Patent Grant
10556157
The present disclosure relates to a golf club head. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a golf club head having a unique face construction.
When a golf club head strikes a golf ball, a force is seen on the club head at the point of impact. If the point of impact is aligned with the center face of the golf club head in an area of the club face typically called the sweet spot, then the force has minimal twisting or tumbling effect on the golf club. However, if the point of impact is not aligned with the center face, outside the sweet spot for example, then the force can cause the golf club head to twist around the center face. This twisting of the golf club head causes the golf ball to acquire spin. For example, if a typical right handed golfer hits the ball near the toe of the club this can cause the club to rotate clockwise when viewed from the top down. This in turn causes the golf ball to rotate counter-clockwise which will ultimately result in the golf ball curving to the left. This phenomenon is what is commonly referred to as “gear effect.”
Bulge and roll are golf club face properties that are generally used to compensate for this gear effect. The term “bulge” on a golf club typically refers to the rounded properties of the golf club face from the heel to the toe of the club face.
The term “roll” on a golf club typically refers to the rounded properties of the golf club face from the crown to the sole of the club face. When the club face hits the ball, the ball acquires some degree of backspin. Typically this spin varies more for shots hit below the center line of the club face than for shots hit above the center line of the club face.
A golf club design is needed to counteract the left and right tendency that a player encounters when the ball impacts a high or low position on the club head striking face.
The present disclosure describes a golf club head comprising a heel portion, a toe portion, a crown, a sole, and a face.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a golf club a club head portion having a hosel portion, a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a crown portion, and a striking face is described. The golf club further has a shaft portion connected to the club head portion and a sleeve portion connected to the shaft portion. The sleeve portion is capable of adjusting the loft, lie, or face angle of the club head when removed from the hosel portion in a first configuration and reinserted into the hosel portion in a second configuration.
The golf club also has a grip portion connected to the shaft portion and a striking face having a center face location. A center face vertical plane passing through the center face location and intersecting with the striking face surface to define a center face roll contour is also described. A toe side vertical plane being spaced away from the center face vertical plane by 30 mm toward the toe portion and intersecting with the striking face surface to define a toe side roll contour is described.
A heel side vertical plane is described being spaced away from the center face vertical plane by 30 mm toward the heel portion and intersecting with the striking face surface to define a heel side roll contour. Furthermore, a center face horizontal plane passing through the center face location and intersecting with the striking face surface defines a center face bulge contour. A crown side horizontal plane being spaced away from the center face horizontal plane by 15 mm toward the crown portion and intersecting with the striking face surface to define a crown side bulge contour is described in one embodiment. A sole side horizontal plane that is spaced away from the center face horizontal plane by 15 mm toward the sole portion and intersects with the striking face surface to define a sole side bulge contour is describe.
In one embodiment, the toe side roll contour is more lofted than the center face roll contour. In yet another embodiment, the heel side roll contour is less lofted than the center face roll contour. In some embodiments, the crown side bulge contour is more open than the center face bulge contour. In certain embodiments described herein, the sole side bulge contour is more closed than the center face bulge contour.
In one embodiment, a point located at 20 mm above the center face location has a FA°Δ of between 0.1° and 4°. A point located at 20 mm above the center face location having a FA°Δ of between 0.3° and 3° is also described.
In one embodiment, a point located at 20 mm below the center face location has a FA°Δ of between −0.1° and −4°. A point located at 20 mm below the center face location having a FA°Δ of between −0.3° and −3° is further described.
In some embodiments, a critical point located at 15 mm above the center face location has a LA°Δ that is substantially unchanged compared to a 0° twist golf club head.
In yet another embodiment, a heel side point located at an x-y coordinate of (30 mm, 0 mm) has a LA°Δ relative to a center that is between 0° and −8°.
In another embodiment, a toe side point located at an x-y coordinate of (−30 mm, 0 mm) has a LA°Δ relative to a center that is between 0° and 8°.
In one embodiment, the striking face has a degree of twist that is between 0.1° and 5° when measured between two critical locations located at 15 mm above the center face location and 15 mm below the center face location.
According to one aspect of another embodiment of the present invention, a golf club is described having a striking face with a center face location and four quadrants. The four quadrants comprise an upper toe quadrant, an upper heel quadrant, a lower toe quadrant, and a lower heel quadrant. In one embodiment, the striking face is a twisted striking surface having a degree of twist wherein the upper toe quadrant, and upper heel quadrant have an average positive FA°Δ relative to a 0° twist golf club head.
In yet another embodiment, the lower toe quadrant and the lower heel quadrant that have an average FA°Δ that is negative relative to a 0° twist golf club head is described.
In one embodiment, the degree of twist is greater than 0° when measured between two critical locations located at 15 mm above the center face location and 15 mm below the center face location.
