U.S. patent application number 13/907445 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for golf clubs and golf club heads.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nike, Inc.. Invention is credited to John T. Stites, Chewei Tai.
Application Number | 20130324282 13/907445 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48626647 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130324282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stites; John T. ; et
al. |
December 5, 2013 |
GOLF CLUBS AND GOLF CLUB HEADS
Abstract
Golf club heads include a golf club head body, a ball striking
face, and a shaft engaging member configured to engage a golf club
shaft with the golf club head body. Further, the shaft engaging
member may be configured to engage the golf club head body and the
shaft below a center of gravity of the golf club head.
Inventors: |
Stites; John T.;
(Weatherford, TX) ; Tai; Chewei; (Ping Tung,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nike, Inc. |
Beaverton |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48626647 |
Appl. No.: |
13/907445 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61653639 |
May 31, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/305 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0466 20130101;
A63B 53/02 20130101; A63B 60/50 20151001; A63B 53/026 20200801;
A63B 53/047 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/305 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/02 20060101
A63B053/02 |
Claims
1. A golf club head comprising: an iron-type golf club head body
having a striking face configured for striking a ball, the golf
club head body having connecting structure; and a shaft engaging
member engaged with the connecting structure of the golf club head
body, wherein the shaft engaging member is configured to be engaged
with a golf club shaft to connect the shaft to the golf club head
body, wherein the shaft engaging member is engaged with the
connecting structure at a location completely below a center of
gravity of the golf club head body.
2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the shaft engaging member
comprises a first portion and a second portion that are angled with
respect to each other, wherein the first portion extends upward and
away from the golf club head body and the second portion is
received in the connecting structure and extends into the golf club
head body in a heel-to-toe direction.
3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the connecting structure
comprises a hole located below the center of gravity of the golf
club head body and wherein the shaft engaging member comprises a
protrusion that is received in the hole and extends into the golf
club head body in a heel-to-toe direction, wherein the protrusion
is positioned completely below the center of gravity of the golf
club head body.
4. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein the protrusion has a
length, and wherein a density of the protrusion varies along the
length of the protrusion.
5. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein the protrusion has a
diameter, and wherein the diameter varies along a length of the
protrusion.
6. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein the protrusion extends
from the shaft engaging member in a range of 60%-95% of a length of
the club head body.
7. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein the hole and protrusion
have respective lengths that extend substantially an entire length
of the golf club head body.
8. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein the hole extends into the
club head body in a range of approximately 60% to 95% of a length
of the club head body, wherein the protrusion is dimensioned to
extend completely into the hole.
9. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein the club head body
defines a height, and wherein the hole is positioned in a lower
quarter of the height of the club head body.
10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head body
has a substantially flat heel surface, and wherein the connecting
structure comprises a hole defined in the substantially flat heel
surface and receiving a portion of the shaft engaging member
therein.
11. The golf club head of claim 10, wherein the shaft engaging
member comprises a first portion configured to engage the golf club
shaft and a second portion engaging the connecting structure of the
golf club head body, wherein the second portion comprises a
shoulder area engaging the substantially flat heel surface around
the hole
12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the shoulder area has
at least one surface that is aligned with an adjacent surface of
the golf club head body.
13. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein the shoulder area has a
front surface aligned with the striking face, a bottom surface
aligned with a sole surface of the golf club head body, and a rear
surface aligned with a rear surface of the golf club head body.
14. A golf club comprising the golf club head of claim 1 and a
shaft connected to the shaft engaging member.
15. A golf club head comprising: a golf club head body having a
striking face configured for striking a ball, the golf club head
body having connecting structure comprising a hole extending into
the golf club head body, wherein the hole is located below a center
of gravity of the golf club head body; and a shaft engaging member
comprising a first portion configured to be engaged with a golf
club shaft to connect the shaft to the golf club head body and a
second portion engaged with the connecting structure of the golf
club head body, wherein the second portion comprises a protrusion
received in the hole and extending into the golf club head body in
a heel-to-toe direction, wherein the protrusion is positioned
completely below the center of gravity of the golf club head body,
and wherein the first portion is angled with respect to the second
portion and extends upward and away from the golf club head
body.
16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the golf club head body
has a substantially flat heel surface, and wherein the hole is
defined in the substantially flat heel surface.
17. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein the second portion
comprises a shoulder area engaging the substantially flat heel
surface around the hole
18. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the shoulder area has
at least one surface that is aligned with an adjacent surface of
the golf club head body.
19. The golf club head of claim 18, wherein the shoulder area has a
front surface aligned with the striking face, a bottom surface
aligned with a sole surface of the golf club head body, and a rear
surface aligned with a rear surface of the golf club head body.
20. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the hole is located
below a geometric center of the striking face, and the protrusion
is positioned completely below the geometric center of the striking
face.
21. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein a top of the second
portion of the shaft engaging member is configured to extend less
than 3/4 of a height of a heel end of the iron-type golf club head
body, and wherein a gap is defined between at least an upper 1/4 of
the heel end of the golf club head body and the shaft engaging
member.
22. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein a top of the second
portion of the shaft engaging member is configured to extend less
than 1/2 of a height of a heel end of the iron-type golf club head
body, and wherein a gap is defined between at least an upper 1/2 of
the heel end of the golf club head body and the shaft engaging
member.
23. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the golf club head is a
wood-type golf club head, and the golf club head body is a
wood-type golf club head body.
24. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the golf club head is
an iron-type golf club head, and the golf club head body is an
iron-type golf club head body.
25. A golf club comprising the golf club head of claim 15 and a
shaft connected to the shaft engaging member.
26. A golf club head comprising: a golf club head body having a
striking face configured for striking a ball, the golf club head
body having connecting structure comprising a hole extending into
the golf club head body, wherein the hole is located below a
geometric center of the striking face; and a shaft engaging member
comprising a first portion configured to be engaged with a golf
club shaft to connect the shaft to the golf club head body and a
second portion engaged with the connecting structure of the golf
club head body, wherein the second portion comprises a protrusion
received in the hole and extending into the golf club head body in
a heel-to-toe direction, wherein the protrusion is positioned
completely below the geometric center of the striking face, and
wherein the first portion is angled with respect to the second
portion and extends upward and away from the golf club head
body.
27. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the golf club head body
has a substantially flat heel surface, and wherein the hole is
defined in the substantially flat heel surface.
28. The golf club head of claim 27, wherein the second portion of
the shaft engaging member comprises a shoulder area engaging the
substantially flat heel surface around the hole
29. The golf club head of claim 28, wherein the shoulder area has
at least one surface that is aligned with an adjacent surface of
the golf club head body.
30. The golf club head of claim 29, wherein the shoulder area has a
front surface aligned with the striking face, a bottom surface
aligned with a sole surface of the golf
31. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the protrusion has a
length, and wherein a density of the protrusion varies along the
length of the protrusion.
32. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the protrusion has a
diameter, and wherein the diameter varies along a length of the
protrusion.
33. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the protrusion extends
from the shaft engaging member in a range of 60%-95% of a length of
the club head body.
34. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the hole and protrusion
have respective lengths that extend substantially an entire length
of the golf club head body.
35. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the hole extends into
the club head body in a range of approximately 60% to 95% of a
length of the club head body, wherein the protrusion is dimensioned
to extend completely into the hole.
36. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the club head body
defines a height, and wherein the hole is positioned in a lower
quarter of the height of the club head body.
