Patent Application
20240399223
The invention relates generally to ball striking devices, such as golf clubs and golf club heads, having a reinforced sole. Certain aspects of this invention relate to golf club heads having one or more bracing members connected to the sole and extending upward from the sole.
The vibration or resonance of certain components of a ball striking device, such as a golf club head, during impact may influence the energy and velocity transferred to the ball upon impact. Excessive vibration or resonance can increase damping and thereby cause energy loss or dissipation, reducing the energy and velocity transferred to the ball. Accordingly, technologies that can reduce or otherwise optimize the resonance and vibration of components of a ball striking device during impact can be advantageous in producing greater impact energy and velocity.
Additionally, the vibration or resonance of certain components of a ball striking device during impact can affect the sound and/or feel of the impact. Excessive vibration or resonance can produce undesirable sounds and poor feel for the user, and may even sting or otherwise cause pain to the user's hands. Accordingly, technologies that can reduce or otherwise optimize the resonance and vibration of components of a ball striking device during impact can be advantageous in producing improved sound and feel upon impact.
The present devices and methods are provided to address at least some of the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior ball striking devices of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a general form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below.
Aspects of the invention relate to ball striking devices, such as golf clubs, with a head that includes a face configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face, with the body having a sole with a bottom sole surface configured to confront a playing surface. The head may include features that can improve the resonance of the sole and/or the head as a whole. Various example structures of heads described herein include a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The bracing member includes a first end connected to a first point on the upper sole surface, a second end connected to a second point on the upper sole surface spaced from the first point, and a bridge portion extending between the first end and the second end. The bridge portion extends upward from the upper sole surface and is spaced from the upper sole surface. The bridge portion may be formed by one or more trusses, and may define a generally triangular shape in one embodiment. Additionally, the first and second ends may be connected to the upper sole surface using a variety of techniques, such as welding or other integral joining technique, integral forming, adhesive or other bonding material, or another technique.
According to one aspect, the bracing member includes a first truss having the first end and a first distal end opposite the first end and a second truss having the second end and a second distal end opposite the second end. The first truss and the second truss extend upward from the upper sole surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion. The first truss may be joined to the second truss at the first and second distal ends, such that the first and second trusses define a generally triangular shape. In this configuration, the first end, the second end, and the first and second distal ends combined form the three corners of the generally triangular shape.
According to another aspect, the bracing member includes a plurality of trusses, including a first truss and a second truss as described above, as well as a third truss having a third end connected to a third point on the upper sole surface that is spaced from the first and second points and a third distal end opposite the third end and a fourth truss having a fourth end connected to a fourth point on the upper sole surface that is spaced from the first, second, and third points and a fourth distal end opposite the fourth end. The first, second, third, and fourth trusses extend upward from the upper sole surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion. The first, second, third, and fourth trusses may be joined together at the first, second, third, and fourth distal ends. The bridge member may also include a connecting truss extending between the first distal end at least one of the second, third, and fourth distal ends, where the connecting truss is spaced from the upper sole surface.
According to a further aspect, the head also has at least a second bracing member connected to the upper sole surface separate from the bracing member. The second bracing member includes a third end connected to a third point on the upper sole surface, a fourth end connected to a fourth point on the upper sole surface spaced from the third point, and a second bridge portion extending between the third end and the fourth end. The second bridge portion extends upward from the upper sole surface and is spaced from the upper sole surface. The head may further include three or more bracing members, and all such bracing members may be identical or substantially identical.
According to yet another aspect, the first end of the bracing member may be connected to the upper sole surface along a first line including the first point, with the second end connected to the upper sole surface along a second line including the second point, where the first and second lines are spaced from each other. In this configuration, the bridge portion may be in the form of an arch extending upward from the first and second lines and being spaced from the upper sole surface between the first and second lines. The first and second lines may be parallel to each other.
