U.S. patent application number 12/683899 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-07 for golf club head with narrow-spaced grooves.
This patent application is currently assigned to CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY. Invention is credited to MATTHEW T. CACKETT, ALAN HOCKNELL, BRANDON T. VINCENT.
Application Number | 20110165963 12/683899 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44225010 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110165963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CACKETT; MATTHEW T. ; et
al. |
July 7, 2011 |
GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH NARROW-SPACED GROOVES
Abstract
An iron-type golf club head with a body having a face. On the
face is a plurality of grooves. The plurality of grooves has a
depth of at least 0.016 inch to 0.022 inch and a width ranging from
0.021 inch to 0.027 inch. Further, each of the plurality of grooves
has an edge radius ranging from 0.004 inch to 0.009 inch. Each of
the plurality of grooves has a side wall angle ranging from 16
degrees to 24 degrees and each of the plurality of grooves is
spaced from 0.073 inch to 0.083 inch from any other of the
plurality of grooves.
Inventors: |
CACKETT; MATTHEW T.; (SAN
DIEGO, CA) ; HOCKNELL; ALAN; (CARLSBAD, CA) ;
VINCENT; BRANDON T.; (TEGA, SC) |
Assignee: |
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
CARLSBAD
CA
|
Family ID: |
44225010 |
Appl. No.: |
12/683899 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/331 ;
473/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0466 20130101;
A63B 53/047 20130101; A63B 53/0408 20200801; A63B 53/0445 20200801;
A63B 2209/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/331 ;
473/349 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04 |
Claims
1. An iron-type golf club head comprising: a body having a face;
and a plurality of grooves located on the face, wherein each groove
of the plurality of grooves has a depth ranging from 0.016 inch to
0.022 inch, a width ranging from 0.021 inch to 0.027 inch, a groove
edge radius ranging from 0.004 inch to 0.009 inch, a groove side
wall angle ranging from 16 degrees to 24 degrees, and each groove
of the plurality of grooves is spaced from 0.073 inch to 0.083 inch
from any other groove of the plurality of grooves.
2. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the
body is composed of stainless steel, titanium alloy, carpenter
steel, or any combination thereof.
3. An iron-type golf club head comprising: a body having a face;
and a first plurality of grooves located on the face, wherein each
groove of the first plurality of grooves has a depth ranging from
0.016 inch to 0.022 inch, a width ranging from 0.021 inch to 0.027
inch, a groove edge radius ranging from 0.004 inch to 0.009 inch, a
groove side wall angle ranging from 16 degrees to 24 degrees, and
each groove of the first plurality of grooves is spaced from 0.073
inch to 0.083 inch from any other groove of the first plurality of
grooves; and a second plurality of grooves, each of the second
plurality of grooves has a depth of less than 0.001 inch and each
of the second plurality of grooves is spaced no more than 0.002
inch from an adjacent second plurality of grooves.
4. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 3 wherein the
body is composed of stainless steel, titanium alloy, carpenter
steel, or any combination thereof.
5. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 3 wherein each
of the second plurality of grooves has a V-like cross-sectional
shape.
6. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 3 wherein each
of the second plurality of grooves has a square cross-sectional
shape.
7. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 3 wherein each
of the second plurality of grooves has a U-like cross-sectional
shape.
8. An iron-type golf club head comprising: a body having a face;
and a first plurality of grooves located on the face, wherein each
groove of the first plurality of grooves has a depth ranging from
0.016 inch to 0.022 inch, a width ranging from 0.021 inch to 0.027
inch, a groove edge radius ranging from 0.004 inch to 0.009 inch, a
groove side wall angle ranging from 16 degrees to 24 degrees, and
each groove of the first plurality of grooves is spaced from 0.073
inch to 0.083 inch from any other groove of the first plurality of
grooves; and a plurality of second set of grooves, each of the
plurality of second set of grooves having five microgrooves with a
depth of less than 0.001 inch and spaced no more than 0.002 inch
from an adjacent microgroove, wherein each second set of grooves of
the plurality of second set of grooves is positioned between each
of the first plurality of grooves.
9. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 8 wherein the
body is composed of stainless steel, titanium alloy, carpenter
steel, or any combination thereof.
10. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 8 wherein each
microgroove has a U-like cross-sectional shape.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
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 golf club head. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club head
having a plurality of grooves.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] The prior art discloses various methods to manufacture golf
club heads, especially iron-type golf club heads. For example,
Rogers, U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,885 for Golf Iron Manufacture,
discloses scoring grooves into a face for the club head.
[0007] Taylor, U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,632 for a Lined Face For A Golf
Club discloses grooves in compliance with the Rules of Golf at that
time.
[0008] Ribaudo, U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,203, for Golf Club discloses a
golf club face having grooves to eliminate the slice or the hook of
the golf ball.
[0009] Shira, U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,787, for a Golf Club Including
High Friction Striking Face discloses grit blasting the horizontal
grooves to provide a friction generating surface when the striking
surface of the golf club head engages a ball. The metallic matrix
of the golf ball striking face contains hard particles which are
harder than the metallic matrix and protrude above the surface.
[0010] Stuff, U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,059, for Golf Club Heads With
Means For Imparting Corrective Action, discloses a club head with
at least two non-parallel sets of grooves.
[0011] Doolen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,725, for a Golf Club Having
Angular Grooves discloses grooves oriented at various angles. The
plurality of grooves across the golf club face are angled at an
angle that is substantially non-parallel with the club sole. All
grooves however are sloped in the same direction as one
another.
[0012] Hirota, U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,615, for a Head Of Golf Clubs
That Spins More, discloses a face having grooves that allow for
pressure to act specially on the edges of the grooves to increase
ball spin.
[0013] Vokey et al, U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,187, for Spin Milled
Grooves For A Golf Club, discloses machining grooves into a
face.
[0014] Hettinger et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,283, for a Putterhead
With Dual Milled Face Pattern, discloses milling grooves into a
face of a putter.
[0015] Kennedy, III, U.S. Pat. No. 7,179,175, for a Golf Club
Having Stepped Grooves, discloses a golf club head with V-shaped
and U-shaped grooves.
[0016] U.S Patent Application Publication Number 2009/0264217 to
Johnson et al., for Golf Club Head Having a Grooved Face, discloses
a spin milling or fly cutting method for foaming grooves. This
manner allows for tighter draft angles, increases the rate of
production, and allows for tighter tolerances than casting or
forging.
[0017] U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2009/0247318 to
Ban et al., for Golf Club Head, discloses a plurality of striations
formed on the face and extending from a toe side to a heel side,
where the cross sectional shape of each striation is a triangle
asymmetric with regard to the a virtual center line in a width
direction and the smallest interior angle of the three interior
angles of the triangle being placed at the sole side of the golf
club head.
[0018] Although these inventions have provided novel methods for
forming grooves on the face of the golf club head, the prior art
has not optimized groove formation.
[0019] Scoreline designs generally have a cross-section geometry
that includes two edges, two side walls and a bottom. The side
walls are at a predetermined angle from a vertical line. Usually,
each wall has more than one section and those sections are straight
or curved. Alternatively, the scoreline design is a "V" shape, in
which case there is no bottom other than a vertex or fillet
radius.
[0020] Iron-type golf clubs having scorelines with sharp edges and
relatively vertical side walls are advantageous to golfers since
such sharp edged grooves allow golfers to induce higher levels of
spin on a ball struck with such an iron-type golf club having sharp
edged grooves. Iron-type golf clubs without sharp edged grooves or
essentially vertical side walls will induce less spin when
impacting a golf ball, especially higher-lofted (40 degrees+) golf
clubs.
[0021] The following requirements apply to apply to the collective
set of grooves on any individual club head. Groove width (W) is
measured per the USGA 30.degree. method. Less than 50% of groove
widths shall be greater than 0.035 inch and no single groove width
shall be greater than 0.037 inch. Groove widths shall not vary by
more than 0.010 inch from narrowest to widest. Groove depth (D) is
measured per the USGA method from adjoining land areas. Less than
50% of groove depths shall be greater than 0.020 inch and no single
groove depths shall be greater than 0.022 inch. Groove depths shall
not vary by more than 0.010 inch from shallowest to deepest. Groove
spacing (S) is measured per the USGA 30.degree. method. Less than
50% of groove spaces shall be less than 0.075 inch or be less than
three times the width of the widest amount adjacent groove. No
single groove space shall be less than 0.073 inch or be less than
three times the width of the widest adjacent groove minus 0.008
inch.
[0022] For heads other than drivers and putters, the area/pitch
"A/P" is measured per the USGA method from adjoining land areas.
Less than 50% of A/P values shall be greater than 0.0030 inch and
no single A/P value shall be greater than 0.0032 inch. For heads
having loft equal or greater than 25.degree., the effective radius
"ER" is measured per the USGA 0.0110 inch R circle method. Less
than 50% of the grooves shall have more than 10.degree. of
effective radius greater than 0.0110 inch and no single groove
shall have any amount of effective radius greater than 0.0113
inch.
[0023] Backspin is the primary mechanism by which a golfer can
control a golf ball upon landing after being struck. Backspin is
especially important for short shots where proximity to the hole is
of greater consequence to the golfer. High lofted clubs (50 degrees
to 75 degrees) have grooves designs which are meant to interact
with the surface of a golf ball at impact and remove debris from
the contacting surface in order to increase friction and thereby
impart more spin on the ball. Unlike intermediate lofts whose spin
can either be increased or decreased with increased friction, the
high lofted club will almost always increase spin through increased
friction. Traditionally groove designs have focused on increasing
the groove area underneath the golf ball at impact.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention provides a novel solution to imparting
backspin by using high lofted golf clubs. The present invention
increases the number of sharp edges that contact a golf ball during
impact in order to increase the backspin. The sharp edges slice
through debris and "grab" a soft cover of a golf ball better than
grooves that have fewer edges. This leads to higher effective
coefficients of friction for the golf club which in turn leads to
more backspin.
[0025] For high lofted clubs, the sliding between the golf ball and
the face of the golf club occurs during the majority of time of the
impact between the golf ball and the face. Due to this sliding time
period of the impact time, the backspin of a golf ball is increased
by increasing the effective coefficient of friction between the two
surfaces, the golf ball and the face of the golf club.
[0026] The effective coefficient of friction between the two
surfaces, the golf ball and the face of the golf club, is primarily
a function of the number of edges that the golf ball contacts and
the sharpness of the edges. The impact also results in a finite
area of contact between the golf ball and the face of the golf
club. The area of contact is generally circular in shape. Due to
the finite area of contact, there is a design of grooves that will
maximize the length of edges that contact the ball during impact.
The present invention maximizes the number of grooves in contact
with a golf ball during an impact.
[0027] One aspect of the present invention is an iron-type golf
club head with a body having a face. On the face is a plurality of
grooves. The plurality of grooves has a depth of at least 0.016
inch to 0.022 inch and a width ranging from 0.021 inch to 0.027
inch. Further, each of the plurality of grooves has an edge radius
ranging from 0.004 inch to 0.009 inch. Each of the plurality of
grooves has a side wall angle ranging from 16 degrees to 24 degrees
and each of the plurality of grooves is spaced from 0.073 inch to
0.083 inch from any other of the plurality of grooves.
[0028] Another aspect of the present invention is an iron-type golf
club head with a body having a face. A first plurality of grooves
is located on the face. Each of the first plurality of grooves has
a depth ranging from 0.015 inch to 0.022 inch and each of the first
plurality of grooves has a width ranging from 0.021 inch to 0.027
inch. Each of the first plurality of grooves has a groove edge
radius ranging from 0.004 inch to 0.009 inch. Each of the first
plurality of grooves has a groove side wall angle ranging from 16
degrees to 24 degrees. Each of the first plurality of grooves is
spaced from 0.073 inch to 0.083 inch from any other groove of the
first plurality of grooves. Additionally, a second plurality of
grooves is located on the face. Each of the second plurality of
grooves has a depth of less than 0.001 inch and each of the second
plurality of grooves is spaced no more than 0.002 inch from an
adjacent second plurality of grooves.
