This present technology generally relates to systems, devices, and methods related to golf clubs, and more specifically to iron type golf club heads, and more specifically to wedge type golf club heads. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wedge type golf club head with an adjustable bounce sole surface.
Iron type golf clubs are generally used by golfers to hit golf shots from the turf, which means they are designed to hit golf shots that lay directly on the grass itself. Given that the sole of these types of golf club heads are the part of the golf club head that has the most surface area to contact the turf, the design of the sole profile often has a significant impact on the quality of the turf interaction.
U.S. Pat. No. 645,944 to Dalgleish illustrates one of the earlier attempts at improving the performance of the golf club by changing the sole profile. Despite the fact that the invention by Dalgleish was directed more of a “brassies” type wood or fiber golf club head, it illustrated an early recognition of the importance of sole interaction with a golf club and a design intended to improve the performance.
In a more modern context, U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,513 to Swanson illustrates “a golf club iron provided with protuberances or knobs on the bottom sole face thereof to minimize ‘fat’ shots, reduce the size of the divots, and to accommodate tilting of the club head on the turf laterally and in front to rear directions without spoiling the shot.”
U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,601 to McCabe et al. provides another illustration wherein the sole of the golf club head is improved for better performance, this time utilizing a crescent surface, a positive bounce surface, a heel surface, and a toe surface.
Different golfers often require different sole profiles to fit their different types of golf swings. The difference in sole profiles becomes more important in iron and wedge type golf club heads that consistently interact with the turf. U.S. Pat. No. 7,393,286 to Renegar illustrates one example of a golf club head that focuses on the sole of a golf club by creating a corrugates sole with one or more V-shaped cutouts in an attempt to make one golf club sole profile fit multiple different types of golf swings. However, most modern day golf club designers recognize that the varying golf swings are so dramatically different; it truly necessitates a different sole design profile depending on the needs of the golfer.
The present invention improves upon the previously mentioned designs by creating an adjustable bounce sole surface.
The systems, methods, and devices described herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.
One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes an iron type golf club head, including a body including a striking face; a topline located at a top of the striking face; a leading edge located at a bottom of the striking face; a body sole surface extending rearward from the leading edge; a hosel located at a heel side of the golf club head; a toe side opposite the heel side; a sole plate rotatably coupled to the body, wherein the sole plate comprises: a cavity area adjacent the body; a sole plate surface opposite the cavity area; an adjustment member located between the body and the sole plate; wherein the adjustment member is at least partially located within the cavity area of the sole plate; wherein the adjustment member is adjustable between a maximum bounce position and a minimum bounce position; wherein a majority of the sole plate is located furthest from the body when the adjustment member is located in the maximum bounce position and the majority of the sole plate is located closest to the body when the adjustment member is located in the minimum bounce position; a plate retention member configured to selectively lock the sole plate to the body in a locked position; wherein the sole plate rotates about a pivot axis; wherein the pivot axis is located adjacent the leading edge; and a pin passing through the body and the sole plate, the pin located along the pivot axis; wherein the sole plate comprises a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface; wherein the adjustment member abuts the first abutment surface when the adjustment member is in the minimum bounce position and the second abutment surface when the adjustment member is in the maximum bounce position; wherein the adjustment member is configured to slide between the maximum bounce position and the minimum bounce position when the plate retention member is in an unlocked position.
