Patent Application
20080004129
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:
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
The single-piece striking plate member 6 covers the front opening 51 of the head body 5, and is secured to the head body 5 by the use of an adhesive. The striking plate member 6 is made of a carbon fiber plastic material, and has a striking face 61 adapted to strike a golf ball (not shown), and a back face 63 opposite to the striking face 61. The back face 63 has an outer peripheral flange 615 that projects rearwardly from the back face 63 along an outer periphery of the back face 63, an annular reinforcing rib 614 formed on the back face 63 within the outer peripheral flange 615, a central boss 610 formed concentrically within the annular reinforcing rib 614, and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart diametral reinforcing ribs 612 extending diametrically through the central boss 610 and the annular reinforcing rib 614. The outer peripheral flange 615, the annular reinforcing rib 614, and the diametral reinforcing ribs 612 cooperate to define a plurality of receiving grooves 611.
The diametral reinforcing ribs 612 include a substantially vertical reinforcing rib 613, and a substantially horizontal reinforcing rib 613′ that intersects perpendicularly the vertical reinforcing rib 613. In an alternative embodiment, the vertical and horizontal reinforcing ribs 613, 613′ may intersect each other obliquely. Each of the vertical and horizontal reinforcing ribs 613, 613′ has two opposite ends connected to the outer peripheral flange 615.
The annular reinforcing rib 614 is located behind a striking zone or sweet spot of the striking face 61 so as to strengthen the structure of the striking zone and so as to be best positioned to absorb the vibration produced when hitting the golf ball. Alternatively, the area of the annular reinforcing rib 614 may be expanded so as to further protect areas outside the striking zone.
The vibration-absorbing elements 62 are disposed respectively in the receiving grooves 611. Each vibration-absorbing element 62 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone, and natural rubber. Alternatively, each vibration-absorbing element 62 may be made of a non-alloyed metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper, zinc, and tin. As long as the material can achieve a sufficient vibration-absorbing effect, it is suitable for disposal in the corresponding receiving groove 611.
Because of the carbon fiber plastic material of the striking plate member 6, in cooperation with the vibration-absorbing elements 62 disposed in the respective grooves 611, when the striking face 61 of the striking plate member 6 hits the golf ball, the vibration produced during hitting of the golf ball is directly and effectively transmitted to the back face 63, and is absorbed by the vibration-absorbing elements 62. As such, the vibration that is transferred to the player's hands is minimized, and the player can stably and accurately strike the golf ball in a desired direction.
Referring to
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The ring 618 is located behind the striking zone of the striking face (61c) so as to strengthen the structure of the striking region and so as to be best positioned to absorb the vibration produced when hitting the golf ball. Alternatively, the area of the ring 618 may be expanded so as to further protect areas outside the striking zone.
Referring to
Referring to
From the aforementioned description, it is apparent that through the carbon fiber plastic material of the striking plate member (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) and the presence of the vibration-absorbing elements (62, 62a, 62b, 62c) in the respective grooves (611, 611c), the vibration produced during striking of the golf ball by the player can be directly and quickly transmitted to the back face (63, 63a, 63b, 63c, 63d, 63e) and absorbed by the vibration-absorbing elements (62, 62a, 62b, 62c), thereby minimizing the effect of vibration on the accurate swinging of the golf club. Because the vibration that is transmitted to the player's hands is minimized, any feelings of discomfort given to the player are reduced. Further, because each vibration-absorbing element (62, 62a, 62b, 62c) of the present invention is made of a solid material, e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone, or natural rubber, the problems of leakage and stability reduction encountered in the aforementioned conventional golf club head does not occur in the present invention. Moreover, the overall structure of the golf club head of the present invention is simple, so that its production costs are minimized.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is 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.