Additional aspects of the invention relate to a wood-type golf club head that includes a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface, and a body joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extending rearwardly from the face. The body and the face combine to define an internal cavity bounded by the rear surface of the face and a plurality of inner surfaces of the body, and the body has a crown and a sole opposite the crown. The head also includes a bracing member connected to an inner sole surface located on the sole of the body. The bracing member includes a first truss having a first end connected to a first point on the inner sole surface and a first distal end opposite the first end, a second truss having a second end connected to a second point on the inner sole surface spaced from the first point and a second distal end opposite the second end, and a bridge portion extending between the first end and the second end. The bridge portion extends upward from the inner sole surface and is spaced from the inner sole surface, and the first truss and the second truss extend upward from the inner sole surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion. The first and second ends may be connected to the inner sole surface using a variety of techniques, as described above.
According to one aspect, the first truss is joined to the second truss at the first and second distal ends, and the first and second trusses define a generally triangular shape. The first end, the second end, and the first and second distal ends combined form three corners of the generally triangular shape.
According to another aspect, the bracing member also includes a third truss having a third end connected to a third point on the inner sole surface that is spaced from the first and second points and a third distal end opposite the third end, and a fourth truss having a fourth end connected to a fourth point on the inner sole surface that is spaced from the first, second, and third points and a fourth distal end opposite the fourth end. The first, second, third, and fourth trusses extend upward from the inner sole surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion. The first, second, third, and fourth trusses may be joined together at the first, second, third, and fourth distal ends in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the bracing member may further include a connecting truss extending between the first distal end at least one of the second, third, and fourth distal ends, where the connecting truss is spaced from the inner sole surface.
According to a further aspect, the head also includes a second bracing member connected to the inner sole surface separate from the bracing member, the second bracing member including a third truss having a third end connected to a third point on the inner sole surface and a third distal end opposite the third end, and a fourth truss having a fourth end connected to a fourth point on the inner sole surface spaced from the third point and a fourth distal end opposite the fourth end, and a second bridge portion extending between the third end and the fourth end. The second bridge portion extends upward from the inner sole surface and is spaced from the inner sole surface, and the third truss and the fourth truss extend upward from the inner sole surface to form at least a portion of the second bridge portion.
Further aspects of the invention relate to a ball striking device including a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface, a body joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extending rearwardly from the face, with the body having a sole with a bottom sole surface configured to confront a playing surface, and a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The bracing member includes a bridge portion that extends upwardly from the upper sole surface and is spaced from the upper sole surface. Additionally, the bridge portion includes a plurality of trusses each having a first end connected to the upper sole surface and extending upward to a second end spaced above the upper sole surface, with the first ends of the plurality of trusses each being connected to the upper sole surface at separate points.
According to one aspect, the bracing member further includes a connecting truss that is spaced from the upper sole surface. The second ends of the plurality of trusses are connected to the connecting truss, such that each of the plurality of trusses depends from the connecting truss.
Other aspects of the invention relate to a golf club head that includes a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface and a body joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extending rearwardly from the face, where the body and the face combine to define an interior cavity surrounded by an interior surface of the head, such that the interior surface comprises the rear surface of the face and inner surfaces of the body, with a bracing member connected to the interior surface of the head. The bracing member has a first end connected to a first point on the interior surface, a second end connected to a second point on the interior surface spaced from the first point, and a bridge portion extending between the first end and the second end. The bridge portion extends inward from the interior surface and is spaced from the interior surface.
According to one aspect, the bracing member comprises a first truss having the first end and a first distal end opposite the first end and a second truss having the second end and a second distal end opposite the second end, wherein the first truss and the second truss extend inward from the interior surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion.
According to another aspect, the bracing member may have the first and second ends connected to an upper sole surface or a lower crown surface of the body.
According to a further aspect, the bracing member may be positioned at a rear of the ball striking device and has the first end connected to an upper sole surface of the body and the second end connected to a lower crown surface of the body.
According to yet another aspect, the bracing member is positioned at a front of the ball striking device and has the first end connected to an upper sole surface or a lower crown surface of the body and the second end connected to the rear surface of the face.
Still further aspects of the invention relate to a ball striking device including a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface, a body joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extending rearwardly from the face, with the body having a sole with a bottom sole surface configured to confront a playing surface, and a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The bracing member includes a spine member spaced from the upper sole surface and a plurality of legs connected to the spine member and extending outwardly and downwardly from the spine member. Each of the legs has a lower end connected to the upper sole surface and an upper or distal end connected to the spine member.
