U.S. patent application number 13/725445 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-02 for iron type golf clubs and golf club heads having weight containing and/or vibration damping insert members.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKE, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Nike, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert Boyd, Charles Jack Green, III, Byron C. Slaughter.
Application Number | 20130109500 13/725445 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40408377 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130109500 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boyd; Robert ; et
al. |
May 2, 2013 |
Iron Type Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads Having Weight Containing
and/or Vibration Damping Insert Members
Abstract
Iron golf clubs heads and clubs include: (a) a ball striking
face; (b) an opposite rear surface; (c) a sole portion extending
rearward from the ball striking face and defining a cavity having
an open upper portion; (d) an insert element mounted in the cavity,
wherein the insert element includes at least one weight port; and
(e) a weight member mounted in the port. The insert element may
substantially fill the cavity to dampen vibrations and/or noise
when a ball is struck. Additionally, the insert element may allow
the weight(s) to be selectively placed to enable customization and
tuning of the overall weight of the club head (e.g., for swing
weighting purposes, for ball flight control purposes, etc.).
Methods of making such club heads and clubs also are described.
Inventors: |
Boyd; Robert; (Flower Mound,
TX) ; Slaughter; Byron C.; (Granbury, TX) ;
Green, III; Charles Jack; (Beaverton, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nike, Inc.; |
Beaverton |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
NIKE, INC.
Beaverton
OR
|
Family ID: |
40408377 |
Appl. No.: |
13/725445 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11846362 |
Aug 28, 2007 |
8337325 |
|
|
13725445 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/332 ;
473/350 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2053/0491 20130101;
A63B 53/0433 20200801; A63B 60/54 20151001; A63B 53/04 20130101;
A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 53/0475 20130101; A63B 53/005 20200801;
A63B 53/047 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/332 ;
473/350 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. An iron golf club head, comprising: a face including a ball
striking surface and a single rear surface directly opposite and
substantially parallel to the ball striking surface; a sole portion
extending rearward from the face and forming a bottom of the club
head, and extending upward from the bottom of the club head to form
a lowermost portion of a perimeter weight member and a portion of a
rear of the club head, the sole portion and at least a portion of
the rear surface of the face defining a cavity that has an upper
portion that is open to an exterior of the club head and a lower
portion located below the upper portion and in communication with
the upper portion, the lower portion being defined by the rear
surface of the face, an upper surface of the sole portion, and an
inner surface of the lowermost portion of the perimeter weight
member; and a recess defined in a top of the lowermost portion of
the perimeter weight member, wherein the recess is in communication
with the lower portion of the cavity and extends rearward from the
cavity, and wherein the lower portion of the cavity has a maximum
width defined in a front-rear direction between the rear surface of
the face and the inner surface of the lowermost portion of the
perimeter weight member and a maximum length defined in a heel-toe
direction, and wherein the maximum length is at least two times the
maximum width.
20. An iron golf club head according to claim 19, wherein the
recess has a recess length defined in a heel-toe direction and a
recess width defined in a front-rear direction, and wherein the
recess length is smaller than the maximum length of the lower
portion of the cavity and the recess width is smaller than the
maximum width of the lower portion of the cavity.
21. An iron golf club head according to claim 19, further
comprising: an insert element mounted in the cavity and at least
partially received in the lower portion of the cavity, wherein the
insert element includes a side surface, wherein at least a portion
of the side surface lies immediately adjacent to or contacts the
rear surface, an upper surface exposed at the upper portion of the
cavity and an opposite lower surface, wherein the lower surface
includes at least a first weight port therein; and a first weight
member mounted in the first weight port.
22. An iron golf club head according to claim 21, wherein the
insert element includes a first polymer member in which the first
weight port is formed and a second polymer member from which the
upper surface formed, wherein the first polymer member is softer
than the second polymer member.
23. An iron golf club head according to claim 22, wherein the
second polymer member includes a continuous cover layer which
completely covers an upper surface of the first polymer member and
prevents exposure of the first polymer member, and wherein the side
surface has at least a first portion formed by a first side surface
of the first polymer member and a second portion formed by a second
side surface of the second polymer member, such that the first and
second side surfaces combine contiguously to form the side surface
of the insert element, and wherein at least a portion of the first
side surface and at least a portion of the second side surface lies
immediately adjacent to or contacts the rear surface.
24. An iron golf club head according to claim 23, wherein the first
polymer member of the insert member is L-shaped and defines a tail
portion which is positioned in an upper half of the insert element
and below the second polymer member of the insert member, wherein
the tail portion extends rearwardly away from the side surface of
the insert member that lies immediately adjacent to or contacts the
rear surface of the face, and wherein the tail portion is
configured to extend over the lowermost portion of the perimeter
weight member and to fill the recess defined in the top of the
lowermost portion of the perimeter weight member.
