U.S. patent application number 10/876656 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-13 for metalwood type golf clubhead having an improved structural system for reduction of the cubic centimeter displacement and the elimination of adverse aerodynamic drag effect.
Invention is credited to Antonious, Anthony J..
Application Number | 20050009622 10/876656 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29710564 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050009622 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Antonious, Anthony J. |
January 13, 2005 |
Metalwood type golf clubhead having an improved structural system
for reduction of the cubic centimeter displacement and the
elimination of adverse aerodynamic drag effect
Abstract
A metalwood type golf clubhead, including a clubhead body having
a toe, heel, top crown surface, bottom sole surface, side surfaces,
rear surface and ball-striking clubface, having an inwardly
disposed lower surface located between the bottom sole surface and
the top crown surface. The inwardly disposed lower structure
provides improved weight distribution for better balance,
additional strength and stability to clubhead and considerably
decreases the overall cc displacement and overall weight/mass at
the bottom of the clubhead without decreasing the size of the ball
striking face and/or the upper top crown surface.
Inventors: |
Antonious, Anthony J.;
(Sarasota, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WELSH & FLAXMAN LLC
2450 CRYSTAL DRIVE
SUITE 112
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
29710564 |
Appl. No.: |
10/876656 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10876656 |
Jun 28, 2004 |
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10165947 |
Jun 11, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/327 ;
473/345; 473/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0437 20200801;
A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 53/0433 20200801; A63B 53/0466 20130101;
A63B 60/006 20200801; A63B 2225/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/327 ;
473/349; 473/345 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/04 |
Claims
1. A wood type golf clubhead including a clubhead body with a toe,
heel, top crown surface, bottom sole surface, side wall surfaces,
rear wall surface and ball-striking clubface, wherein the
improvement comprises: a reinforcing and stabilizing member
extending outwardly from said side and rear wall surfaces to form
outermost perimeter weighting of said clubhead and providing low
profile, aerodynamic surfaces to said clubhead; said reinforcing
and stabilizing member being located on said side and rear wall
surfaces, between said top crown surface and said bottom sole; and
an inwardly disposed lower surface located between said bottom sole
surface and said top crown surface.
2. The clubhead of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing and stabilizing
member is located approximately midway between said top crown
surface and said bottom sole separating said side and said rear
surfaces into upper wall and lower wall surfaces.
3. The clubhead of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing and stabilizing
member includes front ball-striking surfaces coincident with and
parallel to said ball-striking clubface at said heel and said toe,
said reinforcing and stabilizing member extending around the entire
outer side wall and rear surfaces of said clubhead from said heel
to said toe.
4. The clubhead of claim 1 wherein said inwardly disposed lower
surface is formed of an inwardly curved concave structure.
5. The clubhead of claim 4 wherein said inwardly disposed lower
surface is a continuous curved concave surface having a constant
diameter between said bottom sole surface and said top crown
surface.
6. The clubhead of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing and stabilizing
member extending from and beyond said sidewalls is integrally
formed with said clubhead body and has a variable thickness.
7. The clubhead of claim 2 wherein said reinforcing and stabilizing
member has a thickness greater than the thickness of said clubhead
body specifically located to add mass for increasing moment of
inertia effectiveness.
8. A wood type golf clubhead including a clubhead body having a
shell with a toe, heel, upper crown surface, bottom sole surface,
side surfaces, rear surface and ball-striking clubface, wherein the
improvement comprises: means on said side surfaces expanding outer
perimeter weighting and providing improved low profile aerodynamics
to said clubhead, said means including a raised, elongated,
aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member extending
outwardly from said side surfaces and said rear surface; said
member having a first front ball-striking surface located at said
toe area and a second front ball-striking surface located at said
heel area, said first and second front ball-striking surface being
coincident with and parallel to said ball-striking clubface; said
member extending around the entire side surfaces and rear surface
of said clubhead; and, said reinforcing and stabilizing member
located adjacent said top crown surface and said bottom sole
surface; and, a continuously inwardly curving, opposing concave
lower surfaces located between said bottom sole surface and said
side and rear wall surfaces.
9. A wood type golf clubhead including a clubhead body having a
shell with a toe, heel, top crown surface, bottom sole, side
surfaces, rear surface and ball-striking clubface with a bulge and
roll surface configuration, wherein the improvement comprises:
reinforcing and stabilizing means on said side surfaces for adding
reinforcement and stabilizing to said clubhead, expanding perimeter
weighting and providing improved low profile and more effective
aerodynamics, said means including at least one raised, elongated,
aerodynamically shaped member extending outwardly from said side
surfaces, said member having at least one front ball-striking
surface being parallel to and coincident with and expanding said
ball-striking clubface; said member extending around the side and
rear periphery of said clubhead; and said aerodynamically shaped
member being located midway on said side surfaces of said clubhead
body; and, a continuously inwardly curving, opposing concave lower
surfaces located between said bottom sole surface and said side and
rear wall surfaces.
10. A wood type golf clubhead including a clubhead body with a toe,
heel, top crown surface, sidewalls, bottom sole surface and
ball-striking clubface, wherein the improvement comprises: an
inwardly disposed lower surface located between said bottom sole
surface and an outer edge of said upper crown surface; said
inwardly disposed lower surface decreasing the overall mass and cc
displacement of said clubhead while maintaining a selected size of
said top crown and said ball striking clubface.
11. The wood type golf clubhead of claim 10 wherein said lower
surface forms a concave track with inwardly curved surfaces between
said bottom sole surface and said upper crown surface.
12. The wood type golf clubhead of claim 11 further including a
wall surface between said bottom sole surface and said concave
track.
13. A wood type golf clubhead including a clubhead body with a toe,
heel, top crown surface, sidewalls, bottom sole surface and
ball-striking clubface, wherein the improvement comprises: an
inwardly disposed lower surface located between said bottom sole
surface and an outer edge of said upper crown surface; said
inwardly disposed lower surface decreasing the overall mass and cc
displacement of said clubhead while maintaining a selected size of
said top crown and said ball striking clubface; said inwardly
disposed lower surface forming a continuous curving, concave lower
surface located between said top crown and said bottom sole
surface.
14. The clubhead of claim 13 being further defined by said inwardly
disposed lower surfaces extends downwardly and inwardly from an
outer edge of said top crown surface to said bottom sole surface at
an angle less than 45 degrees.
15. The clubhead of claim 14 wherein said bottom sole surface has a
surface area less than half the surface area of said top crown
surface.
16. The clubhead of claim 14 wherein said inwardly disposed lower
surface is further defined as being concave with a bottom as a
furthermost inwardly disposed area.
17. The clubhead of claim 16 wherein said concave lower surface is
continuously curving between said top crown surface and said bottom
sole surface.
18. A wood type golf clubhead including a clubhead body with a toe,
heel, top crown surface, sidewalls, bottom sole surface and
ball-striking clubface, wherein the improvement comprises: an
inwardly disposed lower surface located between said bottom sole
surface and an outer edge of said upper crown surface; said
inwardly disposed lower surface decreasing the overall mass and cc
displacement of said clubhead while maintaining a selected size of
said top crown and said ball striking clubface; said inwardly
disposed lower surface formed by a plurality of angular, planar
surfaces located between said top crown surface and said bottom
sole surface.
19. The wood type golf club of claim 14 wherein said inwardly
disposed lower surface is defined by two planar surfaces formed at
an obtuse angle relative to each other.
20. The wood type golf club of claim 14 wherein said inwardly
disposed lower surface is defined by surfaces formed in a
trapezoidal configuration.
21. A wood type golf clubhead including a clubhead body with a toe,
heel, top crown surface, sidewalls, bottom sole surface and
ball-striking clubface, wherein the improvement comprises: an
inwardly disposed lower surface located between said bottom sole
surface and an outer edge of said upper crown surface; said
inwardly disposed lower surface decreasing the overall mass and cc
displacement of said clubhead while maintaining a selected size of
said top crown and said ball striking clubface; said inwardly
disposed lower surface formed by a plurality of continuously
curving, track-like, concave lower surfaces located between said
top crown surface and said bottom sole surface.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
application Ser. No. 10/165,947 filed Jun. 11, 2002 titled
Metalwood Type Golf Club Head Having Expanded Sections Extending
the Ball Striking Clubface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the golf clubheads shown
and described in my prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,954,595, 5,989,134 and
6,530,847 which are incorporated herein by reference, and in
particular, to an improved metalwood type golf clubhead having an
improved structural system for reduction of cubic centimeter
displacement and the elimination of adverse aerodynamic drag
effect.
[0003] In the aforementioned applications, metalwood type golf club
heads are described having at least a reinforcing and stabilizing,
hereinafter R/S member, including additional ball-striking
surfaces, coincident with and parallel to the clubface and are
located horizontally at the toe and heel sections of the clubface,
enlarging it substantially. Club heads are also described with an
R/S located vertically, in a top to bottom direction and in a
perpendicular plane to the clubface.
[0004] Most wood-type traditional shaped clubheads are currently
made of metal, either totally of steel, titanium, or combined with
other alloys. Other clubheads include a shell made of steel with a
clubface insert that is made of forged titanium or similar lighter
weight and stronger materials. This permits clubheads to be much
larger, yet meet the accepted weight parameters for the respective
drivers and fairway type metalwoods.
[0005] Although these traditional shaped clubheads are
substantially enlarged overall, with higher face heights and wider,
bulkier convex shaped crowns and convex shaped sole bottoms, their
traditional shaped clubfaces continue to have diminishing and
lesser effective ball-contact hitting area, in a heel to toe
direction, or top to bottom direction They are not structurally
designed to expand the ball-striking area on the clubface
proportionately to the overall enlarged clubheads for any possible
improved performance, for most golfers.
[0006] Many attempts have been made to reinforce and improve
traditional shaped metal wood type golf clubheads as shown and
described in the prior art. Raymont (U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,399)
reinforces the back of the clubface with a honeycomb structure. My
U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,230 reinforces the interior of a metalwood with
a first mass located behind the ball-striking face, and my U.S.
Pat. No. 5,482,279 provides an interior peripheral mass basically
along the inner periphery, of the clubhead shell behind the
clubface. My U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,134 reinforces the outer
sidewalls, rear, bottom and crown areas of a traditional shaped
wood-type golf clubhead. My U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,095 shows a
traditional shaped metalwood golf club with elevated peripheral
weight in combination with an inwardly disposed sidewall having an
upper curved and lower straight wall surface. My U.S. Pat. No.
5,735,754 discloses an aerodynamic metalwood golf club head with an
inwardly disposed aerodynamic slot between the crown and bottom of
the clubhead. U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,745 to Adams shows a low profile,
wood type golf clubhead wherein the bottom sole surface is larger
than the upper crown surface. A commercial golf club was marketed
by Founders Club having a shallow, inwardly disposed sidewall.
[0007] Recently, various improvements have been made to enlarge and
strengthen the prior art of conventional shaped metalwood
clubheads. However, for most golfers, the subtle changes to the
clubfaces and the expected performance of the larger metalwood
clubheads, have been disappointing. For the recreational and
high-handicap golfers, the restrictive ball-contact area on all
traditional shaped clubfaces will always have problems for them.
The performance of most of these traditional shaped metalwood
clubheads has not materially improved clubhead feel at ball
contact, or significantly increased clubhead stability and control
for anticipated improved ball-flight accuracy and additional
significant distance. Consequently, these bulkier, over-sized
traditional shaped clubheads and clubfaces have not meaningfully
improved or advanced the majority of golfers' performance
potential; especially for the mid to high-handicap golfers that
need productive improvements the most.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to wood-type metalwood golf
clubheads having a concave structural innovation system that
substantially reduces the cubic-centimeter displacement of the
clubhead. In addition, the concave structural system design also
reduces the negative drag effects of conventional clubheads. The
design of the structural system of the present Invention starts
from a clubhead bottom that is not convex shaped like traditional
shaped clubheads which bottoms extend outwardly producing bulkier
more mass that increases the cubic-centimeter displacement of the
clubhead.
[0009] To accomplish this, the system is formed with an elongated
concave section below the top crown of the clubhead that eliminates
excess bulging mass of convex bottom shapes of traditional shaped
clubheads.
[0010] The elongated concave section (ECS) includes continuous,
inwardly curved opposing surfaces. The ECS has a top edge, a
mid-section, and a bottom surface. The widths and depths of the ECS
can be variable depending on the clubhead sizes for drivers or
fairway clubheads. Alternately, the shape of the elongated concave
section can be wedge or V-shaped with angular disposed straight
sidewalls. The invention is equally applicable for drivers and
fairway clubheads.
[0011] Further the invention is particularly applicable to
metalwood clubheads having both horizontal and vertical reinforcing
and stabilizing (R/S) sections, particularly those having
additional frontal ball-striking surfaces coincident with the ball
striking club faces of the metalwoods, thereby greatly enlarging
the overall ball striking areas on the clubfaces. This innovative
combination provides the extraordinary mega-size deep-faced drivers
to produce superior results for all caliber of golfers.
