Patent Application
20240226673
The flight characteristics of a golf ball after being struck by a golf club are dependent not only on the swing of the golf club but also on the golf club itself. For example, flight characteristics of the golf ball, such as fades, draws, launch angles, ball spin, and speed are impacted by the design of the golf club. By adjusting one or more design properties of the golf club, the flight characteristics of the golf ball can be improved, thereby increasing golf club performance. In some examples, adjusting a center of gravity (CG) and/or a moment of inertia (MOI) of a head of the golf club through inclusion of a weighted insert in a golf club head impacts the flight characteristics of the golf ball. However, such weighted inserts need to be securely attached to the golf club head. As such, improvements to weight assemblies including weighted inserts for golf club heads are desired.
Embodiments of the presently disclosed technology may include golf club heads. In accordance with some aspects of the presently disclosed technology, a golf club head may include a striking face portion, an upper back portion, a sole, and a removable weight assembly. The upper back portion may extend backward from at least a top portion of the striking face portion. The sole may extend backward from at least a bottom portion of the striking face portion. The sole may include a toeward sole portion. The toeward sole portion may include a sole recess and a sole blind hole. A major axis of the sole blind hole may be substantially parallel to the striking face portion. The major axis of the sole blind hole may run along a heel-to-toe direction. The removable weight assembly may include a cylindrical weight to fit into the sole blind hole in an installed position, and a weight cover to cover the cylindrical weight in the installed position.
In embodiments, the major axis may be located at a distance between about 2.0 mm and about 12.0 mm from the striking face portion.
In embodiments, the major axis may be parallel to the striking face portion.
In embodiments, an angle formed between the major axis and the striking face portion may be between about −5 degrees and about 5 degrees.
In embodiments, the weight cover may further include a cap to cover the cylindrical weight in the installed position. The cap may include a cap through hole. The weight cover may include a fastening mechanism to secure the cylindrical weight in the installed position.
In embodiments, the cap may include a fastening recess to receive a portion of the fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism may include a weight recess to receive a portion of the cylindrical weight.
In embodiments, in the installed position, a geometric center of the cylindrical weight and a geometric center of the cap through hole may be aligned with the major axis.
In embodiments, the cylindrical weight may include a metal.
In embodiments, the metal may include one of tungsten, steel, and titanium.
In embodiments, the sole may include a first material.
In embodiments, the weight cover may include the first material.
In embodiments, the weight cover may be stainless steel.
In accordance with some aspects of the presently disclosed technology, a golf club head may include a striking face portion, an upper back portion, a sole, and a cylindrical weight. The upper back portion may extend backward from at least a top portion of the striking face portion. The sole may extend backward from at least a bottom portion of the striking face portion. The sole may include a toeward sole portion. The toeward sole portion may include a sole blind hole. A major axis of the sole blind hole may be substantially parallel to the striking face portion. The major axis of the sole blind hole may run along a heel-to-toe direction. The cylindrical weight may fit into the sole blind hole in an installed position.
In embodiments, a heelward portion of the sole blind hole may include threads.
In embodiments, a portion of the cylindrical weight may include threads to engage the threads of the sole blind hole thereby securing the cylindrical weight to the golf club head.
In embodiments, the cylindrical weight may include a metal.
In embodiments, the metal may include one of tungsten, steel, and titanium.
In accordance with some aspects of the presently disclosed technology, a golf club head may include a striking face portion, an upper back portion, a sole, and a removable weight assembly. The upper back portion may extend backward from at least a top portion of the striking face portion. The sole may extend backward from at least a bottom portion of the striking face portion. The sole may include a toeward sole portion, a heelward sole portion, and a weight through hole. The toeward sole portion may include a first sole recess. The heelward sole portion may include a second sole recess. The weight through may include a major axis that is substantially parallel to the striking face portion. The major axis of the weight through hole may run along a heel-to-toe direction. The removable weight assembly may include a cylindrical weight, a first weight cover, and a second weight cover. The cylindrical weight may fit into the weight through hole in an installed position. The first weight cover may cover the first sole recess in the installed position. The first weight cover may include a cover through hole to receive the cylindrical weight. The second weight cover may cover the second sole recess in the installed position. The second weight cover may include a cover blind hole to receive a second portion of the cylindrical weight.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples are described with reference to the following Figures.
In a first set of embodiments, the technologies described herein contemplate a golf club head, such as an iron-type golf club head or other golf club head, that includes an adjustable weight retention assembly including a weighted insert. Through the weight balance of the golf club head, the flight characteristics of the golf ball can be improved, thereby increasing golf club performance. In the examples described herein, the weight retention assembly enables for the CG and/or MOI of a golf club head to be adjusted by the weighted insert to impact the flight characteristics of the golf ball, such as fades, draws, launch angles, ball spin, and speed. Additionally or alternatively, the weight retention assembly enables for the swing weight of the golf club head to be adjustable (e.g., increasing or decreasing the weight of the club head).
