apparatus. 
   
   
       15 . A method for configuring a configurable bending shaft structure as in  claim 13 , wherein the method includes the step of adjusting said second stiffness of said second section by changing a second pressure by a second apparatus. 
   
   
       16 . A method for configuring a configurable bending shaft structure as in  claim 14 , wherein said first apparatus includes a first piston. 
   
   
       17 . A method for configuring a configurable bending shaft structure as in  claim 14 , wherein said first apparatus includes a first biasing apparatus to adjust said first pressure. 
   
   
       18 . A method for configuring a configurable bending shaft structure as in  claim 15 , wherein said second apparatus includes a second piston. 
   
   
       19 . A method for configuring a configurable bending shaft structure as in  claim 15 , wherein said second apparatus includes a second biasing apparatus to adjust said second pressure.