25. An iron golf club head according to claim 21, wherein the lower
surface includes a second weight port, and wherein one of the first
weight port and the second weight port is located at a toe end of
the insert element and the other of the first weight port and the
second weight port is located at a heel end of the insert
element.
26. An iron golf club head according to claim 25, wherein the golf
club head further includes a second weight member mounted in the
second weight port.
27. An iron golf club head according to claim 21, wherein the lower
surface includes a second weight port, and wherein the golf club
head further includes a second weight member mounted in the second
weight port.
28. An iron golf club head according to claim 21, wherein the
insert element substantially fills the lower portion of the
cavity.
29. An iron golf club head according to claim 28, wherein the
insert element includes a first polymer member in which the first
weight port is formed and a second polymer member from which the
upper surface formed, wherein the first polymer member is softer
than the second polymer member, and wherein at least a portion of a
side surface of the first polymer member lies immediately adjacent
to or contacts the rear surface of the face.
30. An iron golf club head according to claim 29, wherein the first
polymer member has a hardness of 70 Shore A or less and the second
polymer member has a hardness of 85 Shore A or greater.
31. An iron golf club head according to claim 19, wherein the
maximum length of the lower portion of the cavity is at least three
times the maximum width.
32. An iron golf club head according to claim 19, wherein the
perimeter weight member extends rearward from the face around an
entire periphery of the face, the perimeter weight member further
defining a top side and heel and toe sides of the cavity, such that
the upper portion of the cavity is open to the exterior of the club
head via an opening defined between the lowermost portion of the
perimeter weight member and an uppermost portion of the perimeter
weight member.
33. An iron golf club head according to claim 32, wherein the rear
surface of the face extends as a single, contiguous surface
substantially parallel to the ball striking surface from the
uppermost portion of the perimeter weight member to the sole
portion.
34. An iron golf club comprising the iron golf club head according
to claim 19 and a shaft member connected to the iron golf club
head.
35. An iron golf club head, comprising: a face including a ball
striking surface and a rear surface directly opposite the ball
striking surface; a perimeter weight member extending rearward from
the face around an entire periphery of the face; a sole portion
extending rearward from the face and forming a bottom of the club
head, and extending upward from the bottom of the club head to form
a lowermost portion of the perimeter weight member and a portion of
a rear of the club head, wherein the sole portion, the perimeter
weight member, and at least a portion of the rear surface of the
face define a cavity that has an upper portion that is open to an
exterior of the club head, via an opening defined between the
lowermost portion of the perimeter weight member and an uppermost
portion of the perimeter weight member, and a lower portion located
below the upper portion and in communication with the upper
portion, the lower portion being defined by the rear surface of the
face, an upper surface of the sole portion, and inner surfaces of
the lowermost portion and heel and toe portions of the perimeter
weight member; and a recess defined in a top of the lowermost
portion of the perimeter weight member, wherein the recess is in
communication with the lower portion of the cavity and extends
rearward from the cavity, wherein the rear surface of the face
extends as a single, contiguous surface substantially parallel to
the ball striking surface from the uppermost portion of the
perimeter weight member to the sole portion, wherein the lower
portion of the cavity has a maximum width defined in a front-rear
direction between the rear surface of the face and the inner
surface of the lowermost portion of the perimeter weight member and
a maximum length defined in a heel-toe direction, and wherein the
maximum length is at least two times the maximum width, and wherein
the recess has a recess length defined in a heel-toe direction and
a recess width defined in a front-rear direction, and wherein the
recess length is smaller than the maximum length of the lower
portion of the cavity and the recess width is smaller than the
maximum width of the lower portion of the cavity.
36. An iron golf club head according to claim 35, further
comprising an insert element mounted in the cavity and at least
partially received in the lower portion of the cavity and in the
recess, wherein the insert element includes a side surface lying
immediately adjacent to or contacting the rear surface of the face,
an upper surface exposed at the upper portion of the cavity, and an
opposite lower surface.
37. An iron golf club head according to claim 36, wherein the lower
surface of the insert element includes at least a first weight port
therein, the golf club head further comprising a first weight
member mounted in the first weight port.
