Patent Application
20250186855
This disclosure relates generally to golf clubs, and more particularly to golf clubs configured to promote detection and accuracy when analyzed by a launch monitor.
For some launch monitors, which detect head presentation parameters of a golf club head and other parameters of a golf club during a golf swing, tracking markers (or stickers) are manually and temporarily adhered to the face of a finished golf club head. Conventional tracking markers include a surface that is identified by the launch monitor and tracked during the golf swing to determine the head presentation parameters of the golf club head. To promote accuracy, the tracking markers should be positioned in precise locations corresponding to those expected by the launch monitor.
However, the conventional process of manually sticking conventional tracking markers on the face of a golf club head is imprecise. Additionally, manual placement of conventional tracking markers on a finished golf club head is time consuming and requires removal of adhesive residue, which can be left behind on the face of the golf club head after the conventional tracking markers are removed. Additionally, tracking markers are designed only for temporary use during a launch monitor hitting session. In fact, tracking markers on the outside surface of the strike face renders the golf club head non-conforming under current United States Golf Association (USGA) rules (e.g., Rule 4.1a(3) considers stickers on the outside of a golf club to be an external attachment, and thus rendering the golf club as non-confirming equipment). Players using a golf club head with temporary tracking markers on the outside of the strike face can and should be disqualified from tournaments and competitions.
Conventional tracking markers, which are designed only for temporary use, must be removed following a launch monitor hitting session and before the golf club is in suitable condition for actual play. Although many players know this rule, the small size of the tracking markers can make it easy to accidentally leave the markers on the face as the players transition from a launch monitor session, such as on the range, to tournament play. Also, conventional tracking markers are manufactured, purchased, and stored separate from golf clubs, which adds to the cost and burden associated with determining parameters of a golf club by a launch monitor during a hitting session.
The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the shortcomings of golf clubs and tracking markers that have not yet been fully solved. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present application has been developed to provide a golf club, with embedded tracking markers, that overcomes at least some of the above-discussed shortcomings of conventional golf clubs.
Disclosed herein is a golf club head that includes a forward portion, including a strike face, a crown portion, a rear portion, an interior cavity, and a trihedral corner reflector permanently embedded in, integrally formed in, or attached to at least one of the crown portion or the rear portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 1 of the present disclosure.
The trihedral corner reflector is permanently embedded in, integrally formed in, or attached to the crown portion. The trihedral corner reflector is configured to be tracked by an overhead launch monitor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 2 of the present disclosure, wherein example 2 also includes the subject matter according to example 1, above.
The crown portion includes a crown insert. The trihedral corner reflector is integrally formed in the crown insert. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 3 of the present disclosure, wherein example 3 also includes the subject matter according to example 2, above.
The crown insert is made of a fiber-reinforced polymeric material. The trihedral corner reflector includes a coating or paint on the fiber-reinforced polymeric material. The coating or the paint is made of an electrically-conductive metallic material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 4 of the present disclosure, wherein example 4 also includes the subject matter according to example 3, above.
The trihedral corner reflector is permanently embedded in, integrally formed in, or attached to the rear portion. The trihedral corner reflector is configured to be tracked by a rear launch monitor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 5 of the present disclosure, wherein example 5 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-4, above.
The rear portion of the golf club head is made of an electrically-conductive metallic material. The trihedral corner reflector is integrally formed in the rear portion. The trihedral corner reflector is defined by the electrically-conductive metallic material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 6 of the present disclosure, wherein example 6 also includes the subject matter according to example 5, above.
The trihedral corner reflector includes a plurality of retroreflective surfaces that are more retroreflective than a surrounding portion of the crown portion or the rear portion that at least partially surrounds the trihedral corner reflector. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 7 of the present disclosure, wherein example 7 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-6, above.
The trihedral corner reflector includes a plurality of retroreflective surfaces coated with an electrically-conductive coating or paint. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 8 of the present disclosure, wherein example 8 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-7, above.
The electrically-conductive coating or paint includes silver, aluminum, gold, or copper. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 9 of the present disclosure, wherein example 9 also includes the subject matter according to example 8, above.
The trihedral corner reflector is covered by a radar-transparent material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 10 of the present disclosure, wherein example 10 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-9, above.
The radar-transparent material includes at least one of glass fiber, glass, epoxy, thermoplastic, or polyurethane. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 11 of the present disclosure, wherein example 11 also includes the subject matter according to example 10, above.
The radar-transparent material is transparent to visible light. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 12 of the present disclosure, wherein example 12 also includes the subject matter according to example 11, above.
The radar-transparent material is opaque to visible light. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 13 of the present disclosure, wherein example 13 also includes the subject matter according to example 11, above.
The trihedral corner reflector is a first trihedral corner reflector and is permanently embedded in, integrally formed in, or attached to the crown portion. The golf club head further includes a second trihedral corner reflector permanently embedded, integrally formed in, or attached to the rear portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 14 of the present disclosure, wherein example 14 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-13, above.
The golf club head further includes a third trihedral corner reflector permanently embedded, integrally formed in, or attached to the rear portion and spaced apart from the second trihedral corner reflector. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 15 of the present disclosure, wherein example 15 also includes the subject matter according to example 14, above.
The first trihedral corner reflector is configured to reflect a first radar signal having a first radar frequency or a first radar wavelength. The second trihedral corner reflector is configured to reflect a second radar signal having a second radar frequency or a second radar wavelength. At least one of the first radar frequency is different than the second radar frequency, or the first radar wavelength is different than the second radar wavelength. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 16 of the present disclosure, wherein example 16 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 14-15, above.
The first trihedral corner reflector includes a first edge length. The second trihedral corner reflector includes a second edge length. The first edge length is different than the second edge length. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 17 of the present disclosure, wherein example 17 also includes the subject matter according to example 16, above.
The golf club head includes at least one of an injection molded component, a cast component, a metal injection-molded component, a machined component, or a 3d-printed component. The trihedral corner reflector is integrally formed in one of the at least one of the injection molded component, the cast component, the metal injection-molded component, the machined component, or the 3d-printed component. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 18 of the present disclosure, wherein example 18 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-17, above.
The trihedral corner reflector is within the interior cavity. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 19 of the present disclosure, wherein example 19 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-18, above.
The golf club head further includes a tracking marker permanently embedded in at least one of the strike face, the crown portion, or the rear portion. The tracking marker includes a retroreflective surface configured to retroreflect visible or infrared light. The trihedral corner reflector is configured to retroreflect radar waves. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 20 of the present disclosure, wherein example 20 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-19, above.
The trihedral corner reflector is permanently embedded in, integrally formed in, or attached to one of the crown portion or the rear portion. The tracking marker is permanently embedded in an other one of the crown portion or the rear portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 21 of the present disclosure, wherein example 21 also includes the subject matter according to example 20, above.
The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristics of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples and/or implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to impart a thorough understanding of examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials, and/or methods of a particular example or implementation. In other examples, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain examples and/or implementations that may not be present in all examples or implementations. Further, in some examples, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The features and advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific examples that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, depict only certain examples of the subject matter and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings, in which:
Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “an example,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one example,” “in an example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same example. Similarly, the use of the term “implementation” means an implementation having a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more examples of the present disclosure, however, absent an express correlation to indicate otherwise, an implementation may be associated with one or more examples.
Disclosed herein is a golf club, including a golf club head, a golf club shaft, and a golf club grip, and associated methods of manufacture, that provides a cost-effective, time-saving, accurate, and clean way to detect head presentation parameters of the golf club head and/or automatically identify characteristics of the golf club during a hitting session or on-course play. Golf club heads of the present disclosure can be any of various types of golf club heads, such as a driver golf club head, a fairway metal or hybrid golf club head, an iron golf club head, and a putter golf club head. Moreover, golf club shafts and golf club grips of the present disclosure can be any of various types of golf club shafts and golf club grips, respectively. Accordingly, the benefit of the present disclosure is applicable across multiple types of golf club heads, golf club shafts, and golf club grips.
Referring to
The golf club head 110 includes multiple tracking markers 160 embedded in the golf club head 110. As the golf club head 110 makes impact with a golf ball 102, the launch monitor 104 detects the position of the golf club head 110 and the golf ball 102 through a hitting zone. As used herein, a tracking marker can be any one of a tracking marker, a fiducial, a reflector, or a retroreflector. Accordingly, unless otherwise noted, the term “tracking marker”, when used herein, can be interchangeable with fiducial, reflector, retroreflector, or any other marker that helps automatically track or identify a golf club via an electronic sensor.
As used herein, embed means to fix securely in a surrounding mass, such that a tracking marker is embedded in a golf club when the tracking marker is sufficiently surrounded by a portion of a golf club and/or sufficiently surrounded by an adhesive configured to attach the tracking marker to the portion of the golf club. Generally, when a tracking marker is embedded (i.e., embedded tracking marker), a bottom surface or innermost surface of the tracking marker is surrounded by the portion of the golf club and the sidewalls of the embedded tracking marker, extending from the bottom surface or the innermost surface, is at least partially surrounded by the portion of the golf club, if not fully surrounded. Additionally, when a tracking marker is embedded, an outermost surface or a top surface of the tracking marker may be uncovered or at least partially surrounded if not fully surrounded by the portion of the golf club.
In alternative examples, a narrower definition may be applied to all references to the term “embedded”, whereby an outermost surface of the tracking marker along the perimeter of the tracking marker is recessed, a recessed distance, below the adjacent surface of the portion of the golf club, surrounding the tracking marker, at a location (e.g., all locations) within 5 mm beyond the perimeter of a tracking marker. In one example, the recessed distance is at least 0.1 mm and, in further examples, is at least 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, or 0.5 mm. In another series of examples, the recessed distance is no more than 5 mm, and in further examples is no more than 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, or 1 mm. In a further example, the recessed distance is related to a maximum marker thickness of the tracking marker. For example, the recessed distance can be at least 25% of the maximum marker thickness and, in other examples, is at least 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% of the maximum marker thickness. In another series of examples, the recessed distance is no more than 4000% of the maximum marker thickness, and in further examples is no more than 3500%, 3000%, 2500%, 2000%, 1050%, or 1000% of the maximum marker thickness.
In yet other examples, a narrower definition may be applied to all references to the term “embedded”, whereby an outermost surface of the tracking marker is covered by a permanent coating, which, at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, cannot be removed by a single human hand in under 30 seconds, without the use of tools. In some examples, the permanent coating extends continuously to an adjacent surface of the golf club at a location at least 5 mm beyond a perimeter of the tracking marker, and in further examples, extends continuously to an adjacent surface of the golf club at a location at least 7.5 mm, 10 mm, 12.5 mm, 15 mm, 17.5 mm, 20 mm, 22.5 mm, or 25 mm beyond the perimeter of the tracking marker.
According to some examples, a narrower definition may be applied to all references to the term “embedded”, whereby the tracking marker is adhesively attached to the club head with an adhesive having an overlap shear strength, per the ASTM D1002 test method, of at least 1000 psi when bonded to a metal component, and in further examples, at least 1250 psi, 1500 psi, 1750 psi, 2000 psi, 2250 psi, 2500 psi, or 2750 psi when bonded to a metal component, and/or, when bonded to a non-metallic component, the adhesive has an overlap shear strength, per the ASTM D1002 test method, of at least 200 psi, and in further examples, at least 250 psi, 300 psi, 350 psi, 400 psi, 450 psi, 500 psi, 600 psi, 700 psi, 800 psi, or 900 psi.
Any of the above definitions of the term “embedded” may be used individually or in any combination with one or more of the other disclosed definitions.
In some examples, the launch monitor 104 is an optical-based launch monitor (e.g., a photometric launch monitor) that is configured to detect the position of the golf club head 110 and the golf ball 102 using light in the infrared spectrum (e.g., electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths between, and inclusive of, 700 nanometers (nm) and 10,000 nm, in one example, more preferably having wavelengths between, and inclusive of, 750 nm and 1,250 nm, in another example, and even more preferably between, and inclusive of, 800 nm and 1,150 nm, in still another example). The optical-based launch monitor includes sensors that capture digital images of infrared light. One example of an optical-based launch monitor is the GCQuad™ launch monitor, made by Foresight Sports™.
In some examples, the launch monitor 104 is a radar-based launch monitor that is configured to detect the position of the golf club head 110 and the golf ball 102 using light in the radio wave spectrum (e.g., electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths between, and inclusive of, 10 cm and 100 km). The radar-based launch monitor includes sensors that capture digital images (e.g., data) that identify radio waves (i.e., doppler radar). One example of a radar-based launch monitor is the Mevo+™ launch monitor, made by FlightScope™. In one example, the radar-based launch monitor includes a transmitter, a receiver, a signal processor, a display, and/or a communication system to transmit data, wired or wirelessly, to an external device such as a cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartwatch, digital vending kiosks, and/or laptop or desktop computers. According to one example, the radar-based launch monitor operates with a frequency of 300 MHz to 40 GHz, and in additional examples, the frequency is no more than 35 GHZ, 30 GHZ, 26.5 GHZ, and/or 24 GHz. In one example, the radar-based launch monitor operates with a frequency of at least 1 GHZ, and, in additional examples, with a frequency of at least 2 GHz, 4 GHZ, 6 GHZ, 8 GHZ, and/or 10 GHz. In a further example, the wavelength at which the radar-based launch monitor operates is no more than 30 cm, and, in further examples, no more than 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm, 7.5 cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm, or 1 cm.
Pulse width refers to the duration of the transmitted radar pulse. It affects the range resolution of the radar system. In one example, the radar-based launch monitor has a pulse width of less than 150 microseconds (μs), and, in additional examples, the pulse width is less than 130 microseconds, or 100 microseconds. In a further example, the radar-based launch monitor has a pulse width of less than 100 nanoseconds (ns), and, in additional examples, the pulse width is less than 90 nanoseconds, 80 nanoseconds, or 70 nanoseconds. In still another example, the pulse width is at least 10 nanoseconds, and, in further examples, the pulse width is at least 20, 30, or 40 nanoseconds.
