Stepless golf shaft with multiple taper rates in mid section

Abstract

A stepless golf shaft includes; a butt portion having: a proximal end configured to be attached to a golf grip; and a distal end; a tip portion having; a distal end configured to be attached to a golf club head; and a proximal end; and a midsection connecting the proximal end of the tip portion with the distal end of the butt portion, the midsection including; a first portion having a first outer diameter that gradually decreases in the direction of the proximal end of the tip portion at a first taper rate and not having any step changes in the first outer diameter; and a second portion having a second outer diameter that gradually decreases in the direction of the proximal end of the tip portion at a second taper rate, where the second taper rate is different than the first taper rate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stepless golf shaft, comprising:
 a butt portion having: a proximal end configured to be attached to a golf grip; and a distal end;   a tip portion having: a distal end configured to be attached to a golf club head; and a proximal end; and   a midsection connecting the proximal end of the tip portion with the distal end of the butt portion, the midsection including:
 a first portion having a first outer diameter that gradually decreases in the direction of the proximal end of the tip portion at a first taper rate and not having any step changes in the first outer diameter; and 
 a second portion having a second outer diameter that gradually decreases in the direction of the proximal end of the tip portion at a second taper rate and not having any step changes in the second outer diameter, 
 wherein the second taper rate is different than the first taper rate. 
   
     
     
         2 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein a point where the midsection changes from the first taper rate to the second taper rate is half way between the distal end of the butt portion and the proximal end of the tip portion. 
     
     
         3 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein a point where the midsection changes from the first taper rate to the second taper rate is closer to the butt portion than to the tip portion. 
     
     
         4 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein a point where the midsection changes from the first taper rate to the second taper rate is closer to the tip portion than to the butt portion. 
     
     
         5 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein the first taper rate is greater than the second taper rate. 
     
     
         6 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein the first taper rate is less than the second taper rate. 
     
     
         7 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein the midsection further includes a third portion having a third outer diameter that gradually decreases in the direction of the proximal end of the tip portion at a third taper rate and not having any step changes in the third outer diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 7  wherein the third taper rate is different than the second taper rate. 
     
     
         9 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 7  wherein the third taper rate is different than the first taper rate and the second taper rate. 
     
     
         10 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 7  wherein lengths of the first, second, and third portions are equal. 
     
     
         11 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 7  wherein a first length of a first one of the first, second, and third portions is one of greater than and less than a second length of a second one of the first, second, and third portions. 
     
     
         12 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 7  wherein the midsection further includes a fourth portion having a fourth outer diameter that gradually decreases in the direction of the proximal end of the tip portion at a fourth taper rate and not having any step changes in the third outer diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 12  wherein a first length of a first one of the first, second, third, and fourth portions is one of greater than and less than a second length of a second one of the first, second, third, and fourth portions. 
     
     
         14 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein an outer diameter of the tip portion is tapered. 
     
     
         15 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein the first and second portions are frustoconical. 
     
     
         16 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein an outer diameter of the butt portion is not tapered. 
     
     
         17 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein an outer diameter of the tip portion is not tapered. 
     
     
         18 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein a first thickness of walls of the butt portion is less than a second thickness of the tip portion. 
     
     
         19 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein a thickness of walls of the first portion increases in the direction of the proximal end of the tip portion. 
     
     
         20 . The stepless golf shaft of  claim 1  wherein a thickness of walls of the second portion increases in the direction of the proximal end of the tip portion.