U.S. patent application number 10/736683 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-07 for golf club head.
Invention is credited to Otoguro, Masaaki.
Application Number | 20050075193 10/736683 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34386397 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050075193 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Otoguro, Masaaki |
April 7, 2005 |
Golf club head
Abstract
A golf club head comprises a plurality of elastic wire rods 3
arranged in parallel relation along an inner surface of a face
plate 2 which is disposed at a front surface of a head main body 1,
the elastic wire rods 3 being extended in contact with the inner
surface of the face plate 2 or with a small space formed between
the inner surface of the face plate 2 and the elastic wire rods 3,
opposite ends of the elastic wire rods 3 being fixed to a
peripheral part of the face plate 2
Inventors: |
Otoguro, Masaaki;
(Shizuoka-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
34386397 |
Appl. No.: |
10/736683 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/346 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0454 20200801;
A63B 53/0466 20130101; A63B 53/04 20130101; A63B 53/0416 20200801;
A63B 60/00 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/346 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 6, 2003 |
JP |
2003-347223 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A golf club head comprising a plurality of elastic wire rods
arranged in parallel relation along an inner surface of a face
plate, said elastic wire rods being extended in contact with the
inner surface of said face plate or with a small space formed
between the inner surface of said face plate and said elastic wire
rods, opposite ends of said elastic wire rods being fixed to a
peripheral part of said face plate.
2. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the opposite ends
of said elastic wire rods are fixedly adhered or welded to a front
edge part of a head main body.
3. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein said elastic wire
rods are steel wire rods, carbon wire rods or boron wire rods.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a golf club head and more
particularly to a golf club head in which a high rebounding
performance is applied to the face plate of a head such as a
driver, a spoon, a baffy and the like.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-320692
discloses a golf club head in which semi-circular reinforcing wire
rods are radially arranged around a hitting spot on a back side
(inner surface) of a face plate of a head, and the reinforcing wire
rods are integrally provided to an inner surface of the face plate.
When a golf ball is caught at the face area excluding the hitting
spot, it can hardly be said that this effect can be obtained
properly.
[0005] Moreover, since this golf club head is designed such that
the reinforcing wire rods are integrally extended on the inner
surface of the face plate for reinforcement, the reinforcing wire
rods are normally restrained by the face plate and it is
practically impossible for the reinforcing wire rods to be flexed
independently freely and to offer the high rebounding
performance.
[0006] Moreover, in the above-mentioned related art, it seems that
the reinforcing wire rods are adhered to the inner surface of the
face plate by using adhesive agent and therefore, there is a fear
that the wire rods are liable to be peeled off and dropped. Since
the face plate, in particular, is flexed inward whenever it strikes
the golf ball, the problem of the wire rods being peeled off and
dropped becomes more serious.
[0007] The present invention has been accomplished in view of the
above-mentioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a golf club head in which a face plate is designed as
thinner as possible to increase an amount of flexure and in which
the face plate co-acts with elastic wire rods arranged in parallel
relation on the face plate so as to effectively provide a high
rebounding performance at the time of hitting a gold ball, thereby
extensively increasing a driving distance of the golf ball under
the so-called trampoline effect.
[0009] To achieve the above object, there is essentially provided a
golf club head comprising a plurality of elastic wire rods arranged
in parallel relation along an inner surface of a face plate, the
elastic wire rods being extended in contact with the inner surface
of the face plate or with a small space formed between the inner
surface of the face plate and the elastic wire rods, opposite ends
of the elastic wire rods being fixed to a peripheral part of the
face plate, so that free elastic displacement is allowed between
the fixed opposite ends.
[0010] The elastic wire rods arranged in parallel relation along
the inner surface of the face plate exhibits a high rebounding
performance at a wide area including the hitting spot of the face
plate so that a driving distance can be increased. Moreover, by
designing the face plate thinner, the rebounding performance is
increased. By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, the so-called
trampoline effect can effectively be obtained.
[0011] Since the elastic wire rods are allowed to extend along the
inner surface of the face plate in such a manner as to contact
therewith or with a small space formed between the inner surface of
the face plate and the elastic wire rods, the elastic wire rods are
freely flexed with respect to the face plate so that a high
rebounding force is exerted to the face plate. Owing to the
foregoing arrangement, the elasticity of the elastic wire rods can
effectively contribute to increase the driving distance.
[0012] Moreover, since the load caused by the flexure of the
elastic wire rods is incurred to the fixed opposite ends, the
problem of peel-off of the elastic wire rods, etc. can be
overcome.
[0013] As one suitable example, the opposite ends of the elastic
wire rods are fixedly adhered or welded to a front edge part of a
head main body. Owing to the foregoing arrangement, a free elastic
displacement is allowed between the fixed opposite ends.
[0014] As the elastic wire rods, metal wire rods such as steel wire
rods, as represented by piano wires, are suitably used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head with elastic wire
rods laterally arranged in parallel relation, from which a face
plate has already been removed.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the golf club head of
FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the golf club head of
FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front view of a golf club head with elastic wire
rods vertically arranged in parallel relation, from which a face
plate has already been removed.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the golf club head of
FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the golf club head of
FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a front view of a golf club head with elastic wire
rods vertically and horizontally arranged in parallel relation,
from which a face plate has already been removed.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the golf club head of
FIG. 7.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the golf club head of
FIG. 7.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a golf club head
showing one example of a fitting structure for fitting a face plate
to a head main body and an attaching structure of elastic wire
rods.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a golf club head
showing fixedly positioning grooves formed at opposite ends of
elastic wire rods of FIG. 10.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a golf club head
showing one example in which a face plate of the golf club head is
in the shape of a cup.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of a golf club head
showing fixedly positioning grooves formed at opposite ends of
elastic wire rods of FIG. 12.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of a golf club head
showing one example in which a swollen part is disposed at an inner
surface of a face plate, and elastic wire rods are arranged in
parallel relation.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an essential part showing one
example in which a knurl is formed on each end of each elastic wire
rod and fixed thereto.
[0030] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of an essential part showing
another example in which a knurl is formed on each end of each
elastic wire rod and fixed thereto.
[0031] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an essential part showing a
contact arrangement structure of the elastic wire rods which are in
contact with the face plate.
[0032] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of an essential part showing a
non-contact arrangement structure of the elastic wire rods which
are in non-contact with the face plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Preferred embodiments of the present invention, i.e., the
best mode for carrying out the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 18.
[0034] As typically shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 8, a metal-made head
main body 1 of a golf club is of hollow structure, and an opening
disposed at its front surface is closed with a face plate 2 which
is made of metal such as titanium. That is, the head main body 1
and the face plate 2 are designed as separate parts, and the face
plate 2 is attached to a front edge part of the head main body 1 by
welding or the like, thereby forming a hollow structure.
[0035] As typically shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, a plurality of
elastic wire rods 3 are arranged in parallel relation along an
inner surface of the face plate 2 and the elastic wire rods 3 are
extended in contact with the inner surface of the face plate 2 as
shown in FIG. 17. That is, the elastic wire rods 3 and the inner
surface of the face plate 2 form a free contact surface.
[0036] The elastic wire rods 3 are in contact with the face plate 2
over its generally entire width. It is also an interesting
alternative that, as shown in FIG. 14, a swollen part 11 is
integrally formed on a central part of the inner surface of the
face plate 2, the elastic wire rods 3 are extended in contact with
the swollen part 11, and opposite ends of the elastic wire rods 3
are spaced apart from the inner surface of the face plate 2.
[0037] The swollen part 1 forms a hitting spot. When this swollen
part 11 is flexed inward, pressure is concentrated on the central
parts of the elastic wire rods 3 to flex the elastic wire rods
inward together.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 18, the elastic wire rods 3 are extended
with a small spaced formed between the inner surface of the face
plate 2 and the elastic wire rods 3. That is, the elastic wire rods
3 are extended with a small space formed between the inner surface
of the face plate 2 and the elastic wire rods 3 such that during
the process the face plate 2 is flexed inward, the face plate 2 is
contacted with the elastic wire rods 3 and flexed together with the
rods 3.
[0039] In case the swollen part 11 is disposed at the inner surface
of the face plate 2 as shown in FIG. 14, the elastic wire rods 3
are extended at their central parts with a small space 4 formed
between the inner surface of the face plate 2 and the elastic wire
rods 3 as shown in FIG. 18 and normally held in non-contact
relation with the inner surface of the face plate 2 so that the
swollen part 11 is contacted with and flexed together with the
elastic wire rods 3 during the process the face plate 2 is flexed
inward.
[0040] In either case where the elastic wire rods 3 are extended in
contact with the inner surface of the face plate 2 or where the
rods 3 are extended with the small space 4 formed between the inner
surface of the face plate 2 and the rods 3, the opposite ends of
the elastic wire rods 3 are fixed to a peripheral part of the face
plate 2.
[0041] In other words, the opposite ends of the elastic wire rods 3
are fixed to the peripheral part of the face plate 2, so that the
elastic wire rods 3 are extended in their free states with respect
to the inner surface of the face plate 2 between the two fixed
parts. That is, the elastic wire rods 3 are extended in contact
with the inner surface of the face plate 2 or with the small space
4 formed between the inner surface of the face plate 2 and the rods
3 between the opposite fixed ends.
[0042] When a golf ball is struck with an outer surface of the face
plate 2, the face plate 2 is flexed inward. At that time, the
elastic wire rods 3 are flexed inward together with the face plate
2 during the process the face plate 2 is flexed, thereby
synergistically generating a rebounding force.
