Patent Application
20240416189
his disclosure relates generally to golf clubs, and more particularly to a head of a golf club with characteristic time (CT) control and tuning features.
Modern “wood-type” golf clubs (notably, “drivers,” “fairway woods,” and “utility or hybrid clubs”), are generally called “metalwoods” since they tend to be made of strong, lightweight metals, such as titanium. An exemplary metalwood golf club, such as a driver or fairway wood, typically includes a hollow shaft and a golf club head coupled to a lower end of the shaft. Most modern versions of club heads are made, at least in part, from a lightweight but strong metal, such as a titanium alloy. In most cases, the golf club head is includes a hollow body with a face portion. The face portion has a front surface, known as a strike plate, configured to contact the golf ball during a proper golf swing.
Under USGA regulations governing the configuration of golf club heads, the characteristic time (CT) of a golf club head at all points on the face portion within a hitting zone cannot exceed a regulated CT threshold. Conventional golf club heads may sacrifice some performance characteristics at the expense of meeting the regulated CT threshold. For example, some golf club heads have thickened the face portion at areas away from a center of the face portion in an attempt to meet the CT threshold in such areas. However, such attempts have resulted in a corresponding reduction in the CT at the center of the face portion. Additionally, to ensure the CT does not exceed the regulated CT threshold, some conventional golf club heads are designed to have a CT within a cautiously large standard deviation of a target CT lower than the regulated CT threshold. Such large standard deviations, however, can result in batches of produced golf club heads with significantly non-uniform performance characteristics. Accordingly, meeting the regulated CT threshold while reducing the negative impact on other performance characteristics of the golf club head can be difficult.
The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the shortcomings of golf clubs and associated golf club heads, that have not yet been fully solved by currently available techniques. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present application has been developed to provide a golf club and golf club head that overcome at least some of the above-discussed shortcomings of prior art techniques.
The characteristic time (CT) of a golf club head is the amount of time a metal hemisphere, at the end of a pendulum, remains in contact with the face portion of a golf club head during a bounce of the metal hemisphere against the face portion. The characteristics of the pendulum and metal hemisphere, as well as the constraints of the CT testing equipment, are governed by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) under the Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead manual, which is published at www.usga.org and incorporated herein by reference. The CT of a golf club head is directly related to the flexibility or spring-like effect of the face portion of the golf club head. In other words, the higher the flexibility of the face portion, the higher the CT of the golf club head. Under the USGA regulations governing the configuration of golf club heads, the CT of a golf club head at all points on the face portion within a hitting zone cannot exceed a regulated CT threshold.
In some examples, the golf club heads of the present disclosure help to lower the CT of the face portions at locations away from the center of the face portion without negatively affecting the performance of the face portion at the center compared to conventional golf club heads. Moreover, in certain examples, the golf club heads of the present disclosure promote smaller standard deviations of CT for batches of produced golf club heads compared to conventional golf club heads.
Disclosed herein is a golf club head comprising a body. The body defines an interior cavity. The body also comprises a sole portion that is positioned at a bottom region of the golf club head. The sole portion has a sole surface area. The body additionally comprises a crown portion that is positioned at a top region of the golf club head. The crown portion has a crown surface area. The body further comprises a skirt portion that is positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole portion and the crown portion, a forward region, a rearward region that is opposite the forward region, a heel region, and a toe region that is opposite the heel region. The golf club head also comprises a face portion, coupled to the body, at the forward region of the body. The face portion comprises a strike face and an interior surface that is opposite the strike face. The golf club head further comprises a stiffener located within the interior cavity of the body and in direct contact with the interior surface of the face portion. The stiffener is made of a material having a hardness of at least Shore 5.95D. An areal weight of the crown portion of the golf club head is less than about 0.35 g/cm2 over more than about 50% of an entire surface area of the crown portion. The golf club head has a center of gravity (CG) with a head center face origin x-axis coordinate between about −5 mm and about 5 mm and a head center face origin y-axis coordinate between about 25 mm and about 50 mm, and a center face head origin z-axis coordinate less than 2 mm. The strike face has a central region, defined by a forty millimeter by twenty millimeter rectangular area centered on a center of the strike face and elongated in a heel-to-toe direction. The face portion has a thickness that varies. Within the central region, the face portion has a maximum face thickness no more than 4.5 mm and a minimum face thickness no less than 2.0 mm. Within the central region, the strike face has a characteristic time (CT) of no more than 257 microseconds. Within the central region, no less than 25% of the strike face has a coefficient of restitution (COR) of at least 0.8. Within the central region, no less than 60% of the strike face has a CT of at least 235 microseconds. Within the central region, no less than 35% of the strike face has a CT of at least 240 microseconds. The golf club head has a volume between about 350 cm3 and about 500 cm3, a moment of inertia about a head center of gravity z-axis (Izz), and a moment of inertia about a head center of gravity x-axis (Ixx). A summation of Izz and Ixx is between about 740 kg·mm2 and about 1100 kg·mm2. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 1 of the present disclosure.
More than 20% of the strike face has a CT of at least 245 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 2 of the present disclosure, wherein example 2 also includes the subject matter according to example 1, above.
Within the central region, no less than 50% of the strike face has a COR of at least 0.8. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 3 of the present disclosure, wherein example 3 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-2, above.
Within the central region, no less than 55% of the strike face has a COR of at least 0.8. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 4 of the present disclosure, wherein example 4 also includes the subject matter according to example 3, above.
Within the central region, no less than 68% of the strike face has a COR of at least 0.8. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 5 of the present disclosure, wherein example 5 also includes the subject matter according to example 4, above.
At least a portion of the crown portion is made of a non-metallic composite material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 6 of the present disclosure, wherein example 6 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-5, above.
The crown portion is made of a metal alloy. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 7 of the present disclosure, wherein example 7 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-6, above.
An areal weight of the sole portion of the golf club head is less than about 0.35 g/cm2 over more than about 50% of an entire surface area of the sole portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 8 of the present disclosure, wherein example 8 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-7, above.
The body and the face portion form a one-piece, unitary, monolithic construction. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 9 of the present disclosure, wherein example 9 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-8, above.
The face portion comprises a face opening and a strike plate welded to the face opening. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 10 of the present disclosure, wherein example 10 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-9, above.
The summation of Izz and Ixx is greater than about 790 kg·mm2. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 11 of the present disclosure, wherein example 11 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-10, above.
The summation of Izz and Ixx is greater than about 805 kg·mm2. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 12 of the present disclosure, wherein example 12 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-11, above.
Ixx is no less than 305 kg·mm2. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 13 of the present disclosure, wherein example 13 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-12, above.
Ixx is no less than 320 kg·mm2. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 14 of the present disclosure, wherein example 14 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-13, above.
Ixx is no less than 350 kg·mm2. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 15 of the present disclosure, wherein example 15 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-14, above.
At least 60% of the strike face within the central region has a CT of at least 240 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 16 of the present disclosure, wherein example 16 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-15, above.
At least 70% of the strike face within the central region has a CT of at least 240 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 17 of the present disclosure, wherein example 17 also includes the subject matter according to example 16, above.
At least 40% of the strike face within the central region has a CT of at least 245 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 18 of the present disclosure, wherein example 18 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-17, above.
At least 50% of the strike face within the central region has a CT of at least 245 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 19 of the present disclosure, wherein example 19 also includes the subject matter according to example 18, above.
At least 10% of the strike face within the central region has a CT of at least 250 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 20 of the present disclosure, wherein example 20 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-19, above.
At least 15% of the strike face within the central region has a CT of at least 250 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 21 of the present disclosure, wherein example 21 also includes the subject matter according to example 20, above.
The CT at any location on the strike face within at least five millimeters of the center of the strike face is greater than 240 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 22 of the present disclosure, wherein example 22 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-21, above.
The CT of the strike face, along a horizontal path on the strike face passing through a center of the strike face, peaks at a distance of at least 30 millimeters toeward of the center of the strike face. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 23 of the present disclosure, wherein example 23 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-22, above.
The face portion further comprises an aperture, extending through the face portion from the strike face to the interior surface and a plug, non-movably fixedly retained within the aperture. The plug protrudes no more than 0.15 millimeters from the strike face or is sunken below the surface of the strike face no more than 0.1 millimeters. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 24 of the present disclosure, wherein example 24 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 1-23, above.
The aperture comprises internal threads. The plug comprises external threads that are threadably engaged with the internal threads of the aperture. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 25 of the present disclosure, wherein example 25 also includes the subject matter according to example 24, above.
The aperture further comprises a counterbore interposed between the internal threads and the strike face. The plug comprises a head portion nestably engaged with the counterbore. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 26 of the present disclosure, wherein example 26 also includes the subject matter according to example 25, above.
The plug comprises a portion of the stiffener. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 27 of the present disclosure, wherein example 27 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 24-26, above.
The plug comprises a polymeric material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 28 of the present disclosure, wherein example 28 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 24-26, above.
Additionally disclosed herein is a golf club head. The golf club head comprises a body that defines an interior cavity and comprises a sole portion that is positioned at a bottom region of the golf club head. The sole portion has a sole surface area. The body further comprises a crown portion that is positioned at a top region of the golf club head. The crown portion has a crown surface area. The body also comprises a skirt portion that is positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole portion and the crown portion. The body additionally comprises a forward region, a rearward region that is opposite the forward region, a heel region, and a toe region that is opposite the heel region. The golf club head also comprises a face portion, coupled to the body, at the forward region of the body. The face portion comprises a strike face and an interior surface that is opposite the strike face. The golf club head further comprises a plurality of stiffeners located within the interior cavity of the body and in direct contact with the interior surface of the face portion. The plurality of stiffeners are a plurality of ribs made of the same material as the body. The face portion has a thickness that varies. A maximum thickness of the face portion is no more than 5 mm and a minimum thickness of the face portion is less than 3 mm. An areal weight of the crown portion of the golf club head is less than about 0.35 g/cm2 over more than about 50% of an entire surface area of the crown portion. An areal weight of the sole portion of the golf club head is less than about 0.35 g/cm2 over more than about 50% of an entire surface area of the sole portion. The strike face has a central region, defined by a forty millimeter by twenty millimeter rectangular area centered on a center of the strike face and elongated in a heel-to-toe direction. Within the central region, the strike face has a characteristic time (CT) of no more than 257 microseconds. Within the central region, no less than 25% of the strike face has a coefficient of restitution (COR) of at least 0.8. Within the central region, no less than 60% of the strike face has a CT of at least 235 microseconds. Within the central region, no less than 35% of the strike face has a CT of at least 240 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 29 of the present disclosure.
The plurality of ribs are located proximate a transition between the face portion and the crown portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 30 of the present disclosure, wherein example 30 also includes the subject matter according to example 29, above.
The plurality of ribs are located proximate a transition between the face portion and the sole portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 31 of the present disclosure, wherein example 31 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 29-30, above.
The body and the face portion form a one-piece, unitary, monolithic construction. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 32 of the present disclosure, wherein example 32 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 29-31, above.
The face portion comprises a face opening and a strike plate welded to the face opening. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 33 of the present disclosure, wherein example 33 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 29-31, above.
At least one of the plurality of ribs has a head origin x-axis coordinate between +15 mm and +25 mm, and at least one of the plurality of ribs has a head origin x-axis coordinate between −15 mm and −25 mm. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 34 of the present disclosure, wherein example 34 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 29-33, above.
Further disclosed herein is a golf club head that comprises a body. The body defines an interior cavity and comprises a sole portion that is positioned at a bottom region of the golf club head. The sole portion has a sole surface area. The body also comprises a crown portion that is positioned at a top region of the golf club head. The crown portion has a crown surface area. The body further comprises a skirt portion that is positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole portion and the crown portion, a forward region, a rearward region that is opposite the forward region, a heel region, and a toe region that is opposite the heel region. The body also comprises a face portion, coupled to the body, at the forward region of the body. The face portion comprises a strike face and an interior surface, opposite the strike face. The body further comprises a plurality of stiffeners located within the interior cavity of the body and offset from the interior surface of the face portion by at least 1 mm and by no more than 20 mm as measured along a head origin y-axis. The plurality of stiffeners are elongated stiffening members extending between an interior surface of the crown portion and an interior surface of the sole portion. The face portion has a thickness that varies. A maximum thickness of the face portion is no more than 5 mm and a minimum thickness of the face portion is less than 3 mm. An areal weight of the crown portion of the golf club head is less than about 0.35 g/cm2 over more than about 50% of an entire surface area of the crown portion. An areal weight of the sole portion of the golf club head is less than about 0.35 g/cm2 over more than about 50% of an entire surface area of the sole portion. The strike face has a central region, defined by a forty millimeter by twenty millimeter rectangular area centered on a center of the strike face and elongated in a heel-to-toe direction. Within the central region, the strike face has a characteristic time (CT) of no more than 257 microseconds. Within the central region, no less than 25% of the strike face has a coefficient of restitution (COR) of at least 0.8. Within the central region, no less than 60% of the strike face has a CT of at least 235 microseconds. Within the central region, no less than 35% of the strike face has a CT of at least 240 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 35 of the present disclosure.
The body and the face portion form a one-piece, unitary, monolithic construction. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 36 of the present disclosure, wherein example 36 also includes the subject matter according to example 35, above.
The face portion comprises a face opening and a strike plate welded to the face opening. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 37 of the present disclosure, wherein example 37 also includes the subject matter according to example 35, above.
Within the central region, a thickness of the face portion is greatest proximate the center of the strike face. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 38 of the present disclosure, wherein example 38 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 35-37, above.
A thickness of the face portion at the center of the strike face is greater than 2.9 mm. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 39 of the present disclosure, wherein example 39 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 35-38, above.
The plurality of stiffeners comprises two or more brace bars. The two or more brace bars each has a mass per unit length of between 0.005 g/mm and 0.40 g/mm. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 40 of the present disclosure, wherein example 40 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 35-39, above.
The body further comprises a channel. The golf club head further comprises one or more polymeric stiffeners located within the channel the body further comprises a channel. The golf club head further comprises one or more polymeric stiffeners located within the channel. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 41 of the present disclosure, wherein example 41 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 35-40, above.
At least one of the plurality of stiffeners has a head origin x-axis coordinate between +15 mm and +25 mm, and at least one of the plurality of stiffeners has a head origin x-axis coordinate between −15 mm and −25 mm. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 42 of the present disclosure, wherein example 42 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 35-41, above.
Additionally disclosed here is a golf club head comprising a body. The body defines an interior cavity and comprises a sole portion, positioned at a bottom region of the golf club head, the sole portion having a sole surface area. The body also defines a crown portion, positioned at a top region of the golf club head, the crown portion having a crown surface area. The body further defines a skirt portion, positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole portion and the crown portion. The body additionally defines a forward region, a rearward region, opposite the forward region, a heel region, and a toe region, opposite the heel region. The golf club head also comprises a face portion, coupled to the body, at the forward region of the body, and comprising a strike face and an interior surface, opposite the strike face. The face portion has a thickness that varies. An areal weight of the crown portion of the golf club head is less than about 0.35 g/cm2 over more than about 50% of an entire surface area of the crown portion. An areal weight of the sole portion of the golf club head is less than about 0.35 g/cm2 over more than about 50% of an entire surface area of the sole portion. The strike face has a central region, defined by a forty millimeter by twenty millimeter rectangular area centered on a center of the strike face and elongated in a heel-to-toe direction. Within the central region, a maximum thickness of the face portion is no more than 4 mm and a minimum thickness of the face portion is no less than 2.4 mm. Within the central region, the strike face has a characteristic time (CT) of no more than 257 microseconds. Within the central region, no less than 25% of the strike face has a coefficient of restitution (COR) of at least 0.8. Within the central region, no less than 60% of the strike face has a CT of at least 235 microseconds. Within the central region, no less than 50% of the strike face has a CT of at least 240 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 43 of the present disclosure.
The body and the face portion form a one-piece, unitary, monolithic construction. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 44 of the present disclosure, wherein example 44 also includes the subject matter according to example 43, above.
The face portion comprises a face opening and a strike plate welded to the face opening. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 45 of the present disclosure, wherein example 45 also includes the subject matter according to example 43, above.
Within the central region, a thickness of the face portion is greatest proximate the center of the strike face. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 46 of the present disclosure, wherein example 46 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 43-45, above.
A thickness of the face portion at the center of the strike face is greater than 2.9 mm. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 47 of the present disclosure, wherein example 47 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 43-46, above.
Within the central region, no less than 15% of the strike face has a CT of at least 245 microseconds. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 48 of the present disclosure, wherein example 48 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 43-47, above.
The sole portion, the crown portion, and the skirt portion of body form a one-piece, unitary, monolithic construction, and the wherein the face portion comprises a face opening and a strike plate encloses the face opening. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 49 of the present disclosure, wherein example 49 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 43-48, above.
The face portion comprises a face opening and a strike plate welded to the face opening. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 50 of the present disclosure, wherein example 50 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 43 and 45-49, above.
The face portion comprises a face opening and a strike plate bonded or glued to the face opening. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 51 of the present disclosure, wherein example 51 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 43 and 45-49, above.
The body and the face portion form a one-piece, unitary, monolithic construction. The crown portion comprises a crown opening and a crown insert encloses the crown opening. The crown insert is formed of a lower density material than the rest of the body and the face portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 52 of the present disclosure, wherein example 52 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 43, 44, and 46-49, above.
The golf club head further comprises two or more brace bars extending from an interior surface of the sole portion to an interior surface of the crown portion, wherein each of the two or more brace bars has a mass per unit length of between 0.005 g/mm and 0.40 g/mm. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 53 of the present disclosure, wherein example 53 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 43-52, above.
Wherein the two or more brace bars are formed of the same material as the body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 54 of the present disclosure, wherein example 54 also includes the subject matter according to example 53, above.
The two or more brace bars are formed of a lower density material than that of the body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 55 of the present disclosure, wherein example 55 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 53-54, above.
The two or more brace bars have a head origin y-axis coordinate between the head origin y-axis coordinate of a center of gravity of the golf club head and the head origin y-axis coordinate of the face portion of the golf club head. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 56 of the present disclosure, wherein example 56 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 53-55, above.
The two or more brace bars are positioned between 1 mm and 20 mm, inclusive, from the face portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 57 of the present disclosure, wherein example 57 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 53-56, above.
The two or more brace bars are positioned at least 20 mm forward of a center of gravity of the golf club head as measured along a head origin y-axis. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 58 of the present disclosure, wherein example 58 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 53-57, above.
Within the central region, a ratio of a thickness of a thinnest portion of the face portion to the thickness of a thickest portion of the face portion is between 0.60 and 1.0, inclusive. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 59 of the present disclosure, wherein example 59 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 53-58, above.
Within the central region, a ratio of a thickness of a thinnest portion of the face portion to the thickness of a thickest portion of the face portion is between 0.70 and 1.0, inclusive. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 60 of the present disclosure, wherein example 60 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 53-59, above.
Within the central region, no less than 50% of the strike face has a COR of at least 0.8. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 61 of the present disclosure, wherein example 61 also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 53-60, above.
The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristics of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments and/or implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to impart a thorough understanding of embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials, and/or methods of a particular embodiment or implementation. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments and/or implementations that may not be present in all embodiments or implementations. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The features and advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings, in which:
The following describes embodiments of golf club heads in the context of a driver-type golf club, but the principles, methods and designs described may be applicable in whole or in part to fairway woods, utility clubs (also known as hybrid clubs) and the like.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0302946 A1 ('946 app), published Oct. 9, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a “reference position” similar to the address position used to measure the various parameters discussed throughout this application. The address or reference position is based on the procedures described in the United States Golf Association and R&A Rules Limited, “Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs,” Revision 1.0.0, (Nov. 21, 2003). Unless otherwise indicated, all parameters are specified with the club head in the reference position.
For further details or clarity, the reader is advised to refer to the measurement methods described in the '946 app and the USGA procedure. Notably, however, the origin and axes used in this application may not necessarily be aligned or oriented in the same manner as those described in the '946 app or the USGA procedure. Further details are provided below on locating the club head origin coordinate system 185.
The golf club heads described herein may include a driver-type golf club heads with a relatively large strike plate area of at least 3500 mm{circumflex over ( )}2, preferably at least 3800 mm{circumflex over ( )}2, and even more preferably at least 3900 mm{circumflex over ( )}2. Additionally, the driver-type golf club heads may include a center of gravity (CG) projection proximate center face that may be at most 3 mm above or below center face, and preferably may be at most 1 mm above or below center face as measured along a vertical axis (z-axis).
Moreover, the driver-type golf club heads may have a relatively high moment of inertia about a head center of gravity z-axis e.g. Izz>350 kg-mm{circumflex over ( )}2 and preferably Izz>400 kg-mm{circumflex over ( )}2, a relatively high moment of inertia about a head center of gravity x-axis e.g. Ixx>200 kg-mm{circumflex over ( )}2 and preferably Ixx>250 kg-mm{circumflex over ( )}2, and preferably a ratio of Ixx/Izz>0.55. For example, in one implementation, Ixx is no less than 305 kg·mm2 and in another implementation, Ixx is no less than 320 kg·mm2. In some examples, a summation of Izz and Ixx is between about 740 kg·mm2 and about 1100 kg·mm2. According to one example, the summation of Izz and Ixx is greater than about 790 kg·mm2. In another examples, the summation of Izz and Ixx is greater than about 805 kg·mm2.
The head center of gravity x-axis, the head center of gravity y-axis, and the head center of gravity z-axis, which define a head center of gravity origin coordinate system, are centered at the center of gravity of the golf club head. Moreover, the head center of gravity x-axis, the head center of gravity y-axis, and the head center of gravity z-axis are parallel to the corresponding x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 as defined herein. The location of the center of gravity can be defined relative to a center face head origin coordinate system defined by a head center face origin x-axis, a head center face origin y-axis, and a head center face origin z-axis centered at a center face of the strike face of the golf club head. The head center face origin x-axis, the head center face origin y-axis, and the head center face origin z-axis, are parallel to the corresponding x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 as defined herein. In some examples, the golf club head has a center of gravity (CG) with a head center face origin x-axis coordinate between about −5 mm and about 5 mm and a head center face origin y-axis coordinate between about 25 mm and about 50 mm, and a center face head origin z-axis coordinate less than 2 mm.
Referring to
The face portion 142 includes lip 147 and a strike plate 143 that defines a strike face 144. The lip 147 is circumferentially closed, defines a face opening, and extends around an outer periphery of the forward region 112 of the body 110. The lip 147 peripherally surrounds the strike plate 143 and is co-formed (e.g., forms a one-piece, continuous, monolithic construction) with the crown portion 119, the skirt portion 121, and the sole portion 117 of the body 110. The strike plate 143 defines a strike face configured to impact and drive the golf ball during a normal swing of the golf club head 100. Referring to
When cast together, the strike plate 143, the lip 147, and other portions of the body 110 are made of the same material, such as any of various materials described below. However, welding the strike plate 143 to the lip 147, as opposed to co-forming the strike plate 143 and the lip 147 as a one-piece construction, allows the strike plate 143 to be made from a different material, such as any of those described below, and/or made by a different manufacturing process than the lip 147 and other portions of the body 110. According to certain implementations, the golf club head 100 includes variable thickness face portion features similar to those described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/006,060; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,997,820; 6,800,038; and 6,824,475, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Within a central region, as defined below, the face portion 142 has a maximum face thickness no more than 4.5 mm and a minimum face thickness no less than 2.0 mm in some examples. According to certain examples, a maximum thickness of the face portion is no more than 5 mm and a minimum thickness of the face portion is less than 3 mm.
In some examples, the golf club head 100 includes a face portion 142 with variable thickness face portion features. According to one example, the variable thickness face portion features of the face portion include an inverted cone protruding from the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142 into an interior cavity of the golf club head 100. The inverted cone is centered at a center face of the face portion 142. In this example, the variable thickness face portion features of the face portion 142 further include a plurality of thickness zones that are circumferentially spaced about the inverted cone or the center face of the face portion 142. Each one of the thickness zones extends radially outwardly away from the inverted cone toward an outer periphery of the face portion 142. In some implementations, one or more of the thickness zones terminate before the outer periphery of the face portion 142 and/or one or more of the thickness zones extends all the way to the outer periphery of the face portion 142. Moreover, each one of the thickness zones defines a portion of the face portion 142 with a constant thickness. In other words, the thickness of the face portion 142 within a given one of the thickness zones is the same or does not vary. However, the thickness of the face portion 142 within one thickness zone is different than that of an adjacent thickness zone. In this manner, the thickness of the face portion 142 varies from one thickness zone to the next in a circumferential direction around the inverted cone.