[0012] In addition, the Invention is equally applicable to the
presently marketed dominant traditional shaped golf club heads with
traditional convex shaped top crown surfaces, and convex shaped
bottoms. Most have downwardly and inwardly sloped sides, sidewalls,
and rear surfaces resulting in a restrictive ball striking area,
diminished in size that forms the front hitting surface of the
clubface. The embodiments of the present application are
particularly directed to an innovative system, including a novel
"Concave Shaped" underside structure adapted for club heads with
traditional shaped club faces and top crown surfaces on
non-traditional shaped club heads in combination with a
horizontally located reinforcing and stabilizing member. The
concave aerodynamic surfaces facilitate a more effective, repeating
swing-path motion of a golf club head structured in accordance with
this invention. To accomplish this, the lower side and bottom
portions of the club head are formed inwardly into the skirt and
shell with continuous opposing concave surfaces producing an
inwardly curved, concave lower section, located between the bottom
sole and the upper top crown, surface of the clubhead. Preferably
the lower concave portion of the club head extends all the way
between the outer perimeter of the underside of the top crown and
the bottom sole although it will be appreciated that the overall
size of the concave section may vary in shape and size with
particular club head designs and may form only a portion of the
side surfaces of a particular clubhead. The concave lower section
structure reduces the overall cc displacement of the club head, by
as much as 25%, when compared to club face sizes equivalent to club
heads with a 25% larger cc overall displacement.
[0013] The present invention may include one of at least two
distinctively different aerodynamically designed reinforcing and
stabilizing (R/S) members that perform totally different functions
on the clubheads, independently of each other, or a combination of
both, as described in detail in the aforementioned applications.
The R/S members both include additional ball-striking surfaces that
are coincident with the clubface and are located separately and/or
independently, at opposite sections of the clubhead, to produce
preferred and specifically different functions.
[0014] In one embodiment, the outermost surfaces of the first R/S
ball-striking faces are located horizontally at the toe and heel
sections, parallel to the clubface and are generally curved,
forming parabolic, rounded or elliptical type shapes.
[0015] This R/S aerodynamic shaped member is located parallel to
and horizontal to the clubface and surrounds the clubhead from the
toe, rear and heel sections of the clubface. These R/S members
include additional ball-striking surfaces that are coincident with
and parallel in-line with the clubface and create an expanded
ball-contact surface, at the toe and heel sections, of the
clubface, to provide a substantially larger non-proportionately
sized ball-striking area on the enlarged clubface. This is
accomplished without proportionately enlarging the top or crown
section and/or the bottom or sole sections of the clubheads.
[0016] In another embodiment, the ball-striking surfaces of the R/S
members are coincident with the clubface, and are located in a
vertical, or top to bottom direction, above and/or below the
clubface with additional ball striking surfaces to produce
deep-faced clubheads. This also dramatically enlarges the
respective hitting areas of the clubfaces of both drivers and
fairway metalwoods by as much as 25% and 22% respectively.
[0017] Among the objects of the present invention is the provision
of metalwood type golf clubheads that enhance the potential for
greater improved performance, for all caliber golfers.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is the provision of
metalwood type golf clubheads, particularly for medium to large
size metalwood clubheads, in the range of 230-470 cc, having a
larger overall size relative to cc displacement using a concave
lower section on the lower surfaces of the clubhead.
[0019] Another object is the provision of metalwood type golf
clubheads which provide R/S members with additional expanded
ball-striking surfaces to the clubface while maintaining the
overall size of the clubhead in combination with concave surfaces
on the lower sections of the clubhead.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf
club head with an improved aerodynamic, sole configuration on the
bottom surface of the club head.
[0021] These and other objects of the present invention will be
understood from the drawings and the description that follows or
may be learned from the practice of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a golf clubhead in
accordance with the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of
FIG. 3.
[0026] FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of a second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of a third embodiment of
the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of FIG. 7.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of FIG. 7.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of FIG. 7.
[0032] FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of FIG. 7.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of FIG. 7.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a fifth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of FIG. 13.
[0036] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a sixth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of a seventh embodiment of
the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of an eighth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of a ninth embodiment of a
golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the golf clubhead of FIG.
18.
[0041] FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of a tenth embodiment of a
golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of an eleventh embodiment of a golf
clubhead in accordance with the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 22 is a bottom view of a twelfth embodiment of a golf
clubhead in accordance with the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 23 is a front elevation view of a prior art golf
club.
[0045] FIG. 24 is a phantom view of the FIG. 16 embodiment of the
present invention superimposed on the prior art golf club of FIG.
23.
[0046] FIG. 25 is a front elevational view of a thirteenth
embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present
invention.
[0047] FIG. 26 is a heel side elevational view of the clubhead of
FIG. 25.
[0048] FIG. 27 is a toe side elevational view of the clubhead of
FIG. 25.
[0049] FIG. 28 is a rear elevational view of the clubhead of FIG.
25.
[0050] FIG. 29 is a top front perspective view of the clubhead of a
fourteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the
present invention.
[0051] FIG. 30 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of
FIG. 29.
[0052] FIG. 31 is a front elevational view of the golf clubhead of
FIG. 29.
[0053] FIG. 32 is a rear elevational view of the golf clubhead of
FIG. 29.
[0054] FIG. 33 is a heel end elevational view of the golf clubhead
of FIG. 29.
[0055] FIG. 34 is a toe end elevational view of the golf clubhead
of FIG. 29.
[0056] FIG. 35 is a bottom view of the golf clubhead of FIG.
29.
[0057] FIG. 36 is a front perspective view of a fifteenth
embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present
invention.
[0058] FIG. 37 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of
FIG. 36.
[0059] FIG. 38 is a front perspective view of a sixteenth
embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present
invention.
[0060] FIG. 39 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of
FIG. 38.
[0061] FIG. 40 is a front perspective view of a seventeenth
embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present
invention.
[0062] FIG. 41 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of
FIG. 40.
[0063] FIG. 42 is a front perspective view of an eighteenth
embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present
invention.
[0064] FIG. 43 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of
FIG. 42.
[0065] FIG. 44 is a front perspective view of a nineteenth
embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present
invention.
[0066] FIG. 45 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of
FIG. 44.
[0067] FIG. 46 is a front perspective view of a twentieth
embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present
invention.
[0068] FIG. 47 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of
FIG. 46.
[0069] FIG. 48 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of a
twenty-first embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the
present invention.
[0070] FIG. 49 is a front elevational view of a twenty-third
embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
[0071] FIG. 50 is a rear elevational view of the clubhead of FIG.
49.
[0072] FIG. 51 is a toe end elevational view of the clubhead of
FIG. 49.
[0073] FIG. 52 is a heel end elevational view of the clubhead of
FIG. 49.
[0074] FIG. 53 is a bottom perspective view of the clubhead of FIG.
49.
[0075] FIG. 54 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 51.
[0076] FIG. 55 is a sectional view taken along line 55-55 of FIG.
51.
[0077] FIG. 56 is a top perspective view of the clubhead of FIG.
49.
[0078] FIG. 57 is a top plan view thereof.
[0079] FIG. 58 is a bottom view thereof.
[0080] FIG. 59 is a bottom perspective view of a twenty-third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0081] FIG. 60 is a sectional view taken along the lines 60-60 of
FIG. 59.
[0082] FIG. 61 is a bottom perspective view of a twenty-fourth
embodiment of a clubhead of the present invention.
[0083] FIG. 62 is a sectional view of FIG. 61.
[0084] FIG. 63 is a bottom perspective view of a twenty-fifth
embodiment of a clubhead of the present invention.
[0085] FIG. 64 is a toe end elevational view of the clubhead of
FIG. 63.
[0086] FIG. 65 is a bottom perspective view of a twenty-sixth
embodiment of a clubhead of the present invention.
[0087] FIG. 66 is a toe elevational view of a twenty-seventh
embodiment of a clubhead of the present invention.
[0088] FIG. 67 is a bottom perspective view of the clubhead of FIG.
66.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0089] 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.
[0090] FIGS. 1-48 relate to non-traditional golf clubheads that
include a reinforcing and stabilizing R/S member including
additional frontal ball-striking surfaces located horizontally at
toe and heel sections of the clubface producing an expanded
ball-striking area to the clubface.
[0091] FIGS. 1-4 show a first embodiment of a golf clubhead 100 in
accordance with the present invention including a clubhead body
112, hosel 114, heel 116, toe 118, ball-striking clubface 120,
upper surface 122, rear surface 124 and bottom sole 126. A single
reinforcing and stabilizing member 128 having an aerodynamic shape,
is located coincident with or adjacent to the bottom surface 126 of
the clubhead 100 and which wraps partially around the peripheral
sides 130 of the clubhead 100. The member 128 includes upwardly
curving, convex parabolic surface 132 including a lower surface 134
extending upwardly and coincident with the bottom sole 126 of the
clubhead 100. In this embodiment, the member 128 has an additional
front ball-striking surface 136 which is laterally coincident with
the lower section of the ball-striking clubface 120, thereby
enlarging the ball contact surface of 120 and providing a greater
margin for error when golf balls are struck away from the center of
the ball-striking clubface 120 toward the toe 118 of the clubhead
100.
[0092] FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the reinforcing and
stabilizing member 128 and metal shell 140 of the clubhead 100. The
peripheral weight of the clubhead body 112 may be controlled by
varying the thickness of this 128 area. Being farthest away from
the CG creates more effective MOI. The thickness of the metal shell
140 is preferably in the range of 0.035-0.060 in. or greater,
whereas the thickness of the expanded reinforcing and stabilizing
member 128 may be in the range of 0.055-0.100 in. or greater. These
dimensions exclude the clubface thickness which can be in the range
of 0.090 to 0.130 or less.
[0093] FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a golf clubhead
200 of the present invention. In this embodiment a reinforcing and
stabilizing member 228 includes a ball-striking surface 234 which
is parallel to but does not align fully with clubface 220 with a
non-coincident raised bottom surface 236 is centrally located on
the side wall 230 of the clubhead 200 approximately midway between
the crown surface 222 and the bottom 226 of the clubhead 200.
[0094] FIG. 6 illustrates a third embodiment of a golf clubhead 300
of the present invention wherein a reinforcing and stabilizing
member 328 includes a larger ball-striking surface 334 which is
coincident with and covers a larger portion of clubface 320. The
reinforcing and stabilizing member 328 has a non-coincident lower
surface 336 raised above the bottom surface 326 of the club head
300. The reinforcing and stabilizing member 328 is also located
adjacent the top surface of side wall 330 adjacent the crown
surface 322 of the clubhead 300. For lower ball flight trajectory,
a larger ball-striking surface 334 is coincident with a greater
portion of the front of ball-striking clubface 320.
[0095] FIGS. 7-12 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a clubhead 400
of the present invention. In this embodiment, a reinforcing and
stabilizing member 428 is generally elliptical in shape. The member
428 includes front ball-striking surfaces 434 and 436 located
parallel to and coincident with the ball-striking clubface 420 of
the clubhead 400 and wraps around to surround the clubhead body 412
between the toe 418 and heel 416. As seen in plan in FIG. 9, the
member 428 extends outwardly beyond the peripheral edge 423 of the
crown 422 and in FIG. 12, the member 428 extends outwardly beyond
the bottom 426 of the clubhead 400. The clubhead 400 includes a
sole skimmer 429 on the bottom 426.
[0096] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a fifth embodiment of a clubhead
500 of the present invention. A reinforcing and stabilizing member
528 includes front ball-striking surfaces 534 and 536 located
parallel to and coincident with the ball-striking clubface 520 of
the clubhead 500. A ledge 540 is set back from the ball-striking
clubface 520 and sloped rearwardly front surface 521 of crown 522
favorably alters air flow by more effectively accelerating it
across the surface of the crown 522 of the clubhead 500 during high
velocity swings.
[0097] FIG. 15 illustrates a sixth embodiment of a clubhead 600 of
the present invention including a reinforcing and stabilizing
member 628 with ball-striking surfaces 634 and 636 located parallel
to and coincident to ball-striking clubface 620 and a pair of
ledges 640 and 642 which are set back from the ball-striking
clubface 620 with rearwardly sloped front surfaces 621 of crown
622.
[0098] FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of a golf clubhead 700 in
accordance with the present invention including a clubhead body
712, hosel 714, heel 716, toe 718, ball-striking face 720, upper
surface 722, and bottom sole 726. In this embodiment, reinforcing
and stabilizing members 734 and 736, having an aerodynamic shape,
include ball-striking surfaces 735 and 737 located coincident with
and parallel to the ball-striking clubface 720 of the clubhead 700
and wrap rearwardly surrounding clubhead 700 as with the
above-described embodiments. The reinforcing and stabilizing
members 734 and 736 extend outwardly beyond the sidewall surfaces
730 as defined by the lateral extension of the end boundaries of
the upper crown surface 722. In this embodiment, the upper crown
surface 722 is approximately 3.500 inches in length in a heel 716
to toe 718 direction. The overall heel to toe length of the
ball-striking face 720, including the reinforcing and stabilizing
members 734 and 736, is approximately 4.500 inches, with a height
of approximately 2.000 inches, thereby extending the lateral
dimensions of the clubface approximately one half inch, 0.500
inches, at both the heel 716 and toe 718 of the clubhead 700.
