GOLF CLUB HEAD

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to the Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-125214, filed May 31, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a golf club head which is capable of customizing its center of gravity position and mounting position of a club shaft depending on user preference, thus providing superior in versatility and easiness in maintenance.

2. Description of Related Art

The principal object of developing conventional golf club was increasing a distance of a golf ball. Therefore most of the designs such as materials or loft angle of the head were in the mainstream. And customization or adjustment depending on individual user preference, their tendency, or physical condition, such as their age, was not researched or examined so far.

Therefore the applicant filed a patent application (Japan Utility Model Patent No. 3148909) in Japan.

The gazette of the Utility Model Patent No. 3148909, hereinafter called “the gazette”, discloses “a golf club head comprising a pair of balance adjustment portions which are provided in a side-to-side arrangement and each of which accommodates one or a plurality of balancers so that the balancers are detachable, the balance adjustment portions including covers which detachably cover a toe side and a heel side of a back face surface side of a head body respectively, the covers including balancer accommodation recesses which surround outer peripheries of the balancers respectively, and a pair of gravity center height adjustment portions which are formed in each cover in an up-and-down arrangement so as to be located at a crown side and a sole side of the head body respectively and so as to be separated from the balancer accommodation recesses respectively, each gravity center height adjustment portion accommodating one or a plurality of gravity center height adjustment balancers therein.”

The golf club head disclosed in the gazette was capable of being adjusted in its center of gravity not only a front-and-back direction and a left-and-right direction, but also in top-and-bottom direction depending on user personality. Thus it was easy to control golf balls by giving back-spin or top-spin to golf balls. And it was superior in versatility or handling. It was capable of adjusting its center of gravity in a wide range, and superior to flexibility of the center of gravity adjustment.

However, the adjustment includes selecting the balancers, adjusting the height of the center of gravity, selecting materials and mass of the balancer. Thus, the adjustment of the center of gravity by selecting combination of the number and allocation of the balancers requires complicated work and a lot of work hours to finally decide the most suitable position.

Such a fine adjustment was necessary in the case of the advanced players the professional player. However, in the case of beginners and amateurs, such fine adjustment was unnecessary. Thus the development of the golf club head which could offer generous balance adjustment very easily was requested.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a golf club head which could offer generous balance adjustment. The golf club head can be changed of its total shape and mounting position of a golf club shaft by partly replacing its parts. Therefore it is superior in flexibility of choosing its shape, and in versatility. Since the golf club head can commonize many parts, inventory control will be easy, and is superior in mass productivity. Beginner and amateur players can easily customize the center of gravity position depending on their preference. Therefore, they can use the golf club head for a long term. Further, it is superior in maintenance characteristics, the handling characteristics, and the resource saving characteristics.

The golf club head of this invention has the following structure.

A golf club head comprising: a shaft fixing body; a balance adjusting portion that locates at back face side of the shaft fixing body, the balance adjusting portion holds replaceable weights of a variety of density and mass; a face side connecting portion that is located at face side of the shaft fixing body and detachably connects to the balance adjusting portion holding the shaft fixing body therebetween.

According to the golf club head of present invention, the following advantageous effects will be provided.

(1) Users can choose and change the shaft fixing body, the balance adjusting portion and the shape and materials of the face side connecting portion. Then the mounting position and the angle of the shaft, a curve, the shape of the whole head, mass and the center of gravity balance will be changed greatly. Thus the golf club head with superior flexibility of the shape selection and versatility will be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective illustration of the face side of the golf club head of the embodiment 1.

FIG. 1B is a perspective illustration of back face side of the golf club heads of the embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the golf club head of the embodiment

FIG. 3A is a side view of the shaft fixing body of the golf club head of the embodiment 1.

FIG. 3B is a rear view of the shaft fixing body of the golf club head of the embodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a section schematic view of the balancer storing portion of the golf club head of the embodiment 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the modified example of the shaft fixing body in the golf club head of the embodiment 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1

The golf club head of the embodiment 1 of the present invention will be explained referring the drawings as follows.

FIG. 1A is a perspective illustration of the face side of the golf club head of the embodiment 1, and FIG. 1B is a perspective illustration of the back face side of the golf club head of the embodiment 1.

In FIG. 1, a symbol 1 shows a golf club head of the embodiment 1. A symbol 1a shows a face surface of the golf club head 1. A symbol 1b shows a back face surface of the golf club head 1. A symbol 1c shows the top surface of the golf club head 1. A symbol 2 shows a shaft fixing body of the golf club head 1 with a hazel 3 shaped thereon, A symbol 4 shows a balance adjusting portion that is allocated at the back face surface 1b side and is capable of detachably holding weights of a variety of density and mass in balancer storing portions 5a, 5b as mentioned later. A symbol 7 shows a face side connecting portion that is allocated at the face surface 1a of the shaft fixing body 2 and is detachably connected with the balance adjusting portion 4 as shown in FIG. 1A.

A detail of each part of the golf club head of the embodiment 1 will be explained as follows.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the golf club head of the embodiment 1, FIG. 3A is a side view of the shaft fixing body of the golf club head of the embodiment 1, FIG. 3B is a rear view of the shaft fixing body of the golf club head of the embodiment 1, FIG. 4 is a section schematic view of the balancer storing portion of the golf club head of the embodiment 1.

At first, the shaft fixing body of the golf club head of the embodiment 1 will be explained hereinafter.

In FIGS. 2 to 4, a symbol 2a shows a face side recess (FIG. 2) that is shaped on the face side 1a of the shaft fixing body 2. A symbol 2b shows two shaft halls made to the shaft fixing body 2. A symbol 2c shows a fitting protrusion (FIGS. 3 and 4) that is allocated at the side of the back face surface 1b of the shaft fixing body 2 and is shaped as capable of fitting with an opening 6 of the balancer storing portion 5a, 5b. A symbol 2d shows a back face side recess (FIG. 3B) that is shaped as rectangle shape at the center of the back face surface 1b (FIG. 2) of the of the shaft fixing body 2. A symbol 2e shows an IC chip storing portion that is shape as a recess at tow side of the back face surface 1b of the shaft fixing body 2, and an IC chip will be embedded therein.

In this the embodiment 1, the hazel (a shaft fitting portion) 3 is shaped at heel side of the shaft fixing body 2 as had shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The position and the angle of the hazel 3 can be chosen appropriately. When a plurality of the shaft fixing bodies 2 with different positions and angles of the hazels 3 are prepare beforehand, the angle and the direction of the shaft can be changed by just replacing the shaft fixing body 2. Therefore, many users with different preferences and handedness are satisfied with as little stock as possible. That means the golf club head is superior in mass productivity and easiness of inventory control. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fitting protrusion 2c that will be fit with the opening 6 of the balancer storing portion 5a, 5b is allocated at the back face surface 1b of the shaft fixing body 2. Thus the shaft fixing body 2 and the balance adjusting portion 4 can be temporary positioned very easily. It will contribute to effectiveness of replacing work of fixation screw 11.

On the back face side recess 2d shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B, an appropriate back face plate, not shown, can be fit or glued with as necessary. As to the materials of the back face side plate, depending on the usage such as for playing or for displaying, an appropriate material can be chosen from various metal such as tungsten, stainless steel, titanium, gold and platinum, or glass, or a synthetic resin. The surface of the back face plate can be carved with its user name or decorated with various colors or designs. Especially, for private usage or displaying usage, the back face plate can be decorated with in particular it with precious metals or jewels.

An IC chip can be embedded in the IC chip storing portion 2e in FIG. 3B. The IC chip can memorize user personal information (a full name or a user registration number), specification information of the golf club head (a serial number, mass, position of the center of gravity, mass or the length of the shaft), and used for managing them. Various information (data) memorized on the IC chips are read from them by computers. They are stored, managed or updated on the computers. Thus the information about the users and the golf club heads can be surely managed without exception. By memorizing the record of buying and selling and the transfer of the golf club head, the history of the user in the IC chips, it will be easily and surely decided whether the golf club head is an original or an imitation (whether it was put into the market by authorized dealers or not) or whether the golf club head is a stolen goods or not. Thus it contributes in reliability of distribution management.

In addition, the position of the IC chip storing portion 2e can be anywhere where it can properly communicate with a leader writer. It will be better where it is not exposed to outer environment and will not receive any shocks from outer world while it is being used or transported is chosen as the position for the IC chip storing portion 2. It is preferable to shape the IC chip storing portion 2 according to the outer shape of the IC chips. If the IC chip storing portion 2e is formed on the back face surface side of the shaft fixing body 2, the IC chip will not be affected by the shock of hitting and since the IC chip is protected by the balance adjusting portion 4, it will prevent accidents such as being destroyed by external force or being lost. In addition, the IC chip storing portion 2e may be allocated on either tow side or heel side of the shaft fixing body 2. However, if it is allocated at the heel side, as shown in FIG. 3B, swinging motion of the player will be stable and unnecessary turning motion of user's wrist will be avoided. Thus it is superior in orbital stability.

A detail of the balance adjusting portion and face side connecting portion of the golf club head of the embodiment 1 will be explained as follows.

