U.S. patent application number 10/207871 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-12 for golf club head.
Invention is credited to Ciasullo, Mark.
Application Number | 20020187854 10/207871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23788727 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020187854 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ciasullo, Mark |
December 12, 2002 |
Golf club head
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a multi-component golf club head
including a sole plate, a face plate and a top plate. The method is
accomplished by fabricating at least two components to be used in
the construction of the golf club head wherein at least one of the
components is formed by explosion welding, welding the at least two
components and completing the assembly of the golf club head.
Inventors: |
Ciasullo, Mark; (Pine Brook,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Arnold D. Litt
Herten, Burstein, Sheridan, Cevasco,
Bottinelli & Litt, L.L.C.
25 Main Street, Court Plaza North
Hackensack
NJ
07601
US
|
Family ID: |
23788727 |
Appl. No.: |
10/207871 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10207871 |
Jul 31, 2002 |
|
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09450594 |
Nov 30, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/345 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/02 20151001;
A63B 53/0408 20200801; A63B 53/0437 20200801; A63B 53/0466
20130101; A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 53/0416 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/345 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/04 |
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a multi-component golf club head
including a sole plate, a face plate and a top plate, comprising
the following steps: fabricating at least two components to be used
in the construction of the golf club head, wherein at least one of
the components is formed by explosion welding; welding the at least
two components; and completing the assembly of the golf club
head.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of fabricating
includes forming a first member adapted for positioning rearwardly
of the face plate and a second member; the first member including
an outer surface and an inner surface which are bound by explosion
welding, wherein the outer surface is composed of a first material
and the inner surface is composed of second material which is
coated on the first material of the outer surface, the first
material exhibiting greater density than the second material; and
the second member formed from a material with a density less than
the first material of the first member.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first member
includes the sole plate.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the top plate includes
a forward top plate and a rearward top plate, and the first member
includes the rearward top plate and the second member includes the
forward top plate.
5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second member
includes at least a portion of the top plate.
6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first material is
stainless steel.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the second material is
titanium.
8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second member is
formed from the second material.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first material is
stainless steel and the second material is titanium.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention is a divisional of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/450,594, filed Nov. 30, 1999, and entitled
"GOLF CLUB HEAD", which is currently pending. The description and
drawings of this application are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a golf club head. More
particularly, the invention relates to a golf club head with a
multi-component construction improving both the distance and
accuracy offered by the golf club head. The invention further
relates to a process for manufacturing multi-component golf club
heads.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Over the past ten years, the golf industry has seen an
explosion in the development of golf equipment. With regard
specifically to golf clubs, a vast number of clubs have been
designed to improve accuracy while also increasing distance.
[0006] Designers have adopted a variety of techniques and applied
new technologies to improve a golf club's striking characteristics.
The most profound advance has likely been the complete acceptance
of metal woods throughout the golf industry. Properly designed
metal woods add distance to a golfer's shots, while also improving
his or her accuracy. In fact, the advantages offered by metal woods
have virtually lead to the complete disappearance of wood-type
clubs manufactured from "wood".
[0007] The acceptance of metal woods within the golf industry has
opened a variety of new avenues for club development. Golf club
designers may now apply designs and materials previously unuseable
with wood-based golf club heads. For example, metal woods are now
made from a variety of materials which purportedly improve the
striking characteristics of club heads by making the club heads
stiffer, lighter and harder. Materials have also been mixed within
a single club head. By using different materials at specific club
head locations, designers are able to improve the striking
characteristics of a club head. For example, club heads have been
manufactured with a distinct head body and a face plate insert.
[0008] The improved distance and accuracy offered by metal woods
has opened up the game of golf to many individuals who previously
might have found the game to be too difficult to even get past an
initial lesson or two. In addition, the development of metal woods
has allowed many golfers to continue playing even after physical
limitations might have prevented them from effectively playing the
game.
[0009] The continued development of metal woods will likely add to
the continuing popularity of golf as a recreational activity, while
also helping to improve the game of those golfers for whom golf has
become more than a recreational activity. The present invention
presents a golf club head, as well as a method for manufacturing
golf club heads, which offer to take the development of metal
woods, and golf club heads in general, to a new level.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a golf club head including a sole plate member having a
first material construction and a top plate member having a
material construction distinct from the first material
construction. The material construction of the top plate member has
a density less than the first material construction of the sole
plate member. The golf club head also includes a face plate member
having a material construction distinct from the first material
construction, wherein the material construction of the face plate
member has a density less than the first material construction of
the sole plate member. The sole plate member, the top plate member
and the face plate member are bound together to form a golf club
head offering improved distance.
