Patent Application
20240245960
This disclosure relates generally to golf clubs and, more particularly, to golf club heads with lightweight adjustable shaft-receiving structures.
To maximize performance golf, golf club heads must be customizable to particular players. For example, it is often desirable to adjust loft angle and/or lie angle to match a given player's swing characteristics and preferences. It is generally known to provide an adjust shaft receiving mechanism to change loft and lie angles. However, such mechanisms require additional components comprising a significant amount of mass (in comparison to non-adjustable shaft-receiving mechanisms) that reduces the amount of discretionary mass that can be reallocated to optimize club head mass properties (i.e center of gravity position and moment of inertia) and improve club head performance.
Prior art club heads, illustrated in
Many prior-art shaft receiving structures 150 comprise a plurality of internal components that are formed by the club head body 101. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In the prior art shaft-receiving structures 150, the various components described above (i.e. the hosel wall 154, hosel tube 160, hosel base 162, shaft sleeve 166, fastener 176, etc.) are formed of steel or another relatively high-density metal material. As such, providing an adjustable shaft-receiving structure in a golf club head has traditionally reduced the amount of discretionary mass available for improving the club head mass properties. There is a need in the art for a shaft-receiving structure that allows loft and lie adjustability, creates discretionary mass to be redistributed throughout the club head to increase performance, and preserves the club head structural integrity.
To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which:
Described herein are various embodiments of a golf club head comprising a lightweight adjustable shaft-receiving structure. The lightweight shaft-receiving structure comprises a reduced mass that creates discretionary mass that can be applied to club head to improve mass properties such as CG position and moment of inertia. The shaft-receiving structure comprises a variety of components, some of which can be constructed of a lightweight material to reduce the shaft-receiving structure overall mass. A reduction in the shaft-receiving structure mass creates discretionary mass that can be redistributed in strategic locations to create a high-performance club head with improved mass properties.
In particular, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure provides lightweight (i.e. low-density) components in club head areas that do not bear significant stress load during the golf swing or at impact between the club head and a golf ball. In many embodiments, shaft receiving structure portions spaced away from the contact points between the hosel and the shaft sleeve and/or the contact points between the hosel base and the fastener typically experience negligible stress at impact. The shaft-receiving structure therefore does not rely on any structural components provided in said low-stress portions for the club head structural integrity. In many embodiments, lightweight components, such as a lightweight hosel tube insert, hosel insert, or end cap, can be provided in said areas for non-load-bearing purposes. In some embodiments, certain components typically provided in the prior art shaft-receiving structures, such as the hosel tube, can be removed entirely without sacrificing the club head structural integrity.
The lightweight shaft-receiving structure provides lightweight components to reduce the shaft-receiving structure overall mass and increase discretionary mass of the golf club head. The lightweight shaft-receiving structure can create up to 12 more grams of discretionary mass in comparison to a similar prior art shaft-receiving structure lacking lightweight components. In many embodiments, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure comprises a lightweight hosel tube insert with a density less than 3 g/cm3 that seals the hosel bore from the interior cavity without contributing a significant amount of mass. In other embodiments, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure comprises a “tube-less” wherein the hosel tube is removed entirely, providing a maximum reduction in the shaft-receiving structure mass. In many embodiments, the discretionary mass created by the lightweight shaft-receiving structure provides a club head with improved mass properties. In many embodiments, the discretionary mass can be used to lower the CG height and/or alter the CG depth to provide a club head with higher launch, less spin, and/or more ball speed. In some embodiments, the discretionary mass can be used to provide an increased moment of inertia over a similar club head with a prior art shaft-receiving structure.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of present invention embodiments. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms “lightweight” or “low-density” as described herein, in reference to shaft-receiving structure components, describe components that are constructed of materials with a lesser density than the metallic material that makes up at least a portion of the club head body.
The terms “replacing” or “replace” as described herein, in reference to the shaft-receiving structure lightweight components, refer to the ability of the lightweight component in question to form a shaft-receiving structure portion which, in prior art embodiments, would otherwise comprise the higher-density metallic club head body material. The present disclosure uses the prior art as a reference to illustrate shaft-receiving structure features that can be substituted or replaced by the lightweight components described herein.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the invention embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically and/or otherwise.
The term “strike face,” as used described, refers to a club head front surface that is configured to strike a golf ball. The term strike face can be used interchangeably with the “face.”
The term “strike face perimeter,” as described herein, can refer to a strike face edge. The strike face perimeter can be located along a strike face outer edge where the curvature deviates from a strike face bulge and/or roll.
The term “strike face geometric centerpoint,” or “strike face geometric center”, as described herein, can refer to a strike face perimeter geometric centerpoint, and at a strike face height midpoint. In the same or other examples, the geometric centerpoint also can be centered with respect to an engineered impact zone, which can be defined by a region of grooves on the strike face. As another approach, the strike face geometric centerpoint can be located in accordance with the definition of a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).
The term “ground plane,” as described herein, can refer to a reference plane associated with the surface on which a golf ball is placed. The ground plane can be a horizontal plane tangent to the sole at an address position.
The term “loft plane,” as described herein, can refer to a reference plane that is tangent to the strike face geometric centerpoint.
The term “loft angle,” as described herein, can refer to an angle measured between the loft plane and a plane perpendicular to the ground plane.
The term “face height,” as described herein, can refer to a distance measured parallel to loft plane between a strikeface perimeter top end and a strikeface perimeter bottom end.
The term “lie angle,” as described herein, can refer to an angle between a hosel axis, extending through the hosel, and the ground plane. The lie angle is measured from a front view.
The golf club head “depth”, as described herein, can be defined as a golf club head front-to-rear dimension.
The golf club head “height”, as described herein, can be defined as a golf club head crown-to-sole dimension. In many embodiments, the club head height can be measured according to a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).
The golf club head “length”, as described herein, can be defined as a golf club head heel-to-toe dimension. In many embodiments, the club head length can be measured according to a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).
The fairway-type golf club head “geometric center height”, as described herein, is a height measured perpendicular from the ground plane to the golf club head geometric centerpoint.
The club head “leading edge”, as described herein, can be identified as the strike face perimeter most sole-ward portion.
An “XYZ” golf club head coordinate system, as described herein, is based upon the strike face geometric center. The golf club head dimensions as described herein can be measured based on a coordinate system as defined below. The coordinate system is described in reference to
The term or phrase “center of gravity position” or “CG location” can refer to the club head center of gravity (CG) 199 location with respect to the XYZ coordinate system, wherein the CG position is characterized by locations along the X-axis 1040, the Y-axis 1050, and the Z-axis 1060. The term “CGx” can refer to the CG location along the X-axis 1050, measured from the origin point 120. The term “CG height” can refer to the CG location along the Y-axis 1050, measured from the origin point 120. The term “CGy” can be synonymous with the CG height. The term “CG depth” can refer to the CG location along the Z-axis 1060, measured from the origin point 120. The term “CGz” can be synonymous with the CG depth.
The golf club head XYZ coordinate system, as described herein defines an XY plane extending through the X-axis 1040 and the Y-axis 1050. The coordinate system defines XZ plane extending through the X-axis 1040 and the Z-axis 1060. The coordinate system further defines a YZ plane extending through the Y-axis 1050 and the Z-axis 1060. The XY plane, the XZ plane, and the YZ plane are all perpendicular to one another and intersect at the coordinate system origin located at the strike face geometric center 120. In these or other embodiments, the golf club head 100 can be viewed from a front view when the strike face 102 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the XY plane. Further, in these or other embodiments, the golf club head 100 can be viewed from a side view or side cross-sectional view when the heel 104 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the YZ plane.
Illustrated in
The term or phrase “moment of inertia” (hereafter “MOI”) as define herein can refer to values measured about the CG 199. The term “Ixx” can refer to the MOI measured in the heel-to-toe direction, about the X′-axis 1070. The term “Iyy” can refer to the MOI measured in the sole-to-crown direction, about the Y′-axis 1080. The term “Izz” can refer to the MOI measured in the front-to-back direction, about the Z′-axis 1090. The MOI values Ixx, Iyy, and Izz determine how forgiving the club head 100 is for off-center impacts with a golf ball.
A “driver-type golf club head,” also referred to as a driver, as described herein, can be defined by specific dimensional ranges. In particular, the driver, as described with regard to the invention disclosed herein, includes a loft angle and volume within the ranges defined below. The specified ranges below limit the driver-type golf club head to a driver-type club head. In other words, the driver-type golf club head cannot be a fairway-type, a hybrid-type, an iron-type, or a putter-type golf club head.
The driver “loft angle” as defined herein can be less than approximately 16 degrees, less than approximately 15 degrees, less than approximately 14 degrees, less than approximately 13 degrees, less than approximately 12 degrees, less than approximately 11 degrees, or less than approximately 10 degrees.
The driver “volume” as defined herein can be greater than approximately 300 cm3, greater than approximately 350 cm3, greater than approximately 400 cm3, greater than approximately 425 cm3, greater than approximately 450 cm3, greater than approximately 475 cm3, greater than approximately 500 cm3, greater than approximately 525 cm3, greater than approximately 550 cm3, greater than approximately 575 cm3, greater than approximately 600 cm3, greater than approximately 625 cm3, greater than approximately 650 cm3, greater than approximately 675 cm3, or greater than approximately 700 cm3.
A “fairway-type golf club head” as defined herein is a club head having particular lofts, volumes, and dimensions that can be defined by specific dimensional ranges. In particular, the fairway-type club head, as described with regard to the invention disclosed herein, includes a loft angle and volume within the ranges defined below. The specified ranges below limit the fairway-type golf club head to a fairway-type club head. In other words, the fairway-type golf club head cannot be a driver type, a hybrid-type, an iron-type, or a putter-type golf club head.
The fairway-type club head “loft angle” as defined herein can be less than approximately 35 degrees, less than approximately 34 degrees, less than approximately 33 degrees, less than approximately 32 degrees, less than approximately 31 degrees, or less than approximately 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the fairway-type golf club head loft angle can be greater than approximately 12 degrees, greater than approximately 13 degrees, greater than approximately 14 degrees, greater than approximately 15 degrees, greater than approximately 16 degrees, greater than approximately 17 degrees, greater than approximately 18 degrees, greater than approximately 19 degrees, or greater than approximately 20 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, the fairway-type golf club head loft angle can be between 14 degrees and 35 degrees, between 15 degrees and 35 degrees, between 20 degrees and 35 degrees, or between 12 degrees and 30 degrees.
