U.S. patent application number 16/860173 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-24 for golf club head.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Wataru BAN.
Application Number | 20200398121 16/860173 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004808512 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-24 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200398121 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BAN; Wataru |
December 24, 2020 |
GOLF CLUB HEAD
Abstract
An iron type golf club head includes a face member including a
face portion and a back surface opposite to the face portion and a
main body member which includes a hosel portion and to which the
face member is fixed. A plurality of grooves are formed in the back
surface. Each of the plurality of grooves includes a first groove
portion which is formed on a leading edge side of the face portion
in a height direction and extends continuously in a toe-heel
direction over an area not less than a half of a width of the back
surface in the toe-heel direction.
Inventors: |
BAN; Wataru; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Bridgestone Sports Co.,
Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000004808512 |
Appl. No.: |
16/860173 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2053/0479 20130101;
A63B 53/047 20130101; A63B 53/0445 20200801; A63B 53/0454
20200801 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 24, 2019 |
JP |
2019-116605 |
Claims
1. An iron type golf club head that includes a face portion and a
hosel portion, comprising: a face member including the face portion
and a back surface opposite to the face portion; and a main body
member which includes the hosel portion and to which the face
member is fixed, wherein a plurality of grooves are formed in the
back surface, and each of the plurality of grooves includes a first
groove portion which is formed on a leading edge side of the face
portion in a height direction and extends continuously in a
toe-heel direction over an area not less than a half of a width of
the back surface in the toe-heel direction.
2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of grooves includes a second groove portion which extends
from a heel-side end portion of the first groove portion to a top
line side, and each of the first groove portion and the second
groove portion extends along an outline of the face portion.
3. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of
ribs are formed in the back surface, and each of the plurality of
ribs includes a first rib portion formed on the top line side of
the face portion in the height direction.
4. The golf club head according to claim 3, wherein the first rib
portion extends continuously in the toe-heel direction over an area
not less than the half of the width of the back surface in the
toe-heel direction.
5. The golf club head according to claim 4, wherein each of the
plurality of ribs includes a second rib portion which extends from
a toe-side end portion of the first rib portion to the leading edge
side, and each of the first rib portion and the second rib portion
extends along the outline of the face portion.
6. The golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the second
groove portion extends over an area not less than a half of a
heel-side width of the back surface in the height direction.
7. The golf club head according to claim 5, wherein the second rib
portion extends over an area not less than a half of a toe-side
width of the back surface in the height direction.
8. The golf club head according to claim 3, wherein the plurality
of grooves are spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of
ribs are spaced apart from each other.
9. The golf club head according to claim 3, wherein the plurality
of grooves are two grooves parallel to each other, and the
plurality of ribs are two ribs parallel to each other.
10. An iron type golf club head that includes a face portion and a
hosel portion, comprising: a face member including the face portion
and a back surface opposite to the face portion; and a main body
member which includes the hosel portion and to which the face
member is fixed, wherein a plurality of ribs are formed in the back
surface, and each of the plurality of ribs includes a first rib
portion which is formed on a top line side in a height direction of
the face portion and extends continuously in a toe-heel direction
over an area not less than a half of a width of the back surface in
the toe-heel direction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-116605 filed on Jun. 24, 2019,
the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an iron type golf club
head.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] As a method for improving the performance of the face
portion of a golf club head, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2012-071111 discloses a golf club head in which a portion larger in
mass than the surroundings is provided at a part that becomes the
antinode of the vibration of the face portion. Japanese Patent No.
6095348 discloses a golf club head in which a plurality of grooves
are formed in a part of the back surface of the face portion.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-248970 discloses a golf club head
in which the flexural rigidity in the vibration part on the toe
side is increased. Japanese Patent No. 5156994 discloses a golf
club head in which a reinforcing portion is provided at the
position of the node of the vibration at the time of striking a
ball. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-347161 discloses a golf club
head whose natural frequency is confined to fall within a specific
range.
[0004] In general, an iron type golf club head includes a hosel
portion on the heel side and a thick sole portion, so that the toe
side of the face portion tends to easily vibrate and the heel side
thereof tends to hardly vibrate. Accordingly, the position of the
antinode of the natural vibration of the golf club head tends to be
located on the top line side and on the toe side with respect to
the center of the face portion. If the striking point is in the
lower portion of the face portion or in the central portion in the
toe-heel direction, the position of the antinode and the striking
point are separated, so that a carry of a shot may be
decreased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to improve the
carry performance upon striking a golf ball at the lower portion of
a face portion.
[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an iron type golf club head that includes a face portion
and a hosel portion, comprising: a face member including the face
portion and a back surface opposite to the face portion; and a main
body member which includes the hosel portion and to which the face
member is fixed, wherein a plurality of grooves are formed in the
back surface, and each of the plurality of grooves includes a first
groove portion which is formed on a leading edge side of the face
portion in a height direction and extends continuously in a
toe-heel direction over an area not less than a half of a width of
the back surface in the toe-heel direction.