Pulse repetition frequency (PRF) is the rate at which radar pulses are transmitted and it influences the maximum unambiguous range of the radar system and determines the ability to detect fast-moving targets without ambiguity. In one example, the PRF is at least 2 kHz, while, in further examples, the PRF is at least 6, 10, or 14 kHz. In another example, the PRF is 2-8 kHz, while, in another example, the PRF is 8-30 kHz, and in yet a further example the PRF is 30-250 kHz.
The duty cycle of a radar system is the ratio of the pulse width to the pulse repetition period, and in one example the duty cycle is less than 10%, while in further examples the duty cycle is less than 8%, 6%, 4%, 2%, or 1%.
Beamwidth refers to the angular coverage of the radar beam of a radar-based launch monitor. Narrow beamwidth provides better angular resolution and discrimination of targets, but may reduce coverage area, while wider beamwidth offers broader coverage, but lower angular resolution. In one example, the beamwidth is at least 3 degrees, and in further examples, the beamwidth is at least 4, 5, or 6 degrees. In a further example, the beamwidth is less than 30 degrees, and in additional examples the beamwidth is less than 26, 22, 18, 14, or 10 degrees.
In yet other examples, the launch monitor 104 is configured to detect the position of the golf club head 110 and the golf ball 102 using light in the visible light spectrum (e.g., electromagnetic radiation between, and inclusive of, 400 nm and 700 nm). Visible-light launch monitors include conventional camera sensors that capture digital images of visible light. According to other examples, the launch monitor 104 is configured to detect the position of the golf club head 110 and the golf ball 102 using light in the ultraviolet light spectrum (e.g., electromagnetic radiation between, and inclusive of, 10 nm and 400 nm). Although light is conventionally considered to be limited to visible light, as used herein, light can mean any electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within any range along the electromagnetic spectrum (including non-visible light and what are conventionally considered sound waves) unless otherwise indicated. According to some examples, the launch monitor 104 is used to capture at least one digital image of a flight control technology (FCT) system of the golf club 100, which is also referred to as adjustable loft/lie features, including those described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,025,587, issued on Sep. 27, 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,831, issued on Aug. 7, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 8,337,319, issued on Dec. 25, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 9,610,479, issued on Apr. 4, 2017, U.S. Pat. No. 8,758,153, issued on Jun. 24, 2014, U.S. Pat. No. 8,398,503, issued Mar. 19, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The FCT system can include one or more identification tags, such as a bar code, QR code, etc. The electronic controller 105 can then be configured to automatically identify the golf club 100 (e.g., one or more characteristics of the golf club), and/or identify the configuration (e.g., lie, loft, FCT setting, weight position, and/or face angle), based on the identification tag captured in the digital image(s). In a further examples, as described in more detail below, the launch monitor 104 may be used to capture a movable weight attribute of the golf club head, such as the location of a sliding weight within a track, and/or the position of repositionable weights on the club head, as well as the position of the repositionable weight having the greatest mass. The movable, or repositionable, weight system can include one or more identification tags, such as a bar code, QR code, etc. The electronic controller 105 can then be configured to automatically identify the golf club 100 (e.g., one or more characteristics of the golf club), and/or identify the configuration (e.g., weight position), based on the identification tag captured in the digital image(s).
The tracking markers 160 are more retroreflective than other portions of the golf club head 110. Accordingly, the identification of the position of the tracking markers 160 in the digital images is made easier by the increased retroreflectively of light off of the tracking markers 160 relative to other portions of the golf club head 110. The tracking markers 160 are sized and shaped to cover only discrete portions of the golf club head 110, the positions of which correspond to one or more head presentation parameters of the golf club head 110. The launch monitor 104 is pre-programmed to associate the position of the tracking markers 160 in the digital images to the discrete portions of the golf club head 110. Accordingly, for accurate results, the tracking markers 160 should be accurately positioned at the discrete portions of the golf club head 110. Because the tracking markers 160 are embedded (e.g., permanently formed) in the golf club head 110, the golf club head 110 with the tracking markers 160 are USGA conforming, and the accuracy and precision of the position of the tracking markers 160 at the discrete portions of the golf club head 110 can be more easily achieved during the manufacturing of the golf club head 110 than during a manual post-manufacturing process by a user of the golf club head 110. For example, robots are often used to help manufacture golf club heads and can be used to automatedly apply the tracking markers 160 at the discrete portions of the golf club head 110. Examples of launch monitors, and methods of using launch monitors to effectively capture head presentation parameters of a golf club head can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,951,138, issued Feb. 10, 2015, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
In the illustrated example, the launch monitor 104 is located laterally from or to the side of the golf ball 102 being struck by the golf club 100. In other words, the emitter 104B and the receiver 104C face the toe portion of the golf club head 110 when the golf club head 110 strikes the golf ball 102. Alternatively, the launch monitor 104 can be located behind the golf ball 102 being struck by the golf club 100. In other words, the emitter 104B and the receiver 104C face the rear portion of the golf club head 110 when the golf club head 110 strikes the golf ball 102. Of course, the launch monitor 104 can be positioned at any of various angles between the lateral position depicted and a position behind the golf ball 102. In some examples, the launch monitor 104 can be positioned in front of the golf ball 102 being struck by the golf club 100.
In yet some examples, the system 101 includes multiple launch monitors 104, such as one launch monitor 104 positioned laterally of the golf ball 102 and another launch monitor 104 positioned behind the golf ball 102. The launch monitors 104 can capture the same club head presentation parameters or different club head presentation parameters. Moreover, in certain examples, the emitter 104B and the receiver 104C of one of the launch monitors 104 can be configured differently than the emitter 104B and the receiver 104C of another one of the launch monitors 104. For examples, a first one of the launch monitors 104 can be configured to emit and sense light within a first limited spectrum (e.g., visible light) and a second one of the launch monitors 104 can be configured to emit and sense light within a second limited spectrum (e.g., radar).
In certain examples, in addition or as an alternative to the launch monitor 104, the system 101 includes an overhead launch monitor 104A. The overhead launch monitor 104A can be a launch monitor, similar to the launch monitor 104, but has a broader range of detectability than the launch monitor 104. According to some examples, the launch monitor 104 is located on the ground (e.g., at a driving range, simulator, or otherwise) within a predetermined distance (e.g., 2-3 feet) from the golf ball 102 and the golf club head 110 at address. In some situations, such as during actual play on a golf course, locating a ground-based launch monitor, such as the launch monitor 104, may be impractical. Because the overhead launch monitor 104A has a broader range of detectability, utilizing the overhead launch monitor 104A during actual play on a golf course may be more practical than a ground-based launch monitor. For example, an overhead launch monitor 104A can be situated above a tee box for one or more holes of a golf course being played in a golf tournament. The overhead launch monitor 104A is configured to detect the head presentation parameters of the golf club head 110 regardless of where the golf ball 102 is located on the tee box. In certain examples, an entirety of the tee box can be within an area detectable by one or more launch monitors (e.g., by positioning the overhead launch monitor 104A on the ground or on its side, or by using an array of launch monitors 104 on the ground, with each one of the launch monitors 104 having a different focal length). In one example, the system 101 includes two launch monitors 104 (one to the side of the golf ball 102 and one behind the golf ball 102), as well as the overhead launch monitor 104A.
Whether the launch monitor used is one or both of the launch monitor 104 and the overhead launch monitor 104A, in some examples, the head presentation parameters of the golf club head 110, sensed by the launch monitor during a golf swing, are transmitted to an electronic controller 105 of the system 101. The electronic controller 105 can be internal to and form part of the launch monitor 104 (and/or launch monitor 104A) or it can be a stand-alone computing device separate from the launch monitor 104 (and/or launch monitor 104A). Transmission of the sensed parameters can be wired or wireless and facilitated by any of various hardware, such as wireless transceivers, and the like. The electronic controller 105 includes a processor, memory, and code stored on the memory which is executable by the processor to process the sensed head presentation parameters received from the launch monitor(s) and output corresponding head presentation data. The output data from the electronic controller 105 can be fed to a display 107 of the system 101 in certain examples. The display 107 is configured to visually display and/or or auditorily represent the output data.
In some examples, the display 107 is physically proximate or physically associated with the swinger of the golf club 100 (e.g., golfer) being sensed by the launch monitor, or, put another way, physically proximate or physically associated with the launch monitor 104. For example, the display 107 can be a user's mobile device, a tablet, a laptop, a wearable device, a display associated with the user's golf equipment (e.g., a display on the golf club 100, a display on the golfer's bag, a display on the golfer's head cover, etc., such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/105,194, filed Feb. 2, 2023, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/438,501, filed Sep. 13, 2021, and UK Patent Application No. GB2517712, filed Aug. 28, 2013, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety). In one example, the display 107 is a public display at a driving range where the golfer is swinging the golf club 100. According to another example, the display 107 is a virtual display associated with electronic or virtual gaming devices or platforms. The display 107 can be incorporated into glasses, worn by the swinger of the golf club 100 or spectator, such as the glasses described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/436,326, filed Dec. 30, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
However, in other examples, the display 107 is not physically proximate or not physically associated with the golfer or the optical-based launch monitor 104 (e.g., is physically remote from the golfer and the launch monitor 104). For example, the display 107 can be associated with a spectator or spectators at a golf course, broadcasters of a golf tournament, remote viewers of a golf tournament, webcasters of information associated with a golf tournament, and the like. In one example, a remote viewer of a golf tournament can receive head presentation data for a golfer's swing on a personal device of the remote viewer.
Referring to
The heel portion 222 defines a hosel 232 of the golf club head 210. The toe portion 224 is opposite the heel portion 222, and the crown portion 226 is opposite the sole portion 228. The crown portion 226 and the sole portion 228 extend from the heel portion 222 to the toe portion 224. The toe portion 224 includes a toe of the golf club head 210, which is defined as at least a leftmost (e.g., toewardmost) point of the golf club head 210 as viewed in
The forward portion 230 defines a strike face 245 that extends upward along the forward portion 230 from the sole portion 228 to the crown portion 226, and heelwardly from the toe portion 224 to the heel portion 222. As further defined, the strike face 245 faces in a generally forward direction. The strike face 245 can be co-formed with one or more other portions of the body 220 of the golf club head 210. However, in certain examples, the strike face 245 is formed separately from any other portion of the body 220. In examples where the strike face 245 is formed separately, the strike face 245 is defined by a strike plate 243 that is attached to the forward portion 230 of the body 220 over an opening formed in the forward portion 230 of the body 220.
Whether co-formed with other portions of the body 220 or formed separately as a strike plate and attached to the forward portion 230, in certain examples, the strike face 245 is made of a metallic material, such as a steel alloy or a titanium alloy. However, in other examples, the strike plate 243 is made of, at least partially, a fiber-reinforced polymeric material (FRPM), and, in certain examples, a polymeric layer is applied onto the fiber-reinforced polymeric material. In certain examples, the polymeric layer defines the strike face 245 and does not have reinforcing fibers. However, in other examples, the polymeric layer can include some fibers, such as glass fibers. For example, as shown in
Examples of golf club heads, and methods of manufacturing such golf club heads, that includes a strike plate comprising a FRPM layer and a polymeric layer can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/172,834, filed Feb. 22, 2023, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/560,054, filed Dec. 22, 2021, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/228,511, filed Apr. 12, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/410,149, filed Sep. 26, 2022, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/345,875, filed May 25, 2022, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/124,134, filed Dec. 16, 2020, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/321,315, filed May 14, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 63/312,771, filed Feb. 22, 2022, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/389,167, filed Jul. 29, 2021, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,174,099, issued Nov. 3, 2015, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0199282, published Aug. 9, 2012, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0274446, published Sep. 18, 2014, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Additionally, or alternatively, the golf club head may include indicia of alignment aids or additional color contrasts or images that are printed on one or more surfaces (not necessarily the outermost surface) of the golf club head (e.g. strike face and/or crown) and viewable to a user or a machine and the indicia may be printed using inkjet printing, single pass inkjet printing, digital printing, or other techniques, which are described more fully in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/156,205, filed on Jan. 22, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 62/965,129, filed on Jan. 23, 2020, U.S. Patent Application No. 63/066,033, filed on Aug. 14, 2020, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/399,823, filed Aug. 11, 2021, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The strike face may include bulge and roll radius feature, which can be incorporated into the strike plate, and can be similar to the bulge and roll radius features disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,012,039, issued Sep. 6, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In one embodiment, the bulge is no more than 330.2 mm, and in further embodiments is no more than 317.5 mm, or 305 mm; whereas in another series of embodiment the bulge is greater than the roll, and/or at least 265 mm, 279 mm, or 290 mm. In another embodiment the roll is no more than 280 mm, and in further embodiments is not more than 267 mm, or 255 mm; whereas in another series of embodiments, the roll is at least 215 mm, and in further embodiments is at least 220 mm, 225 mm, or 230 mm. Further, the strike face 245 has a strike face width, Wss, and a strike face height, Hss, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/226,294, filed Jul. 26, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and illustrated in
The strike face may include twisted strike face features, which can be incorporated into the strike plate 243, can be similar to the features of the strike face disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,881,916, issued Jan. 5, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
A plasma treatment process can be used and can be similar to or the same as the process described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,089,745, issued Jul. 28, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Laser ablation can be applied to one or more bonding surfaces of the golf club head and can be accomplished in a manner described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/389,167, filed Jul. 29, 2021, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In some examples, the golf club head includes at least one of a crown insert, a sole insert, a rear ring and a continuous collar, similar to that shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/560,054, filed Dec. 22, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The composite face disclosed herein can be manufactured using alternative of additional manufacturing steps or have alternative or additional features, such as those disclosed in one or more of U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,435, issued Nov. 6, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 8,684,864, issued Apr. 1, 2014, U.S. Pat. No. 9,089,745, issued Jul. 28, 2015, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0274446, published Sep. 18, 2014, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
In the example of
Additionally, in some examples, the geometry of the golf club head 210 can be known by the electronic controller 105, such as by uploading computer-aided drafting (CAD) model parameters to the electronic controller 105. By knowing the geometry of the golf club head 210, and knowing a location of one or more tracking markers 260 relative to the geometry, the electronic controller 105 can determine head presentation parameters of the golf club head 210 with fewer tracking markers 260 that wouldn't be determinable without knowing the geometry of the golf club head 210. In certain examples, the tracking markers 260 can be arranged in a unique pattern, or be located in unique locations, associated only with a particular golf club head (e.g., a particular brand of golf club head, or model of golf club head). The electronic controller 105 can be configured to recognize the unique pattern or locations, associate the unique pattern or locations with a particular golf club head, and process the sensed parameters accordingly.
In the example of
Like the example of
A tracking marker 260 can have any of various shapes and sizes. In the illustrated examples of
In some examples, the launch monitor 104 is configured to detect a tracking marker 260 have a size within a particular range of sizes. In certain examples, the size of each one of the tracking markers 260 should be large enough to be detectable by the launch monitor 104 and small enough such that the launch monitor 104 can properly identify the location of the tracking marker 260. For example, the launch monitor 104 can be configured to identify the location of the tracking marker 260 by finding a centroid of the tracking marker 260. If the tracking marker 260 is too small, it may not be found by the launch monitor 104 (e.g., because the retroreflectivity is below a minimum threshold) and/or the launch monitor 104 may not be able to determine the centroid of the marker. If the tracking marker 260 is too large, the launch monitor 104 may not be able to identify the periphery of the marker, and thus cannot accurately find the centroid of the marker, or the launch monitor 104 may assign two centroids to a single marker.
Each one of the tracking markers 260 can be sized to have a surface area that is any of various percentages of the total surface area (e.g., total exterior surface) of the strike face 245, or face area. In one example, each one of the tracking markers 260 has a surface area that is less than 5%, less than 3%, or less than 1% of the total surface area of the strike face 245. The procedure for measuring the face area is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,096,897, which is incorporated by reference herein. However, in other examples, each one of the tracking markers 260 has a surface area that is less than 15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% of the total surface area of the strike face 245. In certain examples, a combined surface area of the tracking markers 260 embedded in the forward portion 230 (e.g., the strike face 245) is between, and inclusive of, 1.5% and 4.5%, or between, and inclusive of, 1.3% and 5% (e.g., 1.6%) of the total surface area of the strike face 245. As used herein, the total surface area of the strike face 245 excludes grooves and textures, and assumes a smooth surface. In one driver type golf club head embodiment, the face area is at least 4000 mm2, while in further embodiments the face area is at least 4200 mm2, 4400 mm2, 4600 mm2, 4800 mm2, or 5000 mm2. In another series of embodiments, the face area is no more than 7000 mm2, while in a further embodiment, the face area is no more than 6500 mm2, and in an even further embodiment, the face area is no more than 6250 mm2.
According to some examples, each one of the tracking markers 260 has a maximum marker dimension (e.g., a diameter for circular-shaped tracking markers) that is no greater than 25% of the strike face height Hss, and, in further embodiments, no greater than 22.5%, 20%, 17.5%, or 15%; while, in another series of embodiments, the maximum marker dimension is at least 4% of the strike face height Hss, and in further embodiments is at least 6%, 8%, or 10%. In embodiments where the tracking marker 260 is non-circular, each tracking marker 260 also has a minimum marker dimension. In one embodiment, the minimum marker dimension is at least 2% of the strike face height Hss, and in further embodiments is at least 4%, 6%, or 8%. The minimum marker dimension may be equal to the maximum marker dimension in non-circular embodiments such as square shapes, however in many non-circular embodiments, the minimum marker dimension is less than the maximum marker dimension. In one embodiment, the maximum marker dimension is at least 2.5% greater than the minimum marker dimension, and in further embodiments at least 5%, 7.5%, or 10%. In a further series of embodiments the maximum marker dimension is no more than 100% greater than the minimum marker dimension, and in further embodiments no more than 90%, 80%, 70%, or 60% greater than the minimum marker dimension. The size, location, spacing, and/or quantity of the tracking markers 260 impact the accuracy of the system.
In another embodiment, an offset ground plane analysis is performed by the system. A ground plane is disclosed and illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/534,512, filed Dec. 8, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. An offset ground plane is a plane parallel to the ground plane and offset vertically an offset distance. For ease of explanation, and with reference to
Still referring to
In one embodiment, the majority of at least one tracking marker 260 is located above the 1C plane and between the 2T plane and the 4T plane. In another embodiment, the majority of at least one tracking marker 260 is located above the 1C plane and between the 1H plane and the 4H plane. In yet another embodiment, the majority of at least one tracking marker 260 is located below the 1S plane and between the 2T plane and the FCVP. In a further embodiment, the majority of at least one tracking marker 260 is located below the 1S plane and between the 2H plane and the FCVP.
In one embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 is entirely located above the 1C plane and between the 2T plane and the 4T plane. In another embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 is located entirely above the 1C plane and between the 1H plane and the 4H plane. In yet another embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 is entirely located below the 1S plane and between the 2T plane and the FCVP. In a further embodiment at least one tracking marker 260 is entirely located below the 1S plane and between the 2H plane and the FCVP.
In one embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 is entirely located below the 1C plane, above the 1S plane, and between the 2T plane and the 2H plane. In another embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 is entirely located below the 1C plane, above the 1S plane, and between the 2T plane and the FCVP; and at least one tracking marker 260 is entirely located below the 1C plane, above the 1S plane, and between the 2H plane and the FCVP. In yet another embodiment, no tracking markers 260 are located between the 1T plane and the 1H plane, and the 1C plane and 1S plane. In one embodiment, there are no more than 10 tracking markers 260 on the face, and in further embodiments, no more than 9, 8, 7, or 6 tracking markers 260 on the face. In another embodiment, there are at least 2 tracking markers on the face, and in further embodiments at least 3 or 4 tracking markers 260 on the face.
Further, the bulge and roll also influence the accuracy of the system. Thus, in another embodiment, the maximum marker dimension is at least 1% of the roll, and, in further embodiments, at least 1.25%, 1.5%, 1.75%, or 2% of the roll. In a further series of embodiments, the maximum marker dimension is no more than 4.5% of the roll, and in further embodiments no more than 4.25%, 4%, 3.75%, 3.5%, 3.25%, 3%, 2.75%, or 2.5% of the roll. Thus, in another embodiment, the maximum marker dimension is at least 1% of the bulge, and, in further embodiments, at least 1.25%, 1.5%, 1.75%, or 2% of the bulge. In a further series of embodiments, the maximum marker dimension is no more than 4.5% of the bulge, and, in further embodiments, no more than 4.25%, 4%, 3.75%, 3.5%, 3.25%, 3%, 2.75%, or 2.5% of the bulge. In some embodiments, the bulge and/or roll may vary across the strike face, therefore, references to bulge and/or roll refers to the maximum bulge or maximum roll, unless noted otherwise.
One skilled in the art will recognize that each tracking marker 260 has an easily identifiable marker centroid (MC), illustrated in
One embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 having an MSD of no more than the roll divided by a variable alpha, where alpha is 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17.5, or 20. For example, for a roll of 254 mm and an alpha of 10, the MSD is no more than 25.4 mm. Similarly, for a roll of 254 mm and an alpha of 20, the MSD is no more than 12.7 mm. In another embodiment, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD of at least the roll divided by a variable beta, where beta is 40, 38, 36, 34, 32, 30, 28, or 26. For example, for a roll of 254 mm and a beta of 40, the MSD is at least 6.35 mm. Similarly, for a roll of 254 mm and a beta of 26, the MSD is at least 9.77 mm.
Another series of embodiments appreciates the role that bulge, strike face width, Wss, strike face height, Hss, and/or loft, influence the performance and accuracy associated with the placement and spacing of the tracking markers 260, as the ability to accurately track markers on a curved face club as it rotates through the golf swing is influenced by these and other variables. One embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 having an MSD of no more than the bulge divided by a variable gamma, where gamma is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19. For example, for a bulge of 304.8 mm and a gamma of 12, the MSD is no more than 25.4 mm. Similarly, for a bulge of 304.8 mm and a gamma of 19, the MSD is no more than 16 mm. In another embodiment at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD of at least the bulge divided by a variable delta, where delta is 44, 42, 40, 38, 36, 34, or 32. For example, for a bulge of 304.8 mm and a delta of 44, the MSD is at least 6.93 mm. Similarly, for a bulge of 304.8 mm and a delta of 32, the MSD is at least 9.53 mm.
Another embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 having an MSD of no more than 22% of the strike face width, Wss, and in additional embodiments no more than 20%, 18%, or 16% of the strike face width Wss. In a further series of embodiments, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD of at least 7% of the strike face width, Wss, and, in additional embodiments, at least 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, or 12% of the strike face width Wss. Another embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 having an MSD of at least 12% of the strike face height, Hss, and, in additional embodiments, at least 13%, 14%, 15%, or 16% of the strike face height Hss. In a further series of embodiments, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD of no more than 40% of the strike face height, Hss, and in additional embodiments no more than 38%, 36%, 34%, 32%, or 30% of the strike face height Hss. Another embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 having an MSD of no more than 2.5 times the loft, and, in additional embodiments, no more than 2.25, 2, or 1.75 times the loft. In a further series of embodiments, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD of at least 0.75 times the loft, and, in additional embodiments, at least 0.85, 0.95, 1.05, or 1.15 times the loft. For example, if the loft is 10 degrees, an MSD of no more than 2.5 times the loft would be no more than 25 mm.
Another embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 having an MSD of no more than 4 times the maximum marker dimension, and, in additional embodiments, no more than 3.75. 3.5, or 3.25 times the maximum marker dimension. In a further series of embodiments, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD of at least 1.5 times the maximum marker dimension, and, in additional embodiments, at least 1.75, 2, 2.25, or 2.5 times the maximum marker dimension.
The relationships disclosed herein represent a delicate balance of variables necessary to achieve performance of the tracking system, while not negatively impacting the performance of the golf club and golf club head, and not negatively impacting the aesthetics of the golf club head. Golfers are accustomed to a particular look of the face of a golf club head when addressing a golf ball, and introducing too many visual features on the face can be distracting and can negatively impact the confidence of the golfer, as well as negatively impacting alignment of the face and a golfer's pre-shot routine.
Because alignment of the golf club head is important, it is desirable that the tracking markers 260 do not distract the golfer, particularly since the golfer is generally focused on the vicinity of the center face at address. As the loft of a golf club head increases the golfer is able to see more of the face, and is more likely to notice the tracking markers 260, at address. Thus, one embodiment incorporates low to medium contrast between the face and the tracking markers 260. In this embodiment, the tracking marker 260 has a marker CIELab L* value, the face has a face CIELab L* value, and the difference between the marker L* value and the face L* value is related to the volume and the loft of the golf club head, as disclosed in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/519,327, filed Nov. 27, 2023, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in the entirety. In one embodiment, the difference in L* value is governed by the equation ΔL*<[(volume)/100×(loft)]. Thus, a large-volume low-lofted golf club head, such as a 9 degree 460 cc driver, is able to accommodate a larger difference between the marker L* value and the face L* value, without being distracting to the golfer at address. Further, a smaller-volume higher-lofted golf club head, such as a 21 degree 100 cc hybrid type golf club head, may support less of a difference between the marker L* value and the face L* value, without being distracting to the golfer at address. In an even less potentially distracting embodiment, the difference in L* value is governed by the equation ΔL*<[(volume)/125×(loft)]. A further embodiment reduces the potential for distraction by maintaining the difference between the marker L* value and the face L* value at less than 25; and another embodiment produces a very low contrast with the difference between the marker L* value and the face L* value is less than 10. In an even further embodiment, the marker CIELab L* value changes with the elevation of the tracking marker 260 relative to the ground plane when the golf club head is on the ground plane in a proper address position. Such a varying CIELab L* value for different tracking markers 260 may make those at higher elevations (closer to the crown) less noticeable to golfers when in the address position, while remaining easily discernable to the tracking system. In one variation of this embodiment the highest marker CIELab L* value is located below the FCHP and the marker L* value decreases as the elevation of the ground plane (GP) increases.
In order to further aid in a golfer's alignment, some embodiments of the golf club head include at least one linear face marking, LFM, seen in
The at least one linear face marking LFM may include numerous distinct linear face markings LFM as seen in
Now returning to the surface area of the tracking marker 260 presented to the external environment, referred to as the tracking marker area when discussing a single tracking marker 260, the face tracking marker surface area when referring to a single tracking marker 260 located on the face, and collectively as the total tracking marker surface area, or the total face tracking marker surface area when referring only to those tracking markers 260 located on the face; whereby the tracking marker area is defined as the area bound by the perimeter of a single tracking marker 260. For example, a simple 10 mm diameter tracking marker 260 has a tracking marker area of 78.53982 mm2.
The total face tracking marker surface area may further be broken down into a toe-side total face tracking marker surface area, meaning the sum of the tracking marker areas of those tracking markers 260 located toeward of the FCVP, and a heel-side total face tracking marker surface area, meaning the sum of the tracking marker areas of those tracking markers 260 located heelward of the FCVP. Similarly, the total face tracking marker surface area may further be broken down into a sole-side total face tracking marker surface area, meaning the sum of the tracking marker areas located below the FCHP, and a crown-side total face tracking marker surface area, meaning the sum of the tracking marker areas located above the FCHP, thereby factoring in tracking markers 260 that may straddle the FCHP and allocating the amount of the tracking marker 260 located above, or below, the FCHP to the appropriate quantity.
In one embodiment, the total face tracking marker surface area is less than 10% of the face area, and, in additional embodiments, is less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, or 5% of the face area. In a further embodiment, the total face tracking marker surface area is at least 0.75% of the face area, and, in additional embodiments, is at least 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, or 3.5% of the face area. In one embodiment, the sole-side total face tracking marker surface area is greater than the crown-side total face tracking marker surface area, while in a further embodiment the toe-side total face tracking marker surface area is greater than the heel-side total face tracking marker surface area.
