Patent Application
20050119066
The present invention relates to golf clubs. More particularly, the invention concerns a cavity back golf club head having a bridge member extending across a rear cavity. The invention provides a damping element in the rear cavity of a cavity back golf club head to improve the accuracy, feel, and sound of a golf shot upon impact with a golf ball.
Various golf club heads have been designed to improve a golfer's accuracy by assisting a golfer to square the club head face at impact with a golf ball. A number of these golf club heads reposition the weight of the golf club head in order to alter the location of the center of gravity. The location of the center of gravity of the golf club head is one factor that determines whether a golf ball is propelled in the intended direction. When the center of gravity is positioned behind the point of engagement on the contact surface, the golf ball follows a generally straight route. When the center of gravity is spaced to a side of the point of engagement, however, the golf ball may follow a route that curves left or right, which is often referred to as a hook or a slice. Similarly, when the center of gravity is spaced above or below the point of engagement, the route of the golf ball may exhibit a boring or climbing trajectory.
Upon impact with a golf ball, a golf club head may have a tendency to vibrate creating a hard hitting feel and sound when the club head contacts the golf ball. The hard hitting feel and sound at impact may be perceived by the golfer as the product of a good distance shot. However, excessive vibration may affect the accuracy of the golf shot and may place unnecessary stresses on the hands or joints of the golf player. More experienced players prefer a softer hitting feel and sound when the club head contacts the golf ball. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a golf club head that provides a softer feel and sound upon impact with a golf ball indicative of a more accurate and controlled golf shot. The golf club head should reduce excessive vibrations in order to prevent unnecessary stresses on a golfer's hands or joints while still providing for good distance and accuracy.
One or more of the above-mentioned needs in the art are satisfied by the disclosed golf club head of the present invention. In a first aspect of the invention, a golf club head comprises a heel, a toe, a top portion, and a sole portion. The cavity back golf club head further includes a bridge member extending across a first rear cavity connecting the heel and the toe of the golf club head. A damping element extends from the sole portion of the golf club head to the bridge member to form a second rear cavity. The damping element may reduce the vibration and sound upon impact with a golf ball. The second rear cavity and the bridge member vary the center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the striking face to influence the trajectory of a golf ball.
In a second aspect of the invention, a golf club head comprises a heel, a toe, a top portion, and a sole portion. The cavity back golf club head further includes a bridge member extending across a first rear cavity connecting the heel and the toe of the golf club head. The first rear cavity may have a damping element to reduce the vibration and sound upon impact with a golf ball. A wall extending from the top portion of the golf club head to the bridge member forms a second rear cavity. The second rear cavity and the bridge member vary the center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the striking face to influence the trajectory of a golf ball.
In a third aspect of the invention, a long iron cavity back golf club head includes a body having a toe, a heel, a top portion, a sole portion, a striking face, and a rear face opposite the striking face. The long iron cavity back golf club head also includes a first rear cavity and a single bridge member extending across the first rear cavity connecting the toe to the heel. The first rear cavity having a damping element to reduce the vibration and sound upon impact with a golf ball. A second rear cavity may be defined by a wall connecting the bridge member to the sole portion of the long iron cavity back golf club head. The second rear cavity and the single bridge member varying a center of gravity of the long iron cavity back golf club head with respect to the striking face to influence the trajectory of a golf ball.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a short iron cavity back golf club head includes a body having a toe, a heel, a top portion, a sole portion, a striking face, and a rear face opposite the striking face. The short iron cavity back golf club head also includes a first rear cavity and a single bridge member extending across the first rear cavity connecting the toe to the heel. The first rear cavity may have a damping element to reduce the vibration and sound upon impact with a golf ball. A wall connecting the single bridge member to the top portion of the short iron cavity back golf club head may define a second rear cavity. The second rear cavity and the single bridge member vary a center of gravity of the short iron cavity back golf club head with respect to the striking face to influence the trajectory of a golf ball.
The advantages and features of novelty characterizing the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of novelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptive matter and accompanying drawings that describe and illustrate various embodiments and concepts related to the invention.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:
The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various golf club heads in accordance with the present invention. For example, the golf club heads of the present invention can be utilized for the long iron clubs, two iron through five iron, and for the short iron clubs, six iron through pitching wedge. In the current description of the invention,
Referring to
As shown in
Bridge member 34 may be connected to the toe 23 and heel 21 using screws 35. Those skilled in the art will realize that bridge member 34 may be connected to the toe 23 and the heel 21 using fewer or additional connection points and through numerous other connection means which fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, bridge member 34 may also be formed with the golf club head 14 in a single casting making the bridge member 34 integral with the golf club head 14.
