Patent Grant
11969632
This disclosure relates generally to a golf club head with a mixed material construction.
In general, there are many important physical parameters (i.e., volume, mass, etc.) that effect the overall performance of a golf club head. One of the most important physical parameters, is the total mass of the golf club head. The total mass of the golf club head is the sum of the total structural mass and the total discretionary mass. Structural mass generally refers to the mass of the materials that are required to provide the club head with the structural resilience needed to withstand repeated impacts. Structural mass is highly design-dependent and provides a designer with a relatively low amount of control over specific mass distribution. Conversely, discretionary mass is any additional mass (beyond the minimum structural requirements of the golf club head) that may be added to the club head design for the sole purpose of customizing the performance and/or forgiveness of the club. There is a need in the art for alternative designs to all metal golf club heads to provide a means for maximizing discretionary weight to maximize club head moment of inertia (MOI) and lower/back center of gravity (CG).
This disclosure relates generally to sport equipment and relates more particularly to golf club heads and related methods.
Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Described herein are golf club heads that comprise a mixed material rear body in combination with a metallic front body, comprising a strike face and a surrounding frame. The mixed material rear body can comprise one or more composite materials. The mixed material rear body construction provides a significant reduction in structural mass, allowing for improved allocation of discretionary mass, thus improving the MOI and CG position of the golf club head. The mixed material rear body can house a weight port or channel that allows the swing characteristics of the club to be altered. A first embodiment includes a rear body having two overlapped composite components and a metallic weight pad with a single weight port. A second embodiment includes a rear body having a composite midbody and a composite weight seating portion with a weight channel. In each club head, the composite components can have different material compositions, as described below.
A first embodiment of the golf club head comprises a mixed material rear body that comprises a fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite resilient layer, a molded thermoplastic structural layer, a metallic weight pad, and a metallic weight secured within the metallic weight pad. The resilient layer can form at least an outer portion of sole. The structural layer can be bonded to an inner surface of the resilient layer to provide structural support to the resilient layer. The structural layer can further hold an embedded or attached metallic weight pad near the rear of the club head. The resilient and structural layers increase discretionary mass, while the metallic weight pad can lower and move the center of gravity rearward.
A second embodiment of the golf club head comprises a mixed material rear body that comprises a composite resilient midbody, a molded thermoplastic weight seating portion, and a metallic weight secured within a weight channel of the weight seating portion. In embodiments with a weight channel, the weight can be repositioned from a neutral center position into a fade-bias or draw-bias position. Although the first embodiment weight pad and the second embodiment weight seating portion both receive a metallic weight, the weight pad is metallic, adding mass to the sole, whereas the weight seating portion is composite and less dense. The lower density allows the weight seating portion to include a weight channel without adding excess immovable mass to the club head. The freed discretionary weight can be included in the metallic weight or in other perimeter regions of the golf club head to increase MOI.
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 described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, 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, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” 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 the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
Described herein are various embodiments of a golf head having a mixed material construction. The mixed material construction comprises a metallic front body and a mixed material rear body. In many embodiments, the golf club head can be wood-type golf club head (i.e. driver, fairway wood, hybrid).
In some embodiments, the club head can comprise a driver. In these embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be less than approximately 16 degrees, less than approximately 15 degrees, less than approximately 14 degrees, less than approximately 13 degrees, less than approximately 12 degrees, less than approximately 11 degrees, or less than approximately 10 degrees. Further, in these embodiments, the volume of the club head can be greater than approximately 400 cc, greater than approximately 425 cc, greater than approximately 450 cc, greater than approximately 475 cc, greater than approximately 500 cc, greater than approximately 525 cc, greater than approximately 550 cc, greater than approximately 575 cc, greater than approximately 600 cc, greater than approximately 625 cc, greater than approximately 650 cc, greater than approximately 675 cc, or greater than approximately 700 cc. In some embodiments, the volume of the club head can be approximately 400 cc-600 cc, 425 cc-500 cc, approximately 500 cc-600 cc, approximately 500 cc-650 cc, approximately 550 cc-700 cc, approximately 600 cc-650 cc, approximately 600 cc-700 cc, or approximately 600 cc-800 cc.
In some embodiments, the club head can comprise a fairway wood. In these embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be less than approximately 35 degrees, less than approximately 34 degrees, less than approximately 33 degrees, less than approximately 32 degrees, less than approximately 31 degrees, or less than approximately 30 degrees. Further, in these embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be greater than approximately 12 degrees, greater than approximately 13 degrees, greater than approximately 14 degrees, greater than approximately 15 degrees, greater than approximately 16 degrees, greater than approximately 17 degrees, greater than approximately 18 degrees, greater than approximately 19 degrees, or greater than approximately 20 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be between 12 degrees and 35 degrees, between 15 degrees and 35 degrees, between 20 degrees and 35 degrees, or between 12 degrees and 30 degrees.
In embodiments where the club head comprises a fairway wood, the volume of the club head is less than approximately 400 cc, less than approximately 375 cc, less than approximately 350 cc, less than approximately 325 cc, less than approximately 300 cc, less than approximately 275 cc, less than approximately 250 cc, less than approximately 225 cc, or less than approximately 200 cc. In these embodiments, the volume of the club head can be approximately 150 cc-200 cc, approximately 150 cc-250 cc, approximately 150 cc-300 cc, approximately 150 cc-350 cc, approximately 150 cc-400 cc, approximately 300 cc-400 cc, approximately 325 cc-400 cc, approximately 350 cc-400 cc, approximately 250 cc-400 cc, approximately 250 cc-350 cc, or approximately 275 cc-375 cc.
In some embodiments, the club head can comprise a hybrid. In these embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be less than approximately 40 degrees, less than approximately 39 degrees, less than approximately 38 degrees, less than approximately 37 degrees, less than approximately 36 degrees, less than approximately 35 degrees, less than approximately 34 degrees, less than approximately 33 degrees, less than approximately 32 degrees, less than approximately 31 degrees, or less than approximately 30 degrees. Further, in these embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be greater than approximately 16 degrees, greater than approximately 17 degrees, greater than approximately 18 degrees, greater than approximately 19 degrees, greater than approximately 20 degrees, greater than approximately 21 degrees, greater than approximately 22 degrees, greater than approximately 23 degrees, greater than approximately 24 degrees, or greater than approximately 25 degrees.
