METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING SHAFTS

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for testing shafts (102), such as golf club shafts. In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a shaft tester (600) comprising: a frame (602); a first shaft support (610) supporting a first portion of a shaft at a first fixed position; a second shaft support (612) supporting a second portion of the shaft at a second fixed position; and a third shaft support (620) supporting a third portion of the shaft at a third fixed position. An actuator (637) couples to the third shaft support to displace the third portion relative to the first and second portions to deflect the shaft. A sensor (912, 1110) couples to one of the first, second and third supports outputting a signal corresponding to a force exerted by the shaft due. A controller (628) controls displacement of the shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft is rotated while being deflected.