[0011] It is also an object of the present of the invention to
provide a golf club head including a sole plate, a face plate and a
top plate. The golf club head comprises a first member positioned
rearwardly of the face plate. The first member includes an outer
surface and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface is composed
of a first material and the inner surface is composed of second
material which is coated on the first material of the outer
surface. The first material exhibits a greater density than the
second material. The club head further includes a second member
formed from a material with a density less than the first material
of the first member. The first member and the second member are
bound together to form a golf club head with a low and rearwardly
positioned center of gravity to offer improved distance.
[0012] It is a further object of the present of the invention to
provide a method for manufacturing a multi-component golf club head
including a sole plate, a face plate and a top plate. The method is
accomplished by fabricating at least two components to be used in
the construction of the golf club head, wherein at least one of the
components is formed by explosion welding. The two components are
then welded and the assembly of the golf club head is
completed.
[0013] 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
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf club head in
accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along the line 2-2 in FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the golf club head in
accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the present golf club
head.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The detailed embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the
disclosed embodiment is 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.
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a multi-component golf club
head 10 is disclosed. The golf club head 10 is constructed from a
variety of components bound together to form a complete golf club
head. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the golf club head is a metal wood. However, the
techniques employed in the design, development and manufacture of
the disclosed metal wood may be readily applied to other club
heads, for example, irons, without departing from the spirit of the
present invention.
[0020] The golf club head 10 is primarily composed of a sole plate
member 12, a face plate member 14 and top plate member 16. The top
plate member 16 is preferably composed of a forward top plate
member 18 bound to the top edge 20 of the face plate member 14 and
a rearward top plate member 22 bound to the rear edge 24 of the
sole plate member 12.
[0021] While specific components are disclosed above for use in
accordance with the present invention, those skill in the art will
appreciate the goal of the present invention to move the center of
gravity of the golf club head 10 downwardly and rearwardly. With
this in mind, a variety of component combinations and designs may
be used without departing from the spirit of the present
invention.
[0022] For example, it is contemplated that the rearward top plate
member may be removed from the assembly and the top plate member
will be formed as a single piece. Similarly, the golf club head may
be formed from forward and rearward members bound along a center
line to complete the construction of the golf club head. Regardless
of the specific construction, the spirit and scope of the present
invention are considered to be bound only by the appended
claims.
[0023] The sole plate member 12 is composed of an outer shell 26
preferably formed from stainless steel. The outer shell 26 includes
an exterior surface 28 and an interior surface 30 to which an inner
shell 32 is bound. The inner shell 32 is preferably formed from
titanium bound to the interior surface 30 of the outer shell 26.
The outer shell 26 is preferably approximately 0.65 mm thick and
the inner shell 32 is preferably approximately 1.4 mm thick,
although the thicknesses may be varied, somewhat, without departing
from the spirit of the present invention.
[0024] The titanium inner shell 32 is bound to the stainless steel
outer shell 26 using explosion welding in the following manner.
Specifically, sheets of stainless steel and titanium are laid upon
each other and placed within a vacuum under extreme pressure. An
explosive charge is then set off on both sides of the facing sheets
and the force exerted by the charge is sufficient to force the
facing sheets to bond on an atomic level. In fact, the force
generated by the charge pushes the normally repelling protons and
electrons of the sheets aside, thereby allowing the sheets to
become bonded, or welded together.
[0025] The preferred materials of stainless steel and titanium are
disclosed above, although other materials may be readily used
without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In
fact, titanium is required by the welding technique utilized in the
construction of a golf club head in accordance with the present
invention. Specifically, the titanium inner shell 32 allows the
sole plate member 12 to be welded to the forward top plate member
18 and face plate member 14 formed from titanium.
[0026] It is, therefore, contemplated that the sole plate member 12
may be constructed from a variety of materials so long as the sole
plate member 12 offers a greater density than the adjacent forward
top plate member 18 and the face plate member 14. With this in
mind, and in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the sole plate member 12 should be constructed
such that the outer shell 26 is composed of a first material and
the inner shell 32 is composed of second material, wherein the
first material exhibits a greater density than the second
material.
[0027] The rearward top plate member 22 is similarly constructed
with an outer shell 34 preferably formed from stainless steel. The
outer shell 34 includes an exterior surface 36 and an interior
surface 38 to which an inner shell 40 is bound. The inner shell 40
is preferably formed from titanium bound to the interior surface 38
of the outer shell 34. The titanium inner shell 40 is bound to the
outer shell 34 in the same manner described above with regard to
the sole plate member 12. The outer shell 34 is preferably
approximately 0.65 mm thick and the inner shell 40 is preferably
1.4 mm thick.
[0028] As with the sole plate member 12, stainless steel and
titanium are the preferred materials, although other materials may
be readily used without departing from the spirit of the present.
In fact, the use of titanium is required by the welding technique
utilized in the construction of a golf club head in accordance with
the present invention. Specifically, the titanium inner shell 40
allows the rearward top plate member 22 to be welded to the forward
top plate member 18 formed from titanium.
[0029] As with the sole plate member 12, it is contemplated that
the rearward top plate member 22 may be constructed from a variety
of materials so long as the rearward top plate member 22 offers a
greater density than the adjacent forward top plate member 18 and
the face plate member 14. With this in mind, and in accordance with
the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rearward top
plate member 22 should be constructed such that the outer shell 34
is composed of a first material and the inner shell 40 is composed
of second material, wherein the first material exhibits a greater
density than the second material.
[0030] The forward top plate member 18 and the face plate member 14
are preferably fabricated from titanium. The forward top plate
member 18 and the face plate member 14 are preferably formed with
respective thicknesses of approximately 1.3 to 1.4 mm and 3.2 mm,
although other thicknesses may be employed without departing from
the spirit of the present invention. Generally, and in accordance
with the objectives of the present golf club head 10, the forward
top plate member 18 and the face plate member 4 are formed from a
material with a density less than the outer shell material of the
sole plate member 12.
[0031] By defining the material composition of the sole plate
member 12, the rearward top plate member 22, the forward top plate
member 18 and the face plate member 14 as discussed above, the
present golf club head 10 exhibits previously unknown striking
characteristics. Specifically, by incorporating substantial
quantities of stainless steel in the sole plate member 12 and the
rearward top plate member 22, the center of gravity of the golf
club head 10 is moved downwardly and rearwardly to improve the
striking characteristics of the golf club head 10.
[0032] The lower center of gravity provided by club heads
manufactured in accordance with the present invention produces an
improved launch angle which ultimately increases the carry distance
of golf balls struck in a similar manner. It is further believed
that the rigidity of the stainless steel forming the sole plate
member 12 improves the flex characteristics of the face plate
member 14. Specifically, where a golf club head is formed entirely
from titanium, flexing of the face plate member upon impact is
spread throughout the golf club head to thereby reduce the momentum
imparted to a struck golf ball. The stainless steel framework
offered by the present sole plate member 12, optimizes the flexing
in the face plate member 14 to impart more momentum to a struck
golf ball.
[0033] The ability of the present invention to incorporate
stainless steel and titanium in the construction of the one-piece
club head body is achieved by the application of explosion welding
in the fabrication of the present golf club head. Specifically,
titanium and stainless steel are very difficult to securely weld in
a manner required for the construction of the body for a golf club
head. However, the use of explosion welding in the fabrication of
the present golf club head allows for the construction of a golf
club head taking advantage of the attributes offered by both
stainless steel and titanium.
[0034] Golf club heads in accordance with the present invention are
manufactured in the following manner. After the stainless
steel/titanium sheets are bound via explosion welding in the manner
discussed above, the desired pieces (i.e., the sole plate member 12
and the rearward top plate member 22) are cut from the previously
formed stainless steel/titanium sheet. The remaining parts are
simply cut from standard titanium sheets of an appropriate
thickness. All of the parts are then forged under controlled heat
to their desired shapes (see FIG. 4). The various components are
then spot welded using an argon gas torch. Spot welding is used to
hold the components in their desired positions. At this point, the
spot welded club head is placed in is an argon gas chamber and
final welding is completed. The club head is then ground, polished
and painted in preparation for use.
[0035] While the 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 appended
claims.
* * * * *