In FIGS. 2 and 4, symbols 5a, 5b show the balancer storing portion (FIG. 2) which are shaped to be open at tow side and heel side of the shaft fixing body 2. A symbol 6 shows an opening (FIG. 2) of the balancer storing portion 5a, 5b. A symbol 8 shows a plate main body of the face side connecting portion 7 that will be fit to the face side recess 2a of the shaft fixing body 2. Symbols 8a show two through-holes which are made on the plate main body 8 and are adjusted to the position of the shaft halls 2b of the shaft fixing body 2. A symbol 8b shows a fitting recess that is shaped around the through hole 8b at face surface 1a of the plate main body 8. A symbol 9 shows an insert shaft that will be inserted into the through-hole 8a from the plate main body 8 of the shaft fixing body 2. A symbol 9a shows a head of the insert shaft 9 that will be fit to the fitting recess 8b of the fitting recess 8b of the plate main body 8. A symbol 9b shows a connecting internal thread that is shaped at tip portion of the insert shaft 9. A symbol 10 shows a cover plate that is put on the surface (the face side) of the plate main body 8 of the face side connecting portion 7. A symbol 11 shows a plurality of weights which are shaped as ring shape and held in the balancer storing portion 5a, 5b while the insert shaft 9 are inserted into the through-hole 11a thereof. A symbol 12 shows a fixation screw that will be inserted from a fixation through-hole 6b (FIG. 4) and is screwed together with the connecting internal thread 9b of the insert shaft 9 of the face side connecting portion 7. A symbol 12a shows a shaft portion of the fixation screw 12 on which an external thread is made in order to be screwed together with the connecting internal thread 9b. A symbol 12b shows a head of the fixation screw 12 that is shaped at the end of the shaft portion 12e and will be fit to counterbore 6a that is shaped around the fixation through-hole 6b on the back face surface 1b side. Each of a symbol 12c shows each tool fitting recesses (FIGS. 4 and 1B) shaped on the head 12b in order to fit a tool. The tool will be used to turn the fixation screw 12 in order to screw or unscrew the fixation screw 12.

As for the materials of the shaft fixing body 2 and the balance adjusting portion 4, metals such as magnesium, titanium, the stainless steel or the synthetic resins can be used. When an engineering resin such as the polycarbonate is used for them, it will be superior in mechanical strength and light weight. Further it will prevent damage by the external force. In addition, by selecting the materials, the total mass of the golf club head can be adjusted. As for the materials of the weight 11, metals of heavy specific gravity such as tungsten, brass, iron, copper and gold, or metals of light specific gravity such as magnesium, aluminum, titanium, or synthetic resin such as ABS resin or PC resin, and synthetic rubber can be used. Density (specific gravity and materials) and the mass of each weight 11 can be chosen appropriately. And it is not necessary that all weights 11 are the same. An appropriate allocation (a combination) of different kind of weights 11 will adjust the center of gravity position of the front and back direction. In addition, the outer shape of the weight 11 is not necessarily ring shape. The shape of rectangle or polygon or the combination thereof can be chosen as well.

The shape, the size and the thickness of the plate main body 8 and the cover plate 10 of the face side connecting portion 7 can be appropriately selected. In addition, as for the materials of the plate main body 8 and the cover plate 10, not only various metals such as tungsten, stainless steel and titanium, but also the synthetic rubber can be used. By choosing shape or materials of the plate main body 8 and cover plate 10, the mass and the center of gravity balance of the whole golf club head 1 can be adjusted. In this the embodiment 1, the plate main body 8 of the face side connecting portion 7 and the insert shaft 9 are made of different member. A connecting shaft member can be integrally shaped to protrude from the back face surface 1b (the shaft fixing body 2) of the plate main body 8. And internal thread can be shaped in order to be screwed together with the fixation screw 12. In addition, in the present embodiment 1, outer thread is shaped on the fixation screw 12 and the connecting internal thread 9b is shaped on the insert shaft 9. However, the internal thread may be shaped on the fixation screw 12 and the outer thread may be shaped on the insert shaft 9 (or connecting shaft portion).

The shape of the face side recess 2a is formed in order to fit with the shape of the plate main body 8 and cover plate 10 of the face side connecting portion 7. When the depth of the face side recess 2a is shaped to match with the total thickness of the plate main body 8 and cover plate 10 of the face side connecting portion 7, The surface of the face surface 1a of the shaft fixing body 2 and the surface of the cover plate 10 will be flat. Thus the ball can be surely hit, and the reliability of the shot will be superior. In addition, in case of the plate main body 8 of the face side connecting portion 7 and the insert shaft 9 are made integrally, the cover plate 10 can be omitted.

The modified embodiment of the shaft fixing body of the golf club head in the embodiment 1 will be explained hereinafter.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the modified example of the shaft fixing body in the golf club head of the modified embodiment 1.

