U.S. patent application number 11/743267 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for nanocrystalline plated putter hosel.
This patent application is currently assigned to CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY. Invention is credited to Alan Hocknell, Augustin W. Rollinson.
Application Number | 20080153621 11/743267 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39543654 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080153621 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rollinson; Augustin W. ; et
al. |
June 26, 2008 |
NANOCRYSTALLINE PLATED PUTTER HOSEL
Abstract
A hosel for a golf club composed of a low-mass material coated
with a nano-metal is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein is a
golf club having a hosel composed of a low-mass material coated
with a nano-metal. The nano-metal is preferably composed of a
nickel-alloy material. The low-mass material is preferably a nylon
material.
Inventors: |
Rollinson; Augustin W.;
(Carlsbad, CA) ; Hocknell; Alan; (Carlsbad,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CALLAWAY GOLF C0MPANY
2180 RUTHERFORD ROAD
CARLSBAD
CA
92008-7328
US
|
Assignee: |
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
Carlsbad
CA
|
Family ID: |
39543654 |
Appl. No.: |
11/743267 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60871526 |
Dec 22, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/313 ;
473/282; 473/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/007 20130101;
A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 53/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/313 ;
473/282; 473/349 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/02 20060101
A63B053/02 |
Claims
1. A hosel for a putter, the hosel comprising: a base layer
composed of a first material; and an external layer disposed on the
base layer, the external layer composed of a nano-metal
material.
2. The hosel according to claim 1 wherein the base layer is
composed of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon
6, nylon 66, thermoplastic polyurethane, polycarbonate, plies of
pre-preg, and glass-fiber reinforced polymers.
3. The hosel according to claim 1 wherein the hosel has a density
ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 grams per cubic centimeter.
4. The hosel according to claim 1 wherein the nano-metal is an
iron-nickel nano-metal.
5. The hosel according to claim 1 wherein the nano-metal is a
nickel nanoparticle nano-metal.
6. The hosel according to claim 1 wherein the nano-metal is a
titanium nano-metal.
7. The hosel according to claim 1 wherein the nano-metal is a
nanocrystalline nickel nano-metal.
8. The hosel according to claim wherein the hosel has a density
less than 3 g/cc.
9. The hosel according to claim 1 wherein the nano-metal is a
nanocrystalline steel.
10. A golf club comprising: a golf club head; a shaft; and a hosel
comprising a base layer composed of a first material, and an
external layer disposed on the base layer, the external layer
composed of a nano-metal material.
11. The golf club according to claim 10 wherein the base layer is
composed of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon
6, nylon 66, thermoplastic polyurethane, polycarbonate, plies of
pre-preg, and glass-fiber reinforced polymers.
12. The golf club according to claim 10 wherein the hosel has a
density ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 grams per cubic centimeter.
13. The golf club according to claim 10 wherein the hosel has a
density less than 3.0 g/cc and the golf club head has a density
greater than 4.0 g/cc.
14. The golf club according to claim 10 wherein the nano-metal is a
nanocrystalline steel.
15. The golf club according to claim 10 wherein the hosel comprises
a bore for receiving the shaft, the bore of the hosel having an
internal surface with a layer of a nano-metal material.
16. A golf club comprising: a golf club head; a shaft; and a hosel
comprising a base layer composed of a first material, and an
external layer disposed on the base layer, the external layer
composed of a nanocrystalline plating deposited on the base layer,
the nanocrystalline plating comprising a nickel or nickel-based
alloy material.
17. The golf club head according to claim 16 wherein the
nanocrystalline plating has a thickness ranging from 20 microns to
2000 microns.
18. The golf club head according to claim 16 wherein the
nanocrystalline plating is composed of a nickel-iron-molybdenum
alloy.
19. The golf club head according to claim 16 wherein the
nanocrystalline plating is composed of a nickel-iron-chromium
alloy.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The Present Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/871,526, filed on Dec. 22, 2006.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a low mass hosel for a
putter. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
putter hosel composed of a low-mass internal layer and a
nanocrystalline plated external layer.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Weight that is locked in a putter's hosel hiders the efforts
of designers to position the center of gravity (CG) location of the
putter low and deep in the head. The positioning of the CG in this
position helps to reduce backspin imparted on a ball at impact due
to the loft of the putter. Reducing the backspin on the putt cause
to ball to have less skid off of the putter face and, thus, help to
produce a truer and purer roll.