In another embodiment, the degree of twist is between 0.1° and 5° when measured between two critical locations located at 15 mm above the center face location and 15 mm below the center face location.
In yet another embodiment, the upper toe quadrant has an average FA°Δ of between 0.1° to 0.8° and the upper heel quadrant has an average FA°Δ of between 0.1° to 0.8°.
In one embodiment, the lower toe quadrant has an average FA°Δ of between −0.1° to −0.8° and the lower heel quadrant has an average FA°Δ of between −0.1° to −0.8°. According to one aspect of another embodiment of the present invention, a golf club is described having a club head portion, a shaft portion connected to the club head portion, and a grip portion connected to the shaft portion. The club head portion has a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a crown portion, a hosel portion, and a striking face. The striking face has a striking face surface, a center face point, an x-axis that is tangent to the center face point and is parallel to a ground plane extending in a heel-ward positive direction, and a y-axis that is tangent to the center face point and extending in an upwards positive direction toward the crown. The y-axis has a downwards negative direction toward the sole.
A plurality of points measured on the striking face surface along the y-axis having a FA°Δ rate of change is described. The FA°Δ rate of change is greater than zero.
In one embodiment, the FA°Δ rate of change is between 0.005°Δ/mm and 0.2°Δ/mm.
In another embodiment, a plurality of points measured on the striking surface along the x-axis having a LA°Δ rate of change that is between −0.005°Δ/mm and −0.2°Δ/mm is described.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements.
Various embodiments and aspects of the inventions will be described with reference to details discussed below, and the accompanying drawings will illustrate the various embodiments. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments of the present inventions.
These dimensions are measured on horizontal lines between vertical projections of the outermost points of the heel and toe, face and back, and sole and crown. The outermost point of the heel is defined as the point on the heel that is 0.875″ above the horizontal ground plane 202.
A coordinate system for measuring CG location is located at the face center 220. In one embodiment, the positive x-axis 222 is projecting toward the heel side of the club head, the positive z-axis 250 is projecting toward the crown side of the club head, and the positive y-axis 216 is projecting toward the rear of the club head parallel to a ground plane.
In some embodiments, the golf club head can have a CG with a CG x-axis coordinate between about −5 mm and about 10 mm, a CG y-axis coordinate between about 15 mm and about 50 mm, and a CG z-axis coordinate between about −10 mm and about 5 mm. In yet another embodiment, the CG y-axis coordinate is between about 20 mm and about 50 mm.
Scorelines 224 are located on the striking face 206. In one exemplary embodiment, a projected CG location 226 is shown on the striking face and is considered the “sweet spot” of the club head. The projected CG location 226 is found by balancing the clubhead on a point. The projected CG location 226 is generally projected along a line that is perpendicular to the face of the club head. In some embodiments, the projected CG location 226 is less than 2 mm above the center face location, less than 1 mm above the center face, or up to 1 mm or 2 mm below the center face location 220.
The moment of inertia about the golf club head CG x-axis 260 is calculated by the following equation:
ICGx=∫(y2+z2)dm
In the above equation, y is the distance from a golf club head CG xz-plane to an infinitesimal mass dm and z is the distance from a golf club head CG xy-plane to the infinitesimal mass dm. The golf club head CG xz-plane is a plane defined by the CG x-axis 260 and the CG z-axis 264. The CG xy-plane is a plane defined by the CG x-axis 260 and the CG y-axis 262.
Moreover, a moment of inertia about the golf club head CG z-axis 264 is calculated by the following equation:
ICGx=∫(x2+y2)dm
In the equation above, x is the distance from a golf club head CG yz-plane to an infinitesimal mass dm and y is the distance from the golf club head CG xz-plane to the infinitesimal mass dm. The golf club head CG yz-plane is a plane defined by the CG y-axis 262 and the CG z-axis 264.
In certain implementations, the club head can have a moment of inertia about the CG z-axis, between about 450 kg·mm2 and about 650 kg·mm2, and a moment of inertia about the CG x-axis between about 300 kg·mm2 and about 500 kg·mm2, and a moment of inertia about the CG y-axis between about 300 kg·mm2 and about 500 kg·mm2.
With the type of “twisted” bulge and roll contour defined above, a ball that is struck in the upper portion of the face will be influenced by horizontal contour D. A typical shot having an impact in the upper portion of a club face will influence the golf ball to land left of the intended target. However, when a ball impacts the “twisted” face contour described above, horizontal contour D provides a general curvature that points to the right to counter the left tendency of a typical upper face shot.