The modified embodiment and the embodiment 1 differs in that the shaft fixing body 2a comprises an peripheral frame member 22 with a hollow portion 22a and a mass adjusting portion 23 that is made as a plate shape and is capable of being detachably stored in the hollow portion of the peripheral frame member 22. The total mass and the center of gravity position of the shaft fixing body 2a can be adjusted by changing materials, mass, or the mounting position of the mass adjusting portion 23. For example, stainless steel can be used as a material of peripheral frame member 22 and a combination of aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel can be used as material of the mass adjusting portion 23.

In addition, as to the mass adjusting portion 23, it is only required to detachably stored in the hollow portion 22a of the peripheral frame member 22. When the outer shape of the mass adjusting portion 23 is formed to match with the hollow portion 22a, the mass adjusting portion 23 will be firmly held in the hollow portion 22a by just an inserting operation only. Thus it will contribute to effectiveness of replacing work. In addition, the mass adjusting portion 23 can be shaped as a plate shape as shown in FIG. 5. However it is not necessary to be formed as same thickness with the peripheral frame member 22. Thin mass adjusting portion 23 can be slightly moved to the face surface 1a side and the back face surface 1b side, or a plurality of the mass adjusting portion 23 of different materials or the thickness can be combined to be placed. Thus the total mass and the center of gravity position of the front and back direction of the shaft fixing body 2a can be easily adjusted.

In addition, the thickness and materials of the mass adjusting portion 23 is not necessarily to be uniform. For example, the thickness and materials of the mass adjusting portion 23 can be changed to be different at each place such as top surface side and the sole side or the heel side and the tow side. Thus the center of gravity position can be adjusted as to the top and bottom direction and the right and left direction. In addition, when thin board shaped mass adjusting portion 23 is used, only peripheral portion can be shaped as thick enough in order to improve fixation stability against the peripheral frame member 22. In addition, in case of latching protrusions are formed along with the internal surface of the peripheral frame member 22, or a partition wall that partitions interior of the hollow portion 22a to the face side and the back face side therein is formed, the peripheral portion or the surface of the mass adjusting portion 23 can be abut against the latching protrusions or the partition wall. Thus it ensures correct positioning. Furthermore, any apertures can be formed on the partition wall as necessary in order to adjust the mass and the center of gravity.

By the way the hazel (shaft fixing portion) is formed in order to attach the shaft. Therefore, if a plurality of the shaft fixing body with different position and an angle of the shaft fixing portion are prepared beforehand, the angle of the shaft, a direction and bending can be easily changed by just replacing the shaft fixing body only. It can cope with a variety of user preference and the handedness of many users by little stocks. It will be superior in mass productivity and the easiness of the inventory control.

As for the materials of the shaft fixing body and the balance adjusting portion, metals such as magnesium, titanium, the stainless steel or the synthetic resins can be used. When an engineering resin such as the polycarbonate is used for them, it will be superior in mechanical strength and light weight. Further it will prevent damage by the external force. In addition, by selecting the materials, the total mass of the golf club head can be adjusted.

The balance adjusting portion should be able to adjust the balance (total mass and the center of gravity position) of the golf club head by putting on and taking off weights of different density and the mass.

The shape, the size and the thickness of the face side connecting portion can be appropriately selected. In addition, as for the materials of the face side connecting portion, not only various metals such as tungsten, stainless steel and titanium, but also the synthetic rubber can be used. By choosing shape or materials of the face side connecting portion, the mass and the center of gravity balance of the whole golf club head can be widely adjusted.

The balance adjusting portion and the face side connecting portion should be detachably connected with each other, and if they are connected by bolts and nuts, it will be easier in replacing work and superior in assembling and disassembling work. Further, since fixation will be certain and stable, it will be preferable.

Density (specific gravity and materials) and the mass of each weight that will be held in the balance adjusting portion can be chosen appropriately. And it is not necessary that all weights are the same. In addition, the external shape of the weights can be circle, rectangular, the shape of polygon or any combination thereof. If a through-hole for fixation is formed at the central portion, the weights will be easily and surely fixed to the balance adjusting portion by using a connecting rod that connect the face side connecting portion with the balance adjusting portion.

As for the materials of the weights, in addition to the metals of heavy specific gravity such as tungsten, brass, iron, copper and gold, or metals of light specific gravity such as magnesium, aluminum, titanium, a combination of synthetic resin such as ABS resin or PC resin with smaller (lighter) specific gravity than those of metals, and synthetic rubber can be used.