[0007] Reducing the mass of the putter's hosel also enables
designer to position mass in the design in positions to help
increase the moment of inertia (MOI) of the putter head. This
increased MOI helps to stabilize the putter head during the stroke
and through impact.
[0008] Nanocrystalline or nanophase technology originated a number
of decades ago. The technology has progressed since its origin and
application of the technology to various goods have been explored
and documented by numerous individuals.
[0009] One of the earliest patents for this technology is U.S. Pat.
No. 5,433,797 to Erb et al.,for a Nanocrystalline Metals. This
patent discloses a process for producing nickel-iron alloy
nanocrystalline metals having a grain size of less than eleven
nanometers.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,046 to Schulz et al., and U.S. Pat. No.
6,277,170 to Schulz et al., both for Nanocrystalline Ni-Based
Alloys, disclose nanocrystalline nickel based alloys having grain
sizes less than 100 nanometers.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,450 to Hui, for a Method and Apparatus
for Depositing Ni--Fe--W--P alloys, discloses electrodepositing a
nickel-iron-tungsten phosphorous alloy to promote wear
resistance.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,504 to Taylor et al., for
Electrodeposition of Catalytic Metals Using Pulsed Electric Fields,
discloses a method for forming nanocrystalline metals on a
substrate.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,011 to Gonsalves for a Nanostructured
Steel Alloy, discloses a steel powder having a grain size in the
nanometer range, specifically in the 50 nanometer size, and the
steel power is an alloy composed of iron, chromium, molybdenum,
vanadium and carbon.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,996 to Gonsalves et al., for
Nanostructured Metals, Metal Carbides, and Metal Alloys, discloses
nanostructured steel, aluminum, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride,
and other metals having crystallite size ranging from 45 nanometers
to 75 nanometers.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,624 to Gonsalves et al., for Methods for
the Manufacturing of Nanostructured Metals, Metal Carbides, and
Metal Alloys, discloses a chemical synthesis method for producing
nanostructured metals.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,667 to Ezaki et al., discloses an iron
with a striking face composed of copper or a copper alloy and
nickel plated.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,427 to Saeki discloses an iron with an
non-electrolytic nickel-boron plating and a chromate film, and a
method for manufacturing such an iron.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,004 to Nagamoto discloses an iron
composed of a soft-iron material with a carbonized surface
layer.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,986 to Harada et al., discloses a method
for manufacturing a golf club head by electrolytic deposition of
metal alloys such as nickel based alloys.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,614 to Sasamoto et al., discloses a golf
club head with a face portion that is arranged to have its crystal
grains of the material of the face portion oriented in a vertical
direction. The '614 Patent also discloses nickel-plating of the
face portion.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,444 to Buettner discloses an iron
composed of a ferrous material having a titanium nitride coating
for wear resistance.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,158 to Winrow et al., discloses a golf
club head with a coating formed by a high velocity thermal spray
process.
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 7,087,268 to Byrne et al., for a Method Of
Plating A Golf Club head discloses a method of plating a golf club
head composed of magnesium, magnesium alloys, aluminum, or aluminum
alloys.
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,628 to Reyes et al., for a Plated
Magnesium Golf Club Head discloses a golf club head having a
magnesium portion that is plated with a nickel or nickel alloy
based material.
[0025] U.S. Patent Publication 2006/0135281 to Palumbo et al., for
a Strong, Lightweight Article Containing A Fine-Grained Metallic
Layer discloses a shaft or face plate that is plated on a single
surface with a nanocrystalline material.
[0026] The prior art has failed to disclose a nanocrystalline
plated material for a golf club head component.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The idea of this invention is to create a light-weight and
high-strength hosel for use on a putter. Prior techniques utilize
light weight material such as aluminum or titanium. However, these
devices have disadvantages of lower strength or higher costs than
the traditional steel hosel. They can also be difficult to achieve
the necessary cosmetic finishes.
[0028] The invention that is proposed will utilize an injection
molded plastic putter hosel that is coated with a high-strength
nanocrystalline steel material. This thin coating increases the
strength of the part comparable to steel while adding very little
to the overall weight of the part. The potential density of the new
hosel with the coating could be as low as 1-2 g/cc, while the
steel, titanium, and aluminum hosels have densities of 7.8, 4.5,
and 2.5 g/cc, approximately.
[0029] A putter hosel will be created in a high-strength,
high-stiffness plastic material using an injection molding process.
The hosel will then go through a plating process where
nanocrystalline steel will be deposited on the plastic part. The
thickness of the plating will depend on the mechanical properties
desired in the final part. The plated part will then be polished
and finished to achieve the desired cosmetic appearance.
[0030] The hosel will be attached to the putter head using adhesive
glue, or some other mechanical bonding process like screws, for
example. For the use of screws, a threaded metal part may need to
be co-molded with the initial plastic hosel part in order to
receive the threaded attaching screw.
[0031] Having briefly described the present invention, the above
and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be
recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following
detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is an isolated cross-sectional view of a hosel.
[0033] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the processing for fabricating
the hosel.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a golf club.
[0035] FIG. 4is a perspective exploded view of a golf club.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the golf club of FIG. 4.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a golf club.
[0038] FIGS. 7-11 are views of a golf club having an alternative
embodiment of the hosel of the present invention.
[0039] FIGS. 12-13 are views of a golf club having an alternative
embodiment of the hosel of the present invention.
[0040] FIGS. 15-19 are views of a golf club having an alternative
embodiment of the hosel of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] A hosel for a putter having a lightweight substrate layer
plated with a nano-metal is disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 1,
in a most preferred embodiment, the substrate 17 is plated on an
exterior surface with an exterior plating layer 18. The nano-metal
is preferably a nano-metal as discussed below.
[0042] Iron Nickel (FeNi) Nanopowder or Nanoparticles, nanodots or
nanocrystals are spherical or faceted high surface area
nanocrystalline alloy particles with magnetic properties. Nanoscale
Iron Nickel Particles are typically 20-40 nanometers ("nm") with
specific surface area (SSA) in the 30-50 m.sup.2/g range and also
available in with an average particle size of 100 nm range with a
specific surface area of approximately 7 m.sup.2/g. Nano Nickel
Iron Particles are also available in ultra high purity and high
purity and coated and dispersed forms.
[0043] Nickel (Ni) Nanoparticles, nanodots or nanopowder are black
spherical high surface area particles. Nanoscale Nickel Particles
are typically 10-40 nm with SSA in the 30-50 m.sup.2/g range and
also available in with an average particle size of 50-100 nm range
with a specific surface area of approximately 5-10 m.sup.2/g. Nano
Nickel Particles are also available in passivated and Ultra high
purity and high purity and coated and dispersed forms.
[0044] Tungsten Oxide (WO) Nanopowder or Nanoparticles, nanodots or
nanocrystals are spherical or faceted high surface area oxide
magnetic nanostructure particles. Nanoscale Tin Oxide Particles are
typically 20-40 nm with SSA in the 10-80 m.sup.2/g range and also
available in with an average particle size of 100 nm range with a
specific surface area of approximately 5-10 m.sup.2/g. Nano
Tungsten Oxide Particles are also available in rutile, ultra high
purity and high purity, transparent, and coated and dispersed
forms.
[0045] Tungsten (W) Nanoparticles, nanodots or nanopowder are black
spherical high surface area metal particles. Nanoscale Tungsten
Particles are typically 40-80 nm with a SSA in the 1-45 m.sup.2/g
range. Nano Tungsten Particles are also available passivated and in
Ultra high purity and high purity and coated and dispersed
forms.
[0046] Titanium (Ti) Nanoparticles, nanodots or nanopowder are
spherical or faceted high surface area metal particles. Nanoscale
Titanium Particles are typically 10-80 nm with a SSA in the 15-20
m.sup.2/g range and also available in with an average particle size
of 300-700 nm range with a specific surface area of approximately
1-5 m.sup.2/g. Nano Titanium Particles are also available in Ultra
high purity and high purity and coated and dispersed forms.
[0047] Goodfellow Nanocrystalline Nickel: Nickel with a grain size
of the order of 5-30 nm can be produced by an advanced
electroplating process, resulting in material of negligible
porosity and greatly enhanced physical, mechanical and electrical
properties. Hardness is increased fivefold, strength is tripled and
wear resistance is increased by a factor of 150. The coefficient of
friction is halved and electrical resistivity is increased
threefold. Stress corrosion cracking is eliminated, and both
hydrogen diffusivity and solubility are increased. However,
density, tensile modulus, thermal expansion and saturation
magnetization show very little change when compared with material
of a larger grain size.
[0048] Silver (Ag) Nanoparticles, nanodots or nanopowder are
spherical or flake high surface area metal particles. Nanoscale
Silver Particles are typically 1-40 nm with a SSA in the 1-1
m.sup.2/g range and also available as flakes with an average
particle size of 2-10 micron range with a specific surface area of
approximately 1 m.sup.2/g. Nano Silver Particles are also available
in Ultra high purity and high purity and coated and dispersed
forms.
[0049] Nickel Titanium (NiTi) Nanoparticles, nanodots or nanopowder
are black spherical high surface area alloy particles. Nanoscale
Nickel Titanium Particles are typically 10-40 nm with a SSA in the
30-50 m.sup.2/g range and also available in with an average
particle size of 50-100 nm range with a specific surface area of
approximately 5-10 m.sup.2/g. Nano Nickel Titanium Particles are
also available in passivated and Ultra high purity and high purity
and coated and dispersed forms.
[0050] Magnesium (Mg) Nanoparticles, nanodots or nanopowder are
spherical black high surface area particles. Nanoscale Magnesium
Particles are typically 20-60 nm with SSA in the 30-70 m.sup.2/g
range. Nano Magnesium Particles are also available in Ultra high
purity and high purity and coated and dispersed forms.
[0051] Copper (Cu) Nanoparticles, nanodots or Nanopowder are black
brown spherical high surface area metal particles. Nanoscale Copper
Particles are typically 10-30 nm with a SSA in the 30-70 m.sup.2/g
range and also available in with an average particle size of 70-100
m range with a specific surface area of approximately 5-10
m.sup.2/g. Nano Copper Particles are also available in passivated
and in Ultra high purity and high purity and carbon coated and
dispersed forms.
[0052] Cobalt Iron (CoFe) Nanopowder or Nanoparticles, nanodots or
nanocrystals are black spherical or faceted high surface area
nanocrystalline alloy particles with magnetic properties. Nanoscale
Cobalt Iron Particles are typically 20-40 nm with a SSA in the
30-50 m.sup.2/g range and also available in with an average
particle size of 100 m range with a SSA of approximately 7
m.sup.2/g. Nano Cobalt Iron Particles are also available in ultra
high purity and high purity and coated and dispersed forms.
[0053] Aluminum (Al) Nanoparticles, nanodots or Nanopowder are
black spherical high surface area metal particles. Nanoscale
Aluminum Particles are typically 10-30 nm with a SSA in the 30-70
m.sup.2/g range and also available in with an average particle size
of 70-100 nm range with a specific surface area of approximately
5-10 m.sup.2/g. Nano Aluminum Particles are also available in
passivated and in Ultra high purity and high purity and carbon
coated and dispersed forms.
[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates a method for producing the hosel of the
present invention.
[0055] A hosel of the present invention is generally designated 26.
The hosel 26 is a component of a golf club which also includes a
shaft 22, a golf club head 24 and optionally an attachment assembly
30. The optional attachment assembly 30 secures the shaft to the
hosel 26 of the golf club head 24 with a minimum amount of adhesive
or preferably without any adhesive material. In a preferred
embodiment, the golf club is a putter. Preferably the shaft 22 is
composed of a metal material such as stainless steel, a titanium
alloy, or a like metal material.
[0056] A relatively fragile hosel composed of an injectable polymer
material is transformed into a very durable golf club component
since the injectable polymer material is essentially encased within
the plating. The plating layer preferably ranges from 20 microns to
2000 microns. Preferably, the plating is composed of a
nanocrystalline material. Preferably, the nanocrystalline material
is selected from the group of nickel, nickel alloy,
nickel-iron-molybdenum alloy, a nickel-iron-chromium alloy, iron
alloy, iron, chromium or chromium alloy. The injectable polymer
material is encased by the plating layer. The plating layer
preferably comprises an exterior surface, an interior surface and a
perimeter surface.
[0057] An interstitial layer is preferably formed between the
injectable polymer layer and the plating layer. This interstitial
layer represents the integration of the nanocrystalline material of
the plating layer with the polymer material of the injectable
polymer material.
[0058] A preferred plating process is electroless plating which
involves plating onto a substrate by chemical reduction.
Electroless platings are produced without an externally applied
electric current. An alternative plating process is electrolytic
plating, which is well-known and involves passing a direct current
between an anode and a cathode to deposit metal or metal alloys
particles, which are in an electrolyte medium, on the cathode.
[0059] A golf club 20 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The shaft 22 has a
tip end 41 and a butt end 43, not shown. At the tip end 41 is an
opening 47 to the hollow interior 38 of the shaft 22. A shaft wall
40 defines the hollow interior 38. In a preferred embodiment, the
diameter of the shaft 22 tapers from the butt end 43 to the tip end
41, with the tip end 41 of the shaft 22 having a smaller diameter
than the butt end 43. A typical shaft diameter at the tip end is
approximately 0.335 inch. Preferably the shaft 22 has a notch 80 at
the opening 47. Typically, the shaft 22 has a length of thirty to
forty inches, with longer length shafts available for
unconventional golf clubs such as "belly putters."
[0060] The golf club head 24 preferably has a body 25 with a face
31, a crown 33 and a sole 35. A putter-type golf club head is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,600, entitled Putter Head, which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The hosel 26
is positioned at a heel end 27 of the club head 24 with a toe end
29 opposite the heel end 27. The hosel 26 is generally defined as a
means for connecting the shaft 22 to the club head 24. A preferred
hosel 26 is a cylindrical extension extending outward from the
crown 33 of the body 25. Other hosels include interior hosels,
which are generally cylindrical tubes within a club head. The hosel
26 extends outward from the crown 33 a length, Lh, of preferably
between 0.5 inch and 1.5 inches, and most preferably 0.625 inch.
The hosel 26 preferably has an opening 49 and a threaded bore 53.
The hosel 26 preferably has a diameter, Rh, ranging from 0.15 inch
to 0.20 inch, and most preferably has a diameter, Rh, of 0.171
inch. A protuberance 82 is preferably located on an exterior
surface 56 of the hosel 26 to engage the notch 80 of the shaft 22.
The notch 80/protuberance 82 engagement provides an alignment
mechanism for the shaft 22 and provides an initial engagement of
the shaft 22 to the club head 24 prior to a final connection by the
attachment assembly 30.
[0061] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate yet another embodiment of the
present invention. In this embodiment, the hosel 26 includes a
hosel extension arm 26a, which extends the hosel 26 upward and
positions the attachment of the shaft 22 to the club head 24 above
the surface of the crown 33. In this embodiment, the hosel 26 has
an opening 49, a hollow interior 51, a hosel stud 52 with a
threaded bore 53', and a protuberance 82 on the exterior surface of
the hosel stud 52.
[0062] As shown, the hosel stud 52 preferably has a length,
L.sub.hs, ranging from 0.25 inch to 1.0 inch, and most preferably
0.560 inch. The hosel stud 52 preferably has a diameter ranging
from 0.150 inch to 0.5 inch, and most preferably 0.259 inch. The
hosel stud 52 preferably has a taper of from 1-3 degrees and most
preferably 1.5 degrees from a top to a bottom of the hosel stud
52.
[0063] FIGS. 7-11 are views of a golf club having an alternative
embodiment of the hosel of the present invention.
[0064] FIGS. 12-14 are views of a golf club having an alternative
embodiment of the hosel of the present invention.
[0065] FIGS. 15-19 are views of a golf club having an alternative
embodiment of the hosel of the present invention.
[0066] From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the
pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this
invention and will readily understand that while the present
invention has been described in association with a preferred
embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and
substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be
unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following
appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in
which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in
the following appended claims.
* * * * *