Patent Grant
12036453
The present disclosure relates to a golf club head including multiple features to optimize ball speed and launch distance, while not compromising the acoustics produced by the golf club head after the point of impact.
A golfer benefits from having a club that provides high ball speed and greater carry distance. Many golf club characteristics are considered when designing a golf club head to achieve desired performance characteristics, such as distribution of mass, energy transferred to the ball from the face, along with the acoustics produced by the club head after impact.
Various iron-type golf club heads include a void positioned behind the face, and a weight or insert positioned in the void to provide desired weighting characteristics to the club head. The weight or insert generally contacts the back side of the face, thereby damping vibrations at impact to create a desirable sound after impact with a golf ball. The insert placed in contact with the face also leaches energy from the impact, energy that is prevented from being transferred back into the golf ball to increase the ball speed after impact. There is a need in the art for a golf club head that produces desirable acoustics and proper swingweighting, while also transferring a maximum amount of energy back into the golf ball after the point of impact.
Described herein is an iron-type golf club head having various features to increase ball speed and ball launch distance, while producing desirable acoustics, optimized mass distribution, and maintaining a small body size (i.e. a compact distance iron). Specifically, the compact distance iron can include a face comprising an optimized material, a rear cavity positioned behind the face, an insert positioned behind the face, a reinforcement device, a thinned uniform sole, and a top rail comprising a cutout. Additionally, the golf club head can be formed as a single unibody cast, significantly reducing the cost of manufacturing.
The insert can comprise specific geometries, which allow the insert to positively damp vibrations in the club head, manipulate the mass distribution for proper swing weighting, while still allowing the face to deflect and transfer a maximum amount of energy back to the golf ball at impact. The insert can contact the rear surface of the face at certain locations and be spaced a predetermined distance from the face in areas which the ball is most likely to contact the face. In other embodiments, an entire surface of the insert can contact the rear surface of the face. The insert can also include voids, which allow the face to deform without absorbing energy from the impact, while damping vibrations at impact to generate the desired acoustics. Different geometries of voids can be used to adjust the face deflection on impact, swing weighting, and/or the sound emitted by the golf club at impact. Further, the voids can ensure the face of the golf club head is able to deflect, while minimizing energy loss to the insert. Therefore, the face is able to maximize the amount of energy transferred back to the golf ball after impact, resulting in increased ball speeds and greater launch distances.
In some embodiments, the insert can comprise a reinforcement device that can transfer stress away from the face and into the reinforcement device to support a thin face. The thin face can deflect more on impact with a golf ball (compared to a typical thicker face), thereby increasing energy transfer back to the ball on impact, resulting in increased ball speed and travel distance.
In many embodiments, the reinforcement device can comprise a face surface nearer to the rear surface proximal to the face center than proximal to the face perimeter, an outer perimeter surface that is filleted with the rear surface, an inner surface comprising a largest rib span of greater than or equal to approximately 0.609 centimeter to approximately 1.88 centimeters, and/or a face element that is thinner within the inner perimeter surface that without or outside the outer perimeter surface.
The club head having the reinforcement device with one or more of the aforementioned features experiences increased ball speed and travel distance, while maintaining club head durability compared to a club head devoid of the reinforcement device. The disclosed club head having a reinforcement element and fillet allows the center face plat thickness to be reduced without increasing (in fact, while reducing) the stress on the faceplate, due to the unique stress transfer properties of the described structure. The reduced center thickness of the club head having the reinforcement device further allows increased bending on impact with a golf ball, without sacrificing durability, thereby increasing ball speed and travel distance.
In many embodiments, the golf club head is an iron type golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head can be any type of golf club head. For example, the club head can be a driver, a fairway wood, a hybrid, a one-iron, a two-iron, a three-iron, a four-iron, a five-iron, a six-iron, a seven-iron, an eight-iron, a nine-iron, a pitching wedge, a gap wedge, a utility wedge, a sand wedge, a lob wedge, and/or a putter.
In addition, the golf club head can have a loft that can range from approximately 3 degrees to approximately 75 degrees. For example, the golf club head can have a loft of 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 24, 24.5, 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5, 27, 27.5, 28, 28.5, 29, 29.5, 30, 30.5, 31, 31.5, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5, 34, 34.5, 35, 35.5, 36, 36.5, 37, 37.5, 38, 38.5, 39, 39.5, 40, 40.5, 41, 41.5, 42, 42.5, 43, 43.5, 44, 44.5, 45, 45.5, 46, 46.5, 47, 47.5, 48, 48.5, 49, 49.5, 50, 50.5, 51, 51.5, 52, 52.5, 53, 53.5, 54, 54.5, 55, 55.5, 56, 56.5, 57, 57.5, 58, 58.5, 59, 59.5, 60, 60.5, 61. 61.5, 62, 62.5, 63, 63.5, 64, 64.5, 65, 65.5, 66, 66.5, 67, 67.5, 68, 68.5, 69, 69.5, 70, 70.5, 71, 71.5, 72, 72.5, 73, 73.5, 74, 74.5, and/or 75 degrees). In many embodiments, the club head can have a loft greater than or equal to 15 degrees, greater than or equal to 20 degrees, greater than or equal to 25 degrees, greater than or equal to 30 degrees, greater than or equal to 45 degrees, greater than or equal to 50 degrees, or greater than or equal to 55 degrees.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
Referring now to
The golf club head 10 can further include at least one deflection feature. The deflection feature can be an insert positioned in the cavity 30. The golf club head 10 can further include one or more features selected from the group consisting of a thin uniform sole 20, one or more optimized face 22 materials, a cutout in the top rail 18 of the golf club head 10, a thin face, and a reinforcement device 1112. The golf club head 10 can comprise one of or any combination of the aforementioned features. The weight savings produced by the aforementioned deflection features allow the golf club head 10 to further comprise a dual density weight. In some embodiments, the weight can be added to move the club head center of gravity low and back, while increasing club head moment of inertia. Further, the golf club head 10 comprising the aforementioned features can be a single cast unibody reducing the manufacturing costs.
I) Deflection Feature Comprising an Insert
As discussed above, the deflection feature of the golf club head 10 can comprise an insert (e.g. 50, 150, 250, 350, 450, as described below). In some embodiments, the insert can be positioned within the cavity 30. The insert can provide multiple benefits to the golf club head 10. First, the insert can aid in swing weighting the golf club head 10. Second, the insert can damp unwanted vibrations within the club head 10 to adjust the acoustics of the golf club head 10. Third, the insert can provide the aforementioned benefits without inhibiting deflection of the face 22, thereby minimizing the absorption of energy from the face deflection during impact to increase energy transfer to the golf ball, increase ball speed and carry distance, and damp vibrations.