In embodiments where the club head comprises a hybrid, the volume of the club head is less than approximately 200 cc, less than approximately 175 cc, less than approximately 150 cc, less than approximately 125 cc, less than approximately 100 cc, or less than approximately 75 cc. In some embodiments, the volume of the club head can be approximately 100 cc-150 cc, approximately 75 cc-150 cc, approximately 100 cc-125 cc, or approximately 75 cc-125 cc.
Referring to
As illustrated in
The structural mass savings achieved by using a resilient layer 148 and a structural layer 152, can be used to either reduce the entire mass of the club head 100 (which may provide faster club head speed and/or long hitting distances) or to increase the amount of discretionary mass that is available for placement on the golf club head 100. In one embodiment, the additional discretionary mass, gained from using a composite resilient layer 148 and a composite structural layer 152, can be reintroduced into the club head 100 in the form of a metallic weight pad 156. The combination of a light composite rear body 108 and metallic weight pad 156, allow the club head 100, to allocate a majority of the mass of the club head in a position to maximize the MOI and CG, leading to more forgiveness and longer shots.
As illustrated in
The front body 104, 304 can form a strike face and a section of the club head within the front half of the club head. The front body 104, 304 can be made from a metal or metal alloy. The front body 104, and 304 is similar in both the first and second club head embodiments described herein, which differ primarily in their rear body construction, as described below.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the strike face 120 and surrounding frame 136 can be integrally formed. In other embodiments, the strike face 120 and surrounding frame 136 can be separately formed and joined together. In one embodiment, the strike face 120 is forged and the surrounding frame 136 is cast, then the strike face 120 and surrounding frame 136 are joined through welding, brazing, plasma welding, low-power laser welding, forging, or another suitable joining technique.
In many embodiments, the front body 104 is made from a metallic material to withstand the repeated impact stress from striking a golf ball. In some embodiments, the front body 104, can be formed from 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, the strike face 120 of the golf club head 100 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, an amorphous metal alloy, or a composite material.
The front body 104 comprises a mass. In some embodiments, wherein the strike face 120 and surrounding frame 136 are separate, the mass of the front body 104 is the sum of the mass of the strike face 120 and the mass of the surrounding frame 136. Depending on the material the front body 104 is made of, the mass of the front body 104 can range between 40 grams and 140 grams. In most embodiments, the mass of the front body 104 does not exceed 140 grams. In some embodiments, the mass of the front body 104 can range between 40-50 grams, 50-60 grams, 60-70 grams, 70-80 grams, 80-90 grams, 90-100 grams, 100-110 grams, 110-120 grams, 120-130 grams, or 130 grams-140 grams.
Referring to
The strike face 120 of the club head 100 comprises a thickness measured as the distance between the strike face 120 and the internal surface 170 of the front body 104. The thickness of the strike face 120 varies at different locations defining a variable face thickness (VFT) or variable thickness profile 196. The variable thickness profile 196 having a central region 192 and a peripheral region 188. In many embodiments, the central region 192 of the variable thickness profile 196 comprises an ellipse or oval or ovoid or egg-like shape. The central region 192 is generally oblong and extends from a portion of the strike face 120 near the sole 116 and heel region 124 to a portion of the strike face 120 near the toe region 128 and crown 112.
Referring to
Furthermore, the strike face 120 comprises a major axis 184 extending in a general heel 124 to toe 128 direction. The major axis 184 intersects the centerpoint 160 and forms an angle β with the ground plane. In many embodiments, the major axis 184 reflects the oblong shape of the central region 192.
The major axis 184 forms an approximate angle of 20 degrees with the ground plane 180. For example, the angle formed between the major axis 184 of the central region 192 and the ground plane 180 can vary from 0 to 60 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle formed between the major axis 184 of the central region 192 and the ground plane 180 can vary from 2 to 20, 2 to 30, 5 to 40, 10 to 50, or 15 to 60 degrees. In other embodiments, the major axis 184 can create an angle of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60 degrees with ground plane 180. By disposing the center region 192 on an angle it further allows the elongated portion of the egg-shape to extend towards the upper-toe portion of the strike face 120 wherein high CT values exist, thus improving resulting ball speed.
The oval or ovoid or egg-like shape, along with the angle of the central region 192 of the variable thickness profile 196, enables thicker regions of the strike face 120 to be positioned in regions having inherently high CT, and thinner regions of the strike face 120 to be positioned in regions having inherently low CT. Accordingly, regions of the face having inherently high CT are reduced, and regions of the face having inherently low CT are increased, resulting in normalized CT across the strike face 120. In many embodiments, the variable thickness profile 196 results in a range in characteristic time less than 115 micro-seconds (μs), less than 110 μs, less than 105 μs, less than 100 μs, less than 95 μs, less than 90 μs, or less than 85 μs. Further, in many embodiments, the variable thickness profile 40 results in an average characteristic time greater than 230 μs, greater than 235 μs, or greater than 240 μs. For example, in many embodiments, the average CT of the face plate 20 can be between 230 μs and 240 μs, between 235 μs and 240 μs, or between 240 μs and 245 μs.
Further, because the angled VFT is designed to position thickened portions of the strike face 120 in regions where it is required, the strike face 120 can experience a weight reduction compared to a strike face devoid of the variable thickness profile 196 described herein. The extra discretionary weight can be re-introduced in other regions of the club head to manipulate the club head center of gravity position and to increase club head moment of inertia, further improving the performance of the club head. In the illustrated embodiment, the club head 100 having the variable thickness profile 196, as described herein, saves 2.1 grams of weight compared to a similar club head devoid of the variable thickness profile 196.
The front body 104 of the golf club head 100 comprises the hosel 144. The hosel 144 includes a hosel axis 176 extending along a center of a bore of the hosel 144. Referring to
Furthermore, the hosel axis 176 and the major axis 184 form an angle θ. In many embodiments, the angle θ formed between the hosel axis 176 and the major axis 184 can range between 60 and 140 degrees. In most embodiments, the minimum angle θ formed between the hosel axis 176 and the major axis 184 is approximately 60 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle θ formed between the hosel axis 176 and the major axis 184 can range between 60-70 degrees, 70-80 degrees, 80-90 degrees, 90-100 degrees, 100-110 degrees, 110-120 degrees, 120 degrees-130 degrees, or 130-140 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle the angle θ formed between the hosel axis 176 and the major axis 184 can range between 80 degrees and 90 degrees.
The front body 104 of the golf club head 100 comprises the surrounding frame 136 that extends rearward from the entire perimeter 140 of the strike face 120. The surrounding frame 136 further comprises a flange 174 that is operative to couple the front body 104 and the rear body 108.
The flange 174 provides a surface, to achieve a lap joint, wherein the rear body 108 can attach. The flange 174 extends rearward from the entire surrounding frame 136, and forms a step-type structure, down from the external surface 172 of the surrounding frame 136. In many embodiments, the flange 174 of the front body 104 allows the rear body to overlap the flange 174 and join to the front body 104, by way of epoxy, adhesion, welding, bonding, laser assisted metal-plastic welding, brazing, or any other suitable attachment method. The lap joint style flange 174, further allows the front body 104 and rear body 108 to securely mate, without the use of any mechanical fasteners.
Furthermore, the surrounding frame 136 comprises the external surface 172 and the internal surface 170, wherein additional aerodynamic features can be placed, to improve the overall speed of the golf club head. The surrounding frame 136 of the front body 104 of the golf club head 100, can include additional aerodynamic features, such as turbulators 200. The turbulators 200 can be used to reduce club head drag and increase the speed of the club 100. These turbulators 200 are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,555,294, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, an apex (highest point) of the crown can be within the region of the crown having turbulators. In other embodiments, the apex is behind the turbulators.
The golf club head 100, 300 can also comprise a metallic weight 220, 358 that is attached to the rear body. The weight 220, 358 can comprise a mass greater than 25 g, greater than 26 g, greater than 27 g, greater than 28 g, greater than 29 g, greater than 30 g, greater than 31 g, greater than 32 g, greater than 33 g, greater than 34 g, greater than 35 g, greater than 36 g, greater than 37 g, greater than 38 g, greater than 39 g, or greater than 40 g. In some embodiments, the weight 358 can comprise a mass inclusively between 26 g and 40 g, or any range or value therewithin, such as between 26 g and 30 g, between 28 g and 32 g, between 32 g and 36 g, between 34 g and 38 g, or between 36 g and 40 g. The metallic weight can shift the center of gravity (CG) rearward and downward. In some configurations, the metallic weight can also shift the CG towards the toe end 128, 328 or the heel end 124, 324.
Compared to a similarly sized club head formed entirely from a metal material, the mixed material (or hybrid-material) golf club head 100, 300 saves between 6 grams to 16 grams of structural weight for redistribution. This saved mass, also known as discretionary mass, is not necessary for structural durability. The discretionary mass can be redistributed to perimeter regions of the club head 100, 300 to increase the MOI of the head, resulting in a more forgiving club. In some embodiments, the multi-material golf club head 300 has discretionary mass weighting 6 to 8 grams, 8 to 10 grams, 10 to 12 grams, 12 to 14 grams, or 14 to 15 grams, compared to a similarly-sized fully metallic club head. The instant multi-material golf club head 100, 300 comprises even more discretionary mass than traditional composite club heads. Composite club heads typically have a lightweight composite crown, such as a thermoset laminate composite crown. In some embodiments, the multi-material golf club head 100, 300 has 6 to 8 grams or 8 to 10 grams more discretionary mass, compared to a club head with a metallic front body and a composite crown.
Referring to
The MOI of the club head 100, 300 taken about the x-axis 386, Ixx, can range from 4400 g*cm2 to 4900 g*cm2, more specifically from 4400 g*cm2 to 4500 g*cm2, 4500 g*cm2 to 4600 g*cm2, 4600 g*cm2 to 4700 g*cm2, 4650 g*cm2 to 4750 g*cm2, 4700 g*cm2 to 4800 g*cm2, 4750 g*cm2 to 4850 g*cm2, or 4800 g*cm2 to 4900 g*cm2. The MOI of the club head 100, 300 taken about the y-axis 388, Iyy, can range from 5800 g*cm2 to 6100 g*cm2, more specifically from 5800 g*cm2 to 5900 g*cm2, 5850 g*cm2 to 5950 g*cm2, 5900 g*cm2 to 6000 g*cm2, 5950 g*cm2 to 6050 g*cm2, or 6000 g*cm2 to 6100 g*cm2. The MOI of the club head 100, 300 taken about the z-axis 390, Izz, can range from 2650 g*cm2 to 2950 g*cm2, more specifically from 2650 g*cm2 to 2750 g*cm2, 2700 g*cm2 to 2800 g*cm2, 2725 g*cm2 to 2775 g*cm2, 2750 g*cm2 to 2850 g*cm2, 2800 g*cm2 to 2900 g*cm2, or 2850 g*cm2 to 2950 g*cm2.
The discretionary mass can also be positioned to shift the center of gravity (CG) into a desirable location. In some embodiments, the discretionary mass can be added to the weight 158, 358. Adding the discretionary mass to the weight 220, 358 can move the CG rearward and downward, which can be desirable for launch and spin characteristics. With respect to the x, y, z coordinate system described above, the golf club head 100, 300 can have a CG located in the range of 0 to −0.030 inch from the origin 382, along the x-axis 386. In some embodiments, along the x-axis 386 (horizontal, toe-to-heel), the CG can be located in the range of 0 inches to −0.002 inch, −0.002 inch to −0.004 inch, −0.004 inch to −0.006 inch, −0.006 inch to −0.008 inch, −0.008 inch to −0.010 inch, −0.010 inch to −0.015 inch, −0.015 inch to −0.020 inch, −0.020 inch to −0.025 inch, or −0.025 inch to −0.030 inch from the origin 382. As evidenced by these CG location values, the CG can be more centered within this club head 100, 300 than in similar club heads lacking the described multi-material construction.
Along the y-axis 388 (vertical), the CG can be located in the range of 0.700 inch to 1.1 inch from the origin 382. More specifically, along the y-axis 388, the CG can be located in the range of 0.700 inch to 0.720 inch, 0.720 inch to 0.740 inch, 0.740 inch to 0.760 inch, 0.760 inch to 0.780 inch, 0.780 inch to 0.800 inch, 0.800 inch to 0.820 inch, 0.820 inch to 0.840 inch, 0.840 inch to 0.860 inch, 0.860 inch to 0.880 inch, 0.880 inch to 0.900 inch, 0.900 inch to 1.0 inch, or 1.0 inch to 1.1 inch. In some embodiments, the multi-material construction and low, rearward weight design can assist in achieving a low CG value. Along the z-axis 390 (horizontal, rear-to-front), the CG can be located in the range of −1.600 inches to −2.200 inches from the origin 382. More specifically, along the z-axis 390, the CG can be located in the range of −1.600 inches to −1.800 inches, −1.800 inches to −2.000 inches, −2.000 inches to −2.050 inches, −2.050 inches to −2.100 inches, −2.100 inches to −2.150 inches, or 2.150 inches to −2.200 inches from the origin 382.
The rear body 108, 308 can have a mixed material construction that increases discretionary mass, which can be redistributed to the perimeter of the club head or into the metallic weight 220, 358. In the present design, the rear body 108, 308 may include a mix of fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite materials (e.g. prepreg sheet composite materials) and molded thermoplastic composite materials (e.g., injection molded thermoplastic composite materials).
A first embodiment of the rear body 108 can comprise a composite resilient layer 152, a composite structural layer 156, and a metallic weight pad 212. A second embodiment of the rear body 308 can comprise a composite midbody 316 and a composite weight seating portion 356. The first embodiment resilient layer 152 and the second embodiment midbody 316 can be formed from similar or identical composite materials. These components (152 and 316) can both comprise a fiber reinforced composite material (FRC), also called a laminate composite, a resilient composite material, a sheet composite, or a prepreg composite.
The first embodiment structural layer 156 and the second embodiment weight seating portion 356, although very differently shaped, can be formed from similar or identical composite materials. These components (156 and 356) can both comprise a molded thermoplastic composite material, also called a filled thermoplastic (FT), an injection molded composite or a supporting polymeric material. Unlike the second embodiment weight seating portion 356, the first embodiment weight pad 212 can be formed from a metal or metal alloy.
The molded thermoplastic material is one that is readily adapted to molding techniques such as injection molding, whereby the material is freely flowable when heated to a temperature above the melting point of the polymer. A molded thermoplastic material with a mixed-in filler material is referred to as a filled thermoplastic (FT) material. Filled thermoplastic materials are freely flowable when in a heated/melted state. To facilitate the flowable characteristic, filler materials generally include discrete particulates or fibers having a maximum dimension of less than about 25 mm, or more commonly less than about 12 mm. For example, the filler materials can include discrete particulates or fibers having a maximum dimension of 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, or 10 mm. Filler materials useful for the present designs may include, for example, glass beads or discontinuous reinforcing fibers formed from carbon, glass, or an aramid polymer.
In contrast to molded and filled thermoplastic materials, fiber reinforced composite (FRC) materials generally include one or more layers of a uni- or multi-directional fiber fabric that extend across a larger portion of the polymer. Unlike the reinforcing fibers that may be used in FT materials, the maximum dimension of fibers used in FRCs may be substantially larger/longer than those used in FT materials and may have sufficient size and characteristics such that they may be provided as a continuous fabric separate from the polymer. When formed with a thermoplastic polymer, even if the polymer is freely flowable when melted, the included continuous fibers are generally not.
FRC materials are generally formed by arranging the fiber into a desired arrangement (e.g. woven, uni-directional (UD)) and then impregnating the fiber material with a sufficient amount of a polymeric material to provide rigidity. In this manner, while FT materials may have a resin content of greater than about 45% by volume or more preferably greater than about 55% by volume, FRC materials desirably have a resin content of less than about 45% by volume, or more preferably less than about 35% by volume. In some embodiments, the FRC material has a resin content of 24% to 45%, more specifically 24% to 30%, 30% to 35%, 35% to 40%, or 40% to 45% by volume. FRC materials traditionally use two-part thermoset epoxies as the polymeric matrix, however, it is possible to also use thermoplastic polymers as the matrix. In many instances, FRC materials are pre-prepared prior to final manufacturing, and such intermediate material is often referred to as a prepreg. When a thermoset polymer is used, the prepreg is partially cured in intermediate form, and final curing occurs once the prepreg is formed into the final shape. When a thermoplastic polymer is used, the prepreg may include a cooled thermoplastic matrix that can subsequently be heated and molded into final shape. This technique enables lightweight geometries to be made, such as the rear body 108, without sacrificing strength.
The FRC material can comprise multiple fabric or prepreg layers, known as plies. The FRC material can comprise 5 to 20 plies, more specifically 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 plies. Each ply can have a thickness of about 0.003 inch to 0.009 inch, in some embodiments, about 0.003 inch, 0.004 inch, 0.005 inch, 0.006 inch, 0.007 inch, 0.008 inch, or 0.009 inch.
In general, due to the stresses endured by a golf club head at impact, the resins selected for use in the herein described club head are engineering polymers with high strength values. The preferred polymers may be characterized by a tensile strength at yield of greater than about 60 MPa (neat), and, when filled, may have a tensile strength at yield of greater than about 110 MPa, or more preferably greater than about 180 MPa, and even more preferably greater than about 220 MPa. In some embodiments, suitable filled thermoplastic polymers may have a tensile strength at yield of from about 60 MPa to about 350 MPa. In some embodiments, these polymers may have a density in the range of from about 1.15 to about 2.02 in either a filled or unfilled state and may preferably have a melting temperature of greater than about 210° C. or more preferably greater than about 250° C.
A thermoset or thermoplastic resin can be used in either a filled thermoplastic (FT) or a fiber reinforced composite (FRC). In some embodiments, the thermoplastic resin can be polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), or a polyamide, such as PA6 or PA66.
Referring to
The rear body 108, comprises the crown member 204. Referring to
In many embodiments, the crown member 204 is comprised of a carbon fiber weave, devoid of any layering of composite plies or unidirectional composite plies. The crown member 204 may be substantially formed from a fiber reinforced composite material (FRC), a filled thermoplastic material (FT), or a combination of both types of composite.
The rear body 108, comprises the sole member 208. Referring to
In one embodiment, the sole member 208 has a mixed-material construction that includes both a fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite resilient layer 152 and a molded thermoplastic structural layer 156. In a preferred embodiment, the molded thermoplastic structural layer 156 may be formed from a filled thermoplastic material that comprises a glass bead or discontinuous glass, carbon, or aramid polymer fiber filler embedded throughout a thermoplastic material. The resilient layer 152 may then comprise a woven glass, carbon fiber, or aramid polymer fiber reinforcing layer embedded in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix. In one particular embodiment, the crown member 202 and resilient layer 152 may each comprise a woven carbon fiber fabric embedded in a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and the structural layer 156 may comprise a filled polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) polymer.
The structural layer 156 may generally include a forward portion 236 and a peripheral portion 240 that define an outer perimeter of the sole member 208. In an assembled club head 100, the forward portion 236 is bonded to the metallic front body 104, and the peripheral portion 240 is bonded to the crown member 204. The structural layer 156 defines a plurality of apertures 244 located interior to the perimeter that each extend through the thickness of the structural layer 156. Further, the structural layer 156 may include one or more structural members 248 that extend from the forward portion 236 and between at least two of the plurality of apertures 244. Furthermore, as described below, the structural layer 156 can be configured to comprise a metallic weight pad 212 and metallic weight 220.
The resilient layer 152 may be bonded to the structural layer 156 such that it directly abuts or overlaps at least a portion of the forward portion 236, the peripheral portion 240, and the plurality of structural members 248. In doing so, the resilient layer 152 may entirely cover each of the plurality of apertures 244 when viewed from the exterior of the club head 100. Likewise, the one or more structural members 248 may serve as selective reinforcement to an interior portion of the resilient layer 244, akin to a reinforcing rib or gusset.
With respect to both the polymeric construction of the crown member 204 and the sole member 208, any filled thermoplastics or fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites should preferably incorporate one or more engineering polymers, describe above, that have sufficiently high material strengths and/or strength/weight ratio properties to withstand typical use while providing a mass savings benefit to the design. Specifically, it is important for the materials of the golf club head 100 to efficiently withstand the stresses imparted during an impact between the strike face 120 and a golf ball, while not contributing substantially to the total mass of the golf club head 100.
With reference to
The weight pad 212 can comprise any desired shape, in order to position as much mass towards the periphery of the rear portion 132 of the golf club head 100. The shape of the weight pad 212 can be any one of the following shapes: circular, triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, curvilinear, spade-shaped, or any other polygon or shape with at least one curved surface. In one embodiment, the weight pad 212 is can be a roughly trapezoidal shape. In another embodiment, the weight pad 212 can be a roughly rectangular shape. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the weight pad 212 can be a roughly circular shape. Further still, in another embodiment, the weight pad 212 can be a roughly triangular shape.
In most embodiments, the weight pad 212 can be made from a metallic material to provide a dense rearward portion to improve the overall MOI of the golf club head 100. In some embodiments, the weight pad 212 can be formed from 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 one embodiment, the weight pad 212 can be made from a stainless steel. The weight pad 212 can be forged or cast, prior to being secured within the sole member 208 of the rear body 108.
The weight pad 212 may be secured within the opening 250 in resilient layer 152 through via one or more techniques that are operable to provide a robust, structural bond. Due to differences in material types/material surface energies, as well as the comparatively high ratio of component mass to contact surface area, it may be difficult for conventional adhesives alone to withstand the forces experienced during a golf club impact with a ball. As such, it may be desirable to integrate at least a portion of the weight pad into the structural layer 156 and/or resilient layer 152 by encapsulating at least a portion of the weight pad. In doing so, the material strength of the encapsulating layer may be operative to provide a more durable bond than the use of surface adhesives alone. Referring to
In one configuration, the weight pad 212 may be attached to the sole member 208 without the use of any mechanical fasteners. In one embodiment, the weight pad 212 is casted and then the structural layer 156 may be molded around the at least the edge 252 of the weight pad 212, for example, via an insert injection molding technique. As noted above, the filled thermoplastic construction of the structural layer 156 is particularly suited to receive the weight pad 212 due to its ability to form complex geometry and extend around edges in a structurally stable manner. Depending on the geometry of the weight pad, such a joining technique may be more difficult with tapes or FRCs due to their more uniform profile.
The cavity 216 of the weight pad 212 extends inward from weight pad 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 216 comprises a circular shape. In other embodiments, the cavity 216 can comprise any shape. For example, the shape of the cavity 216 can comprise a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a rectangle, an octagon, or any other polygon or shape with at least one curved surface. The cavity 216 provides a recess to affix a metallic weight 220 within. The metallic weight 220, further adds discretionary weight to the golf club head 100, thus further improving the MOI and CG of the golf club head 100. Additionally, the cavity 216 and metallic weight 220 allow for changes to be made to the overall weight of the golf club head 100, by removably attaching different metallic weights of different densities.
