U.S. patent application number 10/721278 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-05 for golf club head and composite plate therefor.
Invention is credited to Chen, Yun-Fang.
Application Number | 20050096154 10/721278 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34546417 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050096154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen, Yun-Fang |
May 5, 2005 |
Golf club head and composite plate therefor
Abstract
A golf club head includes a golf club head body made of metal
and having a striking plate, at least one recession defined in the
golf club head body, and at least one composite plate engaged in
the recession to form a portion of a shell of a golf club head
product. The composite plate includes at least one metal layer and
at least one non-metal layer that are laminated by pressing. The
adjusting ranges of the center of gravity and of the striking sound
of the golf club head are increased.
Inventors: |
Chen, Yun-Fang; (Taoyuan
Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
34546417 |
Appl. No.: |
10/721278 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/345 ;
473/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0437 20200801;
A63B 53/0466 20130101; A63B 2209/023 20130101; A63B 53/0416
20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/345 ;
473/349 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 4, 2003 |
TW |
092130679 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A golf club head comprising: a golf club head body made of metal
and including a striking plate; at least one recession defined in
the golf club head body; and at least one composite plate engaged
in said at least one recession to form a portion of a shell of a
golf club head product, said at least one composite plate including
at least one metal layer and at least one non-metal layer that are
laminated by pressing.
2. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least
one non-metal layer is an outermost layer of said at least one
composite plate.
3. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least
one metal layer is an outermost layer of said at least one
composite plate.
4. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least
one metal layer has a density smaller than 4.8 g/cm.sup.3 and is
made of one of a light metal and an alloy.
5. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least
one composite plate includes in sequence a first non-metal layer, a
metal layer, a second non-metal layer, and a third non-metal
layer.
6. The golf club head as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first
non-metal layer is one of a uni-direction fabric, a plainwoven
fabric, and a twilled fabric made of graphite, wherein the second
non-metal layer is an adhesive layer of one of solvent-release
type, pressure-sensitive type, heat-sensitive type,
chemically-reactive type, and epoxy, and wherein the third
non-metal layer is a single layer of impregnated graphite
fabric.
7. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least
one composite plate includes in sequence a metal layer, a first
non-metal layer, and a second non-metal layer.
8. The golf club head as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first
non-metal layer is an adhesive layer of one of solvent-release
type, pressure-sensitive type, heat-sensitive type,
chemically-reactive type, and epoxy, and wherein the second
non-metal layer is a single layer of impregnated graphite
fabric.
9. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least
one composite plate includes in sequence a composite layer, a metal
layer, a first non-metal layer, and a second non-metal layer.
10. The golf club head as claimed in claim 9, wherein the composite
layer is a net formed by means of mix-weaving metal filaments and
non-metal fibers, the metal filaments and the non-metal fibers
being selected from the group consisting of graphite, Kevlar
fibers, and titanium filaments, the first non-metal layer being an
adhesive layer of one of solvent-release type, pressure-sensitive
type, heat-sensitive type, chemically-reactive type, and epoxy, and
the second non-metal layer being a single layer of impregnated
graphite fabric.
11. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least
one recession is defined in one of a crown portion, a sole portion,
and a side portion of the golf club head body.
12. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, further including a
buffering space defined between an inner periphery of said at least
one recession and an outer periphery of said at least one composite
plate, and a filler being filled in the buffering space.
13. A composite plate for a golf club head, the composite plate
comprising: at least one metal layer; and at least one non-metal
layer, said at least one metal layer and said at least one
non-metal layer being laminated by pressing to form the composite
plate, the composite plate being adapted to be engaged in a
recession of a golf club head to form a portion of a shell of the
golf club head.
14. The composite plate as claimed in claim 13, wherein said at
least one non-metal layer is an outermost layer of the composite
plate.
15. The composite plate as claimed in claim 13, wherein said at
least one metal layer is an outermost layer of the composite
plate.
16. The composite plate as claimed in claim 13, wherein said at
least one metal layer has a density smaller than 4.8 g/cm.sup.3 and
is made of one of a light metal and an alloy.
17. The composite plate as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
composite plate includes in sequence a first non-metal layer, a
metal layer, a second non-metal layer, and a third non-metal
layer.
18. The composite plate as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first
non-metal layer is one of a uni-direction fabric, a plainwoven
fabric, and a twilled fabric made of graphite, wherein the second
non-metal layer is an adhesive layer of one of solvent-release
type, pressure-sensitive type, heat-sensitive type,
chemically-reactive type, and epoxy, and wherein the third
non-metal layer is a single layer of impregnated graphite
fabric.
19. The composite plate as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
composite plate includes in sequence a metal layer, a first
non-metal layer, and a second non-metal layer.
20. The composite plate as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first
non-metal layer is an adhesive layer of one of solvent-release
type, pressure-sensitive type, heat-sensitive type,
chemically-reactive type, and epoxy, and the wherein second
non-metal layer is a single layer of impregnated graphite
fabric.
21. The composite plate as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
composite plate includes in sequence a composite layer, a metal
layer, a first non-metal layer, and a second non-metal layer.
22. The composite plate as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
composite layer is a net formed by means of mix-weaving metal
filaments and non-metal fibers, the metal filaments and the
non-metal fibers being selected from the group consisting of
graphite, Kevlar fibers, and titanium filaments, the first
non-metal layer being an adhesive layer of one of solvent-release
type, pressure-sensitive type, heat-sensitive type,
chemically-reactive type, and epoxy, and the second non-metal layer
being a single layer of impregnated graphite fabric.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a golf club head and a
composite plate therefor. In particular, the present invention
relates to a golf club head with a composite plate increasing the
adjusting ranges of the center of gravity and of striking sound of
the golf club head.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] A typical conventional wooden golf club head is illustrated
in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The golf club head includes a golf club
head body 10 and at least one cover plate 20'. The golf club head
body 10 is made of metal and includes a striking plate 11 and at
least one recession 12. The recession 12 may be defined in a crown
portion, a sole portion, or a side portion of the golf club head
body 10, depending on the need of the product. The recession 12
includes an opening 121 and a stepped portion 122. The cover plate
20' is a plate made of graphite or light metal by lamination. The
cover plate 20' is tightly engaged in the recession 12. Thus, the
golf club head body 10 has a relatively low center of gravity as
well as a relatively low weight. The position and size of the
opening 121 as well as the position, size, and weight of the cover
plate 20' can be varied to rapidly adjust the center of gravity and
the weight of the whole golf club head while improving design
flexibility.
[0005] Despite of the above advantages, the golf club head has some
disadvantages. Firstly, in a case that the cover plate 20' is made
of graphite that has a sound-absorbing effect, when striking a golf
ball, the pleasing clear and crisp striking sound resulting from
resonance of the golf club head body 10 made of metal is
sacrificed; namely, it sounds dark and unpleasant when striking a
golf ball. Secondly, graphite has a relatively weak structure and
thus adversely affects the structural reliability of the golf club
head product if a considerable number of cover plates 20' made of
graphite is used or the overall area of the cover plate(s) 20' is
relatively large.
[0006] In a case that the cover plate 20' is made of light metal,
the structural strength is improved and the striking sound
generated as a result of striking a golf ball is clear and crisp,
yet lowering of the center of gravity and adjusting range of the
center of gravity are limited. Further, the color and patterns of
the cover plate 20' are monotonous no matter the cover plate 20' is
made of graphite or light metal, failing to provide added value for
the golf club head.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a composite
material for a golf club head to increase adjustment ranges of the
center of gravity and of striking sound of the golf club head.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
composite material for a golf club head to provide various colors
and patterns for the golf club head, providing added value for the
golf club head.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
composite material for a golf club head to improve the striking
performance of the golf club head.
[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a golf club head with a composite plate that achieves the above
objects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
golf club head is provided and includes a golf club head body made
of metal and having a striking plate, at least one recession
defined in the golf club head body, and at least one composite
plate engaged in said at least one recession to form a portion of a
shell of a golf club head product. The composite plate includes at
least one metal layer and at least one non-metal layer that are
laminated by pressing.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
composite plate is provided for a golf club head and includes at
least one metal layer and at least one non-metal layer. Said one
metal layer and said at least one non-metal layer are laminated by
pressing to form the composite plate.