38. An iron golf club comprising the iron golf club head according
to claim 35 and a shaft member connected to the iron golf club
head.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/846,362, filed Aug. 28, 2007, which
application is incorporated by reference herein and made part
hereof in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to iron type golf clubs and
golf club heads. Particular example aspects of this invention
relate to golf clubs and golf club heads having an insert member
within a cavity for vibration/noise damping and/or for selective
weighting purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various golf club heads have been designed to improve a
golfer's accuracy by assisting the golfer in squaring the club head
face at impact with a golf ball. A number of golf club heads
reposition the weight of the golf club head in order to alter the
location of the club head's center of gravity. The location of the
center of gravity of the golf club head is one factor that
determines whether a golf ball is propelled in the intended
direction. When the center of gravity is positioned behind the
point of engagement on the contact surface, the golf ball follows a
generally straight route. When the center of gravity is spaced to a
side of the point of engagement, however, the golf ball may fly in
an unintended direction and/or may follow a route that curves left
or right, ball flights that often are referred to as "pulls,"
"pushes," "draws," "fades," "hooks," or "slices". Similarly, when
the center of gravity is spaced above or below the point of
engagement, the flight of the golf ball may exhibit more boring or
climbing trajectories, respectively.
[0004] Golf club heads, such as perimeter weighted and cavity back
club heads, assist the golfer by locating much of the weight of the
golf club head around the golf club head perimeter. Generally,
these golf club heads are more forgiving than non-cavity back golf
club heads (e.g., traditional "blade" type irons) thereby allowing
a golf ball to be struck somewhat off center or mis-hit, while
still providing relatively good distance and accuracy. Perimeter
weighted and cavity back club heads have helped the average golfer
reduce the impact of mis-hits and improve scoring.
[0005] Golfers tend to be sensitive to the "feel" of a golf club.
The "feel" of a golf club comprises the combination of various
component parts of the club and various features associated with
the club that produce the sensory sensations experienced by the
player when a ball is swung at and/or struck. Club weight, weight
distribution, swing weight, aerodynamics, swing speed, and the like
all may affect the "feel" of a golf club as it swings and strikes a
ball. "Feel" also has been found to be related to the sound
produced when a club head strikes a ball to send the ball in
motion. If a club head makes an unpleasant, undesirable, or
surprising sound at impact, a user may flinch, give up on his/her
swing, decelerate the swing, lose his/her grip, and/or not
completely follow-through on the swing, thereby affecting distance,
direction, and/or other performance aspects of the swing and the
resulting ball motion. User anticipation of this unpleasant,
undesirable, or surprising sound can affect a swing even before the
ball is hit.
[0006] Accordingly, improving aspects of a golf club's "feel" and
providing an easy and efficient way to produce a consistent "feel"
throughout a set of golf clubs (e.g., a set of irons) would be
welcome feature in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Iron type golf club heads according to at least some example
aspects of this invention include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a
rear surface opposite the ball striking face; (c) a sole portion
extending rearward from the ball striking face, the sole portion
and the rear surface defining a cavity that has an open upper
portion; (d) an insert element mounted in the cavity, wherein the
insert element includes an upper surface exposed at the open upper
portion of the cavity and an opposite lower surface, and wherein
the lower surface includes at least a first weight port therein;
and (e) a first weight member mounted in the first weight port. The
insert element may include multiple weight ports (e.g., one or more
in the toe end, one or more in the heel end, one or more in the
central region, etc.), and one or more weights may be mounted in
any desired number of these weight ports. The insert element may be
made from suitable materials and/or positioned within the club head
cavity so as to dampen vibrations and/or affect the sound produced
when a ball (or other object) is struck and/or so as to enable
customization and/or tuning of the overall weight of the club head
(e.g., for swing weighting purposes, for ball flight control
purposes (e.g., to draw bias the club, to fade bias the club, to
help compensate for swing flaws that produce a hook, to help
compensate for swing flaws that produce a slice, etc.), etc.).
[0008] Additional aspects of this invention relate to iron type
golf clubs and to methods for producing iron golf club heads and
golf clubs including club heads with insert members of the types
described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and
not limited in the accompanying figures, in which like reference
numerals indicate similar elements throughout, and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a view of an example golf club having an
example golf club head in accordance with the present
invention;
[0011] FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrates various views of an example
golf club head in accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate various views of an example
insert member structure in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0013] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate assembly and the final structure
of an example golf club head structure in accordance with this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The following description and the accompanying figures
disclose features of golf club heads and golf clubs in accordance
with the present invention (e.g., iron or iron-type hybrid golf
clubs and golf club heads).