An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes an iron type golf club head, including a body including: a striking face; a topline located at a top of the striking face; a leading edge located at a bottom of the striking face; a body sole surface extending rearward from the leading edge; a hosel located at a heel side of the golf club head; a toe side opposite the heel side; a sole plate rotatably coupled to the body, wherein the sole plate comprises an adjustment member located between the body and the sole plate; wherein the adjustment member is adjustable between a maximum bounce position and a minimum bounce position; wherein a majority of the sole plate is located furthest from the body when the adjustment member is located in the maximum bounce position and the majority of the sole plate is located closest to the body when the adjustment member is located in the minimum bounce position; and a plate retention member configured to selectively lock the sole plate to the body in a locked position; wherein the adjustment member is configured to slide between the maximum bounce position and the minimum bounce position when the plate retention member is in an unlocked position.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the sole plate further comprises a cavity area adjacent the body and a sole plate surface opposite the cavity area, wherein the adjustment member is at least partially located within the cavity area of the sole plate.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the sole plate rotates about a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis is located adjacent the leading edge.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the sole plate comprises a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface, wherein the adjustment member abuts the first abutment surface when the adjustment member is in the minimum bounce position and the second abutment surface when the adjustment member is in the maximum bounce position.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the plate retention member comprises a threaded body, wherein the body comprises a threaded bore, and wherein rotation of the plate retention member forces the plate retention member between the locked position and the unlocked position, allowing the sole plate to rotate away from the body, allowing the adjustment member to translate between the maximum bounce position and the minimum bounce position.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the adjustment member comprises an adjustment indicator visible from an exterior of the golf club head, the adjustment indicator configured to indicate a position of the adjustment member.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the adjustment member is configured to slide from the heel side towards the toe side of the golf club head.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the body comprises a body locating feature, the adjustment member comprises an adjustment member locating feature, and wherein the body locating feature is configured to slidably engage the adjustment member locating feature.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the body locating feature comprises a rail and the adjustment member locating feature comprises a relief.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology including a washer residing between the plate retention member and the sole plate, the washer including a spherical surface, wherein the spherical surface abuts the plate retention member.
An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes an iron type golf club head, including: a body including:
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the sole plate further comprises a cavity area adjacent the body and a sole plate surface opposite the cavity area, wherein the adjustment member is at least partially located within the cavity area of the sole plate.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the sole plate rotates about a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis is located adjacent the leading edge.
An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a plate retention member configured to selectively lock the sole plate to the body in a locked position, and wherein the adjustment member is configured to slide between the maximum bounce position and the minimum bounce position when the plate retention member is in an unlocked position.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the plate retention member comprises a threaded body, wherein the body comprises a threaded bore, and wherein rotation of the plate retention member forces the plate retention member between the locked position and the unlocked position, allowing the sole plate to rotate away from the body, allowing the adjustment member to translate between the maximum bounce position and the minimum bounce position.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the adjustment member comprises an adjustment indicator visible from an exterior of the golf club head, the adjustment indicator configured to indicate a position of the adjustment member.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the body comprises a body locating feature, the adjustment member comprises an adjustment member locating feature, and wherein the body locating feature is configured to slidably engage the adjustment member locating feature.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the body locating feature comprises a rail and the adjustment member locating feature comprises a relief.
An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a washer residing between the plate retention member and the sole plate, the washer including a spherical surface, wherein the spherical surface abuts the plate retention member.
The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form part of this disclosure. For example, a system or device may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such a system or device may be implemented or such a method may be practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein. Alterations and further modifications of inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Other than in the operating examples, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials, moments of inertias, center of gravity locations, loft and draft angles, and others in the following portion of the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges of varying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.
In describing the present technology, the following terminology may have been used: The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same lists solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers to a selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection of only those listed alternative or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicated otherwise.
Features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description” one will understand how the illustrated features serve to explain certain principles of the present disclosure.
Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems, devices, and methods related to wedge type golf club heads. More specifically, some embodiments relate to wedge type golf club heads having adjustable bounce sole plates.
The sole 110 of the golf club head 100 includes a body sole surface 120 adjacent the leading edge 108. The golf club head 100 also includes an adjustable sole plate 122. The sole plate 122 includes a sole plate surface 124. The sole plate surface 124 abuts the body sole surface 120 and extends aft away from the leading edge 108. The body sole surface 120 and the sole plate surface 124 form the sole 110 of the golf club head 100.