[0007] Further features of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments
(with reference to the attached drawings).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A is a front view of a golf club head according to an
embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 1B is a back view of the golf club head according to
the embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG.
1B;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a face member on the back
surface side;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining grooves and ribs;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the position of the antinode
of the natural vibration;
[0014] FIG. 6A is a view showing another arrangement example of the
grooves;
[0015] FIG. 6B is a view showing still another arrangement example
of the ribs; and
[0016] FIG. 6C is a view showing still another arrangement example
of the grooves and ribs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following
embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed
invention, and limitation is not made an invention that requires
all combinations of features described in the embodiments. Two or
more of the multiple features described in the embodiments may be
combined as appropriate. Furthermore, the same reference numerals
are given to the same or similar configurations, and redundant
description thereof is omitted.
[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1A to 2, a golf club head 1
according to an embodiment of the present invention will be
described. FIG. 1A is a front view of the golf club head 1, and
FIG. 1B is a back view thereof. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken
along a line A-A in FIG. 1B. In the drawings, an arrow D1 indicates
a toe-heel direction, and an arrow D2 indicates a height direction
of the face portion. The height direction is a vertical direction
parallel to the surface of a face portion 4 in a state in which the
golf club head 1 is in contact with the ground in accordance with a
predetermined lie angle and a predetermined loft angle.
[0019] The golf club head 1 is an iron type golf club head. The
present invention is applicable to any of a long iron, a middle
iron, a short iron, and a wedge, but is suitable for a long iron
and a middle iron in terms of carry performance.
[0020] The golf club head 1 includes a top line 2 forming the head
top portion, a sole portion 3 forming the head bottom portion, the
face portion 4, and a hosel portion 5. The hosel portion 5 has a
cylindrical shape into which a shaft (not shown) is inserted. The
lowermost portion of the face portion 4 forms a leading edge 6.
[0021] The face portion 4 forms a golf ball striking surface. In
this embodiment, the face portion 4 forms a flat striking surface,
and a plurality of score lines 4a extending in the D1 direction are
formed in the D2 direction.
[0022] Referring mainly to FIG. 2, the golf club head 1 is formed
by two parts, a face member 10 and a main body member 20. The face
member 10 forms a part of the sole portion 3 and the face portion
4, and the main body member 20 forms the remaining part of the golf
club head 1 including the hosel portion 5. The periphery portion of
the face member 10 is fixed to the main body member 20 by welding
or the like. A space 30 is formed between a part of the face member
10 and the main body member 20. The space 30 may be filled with an
elastic filler material such as a resin. Note that in this
embodiment, the golf club head 1 is formed by two parts, the face
member 10 and the main body member 20, but it may be formed by
three or more parts.
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the face member 10 will be
further described. The face member 10 of this embodiment includes a
wall portion 11 forming the face portion 4 and a wall portion 12
forming the part of the sole portion 3, and is a member having an
L-shaped vertical sectional shape as a whole. The wall portion 11
has a plate shape including a front surface 11a and an opposite
back surface 11b, and the face portion 4 is formed in the front
surface 11a. The back surface 11b has a width Win the D1 direction.
As the width (height) in the D2 direction, the back surface 11b has
a width H2 on the toe side and a width H1 (H2>H1) on the heel
side.
[0024] A plurality of grooves 13 and a plurality of ribs 14 are
formed in the back surface 11b. The grooves 13 and the ribs 14 may
be formed integrally with the face member 10 by casting, or may be
formed by machining such as milling or laser processing. In this
embodiments, each of the number of the plurality of grooves 13 and
the number of the plurality of ribs 14 is two. However, the number
may be three or more, and the numbers of the grooves 13 and the
ribs 14 may be different.
[0025] Each groove 13 includes a groove portion 13a and a groove
portion 13b, and the grooves 13 are spaced apart from each other
and extend in parallel. The grooves 13 may be formed to be
non-parallel but not to intersect each other. The groove portion
13a extends continuously along the outline of the face portion 4 in
the D1 direction over an area equal to or larger than the half of
the width W. The groove portion 13a may extend continuously in the
D1 direction over an area of 60% to 90% (both inclusive) of the
width W. The groove portion 13b extends along the outline of the
face portion 4 in the D2 direction over an area equal to larger
than the half of the width H1. The groove portion 13b may extend
continuously in the D2 direction over an area of 60% to 90% (both
inclusive) of the width H1. In this embodiment, each of the groove
portions 13a and 13b is a straight groove, but it may be a curved
groove.
