U.S. patent application number 09/725024 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-24 for iron type golf club head.
Invention is credited to Antonious, Anthony J..
Application Number | 20010001774 09/725024 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23777431 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010001774 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Antonious, Anthony J. |
May 24, 2001 |
Iron type golf club head
Abstract
An iron type golf club head having a unique weighting,
stabilizing and reinforcing configuration for the rear face of a
cavity back, peripheral weight club head. At least one dominant
secondary weight member is combined with at least one auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weight member extending from an
innermost secondary weight member surface across the rear face of
the rear cavity.
Inventors: |
Antonious, Anthony J.;
(Sarasota, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AQUILINO, WELSH & FLAXMAN
2341 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
SUITE 112
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
23777431 |
Appl. No.: |
09/725024 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09725024 |
Nov 29, 2000 |
|
|
|
09447711 |
Nov 23, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/349 ;
473/350 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0458 20200801;
A63B 53/04 20130101; A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 53/005 20200801;
A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 2053/0491 20130101; A63B 53/0454
20200801; A63B 53/047 20130101; A63B 53/045 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/349 ;
473/350 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/04 |
Claims
1. An iron type golf club head including a hosel, heel, toe, bottom
sole, top ridge surface, ball striking face having a centrally
located ball impact zone and a primary peripheral weight formed
rearwardly on said club head creating a back cavity having a rear
face and upper, side and lower shelf surfaces wherein the
improvement comprises: a secondary weight and reinforcing system
including a dominant secondary weight member and auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing members, in combination therewith; said
secondary weight member located on said rear face and having a
first portion thereof adjacent to said primary peripheral weight
and a second portion extending outwardly away from said primary
peripheral weight toward a central portion of said back cavity, and
at least two smaller cooperating auxiliary reinforcing and
stabilizing weight members, extending from said second portion of
said dominant secondary weight into said back cavity on said rear
face behind the impact zone at the center of said ball striking
face.
2. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said dominant secondary
weight member includes a surface integrally formed with said rear
face of said rear cavity and a surface integrally formed with at
least one of said shelf surfaces of said peripheral weight.
3. The golf club head of claim 2 wherein said dominant secondary
weight member is located on said lower shelf surface approximately
midway between said heel and said toe; said auxiliary weight and
reinforcing members extending upwardly from said second portion of
said secondary weight member, on said rear face between said heel
and said toe.
4. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary weight and
stabilizing members extend towards said heel.
5. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary weight and
stabilizing members extend towards said toe.
6. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said smaller cooperating
auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weight members are further
defined as a plurality of tapering, reinforcing and stabilizing
weight members extending upwardly from said second portion of said
secondary weight member.
7. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said dominant secondary
weight member is located adjacent said toe.
8. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said dominant secondary
weight member is located adjacent said heel.
9. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said dominant secondary
weight member is located adjacent said top ridge.
10. An iron type golf club head including a hosel, heel, toe,
bottom sole, top ridge surface, ball striking face and a primary
peripheral weight formed rearwardly on said club head forming a
back cavity having a rear face and upper, side and lower shelf
surfaces wherein the improvement comprises: a secondary weight and
reinforcing system including a pair of first and second dominant
secondary weight members and at least one auxiliary reinforcing and
stabilizing member, in combination therewith; said first secondary
weight member located on said rear face and having a first portion
thereof adjacent to said primary peripheral weight and a second
portion extending outwardly away from said primary peripheral
weight toward a central portion of said back cavity, said second
secondary weight member located on said rear face and having a
first portion thereof adjacent to said primary peripheral weight
and a second portion extending outwardly away from said primary
peripheral weight toward a central portion of said back cavity;
and, said auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weight member,
extending from and connected to said first and second secondary
weight members.
11. The golf club head of claim 10 wherein said smaller auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weight member is arcuate.
12. The golf club head of claim 10 having a first dominant
secondary weight member located adjacent said bottom sole and a
second dominant secondary weight member located adjacent said top
ridge.
13. The golf club head of claim 10 having a first dominant
secondary weight member located adjacent said heel and a second
dominant secondary weight member located adjacent said toe.