According to one aspect, the plurality of legs includes a first leg and a second leg arranged as a pair and extending outwardly from opposite lateral sides of the spine member at a first location along the length of the spine member, a third leg and a fourth leg arranged as another pair and extending outwardly from the opposite lateral sides of the spine member at a second location along the length of the spine member, a fifth leg extending outwardly from a first end of the spine member and a sixth leg extending outwardly from a second end of the spine member. The plurality of legs may further include a seventh leg and an eighth leg arranged as a third pair and extending outwardly from opposite lateral sides of the spine member at a third location along the length of the spine member, and a ninth leg and a tenth leg arranged as a fourth pair and extending outwardly from the opposite lateral sides of the spine member at a fourth location along the length of the spine member. In one embodiment, the first location may be at the first end of the spine member such that the first leg and the second leg extend outwardly from opposite lateral sides of the spine member at the first end, and the second location may be at the second end of the spine member such that the third leg and the fourth leg extend outwardly from opposite lateral sides of the spine member at the second end. If the bracing member includes ten legs as described above, in this configuration, the third and fourth locations may be located between the first and second locations on the spine member.
According to another aspect, the bracing member further includes a wall member depending from an underside of the spine member and having an elongated end connected to the upper sole surface.
According to a further aspect, the bracing member includes a first leg and a second leg arranged as a pair and extending outwardly from opposite lateral sides from a point on the spine member, and the first and second legs define a generally triangular shape. In this configuration, the lower end of the first leg, the lower end of the second leg, and the spine member form three corners of the generally triangular shape.
Other aspects of the invention relate to a method for producing a ball striking head as described above, or in a different configuration. The method is used in connection with a ball striking device that has been provided with a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface, a body configured to be joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extend rearwardly from the face, with the body having a sole with a bottom sole surface configured to confront a playing surface, and a block of material integrally connected to the upper sole surface and extending upwardly from the upper sole surface. The block is machined to remove material from the block, creating a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The resultant bracing member includes a first end connected to a first point on the upper sole surface, a second end connected to a second point on the upper sole surface spaced from the first point, and a bridge portion extending between the first end and the second end, the bridge portion extending upward from the upper sole surface and being spaced from the upper sole surface. The bracing member created may have any of the features described herein with respect to ball striking heads according to aspects of the invention. The body may be joined to the face after machining the block.
Still another aspect of this disclosure relates to a golf club head having a face with an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface with a body joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extending rearwardly from the face and the body having a sole with a bottom sole surface configured to confront a playing surface. A bracing member may be connected to an inner body surface, where the bracing member may comprise a first end connected to a first point on the upper sole surface, a second end connected to a second point on the inner body surface spaced from the first point. A bridge portion may extend between the first end and the second end with the bridge portion extending away from the inner body surface and being spaced from the inner body surface and spaced away from the face, and a location of the first point may be within 5 mm of a geometric center of a maximum displacement region of a mode shape of the body identified prior to connecting the bracing member. The bracing member may comprise a first leg having the first end and a first distal end opposite the first end and a second leg having the second end and a second distal end opposite the second end, where the first leg and the second leg extend away from the inner body surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion. Also, the bracing member may comprise a plurality of legs, including a first leg having the first end and a first distal end opposite the first end, a second leg having the second end and a second distal end opposite the second end, a third leg having a third end connected to a third point on the inner body surface that is spaced from the first and second points and a third distal end opposite the third end, wherein the first, second, and third legs extend away from the inner body surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion. The inner body surface may be an upper sole surface opposite the bottom sole surface or may be a lower crown surface opposite the upper crown surface.
Yet another aspect of this disclosure may relate to wherein the golf club head may have a first natural frequency corresponding to a first mode shape that is at least 200 Hz lower when measured prior to connecting the bracing member to the inner body surface than a second natural frequency corresponding to a second mode shape after connecting the bracing member, where the first mode shape and the second mode shape may correspond to a same mode shape measured before and after the bracing member is connected.
Still other aspects of this disclosure may relate to the first leg being joined to the second leg at the first and second distal ends, where the first and second legs define a generally triangular shape, and the first end, the second end, and the first and second distal ends combined form three corners of the generally triangular shape. The first end may have a portion formed from a polymer and connected to the golf club head using an adhesive. The bracing member may be oriented in a heel-to-toe direction or a front-to-back direction.