[0099] FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a golf clubhead 800 in
accordance with the present invention including a clubhead body
812, hosel 814, heel 816, toe 818, ball-striking clubface 820,
upper crown surface 822, and bottom sole 826. In this embodiment,
reinforcing and stabilizing members 834 and 836, having an
aerodynamic shape, include ball striking surfaces 835 and 837
located coincident with and parallel to the ball-striking clubface
820 of the clubhead 800 and wrap rearwardly surrounding clubhead
800 as with the above-described embodiments. The reinforcing and
stabilizing members 834 and 836 extend outwardly beyond the
sidewall surfaces 830 as defined by the lateral extension of the
end boundaries of the upper crown surface 822. In this embodiment,
the upper crown surface 822 is shorter than the previous
embodiment, approximately 2.500 inches in length in a heel 816 to
toe 818 direction. The overall heel to toe length of the
ball-striking face 820, including the reinforcing and stabilizing
members 834 and 836, is approximately 4.500 inches, with a height
of approximately 2.000 inches, thereby extending the lateral
dimensions of the clubface approximately one inch, 1.00 inch, at
both the heel 816 and toe 818 of the clubhead 800.
[0100] FIGS. 18 and 19 show an embodiment of a golf clubhead 900 in
accordance with the present invention including a clubhead body
912, hosel 914, heel 916, toe 918, ball-striking clubface 920, and
upper crown surface 922. Reinforcing and stabilizing R/S members
934 and 936, have an aerodynamic shape which wrap rearwardly as
with the above-described embodiments, and are located laterally and
outwardly from the heel and toe sections 916 and 918 of clubhead
900. Reinforcing and stabilizing members 934 and 936 include front
ball-striking surfaces 935 and 937, which are coincident with and
parallel to the ball-striking clubface 920 of the clubhead 900 and
bottom aerodynamic surfaces 926 and 928. The reinforcing and
stabilizing members 934 and 936 extend outwardly beyond the
sidewall surfaces 930 as defined by the lateral extension of the
end boundaries of the upper crown surface 922. In this embodiment,
ball-striking clubface 920, has an upper section including the
expanded areas of the clubface at 934 and 936, and further includes
a reinforcing and stabilizing member 921 having another bottom
surface 927, located below bottom surfaces 926 and 928, and having
a front ball-striking surface 925 which is coincident with,
vertically located, and in a perpendicular plane to the
ball-striking clubface 920 and extends rearwardly partway to the
rear edge 940 of the clubhead 900. This provides a distinctive
second lower section expanding the clubface hitting area below the
bottom of the ball-striking clubface 920. The reinforcing and
stabilizing R/S member 921 extends rearwardly on the bottom surface
926 and supports the clubhead 900 in a slightly raised position
above the ground whereby the clubface 920 is in an optimum position
to make the most solid ball contact with a golf ball, particularly
when the ball is lying in heavy grass or when a thin ball-contact
occurs especially from tight lies on hard fairway surfaces. The
upper crown surface 922 is approximately 3.500 inches in length in
a heel 916 to toe 918 direction. The overall heel to toe length of
the ball-striking clubface 920, including the reinforcing and
stabilizing members 934 and 936, is approximately 4.500 inches,
thereby extending the lateral dimensions of the clubface
approximately one half inch, 0.500 inches, at both the heel 916 and
toe 918 of the clubhead 900. The addition of the R/S 921 located
below the bottom surfaces 926 and 928 of clubface 920 increases the
height range of the clubface 920 to produce deep-faced drivers up
to and beyond 2.500".
[0101] FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of a golf clubhead 1000 in
accordance with the present invention including a clubhead body
1012, hosel 1014, heel section 1016, toe section 1018,
ball-striking clubface 1020, and an upper crown surface 1022. In
this embodiment, reinforcing and stabilizing members 1034 and 1036,
have an aerodynamic shape and which wrap rearwardly as with the
above-described embodiments, and are located laterally and
outwardly from the heel and toe sections 1016 and 1018 of clubhead
1000. Reinforcing and stabilizing members 1034 and 1036 include
front ball-striking surfaces 1035 and 1037 which are coincident
with and parallel to the ball-striking clubface 1020 of the
clubhead 1000 and bottom surfaces 1038 and 1040. The reinforcing
and stabilizing members 1034 and 1036 are further defined as
extending outwardly beyond the sidewall surfaces 1030 at the outer
edges or end boundaries limiting the upper crown surface 1022. In
this embodiment, ball-striking clubface 1020 includes a lower
reinforcing and stabilizing member 1021 having another bottom
surface 1027 which includes a front ball-striking surface 1025
coincident with and located vertically in a plane extending below
the ball-striking clubface 1020 thereby providing a substantial
additional clubface hitting area below the lowest bottom portion of
the ball-striking clubface 1020. The reinforcing and stabilizing
member 1021 extends rearwardly between bottom surfaces 1038 and
1040 and supports the clubhead 1000 in a slightly raised position
above the ground whereby the clubface 1020 is in an optimum
position to strike a golf ball, particularly when the ball is lying
in heavy grass or tight lies. The bottom 1027 of the reinforcing
and stabilizing member 1021 is non-coincident with and spaced from
the bottom surfaces 1038 and 1040 of reinforcing and stabilizing
members 1034 and 1036 respectively. The upper crown surface 1022 is
smaller at approximately 2.500 inches in length in a heel section
1016 to toe section 1018 direction thereby extending the lateral
dimensions of the clubface approximately one inch, 1.00 inch, at
both the heel section 1016 and toe section 1018 of the clubhead
1000. The additional ball-striking surface of R/S 1021 creates a
higher perpendicular elevation from top to bottom up to 2.500
inches or greater to produce a deep face on the clubface 1020.
[0102] FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of a golf clubhead 1100 in
accordance with the present invention having reinforcing and
stabilizing members 1134 and 1136 including ball-striking surfaces
1116 and 1118 located parallel to and coincident with clubface 1120
with bottom surfaces 1138 and 1140 respectively, and a reinforcing
and stabilizing member 1121 including a ball-striking surface 1122
and a bottom surface 1127 which are coincident with and located in
a perpendicular plane to the clubface 1120 and which extends
rearwardly approximately to the rear surface 1142 of the clubhead
1100.
