This disclosure relates generally to golf clubs, and relates more particularly to golf club heads with energy storage characteristics.
Golf club manufacturers have designed golf club heads to relieve stress in the strikeface of the golf club head. In many instances, these designs do not allow the golf club head to flex in the crown to sole direction. Additionally, these designs may not change where peak bending of the golf club head occurs and do not allow additional storage of spring energy in the golf club head due to impact with the golf ball. Additional spring energy can increase ball speed across the strikeface.
To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which:
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the golf clubs and their methods of manufacture. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the golf clubs and their methods of manufacture. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of golf clubs and methods of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “contain,” “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “under,” “over,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of golf clubs and methods of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in a physical, mechanical, or other manner.
Various embodiments of the golf club heads with tiered internal thin sections include a golf club head comprising a body. The body comprises a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a crown, and an internal radius transition region from the strikeface to at least one of the sole or the crown. In many embodiments, the internal radius transition region is not visible from an exterior of the golf club head and comprises a first tier, a second tier, and a tier transition region between the first tier and the second tier.
Another embodiment of the golf club heads with tiered internal thin sections include a golf club comprising a golf club head and a shaft coupled to the golf club head. The golf club head comprises a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a crown, and an internal radius transition region from the strikeface to at least one of the sole or the crown. In many embodiments, the internal radius transition region is not visible from an exterior of the golf club head and comprises a first tier, a second tier, and a tier transition region between the first tier and the second tier.
Other embodiments of the golf club heads with tiered internal thin sections include a method for manufacturing a golf club head. The method comprises providing a body. The body comprises a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. The method further comprises providing an internal radius transition region from the strikeface to at least one of the sole or the crown. The internal radius transition region is not visible from an exterior of the golf club head and comprises a first tier, a second tier, and a tier transition region between the first tier and the second tier. In many embodiments, the first tier has a first thickness, the second tier has a second thickness, and the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness.
Various embodiments include a golf club head comprising a hollow body. The hollow body comprises a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown comprises an upper region comprising a top rail, and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is located below the top rail, is located above the lower region of the crown, and is defined at least in part by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity comprises a top wall, a back wall, a bottom incline, a back cavity angle measured between the top and back walls of the cavity, and at least one channel.
Some embodiments include a golf club comprising a hollow-bodied golf club and a shaft coupled to the hollow-bodied golf club head. The hollow-bodied golf club head comprises a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown comprises an upper region comprising a top rail, and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is located below the top rail, is located above the lower region of the crown, and is defined at least in part by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity comprises a top wall, a back wall, a bottom incline, a back cavity angle measured between the top and back walls of the cavity, and at least one channel.
Other embodiments include a method for manufacturing a golf club head. In many embodiments, the method comprises providing a body. The body having a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. The crown comprises an upper region comprising a top rail and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is located below the top rail, above the lower region of the crown, and is defined at least in part by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity comprises a top wall, a back wall adjacent to the top wall, a bottom incline adjacent to the back wall, a back cavity angle measured between the top and back walls of the cavity, and at least one channel.
Other examples and embodiments are further disclosed herein. Such examples and embodiments may be found in the figures, in the claims, and/or in the present description.
I. Golf Club Head with Cascading Sole
Turning to the drawings,
Golf club head 100 can be a wood-type golf club head. For example, golf club head 100 can be a fairway wood-type golf club head or a driver-type golf club head or a hybrid-type golf club head or an iron-type golf club head. Golf club head 100 comprises a body 101. Body 101 comprises a strikeface 112, a heel region 102, a toe region 104, a sole 106, and a crown 108. In
In some embodiments, body 101 can comprise stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g. 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g. Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, strikeface 112 can comprise stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g. 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g. Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, body 101 can comprise the same material as strikeface 112. In some embodiments, body 101 can comprise a different material than strikeface 112.
In many embodiments, internal radius transition 210 is not visible from an exterior of golf club head 100.
In some embodiments, internal radius transition 210 can be similar to the sole front section and/or the weight distribution channels as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,579,728, entitled Golf Club Heads with Weight Redistribution Channels and Related Methods, which is incorporated by reference herein.