37. A golf club comprising the golf club head of claim 26 and a
shaft connected to the shaft engaging member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to, and is a
non-provisional of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/653,639,
filed on May 31, 2012, which application is incorporated herein in
its entirety and made a part hereof.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to golf clubs and golf club
heads. Particular example aspects of this disclosure relate to the
configuration of golf club heads.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players--players of
different genders and dramatically different ages and/or skill
levels. Golf is somewhat unique in the sporting world in that such
diverse collections of players can play together in golf events,
even in direct competition with one another (e.g., using
handicapped scoring, different tee boxes, in team formats, etc.),
and still enjoy the golf outing or competition. These factors,
together with the increased availability of golf programming on
television (e.g., golf tournaments, golf news, golf history, and/or
other golf programming) and the rise of well known golf superstars,
at least in part, have increased golf's popularity in recent years,
both in the United States and across the world.
[0004] Golfers at all skill levels seek to improve their
performance, lower their golf scores, and reach that next
performance "level." Manufacturers of all types of golf equipment
have responded to these demands, and in recent years, the industry
has witnessed dramatic changes and improvements in golf equipment.
For example, a wide range of different golf ball models now are
available, with balls designed to complement specific swing speeds
and/or other player characteristics or preferences, e.g., with some
balls designed to fly farther and/or straighter; some designed to
provide higher or flatter trajectories; some designed to provide
more spin, control, and/or feel (particularly around the greens);
some designed for faster or slower swing speeds; etc. A host of
swing and/or teaching aids also are available on the market that
promise to help lower one's golf scores.
[0005] Being the sole instrument that sets a golf ball in motion
during play, golf clubs also have been the subject of much
technological research and advancement in recent years. For
example, the market has seen dramatic changes and improvements in
putter designs, golf club head designs, shafts, and grips in recent
years. Additionally, other technological advancements have been
made in an effort to better match the various elements and/or
characteristics of the golf club and characteristics of a golf ball
to a particular user's swing features or characteristics (e.g.,
club fitting technology, ball launch angle measurement technology,
ball spin rates, etc.). Still other advancements have sought to
provide golf club constructions that provide improved feel to the
golfer or enhanced energy transfer from the golf club to the golf
ball.
[0006] While the industry has witnessed dramatic changes and
improvements to golf equipment in recent years, there is room in
the art for further advances in golf club technology. The present
invention seeks to address certain of the shortcomings of prior
golf club designs and to provide a design having advantages to
heretofore provided.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] The following presents a general summary of aspects of the
disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of the
disclosure and various aspects of it. This summary is not intended
to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way, but it simply
provides a general overview and context for the more detailed
description that follows.
[0008] Golf club heads according to at least some example aspects
of this disclosure include: a golf club head body, a ball striking
face, and a shaft engaging member which is configured to engage the
golf club head body with a golf club shaft. According to aspects of
the disclosure, the golf club head body and the shaft engaging
member may be configured so as to engage with each other. Further,
according to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head may be
configured to provide the connection between the golf club head
body and the shaft connecting member wherein the connection is
below the center of gravity of the golf club head and/or the center
of gravity of the golf club head body. Additionally, according to
aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head may be configured so
as to provide the connection between the golf club head body and
the shaft connecting member below the center of the ball striking
face of the golf club head or below other preferred impact
positions between the golf ball and the ball striking face of the
golf club head.
[0009] Additional aspects of this disclosure relate to golf club
structures that include golf club heads, e.g., of the types
described above. Such golf club structures further may include one
or more of: a shaft attached to the club head (optionally via a
separate shaft connecting member or a shaft connecting member
provided as an integral part of one or more of the club head or
shaft); a grip or handle attached to the shaft member; additional
weight members; etc.
[0010] Still additional aspects of this disclosure relate to
methods for producing golf club heads and golf club structures,
e.g., of the types described above. Such methods may include, for
example: (a) providing a golf club head of the various types
described above, e.g., by manufacturing or otherwise constructing
the golf club head, by obtaining the golf club head from another
source, etc.; and (b) engaging the shaft with the golf club head
(e.g., via the shaft connecting member). Other steps also may be
included in these methods, such as engaging a grip with the shaft,
club head body finishing steps, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present disclosure 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:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustrative embodiment of an iron-type golf
club structure according to aspects of the disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the iron-type golf club head
shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the iron-type golf club head
shown in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 3A is an illustrative embodiment of another iron-type
golf club structure according to aspects of the disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the iron-type golf club head
shown in FIG. 3A;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an illustrative embodiment of another iron-type
golf club structure according to aspects of the disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 5A is another view of the golf club head shown in FIG.
1 wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head is
symbolically illustrated;
[0019] FIG. 5B is a conventional iron-type golf club head wherein
the center of gravity of the golf club head is symbolically
illustrated;
[0020] FIG. 6 is an illustrative embodiment of an wood-type golf
club structure according to aspects of the disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the iron-type golf club head
shown in FIG. 6;
[0022] FIG. 8 is an illustrative embodiment of another wood-type
golf club structure according to aspects of the disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the wood-type golf club head
shown in FIG. 8;
[0024] FIG. 10A is another view of the golf club head shown in FIG.
6 wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head is
symbolically illustrated; and
[0025] FIG. 10B is a conventional wood-type golf club head.
[0026] The reader is advised that the various parts shown in these
drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following description and the accompanying figures
disclose features of golf club heads and golf clubs in accordance
with examples of the present disclosure.
I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE GOLF CLUB HEADS, GOLF CLUBS, AND
METHODS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS DISCLOSURE
[0028] Aspects of this disclosure relate to iron-type golf club
heads and iron-type golf clubs. Iron-type golf club heads according
to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include:
(a) an iron-type golf club head body; (b) a ball striking face; and
(c) a shaft engaging member that is configured to engage the
iron-type golf club head with a shaft of the iron-type golf
club.
[0029] According to aspects of this disclosure, the iron-type golf
club head body and the shaft engaging member may be integrally
formed and/or separate parts configured to engage with each other.
Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the iron-type golf
club head body and the shaft engaging member may be configured to
provide a connection between the iron-type golf club head body and
the shaft engaging member, wherein the entire connection is
completely below the center of gravity of the iron-type golf club
head and/or the center of gravity of the iron-type golf club head
body. Additionally, according to aspects of the disclosure, the
iron-type golf club head body and the shaft engaging member may be
configured to provide the entire connection between the iron-type
golf club head body and the shaft connecting member completely
below the center of the ball striking face of the iron-type golf
club head or completely below other preferred impact positions
between the golf ball and the ball striking face of the iron-type
golf club head.
[0030] Further aspects of this disclosure relate to wood-type golf
club heads and wood-type golf clubs. Wood-type golf club heads
according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may
include: (a) a wood-type golf club head body; (b) a ball striking
face; and (c) a shaft engaging member that is configured to engage
the wood-type golf club head with a shaft of the wood-type golf
club.
[0031] According to aspects of this disclosure, the wood-type golf
club head may be configured such that an entire connection between
the wood-type golf club head body and the shaft engaging member is
completely below the center of gravity of the wood-type golf club
head and/or the center of gravity of the wood-type golf club head
body. Additionally, according to aspects of the disclosure, the
golf club head may be configured such that the entire connection
between the wood-type golf club head body and the shaft engaging
member is completely below the center of the ball striking face of
the wood-type golf club head or below other preferred impact
positions between the golf ball and the ball striking face of the
wood-type golf club head.
[0032] Further, it is noted that, according to aspects of the
disclosure, the iron-type or wood-type golf club head body and the
shaft engaging member may be separate pieces configured to engage
with each other. Additionally, according to other aspects of the
disclosure, the iron-type or wood-type golf club head body and the
shaft engaging member may be integrally formed as a unitary,
one-piece construction.
[0033] Additional aspects of this disclosure relate to iron-type
and wood-type golf club structures that include golf club heads,
e.g., of the types described above. Such iron-type and wood-type
golf club structures further may include one or more of: a shaft
attached to the golf club head (optionally via a separate shaft
engaging member or a shaft engaging member provided as a part of
one or more of the club head and/or shaft); a grip or handle
attached to the shaft; etc.
[0034] Still additional aspects of this disclosure relate to
methods for producing iron-type and wood-type golf club heads and
iron-type and wood-type golf club structures in accordance with
examples of this disclosure. Such methods may include, for example,
one or more of the following steps in any desired order and/or
combinations: (a) providing a golf club head, e.g., of the various
types described above (including any or all of the various
structures, features, and/or arrangements described above), e.g.,
by manufacturing or otherwise constructing the golf club head body,
by obtaining it from a third party source, etc.; (b) engaging a
shaft with the golf club head (e.g., via the shaft engaging
member); and (c) engaging a grip with the shaft.
[0035] Given the general description of various example aspects of
the disclosure provided above, more detailed descriptions of
various specific examples of golf clubs and golf club head
structures according to the disclosure are provided below.
II. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE GOLF CLUB HEADS, GOLF CLUB
STRUCTURES, AND METHODS ACCORDING TO THE DISCLOSURE
[0036] The following discussion and accompanying figures describe
various example golf clubs and golf club head structures in
accordance with the present disclosure. When the same reference
number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is
used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer
to the same or similar parts throughout.
[0037] More specific examples and features of iron-type golf club
heads and golf club structures according to this disclosure will be
described in detail below in conjunction with the example golf club
structures illustrated in FIGS. 1-5A and 6-10A.
[0038] FIG. 1 generally illustrates an example of an iron-type golf
club 100 according to aspects of the disclosure. As seen in FIG. 1,
the iron-type golf club may include an iron-type golf club head 101
in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0039] In addition to the golf club head 101, the overall golf club
structure 100 may include a shaft 103 and a grip or handle 105
attached to the shaft 103. The shaft 103 may be received in,
engaged with, and/or attached to the golf club head 101, for
example, through a shaft-receiving sleeve or element extending into
the club head 101 (e.g., the shaft engaging member discussed
below), via a hosel (e.g., a hosel included in the shaft engaging
member discussed below), and/or in other manners as will be
described in more detail below. The connections may be via
adhesives, cements, welding, soldering, mechanical connectors (such
as threads, retaining elements, or the like), etc. If desired, the
shaft 103 may be connected to the golf club head 101 in a
releasable and/or adjustable manner using mechanical connectors to
allow easy interchange of one shaft for another on the head and/or
adjustment of the shaft with respect to the head.
[0040] The shaft 103 may be made from any suitable or desired
materials, including conventional materials known and used in the
art, such as graphite based materials, composite or other non-metal
materials, steel materials (including stainless steel), aluminum
materials, other metal alloy materials, polymeric materials,
combinations of various materials, and the like. Also, the grip or
handle 105 may be attached to, engaged with, and/or extend from the
shaft 103 in any suitable or desired manner, including in
conventional manners known and used in the art, e.g., using
adhesives or cements, mechanical connectors, etc. As another
example, if desired, the grip or handle 105 may be integrally
formed as a unitary, one-piece construction with the shaft 103.
Additionally, any desired grip or handle materials may be used
without departing from this disclosure, including, for example:
rubber materials, leather materials, rubber or other materials
including cord or other fabric material embedded therein, polymeric
materials, and the like.
[0041] According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head
101 may include a golf club head body 107 and a shaft engaging
member 109. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the
golf club head body 101 may also include a ball striking face 111.
In some example structures, the ball striking face 111 may be
integrally formed with the golf club head body 107 as a unitary,
one-piece construction. According to other examples, the ball
striking face 111 may constitute a separate element, such as a face
plate, which is configured to be engaged with the golf club head
body 107. For example, the golf club head body 107 may include a
structure, such as a recess, notch, frame or other configuration
for receiving the face plate. According to aspects of the
disclosure, the face plate may be engaged with the golf club head
body 107 in a variety of ways. For example, the face plate may be
engaged with the golf club head body 107 by press fitting; bonding
with adhesives or cements; welding (e.g., laser welding),
soldering, brazing, or other fusing techniques; mechanical
connectors; etc.
[0042] According to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking
face 111 may have a generally trapezoidal shape which extends
between a top and a sole of the golf club head body 107 and,
further, extends substantially between a toe and a heel of the golf
club head body 107. Of course, the ball striking face 111 may have
other configurations as well.
[0043] According to further aspects of the disclosure, the ball
striking face 111 may be comprised of one or more materials. The
material(s) of the ball striking face should be relatively durable
to withstand the repeated impacts with the golf ball. As some more
specific examples, the ball striking face 111 may comprise a high
strength steel titanium or other metals, or other alloys as
well.
[0044] Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the ball
striking face 111 may include one or more score lines or grooves
that extend generally horizontally across the ball striking face
111 (when the club is oriented in a ball address orientation). The
score lines may interact with the dimpled surface of the golf ball
during the impact of the golf club head 101 with a golf ball (e.g.,
during a golf swing) and affect the aerodynamics of the golf ball
during the golf shot. For example, the score lines may cause a spin
(e.g., back spin) of the golf ball during the golf shot.
[0045] Aspects of the disclosure relate to particular structures of
the golf club head body 107 and the shaft engaging member 109.
According to some examples of this invention, the golf club head
body 107 and the shaft engaging member 109 may be separate pieces
that are configured to be engaged with each other. FIGS. 2-3
illustrate various views of a golf club head 101 according to such
an embodiment of this disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 2 is a front
view of an illustrative embodiment of the golf club head 101
according to aspects of the disclosure and FIG. 3 is an exploded
view of the embodiment of the golf club head 101 shown in FIG.
2.
[0046] According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head
body 107 may be constructed in any suitable or desired manner
and/or from any suitable or desired materials without departing
from this disclosure, including from conventional materials and/or
in conventional manners known and used in the art. For example, the
club head body 107 and/or its various parts may be made by forging,
casting, molding, and/or using other techniques and processes,
including techniques and processes that are conventional and known
in the art. According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club
head body 107 may be a blade type iron golf club head. According to
other aspects the golf club head body 107 may be a perimeter
weighted and/or cavity back type golf club head, a half cavity iron
type golf club head, or other iron type golf club head
structure.
[0047] According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head
body 107 may include a top 107a, a sole 107b, a toe end 107c, and a
heel end 107d. Further, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, according to
aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head body 107 may be
configured in a generally trapezoidal shape.
[0048] According to aspects of the disclosure, at least a portion
of the heel end 107d of the golf club head body 107 may be
substantially flat. For example, at least a portion of the heel end
107d of the golf club head body 107 may formed as a relatively flat
surface that extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the
sole 107b of the golf club head body 107 (e.g., the heel end 107d
may extend in a substantially vertical plane when the golf club
head 101 is at the ball address position). Further, according to
aspects of the disclosure and as seen in FIG. 3, the heel end 107d
may have a tapered configuration wherein the heel end 107d becomes
narrower as it extends vertically from the sole 107b, such that the
lower portion of the heel end 107d is wider than the upper portion
of the heel end 107d.
[0049] According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head
body 107 may be configured to engage with the shaft engaging member
109. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the golf club head body 107
may include a structure, such as a hole 108, configured to receive
a portion of the shaft engaging member 109. According to aspects of
the disclosure, the hole 108 may be provided in the golf club head
body 107 in a variety of ways. For example, the hole 108 may be
bored, or otherwise created an extrusion method. Also, the hole 108
may be formed in the golf club head body 107 during manufacturing,
such as when the golf club head body 107 is created by forging,
casting, molding, and/or other techniques and processes.
[0050] According to aspects of the disclosure, the hole 108 may be
formed in a side of the golf club head body 107 which is configured
to engage with the shaft engaging member 109. For example, the hole
108 may be positioned in the heel end 107d of the golf club head
body 107. Such an illustrative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2-3. As
seen in FIGS. 2-3, the hole 108 extends from the plane formed at
the heel end 107d of the golf club head body 107 into the golf club
head body 107. According to aspects of the disclosure, the hole 108
may extend between 0.2-1.0 inches, 0.4-0.8 inches or 0.5-0.6 inches
into the golf club head body 107. If desired, the hole 108 may be
tapered so that the diameter becomes narrower as it extends farther
into the golf club head body 107. As long as the shaft engaging
member 109 and the golf club head body 107 are securely engaged,
the distance or depth into the golf club head body 107 which the
hole 108 extends may be varied as desired. For example, in some
embodiments of the disclosure, the hole 108 may extend into the
golf club head body 107 across substantially the entire length of
the golf club head body 107 or the entire length of the length of
the sole of the golf club head body 107. In other words, the hole
108 may extend into the golf club head body 107 over 60%, 70%, 80%,
90% or 95% of the length of the of the golf club head body 107 or
60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95% of the length of the length of the sole
of the golf club head body 107.
[0051] According to aspects of the disclosure, the width (e.g., the
diameter) at the opening of hole 108 may be varied as desired.
According to some aspects of the disclosure, the opening of the
hole 108 may have a width of 0.25-0.75 inches, 0.4-0.6 inches or
0.5-0.55 inches. Further, the opening of the hole 108 may be in a
range of 20-70%, 30-60% or 40-50% of a total surface area of the
heel end 107d of the golf club head body 107. According to aspects
of the disclosure, the shape of the opening of the hole 108 may be
configured as desired. For example, the shape of the opening of the
hole 108 may be circular, triangular, square or rectangular, other
polygons, serrated, etc. Further, while only a single hole is shown
in the depicted embodiment, multiple holes may be provided and used
if desired.
[0052] According to aspects of the disclosure, the hole 108 may be
configured as a horizontal, or relatively horizontal, hole in the
golf club head body 107 (when the club head 101 is in a ball
address orientation). For example, as seen in the depicted
embodiment, the hole 108 extends in a horizontal fashion in the
toe-heel direction of the golf club head body 107. However, if
desired, the hole 108 may be configured to create an angled hole in
the golf club head body 107. For example, the hole 108 may be
angled upwardly or downwardly relative to the heel to toe direction
for the golf club head 107.
[0053] According to aspects of the disclosure, the hole 108 may be
positioned relatively low in the golf club head body 107 when the
club head 101 is in a ball address orientation. For example, the
hole 108 may be positioned closer to sole 107b of the golf club
head body 107 than the top 107a of the golf club head body 107. As
some more specific examples, the hole 108 may be positioned such
that it is in the lower half, lower third, or lower quarter of an
overall height, of the golf club head body 107 (e.g., as measured
from the sole to the highest point of the golf club head body 107
when the when the club head 101 is in a ball address orientation).
Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the hole 108 may
be positioned such that it is just above the sole 107b of the club
head body 107 (e.g., the lower edge of the hole 108 may be within
approximately 0.125 to 0.25 inches above the sole 107b of the golf
club head body 107).
[0054] As discussed above, the golf club head 101 may include a
shaft engaging member 109. The shaft engaging member may 109 may be
configured to receive the shaft 103 and, further, to engage the
golf club head body 107. According to aspects of the disclosure,
and the shaft engaging member 109 may be constructed in any
suitable or desired manner and/or from any suitable or desired
materials without departing from this disclosure, including from
conventional materials and/or in conventional manners known and
used in the art for making golf club heads and parts of golf club
heads. For example, according to aspects of the disclosure,
similarly to the golf club head body 107, the shaft engaging member
109 may be formed in a variety of ways, such as forging, casting,
molding, and/or other techniques and processes and may be made from
durable materials, such as metals (e.g., steel, alloys, etc.)
plastics, polymers, etc. Further, as seen in FIGS. 2-3, according
to aspects of the disclosure, the shaft engaging member 109 may
include a first portion 109a configured to engage with the shaft
103 of the golf club and a second portion 109b configured to engage
with the club head body 107.
[0055] According to aspects of the disclosure, the first portion
109a may be oriented so that it extends upward and away from the
golf club head body 107 when engaged with the golf club head body
107 and the golf club 100 is at the ball address position. Further,
according to aspects of the disclosure, the first portion 109a of
the shaft engaging member 109 may include a hosel or other
structure for engaging the shaft. According to aspects of the
disclosure, the shaft 103 may be received in and/or inserted into
and/or through the hosel.
[0056] If desired, the first portion 109a of the shaft engaging
member 109 may be configured such that the shaft 103 may be engaged
with the first portion 109a of the shaft engaging member 109 in a
releasable and/or adjustable manner using mechanical connectors to
allow easy interchange of one shaft for another on the head and/or
to allow adjustment of the orientation of the shaft 103 with
respect to the golf club head 107. For example, threads, locking
mechanisms, etc. may be incorporated into the first portion 109a of
the shaft engaging member 109, and the end of the shaft 103 that is
to be engaged with the first portion 109a of the shaft engaging
member 109 may be configured with a corresponding configuration.
Alternatively, the shaft 103 may be secured to the shaft connecting
member 109 via bonding with adhesives or cements, welding (e.g.,
laser welding), soldering, brazing, or other fusing techniques,
etc.
[0057] Further, optionally, if desired, the hosel may be eliminated
and the shaft 103 may be otherwise attached to the golf club head
101 through the first portion 109a of the shaft engaging member 109
of the golf club head 101. For example, the shaft 103 may be
otherwise engaged with the first portion 109a of the shaft engaging
member 109 by butt welding, laser welding, other type of welding;
bonding with adhesives or cements, soldering, brazing, or other
fusing techniques; etc.
[0058] As discussed above, according to aspects of the disclosure,
the shaft engaging mechanism 109 may include a second portion 109b
that is configured to engage with the club head body 107. As seen
in FIG. 2, according to aspects of the disclosure, the second
portion 109b may be oriented so that it extends horizontally, or
relatively horizontally, when engaged with the golf club head body
107 and the golf club 100 is at the ball address position. If
desired, the shaft engaging member 109 may be configured such that
an obtuse angle is defined between the first portion 109a of the
shaft engaging member 109 and the second portion 109b of the shaft
engaging member 109. The angle formed between the second portion of
the shaft connecting member 109b and the first portion of the shaft
connecting member 109a may define the top of the second portion of
the shaft connecting member 109b. In such embodiments, the second
portion of the shaft connecting member 109b is considered to not
extend above the horizontal, or relatively horizontal, line (when
the club head 101 is at the ball address position) that defines, in
part, the angle formed between the second portion of the shaft
connecting member 109b and the first portion of the shaft
connecting member 109a. FIG. 3 illustrates such a line in broken
line format.
[0059] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, according to aspects of the
disclosure, the second portion 109b of the shaft engaging member
109 may be configured with an outer surface that aligns with a
corresponding outer surface of the golf club head body 107. For
example, the second portion 109b of the shaft engaging member 109
may be configured with a shoulder area 109d such that the front
surface of the shoulder area 109d aligns with the front surface, or
ball striking face 111, of the golf club head 101 when shaft
engaging member 109 is engaged with the golf club head body 107.
Similarly, the second portion 109b of the shaft engaging member 109
may be configured such that the bottom surface and rear surface of
the shoulder area 109d align with a respective sole surface and
rear surface of the golf club head body 107 when shaft engaging
member 109 is engaged with the golf club head body 107. In this way
there may be a relatively seamless engagement between the shaft
engaging member 109 and the golf club head body 107 (at least along
a portion or a majority of the engaged surfaces) when shaft
engaging member 109 is engaged with the golf club head body 107.
Optionally, the seam between the golf club body 107 and the shaft
engaging member 109 may be concealed, e.g., by paint, by chroming
or electroplating, by coating, or in some other manner.
[0060] According to aspects of the disclosure, the second portion
109b of the shaft engaging member 109 may be configured such that
the top of the second portion 109b does not engage with the top of
the golf club head body 107. For example, according to aspects of
the disclosure, when engaged with the golf club head body 107, the
top of the shoulder area 109d of the second portion 109b of the
shaft engaging member 109 may be at a position that is less than
3/4 of the height of the heel end 107d of the golf club head body
107 or less than 3/4 of the height of the overall golf club head
body 107. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, when
engaged with the golf club head body 107, the top of the shoulder
area 109d of the second portion 109b of the shaft engaging member
109 may be at a position that is less than 1/2 or 1/4 of the height
of the heel end 107d of the golf club head body 107.
[0061] Therefore, as seen in FIG. 2, in such a configuration, a
space or gap is provided between heel end 107d of the golf club
head body 107 and the shaft engaging member 109. For example,
according to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head body 107
and the shaft engaging member 109 may be configured to provide a
space or gap between the upper portion (e.g., the upper 3/4, 1/2,
1/4, etc.) of the heel end 107d of club head body 107 (or the upper
portion (e.g., the upper 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, etc.) of the club head body
107d) and the shaft engaging member 109 when the shaft engaging
member 109 is engaged with the club head body 107. In this
configuration, as seen in FIG. 2, the lower portion of the plane of
the heel end 107d may be engaged with the shaft engaging member 109
while an upper portion of the vertical plane of the heel end 107d
(e.g., the upper 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, etc.) is exposed and not engaged
with the shaft engaging member 109.
[0062] According to aspects of the disclosure, the second portion
109b of the shaft engaging member 109 may be configured such that
when engaged with the golf club head body 107, the connection
between the shaft engaging member 109 and the golf club head body
107 (e.g., the second portion 109b of the shaft engaging member
109) is below the center of gravity of the iron-type golf club head
101 and/or below the center of gravity of the iron-type golf club
head body 107 and/or below the center of the ball striking face of
the iron-type golf club head. For example, according to aspects of
the disclosure, the second portion 109b of the shaft engaging
member 109 may be configured such that when engaged with the golf
club head body 107, the entire second portion 109b of the shaft
engaging member 109 is below the center of gravity of the iron-type
golf club head 101 and/or below the center of gravity of the
iron-type golf club head body 107 and/or below the center of the
ball striking face of the iron-type golf club head.
[0063] According to aspects of the disclosure, the second portion
109b may include a protrusion 109c that extends from the second
portion 109b. According to aspects of the disclosure, the
protrusion 109c may extend from a side of the second portion 109b
of the shaft engaging member 109. As seen in FIG. 3, the protrusion
109c may extend outward from a relatively vertical plane formed at
the side of the second portion 109b of the shaft engaging member
109.
[0064] Further, the protrusion 109c may be configured to extend
into and engage with the hole 108 of the club head body member 107.
For example, the protrusion 109c may be a tubular protrusion and
fits into the hole 108 of the club head body member 107. Further,
the protrusion 109c may be sized and configured such that when
engaged with the hole 108, an outer surface of the second portion
109b of the shaft engaging member 109 (i.e., the shoulder area 109d
shown in FIG. 3) matches and mates with a corresponding outer
surface of the golf club head body 107 (e.g., in a relatively
seamless manner such as described above). Thus, the protrusion 109c
and the hole 108 may have various corresponding or cooperating
shapes.
[0065] According to aspects of the disclosure, the protrusion 109c
may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the protrusion
109c may be formed in the shaft engaging member 109 during
manufacturing, such as when the shaft engaging member 109 is
created by forging, casting, molding, and/or other techniques and
processes. Also, the protrusion 109c may be attached to the shaft
engaging member 109 after manufacture of the shaft engaging member
109. For example, according to aspects of the disclosure,
protrusion 109c may be a separate peg or dowel that is engaged with
the shaft engaging member 109 (e.g., by welding, by cements,
etc.).
[0066] According to aspects of the disclosure, the protrusion 109c
may extend between 0.2-1.0 inches, 0.4-0.8 inches or 0.5-0.6 inches
away from the shoulder area 109d of the second portion 109b of the
shaft engaging member 109. As long as the shaft engaging member 109
and the golf club head body 107 are securely engaged, the distance
or depth that the protrusion 109c extends out of the shaft engaging
member 109 may be varied as desired. For example, in some
embodiments of the disclosure, the protrusion 109c may extend out
of the shaft engaging member 109 for a length that is substantially
the entire length of the golf club head body 107. In other words,
the protrusion 109c may extend out of the shaft engaging member 109
over 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95% of the length of the of the golf
club head body 107 or the 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95% of the length
of the sole of the golf club head body 107. In this way, the
protrusion 109c may engage with and fill a corresponding hole 108
that extends into the golf club head body 107 by the same or
similar dimension.
[0067] FIGS. 3A and 3B shows an illustrative embodiment of the
disclosure, wherein the hole 108 and the protrusion 109c have
lengths which extend substantially the entire length of the golf
club head body 107. It is noted that in such an embodiment, the
weight of the golf club head 101 may be more centered. Further, the
protrusions 109c may be formed with a varied density along its
length such that the protrusions may provide more weight a
particular portion of the golf club head 101 (e.g., heel or toe
weighted).
[0068] According to further aspects of the disclosure, the width
(e.g., the diameter) of the protrusion 109c may be varied as
desired. According to some aspects of the disclosure, the
protrusion 109c may have a width of 0.25-0.75 inches, 0.4-0.6
inches or 0.5-0.55 inches. According to aspects of the disclosure,
the shape of the protrusion 109c may be configured as desired. For
example, the shape of the protrusion 109c may be circular,
triangular, square or rectangular, etc. in order to correspond to
the shape of the hole 108 in the golf club head body 107. It is
noted that while only a single protrusion 109c is shown in the
depicted embodiment, multiple protrusions may be used if
desired.
[0069] According to aspects of the disclosure, the protrusion 109c
may be configured to extend horizontally, or relatively
horizontally, away from the shoulder area 109d of the shaft
engaging mechanism 109. For example, as seen in the depicted
embodiment, the protrusion 109c extends in a horizontal fashion in
the toe-heel direction of the golf club head 101. However, if
desired, the protrusion 109c may be configured to extend from the
shaft engaging member 109 at an angle. For example, the protrusion
109c may be angled upwardly or downwardly relative to the heel to
toe direction of the shaft engaging member 109.
[0070] According to aspects of the disclosure, the protrusion 109c
may be positioned relatively low in the shaft engaging member 109.
For example, the protrusion 109c may be positioned closer to the
bottom of the shaft engaging member 109 than the top of the shaft
engaging member 109. As some more specific examples, the protrusion
109c may be positioned such that it is in the lower half, or lower
quarter, of the shaft engaging member 109. Further, according to
aspects of the disclosure, the protrusion 109c may be positioned
such that it is extends from the center of the second portion 109b
of the shaft engaging member 109 (e.g., the lower edge of the
protrusion 109c may be within approximately 0.125 to 0.25 inches of
the bottom of the shaft engaging member 109).