[0026] The groove portion 13a is formed on the lower side (leading
edge 6 side) with respect to the central portion in the D2
direction. The groove portion 13a may be formed in an area within a
range of (1/3).times.the width H2 from the lower side in the
direction D2, or may be formed in an area within a range of
(1/4).times.H2 or (1/6).times.H2. Assuming that the length of the
groove portion 13a in the D1 direction is L11, it is expressed by
L11>(1/2).times.W. The length L11 may be expressed by
L11.ltoreq.(3/4).times.W or L11.ltoreq.(4/5).times.W. The groove
portion 13a may be distributed more on the heel side than on the
toe side of the back surface 11b.
[0027] The groove portion 13b is formed on the heel side with
respect to the central portion in the D1 direction. The groove
portion 13b may be formed in an area within a range of
(1/3).times.the width W from the heel side in the D1 direction, or
may be formed in an area within a range of (1/4).times.W or
(1/6).times.W. Assuming that the length of the groove portion 13b
in the D2 direction is L12, it is expressed by
L12>(1/2).times.the width H1. The length L12 may be expressed by
L12.ltoreq.(3/4).times.H1 or L12.ltoreq.(4/5).times.H1. The groove
portion 13b may be distributed more on the lower side than on the
upper side of the back surface 11b.
[0028] In this embodiment, the heel-side end portion of the groove
portion 13a is connected to the lower end portion of the groove
portion 13b, so that the groove 13 has an L-shape as a whole when
viewed from the back surface of the wall portion 11. However, the
midway portion of the groove portion 13a may be connected to the
lower end portion of the groove portion 13b, the heel-side end
portion of the groove portion 13a may be connected to the midway
portion of the groove portion 13b, or the groove portion 13a may
intersect the groove portion 13b. The groove width of the groove 13
falls within, for example, a range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and the
groove depth falls within, for example, a range of 0.1 mm to 1.0
mm. The sectional shape of the groove 13 is rectangular in this
embodiment, but may be another shape such as a trapezoid, a
semicircle, a semi-ellipse, or a triangle.
[0029] Each rib 14 includes a rib portion 14a and a rib portion
14b, and the ribs 14 are spaced apart from each other and extend in
parallel. The ribs 14 may be formed to be non-parallel but not to
intersect each other. The rib portion 14a extends continuously
along the outline of the face portion 4 in the D1 direction over an
area equal to or larger than the half of the width W. The rib
portion 14a may extend continuously in the D1 direction over an
area of 60% to 90% (both inclusive) of the width W. The rib portion
14b extends along the outline of the face portion 4 in the D2
direction over an area equal to or larger than the half of the
width H2. The rib portion 14b may extend continuously in the D2
direction over an area of 60% to 90% (both inclusive) of the width
H2. In this embodiment, each of the rib portions 14a and 14b is a
straight protrusion, but it may be a curved protrusion.
[0030] The rib portion 14a is formed on the upper side (top line 2
side) with respect to the central portion in the D2 direction. The
rib portion 14a may be formed in an area within a range of
(1/3).times.the width H2 from the upper side in the direction D2,
or may be formed in an area within a range of (1/4).times.H2 or
(1/6).times.H2. Assuming that the width of the extending area of
the rib portion 14a in the D1 direction is L21, it is expressed by
L21>(1/2).times.W. The length L21 may be expressed by
L21.ltoreq.(3/4).times.W or L21.ltoreq.(4/5).times.W. The rib
portion 14a may be distributed more on the toe side than on the
heel side of the back surface 11b.
[0031] The rib portion 14b is formed on the toe side with respect
to the central portion in the D1 direction. The rib portion 14b may
be formed in an area within a range of (1/3).times.the width W from
the toe side in the D1 direction, or may be formed in an area
within a range of (1/4).times.W or (1/6).times.W. Assuming that the
length of the rib portion 14b in the D2 direction is L22, it is
expressed by L22>(1/2).times.the width H2. The length L22 may be
expressed by L22.ltoreq.(3/4).times.H2 or
L22.ltoreq.(4/5).times.H2. The rib portion 14b may be distributed
more on the upper side than on the lower side of the back surface
11b.
[0032] In this embodiment, the toe-side end portion of the rib
portion 14a is connected to the upper end portion of the rib
portion 14b, so that the rib 14 has a vertically and horizontally
inverted L-shape as a whole when viewed from the back surface of
the wall portion 11. However, the midway portion of the rib portion
14a may be connected to the upper end portion of the rib portion
14b, the toe-side end portion of the rib portion 14a may be
connected to the midway portion of the rib portion 14b, or the rib
portion 14a may intersect the rib portion 14b. The rib width of the
rib 14 falls within, for example, a range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and
the rib height falls within, for example, a range of 0.1 mm to 1.0
mm. The sectional shape of the rib 14 is rectangular in this
embodiment, but may be another shape such as a trapezoid, a
semicircle, a semi-ellipse, or a triangle.