In some embodiments, the golf club head can comprise a cascading transition region, tiered transition region or internal radius transition from the strikeface to at least one of a crown, a heel, a toe, a sole, or a skirt. In some embodiments, the golf club head can comprise a single, continuous tiered transition region ring around a circumference of perimeter of the golf club head, for example a tiered transition region ring from the strikeface to each of the crown, the toe region, the heel region, and the sole region. In other embodiments, the golf club head comprises a tiered transition region only at the crown and/or at the sole. In some embodiments, the golf club head comprises a tiered transition region only at the toe region and/or at the heel region. In other examples, the tiered transition region is only located from the strikeface to the skirt. In other embodiments, the golf club head comprises separate or individual tiered transition regions from the strikeface to the toe region of the crown, the heel region of the crown, the toe region of the sole, and/or the heel region of the sole.
As shown in
As shown in
Further, each of the tiered transitions 316, 416, 418, 516, 518 can have the same first radius of curvature or a different first radius of curvature, and each of the tiered transitions 316, 416, 418, 516, 518 can have the same second radius of curvature or a different second radius of curvature. For example, the first radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 can be the same as the first radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422, the first radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 can be less than the first radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422, or the first radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 can be greater than the first radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422. For further example, the second radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 can be the same as the second radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422, the second radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 can be less than the second radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422, or the second radius of curvature of the first arcuate surface 420 can be greater than the second radius of curvature of the second arcuate surface 422.
The internal radius transition features (e.g. internal tier transition 310,
Using the internal radius transition, the stress of the golf club head can be distributed across a larger volume of material, thus lowering the localized peak stress. In many embodiments, the additional flex from crown to sole allows the face to bend further based on the same loading. This additional flex can generate more stress and bending in the face of the club to create more spring energy. An increase in spring energy can be stored in the golf club head due to an impact with the golf ball. In many embodiments, the additional spring energy will help to increase ball speed. In some embodiments, the internal radius transition can create more overall bending in the golf club head, which also can lead to more ball speed. Higher ball speeds across the strikeface can result in better distance control. In some embodiments, the golf club head with internal radius transition features can store approximately 4% to approximately 6% more energy, which can then be returned to the golf ball.
Returning to
In some embodiments, each tier comprises an approximately constant thickness throughout the tier. In many embodiments, first tier 315 is thicker than second tier 317. In some embodiments of a driver-type golf club head, first tier 315 can be approximately 0.030 inch (0.076 cm) to approximately 0.060 inch (0.152 cm) thick, or approximately 0.040 inch (0.102 cm) to approximately 0.050 inch (0.127 cm) thick, and second tier 317 can be approximately 0.020 inch (0.051 cm) to approximately 0.050 inch thick (0.127 cm), or approximately 0.030 inch (0.076 cm) to approximately 0.040 inch (0.102 cm) thick. In some embodiments of a fairway wood-type golf club head, first tier 315 can be approximately 0.035 inch (0.089 cm) to approximately 0.065 inch (0.165 cm) thick, or approximately 0.045 inch (0.114 cm) to approximately 0.055 inch (0.140 cm) thick, and second tier 317 can be approximately 0.025 inch (0.064 cm) to approximately 0.055 inch (0.140 cm) thick, or approximately 0.035 inch (0.089 cm) to approximately 0.045 inch (0.114 cm) thick. In some embodiments of a hybrid-type golf club head, first tier 315 can be approximately 0.050 inch (0.127 cm) to approximately 0.080 inch (0.203 cm) thick, or approximately 0.060 inch (0.152 cm) to approximately 0.070 inch thick (0.178 cm), and second tier 317 can be approximately 0.040 inch (0.102 cm) to approximately 0.070 inch (0.178 cm) thick, or approximately 0.050 inch (0.127 cm) to approximately 0.060 inch (0.152 cm) thick. In many embodiments of an iron-type golf club head, the first tier 315 can be approximately 0.055 inch (0.140 cm) to approximately 0.085 inch (0.216 cm) thick, or approximately 0.060 inch (0.152 cm) to approximately 0.080 inch thick (0.203 cm), and the second tier 317 can be approximately 0.045 inch (0.114 cm) to approximately 0.075 inch (0.191 cm) thick, or approximately 0.050 inch (0.127 cm) to approximately 0.070 inch (0.178 cm) thick.
