Patent Application
20230356039
This disclosure relates generally to golf clubs, and more particularly to golf club heads 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 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. Accordingly, conventional tracking markers, which are designed only for temporary use, must be removed following a launch monitor hitting session and before the golf club head 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 club heads, which adds to the cost and burden associated with determining presentation parameters of a golf club head 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 club heads 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 head, with embedded tracking markers, that overcomes at least some of the above-discussed shortcomings of conventional golf club heads.
Disclosed herein is a golf club head. The golf club head comprises a forward portion, comprising a strike face, and at least one tracking marker, configured to be tracked by a launch monitor and permanently embedded in the forward portion. The at least one tracking marker comprises a retroreflective surface that is more retroreflective than the strike face. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 1 of the present disclosure.
The forward portion comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, the outer layer adjoining the inner layer and the outer layer defining the strike face. The at least one tracking marker is interposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The at least one tracking marker is detectable by the launch monitor through the outer layer. 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 inner layer is made of a fiber reinforced polymeric material and the outer layer is made of a non-reinforced polymeric material. 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 outer layer comprises scorelines formed in the strike face. The at least one tracking marker is offset from any one of the scorelines in a direction parallel to the strike face. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 4 of the present disclosure, wherein example 4 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 2-3, above.
A thickness of the outer layer between the strike face and the at least one tracking marker is greater than a thickness of the outer layer between any one of the scorelines and the inner layer. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 5 of the present disclosure, wherein example 5 also includes the subject matter according to example 4, above.
The strike face, between the scorelines, is textured. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 6 of the present disclosure, wherein example 6 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 4-5, above.
A texture of the strike face adjacent to the at least one tracking marker is different than a texture of the strike face over the at least one tracking marker. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 7 of the present disclosure, wherein example 7 also includes the subject matter according to example 6, above.
Each one of the texture of the strike face adjacent to the at least one tracking marker and the texture of the strike face over the at least one tracking marker comprises a sawtooth pattern. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 8 of the present disclosure, wherein example 8 also includes the subject matter according to example 7, above.
The inner layer is made of a metallic material. The outer layer is made of a non-reinforced polymeric material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 9 of the present disclosure, wherein example 9 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 2-8, above.
The forward portion further comprises a recess formed in the strike face. The at least one marker is seated in the recess. The outer layer comprises a cover in the recess over the at least one marker. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 10 of the present disclosure, wherein example 10 also includes the subject matter according to example 9, above.
The retroreflective surface of the at least one tracking marker retroreflects light having a wavelength greater than 700 nanometers. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 11 of the present disclosure, wherein example 11 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 2-10, above.
The at least one tracking marker comprises a sticker having an adhesive layer and a retroreflective layer. The retroreflective layer comprises a pattern of retroreflective elements each made of an at least partially transparent material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 12 of the present disclosure, wherein example 12 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-11, above.
The sticker further comprises a cover fixed to the retroreflective layer so that air gaps are defined between the cover and the retroreflective elements, and so that the retroreflective layer is interposed between the cover and the adhesive layer. 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 12, above.
The golf club head further comprises a plurality of tracking markers, each located at a corresponding one of an upper-toe position, a middle-toe position, a lower-toe position, and a middle-heel position of the strike face. 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 comprises a plurality of tracking markers permanently embedded in the forward portion at various locations relative to the strike face. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 15 of the present disclosure, wherein example 15 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-14, above.
The plurality of the tracking markers have the same size and shape. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 16 of the present disclosure, wherein example 16 also includes the subject matter according to example 15, above.
At least one of the plurality of the tracking markers has a size that is different than the size of another one of the plurality of tracking markers. 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 15, above.
At least a first one of the plurality of tracking markers is embedded in the forward portion at a toe portion of the strike face. At least a second one of the plurality of tracking markers is embedded in the forward portion at a heel portion of the strike face. The size of the second one of the plurality of tracking markers is larger than the size of the first one of the plurality of tracking markers. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 18 of the present disclosure, wherein example 18 also includes the subject matter according to example 17, above.
At least one of the plurality of the tracking markers has a shape that is different than the shape of another one of the plurality of tracking markers. 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 15, 17, or 18, above.
At least first ones of the plurality of tracking markers is embedded in the forward portion at a toe portion of the strike face. At least a second one of the plurality of tracking markers is embedded in the forward portion at a heel portion of the strike face. The shape of the second one of the plurality of tracking markers is different than the shape of the first ones of the plurality of tracking markers. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 20 of the present disclosure, wherein example 20 also includes the subject matter according to example 19, above.
The at least one tracking marker has a circular shape on a plane passing through the at least one tracking marker and parallel to a loft plane of the golf club head. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 21 of the present disclosure, wherein example 21 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-20, above.
The at least one tracking marker has a non-circular shape on a plane passing through the at least one tracking marker and parallel to a loft plane of the golf club head. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 22 of the present disclosure, wherein example 22 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-21, above.
The golf club head further comprises a body. The body comprises the forward portion and further comprises a toe portion, a heel portion, a crown portion, and a sole portion. The golf club head further comprises at least one second tracking marker. The at least second tracking marker is configured to be tracked by the launch monitor, is permanently embedded in one of the toe portion, the heel portion, the crown portion, or the sole portion at a location away from the strike face, and comprises a retroreflective surface that is more retroreflective than the one of the toe portion, the heel portion, the crown portion, or the sole portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 23 of the present disclosure, wherein example 23 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-22, above.
The forward portion comprises a strike plate. The strike plate comprises a plurality of composite prepreg plies, and a polymeric cover that defines the strike face and is adjoined to the plurality of composite prepreg plies. The polymeric cover has a thickness between, and inclusive of, 0.1 mm and 3.0 mm. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 24 of the present disclosure, wherein example 24 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-23, above.
The polymeric cover comprises a plurality of surface features configured so that a mean roughness of the strike face is between, and inclusive of, 2.5 micrometers and 5 micrometers. The thickness of the polymeric cover is between, and inclusive of, 0.2 mm and 1.2 mm. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 25 of the present disclosure, wherein example 25 also includes the subject matter according to example 24, above.
The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 26 of the present disclosure, wherein example 26 also includes the subject matter according to example 25, above.
Further disclosed herein is a system for detecting head presentation parameters of a golf club head. The system comprises a golf club comprising a golf club head. The golf club head comprises a forward portion, comprising a strike face, and at least one tracking marker permanently embedded in the forward portion. The at least one tracking marker comprises a retroreflective surface that is more retroreflective than the strike face. The system also comprises a launch monitor that is selectively operable to transmit light to the retroreflective surface of the at least one tracking marker and to detect light reflected from the retroreflective surface during a golf swing of the golf club. The system further comprises a display configured to generate a visual representation of head presentation data based on the light detected by the launch monitor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 27 of the present disclosure.
The display is physically proximate the launch monitor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 28 of the present disclosure, wherein example 28 also includes the subject matter according to example 27, above.
The display is physically remote from the launch monitor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 29 of the present disclosure, wherein example 29 also includes the subject matter according to example 27, above.
The launch monitor is an optical-based launch monitor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 30 of the present disclosure, wherein example 30 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 23-29, above.
Additionally disclosed herein is a golf club head that comprises a forward portion, comprising an inner layer and an outer layer adjoining the inner layer. The outer layer defines a strike face. The golf club head also comprises at least one tracking marker permanently interposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. An entirety of the tracking marker is covered by the outer layer. The at least one tracking marker comprises a retroreflective surface that is more retroreflective than the strike face, is configured to be tracked by a launch monitor, and is configured to retroreflect infrared light having a wavelength between, and inclusive, of 725 nanometers (nm) and 1,250 nm. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 31 of the present disclosure.
The golf club head comprises four tracking markers permanently interposed between the outer layer and the inner layer of the forward portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 32 of the present disclosure, wherein example 32 also includes the subject matter according to example 31, 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 head, 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 during a hitting session. The golf club head 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. Accordingly, the benefit of the present disclosure is applicable across multiple types of golf club heads.
Referring to
The golf club head 110 includes multiple tracking markers 160 embedded (e.g., permanently formed) 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.
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, more preferably having wavelengths between, and inclusive of, 750 nm and 1,250 nm, and even more preferably between, and inclusive of, 800 nm and 1,150 nm). 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™. Accordingly, as used herein, the term optical refers to infrared light and does not refer to visible light.
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 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 here, 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.
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 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).
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. 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 a polymeric layer 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, Of alternatively, the 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.
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.
The forward portion 230 of the golf club head 210 also includes at least one tracking marker 260 or fiducial. The tracking marker 260 or fiducial is formed in or under the strike face 245, and is detectable by a launch monitor, such as an optical-based launch monitor, a radar-based launch monitor, or other type of launch monitor. Moreover, the tracking marker 260 is located in a location, corresponding to a location on the strike face 245, that is associated with an anticipated location pre-programed into the launch monitor. Because the tracking marker 260 is formed in or under the strike face 245, the golf club head 210 is USGA conforming.
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 of the strike face 245. 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. 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., embedded under 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. According to some 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, aternd 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).
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. As defined herein, 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. 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 textured zones 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
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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. 63/338,818, filed May 5, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63338818 | May 2022 | US |
