Warren K Braly

US Patent:

50402790, Aug 20, 1991

Filed:

Oct 19, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/259989

Inventors:

Warren K. Braly - Torrington CT

Assignee:

Brunswick Corporation - Skokie IL

International Classification:

B23Q 1700
A63B 5312

US Classification:

29407

Abstract:

In the production of a matched set of golf clubs, the most accurate method for matching the flex of each shaft in the set is through the use of an electronic frequency analyzer which measures the vibrational frequencies of the shafts or clubs. With most high quality steel shafts, such frequency measurements are generally reproducible and serve as a reliable index of shaft flexibility. It has been found for some shafts, particularly for composite shafts, that frequency measurements taken along different cross-sectional diameters may vary. For such shafts, it has been found that frequency measurements will be reproducible, if the frequency measurement is made on the same diameter. The diameters used for such measurements are marked on the shaft and then employed in the construction of the golf club, such that the diameter is substantially perpendicular to the striking face of the club head.

US Patent:

58579214, Jan 12, 1999

Filed:

May 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/652930

Inventors:

Joseph M. Braly - Kennett Square PA
Warren K. Braly - Torrington CT

Assignee:

FM Precision Golf Manufacturing Corp. - Torrington CT

International Classification:

A63B 5312

US Classification:

473289

Abstract:

A tubular blank for producing golf club shafts comprises a butt section having a uniform cross-sectional configuration along its length, a tip section also having a uniform cross-sectional configuration along its length, and a tapered section interconnecting the butt and tip sections. Metallurgically formed rifling on the interior surface of the blank extends throughout the entirety of the butt, tip and tapered sections. The golf club shafts produced from these blanks have increased strength and stiffness which is a direct result of the interior rifling. A set of golf club shafts preferably is produced from a group of these tubular blanks with each blank of the group having the same length and the same natural frequency. Predetermined portions are then selectively removed from the tip and butt sections. The ultimately produced golf club shafts are frequency matched along a predetermined gradient and each shaft of the set has a predetermined stiffness distribution along its length directly related to the stiffness distribution of the other shafts of the set.