U.S. patent application number 10/047321 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-17 for metal wood golf club head.
Invention is credited to Rice, Scott A..
Application Number | 20030134688 10/047321 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21948308 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030134688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rice, Scott A. |
July 17, 2003 |
Metal wood golf club head
Abstract
A metal wood golf club head having a stamped metal impact insert
welded to the body of the club head at a suitable distance from the
crown/face perimeter or the sole plate/face perimeter transition
junctions. Thereby maximizing the Coefficient of Restitution value
for the club by relocating the welds away from the transition
junctions that are subject to the greatest stresses. The present
invention having a metal weight disposed at a point rearward from
the point where the hosel centerline would intersect with the sole
plate. The metal weight disposed on the sole plate adjacently or in
close proximity to the heel and skirt juncture.
Inventors: |
Rice, Scott A.; (Solana
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
D. Michael Burns
Acushnet Company
333 Bridge Street
Fairhaven
MA
02719
US
|
Family ID: |
21948308 |
Appl. No.: |
10/047321 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/334 ;
473/330; 473/345; 473/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0466 20130101;
A63B 53/0412 20200801; A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 60/00 20151001;
A63B 53/0462 20200801; A63B 53/04 20130101; A63B 53/0408 20200801;
A63B 2053/0491 20130101; A63B 53/0416 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/334 ;
473/330; 473/345; 473/349 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft
comprising: a substantially hollow body welded to a stamped metal
impact insert; the body including a heel portion, a toe portion, a
crown portion, a sole plate, a skirt portion connecting the heel
portion to the toe portion, and a face perimeter having an opening
for receiving the stamped metal impact insert; an upper section of
the face perimeter forming a transition junction with the crown
portion, and a lower section of the perimeter face forming a
junction with the sole plate; and the opening of the face perimeter
a suitable distance from either of the transition junctions,
thereby, substantially eliminating welding at the transition
junctions.
2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the distance from either
the crown or the sole plate transition junctions to the face
perimeter is at least about 0.20 inches.
3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the distance from either
the crown or sole plate transition junctions to the face perimeter
is at least about 0.15 inches.
4. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein the face perimeter and
the insert are substantially oval shaped.
5. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein the shell thickness of
the face perimeter is approximately 0.80 inches.
6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the hollow cast body and
the insert are made substantially of titanium or titanium based
alloy.
7. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein the wall thickness of the
insert is approximately 0.10 inches at its center and about 0.09
inches at its outer edge.
8. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the insert comprises
having at least two different radii of curvature for interior and
exterior surfaces.
9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the size of the club head
is between about 350 and 500 cubic centimeters.
10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the body and the insert
are made from a titanium alloy.
11. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the size of the club
head is between about 270 and 450 cubic centimeters.
12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the body is
substantially 6-4 titanium alloy and the insert is substantially
15-3-3-3 titanium alloy.
13. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein the wall of the insert
has a uniform thickness of between about 0.100 inches and 0.125
inches.
14. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the size of the club
head is between about 230 to 350 cubic centimeters.
15. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the wall of the insert
has a uniform thickness between about 0.75 inches and 0.105
inches.
16. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the club head loft is
equal to or greater than 13.degree..
17. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein the wall of the insert
has a uniform constant thickness of between about 0.05 inches and
0.09 inches.
18. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the cast body includes a
weight element disposed on the sole plate, in an area adjacent to
the juncture of the heel and skirt portions.
19. The golf club head of claim 18, wherein the body has a
generally cylindrical hosel extending from the heel portion, an
extension of the hosel centerline axis having an intersection point
with the sole plate.
20. The golf club head of claim 19, wherein the weight element is
preferably centered on a point substantially rearward from the
intersection point.
21. The golf club head of claim 20, wherein the center of the
weight element is disposed at a distance greater than about 1.5
inches from the intersection point.
22. The golf club head of claim 20, wherein the center of the
weight element is disposed at a distance greater than about 1.0
inches from the intersection point.
23. The golf club head of claim 20, wherein the weight element is
greater than 12 grams and preferably greater than 16 grams.
24. A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft
comprising: a substantially hollow body having a crown portion, a
sole plate, a toe portion, a heel portion, a skirt portion having a
juncture with the heel portion and a ball striking face extending
therebetween, the body having a hosel extending from the heel
portion for attachment to the shaft, the hosel having a centerline
axis, an extension of which meets the sole plate at an intersection
point, a weight element disposed on the sole plate rearward from
the intersection point adjacent to the juncture of the heel and
skirt portions.
25. The golf club head of claim 24, wherein the weight element is
centered and disposed on the sole plate at a distance greater than
about 1.0 inches and preferably greater than about 1.5 inches from
the intersection point.
26. The golf club head of claim 25, wherein the weight element is
chosen from a variety of weight units, each weight unit designed
for a specific swing dynamic.
27. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the weight element is
greater than about 12 grams and preferably greater than about 16
grams.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a metallic hollow
golf club head, and specifically, to the placement of a stamped
insert into the face of the club. This invention is also directed
to a weight element being located on the sole in the heel/skirt
regions of the club.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Golf club "metal woods", were originally manufactured
primarily by casting of durable metals such as stainless steel,
aluminum, beryllium copper, etc. into a unitary structure
comprising of a metal body, face and hosel. As technology
progressed it became more desirable to strengthen the face of the
club, and usually this was achieved by using a titanium
material.
[0003] With a high percentage of amateur golfers constantly
searching for more distance on their drives, the golf industry has
responded by providing golf clubs specifically designed with
distance in mind. The head sizes have increased which allows for
the club to possess a higher moment of inertia, which translates to
a greater ability to resist twisting on off-center hits. As a wood
head becomes larger, its center of gravity will be moved back away
from the face resulting in hits flying higher than expected.
Reducing the lofts of the larger head clubs can compensate for
this. Also the larger heads, because the center of gravity is moved
further away from hosel axis, can cause these clubs to remain open
on contact, thereby inducing a "slice" effect (in the case of a
right-handed golfer the ball deviates to the right). Offsetting the
head and incorporating a hook face angle can help compensate for
this by "squaring" the face at impact, but often more is required
to eliminate the "slice" tendency. The present invention provides
such a solution.
[0004] Another technological breakthrough in recent years towards
providing the average golfer with more distance is to make larger
head clubs, while keeping the weight constant or even lighter, by
casting consistently thinner shell thickness and going to lighter
materials such as titanium. Also the face of the clubs have been
steadily becoming extremely thin. The thinner face will maximize
what is known as the COR (Coefficient of Restitution). The more a
face rebounds upon impact, the more energy that may be imparted to
the ball, thereby increasing distance.
[0005] In order to make the faces thinner, manufacturers have moved
to a forged or stamped metal face which are stronger than cast
faces. Common practice is to attach the forged or stamped metal
face by welding them to the body at the sole and crown junctions.
The present invention provides a novel method for attaching an
impact face to the club without sacrificing any COR (Coefficient of
Restitution) value in the club.
[0006] The prior art teaches methods to enhance the weight
distribution of metal woods to help reduce the club from being open
on contact with the ball. Usually, this is accomplished by the
addition of weights to the body casting itself or strategically
adding a weight element at some point in the club. Many efforts
have been made to incorporate weight elements into the metal wood
head. They are usually placed at specific locations, which will
have a positive influence on the flight of the ball or to overcome
a particular golfer's shortcomings. As previously stated, a major
problem area of the higher handicap golfer is the tendency to
"slice" which besides deviating the ball to the right, also imparts
a greater spin to the ball. To reduce this tendency, the present
patent teaches the placing of a weight element directly into the
club head. The placement of the weight is designed so that the spin
of the ball will be reduced, and also a "draw" (a right to left
ball flight for a right-handed golfer) will be facilitated into the
ball flight. This ball flight pattern is also designed to help the
distance challenged golfer because a lower spinning ball will
generally roll a greater distance after hitting the ground than it
would roll with a higher spin. The present invention provides such
a golf club.
[0007] Several patents have been issued which are directed towards
using an insert in the face of the club to increase the strength
therein. One such patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,140 issued to
Anderson, cites a face plate of forged metal.
[0008] None of the above inventions and patents, either singly or
in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as
claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a metal wood
golf club head is provided which includes a hollow body having a
stamped metal impact face welded to it. The body is preferably cast
as a single member and includes an inner cavity surrounded by a
sole plate, a crown portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a skirt
portion and a face perimeter forming an oval opening. The present
invention utilizes a sheet metal insert that is preferably placed
into the face approximately 0.20" removed from the crown portion
and 0.20" removed from the sole plate. The face insert should be at
least 0.15" from either the crown portion or the sole plate. The
shell of the face perimeter is preferably of uniform thickness and
less than the thickness of the insert. The insert preferably has a
thickness that varies based on a double radii method that is
described later.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the club
head includes the addition of a weight element to the sole plate.
The purpose of this weight addition is to reduce the tendency of a
golfer to slice and to lower the spin rate of the ball, which
actually tends to increase distance. The weight element is centered
substantially on a projection extending away from and generally
perpendicular to the impact face on a line through a point where
the shaft centerline would meet the sole plate. The center of
gravity of the weight element is thus substantially directly behind
the point where the hosel axis intersects the sole plate.
Preferably, the weight element is placed at a juncture of the
heel/skirt portions of the sole plate. The weight element may be
either cast with the body or can be a separate piece attached to
the sole plate by conventional means such as welding. The center of
the weight element should be at least 1.0" and preferably more than
1.5" from the intersection point of the hosel centerline and the
sole plate. It is anticipated that the weight element be greater
than 12 grams and more preferably greater than 16 grams.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention showing cut
out section and stamped metal insert.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the impact insert of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a partial top view showing the intersection point
where the centerline of the hosel meets the sole plate.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a golf club
head with a face having a different interior and exterior vertical
roll radii.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] In FIGS. 1-5, showing the first embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a golf club head 10, which is
integrally formed by welding and combining the edges of a body 11
with an impact insert 12 so as to form a cavity 13 therein. The
body 11 includes a crown portion 14, a sole plate 15, a heel
portion 16, a toe portion 17, a skirt portion 18 and a face
perimeter 19. Body 11 can be formed of sheets welded together or
cast, preferably from a titanium alloy. The body also includes a
hosel 20 that extends from heel portion 16. Hosel 20 includes a
bore defining a centerline axis A-A.