The insert has a spring constant defined by Hooke's law. An insert having a low spring constant requires less force to deform the insert. Therefore, an insert with a low spring constant will deform more on impact with a golf ball, beneficially preventing unneeded absorption of energy from the impact, and enabling deformation of the face 22. The spring constant, k, can be determined using Hooke's Law in relation 1 below, where X represents the distance of compression due to a force, F:
Both the geometry and the material of the insert can affect the spring constant. Generally, a material having a higher density has a greater spring constant. The insert can comprise one or more materials, including, but not limited to, steel, tungsten, aluminum, titanium, metal alloys, other metals, composites, polymers, plastic, plastics with powdered metals, elastomers, elastomers with powdered metals, and/or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the insert can be made of the same material(s) or can be made of material(s) different than the golf club head 10. In some embodiments, the insert can comprise two separate materials. The portion of the insert contacting the face can be a low density material having a low spring constant, while the rear portion of the insert can be a higher density material, functioning as a swing weight.
In addition, in many embodiments, the insert can be formed separately and inserted into the cavity 30 after manufacturing of the golf club head 10. In other embodiments, the insert can be formed in the cavity 30 during manufacturing of the golf club head 10 (e.g., during casting, forging, etc.). In these embodiments, the insert can be integrally formed as a unitary construction with the remainder of the golf club head 10.
The insert can comprise various geometries, as described in further detail below. In some embodiments, a gap is positioned between the face 22 and the insert. Placing a gap between the face 22 and the insert results in no energy being absorbed by the insert on impact with a golf ball. In other embodiments, the insert can comprise a plurality of voids. The plurality of voids can be positioned across the entire insert or in the portion of the insert contacting the face 22. The voids decrease the compression of the insert on impact with a golf ball, which lowers the spring constant, compared to an insert without voids.
a. Deflection Feature Comprising Insert with a Gap
As discussed above, the deflection feature of the golf club head 10 can be an insert positioned such that a gap exists between the face 22 and the insert. Referring to
The gap 41 width can range from approximately 0.001 inches to approximately 0.125 inches, and more preferably can range from approximately 0.005 inches to approximately 0.125 inches, and more preferably can range from approximately 0.005 inches to approximately 0.075 inches, and more preferably can range from approximately 0.005 inches to approximately 0.050 inches. In addition, the maximum width of the gap 41 can exceed approximately 0.005 inches, and more preferably can exceed approximately 0.020 inches, and more preferably can exceed approximately 0.050 inches, and more preferably can exceed approximately 0.075 inches, and more preferably can be up to approximately 0.125 inches. The gap 41 can comprise 10-60% of the front surface of the insert 50. For example, in some embodiments, the gap 41 can comprise 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, or 60% of the front surface of the insert 50.
During impact with a golf ball, the face 122 of the club head 100 having the insert 50 undergoes deformation or deflection. The face plate 122 deforms or deflects in a direction generally towards the rear end 124. The face plate 122 has the greatest deformation near the center of the face 122, wherein the gap 41 exists. In many embodiments, the width of the gap 41 is large enough that the face 122 never contacts the second surface 52 of the insert 50. The gap 41 is occupied by air and as such, has a spring constant of zero and does not inhibit deflection of the face 122. Therefore, the second surface 52 of the insert 50 does not absorb any energy from the impact with the golf ball and the face 122 is able to rebound transferring a majority of the energy from impact back to the golf ball. The first surface 51 of the insert 50 is positioned around the lower perimeter of the face interior surface 136, wherein the face 122 does not deflect. As such, the first surface 51 is able to damp vibrations caused by the impact, without inhibiting face 122 deflection or absorbing large amounts of energy. The result is a golf club head 100 comprising an insert 50, wherein the insert 50 damps vibration to achieve desired impact acoustics, while not inhibiting face 122 deflection. Further, the gap 41 positioned near the first and top surfaces 51, 56 of the insert 50, results in the insert 50 having a majority of its mass positioned towards its second and bottom surfaces 52, 55. Therefore, the insert 50 can also be utilized as a swing weight to move the CG of the golf club head 100 low and back, improving the MOI.
In other embodiments, the width of the gap 41 is less than the total deformation of the face 122. In these or other embodiments, during impact, the face 122 continues to deform or deflect until a portion of the gap 41, or the entirety of the gap 41, collapses. For example, at impact, the face 122 deforms or deflects until the face interior surface 136 impacts (or comes into contact with) the insert 50, and more specifically impacts the second surface 52 of the insert 50. In other embodiments, a portion of the gap 41 can partially or completely collapse. In yet other embodiments, a first portion of the gap 41 can partially collapse, while a second portion of the gap 41 can completely collapse. The amount and/or location of gap 41 collapse can depend on various factors, including, but not limited to, the golf ball impact location on the face 122 (e.g., towards the toe 114, towards the heel 116, towards the top rail 118, towards the sole 120, at the “sweet spot,” etc.), the swing speed of the golfer, etc.
Once the gap 41 has collapsed, the insert 50 can partially deform to further increase deformation or deflection of the face 122. Once the insert 50 can no longer deform, deformation of the face 122 ceases. The amount the insert 50 is able to deform directly correlates with the spring constant of the insert 50. Therefore, as discussed above, the maximum amount of deformation can be adjusted by changing the material or geometry of the insert 50. Once the gap 41 has collapsed, the insert 50 can support the face plate 122 from further deformation or deflection to reduce the risk of reaching irreversible plastic deformation. The face 122 and insert 50 then rebound to their respective pre-impact positions (i.e., the gap 41 reforms), generating a desired spring-like effect that results in an increased golf ball speed and an increased golf ball travel distance.
b. Deflection Feature Comprising Insert with Voids
The insert having a plurality of voids comprises a void ratio defined as a ratio between the volume of voided space to the volume of solid space within the insert. Increasing the volume of voids within the insert increases the void ratio and lowers the spring constant or effective elastic modulus of the insert. In many embodiments, the insert with a plurality of voids can comprise a void ratio up to 0.20, up to 0.30, up to 0.40, up to 0.50, up to 0.60, up to 0.70, up to 0.80, or up to 0.90. In other embodiments, the insert can comprise a void ratio between 0.05 and 0.80, between 0.10 and 0.60, between 0.05 and 0.60, or between 0.10 and 0.60.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring again to
Referring again to
The voids 160 can comprise any shape. For example, the voids 160 can have a triangular, rectangular, polygonal or any other suitable shape cross-section. In some embodiments, the insert 150 can comprise a plurality of voids 160 having two different cross sections. For example, the voids 160 near the front surface 151 of the insert can have a circular cross-section and the voids 160 near the rear surface 152 can have a triangular cross-section. In other embodiments, the insert 150 can comprise a plurality of voids 160 having up to 6 different cross-sectional shapes, positioned in any pattern on the insert 150.
In some embodiments, the insert 150 (the volume defined between the front surface 151, rear surface 152, top surface 153, bottom surface 154, toe end 155, and heel end 156) can comprise 50% voids 160. In other embodiments, the insert can comprise between 5% and 80% voids. For example, in some embodiments, the insert 150 can comprise 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, 25%, 27.5%, 30%, 32.5%, 35%, 37.5%, 40%, 42.5%, 45%, 47.5%, 50%, 52.5%, 55%, 57.5%, 60%, 62.5%, 65%, 67.5%, 70%, 72.5%, 75%, 77.5%, or 80% voids 160.
Having a higher concentration of voids 160 within the insert 150 lowers the spring constant or effective elastic modulus of the insert on impact with a golf ball, resulting in less energy being absorbed by the insert 150 at impact. However, a higher concentration of voids 160 within the insert 150 also removes weight from the insert 150 and can affect how the insert 150 functions as a swing weight. Generally, it is beneficial to have a greater portion of the mass distributed towards the sole and rear end of the golf club head. Therefore, in some embodiments, referring to
In some embodiments, the first portion 157 can comprise 50% percent of the insert 150. In other embodiments, the first portion 157 can comprise at least 15% of the insert 150. For example, the first portion 157 can comprise greater 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70% or 75% of the insert 150. Further, the first portion 157 can comprise greater than 10% voids 160, while the second portion can comprise less that 75% voids 160. For example, the first portion 157 of the insert 150 can comprise greater than 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70% or 75% voids 160, while the second portion 158 of the insert 150 can comprise less than 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, or 10% voids 160.
In some embodiments, the first portion 157 can comprise the same material as the second portion 158. In other embodiments, the first portion 157 can comprise a different material than the second portion 158. For example, in some embodiments, the first portion 157 can comprise a material having a lower density resulting in a lower spring constant, while the second portion 158 can comprise a material having a higher density to better function as a swing weight. In other embodiments, the insert 150 can comprise up to 4 different portions, comprising different concentrations of voids 160 or materials.
Referring to
In some embodiments, each void 260 of
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the voids 260 contact or extend to the face interior surface 236 of the golf club head 200. The voids 260 are positioned at a void angle 262 (defined above), such that, at impact, the face 222 deflects, causing portions of the insert 250 on either side of the void 260 to deflect inward, collapsing the voids 260. In many embodiments, the concentration of voids 260 contacting the face interior surface 236 is large enough that the spring constant of the insert 250 is substantially zero or is negligible. Therefore, the insert 250 absorbs minimal amounts of energy from the impact with the golf ball, and the face 222 is able to deflect and rebound fully, resulting in the face 222 transferring a majority of the energy from impact back to the golf ball.
For example, in some embodiments, the percentage of surface area of the front surface of the insert 250 comprising voids 260 can be between 5% and 80%. In other embodiments, the percentage of surface area of the front surface of the insert 250 comprising voids 260 can be 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, 25%, 27.5%, 30%, 32.5%, 35%, 37.5%, 40%, 42.5%, 45%, 47.5%, 50%, 52.5%, 55%, 57.5%, 60%, 62.5%, 65%, 67.5%, 70%, 72.5%, 75%, 77.5%, or 80%.
In embodiments where the concentration of voids 260 contacting or extending to the front surface of the insert against the face interior surface 236 is lower, the insert 250 can compress and absorb some energy from impact and then release the energy back into the face 222 by a spring back force. For example, the portion of the insert 250 on either side of the voids 260 can deflect at impact until the spring constant is too great for the force of impact to further deflect the insert 250. At this point, the face 222 and the insert 250 will cease to deflect rearward, however, the energy from impact will be stored in the portions of the insert 250, which were deflected. The insert 250 can then rebound back to its original position redistributing the energy to the face 222.
Referring to
During impact with a golf ball, the face 322 of the club head 300 having the insert 350 undergoes deformation or deflection. The face plate 322 deforms or deflects in a direction generally towards the rear end 324. The face plate 322 has the greatest deformation near the center of the face 322, wherein the highest concentration of voided area exists. At impact, the voids 360 within the insert 350 collapse, allowing the face 322 to deflect with minimal to no inhibition from the insert 350. In the illustrated embodiment, the insert 350 comprises conic shaped voids 360, which are largest near the top surface 330 and which decrease as they extend towards the bottom surface 354. The top surface 353 of the insert 350 is positioned adjacent to the center of the face 322, which exhibits the greatest deflection on impact with a golf ball. As such, the portion of the insert 350 near the top surface 353 has a higher concentration of voids 360 maintain the maximum face 322 deflection. In many embodiments, the percentage of voided area in the portion of the insert 350 near the center of the face 322 is large enough that the spring constant of the insert 350 is essentially zero. As such, the insert 350 absorbs minimal amounts of energy from the impact with the golf ball, and the face 322 is able to deflect and rebound fully, resulting in the face 322 transferring a majority of the energy from impact back to the golf ball. For example, in some embodiments, the percentage of voided area (volume of voids 360 compared to volume of insert 350 material) in the portion of the insert 350 near the center of the face 322 can be between 5% and 80%. In other embodiments, the percentage of voided area in the portion of the insert 350 near the center of the face 322 can be 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, 25%, 27.5%, 30%, 32.5%, 35%, 37.5%, 40%, 42.5%, 45%, 47.5%, 50%, 52.5%, 55%, 57.5%, 60%, 62.5%, 65%, 67.5%, 70%, 72.5%, 75%, 77.5%, or 80%. In these or other embodiments, the center of the face can comprise the central one third of the length of the face extending from the heel end 16 to the toe end 18, and/or can comprise the central one third of the height of the face extending from the top rail 18 to the sole 20.
The lower portion of the front surface 351 near the bottom surface 354 of the insert 350 has a lower concentration of voids 360. The lower portion of the insert 350 is positioned adjacent to a bottom portion of the face 322, wherein the face 322 has minimal deflection. As such, the lower portion of the front surface 351 is able to damp vibrations caused by the impact, without inhibiting face 322 deflection or absorbing large amounts of energy. The result is a golf club head 300 comprising an insert 350, wherein the insert 350 damps vibration to achieve desired impact acoustics, while not inhibiting face 322 deflection. Further, the insert 350 comprising a higher concentration of voids 360 near the top surface 353, resulting in a majority of its mass distributed towards the bottom surfaces 354. Therefore, the insert 350 can also be utilized as a swing weight aiding to move the club head 300 CG low and back.
Referring to
Referring to
Once the spring constant has reached a value wherein the force of impact can no longer compress the insert 450, deformation of the face 422 ceases. The amount the insert 450 is able to deform directly correlates with the spring constant or effective modulus of the insert 450. Therefore, altering the inserts 450 spring constant or effective modulus can alter the maximum face 422 deflection. As discussed above, the spring constant or effective modulus of the insert 450 can be altered by changing the material or geometry of the insert 450. At the point of maximum deformation, the insert 450 can support the face plate 422 from further deformation or deflection to reduce the risk of reaching irreversible plastic deformation. The face 422 and insert 450 then rebound to their respective pre-impact positions, generating a desired spring-like effect, which can result in an increased golf ball speed and an increased golf ball travel distance.