[0029] Yet another aspect of the present invention is an iron-type
golf club head comprising a body having a face and a first
plurality of grooves located on the face. Each of the first
plurality of grooves has a depth ranging from 0.015 inch to 0.022
inch and each of the first plurality of grooves has a width ranging
from 0.021 inch to 0.027 inch. Each of the first plurality of
grooves has a groove edge radius ranging from 0.004 inch to 0.009
inch. Each of the first plurality of grooves has a groove side wall
angle ranging from 16 degrees to 24 degrees. Each of the first
plurality of grooves is spaced from 0.073 inch to 0.083 inch from
any other groove of the first plurality of grooves. Additionally,
the face has a plurality of second set of grooves, each of the
plurality of second set of grooves has five microgrooves with a
depth of less than 0.001 inch and are spaced no more than 0.002
inch from an adjacent microgroove. Each second set of grooves of
the plurality of second set of grooves is positioned between each
of the first plurality of grooves.
[0030] 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
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an iron-type golf club
head.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a front view of an iron-type golf club head.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a rear view of an iron-type golf club head.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an iron-type golf club
head.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of an iron-type golf club
head.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a toe side view of an iron-type golf club
head.
[0037] FIG. 7 is heel side view of an iron-type golf club head.
[0038] FIG. 8 is an isolated and enlarged cross-sectional view of a
groove.
[0039] FIG. 9 is an isolated and enlarged cross-sectional view of
grooves on a face of an iron-type golf club head.
[0040] FIG. 10 is an isolated and enlarged image showing the
effective radius of a groove.
[0041] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a both the first set of
plurality of grooves and the second set of plurality of
grooves.
[0042] FIG. 11A is a view of an alternative cross sectional shape
for the second set of plurality of grooves.
[0043] FIG. 11B is a view of another alternative cross sectional
shape for the second set of plurality of grooves.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1-7, an iron-type golf club is generally
designated 20. The golf club head 20 also has a top portion 46, a
sole portion 48, a heel portion 50, a toe portion 52 and a rear
surface 54. The top wall 46 extends rearward from the top end of
the front surface 23. The golf club head 20 includes a body 21
having a face 22 with a surface 23 and a plurality of grooves 25.
The body 21 is preferably composed of a material such as titanium
materials, stainless steel, carpenter steel, 1020 steel, amorphous
metals and the like. The material of the body 21 preferably has a
density between 4 g/cm.sup.3 and 10 g/cm.sup.3. Such titanium
materials include pure titanium and titanium alloys such as 6-4
titanium alloy, 6-22-22 titanium alloy, 4-2 titanium alloy, SP-700
titanium alloy (available from Nippon Steel of Tokyo, Japan), DAT
55G titanium alloy available from Diado Steel of Tokyo, Japan, Ti
10-2-3 Beta-C titanium alloy available from RTI International
Metals of Ohio, and the like. The body 21 is preferably
manufactured through casting. Alternatively, the body 21 is
manufactured through forging, forming, machining, powdered metal
forming, metal-injection-molding, electro-chemical milling, and the
like.
[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, an iron-type
golf club head 20 has a body 21 having a face 22. The body 21 is
preferably composed of stainless steel, titanium alloy, carpenter
steel, or any combination thereof. On the face 22 is a plurality of
grooves 25. Each groove in the first set of plurality of grooves 25
has a depth, D1, of at least 0.016 inch to 0.022 inch and a width,
W1, ranging from 0.021 inch to 0.027 inch. Further, each of the
plurality of grooves 25 has an edge radius, ER, ranging from 0.004
inch to 0.009 inch. Each of the plurality of grooves 25 has a side
wall angle, {acute over (.alpha.)}e, ranging from 16 degrees to 24
degrees and each of the plurality of grooves 25 is spaced, S1, from
0.073 inch to 0.083 inch from any other of the plurality of grooves
25.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, a groove 25 of the first set of
plurality of grooves has a width, W1, preferably ranging from 0.021
inch to 0.027 inch. The width is defined as the distance across a
groove 25 from an inflection point of one end to an inflection
point of the opposing end. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, a groove of
the first set of plurality of grooves has a depth, D1, ranging from
0.021 inch to 0.027 inch. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a distance
between grooves 25 is the spacing, S1, and each of the first
plurality of grooves is spaced from 0.073 inch to 0.083 inch from
any other of the first plurality of grooves. The distance, P, from
the center of the groove 25 in the first set of plurality of
grooves to the adjacent groove of the first set of grooves is
preferably 0.073 inch to 0.083 inch.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 8, each groove of the first set of
plurality of grooves 25 has a groove side wall angle, {acute over
(.alpha.)}e, which preferably ranges from 16 degrees to 24 degrees.
Further, each groove of the first set of plurality of grooves has a
groove angle, {acute over (.alpha.)}e, which preferably ranges from
30 degrees to 50 degrees and is most preferably 40 degrees.
[0048] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
iron-type golf club head 20 comprises a body 21 having a face 22. A
first plurality of grooves 25 is located on the face. Each of the
first plurality of grooves has a depth, D1, ranging from 0.015 inch
to 0.022 inch and each of the first plurality of grooves 25 has a
width, W1, ranging from 0.021 inch to 0.027 inch. Each of the first
plurality of grooves 25 has a groove edge radius, ER, ranging from
0.004 inch to 0.009 inch. Each of the first plurality of grooves 25
has a groove side wall angle, {acute over (.alpha.)}e, ranging from
16 degrees to 24 degrees. Each of the first plurality of grooves 25
is spaced, S1, from 0.073 inch to 0.083 inch from any other groove
of the first plurality of grooves 25. Additionally, a second
plurality of grooves 25a is located on the face 22. Each of the
second plurality of grooves 25a has a depth, D2, of less than 0.001
inch and each of the second plurality of grooves 25a is spaced, S2,
no more than 0.002 inch from an adjacent second plurality of
grooves 25a.
[0049] Preferably, the body of the iron-type golf club head 20 is
composed of stainless steel, titanium alloy, carpenter steel, or
any combination thereof. The grooves of the second set of plurality
of grooves 25a preferably have a V-like cross-sectional shape, a
square cross-sectional shape, or a U-like cross-sectional
shape.
[0050] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an
iron-type golf club head 20 comprises a body 21 having a face 22
and a first plurality of grooves 25 located on the facev22. Each of
the first plurality of grooves 25 has a depth, D1, ranging from
0.015 inch to 0.022 inch and each of the first plurality of grooves
25 has a width, W1, ranging from 0.021 inch to 0.027 inch. Each of
the first plurality of grooves 25 has a groove edge radius, ER,
ranging from 0.004 inch to 0.009 inch. Each of the first plurality
of grooves 25 has a groove side wall angle, {acute over
(.alpha.)}e, ranging from 16 degrees to 24 degrees. Each of the
first plurality of grooves 25 is spaced, S1, from 0.073 inch to
0.083 inch from any other groove of the first plurality of grooves
25. Additionally, the face 22 has a plurality of second set of
grooves 25a, each of the plurality of second set of grooves 25a has
five microgrooves with a depth, D2, of less than 0.001 inch and are
spaced, S2, no more than 0.002 inch from an adjacent microgroove.
Each second set of grooves of the plurality of second set of
grooves 25a is positioned between each of the first plurality of
grooves 25a.
[0051] Preferably, the body of the iron-type golf club head 20 is
composed of stainless steel, titanium alloy, carpenter steel, or
any combination thereof. The grooves of the second set of plurality
of grooves 25a preferably have a V-like cross-sectional shape, a
square cross-sectional shape, or a U-like cross-sectional
shape.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 9-10, each of the grooves of the second set
of plurality of grooves 25a has a depth, D2, of less than 0.001
inch. Further, as shown in FIG. 9 the spacing, S2, between each of
the second plurality of grooves 25a is spaced no more than 0.002
inch from an adjacent second plurality of grooves 25a.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 11, a groove in the first set of plurality
of grooves 25 may have a base, B, which is preferably 0.005.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the maximum radius of the curvature
located at the base, RB, of each groove in the first set of
plurality of grooves is 0.002 inch. The radius of curvature located
at the edge of each groove, ER, in the first set of plurality of
grooves 25 preferably ranges from 0.004 inch to 0.009 inch.
[0054] Additionally, each of the second plurality of grooves 25a
may have a V-like cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 11, square
cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 11A, or U-like
cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 11B.
[0055] 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 e is claimed are defined
in the following appended claims.
* * * * *