U.S. patent application number 11/264390 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for sole configuration for metal wood golf club.
Invention is credited to Guerin D. Rife.
Application Number | 20070099726 11/264390 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37997156 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070099726 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rife; Guerin D. |
May 3, 2007 |
Sole configuration for metal wood golf club
Abstract
A metal wood type golf club head including a club head body and
means for attachment to a golf shaft, the club head body including
a frontal ball striking face having a center of percussion thereon,
a rear face, a heel, toe, and top crown, and a bottom sole having a
forward section and at least one additional rear section. The
forward section provides a friction surface and is defined by a
bounce angle extending downwardly from said frontal ball striking
face to prevent the leading edge of the club head from digging into
the turf or ground during the execution of a golf shot. The rear
section of the bottom sole is a reduced friction surface and is
recessed upwardly into the club head.
Inventors: |
Rife; Guerin D.; (Winter
Park, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WELSH & FLAXMAN LLC
2000 DUKE STREET, SUITE 100
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
37997156 |
Appl. No.: |
11/264390 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/344 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0433 20200801;
A63B 60/52 20151001; A63B 53/0466 20130101; A63B 2225/01
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/344 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/00 20060101
A63B053/00 |
Claims
1. A metal wood type golf club head including a club head body and
means for attachment to a golf shaft, said club head body including
a frontal ball striking face having a center of percussion thereon,
a rear face, a heel, toe, and top crown, wherein the improvement
comprises: a bottom sole having a forward bounce angle section and
at least one additional rear section; said forward section being
defined by a generally flat friction surface with a bounce angle
extending downwardly from said frontal ball striking face to a rear
edge of said forward bounce angle section; and, said rear section
being raised upwardly relative to said forward section and recessed
into said club head body providing an area of reduced friction
relative to said forward bounce angle section.
2. The metal wood type golf club head of claim 1, wherein said
bottom sole is formed of a mid section and a rear section between
said forward section and said rear face.
3. The metal wood type golf club head of claim 2, wherein said mid
section is recessed into said club head body.
4. The metal wood type golf club head of claim 3, wherein said rear
section includes at least a portion designed to rest on a ground
surface.
5. The metal wood type golf club head of claim 2, wherein said mid
section is flat to provide a support area for said club head that
rests on a ground surface.
6. The metal wood type golf club head of claim 5, wherein said rear
section is recessed into said club head body.
7. The metal wood type golf club head of claim 1, wherein said
forward section with the bounce angle formed thereon extends
approximately midway between said frontal ball striking face and
said rear face.
8. The metal wood type golf club head of claim 7, wherein said rear
section is recessed upwardly into said club head body.
9. The metal wood type golf club head of claim 1, wherein said
bounce angle is formed in a range of three to 15 degrees.
10. The metal wood golf club head of claim 1, wherein said rear
section includes at least one slot extending in a front to rear
direction said rear face and said bottom sole.
11. The metal wood golf club head of claim 10 being further defined
by a plurality of generally parallel slots extending in a front to
rear direction on said bottom sole.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to golf clubs and in
particular to wood or metal wood type golf club heads having an
improved sole configuration.
[0002] The way the sole of a golf club impacts the ground surface
during the execution of a golf shot often determines the ball
flight and the overall results of the shot. The leading edge of a
golf club head is the edge at the interface of the bottom sole and
lower portion of the ball striking face. It is well known in order
to prevent the leading edge from digging into the ground at impact
with a golf ball, the bottom sole configuration is formed with a
downwardly extending, angular surface toward the rear edge of the
club head that raises the leading edge above the ground. This is
known in the art as the bounce of the club head, the bounce angle
being the angle of the bottom sole relative to the horizontal when
the club head is in a normal address position prior to the
execution of a golf swing. Therefore, golf clubs with different
bounce characteristics will react differently with the ground
surface as the club head impacts with the ground during a golf
shot.
[0003] Typically, a golf club with a higher bounce angle is
considered to have more bounce. Typical bounce angles vary between
6 and 12 degrees. However, the effective bounce of a club head may
also vary by changing the overall length of the bounce surface that
engages the ground. For example, a larger bounce angle combined
with a shorter bounce surface will create the same effective bounce
as a lesser bounce angle with a wider ground engaging surface,
since each structure will raise the leading edge of the club head
the same height above the ground support surface. Bounce is
particularly useful for golf clubs that are used to hit shots out
of sand bunkers to enable the club to be swung down and through the
sand without digging too deeply therein.