Although the above-referenced embodiments address proportional relationships between the surface area of a tracking marker(s) embedded in the strike face relative to the total surface area of the strike face, the same or similar proportional relationships between the surface area of a tracking marker(s) embedded in another portion (e.g., crown insert, sole insert, rear portion, etc.) and the total surface area of the other portion (e.g., the total surface area of the crown insert, the total surface area of the sole insert, the total surface area of the rear portion, etc.) may exist in the same or other embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, a total crown-insert tracking marker surface area is less than 10% of the total surface area of the crown insert, and, in additional embodiments, is less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, or 5% of the total surface area of the crown insert, and in yet further embodiments, the total crown-insert tracking marker surface area is at least 0.75% of the total surface face area of the crown insert, and, in additional embodiments, is at least 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, or 3.5% of the total surface area of the crown insert.
Disclosure relating to “at least one pair of tracking markers 260” is equally applicable to embodiments directed to at least X pair of tracking markers 260, where X is 2, 3, or 4, and thus the disclosure will not be repeated for these embodiments for the sake of brevity. Further, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/544,301, filed Dec. 18, 2023, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/519,327, filed Nov. 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, discloses numerous face patterns, face markings, relationships, and club head characteristics that may be incorporated into the presently disclosed club head.
The shape of the tracking marker 260 may be, but is not limited to: Angle, Balbis, Concave polygon, Constructible polygon, Convex polygon, Cyclic polygon, Equiangular polygon, Equilateral polygon, Penrose tile, Polyform, Regular polygon, Simple polygon, Tangential polygon, Henagon, Digon, Triangle, Acute triangle, Equilateral triangle, Heptagonal triangle, Isosceles triangle, Golden Triangle, Obtuse triangle, Rational triangle, Right triangle, Isosceles right triangle, Kepler triangle, Scalene triangle, Quadrilateral, Cyclic quadrilateral, Kite, Parallelogram, Rhombus (equilateral parallelogram), Lozenge, Rhomboid, Rectangle, Square (regular quadrilateral), Tangential quadrilateral, Trapezoid, Isosceles trapezoid, Pentagon, Hexagon, Lemoine hexagon, Heptagon, Octagon, Nonagon, Decagon, Hendecagon, Dodecagon, Tridecagon, Tetradecagon, Pentadecagon, Star polygon, Pentagram, Hexagram, Heptagram, Octagram, Enneagram, Decagram, Circular arcs, Annulus, Arbelos, Circle, Archimedes' twin circles, Bankoff circle, Circular triangle, Reuleaux triangle, Circumcircle, Disc, Incircle and excircles of a triangle, Nine-point circle, Circular sector, Circular segment, Crescent, Lens, Lune, Quatrefoil, Reuleaux polygon, Reuleaux triangle, Salinon, Semicircle, Tomahawk, Trefoil, Triquetra, Heart, Archimedean spiral, Astroid, Cardioid, Deltoid, Ellipse, Heartagon, Various lemniscates, Oval, Cartesian oval, Cassini oval, Oval of Booth, Ovoid, Superellipse, Taijitu, Tomoe, and/or Magatama, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the shape and size of each tracking marker 260 on the face is identical, while, in an alternative embodiment, the shape and size of at least one tracking marker 260 on the face is different than the shape and size of a second tracking marker 260 on the face.
The shape and/or location of the tracking markers 260, may in some embodiments, further aid in alignment of the golf club head. As illustrated in
In another embodiment directed to also utilizing the tracking markers 260 to aid in alignment, a perimeter of at least one tracking marker 260 has a straight segment that is parallel to the MSD line associated with that particular tracking marker 260. In a further embodiment, the perimeter of at least one tracking marker 260 has at least two straight segments that are parallel to the MSD line associated with the particular tracking marker 260. In yet a further embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 has a perimeter that defines a parallelogram with at least two of the straight segments parallel to the MSD line, such as the tracking markers 260 illustrated in
According to some non-limiting examples, each one of the tracking markers 260 has a maximum dimension (e.g., a diameter for circular-shaped tracking markers) that is between, and inclusive of, 2 millimeters (mm) and 12 mm, between, and inclusive of, 2 mm and 10 mm, between, and inclusive of, 2 mm and 8 mm, or between, and inclusive of, 4.5 mm and 7 mm. According to one example, each one of the tracking markers 260 has a maximum dimension that is between, and inclusive of, 3 mm and 6 mm. According to another example, each one of the tracking markers 260 has a maximum dimension that is between, and inclusive of, 5 mm and 6 mm.
The non-circular shape or size of the tracking markers 260 can be functional, to promote the detectability of the tracking markers 260 by a launch monitor, ornamental, to promote a visual appearance of the golf club head 210, and/or performance-based, to help improve a user's ability to strike a golf ball. For example, because the heel portion 222 of the golf club head 210 is open to detection by the launch monitor 104 for a shorter amount of time compared to the toe portion 224 (due to the heel portion 222 closing sooner than the toe portion 224 during a golf swing), making the tracking marker 260 at the heel portion 222 larger than the tracking markers 260 at the toe portion 224 helps to extend the time the tracking marker 260 at the heel portion 222 is available for detection during a golf swing. Regardless of the size and shape of the tracking markers 260, in some examples, the size and shape of the tracking markers 260 are known by the electronic controller 105, so that the electronic controller 105 can more accurately identify the location of the tracking marker 260 (e.g., by knowing how to determine the center of the tracking marker 260).
According to one example, a tracking marker 260 is defined by a retroreflective surface that is more retroreflective, for a given wavelength or range of wavelengths, than any viewable surface of the forward portion 230, including the surface of the strike face 245, surrounding the tracking marker 260. As defined herein, a retroreflective surface is a surface configured to receive incident light (generated by a source) at an oblique angle relative to the surface and to redirect the incident light from the surface back to the source as reflected light. Accordingly, a surface that only reflects light back to a source when the light is directed at a 90° angle relative to the surface, and does not reflect light back to the source when the light is directed at an oblique angle relative to the surface, is not a retroreflective surface. Accordingly, as shown in
Referring to
In some examples, the tracking marker 260 is configured to be detectable by a launch monitor, but invisible to or unviewable by the naked eye. In such examples, the tracking marker 260 blocks retroreflected light in the visible spectrum, but does not block retroreflected light in the non-visible spectrum, such as infrared or ultraviolet or radar waves. Accordingly, in certain examples, the tracking marker 260 can include a low or short pass filter that filters out visible light (e.g., filters out light with wavelengths in the visible light spectrum) from the light retroflected from the pattern of retroreflective elements 277. In this manner, only non-visible retroreflected light, which is not perceptible to the human eye, is able to exit from the tracking marker 260 after being retroreflected. The low or short pass filter can be embedded within the tracking marker 260, such as between the polymeric cover 269 and the pattern of retroreflective elements 277, or it can be incorporated into polymeric cover 269.
In some examples, the retroreflectivity of the tracking marker 260 has a retroreflection coefficient of at least 0.7, at least 0.75, at least 0.8, at least 0.85, or at least 0.9. In these or other examples, the retroreflectivity of the tracking marker 260 is at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% greater than the retroreflectivity of the surrounding strike face 245.
Referring to
According to certain examples, during manufacturing of the golf club head 210, the sticker 262 is adhered to the outward facing surface 254 of the FRPM layer 250, such that a retroreflective surface of the sticker 262 faces outwardly, before the polymeric layer 252 is applied onto the outward facing surface 254. Accordingly, the polymeric layer 252 is applied over the sticker 262, which effectively encapsulates the sticker 262 in the forward portion 230 between the FRPM layer 250 and the polymeric layer 252. In this manner, the tracking marker 260 becomes a permanent part of the golf club head 210 and an entirely of the sticker 262 is recessed relative to the surface of the polymeric layer 252 immediately surrounding the sticker 262. In other words, the tracking marker 260 is permanently embedded in the golf club head 210. According to one definition, a tracking marker 260 is permanently embedded in a golf club head when the tracking marker 260 forms a permanent part of the golf club head and at least a portion of the tracking marker 260 is recessed relative to an immediately surrounding outer surface of the golf club head. In one example, the tracking marker 260 forms a permanent part of the golf club head when the part is not removable from the golf club head without irreversible destruction of, damage to, or deformation of the part or the golf club head. A sticker applied onto the strike face 245, or onto another outer surface of the golf club head 210, is not permanently embedded in the golf club head 210 because it does not form a permanent part of the golf club head (can be easily removed (e.g., peeled away)) and it sits on top of the outer surface of the golf club head without any portion of the sticker being recessed relative to the immediately surrounding portion of outer surface. Although not shown, in some examples, where the strike face 245 is made of a thermoplastic polymeric material, the tracking marker 260 can be co-formed with the strike face 245 such that the strike face 245 and the tracking marker(s) 260 are formed in one molding process.
Referring to
Referring to
Additionally, to maintain aesthetic symmetry (such as to properly frame a golf ball), in certain applications, dummy markers 261 can be applied onto the FRPM layer below corresponding scoreline-free regions 263 of the polymeric layer 252 on the heel side. According to some examples, the dummy markers 261 are visible within the visible light spectrum, but are not detectable by the launch monitor 104. The undetectability of the dummy markers 261 by the launch monitor 104 is necessary because, in certain examples, the launch monitor 104 is configured to detect a certain quantity of tracking markers (e.g., four), to properly determine the presentation parameters of the golf club head 110, and detection of more than the certain quantity can lead to inaccurate and/or inconsistent results.
In one example, the dummy markers 261 are configured to look like the tracking markers 260 by the naked eye, but do not have retroreflective elements so that light does not retroreflect off of the dummy markers 261, thus the dummy markers 261 are not detectable by the launch monitor 104.
In other examples, the dummy markers 261 have the same retroreflective elements as the tracking markers 260, but do not have a polymeric cover (such as the polymeric cover 269) or a corresponding air gap. Accordingly, the polymeric layer 252, when applied onto the FRPM layer 250, is applied directly onto the retroreflective elements without an air gap, which, as presented above, greatly reduces or prevents light from retroreflecting off of the retroreflective elements, thus rendering the dummy markers 261 undetectable by the launch monitor 104. Alternatively, the dummy markers 261 have the same configuration as the tracking markers 260, but a surface of the polymeric layer 252 directly above the dummy markers 261 has a texture or a surface roughness that prevents or significantly limits the retroreflectivity of light from the dummy markers 261, thus rendering them undetectable by the launch monitor 104. In this alternative example, the surface of the strike face 245 can have three different textures, including a first texture occupying the majority of the strike face 245 at locations away from the tracking markers 260 and the dummy markers 261, a second texture (different than the first texture) at locations over the tracking markers 260, and a third texture (different than the first texture and the second texture) at locations over the dummy markers 261. In yet other examples, a low or short pass filter, configured to prevent retroreflected light from passing through the filter, can be incorporated into each one of the dummy markers 161.
Referring to
In some examples, as shown in
In other examples, each one of the surface features of the repeating pattern of surface features has a cross-sectional shape, along a plane perpendicular to the strike face 245, that is not triangular. For example, in one implementation, each surface feature can have a convex, semi-circular or semi-oval, rounded outer surface, or a concave, semi-circular or semi-oval, rounded outer surface.
The texture of the textured surface of the strike face 245 promotes retroreflectivity of light from the tracking markers 260 (e.g., via diffraction). In contrast, it is recognized that the lack of texture (e.g., general non-patterned surface roughness or, alternatively, smoothness) hinders the retroreflectivity of light. This is because textured surfaces on the polymeric layer 252 help to direct light through the polymeric layer 252 and into the tracking markers 260, whereas light tends to reflect off of non-textured or smooth surfaces of the polymeric layer 252 without passing through the polymeric layer 252. In other words, the retroreflectivity of light from the tracking markers 260 is more efficient when the strike face 245 is textured than when it is not textured. Moreover, some textures promote retroreflectivity from the tracking markers 260 better than other textures. Additionally, it is recognized that the texture of the strike face 245 promotes the performance of the golf club head 210 by affecting how the golf ball reacts to the strike face 245 upon impact. As with retroreflectivity of the tracking markers 260, some textures promote performance characteristics of the golf club head 210 better than other textures. In certain examples, such as shown in
However, in other examples, such as shown in
The texture of the second textured zone 273 has a sawtooth configuration with a repeating pattern of sawtooth or triangular shapes. Each sawtooth of the second textured zone 273 has a maximum height H2, which is defined relative to a minimum height of the sawtooth. Also, each sawtooth of the second textured zone 273 has a length D3 from peak to peak or from trough to trough. In
Referring to
According to some examples, the strike plate 243 can be configured according to one or more examples of a strike plate defined in U.S. Pat. No. 11,596,841, issued Mar. 7, 2023, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. For example, the FRPM layer 250 of the strike plate 243 can include a plurality of composite prepreg plies and the polymeric layer 252 of the strike plate 243 can have a thickness between, and inclusive of, 0.1 mm and 3.0 mm, or between, and inclusive of, 0.05 mm and 3.0 mm. The polymeric layer 252 can have a plurality of surface features so that a mean roughness of the strike face 245 is between, and inclusive of, 2.5 micrometers and 5 micrometers, and a thickness of the polymeric layer 252 can be between, and inclusive of, 0.2 mm and 1.2 mm. Alternatively, the polymeric layer 252 can have a plurality of surface features so that a mean roughness of the strike face 245 is between, and inclusive of, 2.5 micrometers and 5 micrometers, and a thickness of the polymeric layer 252 can be between, and inclusive of, 0.05 mm and 1.2 mm. A peak-to-trough height of the surface features can be between, and inclusive of, 20 micrometers and 30 micrometers, or between, and inclusive of, 20 micrometers and 60 micrometers.
In some examples, retroreflectivity of the tracking markers 260 can also be affected by the orientation of the surface features of the texture formed in the polymeric layer 252. In the illustrated examples of
In one example, as shown in
According to some examples, the forward portion 230 optionally includes a physical vapor deposition (PVD) layer 294 applied onto an underlying metallic layer of the forward portion 230. The PVD layer 294 defines the strike face 245. Moreover, the recess 296 is partially formed in the PVD layer 294. Whether the forward portion 230 includes the PVD layer 294 or not, the insert 290 and the cover 292 are sized (e.g., have relative thicknesses) such that an outer surface of the cover 292 is flush with the strike face 245, protrudes no more than 0.15 mm from the strike face 245, or is sunken no more than 0.1 mm below the strike face 245. In some instances, the recess 296 may be countersunk or counterbored to provide greater bonding area to the cover 292.
In another example, as shown in
The formation of the recesses 296 in
Referring now to
Similar to
In some examples, the outer surface of the cover 292 shown in
The adhesive 249, adhering the sides and top of the insert 290 to the sides of the recess 296, supplements and strengthens the retention force keeping the insert 290 in the recess 296 beyond the retention force of just an adhesive layer of the insert 290 with the bottom of the recess 296.
According to certain examples, the insert 290 and the cover 292 form an insert assembly that is inserted into the recess 296. In other words, the cover 292 and the insert 290 are coupled together before being inserted into the recess 296. In one example, one or more insert assemblies are formed by molding a cover layer over a sheet of retroflective material. The cover layer can be made of a polymeric material (e.g., polyurethane, DP100, etc.) and molded to have a textured outer surface. An individual insert assembly is then formed by cutting out (e.g., punching out) a portion of the polymeric-covered sheet that has the desired shape of the insert assembly. In some examples, a single sheet of retroreflective material and cover layer can be used to cut out multiple insert assemblies.
In the examples of
Although the examples of the forward portion 230 in
Although the examples of the golf club head 210 shown in
The tracking markers 260, at locations on the golf club head 210 other than the strike face 245, can be formed in a manner similar to the tracking markers 260 on the strike face 245 to be a permanent part of the golf club head 210. For example, the tracking markers 260 on the toe portion 224, the hosel 232, or other portions of the golf club head 210 can be stickers or inserts embedded between two layers of the golf club head 210. It is also recognized that, for golf club heads with multiple tracking markers, as disclosed herein, different types of tracking markers can be used on the same golf club head. For example, the tracking markers on the strike face can be of a different type or formed differently than the tracking markers on other portions of the golf club head.
Referring to
The forward portion 330 defines a strike face 345 that can be co-formed with one or more other portions of the body 320 or formed separately from any other portion of the body 320. The forward portion 330 of the golf club head 310 also includes at least one tracking marker 360. The configuration and location of the tracking marker 360 on the forward portion 330 of the golf club head 310 can be similar to that of the tracking marker 260 of the golf club head 210. In the example of
The tracking markers 360 are embedded in the forward portion 330 in a manner similar to that shown in
Referring to
The forward portion 430 defines a strike face 445 that can be co-formed with one or more other portions of the body 420 or formed separately from any other portion of the body 420. The forward portion 430 of the golf club head 410 also includes at least one tracking marker 460. The configuration and location of the tracking marker 460 on the forward portion 430 of the golf club head 410 can be similar to that of the tracking marker 260 of the golf club head 210. In the example of
In the example of
All of the middle-toe, upper-toe, and middle-heel tracking markers are located outside of the impact area or hitting zone of the strike face 445. In one example, the tracking markers are located about a width of a tracking marker away from the scorelines or grooves. The middle-toe, upper-toe, and middle-heel tracking markers can be considered outside the impact area or hitting zone in the same manner as the face slots are located outside the impact area or the hitting zone, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,141,632, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In one example, the impact area of the strike face 445 can be defined as that part of the strike face 445 where a treatment has been applied (for instance grooves, sandblasting, etc.) or the central strip down the middle of the strike face 445 having a width of 1.68 inches (42.67 mm), whichever is greater.
Although the example shown and described above in association with
In the example of
In some examples, the strike face 445, whether co-formed with other portions of the body 420 or separately as a strike plate 443, is made of a metallic material, such as a steel alloy or a titanium alloy. Accordingly, the tracking markers 460 are embedded in the forward portion 430 in a manner similar to that shown in
Although the examples of the golf club head 410 shown in
The tracking markers 460, at locations on the golf club head 410 other than the strike face 445, can be formed in a manner similar to the tracking markers 460 on the strike face 445 to be a permanent part of the golf club head 410. For example, the tracking markers 460 on the toe portion 424, the hosel 432, or other portions of the golf club head 410, the tracking markers 460 can be stickers or inserts or inserts inserted into recesses formed in the golf club head 410.
Referring to
The forward portion 530 defines a strike face 545 that can be co-formed with one or more other portions of the body 520 or formed separately from any other portion of the body 520. The forward portion 530 of the golf club head 510 also includes at least one tracking marker 560. The configuration and location of the tracking marker 560 on the forward portion 530 of the golf club head 510 can be similar to that of the tracking marker 260 of the golf club head 210. In the example of
In some examples, the strike face 545, whether co-formed with other portions of the body 520 or separately as a strike plate 543, is made of a metallic material, rubber, material, or a plastic material. In these examples, the tracking markers 560 are embedded in the forward portion 530 in a manner similar to that shown in
Although the fairway-metal golf club head, the iron golf club head, and the putter golf club head shown in the figures each includes tracking markers, it is recognized that in other examples the fairway-metal golf club head, the iron golf club head, and the putter golf club head can include dummy markers, in addition to the tracking markers, such as described above in association with the driver-type golf club head.
Although examples of a tracking marker interposed between a polymeric layer and an FRPM of a laminated or layered strike plate, it is recognized that in some examples, a laminated or layered strike plate can include layers made of different materials (such a two non-fibrous plastic materials, or one plastic material and one metallic material) and the tracking marker can be located between such layers.
In certain examples, a primer can be applied above and/or below the tracking marker to promote adhesion of the tracking marker to the overlying surface and/or the underlying surface, respectively. When the primer is applied above the tracking marker, the primer is at least partially transparent to enable a launch monitor to visibly detect the presence of the tracking marker.
Although the tracking marker has been described as having a retroreflective surface, in some examples, as used herein, a retroreflective surface can be any surface that contrasts with its surrounding surface. Accordingly, as used herein, in some examples, a retroreflective surface does not have to have a retroreflectivity greater than the surrounding surface as long as the retroreflective surface has some feature that distinctly contrasts with its surrounding surface such that a launch monitor is able to distinguish the tracking marker from its surroundings. For example, the tracking marker and corresponding launch monitor can be one of the examples disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,902,612, issued Jan. 26, 2021.
Referring to
As shown in
The golf club head 610 includes at least one tracking marker 660 embedded in the rear badge 631. According to the illustrated example, the golf club head 610 includes three tracking markers 660 embedded in the rear badge 631. Two of the tracking markers 660 are embedded in a portion of the rear badge 631 that defines the rear portion 629 of the golf club head 610. One of the tracking markers 660 is embedded in a portion of the rear badge 631 that defines the toe portion 624 of the golf club head 610. In some examples, the tracking marker 660 embedded in the portion of the rear badge 631 that defines the toe portion 624 has a shape different than the shapes of the tracking markers 660 embedded in the portion of the rear badge 631 that defines the rear portion 629. When the rear badge 631 is made of a non-metallic material, the tracking markers 660 can be embedded or permanently formed in the rear badge 631 in the same manner as the tracking markers embedded in the strike face 245, as described above. In some examples, an external tracking marker 280, configured as a corner reflector, can be formed in an external surface of the rear badge 631. Alternatively, the external tracking marker 280 can instead be an internal tracking marker, configured as a corner reflector and similar to the internal tracking marker 295 described below, that is attached to an internal surface of the rear badge 631.
The tracking markers 660 located in the rear portion 629 of the golf club head 610 face in a generally rearward direction at impact with a golf ball. Accordingly, although detectable by a launch monitor at any of various locations relative to the golf ball, the tracking markers 660 are particularly detectable by a launch monitor located behind the golf ball.
Similar to the golf club head 410 shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
As shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In some examples of a golf club head having a movable weight, such as the movable weight 1565, or a selectively interchangeable weight, the launch monitor 104 can be used to automatically determine a position of the weight, relative to the golf club head, or the mass of the interchangeable weight based on identifying a tracking marker 1560 corresponding with the weight or by identifying the weight without a tracking marker 1560. Automatic identification of the weight and determination of the position or mass of the weight can promote a more accurate and efficient fitting of a golfer during a golf club fitting session (e.g., by reducing the number of manual inputs required, and by providing a larger dataset that can be used for machine learning to enhance current and future fittings). Additionally, or alternatively, for golf club heads having multiple selectively interchangeable weights having a limited number of combinations, identification of one weight and its position can help identify and determine the position of the other weights. One example of a system for golf fitting is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/401,320, filed Dec. 29, 2023, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
As shown in
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
In some examples, the quantity of tracking markers 1860 embedded in a shaft corresponds with a characteristic (e.g., stiffness, weight, tipping point, etc.) of the shaft. In the illustrated example, a first shaft 1802A includes one tracking marker 1860, a second shaft 1802B includes two tracking markers 1860, a third shaft 1802C includes three tracking markers 1860, a fourth shaft 1802D includes four tracking markers 1860, and a fifth shaft 1802E includes five tracking markers 1860. The first shaft 1802A has a first characteristic or a given characteristic having a first value. Likewise, the second shaft 1802B, the third shaft 1802C, the fourth shaft 1802D, and the fifth shaft 1802E have corresponding second, third, fourth, and fifth characteristics or a second, third, fourth, fifth value for the given characteristic that is different from each other and the first characteristic or the first value. In one particular example, the different quantities of tracking markers 1860 identify different degrees of stiffness of the shafts. The single tracking marker 1860 of the first shaft 1802A can identify a certain stiffness of the first shaft 1802A, with the increasing quantity of tracking markers 1860 identifying progressively stiffer shafts or more flexible shafts. In some examples, the smaller the quantity of tracking markers 1860, the stiffer the flex of the shaft 1802, which helps make the presence of the tracking markers less noticeable for higher swing speed and more advance players. The shafts include a tip end, to which a golf club head is directly attached, and a grip end, to which a grip is directly attached. In some examples, the tracking markers 1860 of the shafts 1860A-1860E are located proximate the tip end, or closer to the tip end than the grip end. Each one of the tracking markers 1860 can have an annular or ring shape and extend continuously about a circumference of the shaft, as shown in
The system 101 is configured to detect the one or more tracking markers 1860 of the shafts 1860A-1860E and automatically determine the characteristic or characteristic value of the shafts based on an automatic identification of the number of tracking markers detected. In this manner, the system 101 can identify the type of shaft of a golf club without manual input from a user. Additionally, when the system 101 is integrated into a golf club fitting system, such as one described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/401,320, the golf club fitting system can adjust its golf club recommendations based on the characteristics of the shaft automatically identified by the system 101.
Additionally, or alternatively, a characteristic of a shaft can be determined by a differentiation technique other than quantity, such as different patterns or different shapes. Referring to
According to another example, and referring to
In addition to, or as an alternative to, automatically determining one or more characteristics of the shaft of a golf club by detecting a particular characteristic (e.g., quantity, pattern, location, shape) of one or more tracking markers of the shaft, one or more other characteristics of the golf club head can be automatically determined by detecting a particular characteristic of one or more tracking markers of the golf club head. In other words, embedded tracking markers, as disclosed herein, can be used solely to automatically determine non-presentation parameters, such as the type, skew, model, manufacturer, loft, weight and/or FCT configuration, etc., of the golf club head, or to automatically determine both non-presentation and presentation parameters.
According to other examples, the system 101 is configured to automatically identify one or more non-presentation parameters of a golf club used in a fitting, or otherwise used to impact a golf ball, in alternative ways. In one example, a golf club head can include an electronic identification device that is integrated into a portion of the golf club head. The electronic identification device can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or near field communication (NFC) tag attached to or otherwise integrated into the golf club head. In one implementation, the electronic identification device is embedded into a crown insert of the golf club head. The electronic identification device includes memory that stores the non-presentation parameters of the golf club head. When the electronic identification device is a passive device, electric power for activating the electronic identification device can be provided by an external computing device (e.g., smart phone, tablet, PC, launch monitor, etc.) having a reader in close proximity to the golf club head. In practice, the external computing device can be positioned close to the golf club head (or vice versa) so that the reader activates the electronic identification device and receives the non-presentation parameters of the golf club from the electronic identification device. In some examples, when the non-presentation parameters of the golf club are read by the external computing device, the external computing device can automatically provide an alert (e.g., audible noise, tactile response, etc.) to the user.
In alternative examples, one or more non-presentation parameters of a golf club used in a fitting, or otherwise used to impact a golf ball, are identified using an artificial intelligence (AI) and/or a machine learning tool. The tool can receive digital images of the golf club, such as those taken with the camera of a launch monitor or other external computing device, and compare the digital images to stored or learned data in a database via a machine learning algorithm (e.g., a deep neural network) to identify the non-presentation parameters of the golf club. The user can artificially position the golf club head, relative to the camera of the external computing device, so that the digital images of the golf club head can be taken. Alternatively, the digital images can be taken as the golf club is being swung to impact a golf ball. At least in certain examples, using optical recognition and/or optical character recognition (OCR) technology, the digital images are analyzed (e.g., compared to a database of images) to identify individual characteristics, which are translated into digital data. In some examples, the optical recognition may use the serial number, in combination with a lookup table, to determine the head model, loft, handedness, and/or year of manufacture, and this may be used in combination with digital images to determine the adjustable shaft sleeve position (FCT position) and any adjustable weight positions and/or weight masses and locations. In some example, the serial number may be an intelligent serial number that indicates head model, loft, handedness, factory of manufacture and year of manufacture. For example, year could be a two or four digit year using numbers or letters (e.g. the letters CF may represent a club made in 2036 since C is the 3rd letter and F is the 6th letter). Golf manufacturers typically have 3 to 4 head models, which could be separately represented as A, B, C, D or 1, 2, 3, 4. Additionally, when included in an identification marker or number, A/1 can equal low spin, B/2 can equal a core driver, C/3 can equal a max forgiveness driver, D/4 can equal a lite driver for lower head mass or a draw biased driver. Loft could also be represented with either letters or numbers (e.g. J for 10 degrees and K for 11 degrees). The loft and head type may optionally be confirmed using the digital images. In some examples, when the non-presentation parameters of the golf club are determined by the tool, the external computing device can automatically provide an alert (e.g., audible noise, tactile response, etc.) to the user. The machine learning algorithm can be configured to automatically determine changes to the configuration of the golf club (e.g., changes to loft sleeve setting, weight positions, etc.) via analysis of the digital images.
According to some examples, an active identification sensor can be integrated into or attached to the golf club and used to automatically identify fixed non-presentation parameters of the golf club when used in a fitting, or otherwise used to impact a golf ball. The active identification sensor can include memory storing unique non-presentation parameters, an accelerometer, power supply, and wireless signal transmitter. The accelerometer senses use of the golf club. In response to the use of the golf club, the wireless signal transmitter, powered by the power supply, transmits a wireless signal, including information regarding the unique non-presentation parameters stored in the memory, to an external computing device. The wireless signal can be a high-frequency sound, Bluetooth signal, or other wireless signal.
In certain examples, the active identification sensor is integrated into or attached to the shaft and/or grip of the golf club and the fixed non-presentation parameters stored in the memory include unique characteristics of the shaft/grip combination. Accordingly, for golf club heads configured to receive interchangeable shafts, the shaft/grip combination of the shaft used on a golf club during a golf shot can be automatically identified using the active identification sensor. The fixed non-presentation parameters of the golf club head of the golf club used to hit the golf shot can be automatically identified via other methods, such as those described above. Alternatively, the fixed non-presentation parameters of the golf club head can be automatically identified via an active identification sensor, which store and transmits non-presentation parameters unique to the golf club head, integrated into or attached to the golf club head. Changeable non-presentation parameters of the golf club head, associated with configurable or changeable settings (e.g., FCT, movable weights, etc.), can be determined using other methods, such as AI or machine learning tools, or the use of embedded markers as described throughout this disclosure.
Referring to
The golf club head 210A also includes at least one tracking marker integrated into one or more portions of the golf club head 210A and specifically configured to be detected by a radar-based launch monitor 104, as described above. According to one example, the golf club head 210A includes an external tracking marker 280 that is formed in, or attached to, an external surface of one or more portions of the golf club head 210A, such as the hosel or a portion of a shell of the golf club head. In the illustrated examples, the external tracking marker 280 is formed in an external surface of the rearward portion 229 of the golf club head 210A, which, in some embodiments, may be the ring 284 at the rearward portion 229 of the golf club head 210A. The external tracking marker 280 includes multiple surfaces angled relative to each other such that a radar wave, approaching the external tracking marker 280 in a given direction, reflects (e.g., retroreflects) off of external tracking marker 280 is a direction substantially opposite to the given direction. In one example, the external tracking marker 280 (as well as the internal tracking marker, as discussed below) is a corner reflector 300 made of three mutually perpendicular, intersecting flat surfaces 302, such as shown in
One embodiment of a corner reflector has an edge length, which is the length of a joint where two of the surfaces intersect, of at least 5 mm, and in further embodiments at least 7 mm, 9 mm, 11 mm, or 13 mm. In a further embodiment, the edge length is no more than 25 mm, and in further embodiments, no more than 23 mm, 21 mm, 19 mm, or 17 mm. Another embodiment incorporates an alternative to a corner reflector, namely an internal spherical reflector or a Luneburg lens.
In one example, the portion of the golf club head 210A, in which the external tracking marker 280 is formed, is made of the radar-reflecting metallic material. However, in other examples, the radar-reflecting metallic material of the external tracking marker 280 can be coated or applied onto a surface of the portion of the golf club head 210A, in which the external tracking marker 280 is formed and which is not made of the radar-reflecting metallic material (e.g., plastic, glass-fiber, carbon-fiber, etc.).
In another example, the golf club head 210A includes a tracking marker 281A that is not a corner reflector, but rather is an entire or significant portion of the golf club head 210A that is made of a radar-reflecting metallic material. The portion of the golf club head 210A, forming the tracking marker 281A, is made of the radar-reflecting metallic material when the portion is formed of or coated with the radar-reflecting metallic material. According to the illustrated example, the ring 284 is made substantially entirely of the radar-reflecting metallic material. Alternatively, the ring 284 is made of a non-metallic material, or a metallic material with an electrical conductively less than 1.43×10−7 σ at 20° C. that is coated with a radar-reflecting material.
In some examples, the golf club head 210A can include one or more tracking markers 281A made of a discrete portion or discrete coating of radar-reflecting metallic material. For example, one or more of the tracking markers 260 shown in
In some examples, the external tracking marker 280 or the tracking marker 281A can include a portion of the golf club head 210A where a radar-reflecting metallic material is integrated into a non-metallic material. For example, the external tracking marker 280 or the tracking marker 281A can be a portion of the golf club head 210A where fibers, made of a radar-reflecting metallic material, are woven into a fiber-reinforced polymeric material (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,213,726, issued Jan. 4, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Alternatively, a radar-reflecting metallic material can be painted on an external surface or an internal surface of a non-metallic material of the golf club head, whether the external surface or internal surface is a corner reflector or surface having any of various shapes, such as planar, curved, and the like.
The launch monitor 104 of the system 101 can be configured to emit radar waves at the golf club head 210A and receive reflected radar waves from the external tracking marker 280 and/or the tracking marker(s) 281A. The system 101 can be specifically configured to look for, identify, and track the external tracking marker 280 and/or the tracking marker(s) 281A based on the reflected radar waves. In certain examples, the launch monitor 104 (or a secondary launch monitor 104 of the system 101) can be configured to also emit visible light waves at the golf club head 210A and receive reflected visible-light waves from the tracking marker(s) 260. The system 101 can utilize (e.g., compare, contrast, combine, etc.) both the reflected radar waves from the external tracking marker 280 and/or the tracking marker(s) 281A and the reflected visible-light waves from the tracking marker(s) 260 to determine head presentation parameters of the golf club head 210A.
Referring to
Referring to
Because radar waves penetrate through and do not reflect off materials with low electrical conductivity, such as some fiber-reinforced plastics, titanium, etc., as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In some examples, the crown-insert opening 1906 is filled with a radar-transparent material that forms a window 1902. The radar-transparent material is configured to allow radar waves to pass therethrough with minimal reflection. In the illustrated example, the radar-transparent material only fills the crown-insert opening 1906 (e.g., to form a thin window) and does not that fill the recess defined by the base 1094. As defined here, in certain examples, a radar-transparent material is a material that has an electrical conductivity of less than 1.43×10−7 σ (S/m) at 20° C., such as polymers, glass, glass-fiber reinforced polymer, and the like. According to some examples, the material of the window 1902 is more transparent to radar waves than the material of the crown insert 286 in which the crown-insert opening 1906 is formed, the material of any other disclosed element of the golf club head. In certain examples, the material of the window 1902 is also transparent to visible light, such that the internal tracking marker 295 is at least partially visible to the human eye through the window 1902. However, in other examples, to promote a particular aesthetic of the golf club head 210E, the material of the window 1902 may be opaque to visible light, such that the internal tracking marker 295 is not visible to the human eye through the window 1902 (e.g., the material of the window 1902 may have a color the same as or similar to the material of the crown insert 286 in which the crown-insert opening 1906 is formed such that the window 1902 is not distinguishable or only slightly distinguishable from the surrounding portions of the crown insert 286), or may be a viewing-angle dependent window 1902 that is not transparent when viewed from overhead with a line of sight between the lie angle of the golf club and a second angle that is 20 degrees greater than the lie angle. In some examples, where the window 1902 is formed in a crown insert or sole insert, the window 1902 (or each window of multiple windows 1902) has an area that is between, and inclusive of, 1% and 20%, or between, and inclusive of, 1% and 5%, of a total surface area of the crown insert or sole insert, respectively. In certain examples, the window 1902 (or each window of multiple windows 1902) has an area that is at least 78 mm2, and, in further embodiments, is at least 100 mm2, 150 mm2, 200 mm2, 250 mm2, 300 mm2, 350 mm2, 400 mm2, or 450 mm2. In another series of embodiments, the total window area is no more than 75% of a total exterior surface area of the club head, and in additional embodiments is no more than 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, or 35% of a total exterior surface area of the club head.
In an alternative example, as shown in
The base 1904 is attached to or formed with the forward cup 282 so that the reflective surfaces of the internal tracking marker 295 are as close as possible to the external surface of the golf club head 210E towards which the reflective surfaces face. Because the internal tracking marker 295 is positioned in close proximity to the external surface of the golf club head 210E, radar waves 287 within a broader angular range (or cone of capture) are able to enter and reflect off the internal tracking marker 295.
In some examples, the recess defined by the internal tracking marker 295 is hollow or unfilled, which promotes better transmission of radar waves through the recess. However, to promote structural strength, stiffness, and/or acoustic properties, and enable transmission of radar waves through the recess, the recess can be at least partially filled with a radar-transparent material. For example, as shown in
As shown in
Similar to the golf club head 210A of
Referring to
Referring to
In some examples, the external tracking marker 280 is formed in a portion of the golf club head made of a non-metallic material and coated with a radar-reflecting material as discussed above. According to one example, one or more external tracking markers 280 can be formed in a portion of the golf club head made of a fiber-reinforced polymer. For example, one or more external tracking markers 280 can be formed in the crown insert 286 or the sole insert 288. To help form the shape of the external tracking marker 280, the fiber-reinforced polymer can include staggered slits that are perpendicular to the direction of the fibers (see, e.g., ET 40 made by Torray). The discontinuities defined by the slits enable the fiber-reinforced polymer to be shaped into any of various complex shapes, such as a corner reflector shape. Because the slits are staggered, the strength of the fiber-reinforced polymer is significantly maintained compared to fiber-reinforced polymer materials with fully continuous fibers.
Now referring to
The disclosed radar-transparent material may also include PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), commonly known as Teflon, which offers a relatively low dielectric constant, and mixtures thereof, and/or PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKetone), which has a slightly higher dielectric constant than PTFE but may offer better mechanical properties, and mixtures thereof, and/or perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs), which are known for their excellent dielectric properties, and/or polymer composites with low-loss fillers like hollow glass microspheres or engineered ceramic particles, and mixtures thereof, and/or polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), and mixtures thereof, and/or polystyrenes (PS), and mixtures thereof, and/or nylon, and mixtures thereof, and/or fiberglass composites, and mixtures thereof, and/or thermoplastics such as acrylic and polycarbonate variations, and mixtures thereof, and/or carbon fiber composites, and mixtures thereof.
As shown in
Any of the disclosed tracking markers may include a radar reflective coating to increase the radar reflectivity of defined areas of the golf club head. Thus, all of the disclosure related to the tracking marker 260 is also applicable to a tracking marker 260 that consists of a radar reflective coating. The radar reflective coating may include metalized coatings having a thin layer of metal, such as copper, nickel, silver, aluminum, or combinations thereof, and/or dielectric coatings, including high permittivity dielectric paint and frequency selective surface (FSS) inspired paint, and/or retroreflective coatings containing tiny corner reflectors, and/or metamaterials. The size and shape of the metalized coating, including the underlying structure on which the metalized coating is coated, may be configured to create a resonant cavity and amplify the overall radar return signal, and/or for reflection enhancement. One skilled in the art will recognize that the term resonant cavity is not limited to an enclosed cavity like a box, rather the design of the coating, including the size, shape, and/or material(s), facilitates the interaction of the radar wave to create resonance by inducing current on the surface of the coating, and thereby acting as a radiator at the same frequency as the incoming wave and producing a stronger reflection.
Further, the radar reflective coating may be used to create a microwave dipole cavity, which is a specialized electromagnetic structure designed to enhance the interaction between microwave radiation and atomic or molecular dipoles. A microwave dipole cavity consists of a resonant cavity, often made of electrically conductive materials, that confines and enhances the microwave field within a specific volume. The dipole can be made from a thin wire or rod of electrically conductive metal like copper or aluminum, and has an overall length and a gap to create separate arms of the dipole.
A dipole antenna can be made from a thin wire or rod of electrically conductive metal, like copper or aluminum, to reflect radar signals back to their source. This is because a dipole antenna operates on the principle of resonance, where the length of the wire or rod is approximately half the wavelength of the radio frequency being transmitted or received. When a radar signal hits the dipole antenna, it induces an oscillating current in the electrically conductive material, which in turn causes the antenna to radiate electromagnetic waves back towards the radar source. The length of the dipole determines its resonant frequency, with a half-wavelength dipole being most efficient for reflecting signals at that particular frequency.
One embodiment incorporates a folded dipole configuration of the dipole arms, whereas another embodiment incorporates a spiral dipole configuration.
In some examples, a golf club head of the present disclosure may include at least two tracking markers, and preferably includes at least three tracking markers, and even more preferably at least four tracking markers, located on the golf club head to be as spaced apart as possible and still be visible to a launch monitor, of a particular type and at a particular location relative to the golf club head, when the golf club head is swung for identifying desirable head presentation parameters of the golf club head. In one example, the launch monitor is located behind the golf club head when the golf club head strikes a golf ball during a golf swing. A launch monitor in such a position is particularly suitable for detecting tracking markers located on rearward facing portions of the golf club head. Moreover, launch monitors located behind the golf club head primarily focus on the positioning and orientation of the golf club head during just the last moments (e.g., the last 20% to 30% of the swing) before impact with the golf ball. In certain examples, only three tracking markers are needed to accurately determine the head presentation parameters of the golf club head and, if present, the fourth tracking marker is redundant. Due to the position of such launch monitors behind the golf club head, the locations on the golf club head in which tracking markers are detectable can be limited, and some rearward facing locations on the golf club head may be more visible than others. Moreover, the swing path of the golf club head on approach to the golf ball can may obstruct the ability of the launch monitor to detect tracking markers in certain locations on the golf club head. For example, a tracking marker that is too heelward on the golf club head may not be visible to the launch monitor for an extreme in-to-out swing path. Conversely, for example, a tracking marker that is too toeward on the golf club head may not be visible to the launch monitor for an extreme out-to-in swing path. Accordingly, having one or more redundant tracking markers and/or appropriately locating and spacing the tracking markers on the rearward facing portions of the golf club head can be important for accurate detection of tracking markers and determination of golf club head presentation parameters.