According to one example, the plurality of thickness zones includes a plurality of elevated thickness zones and a plurality of reduced thickness zones. Each one of the elevated thickness zones has a thickness that is greater than each one of the elevated thickness zones. In some implementations, the thickness of each one of the reduced thickness zones is greater than a minimum thickness of the face portion 142. The plurality of elevated thickness zones and the plurality of reduced thickness zones alternate between elevated thickness zone and reduced thickness zone about the inverted cone 608.
In a traditional process, the face plate is formed from a flat sheet of metal having a uniform thickness. Such a sheet of metal is typically rolled along one axis to reduce the thickness to a certain uniform thickness across the sheet. This rolling process can impart a grain direction in the sheet that creates a different material properties in the rolling axis direction compared to the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction. This variation in material properties can be undesirable and can be avoided by using the disclosed casting methods instead to create face portion.
Furthermore, because a conventional face plate starts off as a flat sheet of uniform thickness, the thickness of the whole sheet has to be at least as great as the maximum thickness of the desired end product face plate, meaning much of the starting sheet material has to be removed and wasted, increasing material cost. By contrast, in the disclosed casting methods, the face portion is initially formed much closer to the final shape and mass, and much less material has to be removed and wasted. This saves time and cost.
Still further, in a conventional process, the initial flat sheet of metal has to be bent in a special process to impart a desired bulge and roll curvature to the face plate. Such a bending process is not needed when using the disclosed casting methods.
The unique thickness profiles illustrated in
By using casting methods, large numbers of the disclosed club heads can be manufacture faster and more efficiently. For example, 50 or more of the cups 402 can be cast at the same time on a single casting tree, whereas it would take much longer and require more resources to create the novel face thickness profiles on face plates using a conventional milling methods using a lathe, one at a time.
In
The second ring 608 can itself have a variable thickness profile, such that the thickness of the second ring 608 varies as a function of the circumferential position around the center 602. Similarly, the variable blend zone 606 can have a thickness profile that varies as a function of the circumferential position around the center 602 and provides a transition in thickness from the maximum thickness ring 604 to the variable and less thicknesses of the second ring 608. For example, the variable blend zone 606 to a second ring 608 can be divided into eight sectors that are labeled A-H in
One example of the face portion 600 can have the following thicknesses: 3.1 mm at center 602, 3.3 mm at ring 604, the second ring 608 can vary from 2.8 mm in zone A to 2.2 mm in zone C to 2.4 mm in zone E to 2.0 mm in zone G, and 1.8 mm in the heel and toe zones 610.
One example of the face portion 700 can have the following thicknesses: 3.9 mm at center 702, 4.05 mm at ring 704, 3.6 mm in zone A, 3.2 mm in zone B, 3.25 mm in zone C, 2.05 mm in zone D, 3.35 mm in zone E, 2.05 mm in zone F, 3.00 mm in zone G, 2.65 mm in zone H, and 1.9 mm at perimeter ring 710.
To the heel side, the thicknesses are offset by set amount (e.g., 0.15 mm) to be slightly thicker relative to their counterpart areas on the toe side. A thickening zone 820 (dashed lines) provides a transition where all thicknesses gradually step up toward the thicker offset zone 822 (dashed lines) at the heel side. In the offset zone 822, the ring 823 is thicker than the ring 806 on the heel side by a set amount (e.g., 0.15 mm), and the ring 825 is thicker that the ring 808 by the same set amount. Blend zones 824 and 826 gradually decrease in thickness moving radially outwardly, and are each thicker than their counterpart blend zones 807 and 810 on the toe side. In the thickening zone 820, the inner ring 804 gradually increases in thickness moving toward the heel.
One example of the face portion 800 can have the following thicknesses: 3.8 mm at the center 802, 4.0 mm at the inner ring 804 and thickening to 4.15 mm across the thickening zone 820, 3.5 mm at the second ring 806 and 3.65 mm at the ring 823, 2.4 mm at the third ring 808 and 2.55 mm at the ring 825, 2.0 mm at the fourth ring 811, and 1.8 mm at the perimeter ring 814.
The targeted offset thickness profile shown in
The golf club head 100 also includes a hosel 120 extending from the heel region 116 of the golf club head 100. As shown in
In some embodiments, such as shown in
Though not shown, the frame 124 may have a face opening, at the forward region 112 of the body 110, to receive and fixedly secure the strike plate 143 of the golf club head 100. In some implementations, the strike plate 143 is be fixedly secured to the face opening of the frame 124 by welding, braising, soldering, screws, or other coupling means. Generally, the frame 124 provides a framework or skeleton of the golf club head 100 to strengthen the golf club head 100 in areas of high stress caused by the impact of a golf ball with the face portion 142. Such areas include a transition region where the golf club head 100 transitions from the face portion 142 to the crown portion 119, the sole portion 117, and the skirt portion 121 of the body 110.
In some examples, the body 110 (e.g., just the frame 124 of the body 110) and/or the face portion 142 are made of one or more of the following materials: carbon steel, stainless steel (e.g. 17-4 PH stainless steel), alloy steel, Fe—Mn—Al alloy, nickel-based ferroalloy, cast iron, super alloy steel, aluminum alloy (including but not limited to 3000 series alloys, 5000 series alloys, 6000 series alloys, such as 6061-T6, and 7000 series alloys, such as 7075), magnesium alloy, copper alloy, titanium alloy (including but not limited to 6-4 titanium, 3-2.5, 6-4, SP700, 15-3-3-3, 10-2-3, or other alpha/near alpha, alpha-beta, and beta/near beta titanium alloys) or mixtures thereof. In yet other examples, the body 110 (e.g., a crown insert and/or a sole insert) and/or the face portion 142 are formed of a non-metal material with a density less than about 2 g/cm3, such as between about 1 g/cm3 to about 2 g/cm3. The non-metal material may include a polymer or polymer-reinforced composite material. The polymer can be either thermoset or thermoplastic, and can be amorphous, crystalline and/or a semi-crystalline structure.
The body 110 is made of a titanium alloy in some examples, which can be titanium or any of various titanium-based alloys. In certain examples, the body 110 is made of a titanium alloy, including, but not limited to, 9-1-1 titanium, 6-4 titanium, 3-2.5, 6-4, SP700, 15-3-3-3, 10-2-3, or other alpha/near alpha, alpha-beta, and beta/near beta titanium alloys) or mixtures thereof. Titanium alloys comprising aluminum (e.g., 8.5-9.5% Al), vanadium (e.g., 0.9-1.3% V), and molybdenum (e.g., 0.8-1.1% Mo), optionally with other minor alloying elements and impurities, herein collectively referred to a “9-1-1 Ti”, can have less significant alpha case, which renders HF acid etching unnecessary or at least less necessary compared to faces made from conventional 6-4 Ti and other titanium alloys. Further, 9-1-1 Ti can have minimum mechanical properties of 820 MPa yield strength, 958 MPa tensile strength, and 10.2% elongation. These minimum properties can be significantly superior to typical cast titanium alloys, such as 6-4 Ti, which can have minimum mechanical properties of 812 MPa yield strength, 936 MPa tensile strength, and ˜6% elongation.
Golf club head bodies that are cast including the face as an integral part of the body (e.g., cast at the same time as a single cast object) can provide superior structural properties compared to club heads where the face is formed separately and later attached (e.g., welded or bolted) to a front opening in the club head body. However, the advantages of having an integrally cast Ti face are mitigated by the need to remove the alpha case on the surface of cast Ti faces.
With the herein disclosed club head bodies comprising an integrally cast 9-1-1 Ti face, the drawback of having to remove the alpha case can be eliminated, or at least substantially reduced. For a cast 9-1-1 Ti face, using a conventional mold pre-heat temperature of 1000 C or more, the thickness of the alpha case can be about 0.15 mm or less, or about 0.20 mm or less, or about 0.30 mm or less, such as between 0.10 mm and 0.30 mm in some embodiments, whereas for a cast 6-4 Ti face the thickness of the alpha case can be greater than 0.15 mm, or greater than 0.20 mm, or greater than 0.30 mm, such as from about 0.25 mm to about 0.30 mm in some examples.
In some cases, the reduced thickness of the alpha case for 9-1-1 Ti face portions (e.g., 0.15 mm or less) may not be thin enough to provide sufficient durability needed for a face portion and to avoid needing to etch away some of the alpha case with a harsh chemical etchant, such as HF acid. In such cases, the pre-heat temperature of the mold can be lowered (such as to less than 800 C, less than 700 C, less than 600 C, and/or less than or equal to 500 C) prior to pouring the molten titanium alloy into the mold. This can further reduce the amount of oxygen transferred from the mold to the cast titanium alloy, resulting in a thinner alpha case (e.g., less than 0.15 mm, less than 0.10 mm, and/or less than 0.07 mm). This provides better ductility and durability for the body with integral face, which is especially important for the face portion.
The thinner alpha case in cast 9-1-1 Ti faces helps provide enhanced durability, such that the face is durable enough that the removal of part of the alpha case from the face via chemical etching is not needed. Thus, hydrofluoric acid etching can be eliminated from the manufacturing process when the body and face are unitarily cast using 9-1-1 Ti, especially when using molds with lower pre-heat temperatures. This can simplify the manufacturing process, reduce cost, reduce safety risks and operation hazards, and eliminate the possibility of environmental contamination by HF acid. Further, because HF acid is not introduced to the metal, the body with integral face, or even the whole club head, can comprise very little or substantially no fluorine atoms, which can be defined as less than 1000 ppm, less than 500 ppm, less than 200 ppm, and or less than 100 ppm, wherein the fluorine atoms present are due to impurities in the metal material used to cast the body.
In some examples, the body 110 is made of an alpha-beta titanium alloy comprising 6.5% to 10% Al by weight, 0.5% to 3.25% Mo by weight, 1.0% to 3.0% Cr by weight, 0.25% to 1.75% V by weight, and/or 0.25% to 1% Fe by weight, with the balance comprising Ti (one example is sometimes referred to as “1300” titanium alloy). In another representative example, the alloy may comprise 6.75% to 9.75% Al by weight, 0.75% to 3.25% or 2.75% Mo by weight, 1.0% to 3.0% Cr by weight, 0.25% to 1.75% V by weight, and/or 0.25% to 1% Fe by weight, with the balance comprising Ti. In yet another representative embodiment, the alloy may comprise 7% to 9% Al by weight, 1.75% to 3.25% Mo by weight, 1.25% to 2.75% Cr by weight, 0.5% to 1.5% V by weight, and/or 0.25% to 0.75% Fe by weight, with the balance comprising Ti. In a further representative embodiment, the alloy may comprise 7.5% to 8.5% Al by weight, 2.0% to 3.0% Mo by weight, 1.5% to 2.5% Cr by weight, 0.75% to 1.25% V by weight, and/or 0.375% to 0.625% Fe by weight, with the balance comprising Ti. In another representative embodiment, the alloy may comprise 8% Al by weight, 2.5% Mo by weight, 2% Cr by weight, 1% V by weight, and/or 0.5% Fe by weight, with the balance comprising Ti (such titanium alloys can have the formula Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe). As used herein, reference to “Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe” refers to a titanium alloy including the referenced elements in any of the proportions given above. Certain embodiments may also comprise trace quantities of K, Mn, and/or Zr, and/or various impurities.
Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe can have minimum mechanical properties of 1150 MPa yield strength, 1180 MPa ultimate tensile strength, and 8% elongation. These minimum properties can be significantly superior to other cast titanium alloys, including 6-4 Ti and 9-1-1 Ti, which can have the minimum mechanical properties noted above. In some embodiments, Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe can have a tensile strength of from about 1180 MPa to about 1460 MPa, a yield strength of from about 1150 MPa to about 1415 MPa, an elongation of from about 8% to about 12%, a modulus of elasticity of about 110 GPa, a density of about 4.45 g/cm3, and a hardness of about 43 on the Rockwell C scale (43 HRC). In particular embodiments, the Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe alloy can have a tensile strength of about 1320 MPa, a yield strength of about 1284 MPa, and an elongation of about 10%. The Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe alloy, particularly when used to cast golf club head bodies, promotes less deflection for the same thickness due to a higher ultimate tensile strength compared to other materials. In some implementations, providing less deflection with the same thickness benefits golfers with higher swing speeds because over time the face of the golf club head will maintain its original shape (e.g., bulge and roll) and have a lower tendency to flatten over time.
The polymer may also be formed of an engineering plastic such as a crystalline or semi-crystalline engineering plastic or an amorphous engineering plastic. Potential engineering plastic candidates include polyphenylene sulfide ether (PPS), polyethelipide (PEI), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadience styrene plastics (ABS), polyoxymethylene plastic (POM), nylon 6, nylon 6-6, nylon 12, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polypheylene oxide (PPO), polybothlene terephthalate (PBT), polysulfone (PSU), polyether sulfone (PES), polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or mixtures thereof. Organic fibers, such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, or metallic fiber, can be added into the engineering plastic, so as to enhance structural strength. The reinforcing fibers can be continuous long fibers or short fibers. One of the advantages of PSU is that it is relatively stiff with relatively low damping which produces a better sounding or more metallic sounding golf club compared to other polymers which may be overdamped. Additionally, PSU requires less post processing in that it does not require a finish or paint to achieve a final finished golf club head.
One exemplary material from which a sole insert and/or the crown insert 126 may be made from is a thermoplastic continuous carbon fiber composite laminate material having long, aligned carbon fibers in a PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) matrix or base. A commercial example of a fiber-reinforced polymer, from which a sole insert and/or the crown insert 126 may be made, is TEPEX® DYNALITE 207 manufactured by Lanxess®. TEPEX® DYNALITE 207 is a high strength, lightweight material, arranged in sheets, having multiple layers of continuous carbon fiber reinforcement in a PPS thermoplastic matrix or polymer to embed the fibers. The material may have a 54% fiber volume, but can have other fiber volumes (such as a volume of 42% to 57%). According to one example, the material weighs 200 g/m2. Another commercial example of a fiber-reinforced polymer, from which a sole insert and/or the crown insert 126 is made, is TEPEX® DYNALITE 208. This material also has a carbon fiber volume range of 42 to 57%, including a 45% volume in one example, and a weight of 200 g/m2. DYNALITE 208 differs from DYNALITE 207 in that it has a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) matrix or base rather than a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) matrix.
By way of example, the fibers of each sheet of TEPEX® DYNALITE 207 sheet (or other fiber-reinforced polymer material, such as DYNALITE 208) are oriented in the same direction with the sheets being oriented in different directions relative to each other, and the sheets are placed in a two-piece (male/female) matched die, heated past the melt temperature, and formed to shape when the die is closed. This process may be referred to as thermoforming and is especially well-suited for forming a sole insert and the crown insert 126. After the crown insert 126 and/or a sole insert are formed (separately, in some implementations) by the thermoforming process, each is cooled and removed from the matched die. In some implementations, the crown insert 126 and/or a sole insert have a uniform thickness, which facilitates use of the thermoforming process and ease of manufacture. However, in other implementations, the crown insert 126 and/or a sole insert may have a variable thickness to strengthen select local areas of the insert by, for example, adding additional plies in select areas to enhance durability, acoustic properties, or other properties of the respective inserts.
In some examples, the crown insert 126 and/or a sole insert can be made by a process other than thermoforming, such as injection molding or thermosetting. In a thermoset process, the crown insert 126 and/or a sole insert may be made from “prepreg” plies of woven or unidirectional composite fiber fabric (such as carbon fiber composite fabric) that is preimpregnated with resin and hardener formulations that activate when heated. The prepreg plies are placed in a mold suitable for a thermosetting process, such as a bladder mold or compression mold, and stacked/oriented with the carbon or other fibers oriented in different directions. The plies are heated to activate the chemical reaction and form the crown insert 126 and/or a sole insert. Each insert is cooled and removed from its respective mold.
The carbon fiber reinforcement material for the crown insert 126 and/or a sole insert, made by the thermoset manufacturing process, may be a carbon fiber known as “34-700” fiber, available from Grafil, Inc., of Sacramento, California, which has a tensile modulus of 234 Gpa (34 Msi) and a tensile strength of 4500 Mpa (650 Ksi). Another suitable fiber, also available from Grafil, Inc., is a carbon fiber known as “TR50S” fiber which has a tensile modulus of 240 Gpa (35 Msi) and a tensile strength of 4900 Mpa (710 Ksi). Exemplary epoxy resins for the prepreg plies used to form the thermoset crown and sole inserts include Newport 301 and 350 and are available from Newport Adhesives & Composites, Inc., of Irvine, California. In one example, the prepreg sheets have a quasi-isotropic fiber reinforcement of 34-700 fiber having an areal weight between about 20 g/m{circumflex over ( )}2 to about 200 g/m{circumflex over ( )}2 preferably about 70 g/m{circumflex over ( )}2 and impregnated with an epoxy resin (e.g., Newport 301), resulting in a resin content (R/C) of about 40%. For convenience of reference, the plipary composition of a prepreg sheet can be specified in abbreviated form by identifying its fiber areal weight, type of fiber, e.g., 70 FAW 34-700. The abbreviated form can further identify the resin system and resin content, e.g., 70 FAW 34-700/301, R/C 40%. According to some examples, an areal weight of the crown portion of the golf club head is less than about 0.35 g/cm2 over more than about 50% of an entire surface area of the crown portion. In the same or other examples, an areal weight of the sole portion of the golf club head is less than about 0.35 g/cm2 over more than about 50% of an entire surface area of the sole portion.
The crown insert 126, as well as a sole insert in some implementations, has a complex three-dimensional shape and curvature corresponding generally to a desired shape and curvature of the crown portion 119 of the golf club head 100. It will be appreciated that other types of club heads, such as fairway wood-type clubs, may be manufactured using one or more of the principles, methods, and materials described herein.
Referring to
The slot 170 can be any of various flexible boundary structures (FBS) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,653, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Additionally, or alternatively, the golf club head 100 can include one or more other FBS at any of various other locations on the golf club head 100. The slot 170 may be made up of curved sections, or several segments that may be a combination of curved and straight segments. Furthermore, the slot 170 may be machined or cast into the golf club head 100. Although shown in the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100, the slot 170 may, alternatively or additionally, be incorporated into the crown portion 119 of the golf club head 100.
In some implementations, the slot 170 is filled with a filler material. The filler material can be made from a non-metal, such as a thermoplastic material, thermoset material, and the like, in some implementations. The slot 170 may be filled with a material to prevent dirt and other debris from entering the slot and possibly the interior cavity 113 of the golf club head 100 when the slot 170 is a through-slot. The filler material may be any relatively low modulus materials including polyurethane, elastomeric rubber, polymer, various rubbers, foams, and fillers. The filler material should not substantially prevent deformation of the golf club head 100 when in use as this would counteract the pelipeter flexibility.
According to one embodiment, the filler material is initially a viscous material that is injected or otherwise inserted into the slot 170. Examples of materials that may be suitable for use as a filler to be placed into a slot, channel, or other flexible boundary structure include, without limitation: viscoelastic elastomers; vinyl copolymers with or without inorganic fillers; polyvinyl acetate with or without mineral fillers such as barium sulfate; acrylics; polyesters; polyurethanes; polyethers; polyamides; polybutadienes; polystyrenes; polyisoprenes; polyethylenes; polyolefins; styrene/isoprene block copolymers; hydrogenated styrenic thermoplastic elastomers; metallized polyesters; metallized acrylics; epoxies; epoxy and graphite composites; natural and synthetic rubbers; piezoelectric ceramics; thermoset and thermoplastic rubbers; foamed polymers; ionomers; low-density fiber glass; bitumen; silicone; and mixtures thereof. The metallized polyesters and acrylics can comprise aluminum as the metal. Commercially available materials include resilient polymeric materials such as Scotchweld™ (e.g., DP-105™) and Scotchdamp™ from 3M, Sorbothane™ from Sorbothane, Inc., DYAD™ and GP™ from Soundcoat Company Inc., Dynamat™ from Dynamat Control of North America, Inc., NoViFlex™ Sylomer™ from Pole Star Maritime Group, LLC, Isoplast™ from The Dow Chemical Company, Legetolex™ from Piqua Technologies, Inc., and Hybrar™ from the Kuraray Co., Ltd. In some embodiments, a solid filler material may be press-fit or adhesively bonded into a slot, channel, or other flexible boundary structure. In other embodiments, a filler material may poured, injected, or otherwise inserted into a slot or channel and allowed to cure in place, forming a sufficiently hardened or resilient outer surface. In still other embodiments, a filler material may be placed into a slot or channel and sealed in place with a resilient cap or other structure formed of a metal, metal alloy, metallic, composite, hard plastic, resilient elastomeric, or other suitable material.
In other implementations, the slot 170 is not filled with a filler material, but rather maintains an open, vacant, space within the slot 170.
Referring to
The slot 170 may allow one or more weights 175 to be selectively loosened and tightened for slidable adjustment laterally, in the heel-to-toe direction, to adjust an effective center-of-gravity (CG) of the golf club head 100 in the heel-to-toe direction. By adjusting the CG of the golf club head 100 laterally, the performance characteristics of the golf club head 100 are adjusted, which promotes an adjustment to the flight characteristics of a golf ball struck by the golf club head 100, such as the sidespin characteristics of the golf ball. Notably, the use of two weights (e.g., first and second weights), that are independently adjustable relative to each other, allows for adjustment and interplay between the weights. For example, both weights can be positioned fully in the toe region 114, fully in the heel region 116, spaced apart a maximum distance from each other, with one weight fully in the toe region 114, and the other weight fully in the heel region 116, positioned together in the center or intermediate location of the slot 170, or in other weight location patterns.
In some embodiments, the slot 170 is offset from the face portion 142 by an offset distance, which is the minimum distance between a first vertical plane passing through a center of the strike plate of the face portion 142 and the slot at the same x-axis coordinate as the center of the strike plate, between about 5 mm and about 50 mm, such as between about 5 mm and about 35 mm, such as between about 5 mm and about 30 mm, such as between about 5 mm and about 20 mm, or such as between about 5 mm and about 15 mm.
Although not shown, the body 110 of the golf club head 100 may include a rearward slot, with a configuration similar to the slot 170, but oriented in a forward-to-rearward direction, as opposed to a heel-to-toe direction. The body 110 includes a rearward slot, but no slot 170 in some implementations, and both a rearward slot and the slot 170 in other implementations. In one example, the rearward slot is positioned rearwardly of the slot 170. The rearward slot can act as a weight track in some implementations. Moreover, the rearward track can be offset from the face portion 142 by an offset distance, which is the minimum distance between a first vertical plane passing through the center of the strike plate of the face portion 142 and the rearward track at the same x-axis coordinate as the center of the strike plate 43, between about 5 mm and about 50 mm, such as between about 5 mm and about 40 mm, such as between about 5 mm and about 30 mm, or such as between about 10 mm and about 30 mm.
In certain embodiments, the slot 170, as well as the rearward slot if present, has a certain slot width, which is measured as a horizontal distance between a first slot wall and a second slot wall. For the slot 170, as well as the rearward track, the slot width may be between about 5 mm and about 20 mm, such as between about 10 mm and about 18 mm, or such as between about 12 mm and about 16 mm. According to some embodiments, the depth of the slot 170 (i.e., the vertical distance between a bottom slot wall and an imaginary plane containing the regions of the sole adjacent the first and second slot walls of the slot 170) may be between about 6 mm and about 20 mm, such as between about 8 mm and about 18 mm, or such as between about 10 mm and about 16 mm.
Additionally, the slot 170, as well as the rearward slot if present, has a certain slot length, which can be measured as the horizontal distance between a slot end wall and another slot end wall. For both the slot 170 and rearward slot, their lengths may be between about 30 mm and about 120 mm, such as between about 50 mm and about 100 mm, or such as between about 60 mm and about 90 mm. Additionally, or alternatively, the length of the slot 170 may be represented as a percentage of a length of the strike plate of the face portion 142. For example, the slot 170 may be between about 30% and about 100% of the length of the strike plate, such as between about 50% and about 90%, or such as between about 60% and about 80% mm of the length of the strike plate.
In some instances, the slot 170 is a feature to improve and/or increase the coefficient of restitution (COR) across the strike plate 143 of the face portion 142. In regards to a COR feature, the slot 170 may take on various forms such as a channel or through slot. The COR of the golf club head 100 is a measurement of the energy loss or retention between the golf club head 100 and a golf ball when the golf ball is struck by the golf club head 100. Desirably, the COR of the golf club head 10 is high to promote the efficient transfer of energy from the golf club head 100 to the ball during impact with the ball. Accordingly, the COR feature of the golf club head 100 promotes an increase in the COR of the golf club head 100. Generally, the slot 170 increases the COR of the golf club head 100 by increasing or enhancing the pelipeter flexibility of the strike plate of the face portion 142 of the golf club head 100.