[0004] Even when a golf ball lies on smoothly cut grass or turf,
the bounce and sole configuration will effect the results of the
golf shot. This is particularly true when more severe conditions
are encountered, such as extremely hard or soft surfaces. For
example, when a golf club impacts a hard surface, the club head
will tend to bounce resulting in the golf ball being hit thin
resulting in a lower golf shot. When a ground surface is soft, a
golf club may embed in the ground resulting in the loss of club
head speed causing the golf ball to fly short of the intended
target. Prior art golf club heads have been made with bottom sole
configurations to control the way a golf club head reacts with the
ground for the purpose of better controlling a golf shot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is a metal wood type golf club head of
conventional design with an improved sole configuration to increase
the effective bounce of the club head. The bottom sole surface is
formed in separate sections. A first forward sole section is
located directly behind the leading edge of the club head and
extends partway to the rear of the club head. The forward sole
section is formed of a generally flat or planar land area at an
angle downward from the horizontal when the club head is in a
normal address position just prior to the execution of a golf shot.
This angle is the bounce angle and raises the leading edge above
the ground surface. The forward section provides a frictional
surface that impacts the ground as a golf ball is hit with the club
head. The bounce angle of the forward section prevents the club
head from digging into the turf or ground and actually causes the
club head to bounce. The bottom sole includes at least a second
section behind the forward sole bounce section. The second section
extends upwardly and inwardly and recesses into the club head body
so it is raised above the ground surface with the club head at the
address position. There is less friction on the second section
surface since it is raised relative to the ground as a golf ball is
hit by the club head. The raised second section preferably has an
aerodynamic or airfoil shape that traps air between the bottom sole
and ground creating lift and increasing club head speed.
[0006] Another feature of the sole structure is increased mass low
on the club head because of the increased surface area and
thickness of the metal wood shell in the lower areas. This produces
a higher trajectory ball flight for a given loft angle of the
clubface. This, in turn, allows for a lower loft angle for a given
ball flight resulting in increased distance for a given swing
force. Because of this combination of bounce, loft angle and lower
weight, lower lofted clubs, such as drivers, may be used in the
fairway resulting in longer golf shots for a given swing force.
[0007] In various embodiments, the club head may be provided with a
rear edge of the bottom sole that rests the club head on the ground
for increases stability. The club head may have a flat mid section
to stabilize the club at address. Similarly the bottom sole of the
club head may have a forward or bounce section of various sizes and
bounce angles.
[0008] The present invention is particularly adaptable for metal
wood type golf clubs and in particular to fairway woods. The
invention is also adapted for driver type golf clubs and allows
drivers to hit a golf ball off closely cut fairway grasses.
[0009] Among the objects of the present invention is the provision
of a metal wood golf club head with an improved bottom sole
configuration having a reduced frictional surface.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is the provision of
a metal wood having an improved sole configuration to facilitate
hitting a golf ball from a fairway grass surface.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is the provision of
a metal wood golf club head with an improved bottom sole
configuration with a bounce angle at the leading edge.
[0012] Still another object of the present invention is the
provision of a metal wood golf club head with an improved bottom
sole configuration having an aerodynamic lower surface.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is the provision
of a metal wood golf club head with an improved bottom sole
configuration allowing a driver lofted club to be used from the
fairway grass.
[0014] These and other objects will become apparent with reference
to the following specification and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a toe side elevational view of a metal wood type
golf club head in accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a bottom view thereof.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof FIG. 4 is a top
plan view thereof.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
4.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a view of three sizes of metal wood golf clubs of
the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a toe side elevational view of another embodiment
of a metal wood golf club head in accordance with the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a toe side elevational view of another embodiment
of a metal wood golf club head in accordance with the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 9.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a toe side elevational view of another embodiment
of a metal wood golf club head in accordance with the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed
herein. It should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are
merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various
forms. Therefore the details disclosed are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely form a basis for the claims and as a basis for
teaching one of ordinary skill in the art how to make and/or use
the invention.
[0027] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 5 disclose a metal
wood golf club head100 of the present invention formed with a body
portion 102 made of a hard metal material, forming a metal shell
104. The club head 100 includes a ball striking face 106, heel 108,
toe 110, rear face 112, top crown 114, and bottom sole 116. The
club head 100 is preferably formed with a hosel 118 connected to a
conventional shaft 120 of any suitable length and handle or grip
(not shown) on the upper end thereof.
