U.S. patent application number 11/098543 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-03 for adjusting block for golf club head.
This patent application is currently assigned to NELSON PRECISION CASTING CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Chun-Yung Huang, Ming-Ching Liang.
Application Number | 20060172822 11/098543 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36757314 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060172822 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liang; Ming-Ching ; et
al. |
August 3, 2006 |
Adjusting block for golf club head
Abstract
A golf club head includes a body having a cutaway recession and
an adjusting block mounted in the cutaway recession. The body
includes a striking face for striking a golf ball. The adjusting
block includes a chamber in which at least one accessory member is
mounted. The accessory member may be a weight member, damping
member, or an ornamental cover for a golf club.
Inventors: |
Liang; Ming-Ching; (Tainan
City, TW) ; Huang; Chun-Yung; (Kaohsiung Hsien,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
NELSON PRECISION CASTING CO.,
LTD.
Kaohsiung
TW
|
Family ID: |
36757314 |
Appl. No.: |
11/098543 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/350 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2053/0491 20130101;
A63B 53/047 20130101; A63B 53/0466 20130101; A63B 53/0437 20200801;
A63B 60/02 20151001; A63B 53/0433 20200801; A63B 60/54
20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/350 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 3, 2005 |
TW |
94103452 |
Claims
1. A golf club head comprising: a body including a cutaway
recession, the body further including a striking face for striking
a golf ball; and an adjusting block mounted in the cutaway
recession of the body, the adjusting block including a chamber, at
least one accessory member being mounted in the chamber of the
adjusting block that is mounted in the cutaway recession of the
body.
2. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a wall of the
cutaway recession including an engaging portion, the adjusting
block includes an engaging section engaged with the engaging
portion when the adjusting block is mounted in the cutaway
recession of the body.
3. The golf club head as claimed in claim 2, wherein the engaging
portion includes at least one guiding face for guiding the engaging
section of the adjusting block into the engaging portion.
4. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body
further includes an upper reinforcing wall delimiting the cutaway
recession.
5. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body
further includes a lower reinforcing wall delimiting the cutaway
recession.
6. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutaway
recession tapers outward for improving engaging strength of the
adjusting block in the cutaway recession.
7. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutaway
recession tapers inward for allowing easy mounting of the adjusting
block.
8. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bottom wall
of the cutaway recession including a recess, and wherein the
adjusting block includes a protrusion engaged in the recess.
9. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bottom wall
of the cutaway recession including a recess, further including a
vibration-absorbing member mounted in the recess and sandwiched
between the adjusting block and the recess.
10. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein at lease one
engaging sidewall formed in the chamber of the adjusting block, at
least one sidewall of the accessory member pressing against said at
least one engaging sidewall of the chamber of the adjusting block,
thereby slightly expanding the adjusting block and reliably fixing
the adjusting block in the cutaway recession.
11. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the accessory
member includes a section with a width greater than that of the
chamber for slightly expanding the adjusting block and reliably
fixing the adjusting block in the cutaway recession.
12. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
casing for covering the adjusting block, the casing including at
least one notch allowing expansion of the adjusting block.
13. The golf club head as claimed in claim 12, wherein the casing
includes a slot aligned with the chamber of the adjusting block,
allowing insertion of the accessory member into the chamber of the
adjusting block.
14. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutaway
recession is defined in an upper portion of the body.
15. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutaway
recession is delimited by an upper reinforcing wall and a lower
reinforcing wall to form a compartment.
16. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is
selected from a wood type club head.
17. A golf club head comprising: a body including a cutaway
recession; an adjusting block mounted in the cutaway recession, the
adjusting block including a chamber, at least one accessory member
being mounted in the chamber; and a casing covering the adjusting
block.
18. The golf club head as claimed in claim 17, wherein: a wall of
the cutaway recession including an engaging portion, the adjusting
block includes an engaging section engaged with the engaging
portion when the adjusting block is mounted in the cutaway
recession of the body.
19. The golf club head as claimed in claim 17, wherein the body
further includes an upper reinforcing wall delimiting the cutaway
recession.