Likewise, a typical shot having an impact location on the lower portion of the club face will land typically land to the right of the intended target. However, when a ball impacts the “twisted” face contour described above, horizontal contour F provides a general curvature that points to the left to counter the right tendency of a typical lower face shot. It is understood that the contours illustrated in
In order to determine whether a 2-D contour, such as A,B,C,D,E, or F, is pointing left, right, up, or down, two measurement points along the contour can be located 18.25 mm from a center location or 36.5 mm from each other. A first imaginary line can be drawn between the two measurement points. Finally, a second imaginary line perpendicular to the first imaginary line can be drawn. The angle between the second imaginary line of a contour relative to a line perpendicular to the center face location provides an indication of how open or closed a contour is relative to a center face contour. Of course, the above method can be implemented in measuring the direction of a localized curvature provided in a CAD software platform in a 3D or 2D model, having a similar outcome. Alternatively, the striking surface of an actual golf club can be laser scanned or profiled to retrieve the 2D or 3D contour before implementing the above measurement method. Examples of laser scanning devices that may be used are the GOM Atos Core 185 or the Faro Edge Scan Arm HD. In the event that the laser scanning or CAD methods are not available or unreliable, the face angle and the loft of a specific point can be measured using a “black gauge” made by Golf Instruments Co. located in Oceanside, Calif. An example of the type of gauge that can be used is the M-310 or the digital-manual combination C-510 which provides a block with four pins for centering about a desired measurement point. The horizontal distance between pins is 36.5 mm while the vertical distance between the pins is 12.7 mm.
When an operator is measuring a golf club with a black gauge for loft at a desired measurement point, two vertical pins (out of the four) are used to measure the loft about the desired point that is equidistant between the two vertical pins that locate two vertical points. When measuring a golf club with a black gauge for face angle at a desired measurement point, two horizontal pins (out of the four) are used to measure the face angle about the desired point. The desired point is equidistant between the two horizontal points located by the pins when measuring face angle.
The term “open” is defined as having a face angle generally pointing to the right of an intended target at address, while the term “closed” is defined as having a face angle generally pointing to the left of an intended target ad address. In one embodiment, the lower heel quadrant 520 is more “closed” than all the other quadrants, meaning it has a face angle, in the aggregate, that is pointing more left than any of the other quadrants.
If the edge of the striking surface 500 is not visually clear, the edge of the striking face 500 is defined as a point at which the striking surface radius becomes less than 127 mm. If the radius is not easily computed within a computer modeling program, three points that are 0.1 mm apart can be used as the three points used for determining the striking surface radius. A series of points will define the outer perimeter of the striking face 500. Alternatively, if a radius is not easily obtainable in a computer model, a 127 mm curvature gauge can be used to detect the edge of the face of an actual golf club head. The curvature gauge would be rotated about a center face point to determine the face edge.
In one illustrative example in
The positive x-axis 522 for face point measurements extends from the center face toward the heel side and is tangent to the center face. The positive y-axis 502 for face point measurements extends from the center face toward the crown of the club head and is tangent to the center face. The x-y coordinate system at center face, without a loft component, is utilized to locate the plurality of points P0-P36 and Q0-Q8, as described below. The positive z-axis 504 extends from the face center and is perpendicular to the face center point and away from the internal volume of the club head. The positive z-axis 504 and positive y-axis 502 will be utilized as a reference axis when the face angle and loft angle are measured at another x-y coordinate location, other than center face.
To further the understanding of what is meant by a “twisted face”,
It is understood that many degrees of twist are contemplated and the embodiments described are not limiting. For example, a golf club having a “0.25° twist”, “0.75° twist”, “1.25° twist”, “1.5° twist”,“1.75° twist”, “2.25° twist”, “2.5° twist”, “2.75° twist, “3° twist”, “3.25° twist”, “3.5° twist”, “3.75° twist”, “4.25° twist”, “4.5° twist”, “4.75° twist”, “5° twist”, “5.25° twist”, “5.5° twist”, “5.75° twist”, “6° twist”, “6.25° twist”, “6.5° twist”, “6.75° twist”, “7° twist”, “7.25° twist”, “7.5° twist”, “7.75° twist”, “8° twist”, “8.25° twist”, “8.5° twist”, “8.75° twist”, “9° twist”, “9.25° twist”, “9.5° twist”, “9.75° twist”, and “10° twist” are considered other possible embodiments of the present invention. A golf club having a degree of twist greater than 0°, between 0.25° and 5°, between 0.1° and 5°, between 0° and 5°, between 0° and 10°, or between 0° and 20° are contemplated herein.
Utilizing the grid pattern of
Table 1 shows the LA°Δ and FA°Δ relative to center face for points located along the vertical axis 700 and horizontal axis 702 (for example points Q1,Q2, Q3, and Q6). With regard to points located away from the vertical axis 700 and horizontal axis 702, the LA°Δ and FA°Δ are measured relative to a corresponding point located on the vertical axis 700 and horizontal axis 702, respectively.