[0071] In the depicted embodiment as described above, the shaft
engaging member 109 may be engaged with the golf club head body 107
by inserting the protrusion 109c into the hole 108. Further, if
desired, the golf club head 101 may include one or more securing or
retaining features that aid in securing the engagement of the shaft
engaging member 109 with the golf club head body 107.
[0072] For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, the
protrusion 109c may include one or more keys or ridges that
correspond to one or more respective notches at the opening of the
hole 108 or within the interior of the of club head body 107. Such
keys or ridges on the protrusion 109c may be configured to engage
with corresponding notches or grooves in the hole 108 in order to
engage or lock the club head body 107 with the shaft engaging
member 109 (e.g., to prevent twisting of these parts with respect
to one another). For example, the keys or ridges of the protrusion
109c may be aligned with notches in the hole 108 to allow the
protrusion 109c to slide into the hole 108. Further, the hole 108
may be configured with grooves that allow the protrusion 109c to be
rotated from a first position, at which the keys or ridges are
aligned with the notches to allow entry of the protrusion 109c into
the hole 108, to a second position, wherein the keys or ridges of
the protrusion 109c are no longer aligned with the notches of the
hole 108. In this way, the shaft engaging member 109 may be secured
or locked within the golf club head body 107. Of course, other
securing or retaining features may be provided as well (e.g.,
threads, recesses, snap fit features, etc.). For example, the end
of hole 108 (e.g., the end of the hole close to the toe of the golf
club head 101) may include securing, retaining of locking members
(e.g., mechanical connectors) which receive corresponding members
on the protrusion 109c (e.g., expandable/contractible members on
the tip end of the protrusion 109c) when the protrusion 109c is
inserted into the hole 108 and prevent the protrusion 109c from
being disengaged from the hole 108 once the expandable/contractible
members on the tip end of the protrusion 109c have been received
and expanded in the securing, retaining or locking members at the
end of the hole 108 and until they are contracted to release from
the mechanical connectors.
[0073] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, the hole
108 may extend through the entire golf club head body 107. In such
an embodiments, there are openings at both the toe end 107c and the
heel end 107d of the golf club head body 107. Further, in such
embodiments, the protrusion 109 may be secured via a mechanical
connector extends from the opening at the toe end 107c of the golf
club head body 107.
[0074] Therefore, it is understood that the shaft engaging member
109 may be configured to be engaged with the golf club head body
107 in a releasable manner using mechanical connectors. It is noted
that in such a configuration, if desired, easy interchange of one
shaft for another (e.g., if the shaft 103 is permanently affixed to
the shaft engaging member 109) may be accomplished. Further, it is
noted that in addition to the above described mechanical
connectors, the engagement between the shaft engaging member 109
the golf club head body 107 may be supplemented with other securing
means such as bonding with adhesives or cements, welding (e.g.,
laser welding), soldering, brazing, or other fusing techniques,
etc.
[0075] Further, it is noted that while a hole and a protrusion are
specifically described above, the shaft engaging member 109 may be
engaged with the golf club head body 107 in any desired manner. For
example, according to other embodiments of the disclosure, no
protrusions and no holes are used. For example, the shaft engaging
member 109 may be engaged with the golf club head body 107 via
mechanical connectors (e.g., threads, recesses, snap fit features,
etc.) which do not include the protrusion and hole described above.
Also, if desired, in addition to such other mechanical connectors,
the engagement between the shaft engaging member 109 and the golf
club head body 107 may be supplemented with other securing means,
such as bonding with adhesives or cements, welding (e.g., laser
welding), soldering, brazing, or other fusing techniques, etc.
[0076] Further, it is noted that as an alternative to mechanical
connectors, such as described above, securing means, such as
bonding with adhesives or cements, welding (e.g., laser welding),
soldering, brazing, or other fusing techniques, etc., may be
employed to secure the shaft engaging member 109 with the golf club
head body 107. For example, according to some aspects of the
disclosure, the second portion 109b of the shaft engaging member
109 may be directly engaged with the golf club head body 107. For
example, an outer surface of the second portion 109b of the shaft
engaging member 109 (e.g., the relatively vertical plane at a toe
end of the shaft engaging member 109) may be directly engaged with
a corresponding outer surface of the club head body 107 (e.g., the
relatively vertical plane at the heel end 107d of the club head
body 107). For example, according to aspects of the disclosure,
such portions of the shaft engaging member 109 and the club head
body 107 may be engaged via a butt welding process.
[0077] It is noted that the shaft engaging member 109 and club head
body 107 may have other configurations than shown in the depicted
embodiment. For example, golf club head body 107 and shaft engaging
member 109 may have corresponding configurations, such as
corresponding notches and recesses, corresponding stair step
configurations, etc.
[0078] Further, it is also noted that, if desired, according to
other aspects of the disclosure, the shaft engaging member 109 may
be integral with the shaft 103. For example, the shaft 103 may be
relatively permanently engaged with the shaft engaging member 109
instead of the shaft 103 being easily removable from the shaft
engaging member 109 as described above.
[0079] Further, it is also noted that, if desired, according to
other aspects of the disclosure, no shaft engaging member 109 is
needed. For example, the shaft 103 may be attached directly to the
golf club head body 109 or the golf club head 101. For example, the
shaft 103 may be configured at its end that is opposite the grip
105 with a configuration to directly engage with the golf club head
body 109 or the golf club head 101. For example, the shaft 103 may
include a thicker portion that is joined with the golf club head
body 109 or the golf club head 101 via mechanical connectors,
bonding with adhesives or cements, welding (e.g., laser welding),
soldering, brazing, or other fusing techniques, etc. (e.g., joined
such that the entire connection is completely below the center of
gravity of the golf club head and/or the center of gravity of the
iron-type golf club head body and/or the center of the face of the
golf club head).
[0080] Additionally, it is noted that while the above described
embodiments reference a shaft engaging member 109 that is a
separate element that is configured to be engaged with the golf
club head body 107, according to other aspects of the disclosure,
the shaft engaging member 109 may be integral with the golf club
head body 107. For example, the golf club head 101 may be formed as
a single integral piece. An illustrative embodiment of such a golf
club head 201 according to such aspects of the disclosure is shown
in FIG. 4. The features of the golf club head 201 are similar to
the embodiments described above and, therefore, will not be
discussed in more detail here for the sake of brevity.
[0081] However, it is noted that golf club head 201 may be
primarily, or solely, a single integral, piece which includes the
golf club head body 207 and the shaft engaging member 209. For
example, the club head 201 may be made by forging, casting,
molding, and/or using other techniques and processes, including
techniques and processes that are conventional and known in the
art. The golf club head 201 also may be constructed in any other
suitable or desired manner and/or from any suitable or desired
materials without departing from this disclosure, including from
conventional materials and/or in conventional manners known and
used in the art.
[0082] Further, it is noted that in the embodiment depicted in FIG.
4, similarly to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3B, the entire
connection between the golf club head body 207 and the shaft
engaging member 209 is located below the center of gravity of the
iron-type golf club head 201 and/or below the center of gravity of
the iron type golf club head body 207. Additionally, the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 4 may allow for the entire connection between the
golf club head body 207 and the shaft engaging member 209 to be
below the center of the ball striking face of the iron-type golf
club head 201.
[0083] For example, FIG. 5A illustrates the golf club head 101
wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head 101 is shown
symbolically at reference numeral 113. Further, the axis along
which the golf club head body 107 and the shaft engaging member 109
are connected is shown symbolically at reference numeral 115. As
seen in FIG. 5A, the entire connection between the golf club head
body 107 and the shaft engaging member 109 is below the center of
gravity 113 of the iron-type golf club head 101 (when the club head
is oriented in a ball address position).