Further details concerning the slot 170 as a COR feature of the golf club head 100 can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/338,197, 13/469,031, 13/828,675, filed Dec. 27, 2011, May 10, 2012, and Mar. 14, 2013, respectively, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/839,727, filed Mar. 15, 2013, U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,844, filed Jun. 1, 2010, U.S. Pat. No. 8,241,143, filed Dec. 13, 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 8,241,144, filed Dec. 14, 2011, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The golf club head 100 disclosed herein may have a volume equal to the volumetric displacement of the body 110 of the golf club head 100. For example, the golf club head 100 of the present application can be configured to have a head volume between about 110 cm3 and about 600 cm3. In more particular embodiments, the head volume may be between about 250 cm3 and about 500 cm3. In yet more specific embodiments, the head volume may be between about 300 cm3 and about 500 cm3, between about 300 cm3 and about 360 cm3, between about 300 cm3 and about 420 cm3, between about 350 cm3 and about 500 cm3, or between about 420 cm3 and about 500 cm3. In the case of a driver, the golf club head 100 may have a volume between about 300 cm3 and about 460 cm3, and a total mass between about 145 g and about 245 g. In the case of a fairway wood, the golf club head 100 may have a volume between about 100 cm3 and about 250 cm3, and a total mass between about 145 g and about 260 g. In the case of a utility or hybrid club the golf club head 100 may have a volume between about 60 cm3 and about 150 cm3, and a total mass between about 145 g and about 280 g.
The golf club head 100 includes at least one stiffener 150, shown schematically in
The stiffener 150 is configured to locally stiffen the face portion 142, when directly coupled to the face portion 142, such that a characteristic time (CT) of the golf club head 100 within an area of the strike plate 143 proximate the stiffener 150 is lower than without the stiffener 150. Generally, the stiffener 150 is offset from the origin 183 of the club head origin coordinate system 185 along the x-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 to stiffen the face portion 142 and lower the CT within an area of the strike plate 143 at a location away from the origin 183 along the x-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185. In this manner, the CT of the golf club head 100 at locations with an x-axis coordinate that is toeward (e.g., towards the toe region 114) and/or heelward (e.g., towards the heel region 116) away from the origin 183 can be locally reduced without significantly affecting the CT of the golf club head 100 at locations with an x-axis coordinate proximate that of the origin 183. Additionally, using the stiffener 150 to discretely reduce the CT of the golf club head 100 just at locations with an x-axis coordinate that is toeward and/or heelward away from the origin 183 helps to achieve a desirable COR of the strike plate 143 by promoting a lower thickness of the strike plate 143, particularly at toeward and/or heelward locations of the strike plate 143.
The golf club head 100 may have any number of stiffeners 150 at any of various locations having an x-axis coordinate greater than or less than zero. A stiffener 150 with an x-axis coordinate greater than zero is located closer to the toe region 114 than the heel region 116 and thus can be considered a toe stiffener. In contrast, a stiffener 150 with an x-axis coordinate less than zero is located closer to the heel region 116 than the toe region 114 and thus can be considered a heel stiffener. Referring to
Additionally, each stiffener 150 of the golf club head 100 can be coupleable (e.g., directly coupleable) to the interior surface of the body 110 at the top region 133 and/or the bottom region 135 of the golf club head 100. Referring to
As shown in
Also, the quantity of stiffeners 150 directly coupleable to the interior surface of the body 110 at the top region 133 can be the same or different than the quantity of stiffeners 150 directly coupleable to the interior surface of the body 110 at the bottom region 135. For example, in one implementation, the quantity of stiffeners 150 directly coupleable to the interior surface of the body 110 at the bottom region 135 is more than the quantity of stiffeners 150 directly coupleable to the interior surface of the body 110 at the top region 133. However, the stiffeners 150 are sized such that a combined area of the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142 contacted by the stiffeners 150 is less than an entire area of the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142.
The stiffeners 150 are significantly offset from the origin along the x-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 to correspondingly reduce the CT at locations offset from the origin along the x-axis. In one embodiment, one or more of the stiffeners 150 of the golf club head 100 has an x-axis coordinate of the club head origin coordinate system 185 that is either greater than 10 mm and less than 50 mm or greater than −50 mm and less than −10 mm. According to another embodiment, one or more of the stiffeners 150 of the golf club head 100 has an x-axis coordinate of the club head origin coordinate system 185 that is either greater than 20 mm and less than 50 mm or greater than −50 mm and less than −20 mm. In another embodiment, one or more of the stiffeners 150 of the golf club head 100 has an x-axis coordinate of the club head origin coordinate system 185 that is either greater than 30 mm and less than 40 mm or greater than −40 mm and less than −30 mm. In another embodiment, one or more of the stiffeners 150 of the golf club head 100 has an x-axis coordinate of the club head origin coordinate system 185 that is either greater than 40 mm and less than 50 mm or greater than −50 mm and less than −40 mm. The location of a stiffener 150 is defined as the location of either a midpoint (e.g., geometric center) or center of mass of the portion of the stiffener 150 contactable with the face portion or a center.
In embodiments having a plurality of stiffeners 150, two or more stiffeners 150 may be different types. In other words, not all of the stiffeners 150 are the same type of stiffener in some embodiments. More specifically, one of the stiffeners 150 may be a certain type of the several types of stiffeners described herein and another one of the stiffeners 150 may be another type of the several types of stiffeners described herein. For example, the stiffeners 150 at the top region 133 may be one type of stiffener 150 (such as ribs) and the stiffeners 150 at the bottom region 135 may be another type of stiffener 150 (such as discrete masses of polymeric material).
Referring again to
Referring to
The rib 152 is a thin-walled sheet-like structure, with a thickness significantly smaller than a height and length, that protrudes substantially transversely away from the face portion 142 and the sole portion 117 of the body 110. In one implementation, the rib 152 is substantially wedge-shaped with a height that only decreases in a direction from the forward region 112 to the rearward region 118. Accordingly, in such an implementation, the rib 152 does not have an inflection point. Moreover, referring to
The golf club head 100 can have any number of ribs 152. For example, in one implementation, the golf club head 100 has four ribs 152 at the bottom region 135, with two toeward ribs 152 and two heelward ribs 152, and four ribs 154 at the top region 133, with two toeward ribs 154 and two heelward ribs 154. The ribs 152 are spaced apart from each other, in a direction parallel to the x-axis of the golf club head origin coordinate system 185.
As shown in
According to one example, the CT at the center of the face portion 142 and at a location on the face portion 142 with an x-axis coordinate of 20 mm was determined for a golf club head 100 with a slot 170, but without a stiffener 150 (e.g., rib 152) at the location with the x-axis coordinate of 20 mm, and a golf club head 100 without a slot 170, but with the stiffener 150 at the location with the x-axis coordinate of 20 mm was determined at the location with the x-axis coordinate of 20 mm. The CT at the center of the face portion 142 of the golf club head 100 without the stiffener 150 was 246 microseconds and the CT at the center of the face portion 142 of the golf club head 100 with the stiffener 150 was 243 microseconds. The CT of the face portion 142 at the location with the x-axis coordinate of 20 mm of the golf club head 100 without the stiffener 150 was 256 microseconds and the CT of the face portion 142 at the location with the x-axis coordinate of 20 mm of the golf club head 100 with the stiffener 150 was 246 microseconds. The drop in CT at the location with the x-axis coordinate of 20 mm had a larger drop (i.e., 12 microseconds) than at the center of the face portion 142 (i.e., 3 microseconds). Accordingly, the stiffener 150 helps to lower the CT of the face portion at locations away from the center of the face portion without a comparative drop in the CT at the center of the face portion. Also, it was determined that the difference between the COR and the CT of the golf club head 100 with the stiffener 150 was less than that of the golf club head 100 without the stiffener 150, which means the COR more closely tracks the CT in the golf club head 100 with the stiffener 150 than the golf club head 100 without the stiffener 150.
Referring to
Referring to
The discrete mass 176 is made of a polymeric material. According to one example, the polymeric material of the discrete mass 176 is any of various polymeric materials having a hardness equal to or greater than about Shore 20D. In another example, the polymeric material of the discrete mass 176 is any of various polymeric materials having a hardness equal to or greater than about Shore 45D. In yet another example, the polymeric material of the discrete mass 176 is any of various polymeric materials having a hardness equal to or greater than about Shore 85D. The polymeric material is acrylic in one implementation. In some examples, the discrete mass 176 has a hardness between Shore 40D and Shore 80D or between Shore 75D and Shore 85D. In yet some examples, the discrete mass 176 has a hardness of at least Shore 50D, at least Shore 60D, or at least Shore 70D. In yet some examples, the discrete mass 176 is any of various polymeric materials having a hardness equal to or greater than about Shore 5.95D.
In other implementations, some examples of the polymeric material include, without limitation, viscoelastic elastomers; vinyl copolymers with or without inorganic fillers; polyvinyl acetate with or without mineral fillers such as barium sulfate; acrylics; polyesters; polyurethanes; polyethers; polyamides; polybutadienes; polystyrenes; polyisoprenes; polyethylenes; polyolefins; styrene/isoprene block copolymers; metallized polyesters; metallized acrylics; epoxies; epoxy and graphite composites; natural and synthetic rubbers; piezoelectric ceramics; thermoset and thermoplastic rubbers; foamed polymers; ionomers; low-density fiber glass; bitumen; silicone; and mixtures thereof. The metallized polyesters and acrylics can comprise aluminum as the metal. Commercially available materials include resilient polymeric materials such as Scotchdamp™ from 3M, Sorbothane® from Sorbothane, Inc., DYAD® and GP® from Soundcoat Company Inc., Dynamat® from Dynamat Control of North America, Inc., NoViFlex™ Sylomer® from Pole Star Maritime Group, LLC, Isoplast® from The Dow Chemical Company, and Legetolex™ from Piqua Technologies, Inc. In one embodiment the polymeric material may be a material having a modulus of elasticity ranging from about 0.001 GPa to about 25 GPa, and a durometer ranging from about 10 to about 30 on a Shore D scale. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric material may be a material having a modulus of elasticity ranging from about 0.001 GPa to about 10 GPa, and a durometer ranging from about 15 to about 25 on a Shore D scale. In another embodiment, the polymeric material is a material having a modulus of elasticity ranging from about 0.001 GPa to about 5 GPa, and a durometer ranging from about 18 to about 22 on a Shore D scale. In some examples, a material providing vibration damping is preferred.
The polymeric material is a thermoset material, such as epoxies, resins, and the like, in some implementations. A thermoset material is any of various polymer materials that undergo a chemical transformation, which hardens and strengthens the material, when heated above a cure temperature of the material. The chemical transformation of thermoset materials is non-reversible. The polymeric material is a thermoplastic material, such as polyester, polyethylene, and the like, in other implementations. In contrast to thermoset materials, a thermoplastic material is any of various polymer materials that undergo a physical transformation when heated, which softens the material, and cooled, which hardens the material. The physical transformation of thermoplastic materials is reversible.
The golf club head 100 can have any number of discrete masses 176 at the bottom region 135 and/or any number of discrete masses 176 at the top region 133. For example, in one implementation, the golf club head 100 has four discrete masses 176 at the bottom region 135, with two toeward discrete masses 176 and two heelward discrete masses 176, and four discrete masses 176 at the top region 133, with two toeward discrete masses 176 and two heelward discrete masses 176. The discrete masses 176 are considered discrete because they are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the x-axis of the golf club head origin coordinate system 185. The discrete mass 176 can have any of various shapes and sizes. Although shown as substantially ball-shaped in
Referring to
The discrete mass 176 of polymeric material is directly coupled to the face portion 142 such that the discrete mass 176 contacts a particular amount of surface area of the face portion (e.g., the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142). Generally, the more surface area contacted by the discrete mass 176, the greater the impact on the CT of the face portion 142. In one implementation, the discrete mass 176 contacts a surface area of the face portion of at least 50 mm2, 150 mm2, or 225 mm2. In embodiments having a plurality of discrete masses 176, the surface area of the face portion 142 contacted by one of the discrete masses 176 can be different than another one of the discrete masses 176. Additionally, in certain implementations having a plurality of discrete masses 176, the combined surface area of the face portion 142 contacted by the discrete masses 176 can be at least 100 mm2 or 800 mm2, or 1,600 mm2, for example. According to certain implementations, a ratio of the surface area of the face portion 142 contacted by one or more of the discrete masses 176 and a total internal surface area (e.g., total surface area of the interior surface 145) of the face portion 142 is at least 0.01, 0.05, or 0.1, for example. In some implementations, the total surface area of the face portion 142 is between 2,500 mm2 and 6,000 mm2. The strike plate 143 can have a total surface area of between 2,600 mm2 and 3,300 mm2 in some implementations.
In embodiments having a plurality of discrete masses 176, the material of one discrete mass 176 can be different than another one of the discrete masses 176. For example, one discrete mass 176 can have a modulus of elasticity or a hardness different than another one of the discrete mases 176, with such differences being dependent on the corresponding locations of the discrete masses 176 relative to the face portion 142. In one implementation, a discrete mass 176 offset toewardly from the center of the face portion 142 may have a higher modulus of elasticity or a higher hardness than a discrete mass 176 heelward from the center of the face portion 142.
Referring to
Referring now to
As shown, in some embodiments, the golf club head 100 includes at least one retaining wall 180 coupled to the sole portion 117. The retaining wall 180 protrudes uprightly from the sole portion 117. Moreover, the retaining wall 180 can have a thin-walled construction and extend lengthwise in a heel-to-toe direction (e.g., substantially parallel to the face portion 142). In some examples, the bottom region 135 of the golf club head 100 includes a single retaining wall 180, which can extend from the heel region 116 to the toe region 114. However, in other examples, the bottom region 135 of the golf club head 100 includes multiple discrete retaining walls 180, such as shown in
Not only does the retaining wall 180 provide a structure to which one or more discrete masses 176 can be structurally linked, but the retaining wall 180 also helps to locate the discrete masses 176, at the bottom region 135, higher on the face portion 142 and/or locate the discrete masses 176, at the top region 133, lower on the face portion 142 by providing backing at those higher or lower locations. Generally, the closer the discrete mass 176, in contact with the face portion 142 at a given x-axis location, is to a center of the strike plate 143, the greater the impact the discrete mass 176 has on lowering the CT of the strike plate 143 at that location. Accordingly, by locating a discrete mass 176 closer to the center of the strike plate 143, the CT of the strike plate 143 can be correspondingly lowered.
Corresponding to that presented above, the further away the discrete mass 176, in contact with the face portion 142 at a given x-axis location, is to a center of the strike plate 143, the less the impact the discrete mass 176 has on lowering the CT of the strike plate 143 at that location. Accordingly, in some implementations, such as shown in
The foam 184 provides a platform (e.g., acts as a spacer) to position the discrete mass 176, at the bottom region 135, higher up on the face portion 142 or the discrete mass 176, at the top region 133, lower down on the face portion 142. The foam 184 is lighter than the polymeric material of the discrete mass 176. Therefore, effectively replacing a portion of the discrete mass 176 of
The foam 184 of each stiffener 150 can be applied onto the interior surface 145 of the body 110, such as at the sole portion 117, the crown portion 119, and/or the face portion 142 using any of various techniques, such as adhesion. In other words, the foam 184 can be adhered to the interior surface 145 of the body 110. Then, the discrete mass 176 can be applied onto the foam 184 using the same or similar techniques as those described above in relation to
Referring to
The discrete mass 176 of the stiffener 150 is located within and retained by the cavity 188 of the enclosure 186. Like the foam 184, the base 187 of the enclosure 186 provides a platform to position the discrete mass 176 at the bottom region 135, higher up on the face portion 142 or the discrete mass 176, at the top region 133, lower down on the face portion 142. The walls 189 of the enclosure 186 help to retain and localize the discrete mass 176 at a location on the face portion 142 where adjustability of the CT is desired. Although not identified as such, the foam 184 in
As shown in
In one implementation of a golf club head 100 with a crown insert 126, the enclosure 186 is coupled to the interior surface 145 of the body 110 after the frame 124 is formed and the strike plate 143 is coupled to the lip 147 (whether attached to or co-formed with the lip 147), but before the crown insert 126 is attached to the frame 124. More specifically, after the frame 124 is formed and the strike plate 143 in place on the body 110, and before the crown insert 126 is attached to the frame 124, access through the crown opening 162 can be utilized to secure the enclosure 186 onto the interior surface 145 of the body.
The discrete mass 176 can be applied into the cavity 188 of the enclosure 186 using the same or similar techniques as those described above in relation to
Referring now to
The enclosure ladder 190 is coupled to the interior surface 145 of the body 110 after the frame 124 is formed and the strike plate 143 is coupled to the lip 147 (whether attached to or co-formed with the lip 147), but before the crown insert 126 is attached to the frame 124. More specifically, after the frame 124 is formed and the strike plate 143 in place on the body 110, and before the crown insert 126 is attached to the frame 124, access through the crown opening 162 can be utilized to secure the enclosure ladder 190 onto the interior surface 145 of the body.
The discrete mass 176 can be applied into the cavity 188 of the enclosure 186 using the same or similar techniques as those described above in relation to
In some examples, as shown in
The fastener 198 is adjustably coupled to the body 110 and adjustable to contact the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142 at a location LF away from an outer peripheral edge 181 of the face portion 142 where adjustability of the CT is desired. In some implementations, the fastener 198 is adjustable to position the fastener 198 into contact with the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142 and out of contact with the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142. However, in other implementations, the fastener 198 stays in contact with the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142, with the amount of area of the fastener 198 in contact with the interior surface 145 being adjustable. The fastener 198 of each stiffener 150 can be adjustably coupled to the body 110 in any of various ways. In some implementations, the location LF is at least 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, or 30 mm depending on the lateral location of the fastener 198 on the face portion and the desired decrease to the CT of the face portion 142.
In one example shown in
Referring to
According to another example also shown in
The fastener 198 can be rotated with the adjustment tool 200. As shown, in some implementations, with a part of the fastener 198 outside of the interior cavity 113, the fastener 198 is accessible by the adjustment tool 200 from outside of the interior cavity 113 by engaging the part the fastener 198 outside of the interior cavity 113. The fastener port 202. The fastener port 202 can be located anywhere on the body 110 as desired.
Referring to
Referring to
The fastener port 210 is configured to directly engage and support the fastener 198 as the fastener 198 is adjusted relative to the body 110. For example, in some implementations, the fastener 198 is a threaded fastener, the fastener port 210 is threaded, and the fastener 198 threadably engages the fastener port 210. According to such an implementation, threaded engagement between the fastener 198 and the fastener port 210 causes translational movement of the fastener 198 toward or away from the face portion 142 as the fastener 198 is rotated relative to the fastener port 210.
The fastener 198 can be rotated with the adjustment tool 200. As shown, in some implementations, with a part of the fastener 198 outside of the interior cavity 113, the fastener 198 is accessible by the adjustment tool 200 from outside of the interior cavity 113 by engaging the part the fastener 198 outside of the interior cavity 113. The fastener port 202. The fastener port 202 can be located anywhere on the body 110 as desired.
Referring to
According to another example shown in
An end of the fastener 198 of the stiffener 150 of
The stiffeners 150 of the golf club head 100 of the present disclosure advantageously promote a reduction of the CT of the golf club head 100 at locations with an x-axis coordinate that is toeward and/or heelward away from the origin 183 without significantly affecting the CT of the golf club head 100 at locations with an x-axis coordinate proximate that of the origin 183. In some embodiments, to further promote a reduction in the standard deviation of the CT, away from a target CT, at the center face of the strike plate 143, as well as at locations +20 mm and −20 mm horizontally away from the center face (e.g., along the x-axis), for a produced batch of golf club heads 100, the stiffeners 150 of the golf club head 100 can be adjusted, to tune the CT, after the batch of golf club heads 100 is produced. Lowering the standard deviation allows the produced golf club heads 100 of a given batch to have a CT closer to a target CT, which allows selection of a target CT that is closer to a regulated CT threshold for the golf club heads 100. For example, even if a CT of a golf club head 100 of a given batch does not meet the regulated CT threshold after production, one or more stiffeners 150 of the golf club head 100 can be adjusted to tune down the CT such that the regulated CT threshold is met. Similarly, if a CT of a golf club head 100 of a given batch does not meet the target CT after production, one or more stiffeners 150 of the golf club head 100 can be adjusted to tune the CT such that the target CT is achieved.
Accordingly, the standard deviation of the batch of golf club heads 100 can be based on the tunability range of the CT of the golf club heads 100 of the batch. In one embodiment, the standard deviation is about two microseconds. According to other embodiments, the standard deviation is between about one microsecond and about four microseconds. The target CT is between 235 microseconds and 257 microseconds in one example, between 240 microseconds and 250 microseconds in another example, and about 247 microseconds in yet another example. According to some embodiments, the target CT is between one microsecond and 20 microseconds lower than the regulated CT threshold. In one example, the target CT is about 10 microseconds lower than the regulated CT threshold. In yet another embodiment, the target CT is between 0.4% and 7.8% lower than the regulated CT threshold. In one example, the target CT is about 4% lower than the regulated CT threshold.
According to some embodiments, the stiffener 150 of the golf club head 100 is adjusted and the CT of the golf club head 100 is tuned by removing material from the stiffener 150. For example, removing a portion of one or more of the ribs 152 of the golf club head 100 of
According to some embodiments, the stiffener 150 of the golf club head 100 is adjusted and the CT of the golf club head 100 is tuned by adding material to the stiffener 150. For example, referring to the golf club head 100 of
According to some implementations, more precise tuning of the CT can be accomplished by varying the quantity or types of polymeric material added to the golf club head 100 of
According to some embodiments, the stiffener 150 of the golf club head 100 of
In some implementations, more precise tuning of the CT can be accomplished by independently and dissimilarly adjusting the fasteners 198 of the stiffeners 150 of a given golf club head 100 of
Referring to
The method 300 may initially include producing the golf club head at 302. The produced golf club head includes at least one stiffener, such as stiffener 150, for adjusting the CT of the golf club head. The stiffener is at least partially within an interior cavity of the golf club head and directly coupleable to a face portion of the golf club head. The method 300 additionally includes testing the golf club head to determine the CT of the golf club head at 304. The CT test utilize at 304 of the method 300 may be a pendulum-based CT test standardized by the USGA. The method 300 further includes determining whether the CT of the golf club head, determined by testing at 304, meets a desired or target CT at 306. If the CT of the golf club head meets the target CT at 306, then the method 300 ends. However, if the CT of the golf club head does not meet the target CT, then the method 300 proceeds to adjust the stiffener of the golf club head to adjust the CT of the golf club head at 308. In some implementations, after adjusting the stiffener at 308, the method 300 again tests the golf club head to determine the CT of the golf club head at 304 and the method 300 continues from there.
Adjusting the at least one stiffener of the golf club head at 308 can be accomplished in several different ways depending on the configuration of the stiffener. For example, where the stiffener is a rib directly coupled to the face portion of the golf club head (see, e.g.,
Referring to
The CT at three points A, B, C on the strike face of the strike plate 143 was experimentally obtained before and after the polymeric material was injected and cured. Point A was located at center face, point B was located at 20 mm toeward of point A, and point C was located 20 mm heelward of point A. Before the polymeric material was injected and cured, the CT at point A was 256 microseconds, the CT at point B was 267 microseconds, and the CT at point C was 245 microseconds. After injection and curing of the polymeric material, the CT at point A was 249 microseconds (or 7 microseconds less), the CT at point B was 251 microseconds (or 16 microseconds less), and the CT at point C was 247 microseconds (or 2 microseconds more). Accordingly, the injection of polymeric material resulted in a significant reduction in the CT at points A and B and substantially the same CT at point C.
Referring to
The first wall 252 protrudes uprightly from the sole portion 117 of the body 110. In some examples, the first wall 252 extends perpendicularly from the sole portion 117 and in other examples, the first wall 252 may form an acute or obtuse angle with the part of the sole portion 117 from which the first wall 252 protrudes. The first wall 252 is separately formed from the body 110 and attached to the body 110, such as via a welding or bonding technique, in some examples. However, in other examples, the first wall 252 is co-formed with the body 110 so as to form a one-piece, continuous, and monolithic construction with the body 110. In certain examples, the first wall 252 has a thin-walled construction such that a thickness of the first wall 252 is significantly less than a length and a height of the first wall 252. The first wall 252 extends lengthwise in a generally heel-to-toe direction, which can be parallel to the x-axis of the golf club head origin coordinate system 185 or angled with respect to the x-axis of the golf club head. For example, in some implementations, the first wall 252 defines an angle with the x-axis of the golf club head that is between −30° and −15° and between 15° and 30°.
As shown in
The first wall 252 is made of a first material having a first modulus of elasticity. In some examples, the first modulus of elasticity is between 15 and 350 GPa. According to other examples, the first modulus of elasticity is between 90 and 210 GPa. In one example, the first modulus of elasticity is the same as the modulus of elasticity of the body 110. For example, the first material can be one of titanium or steel. However, in other examples, the first material is different than that of the body 110 and the first modulus of elasticity is different than that of the body 110. As an example, the first material can be a non-metal, such as a plastic or polymer. Generally, the first wall 252 is stiffer than the second wall, 250, the third wall 252, and the stiffener 254, as explained in more detail below. For example, the stiffener 254 is made of a second material having a second modulus of elasticity that is less than the first modulus of elasticity. The first wall 252 has a relatively higher modulus of elasticity to support the stiffener 254 under the application of front-to-back loads placed on the stiffener 254 caused by impact of a golf ball against the face portion 152 during a swing.
Each of the second wall 250 and the third wall 251 protrudes uprightly from the sole portion 117 of the body 110. In some examples, each of the second wall 250 and the third wall 251 extends perpendicularly from the sole portion 117 and in other examples, each of the second wall 250 and the third wall 251 may form an acute or obtuse angle with the part of the sole portion 117 from which the first wall 252 protrudes. The second wall 250 and the third wall 251 are formed separately formed from the body 110 and attached to the body 110, such as via a welding or bonding technique, in some examples. The second wall 250 and the third wall 251 extend lengthwise parallel to a front-to-back direction, which can be parallel to the y-axis of the golf club head origin coordinate system 185. The length of each of the second wall 250 and the third wall 251 is equal to the distance between the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142 and the first wall 252.
The second wall 250 and the third wall 251 are made of a third material having a third modulus of elasticity. The third modulus of elasticity is less than the first modulus of elasticity. In some examples, the third modulus of elasticity is between 0.01 GPa and 8.0 GPa. According to other examples, the third modulus of elasticity is between 0.05 GPa and 2.0 GPa. The third material is foam in one example. In other examples, the third material is a relatively soft polymer or low-strength metal. Generally, the second wall 250 and the third wall 251 are less stiff than the first wall 252 because the second wall 250 and the third wall 251 are configured to laterally retain the stiffener 254 in place and the lateral loads (e.g., heel-to-toe loads) placed on the stiffener 254 during a golf swing are less than the front-to-back loads placed on the stiffener 254.
The second wall 250 and the third wall 251 are spaced apart from each other, in the heel-to-toe direction, a distance equal to the length L2 of the stiffener 254. In this manner, the second wall 250 and the third wall 251 help laterally retain the stiffener 254 within the gap between the second wall 250 and the third wall 251.
The stiffener 254 is located within the interior cavity 113 of the body 110 and is directly coupled to the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142. The stiffener 254 helps reduce the CT of the golf club head 100 compared to the golf club head without the stiffener 254. As shown in
As presented above, the stiffener 254 is made of a second material having a second modulus of elasticity. The second modulus of elasticity is less than the first modulus of elasticity of the first material of the first wall 252 and greater than the third modulus of elasticity of the third material of the second wall 250 and the third wall 251. In some examples, the second modulus of elasticity is between 0.5 GPa and 30 GPa. According to other examples, the second modulus of elasticity is between 1 GPa and 5.0 GPa. The second material is acrylic in one example.
In the assembly 260, the stiffener 254 is interposed between the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142 and the first wall 252 and the stiffener 254 is interposed between the second wall 250 and the third wall 251. In some examples, the second wall 250 is directly coupled to (e.g., abuts) the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142 and directly coupled to the first wall 252. Similarly, in some examples, the third wall 251 is directly coupled to the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142 and directly coupled to the first wall 252. The second wall 250 and the third wall 251 can be directly coupled to the interior surface 145 and the first wall 252 by directly abutting the interior surface 145 and the first wall 252 or by being bonded to the interior surface 145 and the first wall. The stiffener 254 is directly coupled to the first wall 252, the second wall 250, and the third wall 251. Accordingly, the stiffener 254 is at least laterally confined or housed between the interior surface 145, the first wall 252, the second wall 250, and the third wall 251. In some examples, the maximum height of the first wall 252, the second wall 250, and the third wall 251 is greater than the maximum height of the stiffener 254.
According to another example shown in
In some examples of the golf club head 100 of
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
When non-movably fixedly retained within the aperture 172, an outermost surface 157 of the plug 179, which is the outermost surface of the head 169 in the examples corresponding with
According to one method, the desired flushness is achieved by determining the depth DCB of the counterbore 195 after the face portion 142 is formed. In response to the determined depth DCB, a plug 179 with a desired head height HH, corresponding with the determined depth DCB, is selected from a plurality of plugs 179 each with a different head height HH. After the plug 179 with the desired head height HH is selected, it is non-movably fixedly retained within the aperture 172.
Referring to
The stiffener assemblies 260 of the golf club head 100 of
In one example, the slot 170 extends the entire length of the entire section of the face portion 142 that is contiguous with the sole portion 117 of the body 110 (see, e.g.,
Although not shown, one or more of the stiffener assemblies 260 of the golf club head 100 of
Referring to
Although not shown, the stiffener assemblies 260 of the golf club head 100 of
The stiffener assemblies 260 of the golf club head 100 of
Referring to
The insert 406 is formed separately from the formation of the body 110. The insert 406 is shaped to complement the shape of the slot 400. More specifically, the insert 406 is configured to be press-fit into the slot 400 in some examples. As shown in
The golf club head 100 of
In some examples, the slot 400 is made of a first material having a first modulus of elasticity, the stiffener 414 is made of a second material having a second modulus of elasticity, and the insert 406 is made of a third material having a third modulus of elasticity. In these examples, the second modulus of elasticity is higher than the third modulus of elasticity and lower than the first modulus of elasticity. The ranges of values of the first modulus of elasticity, the second modulus of elasticity, and the third modulus of elasticity can be the same as those listed above. According to one example, the slot 400 is made of metal, such as steel or titanium, the insert 406 is made of plastic, and the stiffener 414 is made of acrylic.
When the insert 406, with the stiffener 414, is inserted into the slot 400, the stiffener 414 affects the CT of the golf club head 100. Although the stiffener 414 does not directly contact the interior surface 145 of the face portion 142, the close proximity of the stiffener 414 relative to the face portion 142, and the indirect coupling of the stiffener 414 with the face portion 142 via the front wall 402 of the slot 400 and the front side wall 410 of the insert 406, helps to stiffen the face portion 142 and thus affect (e.g., reduce) the CT of the golf club head 100.
To help improve the effect of the stiffener 414 on the CT of the golf club head 100, in some examples, as shown in
Referring to
Alternatively, referring to
One example of a method of tuning CT of the golf club head 100 of
In one example, after the insert 406 is removed, the existing stiffener 414 is removed and replaced by a new stiffener 414, such as one that is made of a material with a higher modulus of elasticity or one that is made of a material with the same modulus of elasticity but having a larger size. The same insert 406 with the new stiffener 414 is reinserted back into the slot 400. Such an adjustment results in an adjustment (e.g., decrease) to the CT of the golf club head at the same location on the face portion that the first measured CT value was measured. The adjusted CT can be confirmed by taking another measurement after the insert 406 is reinserted.
In another example, after the insert 406 is removed, a new insert 406 with a stiffener 414, configured differently than the stiffener 414 of the removed insert 406, is inserted into the slot 400 in place of the removed insert 406. Such an adjustment results in an adjustment (e.g., decrease) to the CT of the golf club head at the same location on the face portion that the first measured CT value was measured. The adjusted CT can be confirmed by taking another measurement after the new insert 406 is inserted.
Referring now to
The first wall 252 of
Because the slot 400 of the golf club head 100 of
The stiffener 254 of the golf club head of
According to one example, a method of tuning CT of the golf club head 100 of
In one example, the removed stiffener 254 is replaced by a new stiffener 254, such as one that is made of a material with a higher modulus of elasticity, higher hardness, or one that is made of a material with the same modulus of elasticity but having a larger size. In other words, the new stiffener 414 is inserted into the slot 400 in place of the removed stiffener 254. Such an adjustment results in an adjustment (e.g., decrease) to the CT of the golf club head at the same location on the face portion that the first measured CT value was measured. The adjusted CT can be confirmed by taking another measurement after the new stiffener 254 is inserted. According to another example, the original stiffener 254 is moved into a new location along the slot 400 to adjust the CT to meet the intended target CT.
Although not specifically shown, the golf club head 100 of the present disclosure may include other features to promote the performance characteristics of the golf club head 100. For example, the golf club head 100, in some implementations, includes movable weight features similar to those described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,773,360; 7,166,040; 7,452,285; 7,628,707; 7,186,190; 7,591,738; 7,963,861; 7,621,823; 7,448,963; 7,568,985; 7,578,753; 7,717,804; 7,717,805; 7,530,904; 7,540,811; 7,407,447; 7,632,194; 7,846,041; 7,419,441; 7,713,142; 7,744,484; 7,223,180; 7,410,425; and 7,410,426, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
In certain implementations, for example, the golf club head 100 includes slidable weight features similar to those described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,775,905 and 8,444,505; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/898,313, filed on May 20, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/047,880, filed on Oct. 7, 2013; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/702,667, filed on Sep. 18, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/841,325, filed on Mar. 15, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/946,918, filed on Jul. 19, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/789,838, filed on Jul. 1, 2015; U.S. Patent Application No. 62/020,972, filed on Jul. 3, 2014; Patent Application No. 62/065,552, filed on Oct. 17, 2014; and Patent Application No. 62/141,160, filed on Mar. 31, 2015, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
According to some implementations, the golf club head 100 includes aerodynamic shape features similar to those described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0123040A1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
In certain implementations, the golf club head 100 includes removable shaft features similar to those described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,431, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in in their entirety.
According to yet some implementations, the golf club head 100 includes adjustable loft/lie features similar to those described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,025,587; 8,235,831; 8,337,319; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0312437A1; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0258818A1; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0122601A1; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0071264A1; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/686,677, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Additionally, in some implementations, the golf club head 100 includes adjustable sole features similar to those described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,337,319; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2011/0152000A1, 2011/0312437, 2012/0122601A1; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/686,677, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
In some implementations, the golf club head 100 includes composite face portion features similar to those described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/998,435; 11/642,310; 11/825,138; 11/823,638; 12/004,386; 12/004,387; 11/960,609; 11/960,610; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,267,620, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
In some examples, the golf club head includes a plurality of stiffeners located within the interior cavity of the body and offset from the interior surface of the face portion by at least 1 mm and by no more than 20 mm as measured along a head origin y-axis. The plurality of stiffeners are elongated stiffening members extending between an interior surface of the crown portion and an interior surface of the sole portion. For example, the plurality of stiffeners are the same, as or similar to, the stiffening members shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/855,190, filed Sep. 15, 2015, the brace bars shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/859,297, filed Dec. 29, 2017, and the stiffening tubes shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,795,840, issued Oct. 24, 2017, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The features of the golf club head described herein, including the ability to tune the CT after complete manufacturing of the golf club head, promote higher CT values across larger surface areas of the strike face, particularly within a central region, than convention golf club heads. For example, the chart 500 and 510 of
Additionally, in at least one example of the golf club head described herein, such as those exemplified by the chart 500 and the chart 510, more than 20% of the strike face has a CT of at least 245 microseconds. Furthermore, according to at least one example of the golf club head described herein, such as those exemplified by the chart 500 and the chart 510, the CT at any location on the strike face within at least five millimeters of the center of the strike face is greater than 240 microseconds. Referring to the chart 520 of
According to at least one example of the golf club head described herein, within the central region, no less than 25% of the strike face has a coefficient of restitution (COR) of at least 0.8. In at least one example, no less than 50% of the strike face, within the central region, has a coefficient of restitution (COR) of at least 0.8. According to yet another example, no less than 55% of the strike face, within the central region, has a coefficient of restitution (COR) of at least 0.8.