In other embodiments, such as shown in
In many embodiments, second tier 417 is thicker than third tier 419. In some embodiments of a driver-type golf club head, third tier 419 is approximately 0.010 inch to approximately 0.040 inch (0.102 cm) thick, or approximately 0.020 inch (0.051 cm) to approximately 0.030 inch (0.076 cm) thick. In some embodiments of a fairway wood-type golf club head, third tier 419 is approximately 0.015 inch (0.038 cm) to approximately 0.045 inch (0.114 cm) thick, or approximately 0.025 inch (0.064 cm) to approximately 0.035 inch (0.089 cm) thick. In some embodiments of a hybrid-type golf club head, third tier 419 is approximately 0.030 inch (0.076 cm) to approximately 0.060 inch (0.152 cm) thick, or approximately 0.040 inch (0.102 cm) to approximately 0.050 inch (0.127 cm) thick. In some embodiments of an iron-type club head the third tier 419 is approximately 0.030 inch (0.076 cm) to approximately 0.060 inch (0.152 cm) thick, or approximately 0.035 inch (0.089 cm) to approximately 0.055 inch (0.140 cm) thick.
Meanwhile, referring to
In some embodiments, first tiers 315, 415, 515 in
Referring to
As shown in
Some embodiments, such as golf club head 300, as shown in
Some embodiments, such as golf club head 400, as shown in
Turning to
In
There is a greater dispersion of higher stress over a greater area of sole 806 with internal transition region 810 than sole 856 without the cascading sole. In many embodiments, a general curve of a sole similar to uniform sole thickness 855 can absorb greater particular concentrations of impact force from a golf ball in particular regions, but will not disperse the force over a larger area. The cascading structure (or tiers of varying thickness along the internal radium transition), such as internal radius transition 810, however provides a technique to “package” the impact force from the golf ball over a larger area as the undulating or tier structure transfers higher stresses from one internal radium region of particular thickness to the next. In many embodiments, there is a bleeding, overflow, or pooling of the stress over internal radius transition 810 or the cascading thin sole. The greater dispersion of the greater stress force provides a greater recoiling force to the strikeface. The pooling of the stress over internal radius transition 810 also can prevent all of the stress from collecting directly at the thinnest tier. In many embodiments, the tiered features can help distribute the stress along the sole to prevent one large stress riser. Instead, there are multiple stress risers for a more even distribution of the stress. The stresses are extended along the cascading sole, allowing the sole to take on (or absorb) more stress. The stress, however, decreases at the thickest portion of the sole that without the cascading sole experiences the highest level of stress, and provides less spring back force to the strikeface.
An embodiment of a golf club head (e.g. 100, 300, 400, 500, 600, or 700) having the cascading sole was tested compared to a similar control club head devoid of a cascading sole. The club head with the cascading sole showed an increase in ball speed of approximately 0.5-1.5 miles per hour (mph) (0.8-2.4 kilometers per hour, kph), or approximately 0.5-0.9%, compared to the control club head. The increase in ball speed for center impacts was approximately 0.5-1.0 mph (0.8-1.6 kph), and the increase in ball speed for off-center impacts was approximately 1-1.5 mph (1.6-2.4 kph). The club head with the cascading sole further showed an increase in launch angle of approximately 0.1-0.3 degrees, a decrease in spin of approximately 275-315 revolutions per minute (rpm), and an increase in carry distance of approximately 3-6 yards (2.7-5.5 meters) compared to the control club head.
In some embodiments, the crown of a driver-type, hybrid-type, or wood-type golf club head having the cascading sole (e.g. 100, 300, 400, 500, 600, or 700) may further include a first crown thickness (not shown) and a second crown thickness (not shown). The first crown thickness may be positioned on the crown behind the strikeface or crown internal radius transition. The second crown thickness may be positioned on the crown behind the first crown thickness toward the rear of the club head. The first crown thickness is greater than the second crown thickness. Further, the first crown thickness may transition to the second crown thickness gradually according to any profile, or the first crown thickness may transition to the second crown thickness abruptly, such as with a step.
The first crown thickness may comprise any portion of the crown on a front end of the club head. For example, the first crown thickness may comprise 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, or any other portion of the crown on the front end of the club head. The second crown thickness may comprise any portion of the crown on the rear of the club head. For example, the second crown thickness may comprise 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or any other portion of the rear of the club head.
The crown thickness may transition between the first crown thickness and the second crown thickness at any position on the crown of the club head, defining a crown thickness transition. The crown thickness transition may be any shape. In the exemplary embodiment, the crown thickness transition defines a bell-shaped curve, similar to the bell-shaped curve in U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,111, which is incorporated herein by reference. The first crown thickness is positioned on the crown between the strikeface and the bell-shaped curve, and the second crown thickness is positioned on the crown between the bell-shaped curve and the rear of the club head.
In the exemplary embodiment, the first crown thickness is approximately 0.022 inches (0.056 cm) and the second crown thickness is approximately 0.019 inches (0.048 cm) when the golf club head is a fairway wood type golf club head. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the first crown thickness is approximately 0.024 inches (0.061 cm) and the second crown thickness is approximately 0.019 inches (0.048 inches) when the golf club head is a hybrid type golf club head.
In other embodiments of a fairway wood or hybrid type golf club head, the first crown thickness may be less than approximately 0.029 (0.074), 0.028 (0.071), 0.027 (0.069), 0.026 (0.066), 0.025 (0.064), 0.024 (0.061), 0.023 (0.058), 0.022 (0.056), 0.021 (0.053), 0.020 (0.051), 0.019 (0.048), 0.018 (0.046), or 0.017 (0.043) inches (cm), and the second crown thickness may be less than approximately 0.024 (0.061), 0.023 (0.058), 0.022 (0.056), 0.021 (0.053), 0.020 (0.051), 0.019 (0.048), 0.018 (0.046), 0.017 (0.043), 0.016 (0.041), 0.015 (0.038), 0.014 (0.036), 0.013 (0.033), or 0.012 (0.031) inches (cm).
The crown internal radius transition dissipates and/or reduces stresses on the crown of the club head, thereby allowing the first and the second crown thickness to be reduced compared to previous designs. In the exemplary embodiment, the first crown thickness is reduced by approximately 17.2-24.1%, and the second crown thickness is reduced by approximately 20.8% compared to previous designs. Reducing the first and the second crown thickness allows the center of gravity of the club head to be lowered (positioned closer to the sole) compared to previous designs. The lowered center of gravity of the club head improves the performance characteristics of the club head by reducing gearing and spin on the ball.
Turning to
II. Golf Club Head with Back Cavity
In one embodiment, the golf club head has a back cavity located in an upper crown area of the golf club. In many embodiments, the back cavity can provide a box spring affect when striking a golf ball. The back cavity can be combined with varying thicknesses of the internal radius of the sole of the club head (cascading sole) to provide a spring like effect.
Some embodiments are directed to a club head (hybrid or fairway wood or iron with hollow design) that features a hollowed construction club head that provides a more “iron-like” look and feel. In some embodiments, the golf club head can feature a flat strikeface and iron-like profile, which can provide improved workability and accuracy, similar to an iron. A back cavity located below a top rail and along the upper crown of the club head has been designed for hybrids, fairway woods and irons with a hollow construction. The back cavity may be a full channel from the heel to the toe just below the top rail and along the upper crown or back portion of the club head. The top rail and the cavity may be any design. In some embodiments, the cavity is angled at approximately 90 degrees and provides a targeted hinge point in the crown region of the golf club head. This hinge or buckling region enables the top rail to absorb more of the impact force over a wider volumetric area causing the cavity and the top rail to act as a springboard by returning more recoiled force back to the strikeface as it returns to its original orientation thereby imparting more force into the ball. This greater club face deflection by the cavity design can lead to less spin, a higher loft angle of the golf ball upon impact, and greater ball speed with the same club speed over standard golf club heads.
In a standard hybrid club head, the top rail and upper crown regions do not have a cavity of this design. In comparison to the present disclosure, there is less club strikeface bending or deflection in such a standard hybrid club head. Standard hybrids are unable to have as great a spring-back effect because less energy is transferred to the top rail of the club due to the lack of a cavity. The disclosed golf club head with back cavity allows more of the impact force of the golf ball to be absorbed and then returned to the strikeface. In many embodiments, the angle of the cavity can provide a buckling point,or plastic hinge, or targeted hinge, for the strikeface to deflect more over the standard golf club.
The recoiling effect of the cavity on the strikeface provides: (1) a higher golf ball speed relative to the same club head speed of a club head with an upper crown cavity (or back cavity) and one without, due in part to the spring effect that is transferred from the hinged region to the strikeface to the ball; (2) less spin of the golf ball after impact with the club, due in part to the hinge point above the cavity counters more force being absorbed by the club and instead transfers more force to the ball thereby preventing the ball from spinning backward off the strikeface; (3) a higher loft angle to the golf ball upon impact, due to the hinge and strikeface acting as a diving board or catapult to the ball. In some embodiments, the cavity may provide an increase in ball speed of approximately 1.0-1.2%, and an increase in launch angle of approximately 0.4-0.7 degrees.
Turning back to the drawings,
Golf club head 1000 comprises a body 1001. In many embodiments, the body is hollow. In some embodiments, the body is at least partially hollow. Body 1001 comprises a strikeface 1012, a heel region 1002, a toe region 1004 opposite heel region 1002, a sole 1006, and a crown 1008. Crown 1008 comprises an upper region 1011 and a lower region 1013. Upper region 1011 comprises a top rail 1015. In some embodiments, top rail 1015 can be a flatter and taller top rail or skirt. The flatter and taller top rail can account for mishits on strikeface 1012 to increase playability off the tee.
In some embodiments, body 1001 can comprise stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g. 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g. Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, strikeface 1012 can comprise stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g. 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g. Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, body 1001 can comprise the same material as strikeface 1012. In some embodiments, body 1001 can comprise a different material than strikeface 1012.
In many embodiments, a cavity 1030 is located below top rail 1015. In many embodiments, cavity 1030 comprises a top rail box spring design. In many embodiments, top rail 1015 and cavity 1030 provide an increase in the overall bending of strikeface 1012. In some embodiments, the bending of strikeface 1012 can allow for an approximately 2% to approximately 5% increase of energy. The cavity 1030 allows for the strikeface 1012 to be thinner and allow additional overall bending. For some fairway wood-type golf club head embodiments, cavity 1030 can be a reverse scoop or indentation of crown 1008 with greater thickness toward sole 1006.
Referring to
In many embodiments, the CG is in lower region 1013 of crown 1008, close to the intersection of toe region 1004 and sole 1006. In some embodiments, the CG of golf club head 1000 is 0.597 inches along the CGy plane and 0.541 inches along the CGz plane. For the moment of inertia, Ixx, there was a 20.5% increase over the G30 iron and a 28% increase over the Rapture DI by golf club head 1000. For Iyy, there was a 1.7% increase over the G30 iron and a 22% increase over Rapture DI.
In some embodiments, approximately 3 grams (g) to approximately 4 g is added to top rail 1015. In most embodiments, the overall mass of golf club head 1000 remains the same. In some embodiments, mass can be removed from sole 1006 or toe region 1004 to offset the addition of mass to top rail 1015. In some embodiments, adding the approximately 3 g to approximately 4 g of mass to top rail 1015 can assist in the golf club head resisting turning. In some embodiments, the CG of the golf club head is slightly raised.
In some embodiments, a height 1280 of rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of crown 1008 can be approximately 0.125 inch (0.318 cm) to approximately 0.75 inch (1.91 cm), or approximately 0.150 inch (0.381 cm) to approximately 0.400 inch (1.02 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the height 1280 of rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of crown 1008 can be approximately 0.175 inch (0.445 cm), 0.275 inch (0.699 cm), 0.375 inch (0.953 cm), 0.475 inch (1.21 cm), 0.575 inch (1.46 cm), or 0.675 inch (1.71 cm). In some embodiments, the height 1280 of rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of crown 1008 can be approximately 5% to approximately 25% of the height of golf club head 1000. In some embodiments, the length of top rail 1015, measured from heel region 1002 to toe region 1004, can be approximately 70% to approximately 95% of the length of golf club head 1000.
The height 1280 of rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of crown 1008, as described herein, allows cavity 1030 to absorb at least a portion of the stress on strikeface 1012 during impact with a golf ball. A golf club head having a rear wall height greater than the rear wall height 1280 described herein would absorb less stress (and allow less strikeface deflection) on impact than the golf club head 1000 described herein, due to increased dispersion of the impact stress along the top rail prior to reaching the cavity.
In some embodiments, cavity 1030 is located above lower region 1013 of crown 1008 and is defined at least in part by upper region 1011 and lower region 1013 of crown 1008. Cavity 1030 comprises a top wall 1017, a back wall 1019, and a bottom incline 1021. A first inflection point 1082 is located between top wall 1017 of cavity 1030 and rear wall 1019 of cavity. A second inflection point 1086 is located between rear wall 1019 of cavity 1030 and bottom incline 1021.
In some embodiments, the height of back wall 1019, measured from first inflection point 1082 to second inflection point 1086, can be approximately 0.010 inch (0.25 mm) to approximately 0.138 inch (3.5 mm), or approximately 0.010 inch (0.25 mm) to approximately 0.059 inch (1.5 mm). For example, the height of back wall 1019 can be approximately 0.01 inch (0.25 mm), 0.02 inch (0.5 mm), 0.03 inch (0.75 mm), 0.04 inch (1.0 mm), 0.05 inch (1.25 mm), 0.06 inch (1.5 mm), 0.07 inch (1.75 mm), 0.08 inch (2.0 mm), 0.09 inch (2.25 mm), 0.10 inch (2.5 mm), 0.11 inch (2.75 mm), 0.012 inch (3.0 mm), 0.13 inch (3.25 mm), or 0.14 inch (3.5 mm). In many embodiments, an apex of top wall 1017 can be approximately 0.125 inch (0.318 cm) to approximately 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) or approximately 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) to approximately 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) below an apex of top rail 1015. For example, the apex of top wall 1017 can be approximately 0.125 inch (0.318 cm), 0.25 inch (0.635 cm), 0.375 inch (0.953 cm), 0.5 inch (1.27 cm), 0.625 inch (1.59 cm), 0.75 inch (1.91 cm), 0.825 inch (2.10 cm), 1.0 inch (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), or 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) below the apex of top rail 1015.
In many embodiments, back wall 1019 of cavity 1030 can be substantially parallel to strikeface 1012. In other embodiments, back wall 1019 is not substantially parallel to strikeface 1012. In many embodiments, top wall 1017 of cavity is angled toward strikeface 1012 when moving toward the first inflection point 1082. This orientation of top wall 1017 creates a buckling point or hinge point or plastic hinge to direct the stress of impact toward cavity 1030 and allowing increased flexing of strikeface 1012 during impact.
Lower region 1013 of crown 1008 comprises bottom incline 1021 of cavity 1030. In many embodiments, the second inflection point 1086, adjacent to bottom incline 1021, can be at least approximately 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) to approximately 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), or approximately 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) to approximately 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) below the apex of top rail 1015. For example, the second inflection point 1086 can be at least approximately 0.25 inch (0.635 cm), 0.5 inch (1.27 cm), 0.75 inch (1.91 cm), 1.0 inch (2.53 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm) or 2.0 inches (5.08 cm) below the apex of top rail 1015. In some embodiments, the maximum height of the bottom incline, measured from the sole 1006 of the club head 1000 to the second inflection point 1086, can be at least approximately 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) to approximately 3 inches (7.62 cm), or approximately 0.50 inch (1.27 cm) to approximately 2 inches (5.08 cm) above a lowest point of the sole 1006. For example, the second inflection point 1086 can be at least approximately 0.25 inch (0.635 cm), 0.375 inch (0.953 cm), 0.5 inch (1.27 cm), 0.625 inch (1.59 cm), 0.75 inch (1.91 cm), 0.825 inch (2.10 cm), 1.0 inch (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.375 inches (3.49 cm), 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), 1.625 inches (4.12 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), 1.875 inches (4.76 cm), 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), 2.125 inches 5.40 cm), 2.25 inches (5.71 cm), 2.375 inches (6.03 cm), 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), 2.625 inches (6.67 cm), 2.75 inches (7.00 cm), 2.875 inches (7.30 cm), or 3.0 inches (7.62 cm) above a lowest point of the sole.