[0103] FIG. 22 shows another embodiment of a golf clubhead 1200 in
accordance with the present invention having reinforcing and
stabilizing members 1234 and 1236 including ball-striking surfaces
1235 and 1237 located parallel to and coincident with clubface 1220
with bottom surfaces 1238 and 1240 respectively, and a reinforcing
and stabilizing member 1221 including a ball-striking surface and a
bottom surface 1227 which is coincident with and located in a plane
extending the clubface 1220 and extends approximately to the rear
surface 1242 of the clubhead 1200, the rearward portion 1222 of
member 1221 being narrower than the front portion 1223 at the
clubface 1220.
[0104] FIG. 23 shows a typical prior art clubhead C having a
ball-striking clubface F with an inverted trapezoidal shape whereby
the hitting area on the clubface is reduced toward the bottom of
the face F as the edges of the clubface F extend downwardly and
inwardly from the bottom of the striking face F.
[0105] FIG. 24 shows a view of an embodiment of a golf clubhead in
accordance with the present invention compared to a prior art
clubhead, shown in phantom, of the type shown in FIG. 21. It can be
seen the clubhead of the present invention provides considerable
more hitting surface at the heel and toe portions parallel to and
coincident with the clubface.
[0106] FIGS. 25 to 28 show a thirteenth embodiment of a metalwood
type golf clubhead 1300. The clubhead 1300 is formed with a hosel
1302, ball-striking clubface 1320, upper crown surface 1306, heel
1308, toe 1310, upper sidewall surface 1322, lower sidewall surface
1324, rear wall surface 1314 and bottom sole surface 1316. The
dotted lines 1311 in FIG. 25 outline the diminishing downward and
inward direction of the outer configuration of the ball-striking
area of a traditional shaped clubface 1311, similarly on the outer
configuration on a traditional shaped clubhead. This graphically
demonstrates the long existing difference between the ball-striking
areas of traditional shaped clubface and the additional expansion
of the ball-striking surfaces 1321 and 1323 provided by the R/S
member 1318 located parallel to horizontal and coincident with the
toe and heel sections 1310 and 1308 of the present invention. An
aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member 1318 is
formed with a curved, generally parabolic outer, aerodynamic
surface, which defines the outermost perimeter surfaces 1319 of the
clubhead 1300. The reinforcing and stabilizing member 1318 locates
a portion of its overall weight to the extreme outer edges 1319 of
the golf clubhead 1300. The aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and
stabilizing R/S member 1318 extends completely around and forms the
outer perimeter of the clubhead 1300 and between the side wall
surface 1322, and side wall surface 1324 from the toe 1310 to the
heel 1308, terminating with front ball-striking surfaces 1321 and
1323 being coincident with and parallel to the ball-striking
clubface 1320 at the heel 1308 and toe 1310, thereby expanding the
ball-striking clubface 1320 outwardly in a lateral direction at the
heel 1318 and toe 1310 of the clubhead 1300. In this embodiment the
respective sidewalls 1322 and 1324 extend up to the upper crown
surface 1306 and down to the bottom sole surface 1316. The
aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member 1318 is
located between the sidewall surface 1322 and the lower wall
surface 1324, approximately between the upper crown surface 1306
and the bottom surface 1316.
[0107] FIGS. 29 to 35 show a fourteenth embodiment of a golf
clubhead 1400 in accordance with the present invention. The
clubhead 1400 is formed with outer surfaces that are more
aerodynamically defined and sculptured than the previous embodiment
shown in FIGS. 25 to 28. The golf clubhead 1400 includes a hosel
1402, ball-striking clubface 1404, top crown surface 1406, heel
1408, toe 1410, upper sidewall 1422, lower sidewall 1424, rear
surface 1414 and bottom sole surface 1416. In accordance with the
present invention, an aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and
stabilizing member 1418 is formed on the side walls 1422 and 1424,
and on rear surface 1414, to surround the clubhead 1400 and is
located approximately midway between the upper crown surface 1406
and bottom sole surface 1416. The aerodynamically shaped
reinforcing and stabilizing member 1418 includes two opposing
ball-striking surfaces 1421 at the toe 1410 and 1423 at the heel
1408, which are coincident with and parallel to clubface 1404 to
increase the ball-striking surfaces on the ball-striking clubface
1404 located at the toe 1410 and the heel 1408 sections of clubface
1404.
[0108] As can be seen in FIGS. 32, 33 and 34, the side walls 1422
and 1424 and rear surface 1414 extend only partially in a downward
direction from the upper crown surface 1406, the remaining lower
structure forms an aerodynamic, continuous inwardly curving,
concave lower surface 1420 between lower side wall 1424 and the
bottom sole surface 1416. The curvature of the lower surface 1420
is defined by the width and depth thereof. The lower surface 1420
is generally concave, that is it extends inwardly toward the center
of the club head 1400 and forms a track-like depression around the
outer periphery of the clubhead 1400 from the heel 1408 on one side
to the toe 1410 on the opposite side of the clubhead 1400.
Preferably the concave lower surface 1420 has a constant diameter
that is continuously curving from the bottom 1430 of the lower
concave surface 1420 to an upper edge 1432 adjacent the lower
sidewall 1424 and a lower edge 1434 adjacent the bottom sole
surface 1416 as it wraps around the sides and rear of the club head
1400. In keeping within the scope and spirit of the present
invention, the diameter of the concave lower surface 1420 may by
constant or it may be parabolic as long as the shape is
continuously curving inwardly.
[0109] The concave lower surface 1420 extends downward and inwardly
at an angel less than 45 degrees as shown in FIG. 33 further
decreasing the overall displacement of the clubhead 1400 as
compared to conventional club heads having a similar top crown and
ball-striking clubface surfaces.
[0110] The concave lower surface 1420 is deep and wide extending
between the bottom sole surface 1416 and the sidewall 1424. The
shape of the concave lower surface 1420 results in less overall cc
displacement and reduced weight of the clubhead 1400 which in turn
reduces clubhead drag while generally maintaining the large overall
outer dimensions of the clubhead 1400 and in particular, the
enlarged ball striking face 1404.
[0111] Because of the shape of the concave lower surface 1420, the
clubhead 1400 may be provided with the aerodynamically shaped
reinforcing and stabilizing member R/S 1418 that extends outwardly
from side walls 1422 and 1424, without substantially increasing the
outer overall size of the clubhead 1400, thus presenting a
generally parabolic shape at the extreme outer peripheral edge of
the golf clubhead 1400. The aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and
stabilizing member 1418 separates the upper sidewall 1422 and the
lower sidewall surface 1424. In addition to creating a wider upper
aerodynamic surface surrounding crown 1406, the aerodynamically
shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member 1418 moves a portion of
the overall weight to the extreme outer edge of the golf clubhead
1400.