The fairway-type club “volume” as defined herein can be less than approximately 170 cm3, less than approximately 180 cm3, less than approximately 190 cm3, or less than approximately 200 cm3. However, the fairway-type club volume cannot be less than 160 cm3. In some embodiments, the fairway-type club head volume can be between approximately 150 cm3 to 200 cm3, between approximately 160 cm3 to 170 cm3, between approximately 160 cm3 to 180 cm3, or between approximately 170 cm3 to 190 cm3. The fairway-type club volume cannot be greater than 200 cm3. In one exemplary embodiment, the fairway-type club volume is 169 cm3.
A “hybrid-type golf club head” as defined herein is a club head having particular lofts, volumes, and dimensions that can be defined by specific dimensional ranges. In particular, the fairway-type club head, as described with regard to the invention disclosed herein, includes a loft angle and volume within the ranges defined below. The specified ranges below limit the hybrid-type golf club head to a hybrid-type club head. In other words, the hybrid-type golf club head cannot be a driver type, a fairway-type, an iron-type, or a putter-type golf club head.
The hybrid-type club head “loft angle” as defined herein can be less than approximately 40 degrees, less than approximately 39 degrees, less than approximately 38 degrees, less than approximately 37 degrees, less than approximately 36 degrees, less than approximately 35 degrees, less than approximately 34 degrees, less than approximately 33 degrees, less than approximately 32 degrees, less than approximately 31 degrees, or less than approximately 30 degrees. Further, in many embodiments, the loft angle of hybrid-type club heads can be greater than approximately 16 degrees, greater than approximately 17 degrees, greater than approximately 18 degrees, greater than approximately 19 degrees, greater than approximately 20 degrees, greater than approximately 21 degrees, greater than approximately 22 degrees, greater than approximately 23 degrees, greater than approximately 24 degrees, or greater than approximately 25 degrees.
The hybrid-type club head “volume” as defined herein can be less than approximately 200 cc, less than approximately 175 cc, less than approximately 150 cc, less than approximately 125 cc, less than approximately 100 cc, or less than approximately 75 cc. In some embodiments, the volume of hybrid-type club heads can be approximately 100 cc-150 cc, approximately 75 cc-150 cc, approximately 100 cc-125 cc, or approximately 75 cc-125 cc.
Described herein are various embodiments of a lightweight shaft-receiving structure that can be applied to a wood-type golf club head to create discretionary mass and improve the club head mass properties. The lightweight shaft-receiving structure can be applied to a wood-type golf club head. Referring to the drawings, club head 100 is used to illustrate generic features of any club head to which any of the below-described lightweight shaft-receiving structures can be applied.
The club head 100 is a wood-type club head such as a driver, fairway wood, or hybrid as described in this disclosure. Although the figures depict various illustrations of a fairway wood-type club head, it should be noted that any lightweight shaft-receiving structures described herein can be applied to any wood-type club head, including driver-type or hybrid-type club heads. The strike face 102 and the body 101 can define a club head interior cavity 107. The body 101 can extend over the crown 110, the sole 112, the heel 104, the toe 106, the rear 111, and a front 108 perimeter. In these embodiments, the body 101 defines an opening in the club head front 108 and the strike face 102 is positioned within the opening to form the club head 100. In other embodiments, the strike face 102 extends over the front 108 perimeter and can include a return portion 122 extending rearward from the strike face 102. The return portion 122 can extend over at least one of the crown 110, the sole 112, the heel 104, and the toe 106. In embodiments comprising the return portion 122, the strike face return portion 122 is secured to the body 101 to form the club head 100. In these embodiments, as illustrated in
As described above and illustrated in
Referring to
In many embodiments, a significant portion of the club head body 101 can be formed of a metallic material. The lightweight shaft-receiving structures described herein can be applied to a club head 100 comprising a body 101 that is either completely metallic or made of multiple materials. In certain embodiments, the lightweight shaft-receiving structures described herein can be applied to a club head 100 wherein at least a portion of the body 101 is formed of a lightweight, non-metallic material. However, in the description of the various shaft-receiving structures below, the term “body material” is used in reference to the metallic material forming body portions.
The body material can comprise, but is not limited to, limited to, steel, steel alloys, stainless steel alloys, nickel, nickel alloys, cobalt, cobalt alloys, titanium alloys, an amorphous metal alloy, or other similar materials. For example, the body material can comprise, but is not limited to, Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V alloy, 17-4 stainless steel, C300, C350, Ni (Nickel)-Co(Cobalt)-Cr(Chromium)-Steel Alloy, 565 Steel, AISI type 304 or AISI type 630 stainless steel, 17-4 stainless steel, a titanium alloy, for example, but not limited to Ti-6-4, Ti-3-8-6-4-4, Ti-10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti185, Ti 6-6-2, Ti-7s, Ti-9s, Ti-92, T9s+, or Ti-8-1-1 titanium alloy, an amorphous metal alloy, or other similar metals. The body material comprises a greater density than the lightweight material used to provide the shaft-receiving structure lightweight components. In general, the body material density can range between approximately 4 g/cm3 and 10 g/cm3. In many lightweight shaft-receiving structure embodiments described below, the shaft-receiving structure can be formed by a combination of body material and lightweight material.
In many prior art club heads, adjustable shaft-receiving structures comprise various components integrally formed together from the body material. The shaft-receiving structure material is typically the same material as at least a large portion of the club head body, and is typically a material suitable for casting, such as a steel or titanium alloy. In many prior art multi-material club heads, the shaft-receiving structure is integrally formed with the metal body component, and comprises the same metallic material as the body. The metallic body material is necessary in many body portions (such as the sole, the crown return, the rear, etc.) for durability and mass distribution purposes. However, because certain shaft-receiving structure portions (i.e. the hosel tube) do not bear significant impact load, said portions do not need to be formed entirely of the body material. As discussed in further detail below, the shaft-receiving structure does not have the same strength requirements as the sole, crown return, or other club head portions that are formed by the body. As an example, any stresses imparted to the golf club head during use through the shaft are transmitted through the shaft sleeve at the hosel bore opening contact points and the hosel base. Because the hosel tube is not in contact with the shaft sleeve, the hosel tube bears only a small amount of the golf swing stress loading. Therefore, shaft-receiving structure portions such as the hosel tube can be provided with lightweight material without jeopardizing the golf club head structural integrity.
Because golf club head portions in and around the shaft receiving structure are under less stress when the club head is used to strike a golf ball, those portions do not require the same material properties as the golf club head portions that bear higher stresses during impact with a golf ball. Consequently, materials having a lower material strength, but also a lower density (lighter weight), can replace the shaft receiving structure portions that are under less stress.
Additionally, many prior art golf clubs provide loft and lie adjustment by means of multiple adjusting collars positioned above the top of the hosel. These collars may provide independent adjustment to loft angle and lie angle. However, the use of separate collars raises the height of the hosel such that more golf club mass is higher above the ground plane. This, in turn, necessarily raises the golf club head CG height, and moves the golf club head CG further toward the heel and front portion of the golf club head. In contrast, the illustrated shaft sleeve provides both loft and lie adjustment in a single component having lower mass and located closer to ground plane. The more compact shaft sleeve facilitates a lower, more central, golf club head CG.
The lightweight adjustable shaft-receiving structure creates discretionary mass by providing lightweight components in replacement of shaft-receiving structure portions typically formed of body material (or removing said components entirely in some cases). In many embodiments, hosel body portions, hosel transition, hosel tube, and/or hosel base can be constructed from lightweight materials. Such components can be constructed from lightweight materials (i.e. materials lighter than the material of the body) in order to reduce the shaft-receiving structure mass.
The lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise one or more portions or components constructed of a lightweight material having a density lower than that of the body material. In many embodiments, one or more lightweight shaft-receiving structure portions or components can be formed of a polymeric material, a composite material, or a lightweight metallic material having a density lower than body material density. In many embodiments, one or more lightweight shaft-receiving structure portions or components can be formed of a material including, but not limited to, a polymeric resin or a fiber-reinforced polymeric resin. The polymer resin can comprise a thermoset or a thermoplastic resin, a filled thermoplastic, a fiber-reinforced composite, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). For example, the resin can comprise polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretheretherketone (PEEK), polyimides, polyamides such as PA6 or PA66, polyamide-imides, polyphenylene sulfides (PPS), polycarbonates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone or silicone plastic, nylon, nylon 6, nylon 66, ABS, polystyrene, acrylics, engineering polyurethanes, and/or other similar materials. In some embodiments, the one or more lightweight shaft-receiving structure portions or components can be formed of a lightweight metallic material including, but not limited to, aluminum or aluminum alloys, magnesium or magnesium alloys, and/or any other suitable lightweight alloy. Components described as being formed of a “lightweight” material in the following embodiments can comprise any one or combination of the above materials.
One or more lightweight shaft-receiving structure portions or components can comprise a density significantly less than the density of the body material. In many embodiments, the density of the lightweight material forming the one or more shaft-receiving structure lightweight components can be less than approximately 3 g/cm3. In many embodiments, the lightweight material density forming one or more of the lightweight components can be less than 2.75 g/cm3, less than 2.50 g/cm3, less than 2.25 g/cm3, less than 2.00 g/cm3, less than 1.75 g/cm3, less than 1.50 g/cm3, less than 1.25 g/cm3, less than 1.00 g/cm3, less than 0.75 g/cm3, or less than 0.50 g/cm3. Forming shaft-receiving structure portions with a lightweight material that would otherwise be formed of body material reduces the shaft-receiving structure overall mass.
As such, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure benefit is only realized when various shaft-receiving structure embodiments described herein are applied to golf club heads comprising at least a partially metallic body. For example, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure is applicable and beneficial in a fully metallic club head or in a multi-component component club head comprising a metallic component that would normally form the shaft-receiving structure. For example, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure would not provide particular benefit if applied to an entirely composite golf club head, as there would be no high-density body material in the shaft-receiving structure to replace with lightweight material. Although the shaft-receiving structures described herein are illustrated on a multi-material club head body, it should be noted that any of said shaft-receiving structures can alternatively be applied to a single-material or completely metallic club head body.
The lightweight shaft-receiving structure may be formed of a combination of body material and lightweight material. As such, the body material may still form certain shaft-receiving structure portions, whereas the remaining shaft-receiving structure portions can be separate components comprising a lightweight material. The lightweight material inclusion creates discretionary mass over a shaft-receiving structure formed entirely by body material.
The lightweight shaft-receiving structure benefit is discretionary mass creation that can be redistributed throughout the golf club head. The lightweight shaft-receiving structure can create discretionary mass ranging between 3 grams and 12 grams, inclusive. In some embodiments, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can create between 3 and 6 grams, between 4 and 7 grams, between 5 and 8 grams, between 6 and 9 grams, between 7 and 10 grams, between 8 and 11 grams, or between 9 and 12 grams of discretionary mass. In some embodiments, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can create discretionary mass greater than 3 grams, greater than 4 grams, greater than 5 grams, greater than 6 grams, greater than 7 grams, greater than 8 grams, greater than 8 grams, greater than 10 grams, greater than 11 grams, or greater than 12 grams.
The discretionary mass can be redistributed to advantageous locations in the golf club head to improve performance. The discretionary mass can be redistributed to alter the club head mass properties, such a providing a desirable CG location and/or increasing MOI.
In many embodiments, the discretionary mass created by implementing the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can be redistributed to provide a lower CG position (i.e. a lower CGy). In many embodiments, the discretionary mass can be added to a mass pad on the sole to lower the CG position. As such, the club head can comprise a substantially heavy mass pad in the sole. In many embodiments, the mass pad can comprise a mass between 15 grams and 40 grams. In some embodiments, the mass pad can comprise a mass between 15 grams and 20 grams, between 20 grams and 25 grams, between 25 and 30 grams, between 30 and 35 grams, or between 35 and 40 grams. In some embodiments, the mass pad can comprise a mass greater than 15 grams, greater than 20 grams, greater than 25 grams, greater than 30 grams, greater than 35 grams, or greater than 40 grams.
In many embodiments, the discretionary mass created by including the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can lead to increases in club head MOI over a similar club head with a prior-art shaft-receiving structure. Including the lightweight shaft-receiving structure disclosed herein provides a club head with a high MOI. In many embodiments, the discretionary mass can be added to a removable weight near the rear of the club head. Redistributing the mass saved by the lightweight shaft-receiving structure to the removable weight can increase the club head MOI. As such, the club head can comprise a substantially heavy removable weight proximate the rear. In many embodiments, the removable weight can comprise a mass between 1.0 gram and 35 grams. In some embodiments, the removable weight mass can range from 1.0 gram to 20 grams, or 20 grams to 35 grams. In some embodiments, the removable weight mass can range from 1.0 gram to 15 grams, 5 grams to 20 grams, 10 grams to 25 grams, 15 grams to 30 grams, or 20 grams to 35 grams. For example, the removable weight mass can be 1.0 gram, 1.5 grams, 2.0 grams, 3.0 grams, 4.0 grams, 5.0 grams, 6.0 grams, 7.0 grams, 8.0 grams, 9.0 grams, 10 grams, 11 grams, 12 grams, 13 grams, 14 grams, 15 grams, 16 grams, 17 grams, 18 grams, 19 grams, 20 grams, 21 grams, 22 grams, 23, grams, 24, grams, 25 grams, 26 grams, 27 grams, 28 grams, 29, grams, 30 grams, 31 grams, 32 grams, 33 grams, 34 grams, or 35 grams.
In some embodiments, a driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Ixx moment of inertia between 3000 g*cm2 and 5000 g*cm2. In some embodiments, a driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Ixx moment of inertia between than 3000 g*cm2 and 3200 g*cm2, between 3200 g*cm2 and 3400 g*cm2, between 3400 g*cm2 and 3600 g*cm2, between 3600 g*cm2 and 3800 g*cm2, between 3800 g*cm2 and 4000 g*cm2, between 4000 g*cm2 and 4200 g*cm2, between 4200 g*cm2 and 4400 g*cm2, between 4400 g*cm2 and 4600 g*cm2, between 4600 g*cm2 and 4800 g*cm2, or between 4800 g*cm2 and 5000 g*cm2.
In some embodiments, a driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Iyy moment of inertia between 4500 g*cm2 and 6000 g*cm2. In some embodiments, a driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Iyy moment of inertia between than 4500 g*cm2 and 5000 g*cm2, between 4600 g*cm2 and 5100 g*cm2, between 4700 g*cm2 and 5200 g*cm2, between 4800 g*cm2 and 5300 g*cm2, between 4900 g*cm2 and 5400 g*cm2, between 5000 g*cm2 and 5500 g*cm2, between 5100 g*cm2 and 5600 g*cm2, between 5200 g*cm2 and 5700 g*cm2, between 5300 g*cm2 and 5800 g*cm2, between 5400 g*cm2 and 5900 g*cm2, or between 5500 g*cm2 and 6000 g*cm2.
In some embodiments, a driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Izz moment of inertia between 2400 g*cm2 and 3000 g*cm2. In some embodiments, a driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Izz moment of inertia between 2400 g*cm2 and 2500 g*cm2, between 2500 g*cm2 and 2600 g*cm2, between 2600 g*cm2 and 2700 g*cm2, between 2700 g*cm2 and 2800 g*cm2, between 2800 g*cm2 and 2900 g*cm2, or between 2900 g*cm2 and 3000 g*cm2.
In some embodiments, a fairway wood-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Ixx moment of inertia between 1400 g*cm2 and 2200 g*cm2. In some embodiments, a fairway wood-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Ixx moment of inertia between than 1400 g*cm2 and 1500 g*cm2, between 1500 g*cm2 and 1600 g*cm2, between 1600 g*cm2 and 1700 g*cm2, between 1700 g*cm2 and 1800 g*cm2, between 1800 g*cm2 and 1900 g*cm2, between 1900 g*cm2 and 2000 g*cm2, between 2000 g*cm2 and 2100 g*cm2, or between 2100 g*cm2 and 2200 g*cm2.
In some embodiments, a fairway wood-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Iyy moment of inertia between 2800 g*cm2 and 4000 g*cm2. In some embodiments, a fairway wood-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Iyy moment of inertia between than 2900 g*cm2 and 4000 g*cm2, between 3000 g*cm2 and 3200 g*cm2, between 3100 g*cm2 and 3300 g*cm2, between 3200 g*cm2 and 3400 g*cm2, between 3300 g*cm2 and 3500 g*cm2, between 3400 g*cm2 and 3600 g*cm2, between 3500 g*cm2 and 3700 g*cm2, between 3600 g*cm2 and 3800 g*cm2, between 3700 g*cm2 and 3900 g*cm2, or between 3800 g*cm2 and 4000 g*cm2.
In some embodiments, a fairway wood-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Izz moment of inertia between 1600 g*cm2 and 2400 g*cm2. In some embodiments, a fairway wood-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Izz moment of inertia between 1600 g*cm2 and 1700 g*cm2, between 1700 g*cm2 and 1800 g*cm2, between 1800 g*cm2 and 1900 g*cm2, between 1900 g*cm2 and 2000 g*cm2, between 2000 g*cm2 and 2100 g*cm2, between 2100 g*cm2 and 2200 g*cm2 between 2200 g*cm2 and 2300 g*cm2, or between 2300 g*cm2 and 2400 g*cm2.
In many embodiments, a hybrid-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Ixx moment of inertia between 750 g*cm2 and 1000 g*cm2. In some embodiments, a hybrid-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Ixx moment of inertia between than 750 g*cm2 and 800 g*cm2, between 800 g*cm2 and 850 g*cm2, between 850 g*cm2 and 900 g*cm2, between 900 g*cm2 and 950 g*cm2, or between 950 g*cm2 and 1000 g*cm2.
In some embodiments, a hybrid-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Iyy moment of inertia between 2500 g*cm2 and 3200 g*cm2. In some embodiments, a hybrid-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Iyy moment of inertia between than 2500 g*cm2 and 2600 g*cm2, between 2600 g*cm2 and 2700 g*cm2, between 2700 g*cm2 and 2800 g*cm2, between 2800 g*cm2 and 2900 g*cm2, between 2900 g*cm2 and 3000 g*cm2, between 3000 g*cm2 and 3100 g*cm2, or between 3100 g*cm2 and 3200 g*cm2.
In some embodiments, a hybrid-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Izz moment of inertia between 2200 g*cm2 and 3000 g*cm2. In some embodiments, a hybrid-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Izz moment of inertia between 2200 g*cm2 and 2300 g*cm2, between 2300 g*cm2 and 2400 g*cm2, between 2400 g*cm2 and 2500 g*cm2, between 2500 g*cm2 and 2600 g*cm2, between 2600 g*cm2 and 2700 g*cm2, between 2700 g*cm2 and 2800 g*cm2, between 2800 g*cm2 and 2900 g*cm2, or between 2900 g*cm2 and 3000 g*cm2.
Further, the discretionary mass created by including the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can allow mass to be repositioned to provide a more desirable CG position. In many embodiments, discretionary mass can be reallocated to lower the CG height and/or increase the CG depth. Lowering the CG height can improve the club head performance characteristics, by increasing the launch angle, decreasing the ball spin rate, and/or improving ball speed.
In many embodiments, a driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG height between 0 inch and −0.300 inch. In some embodiments, a driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG height between 0 inch and −0.050 inch, between −0.050 inch and −0.100 inch, between −0.100 inch and −0.150 inch, between −0.150 inch and −0.200 inch, between −0.200 inch and −0.250 inch, or between −0.250 inch and −0.300 inch.
In many embodiments, a driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG depth between 1.25 inch and 2.10 inches. In some embodiments, a driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG depth between 1.25 inch and 1.75 inch, between 1.30 inch and 1.80 inch, between 1.35 inch and 1.85 inch, between 1.40 inch and 1.90 inch, between 1.45 inch and 1.95 inch, or between 1.50 inch and 2.10 inch.
In many embodiments, a fairway wood-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG height between −0.140 inch and −0.200 inch. In some embodiments, a fairway wood-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG height between −0.140 inch and −0.145 inch, between −0.145 inch and −0.150 inch, between −0.150 inch and −0.155 inch, between −0.155 inch and −0.160 inch, between −0.160 inch and −0.165 inch, between −0.165 inch and −0.170 inch, between −0.170 inch and −0.175 inch, between −0.175 inch and −0.180 inch, between −0.180 inch and −0.185 inch, between −0.185 inch and −0.190 inch, between −0.190 inch and −0.195 inch, or between −0.195 inch and −0.200 inch,
In many embodiments, a fairway wood-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG depth between 1.00 inch and 1.50 inch. In some embodiments, a fairway wood-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG depth between 1.00 inch and 1.05 inch, between 1.05 inch and 1.10 inch, between 1.10 inch and 1.15 inch, between 1.15 inch and 1.20 inch, between 1.20 inch and 1.25 inch, between 1.25 inch and 1.30 inch, between 1.30 inch and 1.35 inch, between 1.35 inch and 1.40 inch, between 1.40 inch and 1.45 inch, or between 1.45 inch and 1.50 inch
In many embodiments, a hybrid-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG height between −0.220 inch and −0.320 inch. In some embodiments, a hybrid-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG height between −0.220 inch and −0.230 inch, between −0.230 inch and −0.240 inch, between −0.240 inch and −0.250 inch, between −0.250 inch and −0.260 inch, between −0.260 inch and −0.270 inch, between −0.270 inch and −0.280 inch, between −0.280 inch and −0.290 inch, between −0.290 inch and −0.300 inch, between −0.300 inch and −0.310 inch, or between −0.310 inch and −0.320 inch.
In many embodiments, a hybrid-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG depth between 0.900 inch and 1.25 inch. In some embodiments, a hybrid-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise a CG depth between 0.900 inch and 1.00 inch, between 0.925 inch and 1.025 inch, between 0.950 inch and 1.050 inch, between 0.975 inch and 1.075 inch, between 1.00 inch and 1.100 inch, between 1.025 inch and 1.125 inch, between 1.050 inch and 1.150 inch, between 1.075 inch and 1.175 inch, between 1.100 inch and 1.200 inch, between 1.125 inch and 1.225 inch, or between 1.150 inch and 1.250 inch.
The lightweight-shaft receiving structure can reduce the mass of portions of the prior-art shaft-receiving structures that do not provide structural support. Referring to
Some embodiments of shaft-receiving structures comprise portions that also are not required for retaining a golf shaft within the hosel bore. Referring to
Various embodiments of shaft-receiving structures comprising lightweight components are presented in further detail below. The various embodiments are differentiated in reference to the prior art shaft-receiving structures portions that are replaced by lightweight components or removed entirely. The various embodiments are further differentiated by the overall amount of discretionary mass created over a prior art shaft-receiving structure. In many embodiments, some or all of the hosel, the hosel wall, the hosel tube, and/or the hosel base mass can be replaced with a lightweight material or lightweight component. Different embodiments comprise different combinations of shaft-receiving structure portions that are replaced by lightweight components. Different embodiments balance the desire to create the greatest amount of discretionary mass with the need to provide loft angle and lie angle adjustability, the need to seal the interior cavity, and the desire for a simple manufacturing and/or assembly process. Further lightweight shaft-receiving structure benefits can include removing expensive body material to be replaced by lightweight components. As such, providing the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can reduce the club head manufacturing cost.
III. Lightweight Shaft-Receiving Structure with Lower End Cap
Referring to
The tube insert 230 comprises an upper end 231 proximate the hosel wall upper portion 280 and a lower end 232 proximate the hosel base 262. In many embodiments, the tube insert 230 can comprise a tube insert length measured from the upper end 231 to the lower end 232, parallel to the hosel bore axis 268. In many embodiments, the tube insert length can be between 1.00 inch and 1.50 inch. In some embodiments, the tube insert length can be between 1.00 and 1.10 inch, between 1.10 inch and 1.20 inch, between 1.20 inch and 1.30 inch, between 1.30 inch and 1.40 inch, or between 1.40 inch and 1.50 inch.
In many embodiments, the tube insert 230 length can further be characterized relative to a distance between the hosel bore opening 258 and the hosel base 262 (hereafter referred to as the “hosel length”). The hosel length can be measured parallel to the hosel bore axis 268. In many embodiments, the tube insert length can be between 70% and 90% of the hosel length. In some embodiments, the tube insert length can be between 70% and 75%, between 75% and 80%, between 80% and 85%, or between 85% and 90% of the hosel length. The tube insert length is significant in relation to the hosel length. If the tube insert length is too short, discretionary mass will not be maximized. However, if the tube insert length is too long, the tube insert upper end 231 may be too close to the hosel bore opening 258, wherein the tube insert 230 may experience too high of stress at impact.
In order to not compromise the club head 100 structural integrity, the tube insert 230 can be spaced away from the high-stress areas located proximate the hosel bore opening 258. The tube insert top end 231 can be offset from the hosel bore opening 258 topmost edge by a tube insert offset distance 234. The tube offset distance 234 can be measured parallel to the hosel bore axis 268. In many embodiments, the tube insert offset distance 234 can be in a range of 0.150 inch to 0.350 inch. In some embodiments, the tube insert offset distance 234 can be between 0.150 and 0.200 inch, between 0.200 and 0.250 inch, between 0.250 and 0.300 inch, or between 0.300 and 0.350 inch. In some embodiments, the tube insert offset distance 234 can be 0.150 inch, 0.160 inch, 0.170 inch, 0.180 inch, 0.190 inch, 0.200 inch, 0.210 inch, 0.220 inch, 0.230 inch, 0.240 inch, 0.250 inch, 0.260 inch, 0.270 inch, 0.280 inch, 0.290 inch, 0.300 inch, 0.310 inch, 0.320, 0.330, 0.340, or 0.350 inch.
As discussed above in reference to
In the embodiment illustrated in
Although the hosel bore opening 258 is formed by the hosel 252 itself, the majority of the hosel bore 256 is defined by the tube insert 230 inner surface. In many embodiments, the hosel wall upper portion 280 forms the hosel bore opening 258 and an hosel bore 256 upper portion (i.e. the portion of the hosel bore 256 proximate the hosel bore opening 258) while the tube insert 230 forms a remainder of the hosel bore 280. The tube insert 230 completely separates the hosel bore 256 from the remainder of the interior cavity 207. The tube insert 230 is sealed on both the top end 231 and bottom end 232 at the lip 278 and the hosel base 262, respectively. The tube insert 230 completely seals the hosel bore 256 off from the interior cavity 207 such that no debris or other particulate can get into the interior cavity 207 through the hosel bore opening 258, even if the shaft sleeve 266 is removed. The seal created by the tube insert 230 also keeps water from entering the interior cavity 207 through the hosel bore opening 258. This can be especially important for keeping the interior surfaces of the club head 200 from rusting.
The tube insert 230 is formed of a lightweight material, as described above, with a lesser density than the body material density. Replacing the tube portion and portions of the hosel wall 254 with the lightweight tube insert 230 reduces the shaft-receiving structure 250 mass in comparison to a similar structure formed entirely of body material. The inclusion of the lightweight tube insert 230 provides structure for retaining the shaft and shaft sleeve 266 in the hosel bore 256 and sealing the hosel bore 256 from the interior cavity 207 while creating discretionary mass that can be redistributed in advantageous locations to improve the club head 200 mass properties.
As mentioned above, the tube insert bottom end 232 couples to the hosel base 262 and creates a seal. In the illustrated embodiment of
The end cap 240 can comprise a lightweight material, (said lightweight materials and the associated densities defined above can be applied to the end cap 240). In some embodiments, the end cap material can be the same as the tube insert material. In other embodiments, the end cap 240 and the tube insert 230 can be different lightweight materials.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in
Forming hosel base 262 with the removable end cap 240 allows the tube insert 230 to be inserted into the interior cavity 207 through the lower opening 274, rather than requiring the tube insert 230 be inserted from the top through the hosel bore opening 258. Referring to
In many other embodiments, the tube insert 230 can be held in place by adhesive means. In such embodiments, the shaft-receiving structure 250 can form a plurality of lap joints near the tube insert bottom and top ends 232, 231.
Inserting the tube insert 230 through the lower opening 274 allows for a simplified manufacturing and assembly process. The tube insert 230 does not need to be inserted through the hosel bore opening 256, and therefore the hosel wall upper portion 280 and hosel bore opening 256 can be formed integrally with the hosel remainder. If not for the ability to insert the tube insert 230 through the lower opening 274, the hosel wall upper portion 280 and hosel bore opening 256 would need to be formed separately from the remainder of the hosel 252 and coupled thereto in order to enclose the tube insert top end 231. The shaft-receiving structure 250 is configured to receive the tube insert 230 through the lower opening 274 allowing the hosel geometry, including any receiving geometries configured to receive the shaft sleeve 266, to be integrally cast as one piece.
As alluded to above, including lightweight components to replace shaft-receiving structure portions reduces the shaft-receiving structure mass. In some embodiments, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure creates between 3 grams and 12 grams of discretionary mass. The discretionary mass created by the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can be allocated throughout the club head to improve mass properties and performance.
IV. Lightweight Shaft-Receiving Structure with Lightweight Collar
The collar 386 is configured to interact with the shaft sleeve 366. The collar 386 forms the hosel bore opening 386. In many embodiments, the collar can form a receiving geometry configured to receive the shaft sleeve 366. For example, in some embodiments, the hosel collar 386 can form one or more lobes configured to receive one or more shaft sleeve 366 surface features and provide adjustability to the club head loft angle and/or lie angle. Thus, the collar 386 is configured to receive the shaft sleeve 366 and hold it in place. As illustrated in
The hosel wall 354 and the collar 386 can be coupled at a juncture formed between the hosel wall upper edge 355 and a collar lower edge 388. In many embodiments, the hosel wall 354 and the collar 386 comprise mating geometries configured to facilitate coupling the collar 386 to the hosel wall 354 by mechanical interlock and/or adhesion. In some embodiments, as illustrated by
In some embodiments, the collar 386 comprises a lightweight material, as defined above. In many embodiments, the collar 386 is formed of a lightweight metallic material having density lower than the metallic body density. In many embodiments, the collar 386 is provided by a lightweight metal because the collar 386 is located at the hosel upper end, which typically experiences higher stresses than other shaft-receiving structure portions. For example, in some embodiments, the collar 386 can be aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, magnesium, or a magnesium alloy. In many embodiments, the collar 386 is formed of a metallic material similar to the metallic material of the shaft sleeve 366. Forming both the collar 386 and the shaft sleeve 366 from similar metals prevents galling between any receiving geometries of each respective component.
The shaft receiving-structure 350 comprising the collar 386 further comprises a lightweight tube insert 330 identical or substantially identical to the tube insert 230 described above in relation to club head 200. The tube insert top end 331 abuts against the lip 378 formed by the collar 386 and extends downward toward the hosel base 362 and the lower opening 374. Similar to the first embodiment, the tube insert 330 forms the majority of the hosel bore 356 and seals the hosel bore 356 from the interior cavity 307.
In addition to replacing the hosel tube mass with the lightweight tube insert 330, replacing the hosel wall upper portion body material with the lightweight collar 386 further reduces the shaft-receiving structure mass. The replacement of mass via the lightweight tube insert 330 and collar 386 creates discretionary mass to be reallocated throughout the club head 300. In some embodiments, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure 350 including a tube insert 330 and collar 386 can create between 3 and 12 grams of discretionary mass.
Similar to the tube insert 230 described above, tube insert top end 331 can be offset from the hosel bore opening topmost edge a tube insert offset distance 334. The tube offset distance 334 can be measured parallel to the hosel bore axis 368. In many embodiments, the tube insert offset distance 334 can be in a range of 0.150 inch to 0.350 inch. In some embodiments, the tube insert offset distance 334 can be between 0.150 and 0.200 inch, between 0.200 and 0.250 inch, between 0.250 and 0.300 inch, or between 0.300 and 0.350 inch. In some embodiments, the tube insert offset distance 334 can be 0.150 inch, 0.160 inch, 0.170 inch, 0.180 inch, 0.190 inch, 0.200 inch, 0.210 inch, 0.220 inch, 0.230 inch, 0.240 inch, 0.250 inch, 0.260 inch, 0.270 inch, 0.280 inch, 0.290 inch, 0.300 inch, 0.310 inch, 0.320, 0.330, 0.340, or 0.350 inch.
As discussed above in reference to
In many embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in
The tube insert 330 can be retained in the interior cavity 307 by mechanical and/or adhesive means. In some embodiments, the tube insert 330 is held in place by surrounding structures. As illustrated by
In many embodiments, the tube insert 330 can be held in place by adhesive means. In such embodiments, the shaft-receiving structure 350 can form a plurality of lap joints near the tube insert bottom and top ends 332, 331.
As alluded to above, providing a hosel 352 with a separate collar 386 to replace a hosel wall upper portion can allow for greater shaft receiving structure mass reduction, because the collar 386 can be formed of a lighter material than the hosel 350. Including the lightweight tube insert 330 and lightweight collar 386 reduces the shaft-receiving structure mass in comparison to a prior-art shaft-receiving structure formed from the body material. In some embodiments, including the lightweight tube insert 330 and collar 386 to replace denser material reduces the mass shaft receiving structure by between 3 grams and 12 grams. The shaft-receiving structure mass reduction frees up discretionary mass that can be allocated throughout the club head 300 to improve mass properties and performance.
V. Lightweight Shaft-Receiving Structure with Hosel Insert
The hosel insert 430 further comprises a tube portion 437 extending downward from the wall portion bottom through the hosel transition opening 465 and toward the hosel base 462. A tube portion inner surface forms the hosel bore lower portion. The tube portion 437 seals off the hosel bore 456 and the club head exterior from the interior cavity 407, preventing debris, particulate, and water from entering the interior cavity 407 through the hosel bore 456 opening.
The hosel insert 430 is a generally tubular, hollow member that forms an outer diameter and an inner diameter defined by the outer surface and the inner surface, respectively. The hosel insert outer diameter can vary along different hosel insert portions. As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the hosel transition 464 can further comprise a bonding wall 461 in the interior cavity 407, configured to center the tube portion 437 and provide a surface for the hosel insert 430 to bond to. The bonding wall 461 can be a cylindrical wall that is integrally formed with the hosel transition 464. The bonding wall 461 extends from the hosel transition opening 465 at least partially toward the hosel base 462. The bonding wall 461 comprises an inner diameter corresponding to the tube portion outer diameter. The hosel insert tube portion 437 fits flush against and adheres to the bonding wall 461. The bonding wall 461 therefore serves as a lap joint that can secure and center the hosel insert 430 within the interior cavity 407.
The third embodiment club head 400 further forms a hosel base 462 creating a floor for the hosel insert 430, wherein a hosel tube portion bottom end is configured to abut the hosel base 462. The hosel insert bottom end (i.e. the hosel tube portion bottom end) can rest against the hosel base 462. The third embodiment hosel base 462 may be substantially similar to the integrally formed second embodiment hosel base 362. The hosel base 462 can be integrally cast with the club head body 401 and close off the lower opening 474, separating the club head exterior from the interior cavity 407 near the sole. As illustrated in
The hosel insert 430 can be retained within the shaft-receiving structure 450 by mechanical and/or adhesive means. In many embodiments, the hosel insert 430 is held in place by a tensive force created by the fastener 476, the shaft sleeve 466, and the hosel base 462. As illustrated by
In many other embodiments, the hosel insert 430 can be held in place by adhesive means. In such embodiments, the shaft-receiving structure 450 can form a plurality of lap joints configured to couple the hosel insert 430 to the club head body 401 via the use of an adhesive or epoxy.
Including lightweight hosel insert 430 reduces the shaft-receiving structure mass in comparison to a similar structure formed from entirely from body material. In some embodiments, including the lightweight hosel insert 430 to replace denser material reduces the shaft receiving structure mass between 3 grams and 12 grams. The shaft-receiving structure mass reduction frees up discretionary mass that can be allocated throughout the club head 400 to improve mass properties and performance.
The hosel insert 430 forms hosel exterior portions and extends all the way up to the hosel bore opening 458. As a result, the hosel insert 430 may experience greater stresses at impact than the previous embodiment hosel tubes 230, 330. As such, it may be advantageous to provide the hosel insert 430 with a material comprising a higher strength than a composite material. In many embodiments, the hosel insert 430 can comprise a lightweight metal material, rather than a non-metal material. In some embodiments, the hosel insert 430 can be formed using aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or any lightweight metal material with a lower density than the body material. A lightweight metal hosel insert 430 allows the shaft-receiving structure mass to be reduced (because the lightweight metal comprises a lesser density than the body material) which still retaining the club head structural integrity.
The tube-less shaft-receiving structure 550 can comprise a mass reduced by 3 to 12 grams in comparison to a similar shaft-receiving structure formed entirely of body material and comprising a hosel tube. The tube-less shaft-receiving structure 550 can further comprise one or more lightweight components to form other club head portions traditionally formed by body material in the prior art, such as the hosel base 562. Reducing the shaft-receiving structure mass by eliminating the hosel tube and forming other components out of lightweight material rather than body material frees up discretionary mass to be re-allocated to other club head areas to improve mass properties and performance.
The tube-less shaft-receiving structure 550 can be substantially similar to the shaft-receiving structure 250 illustrated in
The shaft-receiving structure 550 further comprises an end cap 540 forming a hosel base 562. The end cap 540 can be formed as a separate component from the club head body 101. The end cap 540 is provided to form the hosel base 562 with a lightweight material, rather than forming a hosel base out of body material, as is common in the prior art. In many embodiments, the end cap 540 can be substantially similar to end cap 240. The end cap 540 can be configured to close off the lower opening 574.
As illustrated in
Due to the lack of a tube insert or hosel tube, the tube-less shaft-receiving structure 550 does not comprise a continuous hosel bore. In other words, tube-less shaft receiving structure 550 does not comprise a hosel bore extending all the way from the hosel bore opening 558 to the hosel base 562. As illustrated in
There is no structure connecting the upper hosel bore 556a to the lower hosel bore 556b. The upper hosel bore 556a and the lower hosel bore 556b each individually feed into the interior cavity 507. The upper hosel bore 556a and the lower hosel bore 556b do not feed into one another. The shaft sleeve 566 extends through a gap 557 formed between the upper hosel bore 556a and the lower hosel bore 556b, wherein the shaft sleeve 566 is thereby exposed to the interior cavity 507.
The tube-less shaft-receiving structure 550 can be held together by the fastener 576, the shaft sleeve 566, and the end cap 540. The shaft sleeve 566 is inserted into the upper hosel bore 556a through the hosel bore opening 558 and is configured to abut against the hosel wall upper portion 580. The fastener 576 is inserted into the lower hosel bore 556b through an aperture 548 formed in the end cap 540 and is configured to abut an end cap exterior surface. When tightened, the fastener 576 presses against the end cap exterior surface to hold the shaft sleeve 566 in tension. The fastener 576 and shaft sleeve 566, when securely coupled together, create opposing forces holding the shaft-receiving structure components together. The fastener 576 creates an upward force pushing against the end cap 540, while the shaft sleeve 566 creates an opposing downward force against the hosel wall upper portion interior surface. As such, the shaft sleeve 566 is retained within the upper hosel bore 556a by the tensive force pulling downward on the shaft sleeve 566. The tensive force created between the fastener 576 and the shaft sleeve 566 holds the shaft-receiving structure components in place.
The tube-less shaft-receiving structure 550 provides a maximum amount of discretionary mass to be redistributed about the club head 500. The tube-less shaft receiving structure 550 comprises minimal structure due to completely eliminating the hosel tube. Further, the tube-less shaft-receiving structure 550 does not reintroduce any mass, however negligible, through the inclusion of any separate tube inserts. The tube-less shaft-receiving structure 550 can be advantageous to include in club heads 500 wherein maximum discretionary mass is desired over the ability to seal the interior cavity 507.
Similar to shaft-receiving structure 500, the present shaft-receiving structure 700 eliminates the hosel tube of prior art designs entirely. As such, the shaft sleeve 766 is not concealed within a tube portion or tube insert. Therefore, a shaft sleeve 766 is at least partly exposed to the interior cavity 707. In many embodiments, the shaft sleeve outer wall 767 is at least partially exposed to the interior cavity 707. In the present embodiment, rather than being retained by an internal structure such as a hosel tube, the shaft sleeve 766 is retained in the club head 700 by structures that also form at least a portion of the club head body exterior. In other words, the shaft sleeve 766 is primarily supported and retained by hosel wall 754 portions, the lobe portion 780, and the hosel base 762. In many embodiments, the shaft receiving structure 750 comprises an upper end 790 and a lower end 792. In the tubeless embodiment, the shaft sleeve 766 is secured only at the upper end 790 and the lower end 792. The shaft sleeve 766 is inserted through the hosel bore opening 758 and is retained at the upper end 790 by the lobe portion 780. The fastener 776 is inserted through an aperture 748 through the hosel base 762 to secure the shaft sleeve 766 at the lower end 792 The shaft sleeve 766 is not supported or retained by a hosel tube or tube insert between the upper end 790 and the lower end 792. Despite the absence of a hosel tube or tube insert, the shaft sleeve 766 is enclosed within the interior cavity 707 by the remainder of the hosel wall 754 on the club head heel end 704.
The tube-less shaft-receiving structure 750 can comprise a mass reduced by 3 to 12 grams in comparison to a similar shaft-receiving structure formed entirely of body material and comprising a hosel tube. In some embodiments, the tubeless shaft-receiving structure 750 can reduce the mass by between 3 grams and 5 grams, between 4 grams and 6 grams, between 5 grams and 7 grams, between 6 grams and 8 grams, between 7 grams and 9 grams, between 8 grams and 10 grams, between 9 grams and 11 grams, or between 10 grams and 12 grams in comparison to a similar shaft-receiving structure formed entirely of body material and comprising a hosel tube. In some embodiments, the tubeless shaft-receiving structure 750 can reduce the mass by greater than 3 grams, greater than 4 grams, greater than 5 grams, greater than 6 grams, greater than 7 grams, greater than 8 grams, greater than 9 grams, or greater than 10 grams in comparison to a similar shaft-receiving structure formed entirely of body material and comprising a hosel tube. Reducing the shaft-receiving structure mass by eliminating the hosel tube frees up discretionary mass to be re-allocated to other club head areas to improve mass properties and performance.
Due to the lack of a tube insert or hosel tube, the tube-less shaft-receiving structure 750 does not comprise a continuous hosel bore. In other words, tube-less shaft receiving structure 750 does not comprise a hosel bore extending all the way from the hosel bore opening 758 to the hosel base 762. As illustrated in
The tube-less shaft-receiving structure 750 can be held together by the fastener 776, the shaft sleeve 766, and the hosel base 762. The shaft sleeve 766 is inserted into the upper hosel bore 756 through the hosel bore opening 758 and is configured to abut against the hosel wall upper portion 780. The fastener 776 is inserted through an aperture 748 formed in the hosel base 762 and is configured to abut a hosel base exterior surface. When tightened, the fastener 776 presses against the hosel base exterior surface to hold the shaft sleeve 766 in tension. The fastener 776 and shaft sleeve 766, when securely coupled together, create opposing forces holding the shaft-receiving structure components together. The fastener 776 creates an upward force pushing against the hosel base 762, while the shaft sleeve 766 creates an opposing downward force against the hosel wall upper portion interior surface. As such, the shaft sleeve 766 is retained within the upper hosel bore 756 by the tensive force pulling downward on the shaft sleeve 766. The tensive force created between the fastener 776 and the shaft sleeve 766 holds the shaft-receiving structure components in place.
The tube-less shaft-receiving structure 750 provides a maximum amount of discretionary mass (between 3 grams and 12 grams) to be redistributed about the club head 700. The tube-less shaft receiving structure 750 comprises minimal structure due to the complete hosel tube elimination. In many embodiments, as described above, the discretionary mass created by the tube-less shaft-receiving structure 750 can be added to a mass pad on the sole 712 to improve the club head CG location, and/or to a removable weight near the club head rear to increase the club head MOI. Further, the tube-less shaft-receiving structure illustrated in
VII. Lightweight Shaft-Receiving Structure with External Hosel Insert
The hosel insert 630 comprises an inner surface with an inner diameter that defines at least a hosel bore upper portion. In many embodiments, the hosel inner surface defines a hosel bore portion extending from the hosel bore opening 658 to the hosel transition opening 665. In many embodiments, as illustrated by
In some embodiments, rather than being formed as a separate insert and attached to the crown via mechanical or adhesive means, a lightweight hosel and hosel transition 664 can be integrally formed with a club head body portion. This configuration is applicable to a club head comprising a multi-material construction with a lightweight non-metal component forming a majority of the crown 610, such as a crown insert made from a composite material. The lightweight hosel insert 630 and hosel transition 664 can serve as a crown extension, extending upward from the crown 610 at the heel end and forming the hosel transition 664 and hosel wall 654. In such embodiments, due to the integral formation of the hosel wall 654 and hosel transition 664 with the composite crown 610, the hosel wall material and hosel transition 664 can be the same as the composite crown material. The integral hosel wall 654 and hosel transition 664 can be formed in combination with any variation of the composite crown described in detail above, such as a composite crown 610 that wraps around the skirt 614 and forms a sole portion on the heel 604 and/or toe 606.
Replacing the hosel wall 654 and hosel transition 664 with a lightweight material, whether formed integrally with the composite crown 610 of a multi-material club head, or as a separate insert coupled at the hosel transition opening 665, reduces the shaft-receiving structure mass in comparison to a similar structure formed entirely of body material. In some embodiments, replacing the hosel wall 654 and forming a hosel transition 664 with a lightweight material by including the hosel insert 630 reduces the shaft-receiving structure mass between 3 grams and 12 grams. The shaft-receiving structure mass reduction frees up discretionary mass that can be allocated throughout the club head 600 to improve mass properties and performance.
VIII. Partial Tube Shaft Receiving Structure with Modified Shaft Adapter and Interior Hosel Extension
In other embodiments, the hosel wall 854 at the hosel wall opening may be extended partially into the internal cavity to provide additional support for the crown 112 during impact. This embodiment removes 50% to 90% of the hosel tube, which still results in a significant reduction of mass needed for the shaft receiving structure. As discussed above, many prior art golf clubs provide loft and lie adjustment by means of multiple adjusting collars positioned above the top of the hosel. These collars may provide independent adjustment to loft angle and lie angle. However, the use of separate collars raises the height of the hosel such that more golf club mass is higher above the ground plane. This, in turn, necessarily raises the golf club head CG height, and moves the golf club head CG further toward the heel and front portion of the golf club head. In contrast, the illustrated shaft sleeve provides both loft and lie adjustment in a single component having lower mass and located closer to ground plane. The more compact shaft sleeve facilitates a lower, more central, golf club head CG.
As discussed above, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure benefit is discretionary mass creation that can be redistributed throughout the golf club head. This embodiment provides further support to the golf club head to increase club head durability. The lightweight shaft-receiving structure can create discretionary mass ranging between 3 grams and 12 grams, inclusive. In some embodiments, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can create between 3 and 6 grams, between 4 and 7 grams, between 5 and 8 grams, between 6 and 9 grams, between 7 and 10 grams, between 8 and 11 grams, or between 9 and 12 grams of discretionary mass. In some embodiments, the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can create discretionary mass greater than 3 grams, greater than 4 grams, greater than 5 grams, greater than 6 grams, greater than 7 grams, greater than 8 grams, greater than 8 grams, greater than 10 grams, greater than 11 grams, or greater than 12 grams.
Further, the discretionary mass can be distributed to improve golf club head mass characteristics. A driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Ixx moment of inertia between 3000 g*cm2 and 5000 g*cm2. In some embodiments, a driver-type club head comprising the lightweight shaft-receiving structure can comprise an Ixx moment of inertia between than 3000 g*cm2 and 3200 g*cm2, between 3200 g*cm2 and 3400 g*cm2, between 3400 g*cm2 and 3600 g*cm2, between 3600 g*cm2 and 3800 g*cm2, between 3800 g*cm2 and 4000 g*cm2, between 4000 g*cm2 and 4200 g*cm2, between 4200 g*cm2 and 4400 g*cm2, between 4400 g*cm2 and 4600 g*cm2, between 4600 g*cm2 and 4800 g*cm2, or between 4800 g*cm2 and 5000 g*cm2.
A golf club head 800 comprises a golf club head body 801. The golf club head body 801 comprises a shaft receiving structure 850. The reinforced tubeless shaft receiving structure 850 comprises a hosel 852, a shaft sleeve 866, and a fastener 876. The hosel 852 forms the hosel wall 854 which further comprises a hosel wall extension 830. The hosel wall upper portion 880 forms a hosel bore opening 858 configured to receive the shaft sleeve 866. The shaft-receiving structure 850 further comprises a hosel base 862. As illustrated in
There is no complete tube connecting the upper hosel bore 856a to the lower hosel bore 556b. The upper hosel bore 856a and the lower hosel bore 856b each individually feed into the interior cavity 807. The upper hosel bore 856a and the lower hosel bore 856b do not feed into one another. The shaft sleeve 866 extends through a gap 857 formed directly between the upper hosel bore 856a and the lower hosel bore 856b, wherein the shaft sleeve 866 is thereby at least partially exposed to the interior cavity 807.
The reinforced tube-less shaft-receiving structure 850 can be held together by the fastener 876, the shaft sleeve 866, and the hosel base 862. The shaft sleeve 866 is inserted into the upper hosel bore 856a through the hosel bore opening 858 and is configured to abut against the hosel wall upper portion 880. The fastener 876 is inserted into the lower hosel bore 856b through an aperture 848 formed in the hosel base 862 and is configured to abut a hosel base exterior surface 865. When tightened, the fastener 876 presses against the hosel base exterior surface 865 to hold the shaft sleeve 866 in tension. When securely coupled together, the fastener 876 and shaft sleeve 866 create opposing forces holding the shaft-receiving structure components together. The fastener 876 creates an upward force pushing against the hosel base exterior surface 865, while the shaft sleeve 866 creates an opposing downward force against the hosel wall upper portion interior surface 855. As such, the shaft sleeve 866 is retained within the upper hosel bore 856a by the tensive force pulling downward on the shaft sleeve 866. The tension force created between the fastener 876 and the shaft sleeve 866 holds the shaft-receiving structure components in place.
Similar to the tubeless shaft receiving structures 550 and 750, the shaft receiving structure 850 also is devoid of a full tube insert (such as tube inserts 230 and 330 of previous embodiments). With the removal of hosel material from the cast club head body 801, larger stresses may be placed on the shaft sleeve 866 and fastener 876. Referring to
Referring to
In this embodiment of the shaft receiving structure, the shaft sleeve 866 is modified to change the more abrupt sleeve outer diameter change at the shoulder 769 of the previous shaft sleeves (266, 366, 466, 566, 766) to a more gradual tapering from a first sleeve outer diameter 886 to the bottom end second sleeve outer diameter 887. The right angle cylinder portion 879 comprises the first sleeve outer diameter 886, and the sleeve bottom end 871 comprises a second sleeve outer diameter 887 smaller than the first sleeve outer diameter 886. The outer wall lower tapered portion 885 is not parallel to the sleeve axis 868.
The shaft sleeve length 873 is in a range of 1.547 inches and 1.555 inches. The shaft sleeve length 873 may be 1.547 inches, 1.548 inches, 1.549 inches, 1.550 inches, 1.551 inches, 1.552 inches, 1.553 inches, 1.554 inches, or 1.555 inches. The first shaft sleeve outer diameter 886 is in a range of 0.423 inch to 0.427 inch. The first shaft sleeve outer dimeter 886 may be 0.423 inch, 0.424 inch, 0.425 inch, 0.426 inch, or 0.427 inch. The second shaft sleeve outer diameter 887 is in a range of 0.323 inch to 0.327 inch. The second sleeve outer diameter 887 may be 0.323 inch, 0.324 inch, 0.325 inch, 0.326 inch, or 0.327 inch. Further, the fastener 876 is modified in comparison to previously discussed fasteners (276, 376, 476, 576, 776). In comparison to the previously discussed fasteners, the fastener 876 has a slightly longer total fastener length 890. When threaded into a shaft sleeve lower bore 888, the fastener further comprises a fastener engagement length 891 in a range of 0.290 inch to 0.294 inch. The total fastener length 890 is increased by 0.050 inch over the previous fasteners, in order to extend the fastener engagement length by 0.050 inch.
In addition to modifying the shaft sleeve 866 in comparison to previously described shaft sleeves (266, 366, 466, 566, 766), the shaft receiving structure 850 may be strengthened by adding back 1.65 grams to 1.75 grams of mass to the club head body 800. This mass is placed adjacent to the crown/hosel/heel area of the golf club head interior 807. The additional structure serves to reduce the hosel heelward flexing during impact with the golf ball. Reducing the hosel heelward flexing also reduces the stress on the shaft sleeve 866, further increasing the shaft sleeve durability at impact. The added structures are each partial restorations of the cast hosel tube that was fully removed in the previous embodiments discussed above. One structure extends the full length of the previously removed hosel tube, but encompasses only a portion of the hosel tube wall forming a partial cylinder. Another structure is a complete right circular hollow cylinder, but extends only a portion of the way between hosel bore 856 and the hosel base 862. Each structure adds back mass in a range between 1.25 grams and 1.75 grams.
Referring to
Referring to
The free wall length 839 is in a range of 0.30 inch to 0.68 inch. The free wall length may be 0.30 inch, 0.31 inch, 0.32 inch, 0.33 inch, 0.34 inch, 0.35 inch, 0.36 inch, 0.37 inch, 0.38 inch, 0.39 inch, 0.40 inch, 0.41 inch, 0.42 inch, 0.43 inch, 0.44 inch, 0.45 inch, 0.46 inch, 0.47 inch, 0.48 inch, 0.49 inch, 0.50 inch, 0.51 inch, 0.52 inch, 0.53 inch, 0.54 inch, 0.55 inch, 0.56 inch, 0.57 inch, 0.58 inch, 0.59 inch, 0.60 inch, 0.61 inch, 0.62 inch, 0.63 inch, 0.64 inch, 0.65 inch, 0.66 inch, 0.67 inch, or 0.68 inch. The separation distance 842 may be in a range of 0.25 inch to 1.00 inch. The separation distance may be 0.25 inch, 0.26 inch, 0.27 inch, 0.28 inch, 0.29 inch, 0.30 inch, 0.31 inch, 0.32 inch, 0.33 inch, 0.34 inch, 0.35 inch, 0.36 inch, 0.37 inch, 0.38 inch, 0.39 inch, 0.40 inch, 0.41 inch, 0.42 inch, 0.43 inch, 0.44 inch, 0.45 inch, 0.46 inch, 0.47 inch, 0.48 inch, 0.49 inch, 0.50 inch, 0.51 inch, 0.52 inch, 0.53 inch, 0.54 inch, 0.55 inch, 0.56 inch, 0.57 inch, 0.58 inch, 0.59 inch, 0.60 inch, 0.61 inch, 0.62 inch, 0.63 inch, 0.64 inch, o 0.65 inch, 0.66 inch, 0.67 inch, 0.68 inch, 0.69 inch, 0.70 inch, 0.71 inch, 0.72 inch, 0.73 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.75 inch, 0.76 inch, 0.77 inch, 0.78 inch, 0.79 inch, 0.80 inch, 0.81 inch, 0.82 inch, 0.83 inch, 0.84 inch, 0.85 inch, 0.86 inch, 0.87 inch, 0.88 inch, 0.89 inch, 0.90 inch, 0.91 inch, 0.92 inch, 0.93 inch, 0.94 inch, 0.95 inch, 0.96 inch, 0.97 inch, 0.98 inch, 0.99 inch, or 1.00 inch.
It is desirable to reduce the shaft receiving structure total length 845, because the shorter the length contributes to a lower golf club head center of gravity 199. It is also desirable to reduce the free wall length 839 to reduce the mass of the right circular hollow cylinder hosel extension 835. A lower right circular hollow cylinder hosel extension mass allows the redistribution of that mass to other portions of the golf club head 800 to improve mass properties.
As discussed above, the prior art shaft receiving structure comprises portions, such as the hosel tube 160, that, surprisingly, do not significantly contribute to the structural golf club head integrity. After the analysis showing this low stress on the hosel tube 160 was done, experiments were conducted to determine if the hosel tube could simply be removed, or replaced with lighter materials, in order to provide discretionary mass.
To expand upon the analysis illustrated in
At the peak stress during impact, the strike face 102, the crown return portion 122, and the sole 112 proximate to the leading edge 103 absorb the force impact and are highly stressed. These areas require the high-strength body material to avoid impact induced failure. In contrast, the hosel tube 160 illustrated in
The golf club head portion proximate to the hosel 152 and within the club head interior cavity 107 is a lower stress portion at impact compared to the strike face 102, crown return 122, and sole 112 proximate the golf club head leading edge 103. Other lower stress zones are located further from the strike face 102. The lower stress club head portion proximate to the hosel 152 and within the golf club head interior 107 can be replaced without compromising the club head durability at impact. As described above, a significant portion of the impact force experienced by the shaft-receiving structure 150 occurs proximate upper contact plane 186 and lower contact plane 187 (illustrated in
The analysis illustrated in
The mass properties were compared between a plurality of exemplary club heads with lightweight shaft-receiving structures and a control club head. The MOI values of each club head were compared. Further, the amount of discretionary mass created by including the lightweight shaft-receiving structure in each exemplary club head was compared, with the control club head as a baseline. Each club head was similarly constructed, but for the differences in the shaft-receiving structures.
The first exemplary club head was a fairway wood-type club head comprising a lightweight shaft-receiving structure similar to shaft-receiving structure 250. The first exemplary club head comprised a lightweight tube insert forming a hosel tube and a lightweight lower end cap forming a hosel base. The tube insert was inserted through the lower opening into the interior cavity. The end cap covered the lower opening and enclosed the tube insert within the interior cavity.
The second exemplary club head was a fairway wood-type club head comprising a lightweight shaft-receiving structure similar to shaft-receiving structure 550. The second exemplary club head comprised a tube-less design. The second exemplary embodiment was devoid of a tube insert. The club head comprised an upper hosel bore formed by a hosel wall upper portion interior surface and a lower hosel bore formed by an interior surface of a hosel base wall. The upper hosel bore and the lower hosel bore were not connected and both fed into the interior cavity. As such, when the shaft sleeve was inserted, the shaft sleeve outer wall was exposed to the interior cavity. The second exemplary club head comprised a lightweight end cap forming a hosel base and covering the lower opening.
The control club head was a prior art fairway wood-type club head comprising a prior-art shaft receiving structure similar to shaft-receiving structure 150. The control club head comprised a hosel, a hosel tube, and a hosel base each formed integrally with the club head body and formed out of body material. The control club head shaft-receiving structure did not comprise any lightweight components.
Table 1 below displays the CG positions of each exemplary club head and the control club head. The values for discretionary mass represent how much mass is saved by including the lightweight shaft-receiving structure in each exemplary club head, relative to the control club head.
As evidenced by Table 1, the exemplary club heads exhibited discretionary mass gains, wherein the discretionary mass was redistributed about the club head to improve mass properties. Specifically, in the present example, the discretionary mass was redistributed to improve the CG position, prioritizing a lower CG position to provide higher launch, less spin, and more ball speed. The discretionary mass was reintroduced to the club head by adding mass to a mass pad on the sole. In other words, sole mass pad portions were thickened in the exemplary club heads to produce a lower CG position. As such, the control club head and both exemplary club heads comprised the same overall mass, but with the exemplary club heads comprising a more advantageous mass distribution for CG placement purposes.
Exemplary club head 1 exhibited an increase in discretionary mass of 4.5 grams relative to the control club head, leading to lowering the CG height (CGy) by 0.031 inch and increasing the CG depth (CGz) by 0.011 inch. The first exemplary club head lower CG depth can provide increased performance, such as a higher launch, less spin, and more ball speed. The increase in CG depth can help increase and/or retain MOI.
Exemplary club head 2 exhibited an increase in discretionary mass of 5.5 grams relative to the control club head, leading to lowering the CG height (CGy) by 0.036 inch and increasing the CG depth (CGz) by 0.015 inch. The secondary exemplary club head lower CG depth can provide increased performance, such as a higher launch, less spin, and more ball speed. The increase in CG depth can help increase and/or retain MOI.
The comparison illustrates the benefits of providing a lightweight shaft-receiving structure. The lightweight shaft-receiving structures created between 4.5 and 5.5 grams of discretionary mass relative to the control club head, leading to improvements in the club head CG position to influence performance characteristics. As discussed above, the creation of discretionary mass and improvements in CG position come without any sacrifice to the club head structural integrity, as the shaft-receiving structures lightweight components described herein are not critical to bearing stress load.
The ball flight performance of an exemplary club head was compared to a control club head. The ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate were measured for each club head in a field test and compared.
The exemplary club head was a fairway wood-type club head comprising a lightweight shaft-receiving structure similar to shaft-receiving structure 250. The first exemplary club head comprised a lightweight tube insert forming a hosel tube and a lightweight lower end cap forming a hosel base. The tube insert was inserted through the lower opening into the interior cavity. The end cap covered the lower opening and enclosed the tube insert within the interior cavity.
The control club head was a prior art fairway wood-type club head comprising a prior-art shaft receiving structure similar to shaft-receiving structure 150. The control club head comprised a hosel, a hosel tube, and a hosel base each formed integrally with the club head body and formed out of body material. The control club head shaft-receiving structure did not comprise any lightweight components.
Table 2 below illustrates the comparative test results.
As evidenced by Table 2, the exemplary club head exhibited an increase in launch angle, a slight decrease in ball speed, and a substantially similar spin rate to the control club head. The increase in launch angle results from the lower CG position achieved by the discretionary mass created by the lightweight shaft-receiving structure inclusion (as evidenced in Example 2). Although the exemplary club head exhibited a slight decrease in raw ball speed, the increased launch angle provides the ability to deloft the exemplary club head, which would return ball speed to the exemplary club head and reduce spin rate. The ability to deloft the exemplary club head provided by the increased launch angle provides an overall higher performance by resulting in a club head with similar or greater ball speed and less spin, in comparison to the control club head.
The exemplary club head of Example 3 was further tested for durability. Three exemplary club head samples were subjected to an air cannon test. The air cannon test comprises a golf ball was fired at the club head face at a speed of 115 mph, simulating a high-speed impact occurring during a golf swing between the club head and the ball. The first sample survived 3164 impacts, the second sample survived 3197 impacts, and the third sample survived 2413 impacts. Each of the three samples evidenced durability on par with a prior-art golf club head. The durability of all three samples through a typical number of impacts illustrates that the exemplary club head structural integrity is sufficient for use in the field. The durability test results exhibit that including the lightweight shaft-receiving structure provides mass property and performance benefits (outlined in Examples 1 and 2) without sacrificing the club head durability.
The exemplary club head of Example 5 was analyzed for durability using finite element analysis. Club head incorporating both versions of the hosel wall extension 830 were examined. The modified shaft sleeve 866 and modified fastener 876 were used in both cases. The shaft receiving structure 850 incorporating the curved rib 831 hosel wall extension, the tapered shaft sleeve tip, and the longer fastener engagement length improved the shaft sleeve and fastener durability. Substituting the right circular hollow cylinder hosel extension 835 for the curved rib extension 831 also improved the shaft sleeve and fastener durability. The incorporation of the hosel wall extension in either of the two configurations reduces peak stresses on the shaft sleeve 855 and fastener 866 under normal use for the shaft receiving structure 850.
Clause 1. A golf club head comprising: a strike face and a body secured together to define an interior cavity; the body comprising a crown, a sole opposite the crown, a heel, a toe opposite the heel, a skirt adjoining the crown and the sole, and a shaft-receiving structure; the shaft-receiving structure comprising a hosel and a shaft sleeve, the hosel formed of a first material comprising a first density; wherein: the hosel comprises a hosel wall forming at least a first portion of a hosel bore, hosel wall upper portion forming a hosel bore opening, and a hosel base opposite the hosel bore opening, the hosel base formed at an interior surface of the sole, near the heel; the hosel defines a hosel bore axis concentric with the hosel bore; the shaft sleeve is insertable into the hosel through the hosel bore opening and configured to couple a golf club shaft with the hosel; the hosel bore opening is configured to receive the shaft sleeve; a lip formed at a bottom portion of the hosel wall upper portion; the shaft-receiving structure further comprises a tube insert extending through the interior cavity, from the lip to the hosel base; the tube insert is separated from the hosel bore opening by the hosel wall upper portion; wherein the tube insert is formed of a second material comprising a second density less than the first density; the tube insert forms a remainder of the hosel bore; and the tube insert seals the hosel bore from the interior cavity.
Clause 2. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the shaft-receiving structure further comprises a hosel length, measured parallel to the hosel bore axis from the hosel bore opening to the hosel base; the tube insert comprises a tube insert length measured from a top end of the tube insert to a bottom end; and wherein the tube insert length is between 70 and 90% of the hosel length.
Clause 3. The golf club head of clause 2, wherein the tube insert length is between 1.00 inch and 1.50 inch.
Clause 4. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the lip is formed by a change in thickness between the hosel wall upper portion and a remainder of the hosel wall, wherein the hosel wall upper portion comprises a greater thickness than the remainder of the hosel wall.
Clause 5. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the second material is selected from the group consisting of: a thermoset resin, a thermoplastic resin, a filled thermoplastic, a fiber-reinforced composite, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and an aluminum alloy.
Clause 6. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the second density is less than 3 g/cm3.
Clause 7. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein a top end of the tube insert is retained by the lip, the shaft sleeve, and the hosel wall; and wherein a bottom end of the tuber insert is retained by a bottom lap joint, the hosel base, and an end cap.
Clause 8. The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the hosel wall forms a top lap joint proximate the lip and the body forms a bottom lap joint extending from the hosel base into the interior cavity; wherein the tube insert is configured to be adhesively coupled to the top lap joint and the bottom lap joint.
Clause 9. A golf club head comprising: a strike face and a body secured together to define an interior cavity; the body comprising a crown, a sole opposite the crown, a heel, a toe opposite the heel, a skirt adjoining the crown and the sole, and a shaft-receiving structure; the shaft-receiving structure comprising a hosel and a shaft sleeve, the hosel formed of a first material comprising a first density; wherein: the hosel comprises a hosel wall forming at least a first portion of a hosel bore, a hosel bore opening located at an upper end of the hosel wall, and a hosel base opposite the hosel bore opening, the hosel base formed at an interior surface of the sole, near the heel; the hosel defines a hosel bore axis concentric with the hosel bore; the shaft sleeve is insertable into the hosel through the hosel bore opening and configured to couple a golf club shaft with the hosel; the hosel bore opening is configured to receive the shaft sleeve; the hosel further hosel wall upper portion proximate the hosel bore opening; the shaft-receiving structure further comprises a tube insert extending through the interior cavity, from the hosel wall upper portion to the hosel base; the tube insert is formed of a second material comprising a second density less than the first density; the tube insert forms a remainder of the hosel bore; the tube insert seals the hosel bore from the interior cavity; wherein the shaft-receiving structure comprises a tube insert offset distance defined as a distance between the hosel bore opening and a top end of the tube insert, measured parallel to the hosel bore axis; and wherein the tube insert offset distance is greater than 0.20 inch.
Clause 10. The golf club head of clause 9, wherein the shaft-receiving structure comprises a mass of at least 3 grams less than the mass of a similar shaft-receiving structure formed entirely of the first material.
Clause 11. The golf club head of clause 9, wherein the second material is selected from the group consisting of: a thermoset resin, a thermoplastic resin, a filled thermoplastic, a fiber-reinforced composite, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and an aluminum alloy.
Clause 12. The golf club head of clause 9, wherein the second density is less than 3 g/cm3.
Clause 13. A golf club head comprising: a strike face and a body secured together to define an interior cavity; the body comprising a crown, a sole opposite the crown, a heel, a toe opposite the heel, a skirt adjoining the crown and the sole, and a shaft-receiving structure; the shaft-receiving structure comprising a hosel and a shaft sleeve, the hosel formed of a first material comprising a first density; wherein: the hosel comprises a hosel wall forming at least a first portion of a hosel bore and hosel wall upper portion forming a hosel bore opening; the shaft sleeve is insertable into the hosel through the hosel bore opening and configured to couple a golf club shaft with the hosel; the hosel bore opening is configured to receive the shaft sleeve; a lower opening located on the sole and opposite the hosel bore opening; an end cap configured to couple to the sole and close the lower opening; the shaft-receiving structure further comprises a tube insert extending through the interior cavity, from the hosel bore upper portion to the end cap; wherein the tube insert is formed of a second material comprising a second density less than the first density; wherein the end cap is formed of a third material comprising a third density less than the first density; wherein the tube insert forms a remainder of the hosel bore; and wherein the tube insert seals the hosel bore from the interior cavity.
Clause 14. The golf club head of clause 13, wherein the end cap further comprises one or more notches configured to receive a lower end of the tube insert.
Clause 15. The golf club head of clause 13, wherein the end cap further comprises an end cap body and a protrusion extending upward from the end cap body, such that the protrusion extends at least partially into the hosel bore.
Clause 16. The golf club head of clause 13, wherein the end cap further comprises an aperture extending through the end cap from an end cap bottom surface to and end cap top surface.
Clause 17. The golf club head of clause 13, wherein the tube insert is configured to be inserted into the interior cavity through the lower opening.
Clause 18. The golf club head of clause 13, wherein the second material is selected from the group consisting of: a thermoset resin, a thermoplastic resin, a filled thermoplastic, a fiber-reinforced composite, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and an aluminum alloy.
Clause 19. The golf club head of clause 13, wherein the second density is less than 3 g/cm3.
Clause 20. The golf club head of clause 13, wherein the third density is less than 3 g/cm3.
Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to ocm3ur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/493,838 filed Apr. 3, 2023, and is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/159,805 filed Jan. 26, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/267,183 filed Jan. 26, 2022, the contents of all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63493838 | Apr 2023 | US | |
| 63267183 | Jan 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18159805 | Jan 2023 | US |
| Child | 18626269 | US |