[0084] In contrast, FIG. 5B illustrates a conventional iron-type
golf club head 301. As seen in FIG. 5B, the golf club head 301 is a
single integral piece wherein the hosel portion of the golf club
head 301 is integral with the remainder of the golf club head 301
along the entire heel portion of the golf club head 301. Hence, in
contrast to the example golf club head 101 construction shown in
FIGS. 1-4, golf club head 301 does not have an entire connection
between the golf club head body and the shaft engaging member below
the center of gravity of the golf club head.
[0085] An iron-type golf club head configured according to aspects
of the disclosure can be particularly advantageous. For example, as
will be described in detail below, positioning the connection
between the golf club head body and the shaft engaging member below
the center of gravity of the golf club head and/or the center of
gravity of the golf club head body and below the preferred impact
position between the golf ball and the ball striking face, may act
to provide increased energy transfer.
[0086] Further, as will be described in detail below, positioning
the connection between the golf club head body and the shaft
engaging member below the center of gravity of the golf club head
and/or the center of gravity of the golf club head body and below
the preferred impact position between the golf ball and the ball
striking face, may act to increase "feel" of the golf club, or
provide better frequencies of feel to the golfer.
[0087] A wide variety of overall club head constructions are
possible without departing from this disclosure. For example, it is
noted that the dimensions and/or other characteristics of the golf
club heads 101 and 201 according to examples of this disclosure may
vary significantly without departing from the disclosure. For
example, the above described features and configurations may be
incorporated into any iron-type club heads including, for example:
wedges (e.g., pitching wedges, lob wedges, gap wedges, sand wedges,
etc.), iron-type hybrid clubs, driving irons, 0 through 10 irons,
etc.
[0088] Further, the above described features and configurations in
the aspects of the disclosure may be incorporated into blade type
golf club heads, perimeter weighted and/or cavity back type golf
club heads or other iron type golf club head structures. For
example, perimeter weighted and/or cavity back iron-type golf club
heads including the golf club head body 107 according to aspects of
the disclosure, may include a rear surface opposite the ball
striking face 111 that includes a perimeter weighting member
extending rearward from the ball striking face and along at least a
portion of a circumferential area of the golf club head body.
[0089] While iron-type golf clubs and iron-type golf club heads
have been described in detail above, other aspects of this
disclosure relate to wood-type golf clubs and wood-type golf club
heads. For example, FIG. 6 generally illustrates an example of a
wood-type golf club 400 according to aspects of the disclosure. As
seen in FIG. 6, the wood-type golf club may include an wood-type
golf club head 401 in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0090] In addition to the golf club head 401, the overall golf club
structure 400 may include a shaft 403 and a grip or handle 405
attached to the shaft 403. The shaft 103 may be received in,
engaged with, and/or attached to the golf club head 401, for
example, through a shaft-receiving sleeve or element extending into
the club head 401 (e.g., the shaft engaging member discussed
below), via a hosel (e.g., a hosel included in the shaft engaging
member discussed below), and/or directly to the club head structure
401, e.g., via adhesives, cements, welding, soldering, mechanical
connectors (such as threads, retaining elements, or the like). If
desired, the shaft 403 may be connected to the golf club head 401
and/or the shaft engaging member in a releasable manner using
mechanical connectors to allow easy interchange of one shaft for
another on the head.
[0091] The shaft 403 and handle 405 may have any of the features,
materials, and/or characteristics of shaft 103 and handle 105
described above, including conventional features, materials, and/or
characteristics as are known and used in the art.
[0092] According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head
401 may include a golf club head body 407 and a shaft engaging
member 409. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the
golf club head body 401 may also include a ball striking face 411.
In some example structures, the ball striking face 411 may be
integrally formed with at least some portion of the golf club head
body 407 as a unitary, one-piece construction. According to other
examples, the ball striking face 411 may include a separate
element, such as a face plate, which is configured to be engaged
with the golf club head body 407. For example, the golf club head
body 407 may include a structure, such as a recess, notch, frame,
or other configuration for receiving the face plate. According to
aspects of the disclosure, the face plate may be engaged with the
golf club head body 407 in a variety of ways. For example, the face
plate may be engaged with the golf club head body 407 by press
fitting; bonding with adhesives or cements; welding (e.g., laser
welding), soldering, brazing, or other fusing techniques;
mechanical connectors; etc.
[0093] According to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking
face 411 may be comprised of one or more materials. The material(s)
of the ball striking face should be relatively durable to withstand
the repeated impacts with the golf ball. According to aspects of
the disclosure, the ball striking face 411 may comprise a high
strength steel. Further, other materials, such as titanium or other
metals or alloys may be used as well. Further, according to aspects
of the disclosure, the ball striking face 411 may include one or
more score lines or groove that extend generally horizontally
across the ball striking face 411 (when the club head is oriented
in a ball address position).
[0094] As described above, the golf club head 401 may include the
golf club head body 407 and the shaft engaging member 409. Aspects
of the disclosure relate to particular structures of the golf club
head body 407 and the shaft engaging member 409. According to
aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head body 407 and the
shaft engaging member 409 may be integral. FIG. 7 illustrates an
enlarged view of the golf club head 401 wherein the golf club head
body 407 and the shaft engaging member 409 are integrally formed as
a unitary, one-piece construction.
[0095] According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head
body 407 may be constructed in any suitable or desired manner
and/or from any suitable or desired materials without departing
from this disclosure, including from conventional materials and/or
in conventional manners known and used in the art. In fact, it is
noted that wide varieties of overall club head constructions are
possible without departing from this disclosure. For example, if
desired, some or all of the various individual parts of the club
head body described above may be made from multiple pieces that are
connected together (e.g., by adhesives or cements; by welding,
soldering, brazing, or other fusing techniques; by mechanical
connectors; etc.). The various parts (e.g., crown, sole, face,
etc.) may be made from any desired materials and combinations of
different materials, including materials that are conventionally
known and used in the art, such as metal materials, including
lightweight metal materials (e.g., titanium, titanium alloys,
aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, etc.),
composite materials, polymer materials, etc. The club head 401
and/or its various parts may be made by forging, casting, molding,
machining, stamping, and/or using other techniques and processes,
including techniques and processes that are conventional and known
in the art.
[0096] According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head
body 407 may include a crown 407a, a sole 407b, a toe end 407c, and
a heel end 407d. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure,
the heel end 407d of the golf club head body 407 may be relatively
curved. For example, the heel end 407d of the golf club head body
407 may formed as a relatively arcuate surface that extends from
the sole 407b of the golf club head body 407 (e.g., the heel end
407d may extend substantially upward in an arcuate fashion when the
golf club head 401 is at the ball address position).
[0097] As discussed above, the golf club head 401 may include a
shaft engaging member 409. The shaft engaging member may 409 may be
configured to receive the shaft 403. Further, according to aspects
of the disclosure, the golf club head body 407 and the shaft
engaging member 409 may be integral. For example, according to
aspects of the disclosure, when the golf club head 401 is formed
(e.g., through one of the above described methods) the golf club
head body 407 and the shaft engaging member 409 are formed as part
of golf club head 401 during the manufacturing process.
[0098] According to aspects of the disclosure, and as shown in FIG.
7, the golf club head 401 may be configured such that the shaft
engaging member 409 extends from the sole 407b or the heel end 407d
of the golf club head body 407. For example, the shaft engaging
member 409 may extend from the sole 407b of the golf club head body
407 or a lower portion (e.g., a lower 1/2, 1/3, or 1/4) of the heel
end 407d of the golf club head body 407 or a lower portion (e.g., a
lower 1/2, 1/3, or 1/4) of the overall golf club head body 407. For
example, the shaft engaging member 409 may be oriented so that at
least a portion of the shaft engaging member 409 extends
horizontally, or relatively horizontally, from the sole 407b of the
golf club head body 407 or a lower portion (e.g., a lower 1/2, 1/3,
or 1/4) of the heel end 407d of the golf club head body 407 or a
lower portion (e.g., a lower 1/2, 1/3, or 1/4) of the overall golf
club head body 407. Further, according to aspects of the
disclosure, the shaft engaging member 409 may be curved, or bent,
so that at least a portion of the shaft engaging member 409 extends
relatively upward and away from the golf club head body 407 when
the golf club 400 is at the ball address position.
[0099] Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, shaft
engaging member 409 may include a hosel. According to aspects of
the disclosure, the shaft 403 may be received in and/or inserted
into and/or through the hosel. If desired, the shaft engaging
member 409 may be configured such that the shaft 403 may be engaged
with the shaft engaging member 409 in a releasable and/or
adjustable manner using mechanical connectors to allow easy
interchange of one shaft for another on the head and/or to allow
adjustment of the orientation of the shaft 403 with respect to the
golf club head 407. For example, threads, locking mechanisms, and
the like may be incorporated into the shaft engaging member 409 and
the end of the shaft 403 that is to be engaged with the shaft
engaging member 409 may be configured with a corresponding
configuration. Also, the shaft 403 may be secured to the shaft
connecting member 409 via bonding with adhesives or cements,
welding (e.g., laser welding), soldering, brazing, or other fusing
techniques, etc.
[0100] Further, optionally, if desired, the hosel may be eliminated
and the shaft 403 may be otherwise attached to the golf club head
401 through the shaft engaging member 409 of the golf club head
401. For example, the shaft 403 may be otherwise engaged with the
shaft engaging member 409 by bonding with adhesives or cements;
welding (e.g., laser welding), soldering, brazing, or other fusing
techniques; etc.
[0101] According to aspects of the disclosure, the shaft engaging
member 409 may be configured such that the bottom portion of the
shaft engaging member 409 that extends from the golf club head body
407 in a generally horizontal manner does not engage with the crown
of the golf club head body 407. For example, according to aspects
of the disclosure, the bottom portion of shaft engaging member 409
that extends from the golf club head body 407 may be at a position
that is less than 3/4, 1/2, or 1/4, of the overall height of the
golf club head body 407 or is less than 3/4, 1/2, or 1/4, of the
overall height of the heel end of the golf club head body 407.
[0102] Therefore, as seen in FIG. 7, in such a configuration, a
space or gap may be provided between heel end 407d of the golf club
head body 407 and the shaft engaging member 409. For example,
according to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head body 407
and the shaft engaging member 409 may be configured to provide a
space or gap between the upper portion (e.g., the upper 3/4, 1/2,
1/4, etc.) of the heel of club head body 407d and the shaft
engaging member 409. In this configuration, as seen in FIG. 7, an
upper portion of the heel end 407d (e.g., the upper 3/4, 1/2, 1/4,
etc.) is exposed and does not contact the shaft engaging member
409.
[0103] According to aspects of the disclosure, the shaft engaging
member 409 may be configured such that the point where the shaft
engaging member 409 extends from the golf club head body 407 (or
the entire connection between the shaft engaging member 409 and the
golf club head body 407) is below the center of gravity of the
wood-type golf club head 401 and/or below the center of gravity of
the wood-type golf club head body 407 and/or below the center of
the ball striking face of the wood-type golf club head. For
example, according to aspects of the disclosure, the shaft engaging
member 409 may be configured such that the entire portion of shaft
engaging member 409 that is directly contacting the golf club head
body 409 is below the center of gravity of the wood-type golf club
head 401 and/or below the center of gravity of the wood-type golf
club head body 407 and/or below the center of the ball striking
face of the wood-type golf club head.
[0104] Additionally, it is noted that while the above described
embodiments reference a golf club head wherein the golf club head
body and the shaft engaging member are integral, according to other
aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head body and the shaft
engaging member may be separate pieces that are configured to be
engaged with each other. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate various views of
a golf club head 501 according to such an embodiment of this
disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 8 is a front view of an illustrative
embodiment of the golf club head 501 according to aspects of the
disclosure and FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the
golf club head 501 shown in FIG. 8.
[0105] As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the golf club head body 507 and
the shaft engaging member 509 may be formed as separate pieces
configured to be engaged with each other. For example, the shaft
engaging member 509 may include a protrusion 509c that is
configured to engage with a hole in the golf club head body 507.
Further any other connection means and methods, such as the ones
described above, may be employed here as well. In fact, it is noted
that the features of the golf club head 501 are similar to the
embodiments described above and, therefore, will not be again
described in great detail here for the sake of brevity.
[0106] However, it is noted that in the embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 8 and 9, similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the
entire connection between the golf club head body 507 and the shaft
engaging member 509 may be located below the center of gravity of
the wood-type golf club head.
[0107] It is noted that the above described configurations of golf
club head 401 may allow for the shaft engaging member 409 to be
extend from the golf club head body 407 at a point that is below
the center of gravity of the wood-type golf club head 401. Further,
according to aspects of the disclosure, the above described
configurations of golf club head 401 may allow for the entire
connection between the golf club head body 407 and the shaft
engaging member 409 to be below the center of gravity of the
wood-type golf club head 401.
[0108] For example, FIG. 10A illustrates the golf club head 401
wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head 401 is shown
symbolically at reference numeral 413. As seen in FIG. 10A, the
entire connection between the golf club head body 407 and the shaft
engaging member 409 is below the center of gravity 413 of the
wood-type golf club head 401.
[0109] In contrast, FIG. 10B illustrates a conventional golf club
head 601. As seen in FIG. 10B, the golf club head is a single
integral piece wherein the hosel portion of the golf club head 601
is integral with the remainder of the golf club head 601 and in the
upper portion of the golf club head 601. Hence, in contrast to the
golf club head 401 of the present disclosure, golf club head 601
does not have an entire connection between the golf club head body
and the shaft engaging member below the center of gravity of the
golf club head.
[0110] A wood-type golf club head configured according to aspects
of the disclosure can be particularly advantageous. For example, as
will be described in detail below, positioning the connection
between the golf club head body and the shaft engaging member below
the center of gravity of the golf club head and/or the center of
gravity of the golf club head body and below the preferred impact
position between the golf ball and the ball striking face, may act
to provide increased energy transfer.
[0111] Further, as will be described in detail below, positioning
the connection between the golf club head body and the shaft
engaging member below the center of gravity of the golf club head
and/or the center of gravity of the golf club head body and below
the preferred impact position between the golf ball and the ball
striking face, may act to increase "feel" of the golf club, or
provide better frequencies of feel to the golfer.
[0112] A wide variety of overall club head constructions are
possible without departing from this disclosure. For example, it is
noted that the dimensions and/or other characteristics of the golf
club heads 401 and 501 according to examples of this disclosure may
vary significantly without departing from the disclosure. For
example, the above described features and configurations may be
incorporated into any wood-type club heads including, for example:
wood-type hybrid clubs, fairway woods, drivers, etc.
III. CONCLUSION
[0113] The present disclosure 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 disclosure, not to limit the scope of the
disclosure. 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 disclosure, as defined by the appended claims. For example,
the various features and concepts described above in conjunction
with FIGS. 1 through 10 may be used individually and/or in any
combination or subcombination without departing from this
disclosure.
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