[0013] Other objects, advantages and novel features of this
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional
wooden golf club head;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club head
with a composite plate in accordance with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded sectional view illustrating
formation of a metal layer of the composite plate;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mold
for manufacturing the composite plate in accordance with the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the golf club head in
accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top view of the golf club head in accordance
with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a modified embodiment of the
golf club head in accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a top view of the golf club head in FIG. 7;
[0022] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing patterns of a modified
embodiment of the composite plate;
[0023] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing patterns of another
modified embodiment of the composite plate;
[0024] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing patterns of a further
modified embodiment of the composite plate;
[0025] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing patterns of still
another modified embodiment of the composite plate; and
[0026] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of yet another
modified embodiment of the composite plate in accordance with the
present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are now to be
described hereinafter in detail, in which the same reference
numerals are used in the preferred embodiments for the same parts
as those in the prior art to avoid redundant description.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, a golf club head in
accordance with the present invention includes a golf club head
body 10 and at least one composite plate 20. The golf club head
body 10 is made of metal and includes a striking plate 11 and at
least one recession 12. The recession 12 may be defined in an
appropriate position of the golf club head, e.g., the crown
portion, the sole portion, or the side portion of the golf club
head body 10. The recession 12 includes an opening 121 and a
stepped portion 122.
[0029] The composite plate 20 is tightly engaged in the recession
12, forming a portion of a shell for the golf club head. The
composite plate 20 includes at least one metal layer 21 and at
least one non-metal layer (three metal layers 22, 23, and 24 in
this embodiment) that are laminated by pressing.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, the metal layer 21 is made of light
metal or alloy having a density smaller than 4.8 g/cm.sup.3,
preferably magnesium, aluminum, titanium, or an alloy thereof.
Before manufacture, the metal layer 21 is cut to an appropriate
size, and a press mold 30 consisting of a first mold part 30a and a
second mold part 30b is used to press the metal layer 21. The metal
layer 21 is placed on a convex plane 32 of the second mold part 30b
and then pressed by the first mold part 30a having a concave plane
31. Thus, the metal layer 21 after pressing has a shape
corresponding to the recession 12 of the golf club head body 10.
The metal layer 21 has a density smaller than 4.8 g/cm.sup.3.
Further, the tensile modulus of the metal layer 21 is between 3500
kg/mm.sup.2 and 12000 kg/mm.sup.2, the elongation of the metal
layer 21 is between 5% and 20%, the hardness (HV) of the metal
layer 21 is between 45 and 450, and the thickness of the metal
layer 21 is between 0.3 mm and 1.5 mm. The above
physical/mechanical properties assist in lowering the center of
gravity of the golf club head product and in generation of clear
and crisp striking sound when striking a golf ball.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, a first non-metal
layer 22, a second non-metal layer 23, and a third non-metal layer
24 are provided. The first non-metal layer 22 is superimposed on
the metal layer 21, which is superimposed on the second non-metal
layer 23, which, in turn, is superimposed on the third non-metal
layer 24. The first non-metal layer 22 is preferably a
uni-direction fabric, a plainwoven fabric, or a twilled fabric made
of graphite. Typically, the graphite fabric consists of one (1) to
five (5) layers of pre-impregnated graphite material oriented at
0.degree., 90.degree., or .+-.45.degree. and alternately stacked
and glued together at an appropriate high temperature. Thus, the
graphite 221 forms patterns on an outer face of the first non-metal
layer 22.
[0032] The second non-metal layer 23 is preferably made of epoxy.
Alternatively, the second non-metal layer 23 can be an adhesive
layer of solvent-release type, pressure-sensitive type,
heat-sensitive type, or chemically-reactive type. The third
non-metal layer 24 is preferably a single layer of impregnated
graphite fabric. After preparation and stacking of the first
non-metal layer 22, the metal layer 21, the second non-metal layer
23, and the third non-metal layer 24, another press mold 40
consisting of a first mold part 40a having a concave plane 41 and a
second mold part 40b having a convex plane 42 is used to press the
metal layer 21 and the non-metal layers 22, 23, and 24. The metal
layer 21 and the non-metal layers 22, 23, and 24 are laminated and
bonded together to form a composite plate 20 having a density
between 1.7 g/cm.sup.3 and 4.8 g/cm.sup.3.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, through use of the adhesive such
as epoxy, the composite plate 20 is securely and tightly engaged in
the recession 12 of the golf club head body 10, forming a golf club
head product. Since the composite plate 20 includes non-metal
layers 22, 23, and 24 having relatively lower densities, the center
of gravity of the golf club head product is lowered, thereby
increasing the inertial moment of the golf club. Further, since the
composite plate 20 includes a metal layer 21, clearer and crisper
sound (in comparison with the cover plate 20' of FIG. 1) is
generated when striking a golf ball with the golf club. This
provides added value for the golf club product. Further, the metal
layer 21 provides the composite plate 20 with improved deforming
capacity, which improves the deforming capacity of the striking
plate 11 of the golf club head body 10 to an extent. The flying
distance of the golf ball stricken by the golf club is increased;
namely, the striking performance is improved.
[0034] The material, thickness, number of layers, and the sequence
of the metal layer 21 and the non-metal layers 22, 23, and 24 can
be varied, depending on the product need. The position of the
center of gravity, the frequency of the striking sound, or the
coefficient of restitution of the golf club head can be adjusted.
Further, the weaving method of the graphite of the first non-metal
layer 22 that is the outermost layer of the composite plate 20 can
be changed to provide various patterns on the outer face of the
composite plate 20, providing aesthetically different pleasing
appearances for the golf club product.
[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a modified embodiment of the
invention, wherein a buffering space is defined between an inner
periphery of the recession 12 and an outer periphery of the
composite plate 20, and a filler 50 is filled in the buffering
space. The filler 50 is preferably an elastomeric paint filler,
preferably a paint filler made of thermoplastic elastomer, such as
a polyurethane (PU) paint filler. Thus, a buffering space allowing
elastomeric deformation and heat expansion/cooling shrinkage is
provided between the composite plate 20 and the recession 12,
reducing the possibility of creases, improving the structural
strength, and improving the good product rate of the golf club
head. Further, selection of various fillers 50 or combination of
different fillers 50 provides various annular patterns on the golf
club head product, providing added value for the golf club head
product.
[0036] FIG. 9 shows a modified embodiment of the composite plate
20. In this embodiment, the first non-metal layer 22 is replaced
with a first composite layer 22a that is formed by means of
mix-weaving graphite 221 and Kevlar fibers 222 that are properly
arranged to form a net-like material. The Kevlar fibers 222 are
poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide sold by Dupont Inc. under the name
Kevlar.RTM..
[0037] FIG. 10 shows another modified embodiment of the composite
plate 20. In this embodiment, the first non-metal layer 22 is
replaced with a second composite layer 22b that is formed by means
of mix-weaving graphite 221 and titanium filaments 223 that are
properly arranged to form a net-like material.
[0038] FIG. 11 shows a further modified embodiment of the composite
plate 20. In this embodiment, the first non-metal layer 22 is
replaced with a third composite layer 22c that is formed by means
of mix-weaving Kevlar fibers 222 and titanium filaments 223 that
are properly arranged to form a net-like material.
[0039] FIG. 12 shows still another modified embodiment of the
composite plate 20. In this embodiment, the first non-metal layer
22 is replaced with a fourth composite layer 22d that is formed by
means of mix-weaving graphite 221, Kevlar fibers 222, and titanium
filaments 223 that are properly arranged to form a net-like
material.
[0040] The physical/mechanical properties of graphite 221, Kevlar
fiber 222, and titanium filament 223 are listed in Table 1.
1 TABLE 1 tensile strength tensile modulus elongation (ksi)
(kg/mm.sup.2) (%) color graphite 500 24500 2.0 black Kevlar fiber
350 7400 4.6 golden mixed weaving of 35.2 2400 26.2 sliver/black
Titanium filaments and graphite
[0041] As can be seen in Table 1, graphite 221 is black, Kevlar
fiber 222 is golden, and titanium filament 223 is silver. Use of
graphite 221, Kevlar fibers 222, or titanium filaments 223, or
mix-weaving of at least two of them to form the first composite
layer 22a, the second composite layer 22b, the third composite
layer 22c, or the fourth composite layer 22d provides a change in
the color and the patterns on the outer face of the composite plate
20. Thus, the appearance of the golf club head product can be
aesthetically pleasing, providing added value for the golf club
head product.
[0042] FIG. 13 illustrates yet another modified embodiment of the
composite plate 20. In this embodiment, the composite plate 20
includes a metal layer 21 and two non-metal layers 23 and 24. The
metal layer 21 is made of a material selected from the group
consisting of magnesium, aluminum, titanium, and an alloy thereof.
The non-metal layer 23 is preferably made of epoxy, and the
non-metal layer 24 is preferably a single layer of impregnated
graphite fabric. The non-metal layer 23 is the outermost layer of
the composite plate 20, providing the composite plate 20 with a
metallic appearance. Further, the composite plate 20 increases the
adjusting range of the center of gravity of the golf club head
product, increases the adjusting range of the striking sound of the
golf club head product, and increases the coefficient of
restitution of the golf club head product. This allows manufacture
of a golf club head product with a metallic appearance, low center
of gravity, clear and crisp striking sound, and good striking
effect.
[0043] While the principles of this invention have been disclosed
in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by
those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended
to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and
variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended
to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the
appended claims.
* * * * *