Yet other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a method comprising: providing a golf club head comprising a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface, a body configured to be joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extend rearwardly from the face, the body having a sole with a bottom sole surface configured to confront a playing surface, and a crown with an upper crown oriented away from the playing surface, and an inner body surface; determining natural frequencies and mode shapes of the golf club head from a modal analysis; identifying a first mode shape with a corresponding first natural frequency less than 2500 Hz; connecting a first end of a bracing member to a first point on an upper sole surface located within 5 mm of a geometric center of a maximum displacement region of a first mode shape of the sole; and connecting a second end of the bracing member to a second point on the interior surface spaced from the first point. The bridge portion extending between the first end and the second end, the bridge portion extending upward from the inner body surface and being spaced from the inner body surface where the second point may be located on the upper sole surface or the lower crown surface. Additionally, the bracing member may comprise a third end connected to a third point spaced from the first point and the second point, where the third point is on the upper sole surface.
And another aspect of this disclosure may relate to a bracing member connected to an inner body surface of the body where the bracing member comprises a spine member spaced from the inner body surface and a plurality of legs connected to the spine member that extend outwardly and downwardly from the spine member with each of the legs having a lower end connected to the inner body surface. The plurality of legs comprises a first leg and a second leg arranged as a pair and extending outwardly from opposite lateral sides of the spine member at a first location along the length of the spine member, and a third leg and a fourth leg arranged as a second pair and extending outwardly from the opposite lateral sides of the spine member at a second location along the length of the spine member. The golf club head may have a volume of at least 400 cc; and have a portion of the spine member positioned over a location within 5 mm of a geometric center of a maximum displacement region of a mode shape having a natural frequency under 2500 Hz of the body identified prior to connecting the bracing member. The first, second, third, and fourth legs may all connect to separate points on the inner body surface that are spaced from each other.
Even further aspects of this disclosure may relate to where the golf club head may have a first natural frequency corresponding to a first mode shape prior to connecting the bracing member to the inner body surface, and the golf club head has a second natural frequency corresponding to a second mode shape that is at least 200 Hz higher than the first natural frequency after connecting the bracing member, where the first mode shape and the second mode shape correspond to a same mode shape measured before and after the bracing member is connected.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.
To allow for a more full understanding of the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
In the following description of various example structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” “primary,”, “secondary,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. Also, the reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings provided below.
“Ball striking device” means any device constructed and designed to strike a ball or other similar objects (such as a hockey puck). In addition to generically encompassing “ball striking heads,” which are described in more detail below, examples of “ball striking devices” include, but are not limited to: golf clubs, putters, croquet mallets, polo mallets, baseball or softball bats, cricket bats, tennis rackets, badminton rackets, field hockey sticks, ice hockey sticks, and the like.
“Ball striking head” means the portion of a “ball striking device” that includes and is located immediately adjacent (optionally surrounding) the portion of the ball striking device designed to contact the ball (or other object) in use. In some examples, such as many golf clubs and putters, the ball striking head may be a separate and independent entity from any shaft or handle member, and it may be attached to the shaft or handle in some manner.
The term “shaft” includes the portion of a ball striking device (if any) that the user holds during a swing of a ball striking device.
“Integral joining technique” means a technique for joining two pieces so that the two pieces effectively become a single, integral piece, including, but not limited to, irreversible joining techniques, such as adhesively joining, cementing, welding, brazing, soldering, or the like. In many bonds made by “integral joining techniques,” separation of the joined pieces cannot be accomplished without structural damage thereto.
“Generally triangular shape” means an enclosed shape that has three identifiable sides, which may be straight or curvilinear or a combination thereof, and three identifiable corners, which may be angular or rounded or a combination thereof.
In general, aspects of this invention relate to ball striking devices, such as golf club heads, golf clubs, putter heads, putters, and the like. Such ball striking devices, according to at least some examples of the invention, may include a ball striking head and a ball striking surface. In the case of a golf club, the ball striking surface may constitute a substantially flat surface on one face of the ball striking head, although some curvature may be provided (e.g., “bulge” or “roll” characteristics). Some more specific aspects of this invention relate to wood-type golf clubs and golf club heads, including drivers, fairway woods, hybrid-type clubs, iron-type golf clubs, and the like, although aspects of this invention also may be practiced on other types of golf clubs or other ball striking devices, if desired.
According to various aspects of this invention, the ball striking device may be formed of one or more of a variety of materials, such as metals (including metal alloys), ceramics, polymers, composites, fiber-reinforced composites, and wood, and the devices may be formed in one of a variety of configurations, without departing from the scope of the invention. In one embodiment, some or all components of the head, including the face and at least a portion of the body of the head, are made of metal materials. It is understood that the head also may contain components made of several different materials. Additionally, the components may be formed by various forming methods. For example, metal components (such as titanium, aluminum, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, steels (such as stainless steels), and the like) may be formed by forging, molding, casting, stamping, machining, and/or other known techniques. In another example, composite components, such as carbon fiber-polymer composites, can be manufactured by a variety of composite processing techniques, such as prepreg processing, powder-based techniques, mold infiltration, and/or other known techniques.
The various figures in this application illustrate examples of ball striking devices and portions thereof according to this invention. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts throughout.
At least some examples of ball striking devices according to this invention relate to golf club head structures, including heads for wood-type golf clubs, including drivers. Such devices may include a one-piece construction or a multiple-piece construction. An example structure of ball striking devices according to this invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with
For reference, the head 102 generally has a top 116, a bottom or sole 118, a heel 120 proximate the hosel 109, a toc 122 distal from the hosel 109, a front 124, and a back or rear 126. The shape and design of the head 102 may be partially dictated by the intended use of the device 100. In the club 100 shown in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The face 112 is located at the front 124 of the head 102, and has an outer ball striking surface 110 located thereon and the rear surface 111 opposite the ball striking surface 110. The ball striking surface 110 is configured to face a ball in use, and is adapted to strike the ball when the device 100 is set in motion, such as by swinging. As shown, the ball striking surface 110 occupies most of the face 112. The face 112 may include some curvature in the top to bottom and/or heel to toe directions (e.g., bulge and roll characteristics), as is known and is conventional in the art. In other embodiments, the surface 110 may occupy a different proportion of the face 112, or the body 108 may have multiple ball striking surfaces 110 thereon. In the embodiment shown in
It is understood that the face 112, the body 108, and/or the hosel 109 can be formed as a single piece or as separate pieces that are joined together. In one embodiment, the face 112 is formed from a plate-like face member 128, such as shown in
The ball striking device 100 may include a shaft 104 connected to or otherwise engaged with the ball striking head 102, as shown in
In general, the head 102 of the ball striking device 100 has a bracing member 130 connected to the interior surface of the head 102 within the internal cavity 106, such as an inner surface 107 of the body 108 and/or the rear face surface 111, which provides at least localized reinforcement of the head 102 and/or deadens sound from impacts on the face 112. In the embodiment shown in
The bracing member 130 may take different forms in different embodiments. In the embodiment of
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The bracing member 130 may be formed of one or more materials, and a variety of such materials may be used in forming the bracing member. Such materials include metals (e.g. titanium, stainless or other steels, aluminum, etc.) including alloys thereof, polymers (e.g. carbon-fiber filled nylon), composites (e.g. carbon-fiber composites), or other materials. The materials and design of the bracing member 130 may be selected to minimize weight if desired, so as to minimize the effect of the bracing member 130 on the total mass of the head 102 and allow strategic location of as much mass as possible. Alternately, the mass of the bracing member 130 may be used to add weight to an area of the head 102, in order to achieve strategic weighting, such as locating the CG and/or affecting MOI. In one embodiment, the bracing member 130 may be made from titanium or titanium alloy. Additionally, the trusses 134 of the bracing member 130 may be connected to each other in a variety of different manners, and may also be connected to the body 108 in a variety of different manners. Techniques for such joining include: welding; integral forming, such as being formed of a single piece (e.g. by casting, molding, forging, machining, additive manufacturing, or other techniques); adhesives or other bonding materials; mechanical joints or fasteners, such as balls or blocks that may be welded to the ends of the trusses 134, drilled with holes for threading or interference fit on the ends 136 of the trusses 134, etc.; or other joining techniques. The joining techniques may at least partially depend on the materials of the bracing member 130.
The head 102 of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
As shown in
The face 512 is located at the front 524 of the head 502, and has a ball striking surface 510 located thereon and a rear or inner surface 511 (See
The ball striking surface 510 is typically an outer surface of the face 512 configured to face a ball (not shown) in use, and is adapted to strike the ball when the device 500 is set in motion, such as by swinging. As shown, the ball striking surface 510 is relatively flat, occupying most of the face 512. The ball striking surface 510 may include grooves 521 (e.g., generally horizontal grooves 521 extending across the face 512 in the illustrated example) for the removal of water and grass from the face 512 during a ball strike. Of course, any number of grooves, desired groove patterns, and/or groove constructions may be provided (or even no groove pattern, if desired), including conventional groove patterns and/or constructions, without departing from this invention. The face 512 may include some curvature in the top to bottom and/or heel to toe directions (e.g., bulge and roll characteristics), as is known and is conventional in the art. In other embodiments, the surface 510 may occupy a different proportion of the face 512, or the body 508 may have multiple ball striking surfaces 510 thereon. In the illustrative embodiment shown in
The face 512, the body 508, and/or the hosel 509 can be formed as a single piece or as separate pieces that are joined together. For example, the face 512, the body 508, and the hosel 509 can be formed together as a single piece by forging, casting, or other integral forming techniques. As another example, the face 512, the body 508, and the hosel 509 can be formed as separate pieces, such as a face member and a body member, which can be joined together by an integral joining technique, such as welding, or other joining technique.
In the embodiment shown in
The bracing member 530 in this embodiment can be connected to the head 502 using any of the methods and techniques described above and/or shown in
It is understood that any of the embodiments of ball striking devices 100, et seq., heads 102, et seq., bracing members 130, et seq., and other components described herein may include any of the features described herein with respect to other embodiments described herein, including structural features, functional features, and/or properties, unless otherwise noted. It is understood that the specific sizes, shapes, orientations, and locations of various components of the ball striking devices 100, et seq., and heads 102, et seq., described herein are simply examples, and that any of these features or properties may be altered in other embodiments.
Heads 102, et seq., incorporating the features disclosed herein may be used as a ball striking device or a part thereof. For example, a golf club 100 as shown in
Different bracing members 130, et seq., and different locations, orientations, and connections thereof, may produce different reinforcing effects and have different effects on the resonance of the head. Additionally, different bracing members 130, et seq., and different locations, orientations, and connections thereof, may produce different effects depending on the location of the ball impact on the face 112, et seq. Accordingly, one or more clubs can be customized for a particular user by providing a club with a head as described above, with a bracing member 130, et seq., that is configured in at least one of its shape, size, location, orientation, etc., based on a hitting characteristic of the user, such as a typical hitting pattern or swing speed. Customization may also include adding or adjusting weighting according to the characteristics of the bracing member 130, et seq., and the hitting characteristic(s) of the user. Still further embodiments and variations are possible, including further techniques for customization.
In
As another embodiment of this disclosure, the location of a bracing member 630 may be determined by finding the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the golf club head 102 prior to a bracing member 630 being connected. (When referring to the natural frequencies, the natural frequencies are referring to the frequencies of the various modes that are not one of the six rigid body modes when performing a modal analysis in a free body condition.) The modal analysis of the golf club head may be performed with a golf club head 602 that may have a club head weight within a range of 90% to 95% of its final club head weight before being assembled to a shaft and a grip to form a golf club.
As golf club heads, especially drivers, have gotten larger in size, the wall thicknesses of the crown and the sole have gotten thinner. The thinner wall thicknesses and larger volumes have caused the natural frequencies of the golf club head 602, especially the first natural frequency after the six rigid body modes, to be reduced. In addition, changes in the exterior shape of the golf club head 602 such as the addition of pockets, channels, other geometry changes, or using different materials for the golf club head 102 may affect the natural frequencies of the golf club head 602 or may cause a localized area of vibration. A golf club head 602 having a natural frequency lower than 3000 Hz, or having several modes having corresponding frequencies within a close range of each other, may produce a sound when striking a golf ball that is not pleasing to the golfer. The modal analysis performed may be primarily focused to identify mode shapes having corresponding frequencies less than 3000 Hz, or less than 2500 Hz, or less than 1500 Hz. By adding a bracing member 630 at the proper location within the golf club head 602, the natural frequency of an undesirable frequency may be increased to have the golf club head 602 produce a sound that is more pleasing to the golfer.
The natural frequencies may be determined using a finite element analysis (FEA) technique of a computer aided design (CAD) model of the golf club head 602 or may be determined using a laser vibrometer or accelerometers attached to the golf club head 602 and exciting the golf club head 602 with an impact hammer or similar device.
As discussed above, the bracing member 630 may have different forms in different embodiments. In the embodiment of
Based upon the information generated modal analysis (either from FEA or experimental analysis) of the golf club head 602 prior to adding the bracing member 630 as illustrated in
In addition, a spine 638 may connect the first leg 635a and the second leg 635b. The spine 638 may be oriented in generally a heel-to-toe direction as shown in
The bracing member 630 may have a length that extend across at least 50% of the largest sole width in a heel-to-toe direction, or at least 60% of the largest sole width, or even at least 80% of the largest sole width. The bracing member 630 may have a weight within a range of 0.75 to 2 grams, or 1 to 4 grams, or 1 to 6 grams. Additionally, the golf club head 602 may comprise a plurality of bracing members 630, where each separate bracing member 630 may have an end connected to a point on the inner body surface 607 where the point is within 10 mm of a geometric center of a maximum displacement region of a mode shape of the body identified prior to connecting the bracing member 630, or where the point is within 5 mm of a geometric center of a maximum displacement region of a mode shape of the body identified prior to connecting the bracing member 630.
In an alternate embodiment, the bracing member 630 may have at least one leg 635 that may connect with a raised inner body surface 607 opposite an external pocket or channel. Also, the spine 638 may be spaced from a raised inner body surface 607 opposite an external pocket of channel.
The bracing member 630 may have a plurality of legs 635, such as 8 legs shown in
Each end of the spine 638 may be connected to a grouping of legs 635. Each end of the spine 638 may be connected to grouping of legs, where the grouping consists of 2 legs, 3 legs, or even 4 legs. One of the legs 635 may be joined to a second leg 635 at the distal ends 636, where the legs define a generally triangular shape. The first end 632a, the second end 632b, and the first and second distal ends 636a, 636b may combine to form three corners of the generally triangular shape. The bracing member 630 may further comprise a connecting truss 634 extending between the first distal end at least one of the second, third, and fourth distal ends, wherein the connecting truss is spaced from the inner body surface 607.
The method for determining the location for the bracing member 630 may comprise: (a) providing a golf club head 102 or a CAD model of the golf club head 102 having a face and a body with a sole with a bottom sole surface configured to confront a playing surface, and a crown with an upper crown configured to confront a playing surface; (b) determining the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the golf club head; (c) identifying a first mode shape with a corresponding first natural frequency less than 2500 Hz; (d) connecting a first end 632a of a bracing member 630 to a first point on an inner body surface 607 located within 5 mm of a geometric center 652 of a maximum displacement region 650 of a non-rigid body mode of the sole determined prior to the connection of the bracing member 630 and a second end 632b of a bracing member 630 to a second point spaced away from the first point. The second point may be spaced where the modal analysis shows little to no movement for the first mode or at least 10 mm from the first point, or at least 15 mm from the first point, or at least 20 mm from the first point. The bracing member 630 may have a bridge portion 633 extending between the first end 632a and the second end 632b, the bridge portion 633 extending upward from the inner body surface 607 and being spaced from the inner body surface 607. The first and second points 632a, 632b may be located on the upper sole surface 631 or may be located on the lower crown surface 642.