In examples, the present technologies provide a golf club head with a channel defined therein. A weighted insert may be inserted into, or removed from, the channel and secured therein by a cap. A longitudinal axis of the channel and/or a longitudinal axis of the weighted insert when in the channel may be substantially parallel to a striking face of the golf club head in order to control the position of the CG between the toe and heel without affecting the depth of the CG between the striking face and a back portion of the golf club head positioned rearward to the striking face.
Referring concurrently to
The back portion 150 may include a lower back surface 152 coupled between the rearward portion 122 of the sole 102 and the top portion 103, a first back surface 154 coupled between the lower back surface 152 and the top portion 103, an intermediate back surface 155 coupled between the first back surface 154 and the top portion 103, and a second back surface 156 coupled between the intermediate back surface 155 and the top portion 103.
The lower back surface 152 may be substantially flat or may be substantially flat except for a curve along the toe 114—heel 116 direction. In some examples, the lower back surface 152 extends from the rearward portion 122 in a direction substantially parallel to the striking face 108. In some examples, the lower back surface 152 may be excluded, and the first back surface 154 may extend from the rearward portion 122 of the sole 102.
The first back surface 154 may be substantially flat and may extend from an edge of the lower back surface 152 distal to the rearward portion 122 in a direction toward the intermediate back surface 155 such that at least part of a virtual extension of the first back surface 154 intersects the striking face 108. In some examples, the first back surface 154 may extend towards (e.g., may extend along a direction to be closer to) the upper topline edge 112 of the golf club head 100.
The intermediate back surface 155 may be a curved or substantially flat surface extending from an edge of the first back surface 154 distal to the lower back surface 152 to the second back surface 156. In some examples, the intermediate back surface 155 may be excluded, and the second back surface 156 extends from the first back surface 154.
The second back surface 156 may be substantially flat and parallel to the striking face 108. The second back surface 156 may extend from an edge of the intermediate back surface 155 distal to the first back surface 154 to the top portion 103. The first and second surfaces 154 and 156 may generally form an obtuse angle. For example, an obtuse angle may be formed where virtual extensions of the first and second surfaces 154 and 156 meet.
The back portion 150 may include any one or more of the lower back surface 152, the first back surface 154, the intermediate back surface 155, and the second back surface 156, and may include one or more additional surfaces.
A channel 126 is defined in the body 106. The channel 126 may extend along a toe 114—heel 116 direction and have a toe end 126T and a heel end 126H. The channel 126 may extend into the body 106 from an opening 126O in the outer surface 120 of the body 106 at the toe end 126T. In some examples, the channel 126 extends into the body 106 from an opening in the body 106 at the heel end 126H. In some other examples, the channel 126 extends in the body 106 between openings in the body 106 at each of the toe end 126T and the heel end 126H. The channel 126 may be defined entirely within the sole 102 or at least partially in a portion of the body 106 adjacent to, or corresponding to, the sole 102. For example, the channel 126 may be defined at least partially in a wedge shaped portion of the body 106 protruding from the striking face 108 and being at least partially defined by the sole 102, the lower back surface 152, and the first back surface 154.
The weight retention assembly 104 may include a weighted insert 190, a cap 130, and a fastener 140. The weighted insert 190 may be shaped and sized to be at least partially insertable into the channel 126. The cap 130 may be configured to be coupled to the body 106 at the opening 126O and may be shaped and sized to at least partially cover the opening 126O in a closed configuration of the weight retention assembly 104. The fastener 140 may be configured to couple the cap 130 to the body 106 and to indirectly retain and secure the weighted insert 190 at least partially inside the channel 126 by the cap 130 in the closed position of the weight retention assembly 104. The weight retention assembly 104 may be configured to be positionable in at least the closed position whereby the weighted insert 190 is retained and secured inside the channel 126 and an opened position whereby the weighted insert 190 is insertable into, and removable from, the channel 126.
The weighted insert 190 may include a sheath 191 and a plurality of weights 192A, 192B, and 192C. The weights 192A, 192B, and 192C may be at least partially contained (e.g., sealed) within the sheath 191, and the sheath 191 may include a soft material, such as foam or a polymer, to provide a protective buffer between the plurality of weights 192A, 192B, and 192C and the walls of the channel 126. In other examples, the weighted insert 190 may comprise a single, unitary piece with a lighter end and a heavier end. The sheath 191 may be shaped and sized to be at least partially positionable in the channel 126 and to be oriented within the channel 126 in at least two different orientations. For example, the sheath 191 may be oriented in the channel 126 in a first orientation wherein a first end of the sheath 191 along the length of the sheath 191 is at the toe end 126T of the channel 126, and in a second orientation wherein the first end of the sheath 191 is at the heel end 126H of the channel 126. The sheath 191 may have a cavity extending along a lengthwise direction of the sheath 191 and shaped and sized to contain (e.g., seal) the weights 192A, 192B, and 192C inside the cavity of the sheath 191 in any suitable order along the length of the cavity of the sheath 191. In some examples, the sheath 191 is not included, and the weights 192A, 192B, and 192C are shaped and sized to be insertable into the channel 126 in any suitable order along the length of the channel 126 between the toe and heel ends 126T and 126H of the channel 126.