As illustrated in
The inventive golf club head 100 described herein, provides for adjustment of the sole plate 122 and the sole plate surface 124 relative to body 118 of the golf club head and thus the ground plane 10 when in an address position, therefore adjusting the effective bounce of the golf club head 100. This allows a golfer to dial in the amount of effective bounce necessary for the turf conditions they are playing that particular day. The sole plate 122 is configured to pivot relative to the body 118 of the golf club head 100 around a pivot axis 141. The pivot axis 141 is preferably located aft of and adjacent to the leading edge 108. The sole plate 122 can rotate about a pin 142. The body 118 of the golf club head can include a pin receptacle 143 configured to accept and retain the pin 142. The sole plate 122 can include a pin aperture 156 configured to rotatably receive the pin 142. The pin aperture 156 can be formed through a plate lower portion 132. In another embodiment, not illustrated, rather than being rotatably coupled via a pin, the sole plate can be rotatably coupled to the body via a deformable living hinge.
In one embodiment, the angle of the sole plate 122 can be continuously adjustable between a minimum bounce position and a maximum bounce position. In the illustrated embodiment, the sole plate 122 is adjustable to a finite number of positions between and including a minimum bounce position and a maximum bounce position. In the illustrated embodiment, the sole plate 122 is adjustable between three positions, a minimum bounce position, a medium bounce position, and a maximum bounce position. In other embodiments, the sole plate 122 may be adjustable between additional positions, which may include, for example, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc. positions. The golf club head includes an adjustment member 148 configured to abut the body 118 of the golf club head 100 and the sole plate 122 of the golf club head 100. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In order to adjust the bounce position of the golf club head 100, the golfer will loosen the plate retention member 128, unlocking the sole plate 122 from the body 118, adjust the adjustment member 148 to the preferred bounce position, and tighten the plate retention member 128, locking the sole plate 122 to the body 118. In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In an additional embodiment, not illustrated, a deformable member may be incorporated between the sole plate and the body of the golf club head such that the effective bounce of the golf club head changes dynamically based on the normal force applied to the sole plate during impact with the turf. With such an embodiment, a hard turf environment would provide a higher normal force and deflect the sole plate further, resulting in a lower effective bounce. A lower effective bounce is preferably in a hard turf environment. A soft turf environment would provide a lower normal force and deflect the sole plate less far, resulting in a higher effective bounce. A higher effective bounce is preferable in a soft turf environment. This club would provide preferable effective bounce depending on the turf it is impacting.
In describing the present technology herein, certain features that are described in the context of separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub combination or variation of a sub combination.
Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure as well as the principle and novel features disclosed herein.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/706,436, filed on Mar. 28, 2022, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
645944 | Dalgleish | Mar 1900 | A |
4671513 | Swanson | Jun 1987 | A |
6471601 | McCabe | Oct 2002 | B1 |
7393286 | Renegar | Jul 2008 | B1 |
7588503 | Roach | Sep 2009 | B2 |
8033931 | Wahl | Oct 2011 | B2 |
8777774 | Kim | Jul 2014 | B1 |
8821307 | Park | Sep 2014 | B2 |
9033814 | Stites | May 2015 | B2 |
9669272 | Park | Jun 2017 | B2 |
9987532 | Sander | Jun 2018 | B2 |
10137341 | Greer | Nov 2018 | B2 |
11013970 | Roach | May 2021 | B1 |
11027175 | Sizemore, Jr. | Jun 2021 | B2 |
11766593 | Hebreo | Sep 2023 | B1 |
20060194641 | Best | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20120238375 | Park | Sep 2012 | A1 |
20130165251 | Jorgensen | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20130324299 | Clausen | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20140274449 | Greensmith | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20140335972 | Park | Nov 2014 | A1 |
20170095708 | Ripp | Apr 2017 | A1 |
20210331042 | Gonzalez | Oct 2021 | A1 |
20220266103 | Gonzalez | Aug 2022 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20240001207 A1 | Jan 2024 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 17706436 | Mar 2022 | US |
Child | 18446358 | US |