The bracing member 630 may be connected to an inner body surface 607 where the spine member 638 is spaced from the inner body surface 607 and a plurality of legs connected to the spine member 638 and extending outwardly and away from the spine member 638, with each of the legs 635 having a lower end connected to the inner body surface 607. The plurality of legs 635 may comprise a first leg 635 and a second leg 635 arranged as a pair and extending outwardly from opposite lateral sides of the spine member 638 at a first location along the length of the spine member, and a third leg 635 and a fourth leg 635 arranged as a second pair and extending outwardly from the opposite lateral sides of the spine member 638 at a second location along the length of the spine member 638. A portion of the spine member 638 may be positioned within 5 mm, or within 10 mm, of a location of a geometric center 652 of the maximum displacement region 650 of a non-rigid body mode of the sole identified prior to connecting the bracing member 630. The first, second, third, and fourth legs may all connect to separate points on the inner body surface 607 that are spaced from each other.
The legs 635 and spine member 638 may have a variety of cross-sectional shapes. The spine member 638 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape with a height that is at least 2 times the width, or a height that is at least 3 times the width. Alternatively, the spine member 638 may also have variety of cross-sectional shapes such as a circular shape, a square shape, or a cross-shape. The legs 635 may also have a variety of cross-sectional shapes such as a rectangular shape, a square shape, a circular shape, and a cross-shape.
The addition of a bracing member 630 or multiple bracing members 630 may increase the natural frequency of a specific mode shape into a range that is pleasing to a golfer. For instance, the natural frequency of a specific mode shape may be increased by at least 200 Hz when comparing the natural frequency prior to connecting the bracing member to the natural frequency of the same mode shape measured after connecting the bracing member. In addition, the natural frequency of a specific mode shape may be increased from below 2500 Hz to over 3000 Hz, which may be confirmed using any of the modal analysis or acoustic analysis methods described above.
The “same mode shape” or “same mode” refers to the mode shape or mode of the golf club head 602 that corresponds to the vibration of a specific region when measured using different modal analyses, such as before and after connecting a bracing member 630. For example, the golf club head 602 may a have a first natural frequency of the sole corresponding to a first mode shape, which is the first non-rigid body vibrational natural frequency of the sole. After the bracing member 630 is connected to the upper sole surface 631, the modal analysis may be performed again on the golf club head 602 and the golf club head 602 may have different properties such as a second natural frequency of the sole which corresponds to a second mode shape, which is also the first vibrational natural frequency of the sole. Here, since both the first mode shape measured before connecting the bracing member 630 and the second mode shape measured after connecting the bracing member 630 correspond to the first non-rigid body vibrational natural frequency of the sole, they are considered to have the “same mode shape” or “same mode.”
Alternatively, the results of the modal analysis may show the crown of the golf club head that may have a mode or frequency that may need to have a bracing member 630. As shown in
The various embodiments of bracing members described herein can provide at least localized reinforcement of the body. This reinforcing effect can change or affect the resonance of the head, which can deaden or otherwise alter sound from impacts on the face, improve the feel of the impact for the user, and/or increase energy and velocity transferred during impact through reduced vibrational damping. Additionally, weighting created by the bracing member(s) and/or used in conjunction with the bracing member(s) can create unique weighting configurations. Further, the bracing member(s) can provide reinforcement to potential failure points on the head. This, in turn, permits portions of the head to be made from thinner materials, which can increase energy transfer and ball velocity. Areas made of such thinner material can be more prone to failure, and the bracing member(s) can reinforce such areas to resist failure. Still further benefits can be recognized and appreciated by those skilled in the art.
While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and methods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
This is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/089,614, filed Nov. 4, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/460,876, filed Jul. 2, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,835,793, issued on Nov. 17, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/927,995, filed Mar. 21, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,384,107 issued Aug. 20, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/214,710, filed Jul. 20, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/203,422, filed on Jul. 6, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,827,473, issued Nov. 28, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/787,175, filed on Mar. 6, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,393,473, issued Jul. 19, 2016, all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17089614 | Nov 2020 | US |
| Child | 18805434 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16460876 | Jul 2019 | US |
| Child | 17089614 | US | |
| Parent | 15927995 | Mar 2018 | US |
| Child | 16460876 | US | |
| Parent | 15214710 | Jul 2016 | US |
| Child | 15927995 | US | |
| Parent | 13787175 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Child | 15203422 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15203422 | Jul 2016 | US |
| Child | 15214710 | US |