20. The golf club head as claimed in claim 17, wherein the body
further includes a lower reinforcing wall delimiting the cutaway
recession.
21. The golf club head as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cutaway
recession tapers outward for improving engaging strength of the
adjusting block in the cutaway recession.
22. The golf club head as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cutaway
recession tapers inward for allowing easy mounting of the adjusting
block.
23. The golf club head as claimed in claim 17, wherein a bottom
wall of the cutaway recession including a recess, and wherein the
adjusting block includes a protrusion engaged in the recess.
24. The golf club head as claimed in claim 17, wherein a bottom
wall of the cutaway recession including a recess, further including
a vibration-absorbing member mounted in the recess and sandwiched
between the adjusting block and the recess.
25. The golf club head as claimed in claim 17, wherein at lease one
sidewall formed in the chamber of the adjusting block, at least one
sidewall of the accessory member pressing against said at least one
engaging sidewall of the chamber of the adjusting block, thereby
slightly expanding the adjusting block and reliably fixing the
adjusting block in the cutaway recession.
26. A golf club head comprising: a body including a compartment; an
adjusting block mounted in the compartment, the adjusting block
including a chamber, at least one accessory member being mounted in
the chamber; and a casing covering the adjusting block.
27. The golf club head as claimed in claim 26, wherein: a wall of
the compartment including an engaging portion, the adjusting block
includes an engaging section engaged with the engaging portion when
the adjusting block is mounted in the compartment of the body.
28. The golf club head as claimed in claim 26, wherein a bottom
wall of the compartment including a recess, and wherein the
adjusting block includes a protrusion engaged in the recess.
29. The golf club head as claimed in claim 26, wherein a bottom
wall of the cutaway recession including a compartment, further
including a vibration-absorbing member mounted in the compartment
and sandwiched between the adjusting block and the compartment.
30. The golf club head as claimed in claim 26, wherein at lease one
engaging sidewall formed in the chamber of the adjusting block, at
least one sidewall of the accessory member pressing against said at
least one engaging sidewall of the chamber of the adjusting block,
thereby slightly expanding the adjusting block and reliably fixing
the adjusting block in the compartment.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an adjusting block for a
golf club head. In particular, the present invention relates to an
adjusting block for adjusting the center of gravity and moment of
inertia of a golf club head.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0214657 A1 discloses a golf
club head comprises a main body, a striking plate, and a weight.
The main body includes a ring frame, and the striking plate is
combined with a front side of the main body. The striking plate
includes a front surface for striking a golf ball and a rear
surface for combining with the weight. The main body, the striking
plate, and the weight are made of metal.
[0005] The density of the weight is greater than those of the main
body and the striking plate such that the weight has a relatively
smaller volume. In manufacture, a smaller weight is adopted and
thus could not completely fill the volume of a specific space in
the body. A space must be preserved in a particular location in the
main body for the weight, leading to difficult adjustment in the
center of gravity and moment of inertia. Further, the size of the
main body is reduced if the size of the weight, leading to a
reduction in the area of the striking plate. The striking effect is
adversely affected accordingly.
[0006] In brief, there is a need in an improved arrangement for the
main body and the weight to allow flexible adjustment of the center
of gravity and moment of inertia of the golf club head.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an
adjusting block that allows flexible adjustment of the center of
gravity of a golf club head.
[0008] Anther object of the present invention is to provide an
adjusting block that allows flexible adjustment of the moment of
inertia of a golf club head.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
adjusting block that can be easily assembled to or detached from a
golf club head.
[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a golf club head that provides a space for receiving a weight as
well as other head components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
a golf club head comprises a body having a cutaway recession and an
adjusting block mounted in the cutaway recession. The body includes
a striking face for striking a golf ball. The adjusting block
includes a chamber in which at least one accessory member is
mounted.
[0012] Preferably, a wall delimiting the cutaway recession includes
an engaging portion. Preferably, the adjusting block includes an
engaging section engaged with the engaging portion when the
adjusting block is mounted in the cutaway recession of the body.
Preferably, the engaging portion includes at least one guiding face
for guiding the engaging section of the adjusting block into the
engaging portion.
[0013] The body may further include an upper reinforcing wall
delimiting the cutaway recession. The body may further include a
lower reinforcing wall delimiting the cutaway recession.
[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the cutaway recession
tapers outward for improving engaging strength of the adjusting
block in the cutaway recession. In another embodiment of the
invention, the cutaway recession tapers inward for allowing easy
mounting of the adjusting block.
[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, a bottom wall delimiting
the cutaway recession includes a recess, and the adjusting block
includes a protrusion engaged in the recess.
[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, a bottom wall
delimiting the cutaway recession includes a recess, and a
vibration-absorbing member is mounted in the recess and sandwiched
between the adjusting block and a bottom wall delimiting the
recess.
[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, at lease one of
two sidewalls delimiting the chamber of the adjusting block
protrudes into the chamber. At least one of two sidewalls
delimiting the cutaway recession presses against the at least one
of the sidewalls delimiting the chamber of the adjusting block,
slightly expanding the adjusting block and reliably fixing the
adjusting block in the cutaway recession.
[0018] Preferably, the accessory member includes a section with a
width greater than that of the chamber for slightly expanding the
adjusting block and reliably fixing the adjusting block in the
cutaway recession.
[0019] In still another embodiment of the invention, a casing
covers the adjusting block and includes at least one notch allowing
expansion of the adjusting block. The casing includes a slot
aligned with the chamber of the adjusting block, allowing insertion
of the accessory member into the chamber of the adjusting
block.
[0020] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the cutaway
recession is defined in an upper portion of the body.
[0021] In still another embodiment of the invention, the cutaway
recession is delimited by an upper reinforcing wall and a lower
reinforcing wall to form a compartment.
[0022] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
a golf club head comprises a body including a cutaway recession, an
adjusting block mounted in the cutaway recession, and a casing
covering the adjusting block. The adjusting block includes a
chamber in which at least one accessory member is mounted.
[0023] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,
a golf club head comprises a body including a compartment, an
adjusting block mounted in the compartment, and a casing covering
the adjusting block. The adjusting block includes a chamber in
which at least one accessory member is mounted.
[0024] 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
[0025] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment
of a golf club head in accordance with the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view of the golf club head
in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the golf club head in FIG.
1;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the golf club head in FIG.
1;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along plane 5-5 in FIG.
4;
[0030] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second
embodiment of the golf club head in accordance with the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the golf club head in FIG.
6;
[0032] FIG. 8 is another sectional view of the golf club head in
FIG. 6;
[0033] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment
of the golf club head in accordance with the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the golf club head in FIG.
9;
[0035] FIG. 11 is another sectional view of the golf club head in
FIG. 10;
[0036] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth
embodiment of the golf club head in accordance with the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the golf club head in FIG.
12;
[0038] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth
embodiment of the golf club head in accordance with the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a sixth
embodiment of the golf club head in accordance with the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a seventh
embodiment of the golf club head in accordance with the present
invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a golf
club head in accordance with the present invention comprises a body
1, a striking plate 10, and an adjusting block 2. The adjusting
block 2 allows adjustment of the center of gravity and moment of
inertia of the body 1.
[0042] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the body 1 is preferably
made of metal selecting from a group consisting of stainless steel
(such as 17-4PH stainless steel), carbon steel, low carbon steel,
alloy steel, low alloy steel, Fe--Mn--Al alloy, cast iron,
nickel-based alloy, structural steel, super alloy steel, and
titanium alloy (such as Ti-6Al-4V).
[0043] The body 1 includes a perimeter wall (not labeled) having a
sole. The striking plate 10 is engaged with a front end of the body
1 and connected to the perimeter wall of the body 1. The striking
plate 10 includes a front face (striking face) for striking a golf
ball and a rear face surrounded by the perimeter wall.
[0044] Still referring to FIG. 1, the body 1 includes a cutaway
recession 11 for tightly receiving the adjusting block 1.
Preferably, the cutaway recession 11 is located in the sole of the
body 1 to reduce the mass of the sole of the body 1. The cutaway
recession 11 has a predetermined specification that corresponds to
that of the adjusting block 1.
[0045] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cutaway recession 11
of the body 1 is delimited by a bottom wall 112 and two sidewalls
111 on two sides of the bottom wall 112. In the illustrated
embodiment, each sidewall 111 includes an engaging portion 113 in
the form of a groove. Preferably, the engaging portions 113 on the
sidewalls 111 are aligned with each other. The engaging portions
113 on the sidewalls 111 may be omitted when appropriate.
[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the adjusting block 2 as a
whole is a block made of elastomeric material selected from a group
consisting of resins (such as epoxy resin), high molecular
polymers, rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane and
combinations thereof. The adjusting block 2 includes a chamber 20
for receiving at least one accessory member 3. In the illustrated
embodiment, the adjusting block 2 includes an engaging section 21
on each of two lateral walls thereof. Each engaging section 21
includes at least one guiding face 211 to allow easy
mounting/removal of the adjusting block 2 into/from the cutaway
recession 11 of the body 1. In the illustrated embodiment, each
engaging section 21 is a protrusion having an inner guiding face
211 and an outer guiding face 211.
[0047] The accessory member 3 may be a weight member, damping
member, or an ornamental cover for a golf club. Preferably, the
accessory member 3 includes an expanding section for pressing
against an inner periphery delimiting the chamber 20 of the block
2, thereby resiliently expanding and deforming the block 2. The
accessory member 3 includes a first width W1 and a second width W2.
In the illustrated embodiment, the inner side of the accessory
member 3 has the second width W2 that is equal to a width of the
chamber 2, and the outer side of the accessory member 3 has the
first width W1 that is greater than the second width W2. Thus, when
the accessory member 3 is inserted into the chamber 20 of the
engaging block 2, the outer perimeter of the adjusting block 2
deforms and expands outward. On the other hand, if the accessory
member 3 is removed from the chamber 20 of the engaging block 2,
the outer perimeter of the engaging block 2 resumes its original
shape.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, in assembly, the engaging
block 2 is inserted into the cutaway recession 11 of the body 1,
and the accessory member 3 is then inserted into the chamber 20 of
the engaging block 2. In normal use, disengagement of the adjusting
block 2 from the cutaway recession 11 of the body 1 is less likely
to occur, as the outer perimeter of the adjusting block 2 deforms
and expands outward after the accessory member 3 is inserted into
the chamber 20 of the engaging block 2. Thus, the adjusting block 2
is mounted to the sole of the body 1 to form a golf club head.
[0049] Still referring to FIG. 5, the engaging sections 21 of the
engaging block 2 are engaged with the engaging portions 113 of the
cutaway recession 11. This provides a tight engagement between the
engaging block 2 and the cutaway recession 11 of the body 1 and
thus further avoids disengagement of the engaging block 2 from the
cutaway recession 11 of the body 1.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, as mentioned above, when the
outer side with a width W1 of the accessory member 3 is inserted
into the chamber 20 of the engaging block 2, the engaging block 2
deforms and expands outward. Thus, the sidewalls of the engaging
block 2 tightly press against the sidewalls 111 delimiting the
cutaway recession 11. Further, the engaging sections 21 of the
adjusting block 2 expand outward and thus firmly engaged in the
engaging sections 113 of the cutaway recession 11. The inner
guiding face 211 of each engaging section 21 of the adjusting block
2 allows smooth insertion of the engaging section 21 into the
associated engaging portion 113.
[0051] Still referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, when replacing the
adjusting block and/or the accessory member 3, the accessory member
3 is removed from the chamber 20 of the adjusting block 2, and the
adjusting block 2 is then removed from the cutaway recession 11 of
the body 1. The outer guiding face 211 of each engaging section 21
of the adjusting block 2 allows easy removal of the engaging
section 21 from the associated engaging portion 113.
[0052] FIGS. 6 through 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the
invention, wherein the cutaway recession 11 is further delimited by
an upper reinforcing wall 114 connected between the sidewalls 111.
The upper reinforcing wall 114 reinforces the structure of the
cutaway recession 11. Namely, the bottom wall 112, the sidewalls
111, and the upper reinforcing wall 114 together delimit the
cutaway recession 11. Further, at least one sidewall 22 delimiting
the chamber 20 of the adjusting block 2 protrudes into the chamber
20. Thus, when the accessory member 3 is inserted into the chamber
20 of the adjusting block 2, the adjusting block 2 slightly deforms
and expands outward, thereby tightly fixing the adjusting block 2
in the cutaway recession 11 of the body 1.
[0053] Still referring to FIG. 8, the cutaway recession 11 tapers
outward toward an opening section (not labeled) of the cutaway
recession 11, thereby reinforcing the engagement between the
adjusting member 2 and the cutaway recession 11.
[0054] FIGS. 9 through 11 illustrate a third embodiment of the
invention, wherein the cutaway recession 11 is further delimited by
a lower reinforcing wall 114' connected between the sidewalls 111.
The lower reinforcing wall 1114' reinforces the structure of the
cutaway recession 11. Namely, the bottom wall 112, the sidewalls
111, and the lower reinforcing wall 114' together delimit the
cutaway recession 11.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the cutaway recession 11 tapers
inward, allowing easy mounting and removal of the adjusting block
2.
[0056] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the
invention, wherein the adjusting block 2 includes a protrusion 21'
on an inner side thereof, and wherein the bottom wall 112
delimiting the cutaway recession 11 includes a recess 113' for
engaging with the protrusion 21'. Thus, the engaging strength of
the adjusting block 2 in the cutaway recession 11 is improved.
[0057] FIG. 14 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention
modified from the fourth embodiment, wherein the protrusion 21' on
the adjusting block 2 is omitted. Instead, a separate
vibration-absorbing member 24 is mounted in the recess 113' and
sandwiched between a bottom wall delimiting the recess 113' and the
inner side of the adjusting block 2. The vibration-absorbing member
24 is made of a material having a density different from that of
the
[0058] Preferably, the material for forming the vibration-absorbing
member is selected from a group consisting of aluminum alloy,
magnesium alloy, titanium alloy, copper alloy, stainless steel,
tungsten alloy, nickel-based alloy, resins (such as epoxy resin),
high molecular polymers, rubber, thermoplastic elastomers,
polyurethane and combinations thereof.
[0059] Further, the adjusting block 2 is covered by a substantially
U-shaped casing 23 having a slot 231 in an intermediate section
thereof. The slot 231 of the casing 23 is aligned with the chamber
20 of the adjusting block 2, allowing insertion of the accessory
member 3 into the chamber 20 via the slot 231. The U-shaped casing
23 further includes two openings or notches 231 respectively in two
sides thereof. The engaging sections 21 of the adjusting block 2
are respectively located in the notches 231, allowing lateral
expansion of the adjusting block 2, whereas expansion of the
adjusting block 2 in the vertical direction is restrained by the
casing 23.
[0060] FIG. 15 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the invention,
wherein the cutaway recession 11' is defined in an upper portion of
the body 1 for receiving the adjusting block 2, allowing adjustment
of the mass of the body 1. A compartment is delimited by an upper
reinforcing wall 114, a lower reinforcing wall 114', a bottom wall
112, and two sidewalls 111 each having an engaging portion 113 in
the form of a groove.
[0061] FIG. 16 illustrates a seventh embodiment of the invention,
wherein the body 1' is of wooden club type. A cutaway recession 11
is defined in the body 1' and delimited by a bottom wall 112 having
a recess 113' and two sidewalls 111 each having an engaging portion
113 in the form of a groove. The adjusting block 2 includes two
engaging sections (protrusions) 21 respectively formed on two
lateral sides thereof and a protrusion 21' on an inner side thereof
for respectively engaging with the engaging portions 113 and the
recess 113' of the cutaway recession 11.
[0062] 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.
* * * * *