I. General Description of Example Golf Club Heads, Golf Clubs, and
Methods In Accordance with this Invention
[0015] Aspects of this invention generally relate to iron type golf
club heads and golf clubs including such club heads (e.g., iron
type hybrid clubs, driving irons, 0-9 irons, pitching wedges, sand
wedges, gap wedges, loft wedges, etc.), although aspects of this
invention may be extended for use in other club head structures,
such as putters, drivers, woods, etc. Iron type golf club heads
according to at least some example aspects of this invention may
include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a rear surface opposite the
ball striking face (e.g., the actual back surface of the ball
striking face or another structural member of the club head); (c) a
sole portion extending rearward from the ball striking face, the
sole portion and the rear surface defining a cavity that has an
open upper portion; (d) an insert element mounted in the cavity,
wherein the insert element includes an upper surface exposed at the
open upper portion of the cavity and an opposite lower surface, and
wherein the lower surface includes at least a first weight port
therein; and (e) a first weight member engaged with the first
weight port. The insert element may include multiple weight ports
(e.g., one or more in the toe end, one or more in the heel end, one
or more in the central region, etc.), and one or more weights may
be mounted in any desired number of these weight ports. The golf
club head may have a generally perimeter weighted and/or cavity
back type structure as is known or used in the art (e.g., with a
sole portion extending rearwardly to form a portion of the
perimeter weighting member structure).
[0016] While the insert element may be made from a variety of
materials in a variety of different constructions, in at least some
example structures according to this invention, it will be made of
suitable materials and/or positioned within the club head cavity at
a suitable position so as to dampen vibrations and/or alter the
sound produced when a ball (or other object) is struck and/or so as
to enable customization and tuning of the overall weight of the
club head (e.g., for swing weighting purposes, for ball flight
control purposes (e.g., to draw bias the club, to fade bias the
club, to help compensate for swing flaws that produce a hook, to
help compensate for swing flaws that produce a slice, etc.), etc.).
As some more specific examples, if desired, the cavity and the
insert element may be formed so as to be elongated in the club
head's heel-to-toe direction (e.g., such that the cavity and/or
insert element has an overall length dimension in the heel-to-toe
direction of the club head that is at least twice its overall width
dimension in a face-to-rear direction, or even at least three times
its overall width dimension). In this manner, the weight ports and
the weight members may be selectively located at the toe end of the
insert element, at its heel end, at a central area, etc., so as to
properly swing weight the club and/or so as to bias the club as
desired for specific ball flight characteristics.
[0017] As some additional example features, the insert element may
be made from one or more separate members that are joined together,
such as from an upper polymer (or other material) member that is
exposed at the cavity opening and a lower polymer (or other
material) member that is hidden within the cavity (and contains the
weight member). The upper polymer (or other material) member may be
relatively hard and/or thin (e.g., having a base that is less than
a 2 millimeters thick, having a hardness of 85 Shore A or greater,
etc.) while the lower polymer (or other material) member may be
relatively soft and thicker (e.g., having a height of at least 5
millimeters, a hardness of 70 Shore A or less, etc.). In this
manner, the lower member will be softer than a metal or metal alloy
material from which the ball striking face is constructed, and it
will dampen vibrations and/or affect the sound created when the
club head strikes a ball or other object.
[0018] In at least some example golf club head structures according
to this invention, the insert element will substantially fill the
cavity defined by the sole portion and the rear surface of the ball
striking face (although not necessarily the entire cavity defined
by the perimeter weighting of the cavity back club). Therefore, at
least a portion of a side surface of the lower (softer) member will
lie immediately adjacent to and/or in contact with the rear surface
of the ball striking face. This feature also assists in dampening
vibrations when a ball is struck. At the very least, the top
portion of the insert member may be sized so as to substantially
fill the open upper portion of the cavity (or at least some portion
of the insert will substantially fill the cavity).
[0019] If desired, the insert element may be removably mounted in
the cavity defined by the sole portion and/or the weight member(s)
may be removably mounted in the weight port(s) of the insert
element. Alternatively, if desired, the insert element may be
permanently fixed into the cavity and/or the weight members may be
permanently fixed in the weight ports (e.g., using an adhesive or
cement, using fusing techniques, etc.), although the insert element
still may include multiple weight ports so as to allow the
manufacturer, club fitter, or other user to selectively place one
or more weights in the desired port(s) so as to produce the desired
swing weight or other weighting characteristics for the club.
[0020] Additional aspects of this invention relate to iron type
golf clubs (e.g., iron type hybrid clubs, driving irons, 0-9 irons,
pitching wedges, sand wedges, gap wedges, loft wedges, etc.). Such
clubs may include, for example: (a) iron golf club heads of the
types described above; (b) a shaft member engaged with the golf
club head (e.g., at a hosel or other head connection area); and/or
(c) a grip member engaged with the shaft member. The club head, its
insert element, and/or its weight member may have any one or more
of the various characteristics or properties described above. The
clubs may have additional features and characteristics as well,
including features and/or characteristics of conventional club
heads as are known and used in the art.