[0016] An opening 21, that in one embodiment is substantially oval
shaped, is defined within face perimeter 19 for receiving impact
insert 12. A plurality of chads 22, being in alignment with an
inner surface 23 of body 11 provide a pocket within opening 21 for
receiving the impact insert 12 which is therein integrally
connected by welding. Insert 12 is preferably formed of high
strength material and can be cast, forged or stamped sheet metal.
Most preferably the insert is stamped sheet metal, and for one
embodiment preferably made from a titanium alloy.
[0017] The thickness of the impact insert 12 should be preferably
between about 0.05" and 0.13". The insert can be uniform thickness
or have a thicker center section and thinner outer section. For a
preferred embodiment the outer dimension (T2) should be about 0.09"
and the center dimension (T3) should be approximately 0.10"
controlled by a technique described in co-pending application Ser.
No. 09/836,266. It's basically a technique wherein the impact
insert 12 has two different radii of curvature. The exterior
surface 24 being substantially defined along a first radius R1 and
the interior surface 25 being substantially defined along a second
radius R2, such that the first radius R1 is less than the second
radius R2. The present invention further is adapted towards the
face having a vertical roll radius: that being from crown 14 to
sole 15. This will allow insert 12 to have less thickness at the
outer edge than at the center. The thickness of the impact insert
12 is viewed as a critical compromise between first, being able to
achieve the desired "COR", and secondly, providing a club head that
is strong enough to withstand the impact forces which occur during
collision between club and ball.
[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the edges 27 of
face perimeter 19 are as thin as possible, while still maintaining
structural integrity. Preferably the thickness (T1 at the sole/face
transition junction 29 and T4 at the crown/face transition junction
28) is approximately the same and is less than 0.11 inches. More
preferably, they are less than 0.09 inches and most preferably
approximately 0.08" for maximum COR values.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body
11 includes a face perimeter section 19 that extends from the crown
portion 14 over a distance (denoted as .DELTA.1 in the drawings),
of at least about 0.15 inches, and also over a distance of about
0.15 inches from the sole plate 15 (.DELTA.2 in drawings). The
welds 30 of impact insert 12 to body 11 will be conducted at a
suitable distance from the transition junctions 28 and 29. The
dimensions of both .DELTA.1 and .DELTA.2 are preferably should not
less than 0.20 inches. This construction allows for thin shell
thickness at the crown/face transition junction 28 and sole/face
transition junctions 29. The thinness of these sections help
increase the club head's COR value that extrapolates into greater
distance.
[0020] In a second embodiment, the body 11 can still be cast from a
titanium alloy, but the stamped impact insert 12 can be a stamped
titanium alloy sheet metal. The thickness of the impact insert 12
for this embodiments can be a constant measurement of about 0.08 to
0.13 inches for T1, T2, T3 and T4.
[0021] For another embodiment, the body 11 and stamped impact
insert can be manufactured out of stainless steel. Preferably, the
head is more than 270 cubic centimeters and the body is cast and
the insert is stamped sheet metal. The thickness of the impact
insert 12 for this embodiment is preferably a constant measurement
of between about 0.075" to 0.105" for T1,T2,T3 and T4. In another
embodiment the club head loft is greater than 13.degree. and the
inserts 12 have a constant thickness between about 0.05" to
0.09".
[0022] Another important design concept of the present invention is
providing a weight element 26 located on the sole plate 15
approximately at the heel/skirt portions 16 and 18. As shown in
FIGS. 1 to 5, weight element 26 is preferably centered
substantially on a projection B-B extending directly rearward from
a point (P) on the sole plate where an extension of the center line
A-A of hosel 20 would intersect the sole plate 15. Preferably, the
center of gravity of the weight element 26 is adjacent the juncture
of the sole and skirt portions 16 and 18. It is preferred that the
center of weight element 26 be located at a distance (D) of at
least 1.0" and more preferably at least 1.5" from the intersection
point P. This is shown on FIG. 3. The weight element 26 is
preferably at least 12 grams and more preferably at least 16
grams.
[0023] The weight element 26 can be part of the casting or
preferably welded into position. More preferably, the weight
element 26 is selected from a plurality of weights designed to make
specific adjustments to the head weight.
[0024] While various descriptions of the present invention are
described above, it should be understood that the various features
of each embodiment can be used singly or in any combination
thereof. Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the
specifically preferred embodiments depicted herein. Further, it
should be understood that variations and modifications within the
spirit and scope of the invention may occur to those skilled in the
art to which the invention pertains. Accordingly, all expedient
modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the
disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of
the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of
the present invention. The scope of the present invention is
accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *