FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The presently disclosed technology relates generally to an improved adjustable weighting system for an iron and/or wedge type golf club head. More specifically, the golf club head in accordance with the presently disclosed technology relates to an improved adjustable weighting system that allows a user to view a position of one or more weights in the golf club head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the game of golf, every golfer's swing is a little different from the next one. Consequently, what is best for one golfer may not always be the best for another golfer. In one example, one golfer may require a golf club that provides a lot of forgiveness, while in another example, the other golfer may require a golf club that provides more precision. In the golfing equipment industry, different types and models of golf clubs have traditionally been provided to meet the different needs of the various golfers.
With the continued development of innovation with golf club technology, golf club designers have been capable of incorporating adjustability in a golf club head to try and meet the varying needs of a golfer. U.S. Pat. No. 8,088,019 to Long et al. illustrates an example of adding an adjustable hosel mechanism to a golf club head, allowing the loft, lie, and face angle of a golf club head to be adjusted to accommodate the needs of a golfer.
In addition to adjustable hosel technology, U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,425 to Willett et al. illustrates that weighting in a golf club head may also be adjusted via one or more weighting screws that may have different densities, altering the center of gravity of the golf club head, providing a golfer with different ball flight characteristics depending on the needs of a golfer.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,696,491 to Myers provide another way to provide adjustability in a metalwood golf club head via a track weighting system instead of plurality of individual weights, allowing a single a weight to be moved along a track in a golf club head, also manipulating the center of gravity and the performance of the golf club head.
The utilization of adjustable weighting is not only applicable in metalwood type golf club heads as shown above, but also can be used in an iron type context to achieve similar objectives. U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,354 to Ahn et al. illustrates one of the earlier efforts to adjust weighting in an iron type golf club head using various types of adjustments that are very visual. Maintaining clean visual aesthetics is a very important feature in a golf club design, as it is often associated with the confidence of a golfer.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,774 to Kim et al. provides a more modern day attempt to adjust the weighting of a golf club head, but this time attempting to preserve the overall look of the golf club head.
All of the above exemplary advancements in golf club head performance have been very effective in adjusting the weighting and center of gravity of a golf club head. However, despite all the advancements above, none of the references has truly provided a aesthetically pleasing way to provide adjustment of weighting and thus the center of gravity of the golf club head all while preserving the shape and look of a traditional golf club head.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In some aspects, the presently disclosed technology described herein relate to a golf club head including a body portion. The body portion may further include a striking face, defining a striking face plane, having a lower edge. The body portion may include a sole extending rearward from said lower edge. The body portion may further include a back portion positioned rearward of said striking face and coupled to a rearward portion of said sole. The body portion may include a rear cavity formed near said sole of said body portion. The golf club head may include a weight assembly. The weight assembly may include a cover adapted to cover said rear cavity further. The cover may include a heel portion, a toe portion, and a through bore, separating said heel portion and said toe portion. The cover may further include a movable weight movable along at least one of said heel portion or toe portion. The cover may include a first visual indicator above said movable weight. Said first visual indicator may be a first color to indicate a position of said movable weight along said cover. The weight assembly may include a fastener adapted to engage said through bore to secure said cover to said body portion.
In embodiments, said cover may further include a biased weight.
In embodiments, a top surface of said heel portion or said toe portion may include a second visual indicator in a second color to indicate whether said biased weight is biased toward said heel portion or biased toward said toe portion.
In embodiments, said movable weight may be detachably movable along said heel portion and said toe portion. In some embodiments, said movable weight may be adapted to engage at least a first portion of said heel portion and at least a second portion of said toe portion to secure said movable weight to said cover.
In embodiments, said movable weight may be movable to a neutral position on an opposite side of said biased weight to provide a neutral center of gravity for said golf club head.
In embodiments, said biased weight may be an integrated weight. In some embodiments, said integrated weight may extend away from a heel end of said heel portion or a toe end of said toe portion.
In embodiments, said cover may further include at least one of a heel opening along at least a first portion of a heel length of said heel portion or a toe opening along at least a second portion of a toe length of said toe portion.
In embodiments, said movable weight may further include a weight body, and a protrusion extending from a top surface of said weight body. In some embodiments, said protrusion may be adapted to slide along at least one of said heel opening or said toe opening. In embodiments, said first visual indicator may be on top of said protrusion.
In embodiments, moving said movable weight along said at least one of said heel opening or said toe opening may cause a delta change in gravity along an x-axis (Δx) between about 0 mm to about 2 mm.
In embodiments, moving said movable weight along said at least one of said heel opening or said toe opening may cause a delta change in gravity along an x-axis (Δx) between about 0 mm to about 1 mm.
In embodiments, moving said movable weight along said at least one of said heel opening or said toe opening may cause a delta change in gravity along an x-axis (Δx) between about 0 mm to about 0.5 mm.
In embodiments, a length of said weight body may be greater than a length of said at least one of said heel opening or said toe opening.
In embodiments, a top surface of said heel portion and said toe portion may include multiple visual indicators along a heel length of said heel portion and a toe length of said toe portion. In some embodiments, said multiple visual indicators may include magnetically activated paint.
In embodiments, said movable weight may be magnetic. In some embodiments, said magnetically activated paint may be a third color based on said movable weight being at or within a spatial proximity to said magnetically activated paint. In embodiments, said magnetically activated paint may be a fourth color based on said movable weight being outside said spatial proximity to said magnetically activated paint.
In embodiments, said cover is at least translucent.
In embodiments, said movable weight may partially fill said at least one of said heel portion or said toe portion.
In some aspects, the presently disclosed technology described herein relate to a golf club head including a body portion. The body portion may further include a striking face, defining a striking face plane, having a lower edge. The body portion may include a sole extending rearward from said lower edge. The body portion may further include a back portion positioned rearward of said striking face and coupled to a rearward portion of said sole. The body portion may include a rear cavity formed near said sole of said body portion. The golf club head may include a weight assembly. The weight assembly may further include a cover adapted to cover said rear cavity. The cover may include a heel portion, a toe portion, a biased weight biased toward said heel portion or said toe portion, and a through bore, separating said heel portion and said toe portion. The cover may further include a detachable weight adapted to engage at least a first portion of said heel portion and/or a second portion of said toe portion. Said detachable weight may be movable to a neutral position on an opposite side of said biased weight to provide a neutral center of gravity for said golf club head. The cover may include a fastener, adapted to engage said through bore to secure said cover to said body portion.
In embodiments, a top surface of said heel portion or said toe portion may include a first visual indicator in a first color to indicate a position of said biased weight along said weight assembly.
In embodiments, said cover may further include at least one of a heel opening along at least said first portion of said heel portion or a toe opening along at least said second portion of said toe portion. In some embodiments, a top surface of said detachable weight may include a second visual indicator in a second color. In embodiments, second visual indicator may indicate a position of said detachable weight along said at least one of said heel opening or said toe opening.
In embodiments, a top surface of said heel portion and said toe portion may include multiple visual indicators along said first portion of said heel portion and said second portion of said toe portion. In some embodiments, said multiple visual indicators may include magnetically activated paint. In embodiments, said detachable weight may be magnetic. In some embodiments, said magnetically activated paint may be a third color based on said detachable weight being at or within a spatial proximity to said magnetically activated paint. In embodiments, said magnetically activated paint may be a fourth color based on said detachable weight being outside said spatial proximity to said magnetically activated paint.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of a golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows an exploded view of a golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows an internal perspective view of the weight assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 of the accompany drawings shows another internal perspective view of the weight assembly in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings shows a frontal view of a golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings shows an exploded heel side view of a golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings shows a rear view of a golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head taken along cross-sectional line A-A′ shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head taken along cross-sectional line B-B′ shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head taken along cross-sectional line C-C′ shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 of the accompanying drawings shows an exploded perspective view of a golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional view of the weight assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 of the accompanying drawings shows an exploded perspective view of a golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of a golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 of the accompanying drawings shows a partially cut open perspective view of a golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of the weight assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of the weight assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of the weight assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description describes the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Various inventive features are described below and each can be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any or all of the problems discussed above or may only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.
Before beginning the discussion on the current inventive golf club head and its performance criteria, it is worthwhile to note here that the discussion below will be based on a coordinate system 301 (shown in FIG. 3) and axis of measurement that is critical to the proper valuation of the performance numbers. Hence, it is important to recognize here that although the specific names given for the measurements below are important to the understanding of the current invention, the naming nomenclature should not be viewed in vacuum. Rather, the importance is the numbers presented below needs to be taken in context with how the coordinate system relates to the golf club head itself. In order to provide sufficient information to avoid any ambiguity, each of the figures provided below referencing a golf club head will all be accompanied by a coordinate system that is all consistent with one another.
Pursuant to the above, and to establish the reference coordinate system for the subsequent discussion, FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings shows the coordinate system 501 that will be used to define the various measurement and performance figures for the current invention. The x-axis used by the current discussion refers to the axis that is horizontal to the striking face from a heel to toe direction. The y-axis used by the current discussion refers to the vertical axis through the club in a crown to sole direction. The z-axis used by the current discussion refers to the horizontal axis that is horizontal front to back in a forward and rear direction. Alternatively speaking, it can be the x-axis is defined as a horizontal axis tangent to a geometric center of the striking face with the positive direction towards a heel of the golf club head, a y-axis is a vertical axis orthogonal to the x-axis with a positive direction towards a top of the golf club head, and a z-axis being orthogonal to both the x-axis and the y-axis with a positive direction towards a front of the golf club head. The x-y-z coordinate system described above shall be the same for all subsequent discussions.
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of a golf club head 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The golf club head 100 shown here in FIG. 1 may have a body that has a striking face 502 (shown in FIG. 5), a sole 104 extending rearward from a lower leading edge of the striking face 502 (shown in FIG. 5), and a back portion 106 positioned rearward of the striking face 502 (shown in FIG. 5) that is coupled to the rear portion of the sole 104. The golf club head 100, in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention may also have a rear cavity 208 (shown in FIG. 2) adapted to receive a weight assembly 110. The rear cavity 208 (shown in FIG. 2) is generally located within the muscle portion of the golf club head 100 to create a seamless and aesthetically pleasing visual in accordance with one of the main objectives of the present invention.
FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows an exploded view of a golf club head 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this exploded view of the golf club head 200 shown in FIG. 2, with the weight assembly 210 removed from the rear cavity 208, we can see how the various components of the weight assembly 210 interface with the rear cavity 208. The weight assembly 210 shown here is further comprised out of a cover 212 that is shaped and sized to completely cover the void created by the rear cavity 208. The cover has an internal heel receptacle 322 (shown in FIG. 3) and an internal toe receptacle 324 (shown in FIG. 3), separated by a through bore 214, both of which are adapted to receive the weight 216. The fastener 218 shown in FIG. 2 allows the entirety of the weight assembly 210, including the weight 216 that is internally installed in the cover 212 is secured to the rear cavity 208 when a fastener 218 engaged a threaded receptacle 220 within the rear cavity 208.
It is worth noting here that the weight 216 may be installed into the internal heel receptacle 322 (shown in FIG. 3) or the internal toe receptacle 324 (shown in FIG. 3) to help adjust the center of gravity of the golf club head 200 depending on which receptacle its installed in. In fact, the present invention envisions that the weight 216 may not be sized to fill out the entirety of the internal heel receptacle 322 (shown in FIG. 3) or the internal toe receptacle 324 (shown in FIG. 3), further allowing for additional adjustments to the center of gravity of the golf club head 200 depending on where it is installed within each of the receptacles.
The weight 216 shown in this embodiment of the present invention may generally be made out of a high density material having a density of greater than about 12 g/cc, more preferably having a density of greater than about 14 g/cc, and most preferably having a density of greater than about 17 g/cc. In one exemplary embodiment, the preferred material for the weight 216 may be a tungsten type material, however, in alternative embodiments other various types of materials may also be used without departing from the scope and content of the present invention so long as it has a density higher than steel.
A closer comparison of the fully assembled golf club head 100 shown in FIG. 1 and the exploded view of golf club head 200 shown in FIG. 2 will illustrate one of the critical and key features of the present invention, wherein the cover 212 completely conceals the weight 216 from view when the cover 212 is fully secured to the rear cavity 208 of the golf club head 200. This feature is different from other type of tracked weighting systems where an indicator is required to identify the location, which is critical to the current wedge type design because unlike other types of golf clubs that are not subjected to heavy ground impacts, wedge type golf club heads need to be durable under impact with various turf conditions, including bunkers, making this feature critical to the present invention.
FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows an internal perspective view of the weight assembly 310 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The internal perspective view of the weight assembly 310 allows the internal heel receptacle 322 and the internal toe receptacle 324 to be shown more clearly. In this embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the weight 316 is installed in the internal heel receptacle 322, while the internal toe receptacle 324 remains empty. Having the high density weight 316 installed in the internal heel receptacle 322 will allow the center of gravity of the golf club head to be shifted towards the heel side of the golf club head, while the opposite would be true if the weight 316 is installed in the internal toe receptacle 324. Finally, FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings also illustrates the fastener 318 separating the internal heel receptacle 322 from the internal toe receptacle 324, wherein the fastener 318 is adapted to engage the threaded receptacle 220 (shown in FIG. 2) to secure the weight assembly 310 to the golf club head.
It should be noted here that the weight 316, as shown in FIG. 3 may not completely fill up the entirety of the internal heel receptacle 322, and in this embodiment shown, only fill up the terminal side of the internal heel receptacle 322, leaving a gap in the proximal side of the internal heel receptacle 322. However, it should be noted that in alternative embodiment of the present invention, the weight 316 could occupy numerous other locations with either the internal heel receptacle 322 or the internal toe receptacle 324 all without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.
FIG. 4 of the accompany drawings shows a one of the alternative locations for the weight 416 within the internal toe receptacle 424 instead of the internal heel receptacle 422. In addition to showing an embodiment on how the weight can be placed in an alternative location within the internal toe receptacle 424, FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings also shows that the placement of the weight within the internal toe receptacle 424 could also differ. In the weight assembly 410 shown in FIG. 4, the weight 416 can be placed closer to the fastener 418 at the proximal end of the internal toe receptacle 424, leaving a gap at the distal end of the internal toe receptacle 424. Needless to say, in a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the weight 416 may also be placed in a proximal end of the internal heel receptacle 422 without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.
FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings shows a frontal view of a golf club head 500, allowing the striking face 502 to be shown. In this frontal view of the golf club head 500 shown in FIG. 5, we can identify cross-sectional lines A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, the details of which will be shown later. The cross-sectional line A-A′ passes through the center of the fastener 218 (shown in FIG. 2), the cross-sectional line B-B′ passes through a plane toeward of cross-sectional line A-A′, and can illustrate the empty side of the internal toe receptacle, which in this embodiment, is shown as the empty cavity.
In addition to illustrating the cross-sectional lines along this x-y plane, FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings also shows a face center 532 and a center of gravity 534 location of the golf club head 500. The face center 532 of the golf club head 500 is defined as the midpoint between the full length scorelines (ignoring any partial scorelines at the top of the striking face 502) along the x-axis, located on frontal striking surface of the striking face 502 on the fifth scoreline counting from the bottom. Highlighting the location of the center of gravity in the present invention is important because the adjustable weight assembly 210 (shown in FIG. 2) adjusts the location of the weight along the x-axis, thus the resultant center of gravity location along the x-axis will change depending on the location of the weight 216 (shown in FIG. 2) within the weight assembly 210 (shown in FIG. 2).
In this current embodiment of the present invention, the distance d1 of the center of gravity 534 along the x-axis away from the face center 532 may generally be between about 2 mm to about 8 mm, more preferably between about 3 mm to about 7 mm, and most preferably between about 3 mm to about 6 mm. Because the range of center of gravity locations above relate to different wedge chassis having different lofts, the entirety of the CG distance range articulated above is generally not within the possibility of the adjustability. In reality, the change in center of gravity location of the wedge between the extremities of the weight placement within the internal heel receptacle 322 (shown in FIG. 3) and the internal toe receptacle 324 (shown in FIG. 3) of the weight assembly 310 (shown in FIG. 3) may result in a delta change, quantified as Δx of between about 0 mm to about 2.5 mm, more preferably between about 0 mm to about 2.0 mm, and most preferably between 0 mm and about 1.8 mm, all without departing from the scope and content of the present invention. Alternatively speaking, it can be said that the weigh assembly 310 is capable of achieving a delta change along the x-axis (Δx) of between about 0 mm to about 2.5 mm, more preferably between about 0 mm to about 2.0 mm, and most preferably between 0 mm and about 1.8 mm.
FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings shows an exploded heel side view of a golf club head 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this exploded view of the golf club head 600, it can be seen that the entirely of weight assembly 610 moves along a weight axis 636, which forms a weight assembly angle α with the loft plane 638 of the golf club head 600. The loft plane 638 shown here in FIG. 6 is a plane that is formed along x-z plane as shown in the coordinate system 601 and is intended to capture the loft of the golf club head 600. The loft plane 638 form a loft angle θ with the ground plane 640 that is greater than about 40 degrees, more preferably greater than about 43 degrees, and most preferably greater than about 45 degrees.
The weight assembly angle α is critical to the present invention because it ensures that the weight assembly 610 is strategically placed within the muscle portion of the golf club head 600. In the current exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the weight assembly angle α may generally be between −10 degrees and +10 degrees of the loft plane 638, more preferably between −5 degrees and +10 degrees of the loft plane 638, and most preferably between about 0 degrees and +10 degrees of the loft plane 638. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the weight assembly angle α may be illustrated as a positive number, but a could also be a negative number as described above without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.
In addition to illustrating the two angles above, the exploded heel side view of the golf club head 600 also allows the cover 612, the weight 616, and the fastener 618 of the weight assembly 610 to be shown in more detail. In this specific embodiment of the present invention, the fastener 318 may be a double threaded screw that allows for ease of partial extraction to facilitate the flipping of the cover 612 of the weight assembly 610 also without departing from the scope and content of the present invention. In this embodiment of the present invention, the coarse thread portion of the double threaded fastener 618 may form the first 4 mm portion of the thread, allowing the first 4 mm of the disengagement process to occur quickly, while the remaining portion of the threads have a finer composition to prevent accidental removal of the entire cover 612 without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.
FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings shows a rear view of a golf club head 700 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this view of the invention shown in FIG. 7, it can be seen once again that when fully installed, the cover 712 of the weight assembly 710 is sized and shaped to have the same size and dimension as the rear cavity 208 (shown in FIG. 2) thus that in this rear view, the rear cavity 208 (shown in FIG. 2) is completely concealed. Moreover, as previously mentioned, the critical aspect of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 is that the weight that is inserted within either the internal heel receptacle or the internal toe receptacle is completely hidden and invisible from this view, which as previously discussed, is a critical aspect of the present invention.
In addition to reinforcing this key feature of the present invention, FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings shows a weight assembly 710 width d2 that is measured from the heel most point of the weight assembly 710 to the toe most point of the weight assembly 710. Width d2, as shown in this embodiment of the present invention, may generally be greater than about 45 mm, more preferably greater than about 50 mm, and most preferably greater than about 55 mm, all without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.
FIG. 8 of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head 800 taken along cross-sectional line A-A′ shown in FIG. 5, down the middle of the club head where the fastener 816 is located. This cross-sectional view of the golf club head 800 taken along cross-sectional line A-A′ illustrates the how the internal components of the fastener 812 can be used to secure the cover 810 into a threaded receptacle 820 of the rear cavity along the weight axis 836.
FIG. 9 of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head 900 taken along cross-sectional line B-B′ shown in FIG. 5, at a location that bisects the internal toe receptacle 924. This cross-sectional view of the golf club head 900 taken along cross-sectional line B-B′ illustrates the internal component of the cover 912 concealing the rear cavity, wherein the internal toe receptacle 924 does not contain any weight.
FIG. 10 of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head 1000 taken along cross-sectional line C-C′ shown in FIG. 5, at a location that bisects the internal heel receptacle 1022. This cross-sectional view of the golf club head 1000 taken along cross-sectional line C-C′ illustrates the internal components of the cover 1012 concealing the rear cavity, wherein the internal heel receptacle 1022 does contain a weight 1016.
FIG. 11 of the accompanying drawings shows an exploded perspective view of a golf club head 1100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this perspective view of golf club head 1100, weight assembly 1110 is in an unfastened state, that is, where weight assembly 1110 is removed from rear cavity 1108. In the unfastened state, it may be easier to see how the various components of weight assembly 1110 interface with rear cavity 1108. Weight assembly 1110 may include cover 1112 that is shaped and sized to cover the void created by rear cavity 1108 and weight 1116, which includes weight body 1117 and protrusion 1128. In embodiments, weight 1116 may be referred to as a movable weight or a detachable weight to indicate it can slide along an opening (e.g., toe opening 1126 or heel opening (not shown in FIG. 11)) and/or can be detachable from a first opening (e.g., toe opening 1126 or heel opening (not shown in FIG. 11)) and removably attachable to a second opening (e.g., heel opening (not shown in FIG. 11) or toe opening 1126) without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology as set forth in the claims. Cover 1112 may include heel portion 1122 and toe portion 1124, separated by through bore 1114 and fastener 1118. Cover 1112 may also include toe opening 1126. Heel portion 1122 and toe portion 1124 may be adapted to receive weight 1116. As illustrated, heel portion 1122 and toe portion 1124 have less material on at least the side walls than embodiments of the internal heel receptacles and the internal toe receptacles described herein. For example, material on sides of cover 1112, between a heel end, the end furthest from through bore 1114, of heel portion 1122 and a toe end, the end furthest from through bore 1114, of toe portion 1124, may be different from sides of embodiments disclosing the internal heel receptacles and the internal toe receptacles described herein. However, it should be appreciated that heel portion 1122 and toe portion 1124 may be designed differently in different embodiments, including, for example, with no material along a side of heel portion 1122, no material along a heel end of heel portion 1122, no material along an end or sides of toe portion 1124, a gradual increase, or taper, in material from through bore 1114 toward toe end of toe portion 1124, a gradual decrease in material from through bore 1114 toward toe end of toe portion 1124, a different shape and/or size adapted to fit in rear cavity 1108, and/or other types of covers without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology as set forth in the claims.
In embodiments, securing element 1130 of toe portion 1124 may be used to secure weight 1116 to cover 1112. For example, FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the weight assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Weight assembly 1210 may be the same as or substantially similar to weight assembly 1110. As illustrated, a lower portion of securing element 1230 is adapted to fit within groove 1217 of weight 1216. As discussed herein, weight 1216 may be installed in heel portion 1222 or toe portion 1224. It should be appreciated this is one mechanism to install weight 1216 to cover 1212, and there may be other ways of installing weight 1116, including for example, another mechanism may include an adjustable heel portion or adjustable toe portion that loosens and tightens across the cross-section illustrated in FIG. 12 to install weight 1216 to cover 1212, pressure fitting weight 1216 into heel portion 1222 or toe portion 1224, a groove in weight 1216 between weight body and a top surface of protrusion 1228 to fit into toe opening 1126 or a heel opening, and/or other mechanisms without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology as set forth in the claims. In some embodiments, a length of the weight body may be greater than a length of at least one of the heel opening or toe opening 1126. In embodiments, a length of the weight body may be smaller than a length of at least one of the heel opening or toe opening 1126.
Referring back to FIG. 11, weight 1116 may be installed within toe portion 1124 at a location closest to through bore 1114. It should be appreciated that weight 1116 may be moved anywhere along toe opening 1126 toward a toe end of toe portion 1124. In some embodiments, weight 1116 may be installed along heel portion 1122 where a heel opening (not shown in FIG. 11) may be. In embodiments, protrusion 1128 may be detachable to allow a user to detach weight 1116 from a toe portion 1124 to heel portion 1122 in an embodiment of cover 1112 with toe opening 1126 and heel opening (not shown in FIG. 11). In some embodiments, weight 1116 may be pre-installed into toe opening 1126 or heel opening (not shown in FIG. 11). It should also be appreciated that a length of toe opening 1126 or heel opening (not shown in FIG. 11) may be longer or shorter than what is illustrated. The position of weight 1116 along cover 1112 may be used to help adjust the center of gravity of the golf club head 1100.