[0112] The combination of the reinforcing and stabilizing member
1418 and the concave lower surface 1420 create an improved
aerodynamic surface for the entire bottom of the clubhead 1400 as
well as increasing the size of the ball striking face 1404 without
increasing the overall size of the clubhead 1400. This structure is
unknown with more traditional golf club heads.
[0113] FIGS. 36 and 37 show a fifteenth embodiment of a golf
clubhead 1500, which is similar to the clubheads described
hereinabove and includes a slightly smaller upper crown surface
1506 producing a wider upper surface for the reinforcing and
stabilizing member 1518 including wider ball-striking surfaces 1521
and 1523 located horizontal, parallel to and coincident with toe
1510 and heel 1508 sections of clubface 1520 and narrow side walls
1512 between the crown surface 1506 and reinforcing and stabilizing
member 1518.
[0114] FIGS. 38 and 39 show a sixteenth embodiment of a golf
clubhead 1600 formed with ball-striking clubface 1620, an upper
crown surface 1606, side wall 1612 and an aerodynamically shaped
reinforcing and stabilizing member 1618 including ball-striking
surfaces 1621 and 1623 located horizontal, parallel to and
coincident with toe 1610 and heel 1608 sections of clubface 1620.
In this embodiment, the clubhead 1600, is formed with a concave
aerodynamic depression 1624 in the upper crown surface 1606 further
adding to the aerodynamic characteristics of the clubhead 1600.
[0115] FIGS. 40 and 41 show a seventeenth embodiment of a golf
clubhead 1700 formed with ball-striking clubface 1720 having
vertical grooves 1725, and a significantly smaller, raised,
reinforcing and stabilizing upper crown R/S member 1706 with an
upper surface 1707 and sidewall 1722. The upper R/S crown member
1706 is formed with a single, additional upper ball-striking
surface 1723, located above, in a perpendicular plane to and
coincident with the upper portion of clubface 1720. The upper crown
member 1706 is vertically disposed in a top to bottom direction
when the clubhead 1700 is in a normal address position with its
bottom surface (not shown) flat on the grass or ground surface. A
significantly larger horizontally located aerodynamically shaped
reinforcing and stabilizing R/S member 1718, including
ball-striking surfaces 1726, having a wider, more aerodynamic upper
surface of 1717 surrounding the adjacent vertically located
smaller, raised, reinforcing and stabilizing upper crown member
1706. This structure moves a portion of the overall weight to the
extreme outer edge 1724 of the golf clubhead 1700. The reinforcing
and stabilizing member 1718 is disposed in a generally horizontal,
heel to toe direction to the clubface 1720 when the clubhead 1700
is soled in a normal address position on the ground surface. The
upper sidewall 1722 of the smaller, raised, reinforcing and
stabilizing upper crown member 1706 is located further inward from
the outer peripheral edge 1724 surrounding the clubhead 1700. The
forward ball-striking surfaces 1726 of the aerodynamically shaped
reinforcing and stabilizing member 1718 are both parallel to and
coincident with the toe and heel sections 1726 of ball-striking
clubface 1720, substantially increasing the overall ball-striking
areas on clubface 1720.
[0116] FIGS. 42 and 43 show an eighteenth embodiment of a golf
clubhead 1800, with a ball-striking clubface 1820, a downsized
smaller, raised, reinforcing and stabilizing upper crown member
1806 having an upper surface 1807, and a significantly larger
aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member 1818.
Features of the aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing
member 1818 include a wider upper surface 1817 and wider
ball-striking surfaces 1826, both respectively located parallel to
toe 1810 and heel 1808 sections of clubface 1820. This structure
locates a large portion of the overall weight to the extreme outer
edge 1824 of the golf clubhead 1800. In this embodiment of clubhead
1800, the forward wider ball-striking faces 1826 of the
aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member 1818 has
an upper edge 1828 sloped to coincide with the upper edge 1830 of
the ball-striking clubface 1820. Side wall 1822 also tapers toward
the clubface 1820 coinciding with the upper edge 1828 of the
aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing R/S member 1818
and the upper edge 1830 of the clubface 1820, creating a smooth
airfoil surface to accelerate the air flow across the upper surface
of 1818 of the clubhead 1800.
[0117] FIGS. 44 and 45 show a nineteenth embodiment of a golf
clubhead 1900, formed with ball-striking clubface 1920, a downsized
smaller raised top crown surface 1906 having an upper surface 1907,
sidewalls 1922 and a significantly larger aerodynamically shaped
reinforcing and stabilizing member 1918. Features of the
reinforcing and stabilizing member 1918 include a much wider upper
aerodynamic surface 1917 surrounding top crown 1906. This moves a
significant portion of the overall weight to the extreme outer
surrounding edge 1924 of the golf clubhead 1900, thus increasing
the effective moment of inertia of the clubhead 1900. In this
embodiment of the clubhead 1900, the forward edge 1908 of the
raised top crown surface 1906 is sloped rearwardly and does not
have a ball-striking surface to coincide with the upper edge 1930
of the ball-striking clubface 1920. The forward edge 1908 is curved
backwardly to alter the "angle of attack" of the airfoil shape and
to create smooth airfoil surfaces to substantially minimize drag
and increase the acceleration of airflow across the upper surfaces
of the clubhead 1900.
[0118] FIGS. 46 and 47 show a twentieth embodiment of clubhead
2000, having an upper shelf surface 2010 and a ball striking
clubface 2020. The clubhead 2000 includes two aerodynamically
shaped, reinforcing and stabilizing members 2006 and 2018, both
having forward ball striking surfaces 2023 which are coincident
with the ball-striking face 2020. The clubhead 2000 includes an
upper shelf surface 2010 located between the reinforcing and
stabilizing R/S members 2006 and 2018. The first smaller
aerodynamically shaped, reinforcing and stabilizing member 2006
includes a raised top surface 2007, and sidewalls 2024 and an upper
ball-striking face 2012, centrally located above and coincident
with the upper portion of the main ball striking clubface 2020,
vertically in a top to bottom direction and in a perpendicular
plane relative to the clubface 2020. The larger second
aerodynamically shaped, reinforcing and stabilizing member 2018
located on both sides of R/S 2006 is separated from the upper shelf
surface 2010 by sidewalls 2022, and includes two ball-striking
faces 2023 both located horizontal, parallel to and coincident with
the toe 2009 and heel 2010 sections of the clubface 2020. Combining
the two coordinated aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and
stabilizing members 2006, 2018 on the same clubhead, substantially
increases the ball-contact area of the clubface 2020, specifically
at the toe and heel sections 2009 and 2010 and above the central
upper portion of the clubface 2020. The structure of the clubhead
2000 provides improved aerodynamics and substantially expands the
ball-contact areas located parallel to and in a perpendicular plane
above the clubface 2020. This results in faster acceleration, and,
at the same time, produces the most solid-ball contacts made on the
greatly enlarged hitting areas in both horizontal and vertical
directions on the clubface 2020 for straighter and longer ball
flights.
[0119] FIG. 48 shows a twenty-first embodiment of a golf clubhead
2100 similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, and
includes an upper wider shelf surface 2110 and aerodynamically
shaped reinforcing and stabilizing members 2108 and 2118 on the top
and sides respectively of the clubhead 2100. This embodiment
differs in the shape of the raised, upper aerodynamically shaped
reinforcing and stabilizing member 2108, which extends to the rear
2126 of the clubhead 2100 and forms an arcuate shape at the
interface of member 2108 and the rear 2126 of the clubhead
2100.
[0120] FIGS. 49 to 71 relate specifically to clubheads that combine
a convex top crown and ball-striking face configuration of
traditional shaped clubheads with non-traditional designed lower
sections located below the elongated top crown having lower
sections extending inwardly which reduce the overall size and cc
displacement of the clubhead.
[0121] FIGS. 49-52 show a twenty-second embodiment of a more
traditional shaped metalwood clubhead 2200 than the embodiments
described hereinabove wherein the sides of the clubhead extend
downwardly and inwardly from the crown to the bottom sole. The
clubhead 2200 includes a ball striking club face 2210, heel 2212,
toe 2214, bottom sole surface 2216, and a full, convex shaped,
top-crown surface 2206. The improvement of the present invention
includes an inwardly formed, concave lower surface 2220 having
continuous inwardly curving, opposing surfaces to create a large
size cavity which reduces the overall weight and cc displacement of
the clubhead 2200. The concave lower surface 2220 is located
between the underside surface 2218 of the outermost edge of the top
crown 2206 and the bottom sole surface 2216. The concave lower
surface 2220 includes a toe portion 2221, rear wall portion 2222
and heel portion 2224. The concave lower surface 2220 is wide and
deep relative to the overall size of the clubhead 2200 and
preferably has a constant diameter along the length of the concave
lower surface 2220. Alternately the diameter of the concave lower
surface 2220 may vary along its smaller length. The structural
shape of the concave lower surface 2220 considerably decreases the
overall cc displacement and overall weight/mass at the bottom of
the clubhead 2200 without decreasing the size of the ball striking
face 2210 and/or the upper top crown surface 2206.
[0122] FIGS. 53, 54 and 55 show the concave lower surface 2220 is
deepest at the bottom 2230 and gradually curves inwardly toward an
upper edge 2232 which interfaces with the underside portion 2218 of
top crown 2206. The lower edge 2234 of the concave lower surface
2220 interfaces with the bottom sole surface 2216. Furthermore, the
concave shape of the lower surface 2220 also provides an airfoil
effect created by a track-like structure with less drag which
results in increased club head speed for a given swing force.
Preferably the concave opposing lower surfaces 2220 have a radius
that is continuously curving inward either with a constant diameter
or with a variable diameter in a generally concave
configuration.
[0123] Preferably the area of the bottom sole surface 2216 is less
than one-half of the area of the top crown surface 2206. Because of
this structure, the concave lower surface 2220 extends downwardly
and inwardly at a shallow angle less than 45 degrees to the
horizontal with the bottom sole surface 2216 as shown in FIG. 52.
This configuration allows more of the bulk of the clubhead 2200 to
be removed thereby decreasing the overall cc displacement
thereof.
[0124] FIG. 59 is a bottom perspective view and FIG. 60 is a
sectional view of a twenty-third embodiment of a golf club head
2300 having a bottom sole surface 2316, a side wall 2340 and an
inwardly curving concave lower surface 2320 between the edge 2342
of the clubhead 2300 and the bottom sole surface 2316. The sidewall
2340 extends between the bottom sole surface 2316 and the concave
lower surface 2320 raising the bottom sole surface 2316 outwardly
from the clubhead 2300. This wall 2340 provides additional strength
and stability between the concave lower surface 2320 and the bottom
sole surface 2316. It will be appreciated the remaining structure
of the clubhead 2300 is the same as the clubhead 2200 shown in
FIGS. 49 to 58.
[0125] FIGS. 61 and 62 show a twenty- fourth embodiment of a golf
club 2400 in accordance with the present invention. The club head
2400 includes a bottom sole surface 2416, a sidewall 2440 and an
inwardly curving concave lower surface 2420 adjacent the bottom
sole surface 2416. In this embodiment the sidewall 2440 is located
between the edge 2442 of the clubhead 2400 and the concave lower
surface 2420 providing additional strength and stability in this
area.
[0126] FIGS. 63 and 64 show a twenty-fifth embodiment of a golf
club 2500 in accordance with the present invention. The club head
2500 includes a ball striking club face 2510, a bottom sole surface
2516, a top crown surface 2506 and an inwardly disposed angular
lower surface 2520 adjacent the bottom sole surface 2516. In this
embodiment the inwardly disposed angular lower surface 2520 is
wedge shaped formed of two angularly disposed straight, planar
sloped surfaces 2522 and 2524 located between the edge 2542 of the
clubhead 2500 and the bottom sole surface 2516. As with the
embodiments described hereinabove, the inwardly disposed angular
lower surface 2520 decreases the overall size and cc displacement
of the clubhead 2500, without decreasing the size of the top crown
surface 2506 and/or the ball striking face 2510. Whereas the
present embodiment shows an inwardly disposed angular lower surface
2520 formed of two planar, disposed surfaces disposed at an obtuse
angle relative to each other, it will be appreciated that any
number of a plurality of planar surfaces may be used to create a
similar structure to provide the same effect as the embodiment
disclosed. For example, the inwardly disposed angular lower surface
may be formed as a three sided slot extending around the lower
periphery of a clubhead.
[0127] FIG. 65 illustrates a twenty sixth embodiment of a clubhead
2600 formed with an inwardly disposed lower surface 2620 made up by
a pair of inwardly curved concave surfaces 2622 and 2624.
[0128] FIGS. 66 and 67 illustrate a twenty-seventh embodiment of a
clubhead 2700 formed with an inwardly disposed lower surface 2720
made up by three planar surface 2722, 2724 and 2726 which form a
generally trapezoidal configuration as shown by the dotted line
configuration of FIG. 66.
[0129] 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 following
claims.
* * * * *