According to one embodiment, a method of making a golf club head, such as golf club head 100, includes one or more of the following steps: (1) forming a frame having a sole opening, forming a composite laminate sole insert, injection molding a thermoplastic composite head component over the sole insert to create a sole insert unit, and joining the sole insert unit to the frame; (2) providing a composite head component, which is a weight track capable of supporting one or more slidable weights; (3) forming a sole insert from a thermoplastic composite material having a matrix compatible for bonding with a weight track; (4) forming a sole insert from a continuous fiber composite material having continuous fibers selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, aramide fibers, carbon fibers and any combination thereof, and having a thermoplastic matrix consisting of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamides, polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyureas, polyamide-amides (PAI), polyether amides (PEI), polyetheretherketones (PEEK), and any combinations thereof; (5) forming both a sole insert and a weight track from thermoplastic composite materials having a compatible matrix; (6) forming a sole insert from a thermosetting material, coating a sole insert with a heat activated adhesive, and forming a weight track from a thermoplastic material capable of being injection molded over the sole insert after the coating step; (7) forming a frame from a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, one or more titanium alloys, aluminum, one or more aluminum alloys, steel, one or more steel alloys, and any combination thereof; (8) forming a frame with a crown opening, forming a crown insert from a composite laminate material, and joining the crown insert to the frame such that the crown insert overlies the crown opening; (9) selecting a composite head component from the group consisting of one or more ribs to reinforce the golf club head, one or more ribs to tune acoustic properties of the golf club head, one or more weight ports to receive a fixed weight in a sole portion of the golf club head, one or more weight tracks to receive a slidable weight, and combinations thereof; (10) forming a sole insert and a crown insert from a continuous carbon fiber composite material; (11) forming a sole insert and a crown insert by thermosetting using materials suitable for thermosetting, and coating the sole insert with a heat activated adhesive; (12) forming a frame from titanium, titanium alloy or a combination thereof to have a crown opening, a sole insert, and a weight track from a thermoplastic carbon fiber material having a matrix selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamides, polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyureas, polyamide-amides (PAI), polyether amides (PEI), polyetheretherketones (PEEK), and any combinations thereof; and (13) forming a frame with a crown opening, forming a crown insert from a thermoplastic composite material, and joining the crown insert to the frame such that the crown insert overlies the crown opening.
Exemplary polymers for the embodiments described herein may include without limitation, synthetic and natural rubbers, thermoset polymers such as thermoset polyurethanes or thermoset polyureas, as well as thermoplastic polymers including thermoplastic elastomers such as thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyureas, metallocene catalyzed polymer, unimodalethylene/carboxylic acid copolymers, unimodal ethylene/carboxylic acid/carboxylate terpolymers, bimodal ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymers, bimodal ethylene/carboxylic acid/carboxylate terpolymers, polyamides (PA), polyketones (PK), copolyamides, polyesters, copolyesters, polycarbonates, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), polyolefins, halogenated polyolefins [e.g. chlorinated polyethylene (CPE)], halogenated polyalkylene compounds, polyalkenamer, polyphenylene oxides, polyphenylene sulfides, diallylphthalate polymers, polyimides, polyvinyl chlorides, polyamide-ionomers, polyurethane ionomers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyarylates, polyacrylates, polyphenylene ethers, impact-modified polyphenylene ethers, polystyrenes, high impact polystyrenes, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, styrene-acrylonitriles (SAN), acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylonitriles, styrene-maleic anhydride (S/MA) polymers, styrenic block copolymers including styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, (SEBS) and styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS), styrenic terpolymers, functionalized styrenic block copolymers including hydroxylated, functionalized styrenic copolymers, and terpolymers, cellulosic polymers, liquid crystal polymers (LCP), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers (EPDM), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene-propylene copolymers, propylene elastomers (such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,525,157, to Kim et al, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference), ethylene vinyl acetates, polyureas, and polysiloxanes and any and all combinations thereof.
Of these preferred are polyamides (PA), polyphthalimide (PPA), polyketones (PK), copolyamides, polyesters, copolyesters, polycarbonates, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), polyphenylene oxides, diallylphthalate polymers, polyarylates, polyacrylates, polyphenylene ethers, and impact-modified polyphenylene ethers. Especially preferred polymers for use in the golf club heads of the present invention are the family of so called high performance engineering thermoplastics which are known for their toughness and stability at high temperatures. These polymers include the polysulfones, the polyethelipides, and the polyamide-imides. Of these, the most preferred are the polysulfones.
Aromatic polysulfones are a family of polymers produced from the condensation polymerization of 4,4′-dichlorodiphenylsulfone with itself or one or more dihydric phenols. The aromatic polysulfones include the thermoplastics sometimes called polyether sulfones, and the general structure of their repeating unit has a diaryl sulfone structure which may be represented as -arylene-SO2-arylene-. These units may be linked to one another by carbon-to-carbon bonds, carbon-oxygen-carbon bonds, carbon-sulfur-carbon bonds, or via a short alkylene linkage, so as to form a thermally stable thermoplastic polymer. Polymers in this family are completely amorphous, exhibit high glass-transition temperatures, and offer high strength and stiffness properties even at high temperatures, making them useful for demanding engineering applications. The polymers also possess good ductility and toughness and are transparent in their natural state by virtue of their fully amorphous nature. Additional key attributes include resistance to hydrolysis by hot water/steam and excellent resistance to acids and bases. The polysulfones are fully thermoplastic, allowing fabrication by most standard methods such as injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming. They also enjoy a broad range of high temperature engineering uses.
Three commercially important polysulfones are a) polysulfone (PSU); b) Polyethersulfone (PES also referred to as PESU); and c) Polyphenylene sulfoner (PPSU).
Particularly important and preferred aromatic polysulfones are those comprised of repeating units of the structure —C6H4SO2-C6H4-O— where C6H4 represents a m- or p-phenylene structure. The polymer chain can also comprise repeating units such as —C6H4-, C6H4-O—, —C6H4-(lower-alkylene)-C6H4-O—, —C6H4-O—C6H4-O—, —C6H4-S—C6H4-O—, and other thermally stable substantially-aromatic difunctional groups known in the art of engineering thermoplastics. Also included are the so called modified polysulfones where the individual aromatic rings are further substituted in one or substituents including
wherein R is independently at each occurrence, a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group or a combination thereof. The halogen atom includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine atoms. The hydrocarbon group includes, for example, a C1-C20 alkyl group, a C2-C20 alkenyl group, a C3-C20 cycloalkyl group, a C3-C20 cycloalkenyl group, and a C6-C20 aromatic hydrocarbon group. These hydrocarbon groups may be partly substituted by a halogen atom or atoms, or may be partly substituted by a polar group or groups other than the halogen atom or atoms. As specific examples of the C1-C20 alkyl group, there can be mentioned methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, amyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl and dodecyl groups. As specific examples of the C2-C20 alkenyl group, there can be mentioned propenyl, isopropepyl, butenyl, isobutenyl, pentenyl and hexenyl groups. As specific examples of the C3-C20 cycloalkyl group, there can be mentioned cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl groups. As specific examples of the C3-C20 cycloalkenyl group, there can be mentioned cyclopentenyl and cyclohexenyl groups. As specific examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon group, there can be mentioned phenyl and naphthyl groups or a combination thereof.
Individual preferred polymers include (a) the polysulfone made by condensation polymerization of bisphenol A and 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone in the presence of base, and having the main repeating structure
and the abbreviation PSF and sold under the tradenames Udel®, Ultrason® S, Eviva®, RTP PSU, (b) the polysulfone made by condensation polymerization of 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl and 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone in the presence of base, and having the main repeating structure
and the abbreviation PPSF and sold under the tradenames RADEL® resin; and (c) a condensation polymer made from 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone in the presence of base and having the principle repeating structure
and the abbreviation PPSF and sometimes called a “polyether sulfone” and sold under the tradenames Ultrason® E, LNP™, Veradel® PESU, Sumikaexce, and VICTREX® resin,” and any and all combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, a composite material, such as a carbon composite, made of a composite including multiple plies or layers of a fibrous material (e.g., graphite, or carbon fiber including turbostratic or graphitic carbon fiber or a hybrid structure with both graphitic and turbostratic parts present). Examples of some of these composite materials for use in the metalwood golf clubs and their fabrication procedures are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/442,348 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,267,620), Ser. No. 10/831,496 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,974), Ser. Nos. 11/642,310, 11/825,138, 11/998,436, 11/895,195, 11/823,638, 12/004,386, 12,004,387, 11/960,609, 11/960,610, and 12/156,947, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The composite material may be manufactured according to the methods described at least in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/825,138, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
Alternatively, short or long fiber-reinforced formulations of the previously referenced polymers can be used. Exemplary formulations include a Nylon 6/6 polyamide formulation, which is 30% Carbon Fiber Filled and available commercially from RTP Company under the trade name RTP 285. This material has a Tensile Strength of 35000 psi (241 MPa) as measured by ASTM D 638; a Tensile Elongation of 2.0-3.0% as measured by ASTM D 638; a Tensile Modulus of 3.30×106 psi (22754 MPa) as measured by ASTM D 638; a Flexural Strength of 50000 psi (345 MPa) as measured by ASTM D 790; and a Flexural Modulus of 2.60×106 psi (17927 MPa) as measured by ASTM D 790.
Other materials also include is a polyphthalamide (PPA) formulation which is 40% Carbon Fiber Filled and available commercially from RTP Company under the trade name RTP 4087 UP. This material has a Tensile Strength of 360 MPa as measured by ISO 527; a Tensile Elongation of 1.4% as measured by ISO 527; a Tensile Modulus of 41500 MPa as measured by ISO 527; a Flexural Strength of 580 MPa as measured by ISO 178; and a Flexural Modulus of 34500 MPa as measured by ISO 178.
Yet other materials include is a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) formulation which is 30% Carbon Fiber Filled and available commercially from RTP Company under the trade name RTP 1385 UP. This material has a Tensile Strength of 255 MPa as measured by ISO 527; a Tensile Elongation of 1.3% as measured by ISO 527; a Tensile Modulus of 28500 MPa as measured by ISO 527; a Flexural Strength of 385 MPa as measured by ISO 178; and a Flexural Modulus of 23,000 MPa as measured by ISO 178.
Especially preferred materials include a polysulfone (PSU) formulation which is 20% Carbon Fiber Filled and available commercially from RTP Company under the trade name RTP 983. This material has a Tensile Strength of 124 MPa as measured by ISO 527; a Tensile Elongation of 2% as measured by ISO 527; a Tensile Modulus of 11032 MPa as measured by ISO 527; a Flexural Strength of 186 MPa as measured by ISO 178; and a Flexural Modulus of 9653 MPa as measured by ISO 178.
Also, preferred materials may include a polysulfone (PSU) formulation which is 30% Carbon Fiber Filled and available commercially from RTP Company under the trade name RTP 985. This material has a Tensile Strength of 138 MPa as measured by ISO 527; a Tensile Elongation of 1.2% as measured by ISO 527; a Tensile Modulus of 20685 MPa as measured by ISO 527; a Flexural Strength of 193 MPa as measured by ISO 178; and a Flexural Modulus of 12411 MPa as measured by ISO 178.
Further preferred materials include a polysulfone (PSU) formulation which is 40% Carbon Fiber Filled and available commercially from RTP Company under the trade name RTP 987. This material has a Tensile Strength of 155 MPa as measured by ISO 527; a Tensile Elongation of 1% as measured by ISO 527; a Tensile Modulus of 24132 MPa as measured by ISO 527; a Flexural Strength of 241 MPa as measured by ISO 178; and a Flexural Modulus of 19306 MPa as measured by ISO 178.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. Similarly, the use of the term “implementation” means an implementation having a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, however, absent an express correlation to indicate otherwise, an implementation may be associated with one or more embodiments.
In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” “over,” “under” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. Further, the term “plurality” can be defined as “at least two.” The term “about” in some embodiments, can be defined to mean within +/−5% of a given value.
Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is “coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling. Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in some contact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined as coupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other, but having one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element can include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, one element can be adjacent another element without being in contact with that element.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “at least one of” means any combination of items or number of items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list may be required. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.
Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.
As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, “configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to” perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” perform that function.
The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/577,943, filed Jan. 18, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/883,832, filed May 26, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/223,108, filed Dec. 17, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/772,560, filed Nov. 28, 2018, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/167,078, filed Oct. 22, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/857,407, filed Dec. 28, 2017, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62772560 | Nov 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 17577943 | Jan 2022 | US |
| Child | 18743971 | US | |
| Parent | 16883832 | May 2020 | US |
| Child | 17577943 | US | |
| Parent | 16223108 | Dec 2018 | US |
| Child | 16883832 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16167078 | Oct 2018 | US |
| Child | 16223108 | US | |
| Parent | 15857407 | Dec 2017 | US |
| Child | 16167078 | US |