[0021] Still additional aspects of this invention relate to methods
for producing iron golf club heads, e.g., of the types described
above. Such methods may include: (a) providing a club head body
(e.g., by manufacturing it, by constructing it, by obtaining it
from a third party source, etc.) including a ball striking face, a
rear surface opposite the ball striking face, and a sole portion
extending rearward from the ball striking face, wherein the sole
portion and the rear surface define a cavity that has an open upper
portion; (b) providing an insert element that includes an upper
surface and an opposite lower surface, wherein the lower surface
includes at least a first weight port therein; (c) inserting a
first weight member in the first weight port; and (d) inserting the
insert element into the cavity such that the upper surface of the
insert element is exposed at the open upper portion of the cavity
(and such that the weight members and weight ports are located at
the bottom of the cavity and embedded in the insert member). The
club head, its insert element, and/or its weight member(s) may be
formed to have any one or more of the various characteristics or
properties described above.
[0022] Additionally, if desired, methods in accordance with at
least some examples of this invention may include one or more of
the following additional steps: (a) removing the insert element
from the cavity; (b) removing the first weight member from the
first weight port; (c) inserting a second weight member into the
first weight port; (d) inserting the first weight member into a
second weight port defined in the lower surface of the insert
element; (e) inserting a second weight member into a second weight
port defined in the lower surface of the insert element; (f)
reinserting the insert element into the cavity; and/or (g)
inserting a new insert element into the cavity.
[0023] Methods of producing iron type golf clubs in accordance with
at least some example aspects of this invention may include:
providing a golf club head of the types described above (e.g.,
including any or all of the various structures, features, and/or
arrangements described above, such as an insert element, one or
more weight members, etc.), e.g., by manufacturing or otherwise
making the golf club head, by obtaining it from a third party
source, etc.; (b) engaging a shaft member with the golf club head;
and/or (c) engaging a grip member with the shaft member. The club
head may allow manufacturers, club fitters, users, or others to
customize the weighting, weight locations, and/or other features of
the club head, e.g., as described above and as will be described in
more detail below.
[0024] Given the general description of aspects of the invention
provided above, more detailed descriptions of various specific
examples of golf clubs and golf club head structures according to
the invention are provided below.
II. Detailed Description of Example Golf Club Heads, Golf Club
Structures, and Methods According to the Invention
[0025] The following discussion and accompanying figures describe
various golf clubs and golf club head structures in accordance with
examples of the present invention.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, an iron type golf club 100 in
accordance with this invention includes a shaft 102 and a golf club
head 104 attached to the shaft 102. The golf club head 104 of FIG.
1 may be representative of any iron or hybrid type golf club head,
such as iron type hybrid clubs, driving irons, 0-9 irons, pitching
wedges, sand wedges, gap wedges, loft wedges, etc. The shaft 102 of
golf club 100 may be made of various materials, such as steel,
aluminum, titanium, graphite, or composite materials, as well as
alloys and/or combinations thereof, including materials that are
conventionally known and used in the art. Additionally, the shaft
102 may be attached to the club head 104 in any desired manner,
including in conventional manners known and used in the art (e.g.,
via adhesives or cements at a hosel element, via fusing techniques
(e.g., welding, brazing, soldering, etc.), via threads or other
mechanical connectors, via friction fits, via retaining element
structures, via releasable mechanical connections, etc.). A grip or
other handle element 106 is positioned on the shaft 102 to provide
a golfer with a slip resistant surface with which to grasp golf
club shaft 102. The grip element 106 may be attached to the shaft
102 in any desired manner, including in conventional manners known
and used in the art (e.g., via adhesives or cements, via threads or
other mechanical connectors, via fusing techniques, via friction
fits, via retaining element structures, etc.). The grip element 106
may be made from any desired materials, including materials that
are conventionally known and used in the art.
[0027] FIG. 2A illustrates one example golf club head 104 in
accordance with this invention in more detail. As illustrated, this
example golf club head 104 includes a body member 202 having a heel
portion 204 and a toe portion 206. The heel portion 204 is attached
to and/or extends from a hosel 208 (e.g., as a unitary or integral
one piece construction, as separate connected elements, etc.) for
connecting the shaft 102 to the club head body member 202. The body
member 202 also includes a top portion 210 and a sole portion 212.
A ball striking face 214 is provided between the top portion 210
and the sole portion 212, and between the toe 206 and the heel 204.
The striking face 214 provides a contact area for engaging and
propelling a golf ball in an intended direction. The striking face
214 may include grooves 216 (e.g., generally horizontal grooves 216
extending across the face 214 in the illustrated example) for the
removal of water and/or grass from between the striking face 214
and a golf ball during a ball strike. Any number of grooves,
desired groove patterns, and/or groove constructions may be
provided (or even no grooves, if desired), including conventional
groove patterns and/or constructions, without departing from this
invention. The striking face 214 may be integrally formed as a
unitary, one-piece construction with the remainder of the club head
body member 202, or it may be a separate part attached to the club
head body member 202 (e.g., via adhesives or cements; via welding,
brazing, soldering, or other fusing techniques; via mechanical
connectors; via friction fit; via retaining element structures;
etc.).