For example, regarding point Q4, located in the upper toe quadrant of the golf club head at a coordinate of (−30 mm, 15 mm), the LA°Δ is measured relative to point Q3 having the same vertical axis 700 coordinate at (0 mm, 15 mm). In other words, both Q3 and Q4 have the same y-coordinate location of 15 mm. Referring to Table 1, the LA°Δ of point Q4 is 0.4° with respect to the loft angle at point Q3. The LA°Δ of point Q4 is measured with respect to point Q3 which is located in a corresponding upper toe horizontal band 704.
In addition, regarding point Q4, located in the upper toe quadrant of the golf club head at a coordinate of (−30 mm, 15 mm), the FA°Δ is measured relative to point Q1 having the same horizontal axis 702 coordinate at (−30 mm, 0 mm). In other words, both Q1 and Q4 have the same x-coordinate location of −30 mm. Referring to Table 1, the FA°Δ of point Q4 is 0.2° with respect to the face angle at point Q1. The FA°Δ of point Q4 is measured with respect to point Q1 which is located in a corresponding upper toe vertical band 706. To further illustrate how LA°Δ and FA°Δ are calculated for points located within a quadrant that are away from a vertical or horizontal axis, the LA°Δ of point Q8 is measured relative to a loft angle located at point Q6 within a lower heel quadrant horizontal band 708. Likewise, the FA°Δ of point Q8 is measured relative to a face angle located at point Q2 within a lower heel quadrant vertical band 710.
In summary, the LA°Δ and FA°Δ for all points that are located along either a horizontal 702 or vertical axis 700 are measured relative to center face Q0. For points located within a quadrant (such as points Q4, Q5, Q7, and Q8) the LA°Δ is measured with respect to a corresponding point located in a corresponding horizontal band, and the FA°Δ of a given point is measured with respect to a corresponding point located in a corresponding vertical band. In
The reason that points located within a quadrant have a different procedure for measuring LA°Δ and FA°Δ is that this method eliminates any influence of the bulge and roll curvature on the LA°Δ and FA°Δ numbers within a quadrant. Otherwise, if a point located within a quadrant is measured with respect to center face, the LA°Δ and FA°Δ numbers will be dependent on the bulge and roll curvature. Therefore utilizing the horizontal and vertical band method of measuring LA°Δ and FA°Δ within a quadrant eliminates any undue influence of a specific bulge and roll curvature. Thus the LA°Δ and FA°Δ numbers within a quadrant should be applicable across any range of bulge and roll curvatures in any given head. The above described method of measuring LA°Δ and FA°Δ within a quadrant has been applied to all examples herein.
The relative LA°Δ and FA°Δ can be applied to any lofted driver, such as a 9.5°, 10.5°, 12° lofted clubs or other commonly used loft angles such as for drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, or putters.
In Examples 1-4 of Table 1, the critical point Q3 has a LA°Δ of +3.4° with respect to the center face. In some embodiments, a LA°Δ at Q3 is between 0° and 7°, between 1° and 5°, between 2° and 4°, or between 3° and 4°. A FA°Δ of greater than zero at the critical point Q3 (15 mm above the center face) is shown. The FA°Δ at the critical point Q3 can be between 0° and 5°, between 0.1° and 4°, between 0.2° and 4°, or between 0.2° and 3°, in some embodiment. In addition, the critical point Q6 has a LA°Δ of −3.4°, or less than zero, with respect to the center face for Examples 1-4. In some embodiments, a LA°Δ at Q6 is between 0° and −7°, between −1° and −5°, between −2° and −4°, or between −3° and −4°. A FA°Δ of less than zero at the critical point Q6 (−15 mm below the center face) is shown. In some embodiments, the FA°Δ at the critical point Q6 can be between 0° and −5°, between −0.1° and −4°, between −0.2° and −4°, or between −0.2° and −3°. In Examples 1-4, the loft angle remains constant relative to center face at the critical points Q3,Q6 while the face angle changes relative to center face as the degree of twist is changed.
Examples 1-4 of Table 1 further show a heel side point Q2 located at a x-y coordinate (30 mm, 0 mm) where the LA°Δ relative to center is −0.5°, −1°, −2°, and −4°, respectively, for each example. Therefore, a LA°Δ of less than zero at the point Q2 is shown. In some embodiments, the LA°Δ at the Q2 point is between 0° and −8°. In addition, Examples 1-4 at Q2 show a FA°Δ of less than −4° relative to center face as the degree of twist gets larger. In some embodiments, the FA°Δ at Q2 is between −0.2° and −10°, between −0.3° and −9°, or between −1° and −8°.
Examples 1-4 of Table 1 further show a toe side point Q1 located at a coordinate (−30 mm, 0 mm) where the LA°Δ relative to center is 0.5°, 1°, 2°, and 4°, respectively. Therefore, a LA°Δ of greater than zero at the point Q1 is shown. In some embodiments, the LA°Δ at the Q1 point is between 0° and 8°, between 0.1° and 7°, between 0.2° and 6°, or between 0.3° and 5°. In addition, a FA°Δ at Q1 can be between 1° and 8°, between 2° and 7°, or between 3° and 6°.
Examples 1-4 of Table 1 further show at least one upper heel quadrant point Q5 having a FA°Δ relative to point Q2 that is greater than 0.1°, greater than 0.2° or 0.3°. For instance, at point Q5, Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 show a FA°Δ relative to point Q2 of 0.3°, 0.5°, 0.9°, and 1.9°, respectively, which are all greater than 0.1°. Examples 1-4 of Table 1 also show at least one upper heel quadrant point Q5 having a LA°Δ relative to point Q3 that is less than −0.2°. For instance, at point Q5, Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 show a LA°Δ relative to point Q3 of −0.5°, −1°, −2°, and −4°, respectively, which are all less than −0.1°, less than −0.3, or less than −0.4.
Examples 1-4 of Table 1 further show at least one upper toe quadrant point Q4 having a FA°Δ relative to point Q1 that is greater than 0.1°. For instance, at point Q5, Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 show a FA°Δ relative to point Q1 of 0.2°, 0.4°, 1°, and 2°, respectively, which are all greater than 0.15°. Examples 1-4 of Table 1 also show at least one upper toe quadrant point Q4 having a LA°Δ relative to point Q1 that is greater than 0.1°. For instance, at point Q4, Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 show a LA°Δ relative to point Q1 of 0.4°, 0.9°, 1.9°, and 3.9°, respectively, which are all greater than 0.2° or greater than 0.3°.
Examples 1-4 of Table 1 further show at least one lower heel quadrant point Q8 having a FA°Δ relative to point Q2 that is less than −5.7°. For instance, at point Q8, Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 show a FA°Δ relative to point Q2 of −0.2°, −0.4°, −1°, and −2°, respectively, which are all less than −0.1°. Examples 1-4 of Table 1 also show at least one lower heel quadrant point Q8 having a LA°Δ relative to point Q6 that is less than −0.1°. For instance, at point Q8, Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 show a LA°Δ relative to point Q6 of −0.5°, −1°, −2°, and −4.1°, respectively, which are all less than −0.2°, less than 0.3° or less than 0.4°.
Examples 1-4 of Table 1 further show at least one lower toe quadrant point Q7 having a FA°Δ relative to point Q1 that is less than −0.1°. For instance, at point Q7, Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 show a FA°Δ relative to center of −0.3°, −0.5°, −0.9°, and −2°, respectively, which are all less than −0.2°. Examples 1-4 of Table 1 also show at least one lower heel quadrant point Q7 having a LA°Δ relative to point Q6 that is greater than 0.2°. For instance, at point Q7, Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 show a LA°Δ relative to point Q6 of 0.5°, 1°, 2°, and 4°, respectively, which are all greater than 0.3° or greater than 0.4°.
Table 2 shows the same embodiments of Table 1 but provides the difference in LA°Δ and FA°Δ when compared to the golf club head with “0° twist” as the base comparison. Example 1 has up to +/−0.5° of LA°Δ and up to +/−0.3 FA°Δ when compared to the golf club head with “0° twist”. Example 2 has up to +/−1° of LA°Δ and up to +/−0.5 FA°Δ when compared to the golf club head with “0° twist”. Example 3 has up to +/−2° of LA°Δ and up to +/−1 FA°Δ when compared to the golf club head with “0° twist”. Example 4 has up to +/−4.1° of LA°Δ and up to +/−2.1 FA°Δ when compared to the golf club head with “0° twist”.
In Examples 1-4, the LA°Δ and FA°Δ relative to center face remains unchanged at the center face location (0 mm, 0 mm) when compared to the “0° twist” head. However, all other points away from the center face location in Examples 1-4 have some non-zero amount of either LA°Δ or FA°Δ.
Table 3 shows the same nine key points of measurement shown in Table 1. Specifically, points P0, P4, P9, P15, P20, P24, P27, P32, and P36 correspond to the locations of points Q0-Q8 in Table 1. However, additional points have been measured to provide a higher resolution of the twisted face in Examples 5 and 6.
Point P5 located at x-y coordinate (0 mm, 20 mm) and point P10 located at x-y coordinate (0 mm, −20 mm) are helpful in determining the extreme face angle changes further away from the center face. In Example 5 of Table 3 at point P5, the FA°Δ is between 0.1° and 4°, between 0.2° and 3.5°, between 0.3° and 3°, between 0.4° and 3°, or between 0.5° and 2°. The LA°Δ at point P5 is between 1° and 10°, between 2° and 8°, between 3° and 7°, or between 3° and 6°.
In Example 5 of Table 3 at point P10, the FA°Δ is between −0.1° and −4°, between −0.2° and −3.5°, between −0.3° and −3°, between −0.4° and −3°, or between −0.5° and −2°. The LA°Δ at point P10 is between −1° and −10°, between −2° and −8°, between −3° and −7°, or between −3° and −6°.
Table 3 and
The average of the FA°Δ and LA°Δ of the four points described in each quadrant are shown in Table 4 below.
Table 4 shows that average FA°Δ in Example 5 for the upper toe quadrant and the upper heel quadrant are more open (more positive) than the 0° twist golf club head by more than 0.1°, more than 0.2°, more than 0.3°, or more than 0.4°. In some embodiments the upper toe quadrant and upper heel quadrant have an average FA°Δ more open than the 0° twist golf club by between 0.1° to 0.8°, 0.2° to 0.6°, or 0.3° to 0.5° more open. The lower toe quadrant and lower heel quadrant of Example 5 has a FA°Δ that is more closed (more negative) than the 0° twist golf club head. In some embodiments, the FA°Δ relative to a 0° twist club head in the lower toe quadrant and lower heel quadrant is less than −0.1°, less than −0.2, less than −0.3, or less than −0.4. In some embodiments, the FA°Δ relative to a 0° twist club head in the lower toe quadrant and lower heel quadrant is between −0.1° to −0.8°, −0.2° to −0.6°, or −0.3° to −0.5°.
Table 4 shows that average FA°Δ in Example 6 for the upper toe quadrant and the upper heel quadrant are more open (more positive) than the 0° twist golf club head by more than 0.6°, more than 0.7°, more than 0.8°, or more than 0.9°. In some embodiments the upper toe quadrant and upper heel quadrant are more open than the 0° twist golf club by between 0.6° to 1.2°, 0.7° to 1.1°, or 0.8° to 1° more open. The lower toe quadrant and lower heel quadrant of Example 6 has a FA°Δ that is more closed (more negative) than the 0° twist golf club head. In some embodiments, the FA°Δ relative to a 0° twist club head in the lower toe quadrant and lower heel quadrant is less than −0.6°, less than −0.7, less than −0.8, or less than −0.9. In some embodiments, the FA°Δ relative to a 0° twist club head in the lower toe quadrant and lower heel quadrant is between −0.6° to −1.2°, −0.7° to −1.1°, or −0.8° to −1°.
Table 4 shows that average LA°Δ in Example 5 for the upper toe quadrant and lower toe quadrant are more lofted (more positive) than the 0° twist golf club head by more than 0.2°, more than 0.3°, more than 0.4°, more than 0.5°, or more than 0.6°. In some embodiments, the upper toe quadrant and lower toe quadrant have a LA°Δ between 0.2° to 1°, between 0.3° to 0.9°, between 0.4° to 0.8°, or between 0.5° to 0.7° more lofted. The average LA°Δ of the upper heel quadrant and lower heel quadrant of Example 5 relative to a 0° twist club head are less lofted (more negative) than the 0° twist golf club head by less than −0.2° less than −0.3°, less than −0.4°, less than −0.5°, or less than −0.6°. In some embodiments, the upper heel quadrant and lower heel quadrant have a LA°Δ between −0.2° to −1°, between −0.3° to −0.9°, between −0.4° to −0.8°, or between −0.5° to −0.7° less lofted. The lower toe quadrant and upper toe quadrant of Example 5 are more lofted (more positive) than the 0° twist golf club head by more than 0.1° or between 0° to 1.5° more lofted. The lower heel quadrant and upper heel quadrant of Example 5 are less lofted (more negative) than the 0° twist golf club head by less than −0.1° or between 0° to −1° less lofted.
Table 4 shows that average LA°Δ in Example 6 for the upper toe quadrant and lower toe quadrant are more lofted (more positive) than the 0° twist golf club head by more than 0.5°, more than 0.6°, more than 0.7°, more than 0.8°, or more than 0.9°. In some embodiments, the upper toe quadrant and lower toe quadrant have a LA°Δ between 0.5° to 2.5°, between 0.6° to 2°, between 0.7° to 1.8°, or between 0.9° to 1.5° more lofted. The average LA°Δ of the upper heel quadrant and lower heel quadrant of Example 6 is less lofted (more negative) than the 0° twist golf club head by less than −0.5° less than −0.6°, less than −0.7°, less than −0.8°, or less than −0.9°. In some embodiments, the upper heel quadrant and lower heel quadrant have an average LA°Δ relative to 0° twist club head of between −0.5° to −2.5°, between −0.6° to −2°, between −0.7° to −1.8°, or between −0.9° to −1.5° less lofted. The lower toe quadrant and upper toe quadrant of Example 6 are more lofted (more positive) than the 0° twist golf club head by more than 0.1° or between 0° to 2.5° more lofted. The lower heel quadrant and upper heel quadrant of Example 6 are less lofted (more negative) than the 0° twist golf club head by less than −0.1° or between 0° to −2.5° less lofted.
Therefore, Examples 5 and 6 show a golf club head having four quadrants where the FA°Δ is more open (more positive) in the upper heel and toe quadrants and more closed (more negative) in the lower heel and toe quadrants. Examples 5 and 6 also show a golf club head having four quadrants where the LA°Δ is more lofted (more positive) in the upper toe quadrant and lower toe quadrant while being less lofted (more negative) in the upper heel quadrant and lower heel quadrant when compared to a 0° twist golf club head.
y=0.0333x (Eq. 1) Example 5
y=0.0667x (Eq. 2) Example 6
Equation 1 illustrates that for every 1 mm in movement along the y-axis 800, there is a relative FA°Δ of 0.0333° for a “1° twist” golf club head. Equation 2 shows that for every 1 mm in movement along the y-axis 800, there is a corresponding relative FA°Δ of 0.0667° for a “2° twist” golf club head. The slope of the equation describes the rate of change of the FA°Δ relative to the measurement point as it is moved along the y-axis 800. Therefore, the rate of change can be represented as an x/mm where x is the FA°Δ (in units of °Δ).
In some embodiments, the FA°Δ to y-axis rate of change is greater than zero, greater than 0.01°Δ/mm, greater than 0.02°Δ/mm, greater than 0.03°Δ/mm, greater than 0.04°Δ/mm, greater than 0.05°Δ/mm, or greater than 0.6°Δ/mm. In some embodiments, the FA°Δ to y-axis rate of change is between 0.005°Δ/mm and 0.2°Δ/mm, between 0.01°Δ/mm and 0.1°Δ/mm, between 0.02°Δ/mm and 0.09°Δ/mm, or between 0.03°Δ/mm and 0.08°Δ/mm.
The LA°Δ for Example 5 and 6 have a trend line defined as:
y=−0.0333x (Eq. 3) Example 5
y=−0.0667x (Eq. 4) Example 6
Equation 3 illustrates that for every 1 mm in movement along the x-axis 802, there is a relative LA°Δ of −0.0333° for a “1° twist” golf club head. Equation 2 shows that for every 1 mm in movement along the x-axis 802, there is a corresponding relative LA°Δ of −0.0667° for a “2° twist” golf club head. The rate of change for the LA°Δ is negative for every positive movement along the x-axis 802.
In some embodiments, the LA°Δ to x-axis rate of change is less than zero for every millimeter, less than −0.01°Δ/mm, less than −0.02°Δ/mm, less than −0.03°Δ/mm, less than −0.04°Δ/mm, less than −0.05°Δ/mm, or less than −0.06°Δ/mm.
In some embodiments, the LA°Δ to x-axis rate of change is between −0.005°Δ/mm and −0.2°Δ/mm, between −0.01°Δ/mm and −0.1°Δ/mm, between −0.02°Δ/mm and −0.09°Δ/mm, or between −0.03°Δ/mm and −0.08°Δ/mm.
Table 5 shows the same embodiments of Table 3 but provides the difference in LA°Δ and FA°Δ when compared to the golf club head with “0° twist” as the base comparison. Example 5 has up to about +/−1° of LA°Δ or up to about +/−0.7 FA°Δ when compared to the golf club head with “0° twist”. Example 6 has up to about +/−2° of LA°Δ and up to +/−1.4 FA°Δ when compared to the golf club head with “0° twist”.
In Examples 5 and 6, the LA°Δ and FA°Δ relative to center face remains unchanged at the center face location (0 mm, 0 mm) when compared to the “0° twist” head. However, all other points away from the center face location in Examples 5 and 6 also have some non-zero amount of change in either LA°Δ or FA°Δ.
The numbers provided in the Tables above show loft angle change or face angle change relative to center face location or relative to a key point within a band. However, the actual nominal face angle or loft angle can be calculated quantitatively for a desired point using the below equation:
In Eq. 5 and Eq. 6 above, the variables are defined as:
Roll=Roll Radius (mm)
Bulge=Bulge Radius (mm)
LA=Nominal Loft Angle (°) at a desired point
FA=Nominal Face Angle (°) at a desired point
CFLA=Center Face Loft Angle (°)
CFFA=Center Face Face Angle (°)
YLOC=y-coordinate location on the y-axis of the predetermined point (mm)
XLOC=x-coordinate location on the x-axis of the predetermined point (mm)
DEG=degree of twist in the club head being measured (°)
By way of example, assume a golf club having a 1° twist, CFLA of 9.2°, a CFFA of 0°, a bulge of 330.2 mm, and a roll of 279.4 mm is provided, similar to Example 5 described in Table 3. In order to calculate the LA°Δ and FA°Δ at critical point P4 located at an x-y coordinate of (0 mm, 15 mm), 0 mm is utilized as the XLOC value and 15 mm as the YLOC value. The DEG value is 1°. When these variables are entered into Equation 5 above, a LA value of 12.277° and a FA value of 0.500° is calculated for critical point P4.
The LA°Δ is the nominal loft at the critical point P4 minus the center face loft. In this case, the CFLA is 9.2°. Therefore the LA°Δ is 12.277° minus 9.2° which equals 3.077° as shown in Table 3 at the critical point P4 in Example 5.
Likewise, Equation 6 yields the FA value of 0.500°. The FA°Δ is the nominal face angle, FA, at the critical point P4 minus the center face face angle. In this case, the CFFA is 0° (which is likely always the case). Therefore, the FA°Δ at critical point P4 is 0.500° minus 0° which equals 0.500° as shown in Table 3.
Thus, the FA°Δ and LA°Δ can be calculated at any desired x-y coordinate by calculating the nominal FA and LA values in Equations 5 and 6 above utilizing the necessary variables.
It is also possible to use the above equation to set bounds on the desired face shape for a given head. For example, if a head has a bulge radius (Bulge), and roll radius (Roll), it is possible to define two bounding surfaces for the desired twisted face surface by specifying two different twist amounts (DEG). In order to bound the example above, we can use a CFLA of 9.2°, a bulge of 330.2 mm, and a roll of 279.4 mm, then specify a range of twist of, for example 0.5°<DEG<1.5°. Then, preferably at least 50% of the face surface would have a FA and LA within the bounds of the equations using DEG=0.5° and DEG=1.5°. More preferably at least 70% of the face surface would have a FA and LA within the bounds of the equations using DEG=0.5° and DEG=1.5°. Most preferably at least 90% of the face surface would have a FA and LA within the bounds of the equations using DEG=0.5° and DEG=1.5°.
Similarly, if the target twist is, DEG=2.0°, then the upper/lower limits could be 1.5°<DEG<2.5°, and preferably 50%, or more preferably 70%, or most preferably 90% of the face surface would have a FA and LA within the bounds of the equations using those angles.
To make the upper/lower bound FA and LA equations more general for any driver with any bulge and roll, the process would be to define the amount of twist (i.e., 1°, 2°, 3°, etc.), then determine the desired CFLA, CFFA, Bulge and Roll, then define the upper bound equation using those parameters and a twist, DEG+, which is 0.5° higher than the target twist, DEG, and a lower bound with a twist, DEG−, which is 0.5° lower than the target twist, DEG. In this way, preferably 50%, or more preferably 70%, or most preferably 90% of the face surface would have a FA and LA within the bounds of the equations using DEG+ and DEG− and the desired CFLA, CFFA, Bulge and Roll.
For example, the range of CFLA can be between 7.5° and 16.0°, preferably 10.0°, the range of CFFA can be between −3.0° and +3.0°, preferably 0.0°, the range of Bulge can be between 228.6 mm to 457.2 mm, preferably 330.2 mm, and the range of Roll can be between 228.6 mm to 457.2 mm, preferably 279.4 mm. Any combination of these parameters within these ranges can be used to define the nominal FA and LA values over the face surface, and ranges of twist can range from 0.5° to 4.0°, preferably 1.0°.
Although the embodiments above describe a twisted face that has a generally open (more positive) FA°Δ in the upper toe and heel quadrant, it is also possible to create a golf club head with a closed (more negative) FA°Δ in the upper toe and heel quadrants. In other words, the twisting direction could be in the opposite direction of the embodiments described herein.
Because the twisted face described herein has a generally more open (more positive) face angle, the topline 280, shown in
In contrast, it is possible to have a golf club with a more negative or closed face twist in which case the topline 280 will have a more closed or negative face angle appearance to the golfer when the paint line occurs at the topline 280 of the face and crown intersection.
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. It will be evident that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/811,430, filed on Nov. 13, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/199,603, filed on Jun. 30, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,814,944, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20180318662 A1 | Nov 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15811430 | Nov 2017 | US |
| Child | 16037947 | US | |
| Parent | 15199603 | Jun 2016 | US |
| Child | 15811430 | US |
