Robert L Shepherd

US Patent:

20110014996, Jan 20, 2011

Filed:

Jul 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/460406

Inventors:

Robert Foster Shepherd - Champaign IL, US
Travis Green - Fithian IL, US

International Classification:

A63B 53/04
H01F 41/06
B31B 1/60
B05D 3/00
A63B 37/12
A43B 5/00
A43B 23/00
A63B 71/12

US Classification:

473349, 156185, 156 60, 4273722, 473378, 36133, 12142 P, 36 45, 2 22

Abstract:

A method and system is provided which utilizes shear thickening fluids to enhance athletic performance. A shear thickening fluid composite is used on a golf club face to reduce the amount of side spin imparted onto a golf ball thus reducing the amount of slice or hook on the golf ball's flight path. Upon impact between the shear thickening fluid composite and the golf ball, the shear thickening fluid moves laterally away from the direction of the side spin imparted on the ball, thus reducing the amount of side spin imparted onto the golf ball. After this lateral motion, the shear thickening fluid hardens and transfers the remaining energy from the club face to the golf ball. A similar process occurs when the shear thickening fluid composite composes the outside of a golf ball. A shear thickening fluid composite is also used on an athletic shoe so as to transfer more force into a kicked ball thus having the ball travel at higher velocities. When the shoe strikes a ball, the shear thickening fluid within the shoe becomes rigid. This rigidness allows more energy to be transferred to the ball resulting in a ball traveling at a higher velocity. Additionally, a shear thickening fluid composite is incorporated into the sole of the athletic shoe to limit overpronation or underpronation during running. Also, a particulate-based shear thickening fluid incorporated into athletic shin guards improves protection and athletic performance by reducing weight and improving breathability.