[0028] The body member 202 and/or striking face 214 of the golf
club head 104 may be constructed from a wide variety of different
materials, including materials conventionally known and used in the
art, such as steel, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, tungsten, alloys
of these metals, graphite, polymers, fiber-reinforced materials, or
composites, or combinations thereof. Also, if desired, the club
head 104 may be made from any number of pieces (e.g., having a
separate face plate, etc.) and/or by any construction technique,
including, for example, casting, forging, welding, and/or other
methods known and used in the art.
[0029] FIG. 2B illustrates a rear or back side view of an iron type
golf club head 104 in accordance with at least some examples of
this invention, and FIG. 2C illustrates a general cross sectional
view of such a club head (e.g., taken along line 2C-2C in FIG. 2B).
As illustrated, in this example structure, the rear of the club
head 104 forms a perimeter weighted (note perimeter weight member
220) cavity back (note rear cavity 222) construction. The sole
portion 212 of the club head 104 extends around and from the club
head face 214 and forms the very bottom of the club head structure
104, and from there it extends upward to form a lowermost portion
of the perimeter weight member 220 and a portion of the rear or
back side of the club head structure 104.
[0030] The sole portion 212 of the club head 104 (including the
upward extending portion thereof that forms the bottom of the
perimeter weight member 220) in this illustrated example has a
generally downwardly extending cavity 224 defined therein. This
downwardly extending cavity 224 includes an open and exposed top
surface. The forwardmost wall of the cavity 224 is defined by the
rear surface of the ball striking face 214 (although, if desired,
another element may be disposed between the ball striking face 214
and the rear cavity 222 without departing from this invention), and
the side and rear walls of the cavity 224 are defined by the sole
portion 212 of body member 202.
[0031] Notably, as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the overall
longitudinal length L of the cavity 224 (in the heel-to-toe
direction, e.g., the maximum dimension from the toe edge of the
cavity 224 to the heel edge) may be much greater than its overall
width dimension W (in the face-to-rear direction, e.g., the maximum
dimension from the rear of the ball striking face 214 to the back
side surface of the cavity 224 in the sole portion 212). The ratio
of the maximum overall length dimension L to the maximum overall
width W (L/W) may be at least 2/1 or even at least 3/1.
[0032] In golf club head structures (e.g., club head 104) in
accordance with examples of this invention, the lower sole member
cavity 224 will be filled (at least substantially filled) with an
insert structure 300. The insert structure may fill at least 75%,
at least 80%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the overall
cavity 224 volume. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example insert
structure 300 in accordance with some examples of this invention.
The insert structure 300 potentially may perform a variety of
functions. For example, the insert structure 300 may dampened
vibrations produced when the golf club head 104 contacts another
object, such as a golf ball, and thereby alter the sound and/or
reduce the vibrational response transmitted to the user's hands. As
another example, the insert structure 300 may include one or more
weight ports 302 that enable mounting of one or more weight members
304 in the insert 300. This feature can be used, for example, to
selectively alter, position, customize, and "fine-tune" weight in
the club head structure 104, e.g., to produce a consistent club
"swing weight" throughout a set, to produce a draw biased club, to
produce a fade biased club, to help compensate for swing faults
that tend to produce a hooking ball flight, to help compensate for
swing faults that tend to produce a slicing ball flight, etc.
Various potential structural features and characteristics of the
insert structure 300 will be described in more detail below.
[0033] If desired, at least some (e.g., a major portion) of the
insert member 300 will be made from a material that is softer than
the material from which the ball striking face 214 is made. In some
example structures 300, the insert member will have a multi-piece
construction, with a lower portion 306 made from a relatively soft
and flexible material (e.g., a polymer having a Shore A hardness of
85 or less, and in some examples, 80 or less, 75 or less, 70 or
less, 65 or less, or even 60 or less, such as a rubber, vinyl,
polyurethane, or other relatively soft and flexible materials).
This feature generally will allow the lower portion 306 of the
insert member 300 to dampen vibrations caused when a golf ball or
other object is struck. This lower portion 306 may make up the
majority of the insert structure 300.
[0034] When made from a multi-piece construction, an upper portion
308 of the insert member 300 may be made from a harder material
than the material making up the lower portion 306 of the insert
member 300. As a more specific example, the upper portion 308 of
the insert member 300 may be made from a polymer having a Shore A
hardness of at least 75, and in some examples, at least 80, at
least 85, at least 90, or even at least 95, such as a thermoplastic
material (e.g., a TPU), a thermosetting material, a PEBAX material,
or the like. This feature provides a strong, hard, and stable
exposed surface for the insert member 300 and helps prevent
undesired deformation, damage, and the like to the underlying and
softer lower portion 306. When made from multiple materials having
different hardness, this multi-piece construction (e.g., having a
softer lower portion 306 and a harder upper portion 308) may be
called a "dual durometer" construction or "multi-durometer"
construction in this specification.