In the shaft fixing body, it is preferable to form the IC chip storing portion for embedding the IC chip therein on. The IC chip embedded in the IC chip storing portion can memorize user personal information (a full name or a user registration number), specification information of the golf club head (a serial number, mass, position of the center of gravity, mass or the length of the shaft) while keeping the relationship therebetween. Those information can be easily managed with the shaft fixing body. Various information (data) memorized on the IC chips as necessary are read from them by computers. They are stored, managed or updated on the computers. Thus the information about the users and the golf club heads can be surely managed without exception, thus the certainty and the reliability of the data management is superior. By memorizing the record of buying and selling and the transfer of the golf club head, the history of the user in the IC chips, it will be easily and surely decided whether the golf club head is an original or an imitation (whether it was put into the market by authorized dealers or not) or whether the golf club head is a stolen goods or not. Thus it contributes in reliability of distribution management.

The IC chip should be able to read and write data. Especially the non-contact IC tag that can be read or written wirelessly, can be used to data read and write within a certain distance from a reader-writer. It is not necessarily disassembled or contacted with a reader-writer, it contributes to use characteristics and is preferable. In addition, a position of the IC chip storing portion should be the position that can communicate with a leader writer. It will be better to be chosen where it is not exposed to outer environment and will not receive any shocks from outer world while it is being used or transported is chosen as the position for the IC chip storing portion. Further, It is preferable to shape the IC chip storing portion according to the outer shape of the IC chips. If the IC chip storing portion is formed on the back face surface side of the shaft fixing body, the IC chip will not be affected by the shock of hitting, And since the IC chip is protected by the balance adjusting portion, it will prevent accidents such as being destroyed by external force or being lost. In addition, the IC chip storing portion may be allocated on either tow side or heel side of the shaft fixing body. However, if it is allocated at the heel side, swinging motion of the player will be stable and unnecessary turning motion of user's wrist will be avoided. Thus it is superior in orbital stability.

The reader-writer and the computer are connected with USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables, and they can mutually transfer data therebetween. The update of balance adjustment information or the three-dimensional information of the center of gravity position will be performed at dealers where the golf club head was purchased or maintenance shops. Various information memorized in the IC chip can be managed along with user information (customer information) at each stores. In addition, although there are various applicable model, the golf club head will be particularly preferable for a golf putter.

According to the above mentioned structures, the golf club head operates as follows.

(1) Since the golf club head comprises at least three layers such as the shaft fixing body, the balance adjusting portion and the face side connecting portion, the mounting position and the angle of the shaft, the shape of the whole head, mass and the center of gravity balance will be changed in wide range by changing and replacing the shape and materials of each parts. Thus it is superior in flexibility of the shape choice and versatility.

(2) Since the balance adjusting portion that can detachably hold weights of a variety of density and mass is equipped, when a plurality of weights with different density (materials), mass and allocation are combined, the mass and the center of gravity position of the head can be easily adjusted, and the maintenance characteristic will be superior.

(3) Since the face side connecting portion that is detachably connected with the balance adjusting portion while holding the shaft fixing body therebetween is equipped, the balance adjusting portion and the face side connecting portion can surely hold the shaft fixing body therebetween, thus it will contribute to fixing stability and durability. Further, since damaged parts can be easily replaced individually, it is superior in resource saving characteristics and the maintenance characteristic.

(4) When the materials (mass) of the face side connecting portion is chosen and replaced, the center of gravity position of the front and back direction of the head can be adjusted. Further depending on the hardness of the face surface (the surface) of the face side connecting portion, the touch feeling of the ball can be adjusted, thus it contributes to the variety of user preference. Therefore it is superior in work effectiveness of the center of gravity position adjustment and design flexibility of the head.

(5) When the center of gravity of the head is moved to the face side or the sole side by changing shape and materials of each parts, or materials and allocation of the weights, a face surface becomes to hit to a certain portion of the ball (position that is lower than a center of gravity on the equator) that is lower than the core of the ball. Thus it will increase backspin turns, and becomes easier to control the ball. Especially for a short putting or putting on a fast running green, the golf club head is easier to use.

(6) When the center of gravity of the head is moved to the crown side or the back face surface side by changing shape and materials of each parts, or materials and allocation of the weights, a face surface becomes to hit to a certain portion of the ball (position that is close to the center of gravity on the equator) that is close to the core or higher than the core of the ball. Thus it will reduce loss at impacting moment, and increases running distance.

(7) When the balance adjusting portion or the face side connecting portion are replaced in order to adjust mass and the center of gravity position, the shaft fixing body can be kept using and will not be necessary to throw away. Thus it will be superior in resource saving characteristics and the environmental protection characteristic.

According to the golf club head of claim 2, the above shaft fixing body comprises a peripheral frame member, and a mass adjusting portion that is detachably allocated in the hollow portion of the above peripheral frame member.

According to the above mentioned structures, the golf club head operates as follows in addition to the invention of claim 1.

(1) Since the present invention is equipped with the mass adjusting portion that is capable of being detachably stored in the hollow portion of the peripheral frame member, when the materials, mass, a mounting position of the mass adjusting portion are changed as necessary, a center of gravity position of the shaft fixing body can be widely adjusted. Therefore it contributes to user preference, and it is superior in versatility and design flexibility.

The materials of the peripheral frame member and the mass adjusting portion can be chosen appropriately as they will be formed integrally with the shaft fixing body. They are not necessarily different materials, and may use the same materials. For example, stainless steel may be used as material of the peripheral frame member and combination of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel may be used as material of the mass adjusting portion.

The mass adjusting portion should be able to be detachably stored in the hollow portion of the peripheral frame member. When the outer shape of the mass adjusting portion is formed to match with the hollow portion, it will be easy to firmly fit the mass adjusting portion to the hollow portion. Thus it will contribute to effectiveness of replacing work.

In addition, although the mass adjusting portion can be shaped as a plate shape, it is not necessary to be formed as same thickness and width with the hollow portion of the peripheral frame member. Thin mass adjusting portion can be slightly moved to the face surface side or the back face surface side, or a plurality of the mass adjusting portion of different materials or the thickness can be combined to be placed. Thus the total mass and the center of gravity position of the front and back direction of the shaft fixing body can be easily adjusted.

In addition, the thickness and materials of the mass adjusting portion is not necessarily to be uniform. For example, the thickness and materials of the mass adjusting portion can be changed to be different at each places such as top surface side and the sole side or the heel side and the tow side. Thus the center of gravity position can be adjusted as to the top and bottom direction and the right and left direction.

In addition, when thin board shaped mass adjusting portion is used, only peripheral portion can be shaped as thick enough in order to improve fixation stability against the peripheral frame member. In addition, in case of latching protrusions are formed along with the internal surface of the peripheral frame member, or a partition wall that partitions interior of the hollow portion to the face side and the back face side therein is formed, the peripheral portion or the surface of the mass adjusting portion can be abut against the latching protrusions or the partition wall. Thus it ensures correct positioning.

According to the golf club head of claim 3, the balance adjusting portion comprises balancer storing portions that open toward the shaft fixing body side and allocated at tow side portion and/or heel side portion, fixation through-holes made to be open on the back face side of each of the balancer storing portions, and fixation screws that are inserted from the fixation through-holes and are connected to the face side connecting portion.

According to the above mentioned structures, the golf club head operates as follows in addition to the invention of claim 2.

(1) Since the balance adjusting portion is equipped with the balancer storing portions which open toward the shaft fixing body side and allocated at tow side portion and/or heel side portion, the center of gravity position of the right and left direction and the front and back direction of the head can be adjusted in a wide range depending on user's habit or preference by selecting a number of the weights, materials of each weights (mass), and combination of their allocation.

(2) Since the balancer storing portion of the balance adjusting portion has openings toward the shaft fixing body side, the openings of the balancer storing portion can be covered by the shaft fixing body, it is not necessary to prepare other members such as lids separately, thus it reduces a number of parts. Further, it protects the weights in itself from wind, rain and external forces, thus it contributes to prevent damage or loss, and can be superior to the durability and the handling characteristics.

(3) Since the balance adjusting portion is equipped with the fixation through-holes made to be open on the back face side of each of the balancer storing portions, and the fixation screws that are inserted from the fixation through-holes and are connected to the face side connecting portion, the balance adjusting portion and the face side connecting portion can be easily and surely connected together, thus it contributes to the easiness of assembling and disassembling, and it will be superior to maintenance characteristics.

(4) Since the balance adjusting portion is equipped with the fixation the fixation screws that are inserted from the fixation through-holes and are connected to the face side connecting portion, it is not necessary to form an external thread and an internal thread to the balance adjusting portion, and thus is superior in workability. When the fixation screws become worn, deformed or damaged, no other parts than the fixation screws need to be replaced, thus the balance adjusting portion can be used for a long term and the golf club head is superior to resource saving characteristics and environmental protection characteristics.

Since the balancer storing portion of the balance adjusting portion has openings toward the shaft fixing body side, in case the fitting protrusion that fit with the opening of the balancer storing portion is formed on the shaft fixing portion, the shaft fixing body and the balance adjusting portion can be temporary positioned very easily, thus it will contribute to effectiveness of replacing work of fixation screw. The fixation screw should be able to be screwed together with the back face side connecting portion, and the fixation screw can be an internal thread or an outer thread.

In addition, the internal screw or the outer screws which will be screwed together with the fixation screw may be directly formed on the face side connecting portion. Further, there may be only a through-hole on the face side connecting portion, and the insert shaft that is equipped with the internal screw or the outer screws may be attached by forcible insertion.

According to the golf club head of claim 4, the face side connecting portion comprises a plate main body, and a connecting shaft member that is shaped to protrude from the shaft fixing body side of the plate main body and is capable of being screwed together with the fixation screw.

According to the above mentioned structures, the golf club head operates as follows in addition to the invention of claim 3.

(1) Since the face side connecting portion is equipped with the plate main body, and the connecting shaft member that is shaped to protrude from the shaft fixing body side of the plate main body and is capable of being screwed together with the fixation screw, when the fixation screw and the connecting shaft member are screwed together with each other, the balance adjusting portion and the face side connecting portion can be easily connected, thus they will be firmly fixed. It contributes to the work effectiveness of assembling and disassembling, and it will be superior in fixing stability and fixing certainty.

Either one of the fixation screw and the connecting shaft member may be formed with the outer thread, and the another should be formed with the inner thread.

When the weights are magnetized, a plurality of the weights can be handled as one unit, thus it is superior in not only easiness of replacing work nor the easiness of the adjusting work for the center of gravity position, but also in suppressing delicate vibration. Therefore it is superior in usability. In addition, it is not necessary to magnetize all of the weights, but some of them may be magnetized. Then the rest of the unmagnetized weights and the magnetized weights may be used in combination.

According to the golf club head of claim 5, the weight is detachably inserted by a shaft portion of the fixation screw or the connecting shaft member.

According to the above mentioned structures, the golf club head operates as follows in addition to the invention of claim 4.

(1) Since each of the weights are detachably inserted by the shaft portion of the fixation screw or the connecting shaft member, a plurality of weights can be surely held in the balancer storing portion, the center of gravity does not move, and it is superior in the handling characteristic.

The length of the shaft portion of the fixation screw and the connecting shaft member can be appropriately adjusted. According to the balance of the lengths, the weights may be inserted with the shaft portion of the fixation screw or the shaft connecting member and held by them.

According to the golf club head of claim 6, the face side connecting portion comprises a plate main body, a through-hole made to be open on the plate main body, and an insert shaft that is inserted into the through-hole and screwed together with the fixation screw.

According to the above mentioned structures, the golf club head operates as follows in addition to the invention of claim 3.

(1) Since the face side connecting portion comprises the plate main body, the through-hole made to be open on the plate main body, and the insert shaft that is inserted into the through-hole and screwed together with the fixation screw, when the fixation screw and the insert shaft are screwed together with each other, the balance adjusting portion and the face side connecting portion can be easily connected, thus they will be firmly fixed. It contributes to the work effectiveness of assembling and disassembling, and it will be superior in fixing stability and fixing certainty.

(2) Since the internal thread or the outer thread are made with the insert shaft that is forcibly inserted into the through-hole of the plate main body, It is not necessary to directly form the internal thread or the external thread to the plate main body, thus it is superior in workability. When the insert shaft become worn, deformed or damaged, no other parts than the insert shaft need to be replaced, thus the plate main body can be used for a long term and the golf club head is superior to resource saving characteristics and environmental protection characteristics.

According to the golf club head of claim 7, the face side connecting portion comprises a fitting recess that is formed on the face surface side of the plate main body and is fit to the head of the insert shaft.

According to the above mentioned structures, the golf club head operates as follows in addition to the invention of claim 6.

(1) Since the face side connecting portion is equipped with the fitting recess that is formed on the face surface side of the plate main body and is fit to the head of the insert shaft, when the fixation screw is being screwed together with the insert shaft member, they will prevent corotation. Thus the fixation screw and the insert shaft will be easily and surely screwed together. And it contributes to the work effectiveness of assembling and disassembling, and is superior in fixing certainty.

(2) Since the head of the insert shaft is fit with the fitting recess of the plate main body, the head of the insert shaft will not abut from the face surface side of the plate main body. It prevents from contact of the head of insert shaft and the ball, thus the ball will be surely hit with the surface of the plate main body. Therefore it is superior in usability.

The shape of the head of the insert shaft may preferably be in form of polygon or oval shape. Since even if there is a gap between the fitting recess and the head of insert shaft, it will surely prevent corotation of the fixation screw and the insert shaft member when they are screwed together.

In addition, it will prevent from abutting the head of the insert shaft member from the fitting recess by setting the depth of the fitting recess be equal or greater with the height of the head of the insert shaft member.

In addition, the surface (a face side) of the plate main body of the face side connecting portion may be covered by the cover plate. It prevents a step made between the head of the insert shaft member and the surface of the plate main body, and it contributes to the stability of the ball running line. Further, the mass of the golf club head may be fine-tuned by materials or the thickness of the cover plate, it contributes to design flexibility and versatility.

According to the golf club head of claim 8, the weight is detachably inserted by a shaft portion of the fixation screw or the connecting shaft member.

According to the above mentioned structures, the golf club head operates as follows in addition to the invention of claims 6 and 7.

(1) Since each of the weights are detachably inserted by the shaft portion of the fixation screw or the insert shaft member, a plurality of weights can be surely held in the balancer storing portion, the center of gravity does not move, and it is superior in the handling characteristic. The length of the shaft portion of the fixation screw and the insert shaft member can be appropriately adjusted.

According to the balance of the lengths, the weights may be inserted with the shaft portion of the fixation screw or the insert shaft member and held by them.

According to the golf club head of claim 9, a face side recess that is allocated at face surface side of the shaft fixing body and the plate main body of the face side connecting portion is fit thereto.

According to the above mentioned structures, the golf club head operates as follows in addition to the invention of claims 4 to 8.

(1) Since the golf club head is equipped with the face side recess that is fit with the plate main body of the face side connecting portion formed at face surface side of the shaft fixing body and, when the fixation screw and the face side connecting portion are fixed together, the shaft fixing body and the face side connecting portion can be temporary positioned very easily, thus it contributes to ease the replacing work of the fixation screw, and to the work effectiveness of assembling and disassembling. The shape of the face side recess is formed according to the shape of the face both sides connecting portion.

When the depth of the face side recess is set to be equal with the thickness of the face side connecting portion, the surface of the face side connecting portion will be flat with the face side of the shaft fixing body. The ball can be surely hit, and it contributes to the reliability of shot.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the merits of claim 1, following merits will be presented.

(1) The mass and the center of gravity position of the shaft fixing body can be widely changed by selecting the materials, mass and the mounting position of the mass adjusting portion, the golf club head which can be adjusted user preference and is superior in the versatility and design flexibility will be provided.

According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the merits of claim 2, following merits will be presented.

(1) Since the shaft fixing body can be easily and surely sandwiched by the balance adjusting portion and the face side connecting portion, the golf club head which was superior in the maintenance characteristic will be provided.

According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the merits of claim 3, following merits will be presented.

(1) When the fixation screw that is inserted from the back face side of the balancer storing portion and the connecting shaft member of the face side connecting portion are screwed together with each other, the balance adjusting portion and the face side connecting portion can be easily connected, thus they will be firmly fixed. The golf club head that contributes to the work effectiveness of assembling and disassembling, and is superior in fixing stability and fixing certainty will be provided.

According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the merits of claim 4, following merits will be presented.

(1) Since a plurality of weights are detachably inserted by the shaft portion of the fixation screw or the connecting shaft member, the weights are surely held in the balancer storing portion, the center of gravity does not move. The golf club that is superior in the handling characteristic will be provided.

According to the invention of claim 6, in addition to the merits of claim 3, following merits will be presented.

(1) When the fixation screw that is inserted from the back face side of the balancer storing portion and the insert shaft member of the face side connecting portion are screwed together with each other, the balance adjusting portion and the face side connecting portion can be easily connected, thus they will be firmly fixed. The golf club head that is superior in work effectiveness of assembling and disassembling, and in fixing stability and fixing certainty will be provided.

According to the invention of claim 7, in addition to the merits of claim 6, following merits will be presented.

(1) Since the head of the insert shaft is fit with the fitting recess that is formed on the face surface side of the plate main body, when the fixation screw is being screwed together with the insert shaft member, they will prevent corotation. Thus the fixation screw and the insert shaft will be easily and surely screwed together. Thus the golf club head that contributes to the work effectiveness of assembling and disassembling, and is superior in fixing certainty will be provided.

According to the invention of claim 8, in addition to the merits of claims 6 and 7, following merits will be presented.

(1) Since each of the weights are detachably inserted by the shaft portion of the fixation screw or the insert shaft member, a plurality of weights can be surely held in the balancer storing portion. Thus the golf club head whose center of gravity does not move, and is superior in the handling characteristic will be provided.

According to the invention of claim 9, in addition to the merits of claims 4 to 8, following merits will be presented.

(1) Since the plate main body of the face side connecting portion is fit with the face side recess formed at face surface side of the shaft fixing body, when the fixation screw and the face side connecting portion are fixed together, the shaft fixing body and the face side connecting portion can be temporary positioned very easily. Thus it contributes to ease the replacing work of the fixation screw. And the golf club head that is superior in the work effectiveness of assembling and disassembling will be provided.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred the embodiment is thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

GOLF CLUB HEAD

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Priority Claims (1)