Patent Application
20060019768
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf club head. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf club head with a lower and more rear center of gravity.
2. Description of Related Art
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-111874 discloses a golf club head comprising a body with an opening defined in a crown portion thereof. Two carbon fiber plates are respectively bonded to inner and outer sides of the opening. The carbon fiber plates have a specific gravity of about 1.8 g/cm3 and the body has a specific gravity of about 4.5 g/cm3. By means of using the carbon fiber plates to replace a portion of the crown of the body, the center of gravity of the body is shifted downward and rearward for increasing the inertia moment and for improving the striking effect. Shift of the center of gravity is limited, as the specific gravity of the carbon fiber plates could not be reduced. Further, the color of the carbon fiber plates is black and thus fails to provide colorful appearances. The only option is to modify the appearance of the carbon fiber plates by baking finish.
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head including a body having reduced weight in a crown thereof to allow adjustment of a center of gravity in a wider range and to increase the inertia moment of the golf club head.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with improved visual effect and added value.
In accordance with the present invention, a golf club head comprises a body and at least one transparent cover. The body includes a striking face for striking golf balls and a hosel for coupling with a shaft. The body includes a crown in which at least one opening is defined. A perimeter delimiting the opening includes a stepped portion. The transparent cover is securely mounted to the opening of the crown. The transparent cover is made of a transparent material having a specific gravity smaller than 1.5 g/cm3 for reducing a weight of the crown of the golf club head and for shifting a center of gravity of the golf club head downward and rearward.
At least one chamber may be defined in a rear portion of a sole of the body for receiving at least one weight member.
The opening may extend from the crown toward a toe, a heel, and/or a sole of the body.
The transparent cover is made of crystalline or non-crystalline engineering plastic. Preferably, the transparent cover is made of a material selected from the group comprising polyetherimide (PEI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphthalamide (PPA), polyetherketone (PEK), and polyether ether ketone (PEEK).
In an embodiment of the invention, the body includes a compartment delimited by an inner wall, and a marking area is provided on the inner wall. The marking area is formed by ink printing, water jet engraving, mechanical engraving, laser engraving, sanding, sticking, or integral casting.
In another embodiment of the invention, the transparent cover includes an inner face, and a marking area is provided on the inner face of the transparent cover. The marking area is formed by ink printing, laser engraving, sanding, sticking, or integral molding injection.
In a further embodiment of the invention, an extension rib extending from the stepped portion. A marking area is provided on an outer face of the extension rib. The marking area is formed by ink printing, water jet engraving, mechanical engraving, laser engraving, sanding, sticking, or integral casting.
The transparent cover may have a desired color. Further, the transparent cover may be convex or concave to provide a magnifying or reducing effect for the marking.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The body 1 defines a compartment 10, with a marking area 15 being provided on an inner face of an inner wall of the body 1, such as a bottom portion of the inner wall of the body 1. Letters, patterns, symbols, trademarks, etc can be provided in the marking area 15 by ink printing, water jet engraving, mechanical engraving, laser engraving, sanding, sticking, or integral casting.
The transparent cover 2 is made of a light material having a specific gravity smaller than 1.5 g/cm3. Preferably, the transparent cover 2 is made of a transparent plastic material such as crystalline or non-crystalline engineering plastic selected from the group comprising polyetherimide (PEI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphthalamide (PPA), polyetherketone (PEK), and polyether ether ketone (PEEK). These polymeric resins have specific gravities between 1.45 and 0.9 k/cm3 and may endure high temperature up to 150° C. The transparent cover 2 has a shape corresponding to that of the opening 13 of the body 1.
Still referring to
The transparency of the transparent cover 2 allows the user to see the marking area 15 in the body 1, providing a special seeing-through effect as well as added value. The transparent cover 2 may have a desired color. Further, the transparent cover 2 can be shaped as a convex lens or concave lens to provide a magnifying or reducing effect for the marking.
While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the appended claims.