[0035] While any desired proportions of a dual or multi-durometer
insert member 300 structure may be made from the softer portion 306
and the harder portion 308, in this illustrated example structure
300, the softer portion 306 makes up the vast majority of the
overall structure 300 such that the harder portion 308 constitutes
substantially a thin cover layer over the softer portion 306. If
desired, at least some portions of this thin cover layer 308 may be
less than 5 mm thick, and in some examples, less than 2 mm thick,
or even less than 1 mm thick. The softer portion 306 may make up at
least 75% of the overall insert member 300 volume, and even at
least 80% or 85% of the overall volume. In one more specific
example, the softer portion 306 will have a hardness of about 50-55
Shore A and the harder portion 308 will have a hardness of about
80-85 Shore A.
[0036] As another example, if desired, the insert member 300 may be
made from a single piece construction and/or from a material having
a single hardness level (e.g., of approximately 70 to 80 Shore A
hardness, including about 75 Shore A). As yet another example, if
desired, a portion of a single piece (or single material) insert
member 300 may be treated to alter its hardness, e.g., to make one
portion harder or softer than another portion, such as by using
chemical or radiation treatments (e.g., laser treatments) on one or
more surfaces of the insert member 300, by coating or impregnating
one or more surfaces of the insert member 300, by applying a
substrate base layer to one or more surfaces of the insert member
300, etc.
[0037] FIG. 3B illustrates that the underside of the insert member
300 (e.g., in softer portion 306) includes one or more weight ports
302 into which one or more weight members 304 may be mounted. Any
number of weight ports 302 may be provided in the insert member
structure 300, at any desired positions along the insert member
300, without departing from this invention. Moreover, any number of
weight members 304 may be mounted in any desired number of
positions among the various weight ports 302 without departing from
the invention. For example, any individual weight port 302 may have
one or more weight members 304 mounted therein, or an individual
weight port 302 may be left empty. The weight members 304 may be
permanently mounted in the weight ports 302 (e.g., using cements or
adhesives, using fusing techniques, etc.) or they may be removably
mounted in the weight ports 302 (e.g., using a friction fit, using
threads or other mechanical connectors, etc.).
[0038] The weight members 304 may be of any desired mass or
construction, and they may be selectively placed at any desired
position(s) among the ports 302 to produce a desired effect. For
example, in some golf club head structures in accordance with this
invention, the weight members 304 may be relatively lightweight
(e.g., a gram or two) and selectively positionable among the weight
ports 302 so as to produce a club having a desired "swing weight".
Every iron club in a set may be selectively weighted so as to have
the same "swing weight," which helps provide a more consistent
swing feel for users throughout the set.
[0039] If desired, however, weight members 304 also may be
selectively located (with selected masses) so as to affect ball
flight. For example, providing additional weight in the club head
toe end (by using the weight port(s) 304 located toward the toe end
310 of the insert member 300), a club head can be biased to produce
more of a "fading" ball flight and/or a club head can be designed
to help compensate for swing flaws that tend to produce a "hooking"
ball flight. On the other hand, by providing additional weight in
the club head heel end (by using the weight port(s) 304 located
toward the heel end 312 of the insert member 300), a club head can
be biased to produce more of a "drawing" ball flight and/or a club
head can be designed to help compensate for swing flaws that tend
to produce a "slicing" ball flight. Insert members including weight
members and weight ports of the types described above can be used
both swing weighting and ball flight biasing purposes, if
desired.
[0040] In at least some example structures in accordance with this
invention, the insert 300 will include a major side surface 316
intended to lie adjacent (and optionally in contact with) the rear
surface of the ball striking face 214 (or other member). All or
substantially all (e.g., at least 75%, or even at least 80%, 85%,
or 90%) of this side surface 316 may be exposed material that is
softer than the ball striking face 214 (e.g., material 306), to
help in the vibration/noise damping characteristics.
[0041] FIG. 4A illustrates an example of assembly of a golf club
head 104 including an insert member 300 in accordance with one
example of this invention. As illustrated, the insert member 300 is
equipped to include one or more weight members 304 in one or more
of the weight ports 302 provided in the bottom surface of the
insert member structure 300 (optionally, in a releasable or
removable manner, as described above). The insert member 300 then
is inserted into the open top surface providing access to the
cavity 224 defined in the club head body member 202 by the sole
portion 212 and the rear surface of the ball striking face 214.