14. The golf club head of claim 10 having two cooperating auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weight members located between said
first and said second dominant secondary weight members.
15. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said second dominant
secondary weight member is trapezoidal in shape.
16. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said second dominant
secondary weight member includes a weighted insert.
17. The golf club head of claim 16 wherein said weighted insert is
titanium.
18. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said dominant secondary
weight member is integrally formed with said primary peripheral
weight.
19. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said dominant secondary
weight member is located adjacent an upper toe region of said club
head.
20. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said dominant secondary
weight member includes a cavity to retain an insert of weighted
material.
21. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein said dominant secondary
weight member includes a cavity and insert, and said auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weight member is a bar extending
between said secondary weight member and a lower portion of said
primary peripheral weight.
22. The golf club head of claim 21 wherein said bar is arcuate in
shape.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of Ser.
No. 09/447,711 filed Nov. 23, 1999 for IRON TYPE GOLF CLUB.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to golf clubs and, in
particular, to iron type golf club heads having an improved weight
distribution at the rear club face.
[0003] Iron type golf club heads have been designed with a number
of different weighting systems to improve the shot making
characteristics of golf clubs. Examples of patents which disclose
weighting systems for golf club heads include my own U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,395,113, 5,046,733, 5,014,993, 5,011,151, 4,938,470, 4,932,658,
4,919,431, 4,919,430, 4,915,386, 4,907,806 and 4,826,172. Bypass
the No. 4,826,172. Additional patents of interest are U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,814,437 to Winquist, 5,290,032 to Fenton et al. and
5,595,552 to Wright et al.
[0004] The present invention is directed to a weighting system for
use within the boundaries of the rear peripheral weight and within
the rear cavity of a peripheral weighted golf club head which
represents an improvement over the known prior art. The iron type
golf club of the present invention includes a golf club head having
a hosel, a body portion including a heel, toe, sole, top ridge,
ball striking face with a loft greater than 12 degrees, a leading
edge defined by the inner section of the ball striking face and the
forwardmost progression of the bottom sole, and a rear surface of
the of club face. In the preferred embodiments, the rear surface of
the club face includes a primary peripheral weight extending around
the outer perimeter of the club head which forms an inner cavity
having a recessed rear face and an inner ledge or shelf like
surface around the inner periphery of the peripheral weight. The
present invention contemplates the use of at least a single
dominant controlling secondary weight member, in addition to the
outer primary peripheral weight, located on the inner peripheral
shelf and having at least one auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing
weight member extending outwardly therefrom. The present invention
further provides a unique secondary weighting system that includes
two opposing, dominant secondary weighting members that are
unitized by at least one connecting auxiliary weight and
reinforcing member. This creates a formidable barbell shaped
structure for placing substantial mass at preferred exact locations
on the back of the club face surface. The barbell shaped weight
distribution and reinforcing structure permits optimum transfer of
energy when a golf ball is struck while simultaneously providing a
reinforcing and stabilizing structure behind the width of the club
face where ball contact occurs. Adverse effects from twisting,
torqueing and knock-back, are minimized or completely eliminated
when a golf ball is struck off center. The barbell weight
distribution and reinforcing structure permits all caliber of
golfers to greatly improve their shot making. Golfers quickly gain
confidence that the unique design of this invention is a
substantial improvement over other conventional golf clubs they may
have been familiar with. The present invention provides a more
solid feel and a resistance to adverse effects created by off
center hits such that golf balls travel further and straighter on a
more consistent basis. Most noteworthy, the barbell, weight and
reinforcing structure is very impressive with or without adding
heavier or more dense materials to the club head.
[0005] A still further improvement is the use of high density metal
material such as tungsten inserts as a part of a secondary weight
and reinforcing system in certain embodiments of the present
invention.
[0006] Furthermore, this invention permits controlling or avoiding
any trampoline effect on golf club faces because of the increased
strength and stability of the multiple auxiliary reinforcing and
stabilizing weight members, thus allowing the club face to be made
with variable thicknesses while still keeping within the guidelines
relating to golf club conformance as set forth in the Rules of
Golf.
