Patent ID: 6354958
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A vibration damper for a golf club including a shaft having a grip at a first end for gripping the club and a head at a second end opposite said first end for striking a golf ball, the grip being constructed of an elastomeric material and including a tubular shell having a hollow interior sized for receiving said first end of the shaft and a cap at one end having an opening therethrough extending into the hollow interior of the shell, the vibration damper comprising:an elongate element sized and shaped for insertion through the opening of the grip such that a first end of the element is disposed inside the hollow interior of the grip and a second end of the element opposite said first end is positioned adjacent the cap; and a tuned mass mounted on said first end of the element such that the mass is freely suspended within the hollow interior of the grip when the elongate element is inserted through the opening of the grip, said element and tuned mass being sized and shaped such that the damper has a natural vibrational frequency substantially equal to a natural vibrational frequency of the golf club whereby when a golfer swings the golf club and strikes a golf ball, the resulting vibration of the club is transferred to the elongate element and the tuned mass such that the vibration of the damper reduces the vibration of the club, decreasing uncomfortable vibrations felt by the golfer.