[0042] As shown in the right hand side of FIG. 4A, the insert
member 300 may fit within the cavity 224 such that a relatively
large major surface 316 of the insert member 300 lies immediately
adjacent (and optionally in direct contact with) the back side of
the ball striking face 214. As noted above, this feature provides a
relatively large contact surface to help dampen vibrations as the
relatively soft and flexible material of portion 306 is available
to dampen vibrations caused when a ball strikes the ball striking
face 214. Optionally, if desired, a layer of adhesive (for securing
the insert member 300 in the cavity 224) may lie between the major
surface 316 and the rear surface of the ball striking face 214.
Alternatively, the insert member 300 may be secured in the cavity
224 in another manner, optionally in a removable or releasable
manner, such as through the use of screws, retaining members,
friction fits, or other mechanical or releasable connectors.
[0043] FIG. 4B illustrates an example of the finished rear of a
club head structure 104 including the club head body 202 and the
insert member 300 provided therein. As shown, in this illustrated
example structure 104, only the relatively hard top surface 308 of
the insert member 300 remains exposed through the opening in the
sole portion 212 providing access to the cavity 224 (and the softer
lower portion 306 is protected by the walls of the cavity 224
(e.g., in the sole portion 212 and the back surface of the ball
striking face 214) and the top surface 308 of the insert member
300). Notably, however, the complete cavity back 222 of the
perimeter weighted iron structure is not filled with the insert
member 300 (rather, a relatively large portion of the rear surface
of the ball striking face 214 remains exposed through the cavity
222). This feature helps reduce the overall weight of the insert
member 300 and the club head body member 202, and it helps maintain
the center of gravity of the overall club head structure 104 lower
in the structure. The size of the insert member 300 (so as not to
completely cover cavity 222) also allows for easier insertion of
the insert member 300 down into the cavity 224 defined in the sole
portion 212. In some structures in accordance with this invention,
at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, or even at least 75% of
the exposed rear surface of the ball striking face 214 (or other
surface defining the rear cavity of a cavity back iron) in the body
member 202 will remain exposed after the insert member 300 is
inserted into the cavity 224 defined in the club head sole portion
212.
[0044] Many further variations in the club head and/or insert
member structure may be provided without departing from the
invention. For example, if desired, the insert member 300 may
constitute multiple independent parts that are separately
introduced into and secured in the cavity 224. As another example,
if desired, the weight ports and/or openings thereto may be
provided in other parts of the insert member 300 and/or the club
head body member structure 202 without departing from this
invention. For example, if desired, weights could be inserted into
the insert member 300 through one or more openings provided through
the top surface 308 thereof. As another example, if desired, weight
members could be inserted into the insert member 300 through the
side surface 316 or the surface opposite thereto. Other structural
arrangements are possible without departing from this
invention.
[0045] As mentioned above, golf club heads in accordance with
examples of the present invention may be incorporated into a set,
e.g., a set of iron and/or hybrid type golf clubs. For example,
aspects of the present invention may be used to provide a club set
with increasing numbered iron golf clubs, such as two or more of
hybrid type clubs, driving irons, a zero iron, a one iron, a two
iron, a three iron, a four iron, a five iron, a six iron, a seven
iron, an eight iron, a nine iron, a ten iron, a pitching wedge, a
lob wedge, a gap wedge, a sand wedge, etc. With the present
invention, a golfer, a club designer, and/or a club fitter may
modify swing weight and/or the position of the center of gravity
for each golf club to meet the player's unique requirements, skill,
or playing style (e.g., to provide a consistent swing "feel"
throughout the set, to bias for certain desired ball flight
characteristics, etc.). For each club in the set, the insert member
(and/or other features of the club head, such as perimeter
weighting members, weighting members, etc) may progressively change
to alter the center of gravity of one club member with respect to
the others in the set, to make the center of gravity better suited
for use of the particular club, optionally customized for use by a
specific golfer. Various "feel" characteristics of the club also
may be controlled, as described above.
[0046] Also, while the invention has been described primarily in
terms of use in an iron type golf club head (including iron type
hybrid golf club heads), those skilled in the art will appreciate
that aspects and features of this invention are not limited to use
with iron type golf club heads. For example, if desired, putter
type and/or wood type body members may be substituted for the iron
type club head body members illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4B, and
the same or similar features and/or structures could be included in
a putter or wood structure without departing from this
invention.
III. Conclusion
[0047] The present invention is described above and in the
accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of example
structures, features, elements, and combinations of structures,
features, and elements. The purpose served by the disclosure,
however, is to provide examples of the various features and
concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the
invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that
numerous variations and modifications may be made to the
embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the
present invention, as defined by the appended claims. For example,
the various features and concepts described above in conjunction
with FIGS. 1 through 4B may be used individually and/or in any
combination or subcombination without departing from this
invention.
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