In some examples, the weights 192A, 192B, and 192C include a first weight 192A, a second weight 192B, and a third weight 192C. One of the first, second, and third weights 192A, 192B, and 192C may be different in density from one or both of the remaining two weights of the first, second, and third weights 192A, 192B, and 192C. For example, the first weight 192A may be denser than each of the second and third weights 192B and 192C. In some examples, the first weight 192A may include a metal, and the second and third weights 192B and 192C may include a compressible polymer, foam, etc. The first, second, and third weights 192A, 192B, and 192C may be sequentially positioned in the channel 126, for example, based on the arrangement of the weights 192A, 192B, and 192C in the cavity of the sheath 191 and the orientation of the sheath 191 inside the channel 126, in any order to control the MOI and the position of the CG of the golf club head 100. For example, the first weight 192A having a greater density than each of the second and third weights 192B and 192C may be arranged at a heavy end of the weighted insert 190 that may be selectively positioned adjacent to the toe end 126T or the heel end 126H to respectively move the position of the CG of the golf club head 100 closer to the toe 114 or the heel 116. This control over the position of the CG of the golf club head 100 along the toe-heel direction allows a golfer to at least partially correct a fade or draw bias in his or her swing.
In some examples, the plurality of weights may include any suitable number of weights, such as two weights, four weights, five weights, or more than five weights. In some other examples, a single weight having a nonuniform weight distribution along a length of the weight may be utilized in the weighted insert 190 instead of the plurality of weights. For example, the weight may include a heavy end and a light end, wherein the heavy end includes a denser material than the light end. For example, the heavy end may include a metal, and the light end may include a compressible lightweight material, such as a foam or polymer. The weight may be shaped and sized to be positioned in the channel 126 and oriented within the channel 126 with the heavy end at either the toe end 126T or at the heel end 126H. Accordingly, the position of the CG of the golf club head 100 along the toe-heel direction may be controllable by controlling the orientation of the weight in the channel 126.
One or both of a longitudinal axis 126A of the channel 126 and a longitudinal axis 190A of the weighted insert 190 when positioned inside of the channel 126 may be substantially parallel to a striking face plane 180 tangential to the outermost surface 118 of the striking face 108. For example, the striking face plane 180 may be defined similarly to striking face plane 380 in
In some examples, the longitudinal axis 126A of the channel 126 extends through a center (e.g., geometric center) of the channel 126 and along a lengthwise direction of the channel 126 between the toe end 126T and the heel end 126H of the channel 126. The longitudinal axis 126A may be parallel to a wall of the channel 126 extending between the toe end 126T and the heel end 126H of the channel 126. In some examples, when the weighted insert 190 is at least partially positioned inside the channel 126 and the weight retention assembly 104 is in the closed position, the longitudinal axis 190A of the weighted insert 190 extends through a center of the weighted insert 190 and along a lengthwise direction of the weighted insert 190. The longitudinal axis 190A of the weighted insert 190 may extend through a collective center of the plurality of weights 192A, 192B, and 192C (or through a center of a single weight in examples where the single weight is utilized instead of the plurality of weights), and may extend along a collective lengthwise direction of the plurality of weights 192A, 192B, and 192C (or along a lengthwise direction of the single weight). In some examples, the longitudinal axis 190A may be parallel to a sidewall of one or more of the plurality of weights 192A, 192B, and 192C (or along a sidewall of the single weight). In some examples, the longitudinal axis 190A coincides with the longitudinal axis 126A.
As used herein, reference to the longitudinal axes 126A and 190A being substantially parallel to the striking face plane 180 includes examples where the longitudinal axes 126A and 190A are exactly parallel to the striking face plane 180 and examples where the longitudinal axes 126A and 190A deviate from being exactly parallel to the striking face plane 180 by a certain amount. In some examples, substantially parallel is defined to include zero degrees, or between zero degrees and one degree, or between zero degrees and two degrees, or between zero degrees and five degrees, or between zero degrees and ten degrees of deviation of the longitudinal axes 126A and 190A from being exactly parallel to the striking face plane 180.
One or both of the longitudinal axes 126A and 190A may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of one of the plurality of grooves 119, for example, any one of the three grooves 119 closest to the lower leading edge 110. The longitudinal axis of the groove 119 may extend along a direction parallel to the X-axis, as depicted in
In some other examples, such as in
The cap 130 may be a pivotable cap having a main body 131 and a pivot arm 135 coupled to (e.g., extending from) the main body 131, and the cap 130 may be configured to pivot relative to the body 106 at the pivot arm 135 and about the fastener 140.
The main body 131 may have an exterior surface 132 and an interior surface 133, and may be shaped and sized to correspond to (e.g., to fill or to be received in) an indent 124 in the outer surface 120 of the body 106 when the weight retention assembly 104 is in the closed position. The indent 124 may be positioned such that the opening 126O of the channel 126 is at least partially in the indent 124. The exterior surface 132 may be visible from outside the golf club head 100 when the weight retention assembly 104 is in the closed position, and the interior surface 133 may be substantially not visible from the outside of the golf club head 100 when the weight retention assembly 104 is in the closed position. However, the interior surface 133 may be at least partially visible from the outside of the golf club head 100 when the weight retention assembly 104 is in the opened position. The interior surface 133 may include a substantially planar surface that faces the opening 126O. In some examples, the interior surface 133 at least partially compresses the weighted insert 190 (e.g., compresses sheath 191) into the channel 126 when the weight retention assembly 104 is moved from the opened position to the closed position. When the weight retention assembly 104 is moved from the closed position to the opened position, the weighted insert 190 (e.g., the sheath 191 and/or at least one of the plurality of weights 192A, 192B, and 192C) may expand to at least partially extend through the opening 126O of the channel 126. Ease of removal of the weighted insert 190 may be improved when the weighted insert 190 is shaped and sized to at least partially extend through the opening 126O in the opened position. For example, the weighted insert 190 may be easier to grasp and pull out of the channel 126 when it at least partially extends through the opening 126O. The exterior surface 132 may be level with a region of the outer surface 120 of the golf club head 100 adjacent to the exterior surface 132 when the weight retention assembly 104 is in the closed position. For example, the exterior surface 132 may be continuous and smooth with the region of the outer surface 120 adjacent to the exterior surface 132 when the weight retention assembly 104 is in the closed position.
In some examples, the main body 131 includes (e.g., is defined as) a portion of the body 106 that is not integral with the remainder of the body 106, but which is moveable relative to the remainder of the body 106. In some examples, the main body 131 is fabricated by forming the body 106 and then cutting out the main body 131 from the remainder of the body 106. In some other examples, the body 106 and the main body 131 are separately fabricated, and the main body 131 is shaped and sized to correspond to (e.g., to fill or be received into) the indent 124 of the body 106. In some examples, the main body 131 is shaped and sized to continue contours of the body 106 that would otherwise be present but for the addition of the weight retention assembly 104 to golf club head 100. That is, the main body 131 continues the contours of the sole 102 and toe 114 when the weight retention assembly 104 is in the closed position.
The fastener 140 may be selectively positionable along a fastener axis 140A and may be configured to extend both through an opening in the pivot arm 135 and at least partially into the body 106. The opening (e.g., hole) in the pivot arm 135 may be shaped and sized to receive at least a portion of the fastener axis 140A, and the body 106 of the golf club head 100 may have a hole shaped and sized to receive at least a portion of the fastener 140. The opening in the pivot arm 135 and the hole in the body 106 may be aligned with each other when the fastener 140 extends through the opening in the pivot arm 135 and at least partially into the body 106. The body 106 may have a protrusion 107 at the hole of the body 106 that slightly protrudes from an adjacent region of the body 106. In some examples, the protrusion 107 is a mound or stepped surface that at least partially surrounds the hole of the body 106.
The fastener 140 may be positionable in at least a loosened position whereby the cap 130 is pivotable around the portion of the fastener 140 extending through the opening in the pivot arm 135, and a tightened position whereby the cap 130 is substantially unable (e.g., substantially restrained) to pivot. Accordingly, the weight retention assembly 104 may be moveable between the opened and closed positions when the fastener 140 is in the loosened position, and the position (e.g., closed position or opened position) of the weight retention assembly 104 may be fixed when the fastener 140 is in the tightened position. In some examples, the fastener 140 extends at least partially into the body 106 in the closed position, and the fastener 140 is at least partially (e.g., entirely) moved out from the body 106 when moved from the closed position to the opened position. The fastener 140 may extend farther into the body 106 in the closed position than in the opened position.
In some examples, the fastener 140 is a threaded screw-type fastener having a threaded pole extending from a head that is larger in breadth (e.g., diameter) than the threaded pole. The pivot arm 135 may be at least partially positioned (e.g., sandwiched) between the body 106 and the head of the screw-type fastener. In the tightened position, the pivot arm 135 may be compressed between the body 106 and the head of the screw-type fastener such that rotational movement of the cap 130 about the threaded pole is resisted. The threaded pole of the screw-type fastener may be partially moved out of the body 106 when moved from the tightened position to the loosened position such that the pivot arm 135 is not compressed between the body 106 and the head of the screw-type fastener and such that the cap 130 becomes freely rotatable about the threaded pole of the screw-type.
The fastener 140 may extend at least partially into the body 106 through the back portion 150, such as through a toe side of the second back surface 156. The fastener axis 140A may be oriented to intersect the striking face 108 and to be substantially perpendicular to the striking face plane 180. In some examples, the fastener axis 140A may additionally or alternatively be perpendicular to the second back surface 156, for example, a virtual plan tangential to a region of the second back surface 156.