[0007] The present invention creates the formation of an improved
variably located, dominant secondary weighting and reinforcing
system within the back cavity of a golf club including at least one
cooperating auxiliary reinforcing member extending outwardly from
the secondary weight member. Embodiments in accordance with this
invention also uniquely locate substantially more effective weight
in an upper portion of the cavity at the rear of the club head in
back of the ball striking face. This secondary weight member and
the cooperating auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weight
members, extending inwardly into the rear cavity, place substantial
weight closer to the center of the club face creating a larger more
forgiving impact zone, especially when off-center ball contacts
occurs. This capability permits the production of club heads that
are more responsive for controlling shots that produce a variety of
preferred shot making results such as lower trajectory, desired
distances and accurate ball flight while minimizing or overcoming
penalizing, negative lateral direction, as occurs when a ball is
sliced or hooked. Improved direction and distance control and other
playing advantages are experienced especially around the greens.
The club head in accordance with the present invention produces a
better feel and enhances executing critical shots requiring touch
and finesse when the club is used for chip or pitch shots close to
the green.
[0008] The unique innovation of a dominant secondary weight member
located adjacent the peripheral weight mass and the cooperating
auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weight members, extending
outwardly therefrom, provides an extraordinary combination of mass
closer to the center of the club head and/or behind the impact zone
where ball contact occurs on the club face. Much more concentrated
mass is available, precisely where it is most needed at impact.
This structure transfers significantly greater force that results
in increased club head control and stability for increased distance
and repeating accuracy.
[0009] In summary, the basic concept of the present invention
provides more versatility than any prior art for iron-type club
heads. It functions in a different manner to produce different
results. The unique overall structural design, can be formed within
the back cavity, at four opposing sections of the club head . . .
upper or lower section, toe or heel section.
[0010] Each adaptation produces various preferred results. Forming
the concept at the lower location, in the cavity, enhances the
higher handicap golfers' performance . . . facilitates getting
balls airborne, in a higher trajectory and also produce better
results when "thin" ball contacts occur.
[0011] Forming the concept at the upper location, within the
cavity, produces a much lower ball trajectory preferred by the
lower handicap golfers. Forming the concept at the toe section,
within the cavity, increases the "feeling of the club head's
closing rotation", as it makes ball contact. This enhances the
chances of higher handicap golfers making more "square face"
solid-ball contacts.
[0012] Forming the concept at the heel section, within the cavity,
provides an unusual amount of mass, particularly located, adjacent
the base of the hosel. Providing this considerable mass at this
critical location on the club head, dramatically resists the
negative effects from twisting, torqueing and even the Moment of
Inertia, when off-center balls contacts occur. Since the hosel is
the "axis" of the club head, as it is swung, the substantial
additional mass available for awry-hits, provides a formidable
built-in means to effectively minimize the margin of human error
for all caliber of golfers.
[0013] The concept of this invention provides a considerably larger
mass of the dominant secondary weighting system, including
cooperating reinforcing and stabilizing members, all located within
the back cavity of the club head. The cooperating reinforcing and
stabilizing members extend from the dominant secondary weight and
form probe-like extensions to the back of the impact area of the
club face. The reinforcing and stabilizing members act as
energizing conduits to expand the most effective hitting area,
directly behind the impact area. The system permits a faster
acceleration of energy transfer, directly to the precise point and
at the exact instant ball contact occurs, on the club face. This
creates a greater energized impact area on the club face that
produces a larger "sweet spot" for optimum results, even for
off-center hits.
[0014] Several of the preferred embodiments include three probe
like auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing members. They extend
angularly from and are combined with the dominant larger mass
secondary weighting member, to create a much larger premium hitting
area on the club face at impact. The concept of the present
invention permits increased flexible adaptation for individual
specialty wedge-type club heads or producing club heads, combining
the preferred functional design requirements, for complete sets of
club heads.
[0015] Other embodiments disclose secondary weight members and
auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weight configurations in
various multiples, sizes and variable placements, located on the
rear surface behind the club face.
[0016] An object of the present invention is the provision of an
iron type golf club head having at least one dominant secondary
weight, and auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weight member
formed within the rear cavity of a peripheral weighted golf
club.