A second rear cavity 38 is shown in
Wall 40 may be integrally formed with the club head 14 and bridge member 34 to provide additional support and stiffness to bridge member 34. Wall 40 may be linear or curved depending upon the shape of bridge member 34. The integrally formed club head 14, wall 40, and bridge member 34 may be made of various materials such as stainless steel, titanium, graphite, plastic, polymer or a composite material. The additional support and stiffness to bridge member 34 may prevent any deformation of bridge member 34 upon contact with a golf ball. In addition, the wall 40 may provide a vibration damping effect upon impact of striking face 26 with a golf ball.
In another embodiment, the front surface 43 and the bottom surface 46 of wall 40 may be secured to the bridge member 34 and sole portion 25 using an adhesive. Those skilled in the art will realize that numerous other ways exist to attach front surface 43 and bottom surface 46 to the bridge member 34 and sole portion 25, respectively. These numerous other ways of attachment are contemplated and fall within the scope of the present invention.
During the game of golf, an individual holds grip 16 and swings golf club 10 such that golf club head 14 traverses a generally arcuate path and impacts a golf ball. A portion of the inertia of golf club 10, and particularly the inertia of golf club head 14, is then transferred to the golf ball and propels the golf ball toward an intended target. The position of a center of gravity of head 14 has an influence upon whether the golf ball curves right, curves left, or follows a generally straight route. More specifically, the golf ball follows a generally straight route when the center of gravity is positioned behind the point of engagement on striking face 26. When the center of gravity is spaced to one side of the point of engagement, however, the golf ball may follow a route that curves left or right. The position of the center of gravity of golf club head 14 also has an influence upon whether the golf ball exhibits a boring or climbing trajectory, depending upon whether the center of gravity is spaced above or below the point of engagement on striking face 26.
Although the concepts behind utilizing a golf club to propel a golf ball toward an intended target appear simplistic, the actual practice of propelling the golf ball in an intended manner is exceedingly complex. The golf ball may, for example, consistently curve right when, in fact, the individual intends to propel the golf ball along a straight route. Many conventional golf club heads have a center of gravity located at the striking face 26. However, changing the position of the center of gravity of the golf club head 14 for different golf clubs may assist many golfers in squaring the club head face 14 upon impact with a golf ball. The positioning of the center of gravity off of the striking face 26 and towards the rear of the golf club head 14 may conform to the style and preferences of many golfers. Accordingly, these golfers may be able to correct or modify the route of the golf ball by using the golf club head 14 of the present invention, as the center of gravity of golf club head 14 is repositioned with respect to striking face 26 as compared to other golf club heads.
The center of gravity of golf club head 14, otherwise referred to as the center of mass, is defined as an equilibrium point. More specifically, the center of gravity of golf club head 14 is a point at which the entire weight of golf club head 14 may be considered as concentrated so that, if supported at that point, head 14 would remain in static equilibrium in any position. The center of gravity of golf club head 14 may be changed by altering the weight distribution of the golf club head 14 away from the striking face 26. Altering the weight distribution of golf club head 14 may be accomplished with the use of bridge member 34 and wall 40.
Bridge member 34 increases the weight of the back of the golf club head 14 relative to the striking face 26 of the golf club head 14. This increase in weight towards the rear of golf club head 14 alters the center of gravity of golf club head 14. By moving the center of gravity lower and towards the rear of the golf club head, the golf club 10 will tend to have an increased loft upon impact. In addition, the shape and location of bridge member 34 may also influence the location of the center of gravity of golf club head 14. For example, on the longer iron clubs, two iron through five iron, it is desirable to have the center of gravity lower than on the shorter iron clubs. On the longer iron clubs, a lower center of gravity will assist a golfer with obtaining additional loft on their golf shot. The bridge member 34 for longer iron clubs is positioned lower on the rear of the golf club head body 14 as compared to a bridge member on a shorter iron club.
The lowering of the center of gravity of the golf club head 14 may also be accomplished through the use of wall 40. Wall 40 increases the weight of the back of the golf club head 14 relative to the striking face 26. This increase in weight to the back of golf club head 14 relative to the striking face 26 lowers the center of gravity of golf club head 14, thus allowing the golf club head to propel a golf ball with a higher trajectory. In addition, wall 40 increases the support of bridge member 34 and may prevent any deformation of bridge member 34 upon contact with a golf ball. The added support may tend to increase the distance that the golf ball travels upon impact. In addition, the wall 40 may provide a vibration damping effect upon the impact of striking face 26 with a golf ball.
With reference to
A damping material 57 may also be placed between rear face 30 and bridge member 34. In those embodiments that do not include wall 40, damping element 57 may define first and second cavities. Of course, wall 40 may be included to provide other advantages, such as increased vibration damping. The damping material 57 may be used to reduce vibration upon impact of the striking face of the golf club head 14 with a golf ball. In addition, the damping material 57 may also reduce the sound of the golf shot upon impact of the striking face of the golf club head 14 with the golf ball. The damping material 57 may also create a softer feeling and sound to the golf shot indicating a more controlled golf shot. The damping material 57 may be a polymer such as a thermoplastic elastomer or a high density polymer resin. The use of a high density polymer resin may also vary the center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the striking face. The damping material 57 may be poured directly between rear face 30 and bridge member 34, into the first rear cavity 32, and/or into the second rear cavity 38 and cured. As an alternative, the polymer may be placed into a mold having the desired overall shape and configuration of damping element 57 to form a damping element insert. Those skilled in the art will realize that various manufacturing processes such as blowmolding may be used to form a damping element insert to be placed in the first rear cavity 32 of a golf club head 14. Similarly, the damping element insert may be formed and placed in second rear cavity 38 of golf club head 14.
In some embodiments of the invention, preformed damping elements may be used to improve the performance of existing golf clubs. The damping elements may be inserted between a rear face and a bridge member to improve performance.
In another embodiment of the invention,
As shown in
Bridge member 84 may be connected to the toe 73 and heel 71 using screws 85. Those skilled in the art will realize that bridge member 84 may be connected to the toe 73 and the heel 71 using fewer or additional connection points and through numerous other connection means which fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, bridge member 84 may also be formed with the golf club head 64 in a single casting making the bridge member 84 integral with the golf club head 64.
A second rear cavity 88 is illustrated in
Wall 90 may be integrally formed with the club head 64 and bridge member 84 to provide additional support and stiffness to bridge member 84. Wall 90 may be linear or curved depending upon the shape of bridge member 84. The integrally formed club head 64, wall 90, and bridge member 84 may be made of various materials such as stainless steel, titanium, graphite, plastic, or a composite material. The additional support and stiffness to bridge member 84 may prevent any deformation of bridge member 84 upon contact with a golf ball. In addition, the wall 90 may provide a vibration damping effect upon impact of striking face 76 with a golf ball.
In another embodiment, front surface 93 and the top surface 95 of wall 90 may be secured to the bridge member 84 and top portion 74 using an adhesive. Those skilled in the art will realize that numerous other ways exist to attach front surface 93 and top surface 95 to the bridge member 84 and top portion 74, respectively. These numerous other ways of attachment are contemplated and fall within the scope of the present invention.
Bridge member 84 increases the weight of the back of the golf club head 64 relative to the striking face 76 of the golf club head 64. This increase in weight towards the rear of golf club head 64 alters the center of gravity of golf club head 64. By moving the center of gravity higher and towards the rear of the golf club head, a golf ball may be propelled with a lower and more controlled trajectory.
The shape and location of bridge member 84 may also influence the location of the center of gravity of golf club head 64. For example, on the shorter iron clubs, six iron through pitching wedge, it is desirable to have the center of gravity higher than on the longer iron clubs. On the shorter iron clubs, a higher center of gravity will enable a golfer to have greater control over the flight of the golf ball. The bridge member 84 for shorter iron clubs is positioned higher on the rear of the golf club head body 64 as compared to a bridge member on longer iron clubs.
The raising of the center of gravity of golf club head 64 may also be accomplished though the use of wall 90. Wall 90 increases the weight on the back of the golf club head 64 relative to the striking face 76. This increase in weight to the back of golf club head 64 relative to the striking face 76 raises the center of gravity of golf club head 64 allowing the golf club head to propel a golf ball with a lower and more controlled trajectory.
With reference to
A damping material 107 may also be placed in the first rear cavity 82 in order to partially fill the first rear cavity 82. The damping material 107 may be used to reduce vibration upon impact of the striking face of the golf club head 64 with a golf ball. In addition, the damping material 107 may also reduce the sound of the golf shot upon impact of the striking face of the golf club head 64 with the golf ball. The damping material 107 may also create a softer feeling and sound to the golf shot indicating a more controlled golf shot. The damping material 107 may be a polymer such as a thermoplastic elastomer or a high density polymer resin. The use of a high density polymer resin may also vary the center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the striking face. The damping material 107 may be poured directly into the first rear cavity 82 and cured. As an alternative, the polymer may be placed into a mold having the desired overall shape and configuration of damping element 107 to form a damping element insert. Those skilled in the art will realize that various manufacturing processes such as blowmolding may be used to form a damping element insert to be placed in the first rear cavity 82 of a golf club head 64. Similarly, the damping element insert may be formed and placed in second rear cavity 88 of golf club head 64.
As described above, various embodiments of the invention may not include a wall, such as wall 90 (shown in
The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/707,522, filed on Dec. 19, 2003, which is a continuation of International application Ser. No. PCT/IB03/05942, filed on Dec. 15, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/666,346, filed on Sep. 19, 2003, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/IB03/05942 | Dec 2003 | US |
| Child | 10707522 | Dec 2003 | US |
| Parent | 10666346 | Sep 2003 | US |
| Child | PCT/IB03/05942 | Dec 2003 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10707522 | Dec 2003 | US |
| Child | 10910916 | Aug 2004 | US |