Referring concurrently to
A channel 226 is defined in the body 206. The channel 226 may extend along a toe-heel direction and have a toe end 226T and a heel end 226H. The channel 226 may extend into the body 206 from an opening 226O in the outer surface 220 of the body 206 at the toe end 226T. In the depicted example, the channel 226 is defined to be partially in a wedge-shaped portion of the body 206 protruding from the striking face 208 and being at least partially defined by the sole 202, the lower back surface 252, and the first back surface 254. An extension portion 227 of the channel 226 extends out from the wedge-shaped portion of the body 206 along a part of the second back surface 256. In some other examples, the channel 226 may be defined entirely in the wedge-shaped portion of the body 206.
The weight retention assembly 204 includes a weighted insert 290 and a cap 230. The weighted insert 290 may be similar or the same as the weighted insert 190 and may include any features of a weighted insert as described herein.
The cap 230 is a threaded cap configured to be screwed at least partially into the channel 226. The weight retention assembly 204 may be configured to be positionable in at least a closed position whereby the weighted insert 290 is retained and secured insider the channel 226 and an opened position whereby the weighted insert 290 is removable from and insertable into the channel 226. The closed position may correspond to when the cap 230 is at least partially screwed into the channel 226, and the opened position may correspond to when the cap 230 is entirely removed from the channel 226. In some examples, the cap 230 may be coupled to the body 206, for example, by a strip of material, to reduce the risk that the cap 230 may be lost when entirely removed from the channel 226.
The golf club head 200 has an indent 224 in the outer surface 220 adjacent to the opening 226O of the channel 226 to provide room for the cap 230 to be unscrewed out of the channel 226. In some examples, a shape of the indent 204 corresponds to a shape of at least part of the channel 226.
One or both of a longitudinal axis 226A of the channel 226 and a longitudinal axis 290A of the weighted insert 290 positioned inside of the channel 226 may be substantially parallel to the striking face plane 280 so that a position of the CG along a toe-heel direction of the golf club head 200 can be controlled by the weighted insert 290 without affecting the depth position of the CG between the striking face 208 and the back portion 250 of the golf club head 200. In the depicted example, the longitudinal axes 226A and 290A are not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the grooves 219. However, in some other examples, one or both of the longitudinal axes 226A and 290A are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a groove from among the plurality of grooves 219.
Referring concurrently to
The back portion 350 may be coupled between the rearward portion 322 of the sole 302 and the top portion 303 and may include all surfaces of an outer surface 320 of the body 306 of the golf club head 300 that are both between the rearward portion 322 of the sole 302 and the top portion 303 and also between the toe 314 and the heel 316. In the depicted example, the back portion 350 includes a lower back surface 352, a first back surface 354, an intermediate back surface 355, and a second back surface 356.
A channel 326 is defined in the body 306. The channel 326 may extend along a toe-heel direction and have a toe end 326T and a heel end 326H. The channel 326 may extend into the body 306 from an opening 326O in the outer surface 320 of the body 306 at the toe end 326T. The channel 326 may be defined to be at least partially in a wedge-shaped portion of the body 306 protruding from the striking face 308 and being at least partially defined by the sole 302, the lower back surface 352, and the first back surface 354.
The weight retention assembly 304 includes a weighted insert (not separately depicted) and a cap 330. The weighted insert may be similar to or the same as the weighted insert 190 described with reference to
The cap 330 is a threaded cap configured to be screwed at least partially into the channel 326. The weight retention assembly 304 may be configured to be positionable in at least a closed position whereby the weighted insert is retained and secured insider the channel 326 and an opened position whereby the weighted insert is removable from and insertable into the channel 326. The cap 330 is at least partially screwed into the channel 326 when the weight retention assembly 304 is in the closed position, and the cap 330 is removed from the channel 326 when the weight retention assembly 304 is in the opened position. In some embodiments, the cap 330 may be coupled to the body 306, for example, by a strip of material, to prevent a golfer from losing the cap 330 when it is removed from the channel 326.
The cap 330 includes a first component 335 and a second component 331. The first component 335 may include a head 337 and a threaded portion 336 extending from the head 337 and configured to be screwed at least partially into the channel 326 to secure the weighted insert inside the channel 326 when the weight retention assembly 304 is in the closed position. For example, the first component 335 may be a screw-type fastener. The threaded portion 336 may include an inner end surface 338 configured to face the channel 326 when the threaded portion 336 is at least partially screwed into the channel 326, and the head 337 may have an outer end surface 339 configured to at least partially face the second component 331 and to face away from the channel 326 when the threaded portion 336 is at least partially screwed into the channel 326. The outer end surface 339 may include a tool indent 339T (e.g., a torx indent) configured to receive a portion of a screw driver or other tool. A breadth of the tool indent 339T may be smaller than one or more of a breadth of the head 337, a breadth of the threaded portion 336, and a breadth of the channel 326. In some examples, the breadth of the tool indent 339T is defined as a maximum breadth of the tool indent 339T or as the diameter of a smallest circle circumscribing the tool indent 339T, and the breadth of the channel 326 is defined as a maximum breadth of the channel 326 along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 326A of the channel 326.
The second component 331 may be coupled to the first component 335 at the head 337 of the first component 335 and by, for example, a c-clip 340 configured to allow the first component 335 to rotate relative to the second component 331. The head 337 may have a ring-shaped indent 337I shaped and sized to allow the c-clip 340 to be coupled to the head 337.
The second component 331 may have an exterior surface 332 and an interior surface 333, may be shaped and sized to correspond to (e.g., to fill or to be received in) an indent 324 (e.g., hole) in the outer surface 320 of the body 306 when the weight retention assembly 304 is in the closed position. In some examples, the second component 331 is shaped and sized to continue contours of the body 306 that would otherwise be present but for the addition of the weight retention assembly 304 to golf club 300. That is, the second component 331 continues the contours of the sole 302 and toe 314 when the second component 332 is installed, but for a second opening 332O in the second component. The opening 326O of the channel 326 may be at least partially in the indent 324 of the body 306. The exterior surface 332 may be visible from outside the golf club head 300 when the weight retention assembly 304 is in the closed position, and the interior surface 333 may be substantially not visible from the outside of the golf club head 300 when the weight retention assembly 304 is in the closed position. However, the interior surface 333 may be at least partially visible from outside of the golf club head 300 when the weight retention assembly 304 is in the opened position. The exterior surface 332 may be level (e.g., continuous and smooth) with a region of the outer surface 320 of the golf club head 100 adjacent to the exterior surface 332 when the weight retention assembly 304 is in the closed position.
The second component 331 may have a first opening 333O extending at least partially through the second component 331 from the interior surface 333 toward the exterior surface 332 and shaped and sized to receive at least part of the head 337 of the first component 335. The first opening 333O may have a ring-shaped indent 333OI in a wall of the first opening 333O shaped and sized to allow the c-clip 340 to be coupled to the second component 331. The second component 331 may have the second opening 332O extending at least partially through the second component 331 from the exterior surface 332 toward the interior surface 333 such that at least a portion of the tool indent 339T of the head 337 is exposed by the second opening 332O when the weight retention assembly 304 is in the closed position. In some examples, the first and second openings 333O and 332O are connected together to form an opening extending entirely through the second component 331 from the exterior surface 332 to the interior surface 333. A breadth 332OB of the second opening 332O may be smaller than the breadth of the head 337 and than a breadth 333OB of the first opening 333O, and may be equal to or less than a breadth of the tool indent 339T in the outer end surface 339 of the head 337. In some examples, each of the breadth 333OB of the first opening 333O and the breadth 332OB of the second opening 332O may be defined where the first and second openings 333O and 332O are connected to each other. In some examples, each of the breadth 333OB of the first opening 333O and the breadth 332OB of the second opening 332O may be defined along a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first opening 333O, the second opening 332O, or an opening extending entirely through the second component 331 (e.g., an opening defined at least in part by both of the first and second openings 333O and 332O).
The second opening 332O in the second component 331 may be sized to be broad enough to allow for a tool (e.g., screw driver) to be inserted through the second opening 332O to the tool indent 339T so that the first component 335 can be tightened or loosened in the channel 326. In some examples, the exterior surface 332 may be at least two times larger (e.g., at least three times larger, at least four times larger, or at least five times larger) in surface area compared to a cross-sectional area of the second opening 332O at the exterior surface 332. Accordingly, because the second component 331 may be shaped and sized to fill the indent 324 and have the exterior surface 332 level with the adjacent region of the outer surface 320, and because the second opening 332O in the second component 331 may have a smaller size, the cap 330 may substantially visibly hide the channel 326, the indent 324, and the parts of the cap 330 under the exterior surface 332 when the weight retention assembly 304 is in the closed configuration. The outer surface 320 of the golf club head 300, together with the exterior surface 332 of the second component 331, may therefore appear smooth, complete, and uninterrupted when the weight retention assembly 304 is in the closed configuration, except for the opening second 332O.
In some examples, the second component 331 and may include a same material as the body 306. In some other examples, the material of the second component 331 is different from the material of the body 306 and may be heavier or lighter than the material of the body 306 in order to purposely affect the swing weight of the golf club head 300. For example, the second component 331 may include a polymer.
Although specific embodiments and aspects were described herein and specific examples were provided, the scope of the technology is not limited to those specific embodiments and examples. Further, each of the above examples may be combined with another and/or one or more features of some examples may be combined with other examples. One skilled in the art will recognize other embodiments or improvements that are within the scope and spirit of the present technology. Therefore, the specific structure, acts, or media are disclosed only as illustrative embodiments. The scope of the technology is defined by the following claims and any equivalents therein.
The remainder of the detailed description describes a second set of embodiments. Currently, there are limited techniques to dynamically adjust a weight of a golf club iron and/or golf club wedge. Of the limited techniques, many are permanent and/or time-consuming. For example, these may include drilling holes into hosels, back flanges, or other components of golf club heads, polishing off material on the golf club head, and/or adding lead tape or tip plugs. The presently disclosed technology may allow a golf club head to be dynamically adjustable in swing weight, mass, center of gravity (CG), and/or moment of inertia (MOI). The presently disclosed technology may include a removable weight assembly. The presently disclosed technology may eliminate the need to remove or add material to the golf club head during assembly to meet customization requirements. This may provide dynamic fine tuning of the swing weight, mass, CG, and/or MOI of the golf club head after manufacturing by using the removable weight assembly.
The presently disclosed technology is directed to a golf club head. The golf club head may include a striking face portion, an upper back portion, a sole, and/or a removable weight assembly. The removable weight assembly may be used to adjust characteristics of the golf club head. For example, the golf club head may include components to adjust the swing weight of the golf club head, the CG of the golf club head, the mass of the golf club head, the MOI of the golf club head, the materials of the golf club head, the aesthetics of the golf club head, and/or other characteristics. The presently disclosed technology may allow a user to quickly and easily modify the characteristics of a manufactured golf club head depending on the user's needs by changing and/or adjusting components of the golf club head.
Sole 1606 may extend backward from at least a bottom portion of striking face portion 1602. Sole 1606 may extend downward from at least a bottom portion of upper back portion 1604. For example, sole 1606 may extend downward from at least a bottom portion of upper back portion 1604 to a bottom portion of striking face portion 1602. Sole 1606 may include toeward sole portion 1608, sole recess 1610, and/or sole blind hole 1612 (at least shown in
Referring to
Referring back to
Weight cover 1620 may cover sole recess 1610, sole blind hole 1612, and/or cylindrical weight 1616 in an installed position. The installed position may refer to fully securing removable weight assembly 1614 to golf club head 1600. In the installed position, an exterior surface of weight cover 1620 may be flush with surrounding regions of golf club head, including, for example, upper back portion 1604, sole 1606, and/or toeward sole portion 1608. In the installed position, golf club head 1600 may appear substantially like a traditional golf club head from most views or a golf club head without removable weight assembly 1614 from most views. Weight cover 1620 may include plastic, metal, and/or a composite, as discussed herein. In some embodiments, weight cover 1620 may be stainless steel. Weight cover 1620 may include cap 1622 and/or fastening mechanism 1626.
Cap 1622 may cover sole recess 1610 and/or sole blind hole 1612 in the installed position. Cap 1622 may also cover fastening mechanism 1626 and/or fastening recess 1628. Cap 1622 may include plastic, metal, and/or a composite, as discussed herein. Cap 1622 may include cap through hole 1624 and/or fastening recess 1628. Cap through hole 1624 may be a through hole extending through cap 1622. In the installed position, cap through hole 1624 may be accessible to sole blind hole 1612. Cap through hole 1624 may be aligned with sole blind hole 1612 in the installed position. For example, in the installed position, major axis 1618 may run through a center of cap through hole 1624. Referring to
Fastening mechanism 1626 may connect or otherwise couple cap 1622 to cylindrical weight 1616. Fastening mechanism 1626 may be partially or fully threaded. The threaded portion of fastening mechanism 1626 may engage the threaded portion of cap 1622 discussed herein. In the installed position, a toeward portion of fastening mechanism 1626 may include a first circumference shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned to fit into fastening recess 1628. Fastening mechanism 1626 may include plastic, metal, and/or a composite, as discussed herein. In the installed position, a heelward portion of fastening mechanism 1626 may include a second circumference. The second circumference may include weight recess 1630 shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned to receive a portion of cylindrical weight 1616. For example, weight recess 1630 may be shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned to receive weight head 1615. An interior surface of fastening mechanism 1626 adjacent to weight recess 1630 may be partially or fully threaded. In some embodiments, fastening mechanism 1626 may not be needed and may be removed. Cylindrical weight 1616 may be fastened, secured, or otherwise engaged to cap 1622. For example, weight head 1615 may seat itself onto an exterior surface of cap 1622 and engage a threaded portion of an interior surface of sole blind hole 1612. In embodiments, cylindrical weight 1616 may be fastened, secured, or otherwise engaged to fastening mechanism 1626. In some embodiments, after cylindrical weight 1616 is engaged to fastening mechanism 1626, fastening mechanism 1626 may be fastened, secured, or otherwise engaged to cap 1622. In embodiments, the order may be reversed or otherwise ordered without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Fastening mechanism 1626 may be retained to cap 1622 with a retaining mechanism, such as, for example, a c-clip retainer, though it should be appreciated that other mechanisms may be used to keep fastening mechanism 1626 engaged to cap 1622. The retaining mechanism may prevent full separation of cap 1622 and fastening mechanism 1626 from each other. Fastening mechanism 1626 may be fastened to cap 1622 via cap through hole 1624 using the tool described herein. In some embodiments, fastening mechanism 1626 may be an M9 size fastener. Weight head 1615 may be an M7 size fastener to fit inside the M9 size fastener.
In the installed position, the heelward portion of cap 1622 may be seated in sole recess 1610 before a heelward portion of fastening mechanism 1626 engages a toeward portion of cylindrical weight 1616. In the installed position, a heelward portion of cylindrical weight 1616 may bottom out in sole blind hole 1612, which may put cylindrical weight 1616 in compression, minimizing or eliminating possibilities of cylindrical weight 1616 unfastening itself during use (e.g., through twisting or loosening).
Referring to
Removable weight assembly 2614 may include cylindrical weight 2616, including weight head 2615 and weight body 2617, and/or second weight cover 2632. Cylindrical weight 2616, including weight head 2615 and weight body 2617 may be the same as, or substantially similar to cylindrical weights, including weight heads and weight bodies discussed herein. In embodiments, cylindrical weight 2616 may be a M4 size fastener. In some embodiments, first weight cover 2620 may not have a cap. Sole 2606 may include weight through hole 2612, which may be the same as, or substantially similar to, sole blind holes discussed herein, except weight through hole 2612 extends through the body of golf club head 2600, forming a through hole. In the installed position, an exterior surface of second weight cover 2632 may be flush with surrounding regions of golf club head 2600, including, for example, upper back portion 2604, sole 2606, toeward sole portion 2608, and/or heelward sole portion 2611. In the installed position, golf club head 2600 may virtually appear like a traditional golf club head from most views. Second weight cover 2632 may include plastic, metal, and/or a composite, as discussed herein. In some embodiments, each of the components of removable weight assembly 2614 may include different materials to provide a CG and/or MOI change along the heel-to-toe direction. The presently disclosed technology may allow CG changes of up to about 5.0 mm along the heel-to-toe direction. In some embodiments, the CG changes may be up to about 3.0 mm along the heel-to-toe direction. Second weight cover 2632 may include cover blind hole 2634. Cover blind hole 2634 may be a blind hole entering a toeward portion of second weight cover 2632 and continuing heelward. An interior surface of second weight cover 2632 adjacent to cover blind hole 2634 may be partially or fully threaded. In the installed position, a heelward portion of weight body 2617 may be threaded. This threaded heelward portion may engage the threaded portion of second weight cover 2632. Cover blind hole 2634 may be aligned along major axis 2618. Major axis 2618 may be the same as, or substantially similar to, other major axes discussed herein. In the installed position, a geometric center of cylindrical weight 2616, a geometric center of cover through hole 2624, and/or a geometric center of cover blind hole 2634 may be aligned with major axis 1618. Installing removable weight assembly 2614 may include fitting first weight cover 2620 into first sole recess 2610, fitting cylindrical weight 2616 through first weight cover 2620, fitting second weight cover 2632 into second sole recess 2613, and fastening a portion of weight body 2617 to second weight cover 2632. This may compress the components of removable weight assembly 2614 in the installed position preventing any unwanted noise, sound, and/or movement. In embodiments, the order may be reversed or otherwise ordered without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology.
Referring to
Other than in at least some of the operating examples, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials, moment of inertias, center of gravity locations, loft, angles, various ratios, and others in the aforementioned portions of the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear in the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the above specification and appended claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed technology. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the presently disclosed technology are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges of varying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.
While various embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described above, it should be appreciated these are examples only, and not limiting. Likewise, the various figures may depict an example configuration or structure to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the disclosed technology. The presently disclosed technology is not intended to be restricted to the illustrated example configurations and structures, and the desired features can be implemented with a variety of alternative configurations and structures. It may be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative embodiments can be implemented to impart the desired features of the presently disclosed technology. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments, which would come within the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology.
While the presently disclosed technology may be described herein in terms of various exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the various features described in any individual embodiment is not limited to its particular embodiment, and can be applied, whether alone or in combinations with features of other embodiments, to another embodiment, whether or not such an embodiment is described herein or described as part of a single embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presently disclosed technology should not be limited to any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
Words, phrases, and their variations that are used herein, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended, not as limiting. For example, the term “include” should be read to mean “include, without limitation”; the term “example” should be read to mean the following provides exemplary instances, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” etc.; “traditional,” “normal,” and similar terms should not be construed as limiting to a given time period, but should be read to encompass traditional, normal, like technologies that may be known now or at any future point; and a heel-to-toe direction should be read as meaning either the toe-to-heel direction or the heel-to-toe direction, a bottom-to-top direction should be read as meaning either the bottom-to-top direction or the top-to-bottom direction, and a back-to-front direction should be read as meaning either a back-to-front direction or a front-to-back direction. In addition, references herein to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art includes such technologies that are apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art now or at any time in the future.
The presence of words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “not limited to,” or other similar phrases shall not be read to necessarily mean that the narrower case is intended in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The presence of words such as “first,” “second,” or other similar words shall not be read to mean that there can only be one or two elements.
This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/660,147, filed Apr. 21, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17660147 | Apr 2022 | US |
| Child | 18611966 | US |
