BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional golf club head;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the conventional golf club head;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to this invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the second preferred of a golf club head according to this invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the third preferred of a golf club head according to this invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the fourth preferred of a golf club head according to this invention;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fifth preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to this invention; and
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the fifth preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to this invention is shown to include a hollow head body 1 having a front striking member 12, an upper shell portion 13 extending rearwardly from the front striking member 12, and a lower shell portion 11 extending rearwardly from the front striking member 12 and connected to the upper shell portion 13. The upper and lower shell portions 13,11 and the front striking member 12 cooperatively confine an enclosed inner space. In this embodiment, the upper shell portion 13 is made of plastic. Preferably, the upper shell portion 13 is made of carbon fibers. Moreover, in this embodiment, the lower shell portion 11 is made of metal. The upper shell portion 13 has an inner surface 131, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 14 projecting from the inner surface 131. The front striking member 12 has a rear inner surface 121 which is free of the reinforcing ribs 14 projecting therefrom. By virtue of the reinforcing ribs 14 on the upper shell portion 13, the distance of the center of gravity of the hollow head body 1 from the front striking member 12 can be increased. In other wards, the center of gravity of the hollow head body 1 can be shifted rearwardly from the front striking member 12 compared to that of the conventional golf club head 2 so that the striking stability and the striking distance can be improved. The reinforcing ribs 14 are provided at a distance of at least 2 cm from the front striking member 12, are parallel to each other, and are straight. Therefore, the distance of the center of gravity of the hollow head body 1 from the front striking member 12 can be increased. In this preferred embodiment, the upper shell portion 13 and the reinforcing ribs 14 are made of plastic, and the reinforcing ribs 14 are formed as one piece with the upper shell portion 13.
When making the golf club head of this embodiment, the upper shell portion 13 is formed as one piece with the reinforcing ribs 14 by any suitable manner, such as molding, from carbon fibers. The upper shell portion 13 is then assembled with the lower shell portion 11 and the front striking member 12 by any suitable manner well known in the art to form the golf club head.
Alternatively, the reinforcing ribs 14 can be made of a material different from that of the upper shell portion 13, and are assembled to the upper shell portion 13 by any suitable manner, such as gluing or anchoring. For example, the reinforcing ribs 14 can be made of a metal material, and the upper shell portion 13 is made of carbon fibers.
In view of the aforesaid, the golf club head of this embodiment has the following advantages:
1. Since the upper shell portion 13 of the golf club head is made of carbon fibers, the total weight of the golf club head can be reduced. On the other hand, since the upper shell portion 13 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 14 projecting from the inner surface 131 thereof, the mechanical strength can be increased as well while reducing the total weight of the golf club head.
2. Since the reinforcing ribs 14 are provided at a distance distal from the front striking member 12, i.e., at a distance of at least 2 cm from the front striking member 12, the distance of the center of gravity of the hollow head body 1 from the front striking member 12 can be increased. Therefore, the striking stability and the striking distance can be improved accordingly.
3. The sound wave produced inside the hollow head body 1 while striking a golf ball can be destroyed by the reinforcing ribs 14. Therefore, the striking sound is relatively crisp.
Referring to FIG. 5, the second preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to this invention is similar to the first preferred embodiment except that the reinforcing ribs 14 are straight and extend along intersecting lines.
Referring to FIG. 6, the third preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to this invention is similar to the first preferred embodiment except that the reinforcing ribs 14 are cured.
Referring to FIG. 7, the fourth preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to this invention is similar to the second preferred embodiment except that the reinforcing ribs 14 are curved.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the fifth preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to this invention is similar to the first preferred embodiment except that the lower shell portion 11 and the reinforcing ribs 14 are made of plastic, and that the reinforcing ribs 14 project from the lower shell portion 11. In the fifth preferred embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 14 are formed as one piece with the lower shell portion 11. Alternatively, the reinforcing ribs 14 can be made of a material different from that of the lower shell portion 11, and are assembled to the lower shell portion 11 by any suitable manner, such as gluing or anchoring. For example, the reinforcing ribs 14 can be made of a metal material, and the lower shell portion 11 is made of carbon fibers.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
Patent Application
20080045356