II) Deflection Feature Comprising a Thinned Sole
As discussed above, the deflection feature of the golf club head 10 can further be a thin uniform sole. In some embodiments, the thinned uniform sole can be combined with one or more of the deflection features of the golf club head 10, 100, 200, 300, and 400 discussed above.
The thin uniform sole 520 can provide multiple benefits. First, the thin uniform sole 520 can reduce stress on the face 522 caused during impact with the golf ball. Second, the thin uniform sole 520 can bend allowing the face 522 to experience greater deflection. Third, the thin uniform sole 520 removes weight from the sole area, allowing the weight to be redistributed in the rear end 524 of the golf club head 500. At impact, the energy imparted to the face 522 by the golf ball can cause the thin uniform sole 520 to bend outward, which in turn increases the face 522 deflection. After bending, the thin uniform sole 520 rebounds back to its original position returning the majority of the energy from impact back to the golf ball. The result is a golf club head 500, which imparts increased ball speeds and greater travel distances to the golf ball after impact. As a comparative, a club head without a thin uniform sole may have a sole thickness ranging from approximately 0.90 inches to approximately 1.5 inches.
In the illustrated embodiment, the thin uniform sole 520 comprises a sole thickness 521, which remains constant from the face 522 to the rear end 524. The shape of the sole 520 can follow the 3-dimensional contour of the outer surface of the sole 520. The uniform thin sole 520 also comprises a sole thickness 521, which can be thinner than a conventional sole. For example, in some embodiments, the sole thickness 521 may range from approximately 0.15-0.85 inches. In other embodiments, the sole thickness 521 may be within the range of 0.15-0.35, 0.25-0.45, 0.35-0.55, 0.45-0.65, 0.55-0.75, or 0.65-0.85 inches. In other embodiments, the sole thickness may be approximately 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, 0.80, or 0.85 inches.
Further, the thin uniform sole 520 can also be described as having a spring constant. Similar to inserts 50, 150, 250, 350, 450, the spring constant of the sole 520 can be calculated using Hookes law (defined above). To adjust the spring constant of the sole 520, the material or sole thickness 521 can be adjusted. Having a thinner sole 520 results in a lower spring constant, which allows for greater bending of the sole 520 and thus, greater deflection in the face 522, resulting in increased energy transfer back to a golf ball on impact due to a greater spring back force. In some embodiments, the sole 520 of the club head 500 can include a cascading region of thinning tiers, similar to the cascading sole described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/920,480 entitled “Golf Club Heads with Energy Storage Characteristics.”
III) Deflection Feature Comprising a Cutout in Top Rail
As discussed above, the deflection feature of the golf club head 10 can be a cavity or undercut or cutout (hereafter cutout) in the top rail.
The cutout 770 can provide multiple benefits. First, the cutout 770 can increase face 722 deflection by lengthening the area across which the stress from impact is distributed. Second, the cutout 770 can increase flexibility in the top rail 718 of the golf club head 700. Third, the cutout 770 can remove weight from the top rail 718, allowing it to be redistributed in the lower rear end 724 of the golf club head 700.
At impact, the energy imparted to the face 722 by the golf ball causes the face 722 to deflect. The cutout 770 can increase deflection in the face 722 by lowering the face 722 spring constant. Similar to inserts 50, 150, 25, 350, 450 or the uniform thin sole 520, the spring constant of the face 722 can be calculated using Hookes law (defined above). The cutout 770 can adjust the spring constant of the face 722 by lengthening the area across which the stress from impact is spread. Having a longer area to absorb the stress, results in a lower spring constant. Having a face 722 with a lower spring constant creates a face 722 with greater deflection at the point of impact.
IV) Deflection Feature Comprising Optimized Face Materials
As discussed above, the deflection feature of the golf club head 10 can be a face comprising optimized materials. In some embodiments, the optimized material can be combined with one or more of the deflection features of the golf club head 10, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 700 discussed above.
The face 22 can be comprised solely of the optimized face material (not shown) or the face 22 can be comprised partially of the optimized face material and partially of a conventional face material. The optimized face material includes a strength-to-weight ratio or specific strength measured as the ratio of the yield strength to the density of the material. The optimized face material further includes a strength-to-modulus ratio or specific flexibility measured as the ratio of the yield strength to the elastic modulus of the material.
The optimized face material can have a specific strength greater than the specific strength of current known club head materials, while also having a reduced weight compared to a similar club head with known materials. Having an increased specific strength allows for a thinner face 22, which can increase face 22 deflection. The reduced weight of the optimized face material can also allow the weight to be redistributed to the rear end 24 of the club head 10. Further, the optimized face material can have a specific flexibility greater than the specific flexibility of current club head face materials. The face 22 having increased flexibility can reduce energy loss on impact with a golf ball, thereby increasing energy transfer to the ball resulting in increased ball speed and travel distance.
In some embodiments, the optimized face material can be a steel alloy having a specific strength of greater than or equal to 500,000 PSI/lb/in3 (125 MPa/g/cm3). For example, the specific strength of the steel alloy can be greater than or equal to 510,000 PSI/lb/in3 (127 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 520,000 PSI/lb/in3 (130 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 530,000 PSI/lb/in3 (132 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 540,000 PSI/lb/in3 (135 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 550,000 PSI/lb/in3 (137 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 560,000 PSI/lb/in3 (139 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 570,000 PSI/lb/in3 (142 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 580,000 PSI/lb/in3 (144 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 590,000 PSI/lb/in3 (147 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 600,000 PSI/lb/in3 (149 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 625,000 PSI/lb/in3 (156 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 675,000 PSI/lb/in3 (168 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 725,000 PSI/lb/in3 (181 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 775,000 PSI/lb/in3 (193 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 825,000 PSI/lb/in3 (205 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 875,000 PSI/lb/in3 (218 MPa/g/cm3), greater than or equal to 925,000 PSI/lb/in3 (230 MPa/g/cm3), or greater than or equal to 975,000 PSI/lb/in3 (243 MPa/g/cm3).
For further example, the specific strength of the steel alloy can be between 510,000 PSI/lb/in3 (127 MPa/g/cm3) and 975,000 PSI/lb/in3 (243 MPa/g/cm3), between 530,000 PSI/lb/in3 (132 MPa/g/cm3) and 975,000 PSI/lb/in3 (243 MPa/g/cm3), between 550,000 PSI/lb/in3 (137 MPa/g/cm3) and 975,000 PSI/lb/in3 (243 MPa/g/cm3), between 570,000 PSI/lb/in3 (142 MPa/g/cm3) and 975,000 PSI/lb/in3 (243 MPa/g/cm3), between 590,000 PSI/lb/in3 (147 MPa/g/cm3) and 975,000 PSI/lb/in3 (243 MPa/g/cm3), between 625,000 PSI/lb/in3 (156 MPa/g/cm3) and 975,000 PSI/lb/in3 (243 MPa/g/cm3), between 675,000 PSI/lb/in3 (168 MPa/g/cm3) and 975,000 PSI/lb/in3 (243 MPa/g/cm3), between 725,000 PSI/lb/in3 (181 MPa/g/cm3) and 975,000 PSI/lb/in3 (243 MPa/g/cm3), between 775,000 PSI/lb/in3 (193 MPa/g/cm3) and 975,000 PSI/lb/in3 (243 MPa/g/cm3), or between 825,000 PSI/lb/in3 (205 MPa/g/cm3) and 975,000 PSI/lb/in3 (243 MPa/g/cm3).
Further, the specific flexibility of the steel alloy can be greater than or equal to 0.0060. For example, the specific flexibility of the steel alloy can be greater than or equal to 0.0062, greater than or equal to 0.0064, greater than or equal to 0.0066, greater than or equal to 0.0068, greater than or equal to 0.0070, greater than or equal to 0.0072, greater than or equal to 0.0076, greater than or equal to 0.0080, greater than or equal to 0.0084, greater than or equal to 0.0088, greater than or equal to 0.0092, greater than or equal to 0.0096, greater than or equal to 0.0100, greater than or equal to 0.0104, greater than or equal to 0.0108, greater than or equal to 0.0112, greater than or equal to 0.0116, greater than or equal to 0.0120, greater than or equal to 0.0125, greater than or equal to 0.0130, greater than or equal to 0.0135, or greater than or equal to 0.0140.
For further example, the specific flexibility of the steel alloy can be between 0.0060 and 0.0140, between 0.0062 and 0.0120, between 0.0064 and 0.0120, between 0.0066 and 0.0120, between 0.0068 and 0.0120, between 0.0070 and 0.0120, between 0.0080 and 0.0120, between 0.0088 and 0.0120, or between 0.0096 and 0.0120.
In some embodiments, the elongation of the steel alloy can be greater than 8%, greater than 9%, greater than 10%, greater than 11%, greater than 12%, greater than 13%, greater than 14%, or greater than 15% to allow plastic deformation of the body to achieve bending for a desired loft and/or lie angle of the club head 10.
In embodiments, wherein the optimized face material is a steel alloy, the yield strength of the steel alloy can be greater than or equal to 170,000 PSI (1172 MPa), greater than or equal to 175,000 PSI (1207 MPa), greater than or equal to 180,000 PSI (1241 MPa), greater than or equal to 185,000 PSI (1276 MPa), greater than or equal to 190,000 PSI (1310 MPa), greater than or equal to 195,000 PSI (1344 MPa), greater than or equal to 200,000 PSI (1379 MPa), greater than or equal to 225,000 PSI (1551 MPa), or greater than or equal to 250,000 PSI (1724 MPa). Further, the yield strength of the steel alloy can be between 170,000 PSI (1172 MPa) and 250,000 PSI (1724 MPa), between 175,000 PSI (1207 MPa) and 250,000 PSI (1724 MPa), between 180,000 PSI (1241 MPa) and 250,000 PSI (1724 MPa), between 190,000 PSI (1310 MPa) and 250,000 PSI (1724 MPa), or between 200,000 PSI (1379 MPa) and 250,000 PSI (1724 MPa).
Further, the elastic modulus of the steel alloy can be less than or equal to 35,000,000 PSI (241,317 MPa), less than or equal to 32,500,000 PSI (224,080 MPa), less than or equal to 30,000,000 PSI (206,843 MPa), less than or equal to 28,000,000 PSI (193,053 MPa), less than or equal to 27,500,000 PSI (189,606 MPa), less than or equal to 27,000,000 PSI (186,159 MPa), less than or equal to 26,500,000 PSI (182,711 MPa), less than or equal to 26,000,000 PSI (179,264 MPa), less than or equal to 25,500,000 PSI (175,816 MPa), or less than or equal to 25,000,000 PSI (172,369 MPa). Further, the elastic modulus of the steel alloy can be between 25,000,000 PSI (172,369 MPa) and 35,000,000 PSI (241,317 MPa), between 25,000,000 PSI (172,369 MPa) and 30,000,000 PSI (206,843 MPa), or between 25,000,000 PSI (172,369 MPa) and 27,000,000 PSI (186,159 MPa).
Additionally, the density of the steel alloy can be less than or equal to 0.40 lb/in3 (11.0 g/cm3), less than or equal to 0.35 lb/in3 (9.7 g/cm3), less than or equal to 0.30 lb/in3 (8.3 g/cm3), less than or equal to 0.29 lb/in3 (8.0 g/cm3), less than or equal to 0.28 lb/in3 (7.8 g/cm3), less than or equal to 0.27 lb/in3 (7.5 g/cm3), less than or equal to 0.26 lb/in3 (7.2 g/cm3), or less than or equal to 0.25 lb/in3 (6.9 g/cm3). Further, the density of the steel alloy can be between 0.25 lb/in3 (6.9 g/cm3) and 0.40 lb/in3 (11.0 g/cm3), between 0.25 lb/in3 (6.9 g/cm3) and 0.35 lb/in3 (9.7 g/cm3), between 0.25 lb/in3 (6.9 g/cm3) and 0.30 lb/in3 (8.3 g/cm3), or between 0.25 lb/in3 (6.9 g/cm3) and 0.28 lb/in3 (7.8 g/cm3).
V) Deflection Feature Comprising Reinforcement Device
Club head 1000 comprises an x-axis 1107, a y-axis 1108, and a z-axis 1109. X-axis 1107, y-axis 1108, and z-axis 1109 provide a Cartesian reference frame for club head 1000. Accordingly, x-axis 1107, y-axis 1108, and z-axis 1109 are perpendicular to each other. Further, x-axis 1107 extends through toe end 1014 and heel end 1016 and is equidistant between top end 1018 and bottom end 1020; y-axis 1108 extends through top end 1018 and bottom end 1020 and is equidistant between toe end 1014 and heel end 1016; and z-axis 1109 extends through front end 1203 (
Club head body 1012 can be solid, hollow, or partially hollow. When club head body 1012 is hollow and/or partially hollow, club head body 1012 can comprise a shell structure, and further, can be filled and/or partially filled with a filler material different from a material of shell structure. For example, the filler material can comprise a plastic foam.
Club head body 1012 comprises a face or face element 1022 and a reinforcement device 1112. In many embodiments, club head body 1012 can comprise a perimeter wall element 1113.
In many embodiments, face element 1022 comprises a face surface 1214 (
In these or other embodiments, face surface 1214 (
By reference, x-axis 1107 and y-axis 1108 can extend approximately parallel to face surface 1214 (
In various embodiments, grooves 1026 (
In many embodiments, reinforcement device 1112 comprises one or more reinforcement elements 1120 (e.g., reinforcement element 1121). Reinforcement device 1112 and/or reinforcement element(s) 1120 are located at rear surface 1115 and extend out from rear surface 1115 toward rear end 1104 and away from the face or front end 1022 (
Reinforcement device 1112 and reinforcement element(s) 1120 are configured to reinforce face element 1022 while still permitting face element 1022 to bend, such as, for example, when face surface 1214 (
Testing of golf clubs comprising an embodiment of golf club head 1000 was performed. Overall, when compared to an iron golf club with a standard reinforced strikeface and custom tuning port, the testing showed more forgiveness, as indicated by higher moments of inertia around the x-axis and/or the y-axis and a tighter statistical area of the impact of the golf ball on the face of the golf club head. In some testing, the moment of inertia about the x-axis increased by approximately 2%, the moment of inertia about the y-axis increased by approximately 4%, and/or the statistical area of the impact of the golf ball on the face of the golf club head was reduced by approximately 15-50 percent. Additionally, when compared to an iron golf club with a standard reinforced strikeface and custom tuning port, the testing showed increased ball speed of the golf ball, higher launch angle of the golf ball, and/or decreased spin of the golf ball were found. As an example, in testing an embodiment of golf club 1000 on a 5 iron golf club, it was found that the ball speed of the golf ball increased by approximately 1.5 mph (2.41 kph), the golf ball had an approximately 0.3 degree higher launch angle, and the spin of the golf ball decreased by approximately 250 revolutions per minute (rpm). In another example, in testing an embodiment of golf club 10 on a 7 iron golf club, it was found that the ball speed of the golf ball increased by approximately 2.0 mph (3.22 kph), the golf ball had approximately no launch angle degree change, and the spin of the golf ball decreased by approximately 450 rpm. As an additional example, in testing an embodiment of golf club 1000 on a wedge iron golf club, it was found that the ball speed of the golf ball had approximately no change in speed, the golf ball had an approximately 0.1 degree higher launch angle, and the spin of the golf ball decreased by approximately 200 rpm.
Notably, in many examples, when face element 1022 comprises grooves 1026 (
Club head 1000 having reinforcement device 1112 may also have a uniform transition thickness 1550 (
Specifically, turning ahead in the drawings,
As demonstrated at
Turning now back to
Meanwhile, reinforcement device 1112 and reinforcement element(s) 1120 are further able to provide these benefits when implemented as a closed structure (e.g., one or more looped ribs) because such closed structures are able to resist deformation as a result of circumferential (i.e., hoop) stresses acting on reinforcement device 1112 and reinforcement element(s) 1120. For example, circumferential (i.e., hoop) stresses acting on reinforcement device 1112 and reinforcement element(s) 1120 can prevent opposing sides of reinforcement device 1112 and reinforcement element(s) 1120 from rotating away from each other, thereby reducing bending.
In implementation, reinforcement element(s) 1120 (e.g., reinforcement element 1121) can be implemented in any suitable shape(s) (e.g., polygonal, elliptical, circular, etc.) and/or in any suitable arrangement(s) configured to perform the intended functionality of reinforcement device 1112 and/or reinforcement element(s) 1120 as described above. Further, when reinforcement element(s) 1120 comprise multiple reinforcement elements, two or more reinforcement elements of reinforcement element(s) 1120 can be similar to another, and/or two or more reinforcement elements of reinforcement element(s) 1120 can be different from another.
In some embodiments, reinforcement element(s) 1120 (e.g., reinforcement element 1121) can be symmetric about x-axis 1107 and/or y-axis 1108. When reinforcement element(s) 1120 (e.g., reinforcement element 1121) are implemented with an oblong shape, in many embodiments, a largest dimension (e.g., major axis) of the reinforcement element(s) can be parallel and/or co-linear with one of x-axis 1107 or y-axis 1108. However, in other embodiments, the largest dimension (e.g., major axis) can be angled with respect to x-axis 1107 and/or y-axis 1108, as desired. Further, in many embodiments, reinforcement element(s) 1120 (e.g., reinforcement element 1121) can be centered at z-axis 1109, but in some embodiments, one or more of reinforcement element(s) 1120 (e.g., reinforcement element 1121) can be biased off-center of z-axis 1109, such as, for example, biased toward one or two of top end 1018, bottom end 1020, toe end 1014, and heel end 1016.
In many embodiments, each reinforcement element of reinforcement element(s) 1120 (e.g., reinforcement element 1121) can comprise one or more looped ribs 1127 (e.g., looped rib 1122). Specifically, reinforcement element 1121 can comprise looped rib 1122. In these or other embodiments, when looped rib(s) 1127 comprise multiple looped ribs, looped rib(s) 1127 can be concentric with each other about a point and/or axis (e.g., z-axis 1109). In other embodiments, when looped rib(s) 1127 comprise multiple looped ribs, looped rib(s) 1127 can be concentric with each other about a point and/or axis. In other embodiments, when looped rib(s) 1127 comprise multiple looped ribs, two or more of looped rib(s) 1127 can be nonconcentric. Further, in these or other embodiments, two or more of looped rib(s) 1127 can overlap. Meanwhile, in these embodiments, looped rib 1122 can comprise an elliptical looped rib, and in some of these embodiments, looped rib 1122 can comprise a circular looped rib. As noted above, implementing reinforcement element(s) 120 as looped rib(s) 1127 can be advantageous because of the circumferential (e.g., hoop) stress provided by the closed structure of looped rib(s) 1127. In many embodiments, one or more of (or each of) looped rib(s) 1127 is a continuous closed loop.
In these or other embodiments, each looped rib of looped rib(s) 1127 comprises an outer perimeter surface and an inner perimeter surface. Meanwhile, in these embodiments, the outer perimeter surface of each reinforcement element (e.g., reinforcement element 121) comprises the outer perimeter surface of the looped rib corresponding to that reinforcement element (e.g., looped rib 1122). For example, looped rib 1122 can comprise outer perimeter surface 1128 and inner perimeter surface 1129. Further, inner perimeter surface 1129 can be steep and substantially orthogonal at rib height 1540 (
In some embodiments, one or more outer perimeter surface(s) of reinforcement element(s) 1120 (e.g., outer perimeter surface 1126 of reinforcement element 1121) can be filleted with rear surface 1115. In these or other embodiments, one or more inner perimeter surface(s) of looped rib(s) 1127 (e.g., inner perimeter surface 1129 of looped rib 1122) can be filleted with rear surface 1115. Filleting the outer perimeter surface(s) of reinforcement element(s) 1120 (e.g., outer perimeter surface 1126 of reinforcement element 1121) with rear surface 1115 can permit a smooth transition of reinforcement element(s) 1120 (e.g., outer perimeter surface 1126 of reinforcement element 1121) into rear surface 1115. Meanwhile, inner perimeter surface(s) of looped rib(s) 1127 (e.g., inner perimeter surface 1129 of looped rib 1122) can be filleted with rear surface 1115 with a fillet having a radius of greater than or equal to approximately 0.012 centimeters.
The reinforcement element on the rear surface of the face element comprising a fillet between the outer perimeter of the reinforcement element and the rear surface of the face element, beneficially allows impact stresses to be transferred from the face element into the reinforcement element.
The transfer of impact stress away from the face element and into the reinforcement element allows the center of the face element to be thinned to increase face deflection and ball speed on impact with a golf ball. Accordingly, the face element can be thinner within the inner perimeter surface than without or outside the outer perimeter surface of the reinforcement element.
In some embodiments, when reinforcement element 1121 comprises looped rib 1122, looped rib 1122 can comprise cavity 1131. In other embodiments, when reinforcement element 1121 comprises looped rib 1122, looped rib 1122 does not comprise cavity 1131. In embodiments without cavity 1131, the center thickness 1537 (
As discussed in some detail above, by implementing reinforcement device 1112 and reinforcement element(s) 1120, face surface 1214 (
Turning ahead briefly in the drawings,
In some embodiments, a width of the rib can change throughout looped rib 1122 (
In some embodiments, largest rib span 1538 can be approximately 0.609 cm to approximately 1.88 cm. In some embodiments, largest rib span 1538 can be approximately 1.0 cm. In some embodiments, when largest span 1538 is too large (e.g., greater than approximately 1.88 centimeters), looped rib 1122 (
The rib span plays an important role in the amount of stress that is transferred from the face element into the end portion or rear end of the reinforcement device due to the fillet. Specifically, the rib span transfers the stress of impact generated at the face into a hoop stress within the reinforcement device. A rib span smaller than the described rib span can result in a large portion of the impact stress concentrating on the front and rear of the face element around the perimeter of the reinforcement element, creating a stress rise on the face element. A rib span larger than the described rib span can result in a large portion of the impact stress concentrating centrally on the front and rear of the face element, creating a stress riser on the face element. The described rib span corresponding to the impact area of a golf ball, in combination with the fillet, results in the significant stresses being transferred away from the face element and into the reinforcement device, thereby reducing the stress on the face element.
In some embodiments, two or more ribs 1621 and 1641 can be present, for example as shown in
Further, looped rib 1122 (
Further still, looped rib 1122 (
In many embodiments, center thickness 1537, largest rib span 1538, rib thickness 1539, and/or rib height 1540 can depend on one or more of each other. For example, center thickness 1537 can be a function of rib thickness 1539 and rib height 1540. That is, for an increase in rib thickness 1539 and/or rib height 1540, center thickness 1537 can be decreased, and vice versa. Meanwhile, rib thickness 1539 and rib height 1540 can be dependent on each other. For example, increasing rib thickness 1539 can permit rib height 1540 to be decreased, and vice versa.
Returning now to
In many embodiments, club head body 1012 can comprise (i) a top surface 1132 at least partially at first perimeter wall portion 1124 and/or top end 1101, and/or (ii) a sole surface 1133 at least partially at second perimeter wall portion 1125 and/or bottom end 1102. Accordingly, in some embodiments, first perimeter wall portion 1124 can comprise at least part of top surface 1132; and/or second perimeter wall portion 1125 can comprise at least part of sole surface 1133. Further, top surface 1132 can interface with face surface 1214 (
In some embodiments, at least part of second perimeter wall portion 1125 can be approximately equal thickness with or thinner than face element 1111 at face perimeter 1217 (
Rear surface 1115 comprises a first rear surface portion and a second rear surface portion. The first rear surface portion can refer to the part of rear surface 1115 covered by perimeter wall element 1113, and the second rear surface portion can refer to the remaining part of rear surface 1115. In many embodiments, reinforcement element 1121 (e.g., looped rib 1122) can cover greater than or equal to approximately 25 percent of a surface area of the second rear surface portion of rear surface 1115 and/or less than or equal to approximately 40 percent of a surface area of the second rear surface portion of rear surface 1115. In other embodiments, reinforcement element 1121 (e.g., looped rib 1122) can cover greater than or equal to approximately 30 percent of a surface area of the second rear surface portion of rear surface 1115. In some embodiments, reinforcement element 1121 (e.g., looped rib 1122) can cover approximately 25 percent, 28 percent, 31 percent, 34 percent, 37 percent or 40 percent of a surface area of the second rear surface portion of rear surface 1115.
Referring to
In some cases, the weight of insert 1805 can be less than about 3 g so as to not significantly affect the swing weight or the center of gravity of club head 1000. In other embodiments, insert 1805 weight can be more than about 3 g, such as about 5 g to about 10 g, and can contribute substantially to the swing weight and/or the center of gravity of club head 800. In some embodiments, insert 1805 can be adhered to cavity 1131 using an epoxy adhesive, a viscoelastic foam tape, the vibration attenuating feature, or a high strength tape such as 3M™ VHB™ tape. In other embodiments, insert 1805 can be poured and bonded directly into cavity 1131. The badge can be bonded with similar adhesives. In some embodiments, insert 1805 or the badge can be flush with looped rib 1122 (
In some embodiments, at least one vibration attenuating feature (e.g., insert 1805 (
In further embodiments, the vibration attenuating feature may comprise at least one layer of a viscoelastic damping material. The damping material may comprise a pressure sensitive viscoelastic acrylic polymer and aluminum foil forming a damping foil such as 3M™ Damping Foil Tape. The damping foil may comprise an adhesive layer. In one embodiment the vibration attenuating feature may comprise at least one viscoelastic adhesive layer which may comprise a composition of varying layers of at least one layer of epoxy adhesive, a viscoelastic foam tape, and/or a high strength tape such as 3M™ VHB™ tape. In some embodiments, the vibration attenuating feature may comprise various layer combinations of at least one of viscoelastic adhesive, damping foil, and/or a badge.
Returning to
VI) Golf Club Head Comprising a Dual Density Weight
Instead of, or in addition to each of the aforementioned deflection features, the golf club head 10 can comprise a dual density weight.
For exemplary purposes only, the dual density weight 880 can be located toward the heel end, toward the toe end, toward the top rail, toward the sole, toward the rear end, near the center of the club head, or any combination of the described locations. For example, the dual density weight 880 can be located toward the toe end and sole end, toward the heel end and sole end, toward the rear end and toe end sole, toward the top rail and heel end, toward the top rail and toe end, toward the sole near the center of the club head, or toward the top rail near the center of the club head. Further, the dual density weight 880 can be located on club head 10, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 700, and 1000.
Referring to
With continued reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, the base portion 881 comprises approximately 90% of the dual density weight 880 total volume, while the shell portion comprises approximately 10% of the dual density weight 880 total volume. In other embodiments, the base portion 881 can comprise approximately 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 95% of the dual density weights total volume. In the illustrated embodiment, the dual density weight 880 includes a rectangular cross-section. In other embodiments, the dual density weight 880 can include any cross-sectional shape, such as circular, triangular, polygonal or any other suitable shape. The dual density weight 880 can have a thickness “A” measured between the first weld spot 141 and the second weld spot 896. In some constructions, the thickness “A” can be between 0.1 and 1.5 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness “A” can be between 0.1-0.4, 0.3-0.7, 0.6-1.0, 0.9-1.3, or 1.2-1.5 inches. For example, in some constructions, the thickness “A” can be 0.1 inch, 0.15 inch, 0.20 inch, 0.25 inch, 0.3 inch, 0.35 inch, 0.4 inch, 0.45 inch, 0.5 inch, 0.55 inch, 0.6 inch, 0.65 inch. 0.7 inch, 0.75 inch, 0.8 inch, 0.85 inch, 0.9 inch, 0.95 inch, 1.0 inch, 1.05 inch, 1.1 inch, 1.15 inch, 1.2 inch, 1.25 inch, 1.3 inch, 1.35 inch, 1.4 inch, 1.45 inch, or 1.5 inch. Further the dual density weight 880 can have a depth “B” measured between the first surface 882 and the second surface 883. In some constructions, the depth “B” can be between 0.1 and 1.5 inches. In other embodiments, the depth “B” can be between 0.1-0.4, 0.3-0.7, 0.6-1.0, 0.9-1.3, or 1.2-1.5 inches. For example, in some constructions, the depth “B” can be 0.1 inch, 0.15 inch, 0.20 inch, 0.25 inch, 0.3 inch, 0.35 inch, 0.4 inch, 0.45 inch, 0.5 inch, 0.55 inch, 0.6 inch, 0.65 inch. 0.7 inch, 0.75 inch, 0.8 inch, 0.85 inch, 0.9 inch, 0.95 inch, 1.0 inch, 1.05 inch, 1.1 inch, 1.15 inch, 1.2 inch, 1.25 inch, 1.3 inch, 1.35 inch, 1.4 inch, 1.45 inch, or 1.5 inch.
The base portion 881 can comprise a first material, and the shell portion 890 can comprise a second material. The first material can comprise a high density material, while the second material can comprise a lower density material similar to the material of the golf club head. The base portion 881 and shell portion 890 of the dual density weight 880 can be formed integrally while the golf club head 800 can be formed separately. The dual density weight 880 can be welded to golf club head 800 along the perimeter of the shell portion 890 comprising the second material. The first material can comprise a high density metal, such as tungsten, tantalum, rhenium, osmium, iridium, or platinum, or other high density metals. The second material can comprise a material having a lower density than that of the first material. Further, the second material can comprise a material similar to the material of the golf club head 800.
The dual density weight 880 can be utilized to redistribute the mass saved in the aforementioned deflection features. For example, any mass removed from the inserts 50, 150, 250, 350, or 450, the uniform thin sole 320, the cutout 770, or the optimized face material can be redistributed to the rear end of the club head 800 utilizing the dual density weight 880. Redistributing the mass to the rear end 824 of the golf club head 800 aids in moving the CG low and back and therefore, increasing the MOI.
As discussed above, the golf club head 10 having deflection features can comprise one of or any combination of the above described features (insert, insert with voids, thin uniform sole, cutout in top rail, optimized face material, and/or dual density weight). Therefore, the golf club head 10 can comprise any combination of golf club heads 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 700, 800, and 100. Further, the golf club head 10 comprising the deflection features can be a single unibody cast reducing the manufacturing costs.
An exemplary golf club head 1000 comprising a reinforcement device 1112 having a looped rib was compared to a similar control club head, devoid of the reinforcement device using finite element analysis to simulate impact stresses. The reinforcement device 1112 of the exemplary club head 1000 includes a fillet between the outer perimeter of the reinforcement device and the rear surface of the face element, a face thickness that is thinner within the inner perimeter than without or outside the outer perimeter of the reinforcement device, and a rib span of 1.65 centimeters. Areas of high stress concentration on the exemplary club head 1000 discussed this example are indicated with reference number 1500 (see
i. Fillet
The reinforcement element on the rear surface of the face element comprising a fillet between the outer perimeter of the reinforcement element and the rear surface of the face element, beneficially allows impact stresses to be transferred from the face element into the reinforcement element.
One of ordinary skill would expect the fillet between the outer perimeter of the reinforcement element and the rear surface of the face element to distribute impact stresses generally over a larger area at the interface between the face element and the reinforcement element. Upon impact with a golf ball, the fillet not only distributes stresses over a larger area at or near this interface, but also transfers stresses away from the interface, up and towards the end portion or rear end of the reinforcement element, away from the face element.
The transfer of stress at impact with a golf ball is illustrated in
ii. Face Thickness
The transfer of impact stress away from the face element and into the reinforcement element allows the center of the face element to be thinned to increase face deflection and ball speed on impact with a golf ball. Accordingly, the face element can be thinner within the inner perimeter surface that without or outside the outer perimeter surface of the reinforcement element. Reduced face thickness allows greater bending at impact, thereby increasing energy transfer to a ball on impact to increase ball speed and travel distance.
Normally, reducing face thickness increases stress in the face element upon impact with a golf ball. The reduction in face thickness of the club head 1000 can be achieved without sacrificing durability (in fact, while reducing the stress on the face element), as a result of the reinforcement device. The efficient reduction in impact stress on the face element, while reducing the face element thickness within the inner perimeter of the reinforcement device relative to outside the outer perimeter of the reinforcement device results from the unique stress transfer properties of the fillet, as described above.
iii. Rib Span
The reinforcement device 1112 of the exemplary club head 1000 comprises a rib span of 1.65 centimeters. The rib span plays an important role in the amount of stress that is transferred from the face element into the end portion or rear end of the reinforcement device due to the fillet. Specifically, the rib span size allows the transfer of impact stress generated at the face into a hoop stress within the reinforcement device.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims.
As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulations may be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golf standard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be conforming or non-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
While the above examples may be described in connection with an iron-type golf club, the apparatus and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golf club such as a driver type, a fairway wood-type golf club, a hybrid-type golf club, a wedge-type golf club, or a putter-type golf club. Alternatively, the apparatus and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable other type of sports equipment such as a hockey stick, a tennis racket, a fishing pole, a ski pole, etc.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/888,496 filed May 29, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,291,891 issued Apr. 5, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/899,261 filed Feb. 19, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,668,338 issued Jun. 2, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/460,505 filed on Feb. 17, 2017, which is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/479,049, filed on Apr. 4, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,022,601 issued Jul. 17, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/407,736, filed Oct. 13, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/318,047 filed Apr. 4, 2016, and is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/470,369, filed on Mar. 27, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,112,084 issued Oct. 30, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/313,214, filed on Mar. 25, 2016, and is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/710,236 filed on May 12, 2025, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,905,925 issued Feb. 2, 2021, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/146,783 filed on Apr. 13, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/101,926 filed Jan. 9, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/023,819 filed on Jul. 11, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/994,029 filed on May 15, 2014. The contents of all the above-described application are incorporated fully herein by reference.
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