Protrusion 1128 may include visual indicator 1129, in a first color, on a top surface of protrusion 1128. In embodiments, visual indicator 1129 may cover a portion of the top surface of protrusion 1128. In some embodiments, visual indicator 1129 may cover the entire top surface of protrusion 1128. In some embodiments, protrusion 1128 may be the visual indicator 1129. While visual indicator 1129 is illustrated as a circular dot, it should be appreciated that visual indicator 1129 may take different forms, including for example, a star-shaped dimple, a hexagonal bump, a painted triangle, a forged line, a movable square visual indicator, and other types of visual indicators. A position of movable weight 1116 along cover 1112 may be indicated by visual indicator 1129 that is viewable through toe opening 1126.
FIG. 13 of the accompanying drawings shows an exploded perspective view of a golf club head 1300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 illustrates components that may be the same or substantially similar to components illustrated in FIG. 11. For example, golf club head 1300 may be the same as or substantially similar to weight golf club head 1100, weight 1316 may be the same as or substantially similar to weight 1116, rear cavity 1308 may be the same as or substantially similar to rear cavity 1108, and weight assembly may be in an unfastened state. Heel portion 1322 may include heel opening 1326 to view protrusion 1328. Heel portion 1322 may be separated by toe portion 1324 by through bore 1314 and fastener 1318.
FIG. 14 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of a golf club head 1400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 illustrates components that may be the same or substantially similar to components illustrated in FIG. 11. For example, golf club head 1400 may be the same as or substantially similar to golf club head 1100, cover 1412 may be the same as or substantially similar to cover 1112, and rear cavity 1408 may be the same as or substantially similar to rear cavity 1108. As illustrated, weight assembly 1410 may be in a fastened state, that is, where weight assembly 1110 is fastened to rear cavity 1408.
FIG. 15 of the accompanying drawings shows a partially cut open perspective view of a golf club head 1500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 illustrates components that may be the same or substantially similar to components illustrated in FIG. 11. For example, golf club head 1500 may be the same as or substantially similar to golf club head 1100, cover 1512 may be the same as or substantially similar to cover 1112, and rear cavity 1508 may be the same as or substantially similar to rear cavity 1108. As illustrated in this cut away perspective view, rear cavity 1508 may include positional elements 1509 adapted to engage weight 1516. For example, positional elements 1509 may be shaped and sized to engage a bottom surface of weight 1516. It should be appreciated that the number of positional elements 1509 may be less than two or more than two. It should be appreciated that rear cavity 1508 may not have any positional elements 1509, and weight 1516 may be continually adjustable along toe opening 1526. In embodiments, weight 1516 may be secured in a position with another mechanism, including, for example, a cover fastener with another through bore on cover 1512 and a threaded portion on weight 1516, an adjustable cover as described above, a protrusion fastener where protrusion 1528 is adapted to be removably secured to weight 1516, a click-to-secure mechanism with positional elements on cover 1512 and weight 1516, a snap-on mechanism with one or more through bores on cover 1512 engaging with protrusion 1528, and/or other mechanisms without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology as set forth in the claims. A position of weight 1516 along cover 1512 may be indicated by protrusion 1528 and/or a visual indicator (not shown in FIG. 15).
FIG. 16 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of the weight assembly 1610 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 illustrates components that may be the same or substantially similar to components illustrated in FIG. 13. Weight assembly 1610 may include biased weight 1632 and multiple visual indicators 1634, 1635. As illustrated, biased weight 1632 may be an integrated weight. The integrated weight may extend from a toe end of toe portion 1624. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments biased weight 1632 may use different materials or composites in cover 1612 to make toe portion 1624 heavier than heel portion, or vice versa, without the use of an integrated-type weight that extends from a toe edge of toe portion 1624 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology as set forth in the claims. It should also be appreciated that the shape and/or size of weight 1632 may differ without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology as set forth in the claims.
Visual indicator 1635 may be a second color to indicate a current position of weight 1616. In some embodiments, movable weight 1616 may be movable to a neutral position on an opposite side of biased weight 1632 to provide a neutral center of gravity for a golf club head. A neutral center of gravity may be the center of gravity without weight 1616 and biased weight 1632 or the center of gravity without weight assembly 1610. The neutral position may be the position of weight 1616 to provide the neutral center of gravity for the golf club head with weight assembly 1610 installed. In some embodiments, moving the movable weight along at least one of the heel opening or the toe opening is capable of a delta change in center of gravity along an x-axis (Δx) between about 0 mm to about 2 mm. In embodiments, moving movable weight 1616 may cause a delta change in center of gravity along an x-axis (Δx) between about 0 mm to about 1 mm. In some embodiments, moving movable weight 1616 may cause a delta change in center of gravity along an x-axis (Δx) between about 0 mm to about 0.5 mm. The actual distance moved by weight 1616 along toe portion or heel portion may be up to 10 mm, 8 mm, 6 mm, 4 mm, and so on, including any values in between without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology as set forth in the claims.
In embodiments, visual indicators 1634, 1635 may include a magnetically activated paint such that the presence of a magnetic field of a given strength reversibly changes the color of visual indicators 1634, 1635. The magnetic field may be greater than 0.005 Teslas, 0.01 Teslas, 0.02 Teslas, or the like, including any values in between, It should be appreciated that these magnetic field values are merely examples and other values may be used to trigger the reversible color change of visual indicators 1634, 1635 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology as set forth in the claims. In some embodiments, weight 1616 may be magnetic. As illustrated, visual indicator 1635 is a second color because weight 1616 is at or within a spatial proximity to visual indicator 1635 such that it triggers a reversible color change of visual indicator 1635. Visual indicators 1634 may be outside the spatial proximity of the magnetic field of movable magnetic weight 1616 such that visual indicators are a first color. In some embodiments, cover 1612 may be translucent on at least a top surface and visual indicator (not shown in FIG. 16) may be visible through cover 1612 to indicate a position of weight 1616. In embodiments, cover 1612 may be transparent on at least a top surface. In embodiments, weight assembly 1610 may include a clip (not shown) to secure fastener 1618 to cover 1612 in an unfastened state. The clip may be permanent or removable. The clip may prevent loss of fastener 1618 when fastener 1618 is unfastened from cover 1612.
FIG. 17 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of the weight assembly 1710 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 illustrates components that may be the same or substantially similar to components illustrated in FIG. 16. Weight assembly 1710 may include visual indicator 1734 and window 1736. Visual indicator 1734 and/or window 1736 may be used to indicate whether the biased weight is biased toward the heel portion or biased toward the toe portion. While visual indicator 1734 is illustrated as being positioned on a toe end of toe portion 1724, it should be appreciated that visual indicator 1734 may be positioned anywhere along toe portion 1724 to indicate the bias of biased weight 1732. In embodiments, a position of visual indicator 1734 may indicate how much of a bias is caused by biased weight 1732 such that the closer visual indicator 1734 is to a toe end of toe portion 1724, the more biased biased weight 1732 is toward the toe end of toe portion 1724. As another example, the closer visual indicator 1734 is toward through bore 1714, the less biased biased weight 1732 is toward toe end of toe portion 1724.
FIG. 18 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of the weight assembly 1810 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 illustrates components that may be the same or substantially similar to components illustrated in FIG. 16. Weight assembly 1810 may include movable weights 1816, 1840. Position of movable weight 1816 may be indicated by visual indicator 1835 in a second color. Position of weight 1840 may be indicated by visual indicator 1838 in a third color. Movable weight 1840 may be the same weight as movable weight 1816. In embodiments, movable weight 1840 may be a different weight than movable weight 1816. In some embodiments, movable weight 1840 may be a different material than movable weight 1816, such as, for example, plastic, metal, composite, and/or other materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology as set forth in the claims. Biased weight 1832 may be indicated by visual indicator 1834 in a first color.
As illustrated, there are no openings (e.g., heel opening or toe opening) in cover 1812 other than through bore 1814. As discussed herein, it should be appreciated that there are embodiments that have one opening or multiple openings (e.g., through bores, openings like heel opening and toe opening described herein, openings along side walls, or other types of openings) without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology as set forth in the claims. For example, there may be through holes at the positions of visual indicators 1835 and 1838, and movable weights 1816 and 1840 may have protrusions that can be removably inserted into these holes to secure movable weights 1816 and 1840 to cover 1812. The tops of these protrusions may have different colors to indicate a position of each weight when secured to cover 1812.
Other than in the operating example, 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, draft angles, various performance 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 attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. 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 invention 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.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the present invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Patent Application
20240066366
