U.S. patent application number 11/318320 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for hybrid golf club with improved weight distribution for maximum hitting improvement and alignment configurations.
Invention is credited to John S. Ford.
Application Number | 20070149309 11/318320 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38194590 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070149309 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ford; John S. |
June 28, 2007 |
Hybrid golf club with improved weight distribution for maximum
hitting improvement and alignment configurations
Abstract
A hybrid golf club head with an improved weight distribution to
maximize the weight behind the golf ball on impact, an improved
sole plate for facilitating the proper movement of the golf club
through the hitting zone with the ball, and a specialized alignment
system to insure that the golfer using the club head is properly
aligning the head with respect to the golf ball, and the
target.
Inventors: |
Ford; John S.; (Naples,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWIN W. OLDHAM
#200
400 PARK SHORE DR.
NAPLES
FL
34103
US
|
Family ID: |
38194590 |
Appl. No.: |
11/318320 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0462 20200801;
A63B 53/0466 20130101; A63B 60/52 20151001; A63B 53/045 20200801;
A63B 53/047 20130101; A63B 53/0433 20200801; A63B 53/0441
20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/328 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/00 20060101
A63B053/00 |
Claims
1. A hybrid golf club having a club face, a sole, and a center of
percussion, with a head shaped like a wood, having a rearward
configured surface gently curved from the face in a partial
semi-circle, which is characterized by, a plurality of parallel
lines extending substantially perpendicular to the club face and
providing alignment characteristics of the club face to the
intended target, and a tapered thickness to the rearward portion of
the sole centrally aligned to the center of percussion, extending
about one and one-half to two inches across the center of
percussion and about three-quarters to one and one-half inches
toward the club face to provide a focus of weight momentum to the
club face at about the center of percussion.
2. A hybrid golf club according to claim 1 wherein there are
strengthening ribs formed into the inside surface of the club face
to strengthen the surface and facilitate transfer of energy from
the surface to the golf ball.
3. A hybrid golf club according to claim 1 wherein a recessed
groove is provided in the bottom center of the sole plate to
facilitate guiding the sole plate through high grass and in a divot
by having alignment through the center of percussion from the face
to the rearward flange of the wood-shaped configuration.
4. A hybrid golf club according to claim 3, which includes dished
cavities on the right and left sides of the alignment groove of
claim 3, which extend from the bottom of the face to near the top
of the face at the rearward portion of the wood-shaped club
surface.
5. A hybrid golf club according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of
parallel lines is at least three in number and extends over at
least one-third of the central surface of the width of the face of
the hybrid.
6. A hybrid golf club having a club face, a sole, and a center of
percussion, with a head shaped like a wood, having a rearward
configured surface gently curved from the face in a partial
semi-circle, which is characterized by, a plurality of parallel
lines extending substantially perpendicular to the club face and
providing alignment characteristics of the club face to the
intended target.
7. A hybrid golf club according to claim 6 which includes a line
extending parallel to the club face across nearly the width of the
face and intersecting and perpendicular to the parallel lines.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to golf clubs and, more
particularly, to golf club heads with a somewhat wood shape and
appearance, sometimes better known as hybrids, with an improved
sole plate configuration, an improved weight distribution in the
club head itself, and an improved alignment system to align the
club head to the line of sight.
[0002] Conventional iron golf clubs have typically had thin blades
and a certain loft for the number of the iron and a standard length
for the shaft. In recent years, however, there has been the
development of "hybrids", which essentially utilize more of a wood
head in conjunction with essentially the same loft for the face and
about the same length of shaft as an iron, and this type of club
has become quite popular because it is easier to hit as a wood and
still has the basic characteristics of the irons for accuracy and
higher loft.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a golf club known as a
"hybrid." In addition, the club has a unique design by being
tapered further from the top of the club face back into the hybrid
wood configuration and includes a plurality of aiming lines that
extend perpendicular to the face of the club along the back of the
hybrid itself so as to optimize the direction of the face of the
club and the aiming point for hitting the golf ball. In addition,
the center of the sole of the club incorporates at least one
recessed groove to facilitate the club moving through the soil and
the grass on the direction of motion as the club is brought into
contact with the ball, and a slightly flared out, curved
configuration from the central point of the club base extending to
its toe and the heel so as to facilitate the movement of the club
through the grass and/or in creating a divot upon striking the
ball.
[0004] An object of the present invention is provision of a golf
club that is a hybrid design, namely effectively a combination of
an iron with a wood head and the same length shaft and loft as
conventional thin and flat irons.
[0005] A further object of the invention is to have a plurality of
lines on the top surface of the head that are perpendicular to the
face of the club and act as aiming lines to facilitate having the
club face aimed at the proper target to achieve proper direction in
hitting the golf ball.
[0006] A further object of the invention is to utilize a hybrid
that has a unique guiding central contoured configuration on the
sole and a tapered, beveled arrangement from the central guiding
rib to the heel and the toe of the club to facilitate the club in
moving through in grass and following through in a divot.
[0007] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed
in conjunction with the accompanying drives, which set forth
certain embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it
will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the club face of the
hybrid comprising the preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the hybrid golf dub of FIG. 1,
showing the dished out bevels to each side of a central guiding
groove on the bottom surface of the back portion of the club, and
also, shows the alignment lines on the top surface of the head of
the club;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view similar to FIG. 2, showing the
bottom and back portions of the club head removed and showing the
strengthening ribs on the inside face of the hitting surface of the
club.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an end elevation of the toe of the club, showing
the bottom sole in an exploded relationship to the top and face
portion of the club;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional configuration of the rear
portion of the sole, illustrating the positioning of weight to
focus and provide momentum and impact to the ball being struck by
the club;
[0014] FIG. 6 is the toe elevation view of the club, similar to
FIG. 4 except in the non-exploded position;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of the club from the heel,
showing the configuration of the combination in the hybrid club
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top view of the club, illustrating the aiming
lines and the ball positioning marks on the top flange on the face
of the club;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the base of the club, and
illustrates the guiding groove in the bottom of the club; and
[0018] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional configuration taking from lines
10-10 in FIG. 5 and shows the positioning of the weight as far back
and as high up as possible to achieve the maximum momentum exchange
from the weight into the force applied to the ball upon
hitting.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms and shapes. Therefore, the details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely
as a basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching what is
called in the art how to make and/or use the invention.
[0020] Referring particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the
numeral 10 indicates generally a hybrid club which comprises a top
surface 12, a hitting face 14, and a sole indicated generally by
numeral 16, with an alignment groove 18 in the center bottom of the
sole 16. There are a plurality of alignment dots indicated
generally by numeral 20 on the top edge of the club blade, and
these are for ball alignment, depending upon the individual's swing
that is more specifically defined in my previously issued U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,729,967 and 6,471,599. In addition, the hybrid club of FIG.
1 incorporates a center of percussion dot indicated by numeral 22
that is the optimum "sweet spot" for making contact with the golf
ball.
[0021] Now, referring to FIG. 2, again the similar numbers show
similar components as we view the club head from the rear
elevation. The additional features shown in this view are that the
central aiming groove 18 is more clearly seen as extending from the
face as shown in FIG. 1 all the way to the back of the club as
shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the cavities are sculpted out as
shown at numerals 24 and 26 to the left side and right side of the
back of the club, and this facilitates the passing of the club
through high grass, and if a contact is made with the ground, it
slides the club through the divot more easily. One final thing that
is shown clearly in FIG. 2 are the alignment lines that are
indicated generally by numeral 28, and these lines are a plurality
of parallel lines that are essentially perpendicular to the face 14
and the perpendicular lines are indicated by numeral 30. In this
instance, FIG. 2 shows seven lines but the objects of the invention
will be achieved with any number of lines three or greater as long
as they are spaced substantially across at least one-third of the
width of the club to allow the aim of the face of the club to be
accurately determined at a target point where the player wants the
ball to go.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, this is essentially the same view
as FIG. 2 except with the sole 15 being in an exploded, removed
configuration with respect to the face of the club and the face
indicated by numeral 14 in FIG. 3 being the back of the face of the
club, and it can be seen that there are a plurality of
strengthening ribs 32 that strengthen the face of the club and
facilitate the optimum performance of the ball striking the face of
the club and being projected in the direction of aim. Again, it can
be seen where the alignment groove 18 fits in place at the front
bottom edge of the face 14 and the same alignment lines 30 are
equally visible. The strengthening ribs 32 are preferably extending
from the top edge of the face 14 down to near the bottom edge 16,
or the sole of the club, and preferably are about 1/8 inch in width
and about 1-1/2 inches long, depending on the exact height of the
face 14 for the particular hybrid club being utilized. A lower
number hybrid, such as a two or a three-hybrid, will have less
height to the face 14 than a seven or an eight-hybrid. Hence, the
ribs 32 will be longer on the higher numbered hybrids and shorter
on the lower numbered hybrids.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, this shows the base
16 in an exploded position away from the club head, and
particularly shows how the base 16 projects from the bottom edge of
the face 14 up to the back edge of the upper rear surface of the
club. It is particularly important to achieving the objects of the
invention that the sole slope from the front bottom edge of the
face 14 and backwardly and upwardly to come into engagement with
the rear edge of the top of the club as particularly shown at
numeral 34 in FIG. 4. This sloping is necessary to achieve the
movement of the club through grass and through the divot with the
alignment groove 18 achieving that guidance as the club moves
through high grass and/or a divot, as described in conjunction with
FIGS. 1 through 3.
[0024] An important feature of the invention is shown in FIG. 5,
which is a cross sectional illustration taken on lines 5-5 of FIG.
4, and it shows the portion of the base flange 16 to have the
thickened and mass weight indicated generally by numeral 40 in FIG.
5 positioned centrally around the groove 18 and thickened most at
the alignment with the groove 18 and gradually thinning as it moves
out toward the toe and the heel of the golf club and the face 14.
This mass weight 40 is thickest and with the most weight directly
in line with the groove 18, but tapers out to the left and the
right as shown in FIG. 5 approximately one-fourth of the distance
from the central groove 18 to the edges comprising 42 and 44 of the
flange 16. It has been found particularly advantageous to have this
weight mass 40 taper out to the areas of 40a and 40b to the left
and right as shown in FIG. 5 so that there is a gradual focus of
the addition of the weight at the rear of the club elevated with
respect to the face 14 and having its greatest mass focused almost
exactly on the center of percussion 22 on the face of the club as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0025] Essentially, I have found that this tapering of the
thickness shown in FIG. 5 is extremely important to obtaining the
highest possible focal point of the mass added to achieve the
optimum transfer of energy to the center of percussion 22, and that
it is because of the tapered configuration in portions 40a and 40b
that the total weight can be more uniformly focused at the center
of percussion 22. Basically, the amount of total weight added to
the club will be in the range of 15 grams to 30 grams and the total
width from the edges 40a and 40b across the weight will be between
one and two inches in the transverse direction as shown in FIG. 5,
and approximately the same total length as shown in FIG. 10, which
shows how the weight mass 40 is positioned as high as possible and
as rearwardly as possible in the sole plate so as to more optimally
provide the transfer of energy to the center of percussion 22.
[0026] FIGS. 6 through 9 illustrate the actual external appearance
of the club and highlight the slope towards the rearward of the
sole plate and attention is particularly directed to FIG. 8, which
shows the alignment lines 30 extended across the whole top surface
of the wood-like configuration of the hybrid club.
[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates eight of these lines and the invention
contemplates that there should be at least three and spaced across
more than 50 percent of the width of the face 14 of the club face.
It is an extremely important feature of this invention that these
lines help the user obtain a very precise feel of the direction
that the club is faced because the lines 30 are perpendicular to
the face 14 and, hence, the overall impression because of the
length of the lines 30 is very significant and assists greatly in
making the aiming point accurate. Another important feature of the
lines 30 is that a front line 30a is positioned parallel to the
club face and at the leading edge and intersecting with the lines
30 so as to further enhance the ability to align the club face
directly to the intended target. The line 30a that runs parallel to
the face is used to square up the club face, or to open or close
the face, depending on what the player is trying to do. The lines
13 are used for aiming at an intermediate target 12 to 36 inches in
front of the ball, and then setting up your body to the club for
proper aim.
[0028] Thus, it should be understood that the objects of the
invention are achieved by providing a uniquely shaped and operative
hybrid that has a unique configuration of the sole plate and
alignment channel or groove 18 with the flared out sections 24 and
26 on the sole plate itself, the massing of a tapered weight at the
optimum point for the center of percussion, this being best seen in
FIGS. 5 and 10, and the alignment lines 30 for facilitating target
aim point as best shown in FIG. 8.
[0029] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited
thereto or thereby, but that its scope is defined in the appended
Claims.
* * * * *