[0028] The bottom sole 116 is formed in separate sections. A first
forward sole section 122 is located directly behind the leading
edge 124 of the club head 100 and extends partway to the rear face
112 of the club head 100. The forward sole section 122 is formed of
a flat or planar land area at an angle downward from the horizontal
when the club head 100 is in a normal address position just prior
to the execution of a golf shot. This angle is the bounce angle and
raises the leading edge 124 above the ground surface. The bounce
angle extends from the leading edge 124 to the rear edge 125 of the
forward sole section 122. The bounce angle may be as little as
three degrees and as much as 12-15 degrees depending upon the
overall front to rear width of the forward sole bounce section 122,
the loft and size of the club head 100. The forward section 122
provides a frictional surface that impacts the ground when a golf
ball is struck by the club head 100. The bounce angle of the
forward section 122 prevents the leading edge 124 of the club head
100 from digging into the turf or ground surface and actually
causes the club head 100 to bounce slightly, thereby maintaining
the club head on plane without interference with the ground.
[0029] The bottom sole 116 includes a mid-section 126 behind or
rearward of the forward sole bounce section 122. The mid-section
126 extends upwardly and inwardly and recesses into the club head
body 102 to the extent that it is raised above the ground surface
with the club head 100 at the address position. The bottom sole 116
preferably may be provided with a rear edge 128 having at least a
portion that rests the club head 100 on the ground for increased
stability. Raising the mid-section 126 above the ground provides
less friction on the surface of the mid-section 126 since it is
raised higher than the forward sole bounce section 122 that, in
turn, reduces the overall friction across the bottom sole surface
116 of the club head 100 as the club head 100 is swung. The raised
mid-section126 preferably has an aerodynamic or airfoil shape that
traps air between the bottom sole 116 and ground creating lift and
increasing club head speed.
[0030] As seen in the sectional view of FIG. 5, the thickness of
the bottom sole 116 of the club head 100 is greater than the upper
portions of the club head 100 resulting in increased weight at the
lower areas of the club head 100, that, in turn, facilitates
hitting a golf ball higher into the air. The bounce configuration
of the forward sole section 122 allows a golfer to hit a golf ball
from a flat surface, such as closely mown fairway grass or even a
dirt surface, without the leading edge 124 of the club head 100
digging into the surface. Therefore a golfer may hit a driver type
club, typically with a face loft angle between 8 to 12 degrees,
from a flat surface without a tee. This enables a shot to be hit
from a fairway lie where greater distance is needed in order to
reach the green and reduces the likelihood of taking a divot that
would reduce club head speed and promote a miss hit.
[0031] In the present embodiment, the club head 100 includes a
third rear section 128 on the bottom sole 116 that touches the
ground to stabilize the club head 100.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a series of golf club heads 200, 210 and
220, representing a driver, three wood and five wood respectively.
It will be appreciated that the structure of the present invention
is equally applicable to any size, shape and loft metal wood. The
above illustrations are illustrative only and are deemed limiting
to specific shapes, sizes and lofts.
[0033] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a golf club head 300 that is
essentially the same as the club head of FIGS. 1 to 5 except for
the bottom sole 316. In this embodiment, a forward section 322 of
the bottom sole 316 extends approximately half way between the
leading edge 324 and the rear face 312. The forward section 322
includes a bounce angle of a lesser degree than the bounce angle of
the previous embodiment, the extended length of the forward section
being sufficient to raise the ball striking face 306 of the club
head 300 above the ground surface. A rear section 326 of the bottom
sole 316 extends upwardly into the club head 300 so as to be raised
above the ground surface to reduce friction and provide an
aerodynamic airflow surface.
[0034] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a golf club head 400 that is
essentially the same as the club head of FIGS. 1 to 5 except for
the bottom sole 416. In this embodiment, the bottom sole 416
includes a forward section 422 that includes a bounce angle
sufficient to raise the ball striking face 406 of the club head 400
above the ground surface. A center portion 426 of the bottom sole
416 is flat and is used to support the club head on the grass or
other ground support surface prior to the execution of a golf shot.
A rear section 428 of the bottom sole 416 extends upwardly into the
club head 400 and is raised above the ground surface to reduce
friction and provide an aerodynamic flow surface.
[0035] FIG. 11 and 12 illustrate still another golf club head 500
that is also essentially the same as the club head of FIG. 1 to 5
except for the bottom sole 516. In this embodiment, the bottom sole
516 includes a forward section 522 with a bounce angle as described
herein above. A plurality of slots or channels 524 are provided
between the forward section 522 and the rear face 512. The slots
524 are oriented in a front to rear direction on the bottom sole
516. The slots reduce friction and provide an aerodynamic flow
surface for the club head 500 as it is swung during the execution
of a golf shot.
[0036] While various embodiments have been shown and described, it
will be understood there is no intent to limit the invention by
such disclosure. All modifications and alternate constructions of
woods and metal woods having a bottom sole with a bounce section
are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *