BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventional striking plate used in a golf club head;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first preferred embodiment of a striking plate according to this invention, which is used in a golf club head;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are fragmentary schematic views illustrating various geometries of protrusions suitable for the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a second preferred embodiment of a striking plate according to this invention, which is used in a golf club head; and
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a third preferred embodiment of a striking plate according to this invention, which is used in a golf club head.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first preferred embodiment of a striking plate 22 according to this invention is shown to be mounted on a head body 21 so as to make a golf club head 2. The striking plate 22 includes a plate body 221, a plurality of parallel elongate first grooves 222, and a plurality of protrusions 223. The first grooves 222 are formed in a surface of the plate body 221. Each of the first grooves 222 has a groove bottom 2221. The protrusions 223 project from the groove bottom 2221 of each of the first grooves 222 and are spaced apart from each other along the groove bottom 2221. Each of the first grooves 222 has a depth larger than a height of each of the protrusions 223. The protrusions 223 are arranged in a row along each of the first grooves 222, and each of the protrusions 223 tapers upwardly from the groove bottom 2221 of a corresponding one of the first grooves 222.
In view of the aforesaid, since the friction coefficient of the striking surface of the striking plate 22 can be increased by providing the protrusions 223 in the first grooves 222 of the striking plate 22, the direction controllability of the striking plate 221 can be improved.
Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, it should be noted the geometries of the protrusions 223 can be various suitable shapes, such as a substantially rectangular cross section, a substantially circular cross section, an oval cross section, or a substantially X-shaped cross section. It will be appreciated that the aforesaid list is not exhaustive, and that the present invention encompasses the protrusions 223 having any suitable geometries.
Specifically referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the protrusions 223 can be arranged in two rows along each of the first grooves 222, and the protrusions 223 in one of the two rows are staggered relative to the protrusions 223 in the other one of the two rows. Of course, the protrusions 223 can be arranged in more than two rows along each of the first grooves 222.
The protrusions 223 can be formed by laser engraving or by using an engraving machine for preliminary engraving followed by laser engraving for refining engraving.
Referring to FIG. 11, the second preferred embodiment of a striking plate 22 according to this invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment except that each of the first grooves 222 further has two opposite groove walls 2222. The groove bottom 2221 bridges the groove walls 2222. Each of the groove walls 2222 has a stepped surface. Therefore, the friction coefficient of the striking surface of the striking plate 22 can be further increased by the groove walls 2222.
Referring to FIG. 12, the third preferred embodiment of a striking plate 22 according to this invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment except that the striking plate 22 further includes a plurality of elongate second grooves 224 formed between two adjacent ones of the first grooves 222. Each of the second grooves 224 has a depth smaller than that of the first grooves 222, and has a width smaller than that of the first grooves 222. The friction coefficient of the striking surface of the striking plate 22 can also be increased further by the second grooves 224.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
Patent Application
20080039230
