Golf club face insert

Abstract

A resilient face insert for a golf club head, preferably a putter head, is disclosed herein. In particular, the face insert comprises a plurality of hinge features spaced from a striking surface to ensure consistent ball speed across the striking surface. Each hinge feature comprises a tab portion that is spaced from the striking surface by a stem portion and that extends parallel to the striking surface, and is angled with respect to a horizontal y-axis. The orientation of hinge features with respect to the y-axis varies across the face, which reduces sidespin from mishits and produces consistent topspin regardless of impact location of a golf ball on the face insert.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a golf club face insert comprising a plurality of hinge features, each comprising a stem portion and a suspended tab portion, extending from and disposed across a striking surface.

Description of the Related Art

The prior art discloses many different types of face inserts for golf club heads, including putters, that are intended to improve face performance. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,928 discloses a striking face with a plurality of solid geometric protrusions, U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,278 discloses a putter face with a plurality of pillar-shaped bodies made of a material having a higher rigidity than a golf ball, U.S. Pat. No. 8,109,841 discloses a face with a plurality of microscopic protrusions having a stiffness higher than that of a golf ball, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,371,958 discloses a golf club face with a plurality of pyramidal shaped extensions protruding therefrom. There is, however, still a need for a putter face that optimizes performance and increases the consistency of ball speed across the face.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a putter face technology that corrects the starting line for off-center putts, uses launch angle to correct mishits, and produce consistent topspin regardless of impact location across the face.

One aspect of the present invention is a putter comprising a body comprising a top portion, a sole portion, a toe side, a heel side, a rear side, and a face side with a recess, and a face insert comprising a striking plate, a geometric center, and a backing portion, wherein the face insert is disposed within the recess so that at least a portion of the striking plate is exposed, wherein a horizontal y-axis extends in a heel side to toe side direction parallel with the face side and a ground plane, a vertical z-axis extends perpendicular to the y-axis from the sole portion to the top portion through the geometric center, and a horizontal x-axis extends perpendicular to both the y- and z-axes from the face side to the rear side, wherein the striking plate comprises a base portion and plurality of hinge features, wherein the plurality of hinge features are arranged in an arc-shaped pattern that extends from a toe side of the strike plate to a heel side of the striking plate along the y-axis, wherein the arc-shaped pattern has a radius of no less than 0.900 inch and no more than 1.500 inch, wherein each of the hinge features plurality of hinge features comprises a stem portion that extends from the base portion at an angle of no less than 45° and no more than 90° with respect to the base portion, and a tab portion that is spaced from the base portion by the stem portion and extends from the stem portion approximately parallel with the base portion without making contact with the base portion, and wherein each tab portion is at least partially disposed over a through-hole extending through the striking plate.

In some embodiments, the arc-shaped pattern may be approximately U-shaped and may comprise at least five rows of hinge features. In other embodiments, the arc-shaped pattern may comprise at least six columns of hinge features. In still other embodiments, the arc-shaped pattern may extend no more than 0.750 inch heel-ward or toe-ward from the geometric center measured along the y-axis. In a further embodiment, the arc-shaped pattern may extend no more than 0.500 inches heel-ward or toe-ward from the geometric center measured along the y-axis.

In any embodiments, the arc-shaped pattern may comprise a central column of hinge features, the tab portion of each of which may extend towards the sole portion along the z-axis. In a further embodiment, the arc-shaped pattern may comprise a first set of columns of hinge features disposed heel-ward of the central column, and each of the hinge features of the first set of columns may have a tab portion that extends at an angle of no less than 40° and no more than 85° with respect to the y-axis. In a further embodiment, the first set of columns may comprise three columns. In an alternative embodiment, the first set of columns may comprise a heel-most column, and each of the hinge features of the heel-most column may have a tab portion that extends at an angle of no less than 40° and no more than 70° with respect to the y-axis. In yet another, alternative embodiment, the arc-shaped pattern may comprise a second set of columns of hinge features disposed toe-ward of the central column, and each of the hinge features of the second set of columns may have a tab portion that extends at an angle of no less than 40° and no more than 85° with respect to the y-axis. In any of the embodiments, the radius may be approximately 1.300 inch.

Another aspect of the present invention is a putter comprising a body comprising a top portion, a sole portion, a toe side, a heel side, a rear side, and a face side with a recess, and a face insert comprising a striking plate, a geometric center, and a backing portion, wherein the face insert is disposed within the recess so that at least a portion of the striking plate is exposed, wherein a horizontal y-axis extends in a heel side to toe side direction parallel with the face side and a ground plane, a vertical z-axis extends perpendicular to the y-axis from the sole portion to the top portion through the geometric center, and a horizontal x-axis extends perpendicular to both the y- and z-axes from the face side to the rear side, wherein the striking plate comprises a base portion and plurality of hinge features, wherein each of the hinge features plurality of hinge features comprises a stem portion that extends from the base portion at an angle of no less than 45 degrees and no more than 90 degrees with respect to the base portion, and a tab portion that is spaced from the base portion by the stem portion and extends from the stem portion approximately parallel with the base portion without making contact with the base portion, wherein each tab portion is at least partially disposed over a through-hole extending through the striking plate, wherein the plurality of hinge features are arranged in at least one row extending parallel with the y-axis, wherein each hinge feature in the at least one row has a tab portion with an orientation angle with respect to the y-axis, and wherein the orientation angle of each tab portion of each hinge feature within the at least one row differs from the orientation angle of all other tab portions of the hinge features within the at least one row.

In some embodiments, the at least one row comprises five rows. In a further embodiment, at least two rows of the five rows may have an identical number of hinge features having identical tab portion orientations with respect to the y-axis. In other embodiments, a hinge feature located at a center of each row of the at least one row may have a tab portion that extends approximately perpendicular with the y-axis. In still other embodiments, a hinge feature located at an end of the at least one row may have a tab portion with an orientation angle of no less than 30° and no more than 75°. In another embodiment, the at least one row may comprise a first hinge feature with a tab portion with an orientation angle of approximately 45° and a second hinge feature with a tab portion with an orientation angle of approximately −45°. In a further embodiment, the orientation angle of each of the tab portion of the hinge features located on either side of the central hinge feature may gradually decrease heel-ward and toe-ward.

In any of the embodiments, the striking plate may be composed of steel and the backing may be composed of injection-molded urethane. In any of the embodiments, each of the first and second hinge features may be spaced from the geometric center by no less than 0.250 inch and no more than 0.750 inch measured along the y-axis. In some embodiments, each of the first and second hinge features may be spaced from the geometric center by approximately 0.500 inch measured along the y-axis.

Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a putter head sized to receive any of the face inserts of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the putter head shown in FIG. 1 with a first embodiment of the face insert of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the face insert shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the face insert shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of a second embodiment of the face insert of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the face insert shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side plan view of the face insert shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a side plan view of the striking plate shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 along lines 9-9.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is front plan view of a third embodiment of the face insert of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front plan view of a fourth embodiment of the face insert of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Each embodiment of the present invention is directed to a face insert 100 for a golf club head, preferably a putter head 10, which provides consistent ball speed and improved spin across the striking surface. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary putter head 10, which would benefit from any of the embodiments of the face insert 100 of the present invention. The putter head 10 preferably comprises a hosel 15, a face 20 with a recess 22 sized to receive the face insert 100 of the present invention, a heel side 30, a toe side 35, a sole portion 40, a top portion 45, and a rear portion 50 opposite the face 20. A coordinate system is defined by a vertical z-axis extending from the sole portion 40 to the top portion 45 through the geometric center 25 of the face 20, a y-axis extending in a heel-to-toe direction parallel with the face 20 perpendicular to the z-axis, and an x-axis extending perpendicular to both the y- and z-axes from the face 20 to rear portion 50.

First and second embodiments of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 2-10, a third embodiment is shown in FIG. 11, and a fourth, preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 12. In these embodiments, the face insert 100 comprises two parts: a backing portion 110 with a plurality of parallel grooves 115 extending along the y-axis in a heel-to-toe direction, and a thin striking plate 120 comprising a planar base portion 122 with a plurality of through-holes 124 and a plurality of hinge features 130.

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, each hinge feature 130 comprises a stem portion 132 that is connected to, and extends at an angle α1 of 45-90° (most preferably approximately 57°) away from, the base portion 122, and a tab portion 134 that is spaced from an inner surface 123 of the base portion 122 a distance D₁ of 0.030 inch to 0.060 inch (most preferably approximately 0.40 inch) along the x-axis and extends away from the stem portion 132 and parallel with the base portion 122 along the z-axis. A first notch 136 extends into the inner surface 123 of the hinge feature 130 at the intersection between the stem portion 132 and the tab portion 134, and a second notch 138 extends into the outer surface 121 of the hinge feature 130 at the intersection between the base portion 122 and the stem portion 132. As shown in FIG. 10, each tab portion 134 preferably is disposed over a through-hole 124.

Each tab portion 134 has a top-to-bottom length L₁ along the z-axis ranging from 0.020 to 0.075 inch, and more preferably approximately 0.047 inch, a heel-to-toe (y-axis) width W₁ that is greater than L₁, and more preferably at least 1.5 times L₁, and a thickness T₅ of 0.010 to 0.040 inch, more preferably approximately 0.020 inch. The base portion 122 of the striking plate 120 preferably has a thickness T₃ of 0.005 to 0.030 inch, more preferably approximately 0.011 inch, and an average vertical length L₃ along the z-axis of 0.100 to 0.200 inch, more preferably approximately 0.150 inch. The stem portion 132 has a thickness of T₄ of 0.010 to 0.040, more preferably approximately 0.021 inch, and an average vertical length L₂ along the z-axis of 0.025 to 0.075 inch, and more preferably approximately 0.056 inch.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate how the striking plate 120 and backing portion 110 engage with one other, with the grooves 115 disposed above the tab portions 134 along the z-axis, and the backing portion 110 filling the through-holes 124 underneath the tab portions 134 in the striking plate 120. The backing portion 110 also covers the planar base portion 122 so that the upper surface 135 of each tab portion 134, and each of the grooves 115, is exposed and can connect with a golf ball. The stem portion 132 of each hinge feature 130 extends through the backing portion 110 proximate a lower edge 116 of a groove 115, so that the hinge features 130 are aligned with one another along the one or more grooves 115. Each of the grooves has a depth D₂ that is at least as great as (or, in other embodiments, approximately equivalent to) the thickness T₅ of the tab portion 134. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the face insert 100 has six rows R_1-6 of hinge features 130, the upper edges 131 of each of which align with a groove 115 in the backing portion 110. Each hinge feature 130 in a row R is preferably spaced from adjacent hinge features in the row by a distance of 0.010 to 0.075 inch, more preferably 0.020 to 0.060 inch.

When contacted by a golf ball, the tab portions 134 are compressed inwards towards the backing portion 110 and the base portion 122, and provide the face insert 100 with improved elasticity, improving the topspin imparted to the golf ball. The first and second notches 136, 138 improve the bending properties of the tab portions 134, allowing them to flex inwards and outwards more easily. The grooves 115 in the backing portion 110 also contribute to improved spin imparted to the golf ball.

In the first embodiment, the backing portion 110 has the same approximate, trapezoidal shape and z-axis length and y-axis width dimensions as the striking plate 120, while in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-5, the backing portion 110 has significantly larger z-axis length and y-axis width dimensions than the striking plate 120. In each of the embodiments, the backing portion 110 has a significantly larger thickness (measured along the x-axis) than that of the striking plate 120. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the striking plate 120 has an average thickness T₂ that is less than 25% of the overall, average thickness T₁ of the face insert 100. Each of the embodiments of the face inserts 100 disclosed herein preferably has at least five rows R_1-5 of hinge features 130, with at least twenty-five hinge features 130 extending from the striking plate 120 and embedded within the backing portion 110.

As shown in the first and second embodiments herein, all of the hinge features 130 can be oriented such that each tab portion 134 extends away from the stem portion 132 along the z-axis towards the sole portion 40; in other words, each tab portion 135 extends perpendicular to the y-axis. It is preferable, however, for the orientation of the tab portions 134 with respect to the y-axis to vary across the face insert 100 to better control the spin imparted to a golf ball impacted at different locations on the face insert 100.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the face insert 100 of the third embodiment has six rows R₁-R₆ of hinge features 130 that extend along the face in an arc-shaped pattern with a radius ranging from 0.900 inch to 1.50 inches, and preferably approximately 1.30. The arc-shaped pattern, which approximates the shape of a “U”, is preferably contained within a region R of 1.50 inch, measured heel-ward and toe-ward along the y-axis, of the geometric center 25, and more preferably within a distance D_S of 0.500 inch on each side (heel-ward and toe-ward) of the geometric center 25. Each hinge feature 130 in a row R₁-R₆ has a different tab portion 134 orientation from the other hinge features 130 in that row R₁-R₆ with respect to the y-axis. The rows R₁-R₆ line up such that the hinge features 130 form columns C₁-C₇, with the tab portion 134 of each hinge feature 130 in a column C₁-C₇ having the same orientation as the other tab portions 134 in that column C₁-C₇ with respect to the y-axis.

As shown in FIG. 11, the toe-most column C₁ has hinge features 130 with tab portions 134 having an angle orientation C_α1 of 50-70°, more preferably 65°, the second heel-most column C₂ has hinge features 130 with tab portions 134 having an angle orientation C_a2 of 65-80°, more preferably 75°, the third heel-most column C₃ has hinge features 130 with tab portions 134 having an angle orientation C_a3 of 75-85°, more preferably 82°, and the central column C₄ has hinge features 130 with tab portions 134 having an angle orientation C_α4 of approximately 90°. The columns C_5-7 on the heel-ward side of the central column C₄ have hinge features 130 oriented at mirror image angles of the toe-ward side columns C_1-3 across the z-axis.

The curvature of the rows R₁-R₆ of hinge features 130 addresses sidespin and putts that are angled offline away from the geometric center 25. The curved configuration reduces sidespin on mishits to provide more of a “true roll” or topspin toward the intended target, and uses the launch benefit provided by the hinges to move mishits back towards the intended target line. The angled curvature of the rows R₁-R₆ adjusts for the typical movement, when a ball hit on the toe side will move towards the right, while a ball struck on the heel side will move toward the left.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the hinge features 130 are arranged in a series of horizontal rows R₁-R₅ extending parallel with the y-axis. As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, each of the tab portions 134 of the hinge features 130 in a given row R₁-R₅ have different orientations with respect to the y-axis from all other tab portions 134 in that row R₁-R₅. This preferred embodiment includes five rows R₁-R₅, each of which includes a central hinge feature 130 with a tab portion 134 approximately aligned with the geometric center 25 along the y-axis, and a plurality of hinge features 130 arrayed on either side of the central hinge feature 130. The angle, measured with respect to the y-axis, of each tab portion 134 of the hinge features 130 located on either side of the central hinge feature 130 gradually decreases heel-ward and toe-ward, such that the hinge features 130 on the heel- and toe-most sides of the central hinge feature 130 have tab portions that extend at an angle of approximately −45° and 45°, respectively. These opposing, end-most hinge features 130 are spaced from the geometric center 25 along the y-axis by a distance D_S of no less than 0.250 inch, and more preferably approximately 0.500 inch. As shown in FIG. 12, at least two of the rows (e.g., R₁ and R₅) include the same number of hinge features 130, each with the same tab portion 134 orientations.

The hinge features 130 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 provide a starting line benefit of up to 0.5° in either a right or left direction, and add at least 25 rpm of topspin to a putt. Angling the hinge features 130 as shown in FIGS. 11-12 changes side spin by up to 25 rpm in either the hook or fade direction, depending on the severity of the angle (up to 90 degrees).

The striking plate 120 preferably is composed of a metal alloy material such as stainless steel, titanium alloy, or aluminum alloy, though it may be composed of a rigid polymer material in alternative embodiments. When the striking plate 120 is composed of a metal alloy, the hinge features 130 and through-holes 124 may be stamped, chemical etched, machined, and/or otherwise added to the striking plate 120 by any means known to a person skilled in the art. The backing portion 110 preferably is composed of a polymer such as urethane, and preferably is co-molded or injection molded onto the striking plate 120 so that the polymer material can flow over portions of the striking plate 120, specifically the base portion 122, and into the through-holes 124 underneath the tab portions 134. In alternative embodiments, however, the backing portion 110 may be permanently attached to the striking plate 120 with an adhesive.

Though each of the face insert 100 embodiments disclosed herein are shown in connection with a putter head 10, these embodiments may be used with any other golf club head, including drivers, fairway woods, irons, wedges, and hybrids.

From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.

Claims

1. A putter comprising: a body comprising a top portion, a sole portion, a toe side, a heel side, a rear side, and a face side with a recess; anda face insert comprising a striking plate, a geometric center, and a backing portion,wherein the face insert is disposed within the recess so that at least a portion of the striking plate is exposed,wherein a horizontal y-axis extends in a heel side to toe side direction parallel with the face side and a ground plane, a vertical z-axis extends perpendicular to the y-axis from the sole portion to the top portion through the geometric center, and a horizontal x-axis extends perpendicular to both the y- and z- axes from the face side to the rear side,wherein the striking plate comprises a base portion and a plurality of hinge features,wherein the plurality of hinge features are arranged in an arc-shaped pattern that extends from a toe side of the striking plate to a heel side of the striking plate along the y-axis,wherein the arc-shaped pattern has a radius of no less than 0.900 inch and no more than 1.500 inches,wherein each hinge feature of the plurality of hinge features comprises a stem portion that extends from the base portion at an angle of no less than 45° and no more than 90° with respect to the base portion, and a tab portion that is spaced from the base portion by the stem portion and extends from the stem portion approximately parallel with the base portion without making contact with the base portion, andwherein each said tab portion is at least partially disposed over a through-hole extending through the striking plate.

2. The putter of claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped pattern is approximately U-shaped and comprises at least five rows of the hinge features.

3. The putter of claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped pattern comprises at least six columns of the hinge features.

4. The putter of claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped pattern extends no more than 0.750 inch heel-ward or toe-ward from the geometric center measured along the y-axis.

5. The putter of claim 4, wherein the arc-shaped pattern extends no more than 0.500 inch heel-ward or toe-ward from the geometric center measured along the y-axis.

6. The putter of claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped pattern comprises a central column of the hinge features, the tab portion of each of the hinge features extends towards the sole portion along the z-axis.

7. The putter of claim 6, wherein the arc-shaped pattern comprises a first set of columns of the hinge features disposed heel-ward of the central column, and wherein the tab portion of each of the hinge features of the first set of columns extends at an angle of no less than 40° and no more than 85° with respect to the y-axis.

8. The putter of claim 7, wherein the first set of columns comprises three columns.

9. The putter of claim 7, wherein the first set of columns comprises a heel-most column, and wherein the tab portion of each of the hinge features of the heel-most column extends at an angle of no less than 40° and no more than 70° with respect to the y-axis.

10. The putter of claim 7, wherein the arc-shaped pattern comprises a second set of columns of the hinge features disposed toe-ward of the central column, and wherein the tab portion of each of the hinge features of the second set of columns extends at an angle of no less than 40° and no more than 85° with respect to the y-axis.

11. The putter of claim 1, wherein the radius is approximately 1.300 inches.

12. A putter comprising: a body comprising a top portion, a sole portion, a toe side, a heel side, a rear side, and a face side with a recess; anda face insert comprising a striking plate, a geometric center, and a backing portion,wherein the face insert is disposed within the recess so that at least a portion of the striking plate is exposed,wherein a horizontal y-axis extends in a heel side to toe side direction parallel with the face side and a ground plane, a vertical z-axis extends perpendicular to the y-axis from the sole portion to the top portion through the geometric center, and a horizontal x-axis extends perpendicular to both the y- and z- axes from the face side to the rear side,wherein the striking plate comprises a base portion and plurality of hinge features,wherein each hinge feature of the plurality of hinge features comprises a stem portion that extends from the base portion at an angle of no less than 45 degrees and no more than 90 degrees with respect to the base portion, and a tab portion that is spaced from the base portion by the stem portion and extends from the stem portion approximately parallel with the base portion without making contact with the base portion,wherein each tab portion is at least partially disposed over a through-hole extending through the striking plate,wherein the plurality of hinge features are arranged in at least one row extending parallel with the y-axis,wherein the tab portion of each said hinge feature in the at least one row has an orientation angle with respect to the y-axis, andwherein the orientation angle of each said tab portion of each said hinge feature within the at least one row differs from the orientation angle of all other said tab portions of the hinge features within the at least one row.

13. The putter of claim 12, wherein the at least one row comprises five rows.

14. The putter of claim 13, wherein at least two rows of the five rows have an identical number of said hinge features having identical said tab portion orientations with respect to the y-axis.

15. The putter of claim 12, wherein the tab portion of a hinge feature located at a center of each row of the at least one row extends approximately perpendicular with the y-axis.

16. The putter of claim 12, wherein the tab portion of a hinge feature located at an end of the at least one row has an orientation angle of no less than 30° and no more than 75°.

17. The putter of claim 16, wherein the orientation angle of each said tab portion of a hinge features located on either side of the central hinge feature gradually decreases heel-ward and toe-ward.

18. The putter of claim 12, wherein the at least one row comprises a first hinge feature and a second hinge feature, wherein the tab portion of the first hinge feature has an orientation angle of approximately 45°, and wherein the tab portion of the second hinge feature has an orientation angle of approximately −45°.

19. The putter of claim 18, wherein each of the first and second hinge features is spaced from the geometric center by no less than 0.250 inch and no more than 0.750 inch measured along the y-axis.

20. The putter of claim 19, wherein each of the first and second hinge features is spaced from the geometric center by approximately 0.500 inch measured along the y-axis.

21. The putter of claim 12, wherein the striking plate is composed of steel and wherein the backing portion is composed of injection-molded urethane.