Patent ID: 6609981
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: A01K,A63B,A63C

Abstract:
A sports shaft dimensioned to be grasped and moved through a fluid by a user and having a length, two distinct ends, and an outer surface:one of said ends including a grip attached thereto; said shaft also having a leading portion having a leading edge, a trailing portion, and at least two longitudinal ridges extending outwardly from the surface of the shaft and positioned at an angle of less than 180Â° apart, with the ridges extending along at least a portion of the length of the shaft on the trailing portion thereof; said ridges including a generally uniform cross-section; said shaft configured to be moved through the fluid with the leading portion contacting the fluid prior to the trailing portion; wherein an imaginary plane that bisects the angle and passes through the shaft includes the leading edges; said imaginary plane extending outwardly from the leading edge to indicate the direction of travel of the leading edge of the shaft through the fluid; the leading portion having a generally uniform cross-section configured to generate a boundary layer fluid flow upon movement of the leading edge through the fluid; the ridges being positioned for changing the boundary layer fluid flow to a turbulent flow in the trailing portion so that fluid resistance encountered by the shaft as it is moved through the fluid is reduced.