Referring to
In some examples, as shown in
Notably, although in some examples the tracking markers (e.g., retroreflective markers) may be more noticeable to the human eye, in other examples, the trackingmarkers may be colored to camouflage them with neighboring surfaces (e.g., obscure their view from the human eye), yet they will still act as retroreflectors. The tracking markers can have any of various colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, black, white, silver, yellow-green, fluorescent, and many more colors and hues of each color. This can allow for camouflaging of some or all of the retroreflectors. Alternatively, it may be desirable to make the retroreflectors pop or standout more so that a user or a fitter may better locate them. In these examples, tracking markers may be colored to contrast with neighboring surfaces to enhance their visibility to the human eye. For certain locations, like the hosel, crown, forward crown portion, and/or portions of the face, it may be desirable to color the tracking marker black to camouflage it, while in other locations, such as the rear of the club head, it may be desirable to have the tracking marker contrast with various surfaces, including the neighboring surfaces.
According to another example, a tracking marker is located on at least a portion of the topline (e.g., the transition from face to crown or transition from face to the top portion) of the club head, which would be viewable by either an overhead launch monitor, a face-on-view launch monitor (which may be positioned forward of the golfer), or both. Referring to
Referring to
As shown in
The golf club head 210N also includes a tracking marker 260 formed in a rearward facing surface of the hosel 232. The FCT system 251 also includes a grouping of tracking markers 260G having various shapes and relative locations. The grouping of tracking markers 260G are detectible by a launch monitor and help to identify one or more characteristics of the golf club associated with the golf club head 210N.
To account for rotation of a shaft sleeve or hosel, a tracking marker on the FCT system or hosel may encircle the shaft sleeve or hosel, which would appear as a line. The several markers on the shaft sleeve for the FCT system may be used to further identify the shaft sleeve position because the shaft sleeve may be installed in various configurations adjusting one or more of loft, lie, and/or face angle. By having unique markings, the system may be able to detect the installation position of the shaft sleeve e.g. higher or lower loft. This information may be used for optimizing launch conditions e.g. fitting or for better understanding and comparing results from various sessions.
An example of a golf club head 210P, similar to the golf club head 210N, is shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
According to some examples, the launch monitor 104 of the system 101 is operable in a “in-play mode” (as opposed to a “fitting mode” used during a golf fitting) and is fixed to golf equipment associated with on-course play. For example, the golf equipment can include a drivable golf cart, a pullable golf bag cart (e.g., rickshaw), a powered golf bag cart, a golf bag, a dedicated tote/bag, and the like. During a golf round, the golf equipment can be positioned, relative to a golfer taking a golf shot, so that the launch monitor 104 is directed towards the golfer (i.e., directed to an impact zone with a golf ball). The launch monitor 104 and the golf club can be configured to cooperate to determine head presentation parameters of the golf club head, in any of various ways described herein, during a golf shot on the golf course. Additionally, or alternatively, the launch monitor 104 and/or other external computing device(s), can be used to automatically identify the non-presentation parameters of the golf club used to take the golf shot. The head presentation parameters and the non-presentation parameters can be collected and presented to the user in a meaningful way on the golf course to help the golfer improve his/her golf game or make the golf round more enjoyable or entertaining. In some examples, the golf equipment can include a drone, which can be programmed to automatically follow a golfer during a round, from shot to shot, and be positioned relative to the golfer during a golf shot so that the launch monitor 104 can accurately detect or identify parameters of the golf club used during the golf shot or results of the golf shot. The launch monitor 104 can be used in conjunction with any of the various other methods or devices, disclosed herein, which are designed to automatically identify non-presentation parameters of a golf club used during a golf shot. The launch monitor 104 can be a radar-based launch monitor, an optically-based launch monitor, or a combination radar-based and optically-based launch monitor. Moreover, if needed, such as with optical-based launch monitors, the system 101 can include multiple launch monitors on multiple pieces of golf equipment to help track golf shots and head presentation parameters during a golf round.
According to certain examples, the head presentation parameters of the golf club can be monitored during a golf swing of the user, but will not be recorded or displayed as associated with a golf shot unless an impact with a golf ball has occurred. Determination of an impact with a golf ball can be provided in any of various ways. In one example, the launch monitor 104 can include an acoustic sensor that acoustically detects an impact with a golf ball based on the sound associated with the impact. The launch monitor 104 can include a radar emitter and sensor, which is capable of detecting the flight of a golf ball associated with an impact. Additionally, or alternatively, the launch monitor 104 can optically determine an impact with a golf ball by capturing and analyzing images of the golf ball at and following an impact with the golf club head. Finally, in some examples, electronic devices, such as accelerometers, can be embedded into the golf ball and monitored for motion associated with an impact with a golf ball.
In view of the foregoing, according to some examples, the tracking markers (e.g., fiducials, retro-reflectors, etc.) disclosed herein should be as small as possible while still being visible to a receiver. Preferably, in some examples, a maximum dimension of each tracking marker is no more than 10 mm. For example, in one particular implementation, the tracking marker is 10 mm×3 mm. Under some conditions, tracking markers having too large a surface area can result in wide bands, which are undesirable due to the potential for overlap of tracking markers associated with blurring and overlapping blurs, thus resulting in the potential loss of information. A small amount of blur can be acceptable and may even be desirable. However, significant overlapping blur may be undesirable.
Generally, in some examples, a tracking marker with a surface area of at least 2 mm2 is desirable and no more than 30 mm2 is desirable (e.g., and more preferably, a surface area of no more than 20 mm2). However, smaller and larger surface areas in some examples may be acceptable. Separation of tracking markers may be desirable to more easily distinguish between various marker locations on the club head. Various shapes may be used, including pentagons, parallelograms, triangles, circles, diamonds, squares, triangle with blunted ends, elliptical shapes, etc.
The tracking markers shown throughout may be used to better locate the club head in three-dimensional space to provide improved results compared to a golf club head lacking the markers. Additionally, the markers may make it possible to provide additional results that may not be possible without the markers. For example, head path, face angle, head speed, and impact location may all be more accurately obtained with the addition of the tracking markers. For even greater accuracy, the tracked markers can be compared to a database containing various heads, head properties, head dimensions (e.g. face area, face height, and face width), and marker coordinates and marker coordinates relative a geometric center of the face and/or relative a shaft or hosel axis. All, or just some, of this data may be provided to the launch monitor system to improve results and calculations by having more precise geometry of the head and marker location. The markers themselves, marker configuration, and/or marker orientation may all serve to uniquely identify a head to a launch monitor system. Or, an NFC or RFID chip on the head or internal to the head, or other communications method may be used to identify the head to the launch monitor system so that it may be retrieved from a database. Alternatively, a barcode may be scanned to identify the head, or a user or fitter may search for or select the head from the database.
Some conventional radar-based launch monitors perform less than optimum in indoor settings or lower light settings. The addition of the tracking markers, in combination with an electromagnetic radiation emitter and a receiver, may be used to improve head tracking in these conditions as well as outdoor conditions. Additionally, combining a radar based launch monitor with an optical based launch, including the electromagnetic radiation emitter and a receiver, may improve results in a variety of settings and light conditions. Moreover, images taken during the swing may further be combined to improve results and enrich the data. The images could be taken down the line or face on, or even from above the golfer. There may be several cameras in one or more locations e.g. a down the line camera, a face on camera, and an overhead camera and there may be more than one camera at each location.
The various examples shown in the figures of the present disclosure are just examples of possible tracking marker placement options. Fewer markers, more markers, different combinations, different shapes and/or locations than those shown may be used. In other words, those shown are non-limiting examples. The tracking markers may optionally be seated in a recessed portion of the club or seated in a proud portion of the club head that includes a recessed portion, and they may optionally be covered with a coating e.g. clear coat, as has been described above in more detail.
All patent applications, patents, and printed publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety including any definitions, except for any inconsistent or irreconcilable definitions, except for any subject matter disclaimers or disavowals, and except to the extent that the incorporated material is inconsistent with the express disclosure herein, in which case the usage in this disclosure controls. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) shall be considered supplementary to that of this document, and, for the avoidance of doubt, the usage in this document controls.
The disclosure contains a delicate interplay of relationships of the various components, variables within each component as well, as relationships across the components, which impact the performance, sound, feel, durability, and manufacturability of the golf club head, as well as the performance and accuracy of the launch monitor(s). The disclosed relationships are more than mere optimization, maximization, or minimization of a single characteristic or variable, and are often contrary to conventional design thinking, yet have been found to achieve a unique balance of the trade-offs associated with competing criteria such as durability, acoustics, aerodynamics, vibration, fatigue resistance, weight, and ease of manufacture. The relationships disclosed do more than maximize or minimize a single characteristic such as characteristic time (CT), coefficient of restitution (COR) at a single point such as face center or offset/distributed COR, moments of inertia, deflection of a single component, rigidity of a single component, ductility of a single component, stiffness of the overall club head, deflection of a single component, frequency of a single components, damping, aerodynamic performance, durability, and/or changes in mode frequencies of the individual components, rather, the relationships achieve a unique balance among these characteristics, which are often conflicting, to produce a club head that has improved feel, sound, durability, and/or performance. After all, the interaction of the numerous components of the present golf club head, particularly when they have such varied material properties, has the potential to adversely impact the sound and feel of the golf club head, as well as its durability, manufacturability, and overall performance of the golf club, the golf club head, and the launch monitor(s). The aforementioned balance requires trade-offs among the competing characteristics recognizing key points of diminishing returns. Further, it is important to recognize that all the associated disclosure and relationships apply equally to all embodiments and should not be interpreted as being limited to the particular embodiment being discussed when a relationship is mentioned. The aforementioned balances require trade-offs among the competing characteristics recognizing key points of diminishing returns, as often disclosed with respect to open and closed ranges for particular variables and relationships. Proper functioning of each component, and the overall club head, on each and every shot, over thousands of impacts during the life of a golf club, is critical. Therefore, this disclosure contains unique combinations of components and relationships that achieve these goals. While the relationships of the various features and dimensions of a single component play an essential role in achieving the goals, the relationships of features and/or characteristics across multiple components, and/or across multiple devices including a launch monitor(s), are just as critical, if not more critical, to achieving the goals. Further, the relative length, width, thickness, geometry, and material properties of various components, and their relationships to one another and the other design variables disclosed herein, influence the performance, durability, feel, sound, safety, and ease of manufacture. Additionally, many embodiments have identified upper and/or lower limits ranges of relationships when extension outside the range the performance may suffer and adversely impact the goals. While some relationships may appear unrelated, aspects of the disclosure have been avoided in the past due to undesirably adding to the complexity of the golf club and/or negatively impacting performance, whether it is durability, aerodynamics, mass distribution, sound, and/or feel, and have therefore been avoided in the past, despite advantages regarding improved accuracy of the launch monitor(s). The disclosed characteristics and relationships, the material properties of the various club head components and bonding agents, the optical and radar tracking enhancements, all play a significant role in the performance of the system and the system components.
In addition to the various features described herein, any of the golf club heads disclosed herein may also incorporate additional features, which can include any of the following features:
Additionally, in addition to the various features described herein, any of the embodiments disclosed herein may also incorporate additional features, which can include any of the features disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/560,054, filed Dec. 22, 2021, Ser. No. 17/505,511, filed Oct. 19, 2021, Ser. No. 17/389,167, filed Jul. 19, 2021, Ser. No. 17/321,315, filed May 14, 2021, Ser. No. 18/179,848, filed Mar. 7, 2023, Ser. No. 17/124,134, filed Dec. 16, 2020, Ser. No. 17/137,151, filed Dec. 29, 2020, Ser. No. 17/691,649, filed Mar. 10, 2022, Ser. No. 18/510,476, filed Nov. 15, 2023, Ser. No. 17/228,511, filed Apr. 12, 2021, Ser. No. 17/224,026, filed Apr. 6, 2021, Ser. No. 17/564,077, filed Dec. 28, 2021, 63/292,708, filed Dec. 22, 2021, 63/478,107, filed Dec. 30, 2022, 63/433,380, filed Dec. 16, 2022, Ser. No. 14/694,998, filed Apr. 23, 2015, Ser. No. 18/068,347, filed Dec. 19, 2022, Ser. No. 17/547,519, filed Dec. 10, 2021, Ser. No. 17/360,179, filed Jun. 28, 2021, Ser. No. 17/531,979, filed Nov. 22, 2021, Ser. No. 17/722,748, filed Apr. 18, 2022, Ser. No. 17/006,561, filed Aug. 28, 2020, Ser. No. 16/806,254, filed Mar. 2, 2020, Ser. No. 17/696,664, filed Mar. 16, 2022, Ser. No. 17/565,580, filed Dec. 30, 2021, Ser. No. 17/727,963, filed Apr. 25, 2022, Ser. No. 16/288,499, filed Feb. 28, 2019, Ser. No. 17/530,331, filed Nov. 18, 2021, Ser. No. 17/586,960, filed Jan. 28, 2022, Ser. No. 17/884,027, filed Aug. 9, 2022, Ser. No. 13/842,011, filed Mar. 15, 2013, Ser. No. 16/817,311, filed Mar. 12, 2020, Ser. No. 17/355,642, filed Jun. 23, 2021, Ser. No. 17/132,645, filed Dec. 23, 2020, Ser. No. 17/390,615, filed Jul. 30, 2021, Ser. No. 17/164,033, filed Feb. 1, 2021, Ser. No. 17/107,474, filed Nov. 30, 2020, Ser. No. 17/526,981, filed Nov. 15, 2021, Ser. No. 16/352,537, filed Mar. 13, 2019, Ser. No. 17/156,205, filed Jan. 22, 2021, Ser. No. 17/132,541, filed Dec. 23, 2020, Ser. No. 17/824,727, filed May 25, 2022, Ser. No. 17/722,632, filed Apr. 18, 2022, Ser. No. 17/712,041, filed Apr. 1, 2022, Ser. No. 17/695,194, filed Mar. 15, 2022, Ser. No. 17/686,181, filed Mar. 3, 2022, 63/305,777, filed Feb. 2, 2022, Ser. No. 17/577,943, filed Jan. 18, 2022, Ser. No. 17/570,613, filed Jan. 7, 2022, Ser. No. 17/569,810, filed Jan. 6, 2022, Ser. No. 17/566,833, filed Dec. 31, 2021, Ser. No. 17/566,131, filed Dec. 30, 2021, Ser. No. 17/566,263, filed Dec. 30, 2021, Ser. No. 17/557,759, filed Dec. 21, 2021, Ser. No. 17/558,387, filed Dec. 21, 2021, Ser. No. 17/645,033, filed Dec. 17, 2021, Ser. No. 17/541,107, filed Dec. 2, 2021, Ser. No. 17/526,855, filed Nov. 15, 2021, Ser. No. 17/524,056, filed Nov. 11, 2021, Ser. No. 17/522,560, filed Nov. 9, 2021, Ser. No. 17/515,112, filed Oct. 29, 2021, Ser. No. 17/513,716, filed Oct. 28, 2021, Ser. No. 17/504,335, filed Oct. 18, 2021, Ser. No. 17/504,327, filed Oct. 18, 2021, Ser. No. 17/494,416, filed Oct. 5, 2021, Ser. No. 17/493,604, filed Oct. 4, 2021, 63/261,457, filed Sep. 21, 2021, Ser. No. 17/479,785, filed Sep. 20, 2021, Ser. No. 17/476,839, filed Sep. 16, 2021, Ser. No. 17/477,258, filed Sep. 16, 2021, Ser. No. 17/476,025, filed Sep. 15, 2021, Ser. No. 17/467,709, filed Sep. 7, 2021, Ser. No. 17/403,516, filed Aug. 16,2021, Ser. No. 17/399,823, filed Aug. 11, 2021, 63/227,889, filed Jul. 30, 2021, Ser. No. 17/878,734, filed Aug. 1, 2022, Ser. No. 18/323,935, May 25, 2023, Ser. No. 18/827,140 filed Sep. 6, 2024, Ser. No. 18/957,619, filed Nov. 22, 2024, Ser. No. 19/007,332, filed Dec. 31, 2024, Ser. No. 15/263,929, filed Sep. 13, 2016, Ser. No. 17/387,181, filed Jul. 28, 2021, Ser. No. 17/378,407, filed Jul. 16, 2021, Ser. No. 17/368,520, filed Jul. 6, 2021, Ser. No. 17/330,033, filed May 25, 2021, Ser. No. 17/235,533, filed Apr. 20, 2021, Ser. No. 17/233,201, filed Apr. 16, 2021, Ser. No. 17/216,185, filed Mar. 29, 2021, Ser. No. 17/198,030, filed Mar. 10, 2021, Ser. No. 17/191,617, filed Mar. 3, 2021, Ser. No. 17/190,864, filed Mar. 3, 2021, Ser. No. 17/183,905, filed Feb. 24, 2021, Ser. No. 17/183,057, filed Feb. 23, 2021, Ser. No. 17/181,923, filed Feb. 22, 2021, Ser. No. 17/171,678, filed Feb. 9, 2021, Ser. No. 17/171,656, filed Feb. 9, 2021, Ser. No. 17/107,447, filed Nov. 30, 2020, Ser. No. 18/102,001, filed Jan. 26, 2023, Ser. No. 18/456,313, filed Aug. 25, 2023, Ser. No. 17/515,971, filed Nov. 1, 2021, Ser. No. 18/105,194, filed Feb. 2, 2023, Ser. No. 18/943,832, filed Nov. 11, 2024, 63/748,887 filed Jan. 23, 2025, and 63/338,818, filed May 5, 2022, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Additionally, in addition to the various features described herein, any of the embodiments disclosed herein may also incorporate additional features, which can include any of the features disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,610,479, issued Apr. 4, 2017, U.S. Pat. No. 11,213,726, issued Jan. 4, 2022, U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,776, issued Jul. 15, 2014, U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,928, issued Oct. 9, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 7,445,561, issued Nov. 4, 2008, U.S. Pat. No. 9,409,066, issued Aug. 9, 2016, U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,435, issued Nov. 6, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,937, issued Jan. 25, 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 8,628,434, issued Jan. 14, 2014, U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,591, issued Dec. 17, 2013, U.S. Pat. No. 8,740,719, issued Jun. 3, 2014, U.S. Pat. No. 9,694,253, issued Jul. 4, 2017, U.S. Pat. No. 9,683,301, issued Jun. 20, 2017, U.S. Pat. No. 9,468,816, issued Oct. 18, 2016, U.S. Pat. No. 8,262,509, issued Sep. 11, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 7,901,299, issued Mar. 8, 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 8,119,714, issued Feb. 21, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,586, issued Jul. 1, 2014, U.S. Pat. No. 8,227,545, issued Jul. 24, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 8,066,581, issued Nov. 29, 2011, 10052530, issued Aug. 21, 2018, 10195497, issued Feb. 5, 2019, 10086240, issued Oct. 2, 2018, U.S. Pat. No. 9,914,027, issued Mar. 13, 2018, U.S. Pat. No. 9,174,099, issued Nov. 3, 2015, U.S. Pat. No. 9,697,613, issued Jul. 4, 2017, U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,591, issued Dec. 17, 2013, U.S. Pat. No. 11,673,029, issued Jun. 13, 2023, and U.S. Pat. No. 11,219,803, issued Jan. 11, 2022, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/534,512, filed Dec. 8, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses various materials, unique golf club head constructions, unique mass distributions, unique volume distributions, manufacturing methodologies, and club head properties. Some of the club head properties are below. Definitions for the various club head properties may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/534,512, filed Dec. 8, 2023, and if definitions are not provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/534,512, definitions may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/263,929, filed Sep. 13, 2016, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The various club heads disclosed herein have a range of volumes typically measured in cubic-centimeters (cm3), equal to the volumetric displacement of the club head, assuming any apertures are sealed and generally sealed by a substantially planar surface. (See United States Golf Association “Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs,” Revision 1.0, Nov. 21, 2003). In other words, for a golf club head with one or more weight ports within the head, it is assumed that the weight ports are either not present or are “covered” by regular, imaginary surfaces, such that the club head volume is not affected by the presence or absence of ports. In several embodiments, a golf club head of the present application can be configured to have a head volume between about 30 cm3 and about 600 cm3. In more particular embodiments, the head volume is between about 30 cm3 and about 80 cm3, the head volume is between about 45 cm3 and about 65 cm3, the head volume is between about 90 cm3 and about 125 cm3, the head volume is between about 130 cm3 and about 280 cm3, the head volume is between about 130 cm3 and about 190 cm3, the head volume is between about 195 cm3 and about 320 cm3, or between about 250 cm3 and about 500 cm3. In yet more specific embodiments, the head volume is between about 300 cm3 and about 500 cm3, between 300 cm3 and about 360 cm3, between about 360 cm3 and about 420 cm3, between about 390 cm3 and about 500 cm3, or between about 420 cm3 and about 500 cm3. In some embodiments, the head volume is between about 370 cm3 and about 500 cm3.
In the case of a driver, the golf club head has a volume between approximately 390 cm3 and approximately 490 cm3, and a total head mass between approximately 185 g and approximately 215 g. In the case of a fairway wood, the golf club head has a volume between approximately 130 cm3 and approximately 250 cm3, and a total head mass between approximately 205 g and approximately 260 g. In the case of a utility or hybrid club the golf club head has a volume between approximately 60 cm3 and approximately 150 cm3, and a total head mass between approximately 215 g and approximately 280 g. In the case of an iron and/or wedge club the golf club head has a volume between approximately 20 cm3 and approximately 80 cm3, and a total head mass between approximately 230 g and approximately 320 g. In the case of a putter club the golf club head has a volume between approximately 10 cm3 and approximately 80 cm3, and a total head mass between approximately 260 g and approximately 460 g.
Tables 1-4 below provide several mass properties of exemplary embodiments of the various types of golf club heads disclosed herein, with the club head oriented with a face angle of 0 degrees. Many of the examples are specific to driver type golf club heads, but at least some of the various properties may be similar to or overlap with properties for fairway wood, hybrid or rescue, iron, and putter type golf club heads.
In the tables above, if a value is not defined herein, the definitions used in U.S. Pat. No. 10,195,497 and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/722,748 are to be applied, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. As used in the tables above, “BP PROJ” means “projected CG location,” also referred to as “balance point” projection, or “CG projection.” In fact, CFZ is measured in the same manner as DELTA2, as defined in U.S. Pat. No. 10,195,497 but is measure to a projection of center face 205, in the y-axis direction, onto the imaginary vertical shaft axis plane thereby defining a point referred to as the CFZ point, and the shortest distance from the CFZ point to the shaft axis is the CFZ value. In addition to the Ixx, Iyy, and Izz moments of inertial disclosed above, one skilled in the art will be familiar with the products of inertia Ixy, Ixz, Iyx, Iyz, Izx, and Izy. In one embodiment Ixy, Iyx, Iyz, and/or Izy is no more than 4.2 times Izx and/or Ixz, and in further embodiments no more than 4.1, 4.0, 3.9, 3.8, or 3.7. In another embodiment Ixy, Iyx, Iyz, and/or Izy is at least 3.0 times Izx and/or Ixz, and in further embodiments at least 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, or 3.6. In one embodiment Ixy, Iyx, Iyz, and/or Izy are no more than 520 g*cm2, and in further embodiments no more than 510 g*cm2, 500 g*cm2, or 490 g*cm2. In a further embodiment at least one of Iyz and Izy are at least 30 g*cm2 less than Ixy, Iyx, Iyz, and/or Izy, and in further embodiments at least 35 g*cm2 less, 40 g*cm2 less, or 45 g*cm2 less.
A ratio of Ixx/Izz is generally greater than approximately 0.6 and less than approximately 0.9. In some implementations, it is greater than approximately 0.7, and in other implementations, it is less than approximately 0.8. The ratio of Ixx/Izz is preferably between 0.63 and 0.76.
A ratio of Iyy/Izz is generally greater than approximately 0.45 and less than approximately 0.85. In some implementations, it is between 0.46 and 0.56. In some implementations, it is between 0.50 and 0.59. In some implementations, it is between 0.65 and 0.79. In some implementations, it is between 0.6 and 0.75.
A ratio of Ixx/Iyy is generally between approximately 0.55 and approximately 1.60. In some implementations, it is between 0.92 and 1.47. In some implementations, it is between 1.05 and 1.39.
In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” “over,” “under” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. Further, the term “plurality” can be defined as “at least two.” The term “about” in some examples, can be defined to mean within +/−5% of a given value.
Further, each of the values indicated in any Tables, examples, or disclosure may stand on their own as an independent upper or lower boundary, and may also be combined with any other disclosed value to established closed end ranges. Further, if a lower end limitation in one embodiment that is higher than an upper end limitation in another embodiment it does not conflict, but rather merely indicates that those two boundaries may not be used together. Further, any discreet value within the disclosed ranges is fully enabled and may be claimed either as a value or as a boundary to a range. Additionally, each of the values indicated in any of the disclosure enables unbound ranges, as well as ranges bound only by zero. When a range is disclosed, any discreet value within the disclosed ranges is fully enabled and may be claimed either as a value or as a boundary to a range. For example, when a range is disclosed the upper boundary and/or the lower boundary are enabled to stand on their own without association with the opposite boundary; thus, if Zup ranges are disclosed to include A-B mm, C-D mm, E-F mm, G-H mm, and I-J mm, the ranges also they enable embodiments of Zup at least A, C, E, G, and I, as well as embodiments of Zup no greater than B, D, F, H, and J. Further, any of the disclosed lower bounds may be combined with any of the disclosed upper bounds; for example a Zup range of C-J, as well as any other variation of the disclosed values. Further, any discreet value within the disclosed ranges is fully enabled and may be claimed either as a value or as a boundary to a range. These principles apply to each variable disclosed.
Additionally, examples in this specification where one element is “coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling. Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in some contact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined as coupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other, but having one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element can include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, one element can be adjacent another element without being in contact with that element.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “at least one of” means any combination of items or number of items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list may be required. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.
Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.
Unless otherwise noted, the term “about” or “substantially” or “approximately” in some embodiments, is defined to mean within +/−5% of a given value, however in additional embodiments any disclosure of “about” or “substantially” or “approximately” may be further narrowed and claimed to mean within +/−4% of a given value, within +/−3% of a given value, within +/−2% of a given value, within +/−1% of a given value, or the exact given value. Further, when at least two values of a variable are disclosed, such disclosure is specifically intended to include the range between the two values regardless of whether they are disclosed with respect to separate embodiments or examples, and specifically intended to include the range of at least the smaller of the two values and/or no more than the larger of the two values. Additionally, when at least three values of a variable are disclosed, such disclosure is specifically intended to include the range between any two of the values regardless of whether they are disclosed with respect to separate embodiments or examples, and specifically intended to include the range of at least the A value and/or no more than the B value, where A may be any of the disclosed values other than the largest disclosed value, and B may be any of the disclosed values other than the smallest disclosed value.
As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, “configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to” perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” perform that function.
The above-described embodiments are just examples of possible implementations of the disclosed technologies, and are set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of processes for implementing specific functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure.
The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/553,553, filed Feb. 14, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/641,764, filed May 2, 2024, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/313,186, filed May 5, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/338,818, filed May 5, 2022, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63553553 | Feb 2024 | US | |
| 63641764 | May 2024 | US | |
| 63338818 | May 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18313186 | May 2023 | US |
| Child | 19054758 | US |