[0043] As one mode of parallel arrangement of the elastic wire rods
3, the rods 3 are laterally (generally horizontally) arranged in
parallel relation as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. As another mode,
the elastic wire rods 3 are vertically (in the up and down
direction) arranged in parallel relation as shown in FIGS. 4
through 6. As still another mode, the elastic wire rods 3 are
laterally and vertically arranged in parallel relation as shown in
FIGS. 7 through 9. The lateral and vertical elastic wire rods 3 are
intersected and contacted with each other.
[0044] As the elastic wire rods 3, steel wire rods such as the
known piano wires are used. Otherwise, as the elastic wire rods 3,
the known carbon wire rods, i.e. wire rods composed of carbon
fibers or wire rods composed of boron are used.
[0045] As one example for fixing the opposite ends of the elastic
wire rods 3, the opposite ends of the elastic wire rods 3 inserted
in positioning grooves 3 or holes which are spacedly arranged at a
front edge part of the head main body 1 and fixed thereto by
welding or adhesive agent, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.
[0046] That is, the positioning grooves 5 or holes are spacedly
arranged at the front edge part of the head main body 1 which is
jointed with the peripheral edge part of the face plate 2, the
opposite ends of the elastic wire rods 3 are inserted in the
respective positioning grooves 5 or holes, and the opposite ends of
the elastic wire rods 3 are fixed to the inner peripheral surfaces
of the positioning grooves 5 or holes by adhesive agent or welding,
thereby forming an integral structure.
[0047] It is also an interesting alternatives that as shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11, the face plate 2 is fitted to the opening part
disposed at the front surface of the head main body 1, and the
peripheral edge part is welded thereto, thereby forming a hollow
structure. And the positioning grooves 5 or holes are spacedly
arranged at a stepped surface 6 formed at the inner surface of the
front edge part, i.e., inner peripheral surface of the opening part
of the front surface of the head main body 1, and the opposite ends
of the elastic wire rods 3 are inserted in the grooves 5 or holes
and fixed thereto by adhesive agent or welding. The elastic wire
rods 3 are laterally and/or vertically arranged. The inner surface
at the peripheral edge part of the face plate 2 is supported by and
welded to the stepped surface 6.
[0048] In case the positioning grooves 5 or holes are opened at the
inside and outside of head main body 1, the opening on the outer
surface side of the head main body 1 is closed with a coating
material.
[0049] Also, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a standing wall 8 is
integrally formed on the peripheral edge part of the face plate 2
so as to form a shape of a cup. An end face of the standing wall 8
of the cup-shaped face plate 2 and the front end face of the head
main body 1 are abutted with each other and welded together to form
a hollow structure. The positioning grooves 5 or holes are spacedly
arranged at an end face of the standing wall 8, the opposite ends
of the elastic wire rods 3 are inserted in the grooves 5 or holes
and fixed to the inner surfaces of the positioning grooves 5 or
holes by adhesive agent or welding, and the elastic wire rods 3 are
laterally and/or vertically arranged.
[0050] Although not shown, the positioning grooves 5 or holes are
spacedly arranged at a front end face of the head main body 1
confronting the end face of the standing wall 8 of the cup-shaped
face plate 2, the opposite ends of the elastic wire rods 3 are
inserted in the grooves 5 or holes and fixed to the inner surfaces
of the grooves 5 or holes, and the wire rods 3 are laterally and/or
vertically arranged.
[0051] The cup-shaped face plate 2 effectively generates a
rebounding force, i.e., flexure of the face plate 2, and the
elastic wire rods 3 co-acts with this cap-shaped face plate 2 to
remarkably increase the rebounding force of the face plate 2.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the elastic wire rods 3 are
provided at each opposite end thereof with a knurl 9 so that a
binding force can be increased with respect to the adhesive agent
or welding metal. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 16, each opposite end
of each elastic wire rod 3 is bent to form an L-shape, the bent end
part 10 is provided with a knurl 9, and the bent end part 10 is
engaged in a positioning groove 5' which is opened at a front edge
part of the head main body 1 and fixed thereto by welding or
adhesive agent.
[0053] The present invention includes not only a case where the
elastic wire rods 3 are arranged in parallel relation or vertically
with respect to the ground surface but also a case where the
elastic wire rods 3 are arranged diagonally with respect to the
ground surface.
[0054] According to the present invention, the face plate 2 is
designed as thinner as possible to increase an amount of flexure
and in which the face plate 2 co-acts with elastic wire rods 3
arranged in parallel relation so as to effectively provide a high
rebounding performance at the time of hitting a gold ball, thereby
extensively increasing a driving distance of the golf ball under
the so-called trampoline effect.
* * * * *