Cavity 1030 further comprises at least one channel 1039 (
The channel width 1032, as described herein, allows absorption of stress from strikeface 1012 on impact. A golf club head having a channel width less than the channel width described herein (e.g. a golf club head with a less pronounced cavity) would allow less stress absorption from the strikeface on impact (due to less material on the upper region 1011 of crown 1008), and therefore would experience less strikeface deflection than the golf club head 1000 described herein.
In many embodiments, cavity 1030 further comprises a back cavity angle 1035. Back cavity angle is measured between top wall 1017 and back wall 1019 of cavity 1030. In many embodiments, back cavity angle 1035 can be approximately 70 degrees to approximately 110 degrees. In some embodiments, back cavity angle 1035 can be approximately 80 degrees to approximately 100 degrees. In some embodiments, back cavity angle 1035 is approximately 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, or 110 degrees. In many embodiments, back cavity angle 1035 provides a buckling point or plastic hinge or targeted hinge at a top rail hinge point 1070, upon golf club head 1000 impacting the golf ball. In some embodiments, the wall thickness at top rail hinge point 1070 is thinner than at top wall 1017 of cavity 1030
Referring to
In many embodiments, cavity 1030 can provide an increase in golf ball speed over golf club head 1200 or other standard golf club heads, can reduce the spin rate of standard hybrids club heads, and can increase the launch angle over both the standard hybrid and iron club heads. In many embodiments, the shape of cavity 1035 determines the level of spring and timing of the response of golf club head 1000. When the golf ball impacts strikeface 1012 of club head 1000 with cavity 1030, strikeface 1012 springs back like a drum, and crown 1008 bends in a controlled buckle manner. In many embodiments, top rail 1015 can absorb more stress over greater volumetric space than a top rail in a golf club head without cavity 1030. The length, depth and width of cavity 1030 can vary. These parameters provide control regarding how much spring back is present in the overall design of club head 1000.
Upon impact with the golf ball, strikeface 1012 can bend inward at a greater distance than on a golf club without cavity 1030. In some embodiments, strikeface 1012 has an approximately 10% to approximately 50% greater deflection than a strikeface on a golf club head without cavity 1030. In some embodiments, strikeface 1012 has an approximately 5% to approximately 40% or approximately 10% to approximately 20% greater deflection than a strikeface on a golf club head without cavity 1035. For example, strikeface 1012 can have an approximately 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% or 40% greater deflection than a strikeface on a golf club head without cavity 1035. In many embodiments, there is both a greater distance of retraction by strikeface 1012 due to the hinge and bending of cavity 1030 over a standard strikeface that does not have a back portion of the club without the cavity.
In many embodiments, the face deflection is greater with club head 1000 having cavity 1030, as a greater buckling occurs along top rail hinge point 1070 upon impact with the golf ball. Cavity 1030, however, provides a greater dispersion of stress along top rail hinge point 1070 region of the top rail and the spring back force is transferred from cavity 1030 and top rail 1015 to strikeface 1012. A standard top rail without a cavity does not have this hinge/buckling effect, nor does it absorb a high level of stress over a large volumetric area of the top rail. Therefore, the standard strikeface does not contract and then recoil as much as strikeface 1012. Further, both a larger region of strikeface 1012 and top rail 1015 absorb more stress than the same crown region of a standard golf club head with a standard top rail and no cavity. In many embodiments, although there is greater stress along a greater area above cavity 1030 than the same area in a standard club without the cavity, the durability of the club head with and without the cavity is the same. By adding more spring to the back end of the club (due to the inward inclination of top wall 1017 toward strikeface 1012), more force is displaced throughout the volume of the structure. The stress is observed over a greater area of strikeface 1012 and top rail 1015 of golf club head 1000. Peak stresses can be seen in the standard top rail club head. However, more peak stresses are seen in golf club head 1000, but distributed over a large volume of the material. The hinge and bend regions of golf club head 1000 (i.e., the region above cavity 1030 and cavity 1030 itself) will not deform as long as the stress does not meet the critical buckling threshold. Cavity 1030 and its placement can be design to be under the critical K value of the buckling threshold.
III. Golf Club Head with Cascading Sole and Back Cavity
In some embodiments, a golf club head with a back cavity can further comprise a cascading sole with tiered thin sections.
The golf club head 1100 having the cascading sole and the back cavity can provide a greater recoiling force to the strikeface than the golf club head having the cascading sole or back cavity alone. This is due to the combined increased recoiling force from both the internal radius transition and the back cavity, as discussed above. The increased recoiling force to the strikeface leads to greater deflection, which in turn increases the impact force applied to the golf ball thereby increasing the speed of the golf ball. In some embodiments, golf club head 1100 comprising both cavity 1130 and internal radius transition 1310 can increase ball speed, increase launch angle, and provide better distance control. In various embodiments, golf club head 1100 can increase ball speeds approximately 1% to approximately 4%. In some embodiments, golf club head 1100 can increase ball speeds approximately 1%, 2%, 3%, or 4%. In many embodiments, golf club head 1100 provides a larger increase in ball speeds when the golf ball impacts the strikeface in high region 1176. In some embodiments, golf club head 1100 can increase the launch angle by approximately 0.5 degrees to approximately 1.1 degrees. In some embodiments, golf club head 1100 can increase the launch angle by approximately 0.5 degrees, 0.6 degrees, 0.7 degrees, 0.8 degrees, 0.9 degrees, 1.0 degrees, or 1.1 degrees.
An embodiment of golf club head 1100 having the cascading sole and the back cavity was tested. Overall, when compared to a control golf club head devoid of the cascading sole and the back cavity, the cavity golf club head showed an increase in golf ball speed and an increase in launch angle. The cavity golf club head showed the increase in golf ball speed and the increase in launch angle for all contact positions on the face due to the combined spring effect from the combination of cascading sole 1310 (
Specifically,
In some embodiments, method 1700 further comprises providing an insert at the lower region of the crown towards the toe region. In some embodiments, the insert is similar to insert 1062 (
In some embodiments, providing the body in block 1705 further comprises the body having a cascading sole. The cascading sole comprises an internal radius transition region from the strikeface to the sole. In many embodiments, the internal radius transition region can be similar to internal transition region or cascading sole 1310 (
IV. Golf Club with Cascading Sole and Back Cavity
Turning to
In many embodiments, upper region 1511 comprises the top and back walls of the cavity; and the lower region of the crown comprises the bottom incline of the cavity. In some embodiments, upper region 1511 further comprises a rear wall 1523 adjacent to top wall 1517 of cavity 1530 and a rear angle 1540 measured between top wall 1517 of cavity 1530 and rear wall 1523 of upper region 1511. In many embodiments, rear angle 1540 is approximately 70 degrees to approximately 110 degrees.
In another embodiment, the golf club head can comprise a hosel. The hosel can comprise a hosel notch. The hosel notch can allow for iron-like range of loft and lie angle adjustability. Although not illustrated in
The golf club heads with energy storage characteristics discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment of golf club heads with energy storage characteristics, and may disclose alternative embodiments of golf club heads with tiered internal thin sections.
Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly stated in such claims.
As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulations may be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golf standard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be conforming or non-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
While the above examples may be described in connection with a driver-type golf club, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golf club such as a fairway wood-type golf club, a hybrid-type golf club, an iron-type golf club, a wedge-type golf club, or a putter-type golf club. Alternatively, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other type of sports equipment such as a hockey stick, a tennis racket, a fishing pole, a ski pole, etc.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/,920,480 filed Oct. 22, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/206,152, filed Aug. 17, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/131,739, filed Mar. 11, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/105,460, filed Jan. 20, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/105,464, filed Jan. 20, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/068,232, filed Oct. 24, 2014, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62206152 | Aug 2015 | US | |
62131739 | Mar 2015 | US | |
62105460 | Jan 2015 | US | |
62105464 | Jan 2015 | US | |
62068232 | Oct 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 14920480 | Oct 2015 | US |
Child | 16908599 | US |