U.S. patent application number 10/889000 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-19 for golf club head structure for improving casting fluidity in a slurry shell.
Invention is credited to Wen-Ching Hou.
Application Number | 20060014593 10/889000 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35600150 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060014593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hou; Wen-Ching |
January 19, 2006 |
Golf club head structure for improving casting fluidity in a slurry
shell
Abstract
A golf club head structure includes a first portion and a second
portion adjacent thereto. The first portion and the second portion
have a first thickness and a second thickness respectively. The
ratio of the first thickness to the second thickness ranges between
0.56 and 1.00 that may enhance casting fluidity of molten iron in a
slurry shell to thereby reduce the possibility of generating
contraction cavities and slag-eyes in the golf club head.
Inventors: |
Hou; Wen-Ching; (Kaohsiung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
35600150 |
Appl. No.: |
10/889000 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0416 20200801;
A63B 53/047 20130101; A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 2053/0491 20130101;
A63B 53/0433 20200801; A63B 53/0466 20130101; A63B 53/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/349 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04 |
Claims
1. A golf club head made of Fe--Mn--Al alloy, comprising: a club
head body having at least two adjacent portions located at a
reference point; the two adjacent portions having a first thickness
and a second thickness with respect to the reference point; the
ratio of the first thickness to the second thickness ranging
between 0.56 to 1.00 that improves casting fluidity of molten iron
of Fe--Mn--Al alloy to reduce the possibility of generating
contraction cavities and slag-eyes in slush casting;
2. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the club head
body is an iron-type club head.
3. The golf club head as defined in claim 2, wherein the club head
body has a thickness ranging from 2 mm to 6 mm.
4. The golf club head as defined in claim 2, wherein further
comprising a weight member welding to the club head body.
5. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the club head
body is a pitching wedge or a sand wedge.
6. The golf club head as defined in claim 5, wherein the club head
body has a thickness ranging from 2 mm to 17 mm.
7. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the club head
body is a wood-type club head.
8. The golf club head as defined in claim 7, wherein the club head
body has a thickness ranging from 1 mm to 3 mm.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a golf club head structure
for improving casting fluidity in a slurry shell. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a golf club head
structure consisting of two adjacent portions having changes in
thickness to improve casting fluidity in a slurry shell and casting
quality.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Fe--Mn--Al alloy has highly low density, excellently
vibration-absorbable and high degree of hardness. Casting a golf
club head with Fe--Mn--Al alloy, the center of gravity of the golf
club head may be lowered, and a striking surface area and
dimensions of the golf club head may be increased. In slush
casting, inevitably, when Fe--Mn--Al alloy is employed to cast a
casting of a golf club head, a finished product of the casting has
many casting deficiencies of cold-shot, contraction cavities and
slag-eye due to low casting fluidity in a slurry shell. Generally,
the improvement of casting technology and cast molding system may
eliminate deficiencies of cold-shot and slag bonding. As to the
contraction cavity, a finishing and grinding process can eliminate
it. However, when the contraction cavities are located in a
complicated structure and an unbalanced thickness (such as an
opening or an undercut) of the golf club head, it is hard to
eliminate the contraction cavities by means of the finishing and
grinding process. Consequently, the contraction cavities may be
remained on the surface of the golf club head that may result in a
decrease in the value of products. Thus, the applied scope of
Fe--Mn--Al alloy in the industry is restricted and unsuitable for
casting the golf club head. Hence, there is a need for a club head
structure which is suitable for using Fe--Mn--Al alloy in slush
casting.
[0005] The present invention intends to provide a golf club head
structure for a casting consisting of two adjacent portions having
changes in thickness to improve casting fluidity in a slurry shell
and casting quality. In slush casting, the ratio of width of the
slurry shell allows the fluent passage of molten iron of Fe--Mn--Al
alloy to eliminate contraction cavities and slag-eyes in a casting
in such a way to mitigate and overcome the above problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The primary objective of this invention is to provide a golf
club head structure for improving casting fluidity in a slurry
shell. The golf club head structure consists of two adjacent
portions having changes in thickness corresponding to changes in
width of the slurry shell to thereby avoid generating contraction
cavities and slag-eyes in a casting.
[0007] The golf club head structure in accordance with the present
invention includes a first portion and a second portion adjacent
thereto. The first portion and the second portion have a first
thickness and a second thickness respectively. The ratio of the
first thickness to the second thickness ranges between 0.56 and
1.00 that may enhance casting fluidity of molten iron in a slurry
shell to thereby reduce the possibility of generating contraction
cavities and slag-eyes in the golf club head.
[0008] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a golf club head
structure for improving casting fluidity in a slurry shell in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, in FIG. 1, of
the golf club head structure in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the slurry shell for the
golf club head structure in accordance with the first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, in FIG. 3, of
the slurry shell for the golf club head structure in accordance
with the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a lateral schematic view of a golf club head
structure for improving casting fluidity in the slurry shell in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an enlarged lateral view, in FIG. 5, of the golf
club head structure in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a golf club head
structure for improving casting fluidity in the slurry shell in
accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 8 is enlarged cross-sectional view, in FIG. 7, of the
golf club head structure in accordance with the third embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 through 4, a golf club head
structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention includes a club head body 10 pertaining to an iron-type
club head integrally formed with a single member and made of
Fe--Mn--Al alloy. The single member of the club head body 10
includes an annular flange 11, a flat plate portion 12, a weight
portion 13 and a compartment 14. In assembling, the compartment 14
is adapted to receive a weight member 15 for adjusting a center of
gravity of the club head body 10. Each of the club head sections
has two adjacent portions gradually changing in thickness, a
connecting portion of the flat plate portion 12 to the annular
flange 11 or the flat plate portion 12 to the weight portion 13 for
example.
[0019] Referring again to FIG. 3, a slurry shell 20 can be made by
dewaxing a wax pattern (not shown) of the club head body 10. The
construction of the slurry shell 20 has a cavity 21 configured with
an inner space corresponding to an outer predetermined shape of the
club head body 10. Consequently, the club head body 10 can be
obtained by pouring molten iron of Fe--Mn--Al alloy into the cavity
21 of the slurry shell 20.
[0020] Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 4, in slush casting, the club
head body 10 should avoid generating contraction cavities and
slag-eyes in a casting formed in the cavity 21 of the slurry shell
20. To accomplish this task, the cavity 21 of the slurry shell 20
has two adjacent portions with respect to a reference point (shown
at "a") changing in width. The ratio of the two widths of the any
two adjacent portions ranges between 0.56 to 1.00 that may improve
casting fluidity in the slurry shell 20.
[0021] Referring again to FIG. 2, a boundary between the flat plate
portion 12 and the annular flange 11 of the club head body 10 has
changes in thickness. The flat plate portion 12 has a thickness t1
(a thinner thickness) while the annular flange 11 having a
thickness t2 (a thicker thickness). As best shown in FIG. 4, the
cavity 21 of the slurry shell 20 correspondingly includes a first
width t1 (a thinner width) and a second width t2 (a thicker width).
The ratio of the first width t1 to the second width t2 of the
cavity 21 ranges between 0.56 and 1.00. In slush casting, molten
iron of Fe--Mn--Al alloy may fluently pass through any two adjacent
portions of the cavity 21 of the slurry shell 20 since the cavity
21 has such changes in width for enhancing casting fluidity of
molten iron. Consequently, the structure of the club head body 10
accomplishes to enhance casting fluidity of Fe--Mn--Al alloy that
further carries out to avoid generating contraction cavities and
slag-eyes in the club head body 10 and to improve casting
quality.
[0022] Referring back to FIG. 4, the thickness of the annular
flange 11, the flat plate portion 12, the weight portion 13 and the
compartment 14 preferably ranges from 2 mm to 6 mm and more
preferably from 2 mm to 4 mm, excluding the hosel (not labeled).
Consequently, such thickness can reduce the possibility of
generating contraction cavities and slag-eyes in the club head body
10.