The cavity 212 includes a depth measured from a base 224 of the cavity 212 to the external contour of the sole member 208, in a direction generally perpendicular to the base 224. In many embodiments, the depth of the cavity 212 is between 0.10 inches and 0.50 inches. In some embodiments, the depth of the cavity 212 is less than 0.50 inches, less than 0.45 inches, less than 0.40 inches, less than 0.35 inches, less than 0.30 inches, less than 0.25 inches, less than 0.20 inches, or less than 0.15 inches.
Further, the cavity 212 comprises an aperture 228 in the base 224. The aperture 228 extends inward from the base 224 of the cavity 212, towards the crown 112 of the golf club head 100. In some embodiments, the aperture 228 can comprise threading that mates with the threading of a fastener 230 to secure the metallic weight 220 within the cavity 216. In other embodiments, the aperture 228 can be devoid of threading for use with a self-tapping or self-drilling fastener.
The metallic weight 220 is configured to be positioned with the cavity 216 of the weight pad 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the weight 220 is circular in shape to correspond to the shape of the cavity 212. In other embodiments, the weight 220 can comprise any geometric shape corresponding to the shape of the cavity 212 (e.g., circular, elliptical, triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, octagonal, or any other polygonal shape or shape with at least one curved surface).
The metallic weight 220 further comprises an aperture 232 extending entirely through the weight 220. The aperture 232 is substantially similar in size to the aperture 228 of the cavity 212 and the aperture 232 of the weight 220 aligns with the aperture 228 of the cavity 212, when the weight is positioned within the cavity 212. In most embodiments, the aperture 232 is devoid of threading to allow the fastener 230 to pass through the weight 220 and secure, via threading, to the aperture 228 of the weight pad 212. Additionally, in some embodiments, a washer 214 can be positioned in the cavity 212 prior to the positioning of the metallic weight 220 within the cavity 212.
While affixing the weight 220 and weight pad 212 to the structural layer 156 at the rear portion 132 of the club head 100 desirably shifts the center of gravity of the club head 100 rearward and lower while also increasing the club head's moment of inertia, it also can create a cantilevered point mass spaced apart from the more structural metallic front body 104. As such, in some embodiments, the one or more structural members 248 may span between the weight pad 212/metallic weight 220 and the front body 104 to provide a reinforced load path between the weight pad 212, the metallic weight 220, and the metallic front body 104. In this manner, the one or more structural members 248 may be operative to aid in transferring a dynamic load between the weight pad 212, the metallic weight 220, and the front body 104 during an impact between the strike face 120 and a golf ball. Furthermore, in some embodiments, referring to
Unlike the first embodiment, a second embodiment of the golf club head can comprise two separate composite parts that only overlap one another at joints. The composite parts, an FRC midbody and a FT weight seating portion can be bonded together to form the rear body. The second embodiment does not have a metallic weight pad. Rather, one of the composite components forms a weight seating portion with a weight channel for receiving the metallic weight.
Referring to
The front body 304 is similar to the front body 104 of golf club head 100. The midbody 308 is formed from an FRC material (also called a laminate composite). The weight seating portion 356 comprises a filled thermoplastic (FT) composite material having unique fiber reinforcement that allows for complex geometries and ribs within the weight seating portion 356. The front body 304 comprises a strike face 320 and a perimeter surrounding frame 336, similar to the strike face 120 and perimeter surrounding frame 136, described above. The surrounding frame 336 comprises an internal surface 370 and an external surface 372, similar to the internal and external surfaces 170 and 172, described above.
The golf club head 300 has a crown 312, a sole 316, a toe region 328, a heel region 324, and a hosel 314 for receiving a shaft. When the front body 304 is combined with the midbody 308, the external surface 372 of the front body 304 forms a portion of the crown 312 and the sole 316 of the club head 300. The front body 304 further forms the hosel 314 for receiving a golf club shaft or shaft adapter in the heel region 324 of the golf club head 300.
Referring to
The midbody can comprise an internal surface 376 and an external surface 378. A midbody wall thickness is measured between the internal surface 376 and the external surface 378. The midbody wall thickness can range from 0.015 inch to 0.060 inch, more particularly from 0.015 inch to 0.020 inch, 0.020 inch to 0.025 inch, 0.025 inch to 0.030 inch, 0.030 inch to 0.035 inch, 0.035 inch to 0.040 inch, 0.040 inch to 0.045 inch, 0.045 inch to 0.050 inch, 0.050 inch to 0.055 inch, to 0.055 inch to 0.060 inch. In some embodiments, the midbody wall thickness in the sole can be greater than the midbody wall thickness in the crown.
The midbody wall thickness within sole 316 (hereafter “sole wall thickness 350”) can range from 0.030 inch to 0.060 inch, more particularly from 0.030 inch to 0.035 inch, 0.035 inch to 0.040 inch, 0.040 inch to 0.045 inch, 0.045 inch to 0.050 inch, 0.050 inch to 0.055 inch, to 0.055 inch to 0.060 inch. In some embodiments, the sole wall thickness 350 is approximately 0.040 inch. The midbody wall thickness within crown 312 (hereafter “crown wall thickness 352”) can range from 0.015 inch to 0.035 inch. In some embodiments, the crown wall thickness 352 can range from 0.015 inch to 0.020 inch, 0.020 inch to 0.025 inch, 0.025 inch to 0.030 inch, or 0.030 inch to 0.035 inch. In some embodiments, the crown wall thickness 352 is approximately 0.020 inch. Making the crown 312 thinner than the sole 316 can save weight for redistribution without compromising the strength of the sole 316. Thickening the sole 316 can improve durability, protecting the sole from fracturing upon impact with the ground. In this way, the MOI of the club head can be increased, while the sole durability is maintained in case of possible ground or tee contact during a swing. The thicker sole can be achieved by overlapping the laminate composite layers within or across the sole 316.
The various midbody wall thicknesses, described above, can be achieved by altering the number of plies or the thickness of the plies in the FRC material. Using additional plies in the portion of the midbody 308 on the sole 316 gives the sole 316 a greater midbody wall thickness than the crown 312.
Referring to
The front body 304 and midbody 308 can be joined with a lap joint. In some embodiments, the midbody 308 can fit over a flange of the front body 304 to form the lap joint. The front body 304 and the midbody 308 can securely mate, without the use of any mechanical fasteners. In some embodiments, the midbody 308 is adhered to the front body 304 across the lap joint.
The midbody 308 and the weight seating portion 356 can be joined with a lap joint or another interlocking geometry. The weight seating portion 356 can be fusion bonded or co-molded to the midbody 308 across the lap joint. In some embodiments, the weight seating portion 356 comprises a resin that is miscible with a resin of the midbody 308, improving the chemical bond between the components. In some embodiments, the weight seating portion 356 can comprise a common resin with midbody 308. The weight seating portion 356 can be co-molded over or onto a portion of the midbody 308.
Referring to
Unlike the metallic weight pad 156 of the first embodiment, the weight seating portion 356 of the second embodiment is primarily molded from a FT material. The weight seating portion 356 can comprise internal ribs 362 and one or more bosses 366 that surround or house one or more metallic threads 368. The FT ribs 362 and bosses 366 are integrally formed with a main portion of the FT weight seating portion 356.
The one or more bosses 366 (in some embodiments: one, two, or three bosses) correspond to the weight positions. The one or more bosses 366 house metallic threads 368. The metallic threads 368 can be co-molded into the bosses 366 of the weight seating portion 356. The metallic threads 368 can be configured to receive a fastener 332 that secures the metallic weight 358. The metallic threads 368 can provide increased durability for repeated removal and replacement/repositioning of the weight 358. The metallic threads 368 can be formed of a steel or titanium alloy. The one or more metallic threads 368 are configured to engage threads on the fastener 332.
The weight seating portion 356 can further comprise one or more ribs 362 for supporting the weight channel 364. The one or more ribs 362 can be internal (i.e. within an internal cavity of the club head). The one or more ribs 362 can comprise one, two, three, four, five, or six ribs. The one or more ribs 362 can be roughly planar and positioned approximately perpendicular to the strike face 320. In some embodiments, the one or more ribs 362 can be slightly angled outwards away from a center of the club head 300. The one or more ribs 362 can extend from the sole 316 towards a rearmost edge of the club head 300. In particular, as shown in
For the weight seating portion 356, the FT composite material should preferably incorporate one or more engineering polymers that have sufficiently high material strengths and/or strength/weight ratio properties to withstand typical use while providing a weight savings benefit to the design. Specifically, it is important for the design and materials to efficiently withstand the stresses imparted during an impact between the strike face and a golf ball, while not contributing substantially to the total weight of the golf club head 300. The weight seating portion 356 material must be able to support the weight 358 and withstand any oscillations or vibrations imparted to the weight 358 at impact.
With continued reference to
As such, to maximize the strength of the present design at the lowest possible structural weight, the design provided in
Once the composite shell portion is in a proper shape, a filled polymeric supporting structure may then be injection molded into direct contact with the shell at step 320. Such a process is generally referred to as insert-molding. In this process, the shell is directly placed within a heated mold having a gated cavity exposed to a portion of the shell. Molten polymer is forcibly injected into the cavity, and thereafter either directly mixes with molten polymer of the heated composite shell, or locally bonds with the softened shell. As the mold is cooled, the polymer of the composite shell and supporting structure harden together in a fused relationship. The bonding is enhanced if the polymer of the shell portion and the polymer of the supporting structure are compatible and is even further enhanced if the two components include a common thermoplastic resin component. While insert-molding is a preferred technique for forming the structure, other molding techniques, such as compression molding, may also be used.
With continued reference to
The rear body 108, comprising the affixed crown member 204 and sole member 208 may subsequently be adhesively bonded to the metallic front body 104 at step 340. While adhesives readily bond to most metals, the process of adhering to the polymer may require the use of one or more adhesion promoters or surface treatments to enhance bonding between the adhesive and the polymer of the rear body 108.
In some embodiments, the metallic front body is fully cast, including a strike face, a perimeter surrounding frame, and a hosel. In other embodiments, the front body can be forged, stamped from sheet metal, or otherwise formed. For example, a first part of the front body can be partially stamped from sheet metal, milled to a desired thickness profile, and stamped or forged to create the perimeter surrounding frame, before being welded to a second part (casted) of the front body, which comprises the hosel and a region adjacent the hosel.
The midbody can be formed by preparing fiber sheets that are pre-impregnated with a resin (i.e. “prepregs”), wrapping said prepreg sheets around a mold or placing said prepreg sheets within a mold cavity, overlapping the prepreg sheets within the sole to form the hoop-like or ring shaped midbody, and allowing the prepreg sheets to cure.
The weight pad can be formed through injection molding. The weight pad can be co-molded (or thermoformed) onto a rear edge region of the midbody. The weight pad can comprise complex geometries that are time and cost-intensive to produce using prepreg sheets. However, the complex geometries, such as tight radii of curvature, ribs, bosses, etc., can be quickly formed using an injection molding process. Filled thermoplastic pellets comprising a resin material and random-oriented fibers can be melted down to form a molten composite. The molten composite is injected into a mold. The midbody can be fixed into the mold prior to the injection of the molten composite. In some embodiments, one or more metallic threads are also fixed into the mold prior to injection molding. By fixing the midbody and the one or more metallic threads into the mold allows for the weight pad to be thermoformed around or onto the midbody and metallic threads. The metallic threads can be partially embedded within bosses of the finished weight pad. The metallic threads can be exposed in the weight channel of the weight pad. In some embodiments, the midbody and weight pad share a common resin, which creates a strong chemical bond between the components.
The midbody can be adhesively bonded to the front body within a front half of the club head. The midbody and the front body can connect across a lap joint. Finally, the club head can be finished by polishing, painting, partially filling an internal cavity of the club head with a hot melt material, and/or attaching a weight into the weight channel.
Utilizing a mixed material rear body construction can provide a significant reduction in structural weight while not sacrificing any design flexibility and providing a robust means for reintroducing discretionary mass. While such a design may be formed entirely from a filled thermoplastic, such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), as discussed above, the use of a fiber reinforced composite provides a stronger and lighter construction across continuous outer surfaces. Conversely, an all-FRC design would not readily incorporate weight-receiving structures, and thus would not be able to easily capitalize on increased discretionary mass.
The metallic weight pad 156 is beneficial over a mixed material golf club head devoid a metallic weight pad 156 because the metallic weight pad 156 allows for variance and interchangeability of the metallic weight 220, while providing a durable and secure location to affix the metallic weight 220. In comparison to a golf club head devoid of the metallic weight pad 156, the metallic weight pad 156 securely withstands the torque imparted on the weight pad when a weight 220 is being affixed. Further, the metallic weight pad 156 allows for the manufacturer to interchange the metallic weight 220, to adjust for manufacturing tolerances (i.e., change the desired swing weight of the overall club head from 206 grams to 209 grams), or adjust for customer specification (i.e., a golfer wants his/her club head heavier, 206 grams to 209 grams).
The filled thermoplastic composite weight seating portion 356 is beneficial over a mixed material golf club head devoid of the filled thermoplastic weight seating portion 356 because the weight seating portion 356 allows for a weight channel to be incorporated into the club head without sacrificing discretionary weight. The midbody and filled thermoplastic weight seating portion 356 design allows a portion of the crown, sole, toe portion, and heel portion to be formed from a high strength-to-weight ratio sheet composite material (i.e. the midbody) while also allowing for the inclusion of a weight channel (i.e. in the weight pad), which inherently has complex geometries that cannot easily be formed with sheet composite material. The weight channel allows the removable weight to be repositioned to customize the launch characteristics of the club head.
A comparison was done between five similar golf club heads. The first club head was a fully metallic club head. The second club head was partially metallic and partially thermoplastic molded. The third club head was partially metallic and partially thermoset layup. The fourth club head was a first version of golf club head 300, described above. The fifth club head was a second version of the golf club head 300, described above. The club heads had similar sizes and equal total club head masses. Each club head weighed 203 grams. The first, second, third, and fourth club heads comprised 9 grams of hot melt placed within each hollow body. The fifth club head comprised only 6 grams of hot melt. The lower amount of hot melt both increases discretionary weight, which contributes to higher MOI, and improves the acoustic properties of the club head.
The second club head comprised a cup-shaped metallic front body coupled with a metallic sole extension. The metallic sole extension stretched from the front body to the rear of the club head and formed a weight channel, with a geometry similar to the weight channel geometry of club head 300, shown in
As shown in Table I, the fourth and fifth club heads have a CG that is lower (GGy value) and further to the rear (CGz value) than the first, second, and third club heads. The low and rearward CG improves launch and spin characteristics. In particular, the launch trajectory is higher for a given loft angle. Furthermore, both the MOI taken along the x-axis (MOIxx) and the MOI taken along the y-axis (MOIyy) is higher for the fourth and fifth club heads. These higher MOIs contribute to more forgiveness at impact and better shot accuracy.
Discretionary weight is higher in the fourth and fifth club heads due to the composite construction of the midbody 308 and the weight seating portion 356. This discretionary weight can be integrally designed into the periphery of the club head, or it can be included in a removable weight, such as weight 358. The removable weight can be positioned within a weight channel, such as weight channel 364, at a rearmost perimeter of the club head. Thus, adding mass to the removable weight can contribute to the down and back movement of the CG, described above for club head 300. Adding mass to the removable weight can also allow the weight channel to be shortened and the bosses, which receive the weight into different positions, to be placed closer together. Most weight channels are designed to allow the golfer to position the weight to compensate for a golfer's shot fade or draw tendencies. This compensation is done through movement of the CG. Moving the weight between positions can alter the CGx value and consequently help correct unwanted sidespin. Therefore, with a heavier removable weight, the weight does not need to be moved as far to have an equal effect.
A comparison was done between a first method of producing a weight pad and a second method of producing a weight pad. The first method comprises pressure molding the weight pad from a thermoset prepreg sheet material. The second method comprises injection molding the weight pad from a thermoplastic composite material.
Under the first method, forming the weight pad would require cutting the thermoset prepreg sheet material into at least 5 separate laminate pieces. The separate laminate pieces are required due to the geometric complexity of the weight pad shape, particularly the bosses and the one or more ribs. Each rib would need to be formed from a separate laminate piece. Cutting each laminate piece would require a minimum of ten minutes. Therefore, preparing the at least 5 separate laminate pieces would take 50 minutes, at minimum. Once the pieces are cut, they would be compressed into a tool and cured for at least 1 hour. In some embodiments, curing can take up to 12 hours. Additionally, the metallic threads would need to be separately epoxied into to the weight pad after the curing is finished. All told, the process would take, at minimum, over 2 hours for a weight pad requiring 5 or 6 laminate pieces.
Under the second method, the weight pad is formed by injecting a molten thermoplastic composite material into a mold. The metallic threads and the front body (optionally) would first be fixed into the mold. Both fixing the ancillary components into the mold and injecting the molten material would together take approximately 30 seconds. Using the second method, at least 240 weight pad components could be produced during the same time it takes to make a single weight pad using the first method. Furthermore, the first method requires significantly more labor than the second method. The reduction in manufacturing and labor time can significantly reduce the cost of producing the weight pad.
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.
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.
The above examples may be described in connection with a wood-type golf club, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein. Alternatively, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable 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 in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/249,680, filed on Mar. 9, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/723,065, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,940,374, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/714,109, filed on Dec. 13, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,940,373, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/779,335, filed on Dec. 13, 2018, and is further a continuation in part of Ser. No. 16/380,873, filed on Apr. 10, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,765,922, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/901,081, filed on Feb. 21, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,300,354, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/607,166, filed on May 26, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,925,432, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/342,741, filed on May 27, 2016. This further claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/050,701, filed on Jul. 10, 2020. The contents of all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
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