[0033] With reference to FIG. 5, the position of the antinode of
the natural vibration (primary vibration mode) of the golf club
head 1 at the time of striking a ball will be described. In
general, an iron type golf club head includes a hosel portion
having a rigid structure on the heel side, and the sole width is
thicker on the heel side than on the top side. Accordingly, the
rigidity is high on the heel side, and low on the toe side and the
top line side. Therefore, as shown as a position 15' exemplified in
FIG. 5, the position of the antinode of the natural vibration tends
to be located at a position on the toe side and the top line 2 side
with respect to the central portion of the face portion 4. When a
golf ball is struck at the lower portion or the central portion in
the D1 direction of the face portion 4, the striking point is
deviated from the antinode position 15', so that a carry of a shot
may be decreased.
[0034] The iron type golf club head is often used to strike a ball
placed on the ground. Accordingly, it has a high frequency of
striking a ball at the lower portion of the face portion 4. In this
embodiment, since the plurality of grooves 13 and the plurality of
ribs 14 are provided, it is possible to make the position of the
antinode of the natural vibration closer to the lower portion and
central portion of the face portion 4, as shown as a position 15.
First, since the groove 13 includes the groove portion 13a, the
rigidity of the face member 10 on the sole portion 3 side can be
decreased. Accordingly, the antinode position 15' can be moved to
the sole portion 3 side. Similarly, since the rib 14 includes the
rib portion 14a, the rigidity of the face member 10 on the top line
2 side can be increased. Accordingly, the antinode position 15' can
be further moved to the sole portion 3 side. As a result, when a
golf ball is struck at the lower portion of the face portion 4, the
striking point is closer to the antinode position 15, so that an
increase in a carry of a shot can be achieved.
[0035] In addition, since the groove 13 includes the groove portion
13b, the rigidity of the face member 10 on the heel side can be
decreased. Accordingly, the antinode position 15' can be moved to
the heel side. Similarly, since the rib 14 includes the rib portion
14b, the rigidity of the face member 10 on the toe side can be
increased. Accordingly, the antinode position 15' can be further
moved to the heel side. As a result, when a golf ball is struck at
the central portion of the face portion 4, the striking point is
closer to the antinode position 15, so that an increase in a carry
of a shot can be achieved.
[0036] In this manner, in this embodiment, the position of the
antinode of the natural vibration of the golf club head 1 at the
time of striking a ball can be moved closer to the central portion
and lower portion of the face portion 4, as shown as the position
15. In this case, when a ball is struck at the lower portion of the
face portion 4, which is a frequent striking point, or at the
central portion of the face portion 4, which is a striking point
upon which a golfer can make a nice shot, the striking point is
close to the position 15 of the antinode of the natural vibration,
so that a larger carry of a shot can be obtained and the carry
performance can be improved.
Other Embodiments
[0037] Both the plurality of grooves 13 and the plurality of ribs
14 are used in the embodiment described above, but it is possible
to move the position of the antinode of the natural vibration
closer to the central portion of the face portion 4 by using either
of the plurality of grooves 13 and the plurality or ribs 14. In
addition, the groove 13 may include the groove portion 13a alone,
and even in this case, it is possible to move the position of the
antinode of the natural vibration closer to the central portion of
the face portion 4 in the D2 direction. Similarly, the rib 14 may
include the rib portion 14a alone, and even in this case, it is
possible to move the position of the antinode of the natural
vibration closer to the central portion of the face portion 4 in
the D2 direction. FIGS. 6A and 6B show examples of these cases. In
the example shown in FIG. 6A, there is no rib 14, and each of the
plurality of grooves 13 includes the groove portion 13a alone
according to the embodiment described above. In the example shown
in FIG. 6B, there is no groove 13, and each of the plurality of
ribs 14 includes the rib portion 14a alone according to the
embodiment described above.
[0038] In addition, as another example of the plurality of grooves
13, the groove 13 including the groove portion 13b and the groove
13 including no groove portion 13b may be mixed. Similarly, as
another example of the plurality of ribs 14, the rib 14 including
the rib portion 14b and the rib 14 including no rib portion 14b may
be mixed. FIG. 6C shows an example of this case. In the example
shown in FIG. 6C, three grooves 13 are formed, and one groove 13
among them includes the groove portions 13a and 13b but each of the
remaining two grooves 13 includes the groove portion 13a alone
according to the embodiment described above. Further, in the
example shown in FIG. 6C, three ribs 14 are formed, and one rib 14
among them includes the rib portions 14a and 14b but each of the
remaining two ribs 14 includes the rib portion 14a alone according
to the embodiment described above. In the arrangement example shown
in FIG. 6C, the position of the antinode of the natural vibration
can be moved more in the direction D2 while less in the D1
direction as compared with the example shown in FIG. 4.
[0039] The invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments,
and various variations/changes are possible within the spirit of
the invention.
* * * * *