[0017] Another object is the provision of an improved type golf
club head having a unique weighting system which provides better
feel, more stability and club head control with considerable
increased energy transfer to a golf ball during the execution of a
golf shot.
[0018] Another object is the provision of an improved type golf
club head having a dominant secondary weight which provides mass
and reinforcing and stabilizing members extending in a variety of
preferred directions at the back of the club head.
[0019] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth
certain embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIGS. 1-17 are rear perspective views of seventeen
embodiments of iron type golf club heads in accordance with the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of an iron type golf
club head in accordance with the present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 19 to 33 are rear views of fifteen additional
embodiments in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed
herein are not to be interpreted as limited, but merely as the
basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the
art how to make and/or use the invention.
[0024] FIG. 18 illustrates an iron type golf club head in
accordance with the present invention including, a club head body
12, a hosel 14, heel 16, toe 18, ball striking face 20, having a
golf ball impact zone generally located at the center of the ball
striking face 20 further defined as a center of gravity C. G.
centrally located thereon, top ridge surface 22 and bottom sole 24.
It will be appreciated that each of the embodiments described in
FIGS. 1-17 and 19-33 include all conventional features and
structural characteristics of the iron club head 10 described in
this paragraph.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a golf club head
100 made in accordance with the present invention. While the
illustrated golf club head is a cavity back, weighted club head
with a primary perimeter weighting around the entire circumference,
the present invention can also be applied to other iron type golf
club heads having, for example reduced peripheral weight or no
peripheral weight, as for example, the well known muscle back type
golf irons. The club head body 114 includes a rear of primary
peripheral weight 126, a rear face 128 and a rear cavity 130 formed
by the peripheral weight 126. The inner edges of the primary
peripheral weight 126 form a shelf 132 along the bottom, sides and
upper portion of the rear cavity 130. In this embodiment, a
secondary weight member 134, having a significant controlling mass,
is located on and formed integrally with the rear face 128 and the
peripheral shelf 132 of the peripheral weight 126 between the heel
116 and toe 118. An auxiliary stabilizing and reinforcing weight
136 is integrally formed with and extends upwardly from the
secondary weight member 134 into the cavity 130 toward the center
of the cavity 130 in a direction to the top ridge of the club head
100. Preferably, the auxiliary weight and reinforcing member 136 is
located at or closely adjacent the center of gravity CG of the club
head 100. The lower surfaces of the secondary and auxiliary weight
members 134, and 136 reinforcing member and are integrally formed
with the rear face 128 of the cavity 130 to provide a solid, more
stabilized unitary structure at the rear of the club head 100.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of an iron type golf club
head 200 in accordance with the present invention. In this
embodiment, a dominant secondary weight 234 lies on a lower shelf
232 within a rear cavity 230 and includes an auxiliary, weight and
reinforcing member 236 extending outwardly and upwardly from the
dominant secondary weight member 234 toward the heel 216. This
provides additional weight and reinforcing means toward the heel
216 for a golfer having a tendency to hit the ball at this
location.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of an iron type golf club
head 300 in accordance with the present invention including a
dominant secondary weight member 334 disposed on lower peripheral
weight shelf 332 in a rear cavity 330 of club head 300. In this
embodiment, an auxiliary weight 336 extends upwardly toward the toe
318 of the club head 300 and provides additional weight for golfers
who tend to hit the ball at this location.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of an iron type golf club
head 400 with a heel 416, toe 418 and having a peripheral weight
426 forming a rear cavity 430 with a rear face 428. A dominant
secondary weight member 434 has a first portion 422 located at and
integrally formed on lower peripheral weight shelf 432 in rear
cavity 430. A second upper portion 440 of dominant secondary weight
member 434 extends outwardly from the peripheral weight 426 toward
the center of the rear cavity 430. In this embodiment a plurality
of three auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weights 436, 437,
438 are attached to and extend upwardly and outwardly in diverging
angular directions from the second portion 440 closest to the
center of the cavity 430 and generally opposite the impact zone at
the center of the ball striking face (not shown) on the opposite
side of the club head 400 for optimum transfer of energy from the
club head to a golf ball during impact. The three auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weights 436, 437, 438 extend toward the
heel 416, the center of the cavity 430 and the toe 418 on the rear
face 428 of the club head 400. Preferably the three auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weights 436, 437, 438 are elongated and
taper to a point at the distal end farthest from the second portion
of the secondary weight member 434. These auxiliary reinforcing and
stabilizing weights 436, 437, 438 span a large part of the surface
area of the rear face 428 of the club head 400 providing additional
weight while acting as reinforcing and stabilizing members.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of an iron type golf club
head 500 in accordance with the present invention. A dominant,
secondary weight member 534 is located on lower peripheral weight
shelf 532 near the toe 518 of the club head 500. Auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weights 536, 537, 538 extend upwardly
and outwardly from the dominant secondary weight 534 into cavity
530 of the club head 500.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of an iron type golf club
head 600 in accordance with the present invention. A dominant
secondary weight member 634 is located on peripheral weight shelf
632 at the upper toe portion 618 of the club head 600. A series of
auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weights 636, 637, 638 extend
outwardly and downwardly in diverging directions from the secondary
weight 634 across the rear face 628 of the cavity 630.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of an iron type golf club
head 700 in accordance with the present invention and includes a
dominant secondary weight member 734 located on an upper peripheral
weight shelf 732 and located adjacent the heel 716 of the club head
700. A series of auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weights 736,
737, 738 extend outwardly in diverging directions across the rear
face 728 into cavity 730 of the club head 700.
[0032] FIG. 8 shows an eighth embodiment of an iron type golf club
head 800 in accordance with the present invention including a
dominant secondary weight member 834 located along an upper shelf
815 of peripheral weight 832. A series of auxiliary reinforcing and
stabilizing weights 836, 837, 838 extend downwardly from the
secondary weight 834 across the rear face 828 into the cavity
830.
[0033] FIG. 9 shows a ninth embodiment of an iron type golf club
head 900 in accordance with the present invention which is similar
in structure to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment,
a dominant secondary weight member 934 lies on a lower peripheral
weight shelf 932 and extends between the heel 916 and the toe 918
of the club head 900. In this embodiment, the secondary weight
member 934 extends most of the way between the toe 918 and heel 916
along the shelf 932. Auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weights
936, 937, 938 extend upwardly and outwardly across the rear face
928 toward the heel 916, center and toe 918 of the club head 900
respectively.
[0034] FIG. 10 shows a tenth embodiment of an iron type golf club
head 1000 in accordance with the present invention and includes two
opposing, dominant secondary weight members 1034 and 1035 located
on an upper portion of cavity 1030 at the heel 1016 and toe 1018 of
the club head 1000 respectively. The opposing secondary weight
members 1034 and 1035 are connected by a single arcuate auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weight member 1036.
[0035] FIG. 11 shows an eleventh embodiment of an iron type golf
club head 1100, in accordance with the present invention which is
similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10. In this embodiment a
pair of dominant secondary weight members 1134 and 1135 are located
on a lower portion of an inner shelf 1132 formed by the peripheral
weight 1126 and located adjacent the heel 1104 and toe 1106
respectively. The opposing secondary weight members 1134 and 1135
are connected by an arcuate auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing
weight 1136 across rear face 1128 of the rear cavity 1130.
[0036] FIG. 12 shows a twelfth embodiment of a golf club head 1200
in accordance with the present invention and includes two opposing,
dominant secondary weight members 1234 and 1235 formed at the heel
1216 and toe 1218 of the club head 1200 respectively. The secondary
weight members 1234 and 1235 are integrally formed on a lower
peripheral weight shelf 1232 and rear face 1228 of cavity 1230. In
this embodiment auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weights 1236
and 1237 extend upwardly in diverging, inward directions across the
rear face 1228 into the cavity 1230 from a top surface 1222 of the
respective secondary weights 1234 and 1235.
[0037] FIG. 13 illustrates a thirteenth embodiment of an iron type
golf club head 1300 in accordance with present invention and
includes a single dominant secondary weight member 1334 formed on a
lower peripheral weight shelf 1332 and integral with rear face 1328
midway along the length of a lower portion of the cavity 1330. In
this embodiment two auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weights
1336 and 1337 extend from an upper surface 1335 of the secondary
weight 1334 to the heel 1316 and toe 1318 of the club head 1300
respectively.
[0038] FIG. 14 shows a fourteenth embodiment of a iron type golf
club head 1400 in accordance with the present invention including a
pair of opposing dominant secondary weight members 1434 and 1435
formed adjacent peripheral weight shelf 1432 at the top and bottom
of rear cavity 1430 integral with rear face 1428. In this
embodiment opposing arcuate auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing
weights 1436 and 1437 are attached to and interconnect weight
members 1434 and 1435.
[0039] FIG. 15 illustrates a fifteenth embodiment of an iron type
golf club head 1500 in accordance with the present invention. In
this embodiment a single, dominant, secondary weight member 1534,
generally trapezoidal in shape, is located on peripheral weight
shelf 1532 in the cavity 1530 and integral with rear wall 1528
approximately midway between heel 1516 and toe 1518. Auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weights 1536 and 1537 extend upwardly
toward the toe 1516 and heel 1518 respectively.
[0040] FIG. 16 shows a sixteenth embodiment of an iron type golf
head 1600 in accordance with the present invention. In this
embodiment a single secondary weight member 1634 is positioned on
lower peripheral weight shelf 1632 approximately midway between
heel 1616 and toe 1618 on rear face 1628 in cavity 1630. A pair of
opposing arcuate auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weights 1636
and 1637 extend from edges of the weight member 1634 toward the
heel 1616 and toe 1618 respectively.
[0041] FIG. 17 illustrates still another embodiment of an iron type
golf club head 1700 in accordance with the present invention
including a pair of opposing dominant secondary weight members 1734
and 1735 formed on lower peripheral weight shelf 1732. In this
embodiment, a single arcuate, auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing
weight member 1736 connects the top surfaces of secondary weights
1734 and 1735.
[0042] FIGS. 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 all show various embodiments of
golf club heads 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200 and 2300 which use a variety
of different shaped tungsten secondary weight inserts or molten
tungsten forming a matrix retained in a cavity provided in the
secondary weighting structure, in combination with auxiliary
reinforcing members as described hereinabove. The tungsten inserts
provide heavier weights than would normally exist if the weight
member were integrally formed with the rear of the club head from
the same material.
[0043] FIG. 19 shows a club head 1900 having a dominant secondary
weight member 1930, formed on upper peripheral weight 1931, which
is generally arcuate in shape with a cavity 1935. A tungsten insert
1932 is secured in the cavity 1935 by mechanical means, suitable
adhesive or bonding materials. Auxiliary reinforcing and
stabilizing weights 1940, 1942 and 1944 radiate downwardly from the
upper secondary weight member 1930.
[0044] FIG. 20 shows a club head 2000 having a dominant secondary
weight member 2030, generally arcuate in shape and formed with a
cavity 2035. A tungsten insert is secured in the cavity 2035 on a
lower portion of rear face 2040. A trapezoidal auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weight member 2045 extends upwardly
from the top surface 2022 secondary weight member 2030 on rear face
2038 of rear cavity 2040.
[0045] FIG. 21 shows a golf club head 2100 having a dominant
secondary weight member 2130 generally arcuate in shape and formed
with a cavity 2135. A tungsten insert 2132 is secured in the cavity
2135 located on a lower portion of rear face 2140. Auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weights 2145 and 2146 extend upwardly
from an outer surface of secondary weight member 2130 across the
rear face 2140.
[0046] FIG. 22 shows a golf club head 2200 having a dominant
secondary weight member 2230, generally round in shape and formed
with a cavity 2235 and located on a heel portion of rear face 2240.
A tungsten insert 2232 is secured in the cavity 2235. Auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing members 2245 and 2246, having different
lengths respectively extend outwardly from secondary weight member
2230 across rear face 2238 of rear cavity 2240.
[0047] FIG. 23 shows a golf club head 2300 having a dominant
secondary weight member 2320, and formed with a cavity 2322
generally round in shape and located on rear face 2324 adjacent
upper toe portion 2326 of the club head 2300. A tungsten insert
2323 is secured in the cavity 2322. Auxiliary reinforcing and
stabilizing weights 2328 and 2330 of different lengths extend
across rear face 2324 from the secondary weight member 2320.
[0048] FIG. 24 shows a golf club head 2400 in accordance with the
present invention including a pair of opposing secondary weight
members 2434 and 2435 which form a split trapezoidal shape.
Auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing weights 2436 and 2437 extend
from secondary weight members 2434 and 2435 respectively toward the
heel 2416 and toe 2418 of the club head 2400.
[0049] FIGS. 25 and 26 show still another embodiment of a golf club
head 2500 in accordance with the present invention. A secondary
weight member 2520 is integrally formed with peripheral weight 2522
at an upper toe area 2524 of the club head 2500. The secondary
weight member 2520 includes a round cavity 2528 and a tungsten
insert 2526, which fits into the cavity 2528. An arcuate auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weight member 2530 is integrally formed
on rear face 2532 and extends downwardly between secondary weight
member 2520 and a shelf 2534 on a lower portion of peripheral
weight 2522.
[0050] FIG. 27 shows an embodiment of a golf club head 2700 having
a dominant secondary weight member 2720 integrally formed with
peripheral weight 2722 at an upper toe area 2724. An auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing member 2726, integrally formed on rear
face 2728, extends downwardly between the secondary weight member
2720 and a shelf 2730 of peripheral weight 2722. The auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing member 2726 includes a curved, arcuate
surface 2732 which forms an upper side edge thereof.
[0051] FIG. 28 shows an embodiment of a golf club head 2800 having
a dominant secondary weight member 2820 integrally formed with
peripheral weight 2822 at an upper toe area 2824. An auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing member 2826, integrally formed on rear
face 2828, extends downwardly between the secondary weight member
2820 and a lower shelf 2830 of peripheral weight 2822. The
auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing member 2826 includes a curved
surface 2832 which forms a lower side edge thereof.
[0052] FIG. 29 shows an embodiment of a golf club head 2900 having
a dominant secondary weight member 2920 integrally formed with
peripheral weight 2922 at an upper toe area 2924. An auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing weight member 2926, integrally formed
on rear face 2928, downwardly from the secondary weight member 2920
and a lower shelf 2930 of peripheral weight 2922. The auxiliary
reinforcing and stabilizing member 2926 includes upper and lower
side edges 2932 and 2934 which are linear and which taper upwardly
toward the secondary weight member 2920.
[0053] FIG. 30 shows an embodiment of a golf club head 3000
including a secondary weight member 3020 integrally formed with
peripheral weight 3022 at an upper toe area 3024 of the club head
3000. An auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing member 3030 is
formed on the rear face 3032 between secondary weight member 3020
and a shelf 3034 on a lower portion of peripheral weight 3022.
[0054] FIG. 31 shows a bar-bell shaped embodiment of a golf club
head 3100 including a dominant secondary weight member 3120
integrally formed at an upper toe area 3124 of the club head 3100
and another dominant secondary weight member 3126 formed on a lower
shelf 3134 of peripheral weight 3122 of the club head 3100. An
auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing member 3130 is formed on the
rear face 3132 between secondary weight member 3120 and secondary
weight member 3126.
[0055] FIG. 32 shows an embodiment of a golf club head 3200
including a secondary weight member 3220 integrally formed at an
upper toe area 3224 of the club head 3200. An auxiliary reinforcing
and stabilizing member 3226 is formed on the rear face 3232
extending downwardly from secondary weight 3220 toward, but not
touching, lower peripheral weight 3222.
[0056] FIG. 33 shows an embodiment of a golf club head 3300
including four opposing, secondary weight members 3320, 3322, 3324
and 3326 integrally formed on rear face 3328 adjacent heel 3330,
toe 3332 area, upper top ridge 3334, and bottom sole 3336 of the
club head 3300. Four opposing auxiliary reinforcing and stabilizing
weight members 3338 extend outwardly onto the rear face 3328 from
each of the four opposing, secondary weight members 3320, 3322,
3324 and 3326.
[0057] While various preferred embodiments have been shown and
described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit
the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover
all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
* * * * *