[0023] By contrast, the conventional club head body is made of
stainless steel having density of 7.8 g/cm.sup.3. The club head
body 10 in accordance with the present invention is suitable for
Fe--Mn--Al alloy having lower density of 6.8 g/cm.sup.3 that can
reduce 15% of weight and further lower a center of gravity. To
adjust a center of gravity, the weight member 15 (density of 10.0
g/cm.sup.3) received in the compartment 14 is added for maintaining
total weight of the club head body 10.
[0024] In consideration of the thickness ranging from 2 mm to 6 mm,
the club head body 10 is unsuitable for press-fitting or
snap-fitting the weight member 15 into the compartment 14. To
prevent deformation and cracks of the club head body 10, the weight
member 15 preferably connects to the compartment 14 of the club
head body 10 by welding. In welding process, the present invention
employs a nickel-welding material and a current of a welding torch
preferably ranges from 100 A to 150 A that may improve
heterogeneous-weldable characteristic.
[0025] Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, reference numerals of the
second embodiment of the present invention have applied the
identical numerals of the first embodiment. The construction of the
golf club head member in accordance with the second embodiment of
the present invention has similar configuration and same function
as that of the first embodiment and detailed descriptions may be
omitted.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a golf club head structure in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention
includes a club head body 10 pertaining to a pitching wedge or a
sand wedge integrally formed with a single member and made of
Fe--Mn--Al alloy. In comparison with the first embodiment, the club
head body 10 of the second embodiment includes a flat plate portion
12 and a weight portion 13. A thickness of the club head body 10
preferably ranges from 2 mm to 17 mm, excluding the hosel (not
labeled). As best shown in FIG. 6, a boundary between the flat
plate portion 12 and the weight portion 13 of the club head body 10
has changes in thickness. There exists a reference point (shown at
"a") changing in thickness for enhancing casting fluidity in a
slurry shell (not shown). The flat plate portion 12 has a thickness
t1 (a thinner thickness) while the weight portion 13 having a
thickness t2 (a thicker thickness). The ratio of the first
thickness t1 to the second thickness t2 ranges between 0.56 and
1.00. In slush casting, molten iron of Fe--Mn--Al alloy may
fluently pass through any two adjacent portions of the cavity of
the slurry shell. Consequently, such thickness can reduce the
possibility of generating contraction cavities and slag-eyes in the
club head body 10. In particular, the entire weight portion 13 of
the club head body 10 has any two adjacent portions to confine
changes in thickness ranging between 0.56 and 1.00.
[0027] Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a golf club head structure in
accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention
includes a club head body 30 pertaining to a wood-type club head
formed with a single member and made of Fe--Mn--Al alloy. In
comparison with the first embodiment, the club head body 30 of the
third embodiment consists of a main body 31, a front opening 32 and
a stepped portion 33, and the front opening 32 is adapted to
connect to a striking plate (not shown). A thickness of the club
head body 30 preferably ranges from 1 mm to 3 mm, excluding the
hosel (not labeled). As best shown in FIG. 8, a boundary between
the main body 31 and the stepped portion 33 of the club head body
30 has changes in thickness. There exists a reference point (shown
at "a") changing in thickness for enhancing casting fluidity in a
slurry shell (not shown). The stepped portion 33 has a thickness t1
(a thinner thickness) while the main body 31 having a thickness t2
(a thicker thickness). The ratio of the first thickness t1 to the
second thickness t2 ranges between 0.56 and 1.00. In slush casting,
molten iron of Fe--Mn--Al alloy may fluently pass through any two
adjacent portions of the cavity of the slurry shell. Consequently,
such thickness can reduce the possibility of generating contraction
cavities and slag-eyes in the club head body 10.
[0028] To prevent deformation and cracks of the club head members,
the thiner stepped portion 33 of the club head body 30 connects to
an outer periphery of a striking plate by welding instead of
press-fitting the striking plate into the front opening 31.
[0029] In slush casting, the conventional structure of the club
head casting in Fe--Mn--Al alloy results in generating contraction
cavities and slag-eyes. However, the golf club head in accordance
with the present invention has any two adjacent portions having
changes in thickness to improve casting fluidity in a slurry shell
and casting quality.
[0030] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to its presently preferred embodiment, it will be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the
scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *