U.S. patent application number 17/369306 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-28 for iron-type golf club head with body wall apertures.
This patent application is currently assigned to Wilson Sporting Goods Co.. The applicant listed for this patent is Wilson Sporting Goods Co.. Invention is credited to Sean P. Griffin, Mark A. Kerscher, Jon C. Pergande, Mark A. Spencer, Ninad Trifale, Michael D. Vrska, JR..
Application Number | 20210331046 17/369306 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005698744 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210331046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pergande; Jon C. ; et
al. |
October 28, 2021 |
IRON-TYPE GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH BODY WALL APERTURES
Abstract
An iron-type golf club head includes a body having a wall
extending about an opening, a faceplate coupled to the body across
the opening, and a fill material. The wall defines a first set of
apertures and a second aperture, and includes an outer peripheral
surface, a sole and a rear wall portion extending from the heel to
the toe. The wall and the faceplate define a rearward-facing back
cavity. The sole, the rear wall portion and the faceplate define a
lower cavity that is continuous with the back cavity. The first set
of apertures and the second aperture extend through the wall from
the peripheral outer surface to, and are continuous with, the lower
cavity. The first set of apertures and the second aperture extend
about first and second planes, respectively. The fill material
substantially fills the lower cavity and the first set of apertures
and the second aperture.
Inventors: |
Pergande; Jon C.; (Chicago,
IL) ; Kerscher; Mark A.; (Chicago, IL) ;
Griffin; Sean P.; (Chicago, IL) ; Trifale; Ninad;
(Chicago, IL) ; Spencer; Mark A.; (Chicago,
IL) ; Vrska, JR.; Michael D.; (Carlsbad, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wilson Sporting Goods Co. |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
1000005698744 |
Appl. No.: |
17/369306 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16572378 |
Sep 16, 2019 |
11065514 |
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17369306 |
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|
15668558 |
Aug 3, 2017 |
10420993 |
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16572378 |
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15606981 |
May 26, 2017 |
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15668558 |
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14816796 |
Aug 3, 2015 |
9662549 |
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15606981 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0416 20200801;
A63B 53/0408 20200801; A63B 53/047 20130101; A63B 53/0475 20130101;
A63B 2053/0495 20130101; A63B 60/54 20151001; A63B 2209/14
20130101; A63B 60/52 20151001; A63B 53/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04; A63B 53/06 20060101 A63B053/06; A63B 60/52 20060101
A63B060/52 |
Claims
1. An iron-type golf club head comprising: a body having a wall
extending about an opening, the wall having an outer peripheral
surface, a sole, a toe, a heel, a topline and a rear wall portion
extending from the heel to the toe; a faceplate coupled to the body
across the opening, the wall and the faceplate defining a
rearward-facing back cavity, the sole, the rear wall portion and
the faceplate defining a lower cavity that is continuous with the
back cavity; a first set of apertures extending through the wall
from the peripheral outer surface to the lower cavity and being
continuous with the lower cavity, the first set of apertures
extending about a first plane; a second aperture extending through
the wall from the peripheral outer surface to the lower cavity and
being continuous with the lower cavity, the second aperture
extending about a second plane, each of the first set of apertures
and the second aperture being continuous with the lower cavity, the
fill material substantially filling the first set of apertures and
the second aperture, the first and second planes being
substantially parallel to each other; and a fill material
substantially filling the lower cavity and the first set of
apertures and the second aperture.
2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein each of the first set of
apertures and the second aperture are continuous with the lower
cavity, and wherein the fill material substantially fills the first
set of apertures and the second aperture.
3. The golf club head of claim 1, further including a badge
positioned within the back cavity rearward of the faceplate.
4. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein the badge is positioned
above the fill material.
5. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the fill material is a
metal-infused urethane.
6. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the fill material is selected
from the group consisting of a urethane, a metal-infused urethane,
other polymeric materials, other thermoplastic materials and
combinations thereof.
7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the wall has a first
hardness value, wherein the fill material has a second hardness
value, and wherein the second hardness value is less than the first
hardness value.
8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first and second
planes are substantially parallel to a lower edge of the
faceplate.
9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first set of
apertures and the second aperture are elongate slots, wherein the
first set of apertures are arranged in an end-to-end manner about
the first plane, and wherein the first set of apertures are two
apertures with a first portion of the wall separating the two
apertures of the first set of apertures. wherein the second
aperture overlies the first portion when viewing the sole of the
club head from a rearmost surface of the body toward the face plate
of the club head.
10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the second aperture
overlies the first portion, and at least a portion of each of the
two apertures of the second set of apertures, when viewing the sole
of the club head from a rearmost surface of the body toward the
face plate of the club head.
11. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein the width of the first
set of apertures is within the range of 0.060 to 0.120 inch, and
wherein the width of the second aperture is within the range of
0.060 to 0.120 inch.
12. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the length of each of
the first set of apertures and the second aperture is within the
range of 0.3 inch to 1.5 inches.
13. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein the length of one of the
two apertures of the first set of apertures is within the range of
0.7 inch to 1.4 inches, and wherein the length of the other of the
two apertures of the first set of apertures is within the range of
0.3 to 1.0 inch.
14. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the length of the second
aperture is within the range 0.9 inch to 1.5 inches.
15. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first set of
apertures is two apertures arranged end to end along the first
plane, and wherein the distance separating the two apertures of the
first set of aperture is within the range of 0.100 and 0.400 inch.
Description
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 16/572,378 filed on Sep. 16, 2019,
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/668,558 filed on Aug. 3, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,420,993),
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/606,981 filed on May 26, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/816,796 filed on Aug. 3, 2015 (now
U.S. Pat. No. 9,662,549).
BACKGROUND
[0002] The game of golf typically utilizes woods, irons and a
putter. Irons typically have shorter shafts and smaller club heads
as compared to woods. The head of an iron is often made of solid
iron or steel. The golf club head of an iron includes a large flat
angled face, typically scored with grooves. Golf club irons vary in
head size, shaft length and lie or loft angle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an example iron-type
golf club head having an example aperture and plug.
[0004] FIG. 2A is a rear perspective view of another example
iron-type golf club head having another example arrangement of
apertures and plugs.
[0005] FIG. 2B is a bottom front perspective view of the golf club
head of FIG. 2A.
[0006] FIG. 2C is a toe end view of the golf club head of FIG.
2A.
[0007] FIG. 2D is a sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 2C
take along line 2D-2D.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of another example
iron-type golf club head having another example arrangement of
apertures and plugs.
[0009] FIGS. 4A-4D are upper perspective views of other examples of
iron-type golf club heads having other example arrangements of
apertures and plugs.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example method for forming an
iron-type golf club head.
[0011] FIGS. 6A-6D are sectional views of an example iron-type golf
club head, illustrating one example method for plugging or filling
apertures in the golf club head.
[0012] FIGS. 7A-7B are sectional views of an example iron-type golf
club head, illustrating another example method for plugging the
golf club head.
[0013] FIG. 8 is an exploded rear perspective view of another
example iron-type golf club head.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example insert for use
with a body of the iron-type golf club head of FIG. 7.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of another example
iron-type golf club head having another arrangement of apertures
and plugs.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a bottom, rear perspective view of the golf club
head in accordance with another example implementation of the
present invention in which the club head includes a body defining
first and second sets of apertures and a plurality of plugs are
positioned within the first and second sets of apertures.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a bottom front perspective view of the golf club
head of FIG. 11 without the plugs within the first and second sets
of apertures.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a toe end, bottom perspective view of the golf
club head of FIG. 12.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a toe end view of the golf club head of FIG.
12.
[0020] FIG. 15 is a heel end view of the golf club head of FIG.
12.
[0021] FIG. 16 is a top, rear perspective view of the golf club
head of FIG. 12.
[0022] FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of a golf club head in
accordance with another implementation of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 18 is a bottom, toe end perspective view of the golf
club of FIG. 17.
[0024] FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the golf club head of
FIG. 17.
[0025] FIG. 20 is a heel end perspective view of the golf club head
of FIG. 17.
[0026] FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the golf club head of
FIG. 17.
[0027] FIG. 22 is a bottom, front perspective view of a golf club
head in accordance with another implementation of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the golf club head
of FIG. 22.
[0029] FIG. 24 is a rear, bottom perspective view of the golf club
head of FIG. 22.
[0030] FIG. 25 is a top, rear perspective view of the golf club
head of FIG. 22.
[0031] FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of the golf club head of
FIG. 22, with a portion of the body of the club head removed.
[0032] FIG. 27 is a toe end perspective view of the club head taken
along line 27-27 of FIG. 24.
[0033] FIG. 28 is a representation of the dynamic modeling and
impact analysis of a golf ball impacting a club head.
[0034] FIG. 29 is a bottom view of an example set of iterations of
golf club head configurations analyzed as part of the dynamic
analysis.
[0035] FIG. 30 is a bottom view of a golf club head in accordance
with another implementation of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 31 is a bottom view of a golf club head in accordance
with another implementation of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an example iron-type golf club head 20.
Head 20 is for use with a golf club shaft. Head 20 comprises
faceplate 22, body 24, aperture 26 and plug 30. Faceplate 22
comprises a plate that is coupled to body 24 across a front opening
32 defined by body 24. In one implementation, faceplate 22 is
formed from a metal, such as steel. In one implementation,
faceplate 22 includes a front surface having a series of grooves,
scorelines or ridges 31 (shown in FIG. 6A). The faceplate 22 is
configured for impacting a golf ball. In one implementation,
faceplate 22 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to body 24. In
yet another implementation, faceplate 22 is cast as part of body
24. In still other implementations, faceplate 22 is removably
mounted to body 24.
[0038] Body 24 supports faceplate 22 and interconnects faceplate 22
to a shaft of a golf club. Body 24 comprises hosel 34 and faceplate
supporting wall 36. Hosel 34 comprises that portion of body 24 that
connects to a shaft. In one implementation, hosel 34 comprises a
hollow cylinder which receives an end portion of a golf club shaft.
In another implementation, the hosel 34 may be inserted within the
tip end of the golf shaft.
[0039] Faceplate supporting wall 36 extends from hosel 34. In one
implementation, faceplate supporting wall 36 is integral with hosel
34, comprising a single unitary integral or homogenous structure.
In one implementation, faceplate supporting wall 36 extends in a
loop starting and ending at hosel 34. The loop forms an opening
across which faceplate 22 spans. In one implementation, faceplate
supporting wall 36 is formed from a single homogenous metal
material, such as steel, wherein wall 36 has a relatively high
degree of hardness. In other implementations, the faceplate 22 can
be formed of titanium, a high strength steel, a fiber composite
material, graphene or combinations thereof. In one implementation,
the faceplate 22 and the wall 36 are formed of materials having a
hardness of at least 15 on a Shore C hardness scale. For purposes
of this disclosure, the term "metal" encompasses a single metal,
multiple metals or alloys thereof. In other implementations, the
body 24 can be formed of a fiber composite material, a polygonal
material, iron, one or more metals, and combinations thereof.
[0040] As shown by FIG. 1, faceplate supporting wall 36 includes an
outer peripheral surface 37, and comprises a sole 38, a toe 40 and
a topline 42. Sole 38 comprises the underside of wall 36 which
faces the ground when a ball is being addressed by head 20. Toe 40
comprises the end portion of head 20, generally opposite to hosel
34. Topline 42 comprises a top portion of wall 36 opposite to sole
38. As shown by FIG. 1, wall 36 extends rearward of faceplate 22
and cooperative with faceplate 22 to form an interior rearwardly
facing cavity 46 that is founded in the front by faceplate 22 and
along its sides by the interior sides of wall 36. Although wall 36
is illustrated as having a particular irregular oval shape, in
other implementations, wall 36 may have other shapes or may form
other looped shapes.
[0041] Aperture 26 comprises a passage or opening extending through
wall 36, at at least one location rearward of faceplate 22. In one
implementation, aperture 26 comprises an opening that extends
completely through wall 36. In another implementation, aperture 26
comprises a crater, dimple or depression partially extending into
wall 36, but does not extend completely through wall 36. In one
implementation, aperture 26 comprises a through-wall aperture 26
extending into and through wall 36 to an inner surface of wall 36,
adjacent cavity 46. In another implementation, aperture 26
comprises at least one depression, or aperture 26 extending
partially into wall 36 from an outer perimeter surface of wall
36.
[0042] In the example illustrated, aperture 26 comprises an
elongate slot, extending completely through wall 36, parallel to
the edge of the corresponding adjacent portion of wall 36. In one
implementation, aperture 26 comprises an elongate slot extending
parallel to faceplate 22 or to an upper edge of faceplate 22.
Although aperture 26 is illustrated as a single elongate slot
extending across the majority of a length (the distance from hosel
34 to toe 40) of topline 42; in other implementations, aperture 26
may alternatively extend along other portions of sole 38 or toe
40.
[0043] Plug 30 comprises a structure or member that plugs, fills or
includes aperture 26. Plug 30 has a hardness less than the hardness
of wall 36. In one implementation, plug 30 has a hardness within
the range of 15 on a Shore A hardness scale to a 95 on a Shore C
hardness scale. In another implementation, the plug 30 has a
hardness within the range of 70 to 95 on a Shore A hardness scale.
Plug 30 has a degree of resiliency or flexibility greater than that
of the material forming wall 36. As a result, during impact of a
golf ball by faceplate 22, portions of wall 36 deflect against the
material of plug 30, wherein plug 30 absorbs impact and resiliently
deflects to provide a golfer with a unique feel. Additionally, the
golf iron club head of the present invention, including club heads
20, 120, 220, 320 and 420, provide a unique, aesthetically-pleasing
sound upon impact with a golf ball.
[0044] In one implementation, plug 30 completely occludes or blocks
the passage from the exterior of wall 36 to the interior of wall 36
adjacent cavity 46. In such an implementation, plug 30 may be
recessed from an outer mouth of aperture 26 or from an inner mouth
of aperture 26 adjacent cavity 46. In one implementation, plug 30
occupies at least 80% of the cavity or volume of aperture 26. In
other implementations, plug 30 completely fills aperture 26,
extends at or beyond the outer mouth 44 of aperture 26 and/or
extends at or beyond the inner mouth of aperture 26 adjacent cavity
46. In one implementation, plug 30 has an outer surface flush with
the outer mouth 44 of aperture 26. In one implementation, plug 30
has an inner surface flush with the inner mouth of aperture 26
adjacent cavity 46.
[0045] In one implementation, plug 30 is formed from a polymer
having a hardness less than that of the hardness of the material
forming wall 36. In one implementation, plug 30 is formed from a
polymer such as a urethane. In one implementation, plug 30 is
formed from a rubber or rubber-like material. In yet another
implementation, plug 30 is formed from a foam or foam material,
such as a closed cell or open cell material, such as a closed cell
or open cell polymeric material. In one implementation, plug 30 is
deposited into aperture 26 while in a liquid state then allowed to
cure and/or solidify within aperture 26. In another implementation,
plug 30 is inserted into aperture 26 while in a solid-state or
semi-solid state. In one implementation, plug 30 comprises a body
that is inserted into aperture 26, wherein the body of plug 30
includes a gel or liquid. In other implementations, plug 30 is
snapped into aperture 26, press fit into aperture 26, fused within
aperture 26 or adhesively bonded to wall 36 within aperture 26 or
combinations thereof.
[0046] FIGS. 2A -2D illustrate iron-type golf club head 120,
another example implementation of head 20. Head 120 is similar to
head 20 except that head 120 is specifically illustrated as
comprising body 124 associated with apertures 126A-126I
(collectively referred to as apertures 126) and corresponding plugs
130A-130I (collectively referred to as plugs 130). Apertures 126
are spaced about faceplate 22, through each of the sole 38, toe 40
and topline 42 of wall 36. In one implementation, apertures 126
each completely extend through wall 36. In one implementation,
apertures 126 are each of similar length and width. In yet another
implementation, apertures 126 and different lengths and/or widths
and/or shapes. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2A, each of
apertures 126 comprises a slot having a length L of at least about
0.125 inches and a width W of between 0.025 inches and 0.25 inches.
In one implementation, each aperture 126 has a depth D equal to the
thickness of the wall 136 through which the aperture 126 extends.
In other implementations, each aperture 126 has a depth or
thickness within the range of 0.045 to 0.150 inch. In one
implementation, the length of the slots can vary about the wall 36
of the body 124. In one particular implementation, the slots 126A-C
along the topline 42 of the wall 36 can have a length of within the
range of 0.6 to 0.8 inch, the slots 126D-F about the toe 40 can
have a length within the range of 0.6 to 0.8 inch, and the slots
126 G-I along the sole 38 can have a length within the range of 0.5
to 0.8 inch. In other implementations, other lengths and variations
of lengths can be used. In another implementation, the width W of
the slots 126 can be approximately 0.075 inch, and the through-wall
depth of the slots 126 can be within the range of 0.125 to 0.130
inch. In other implementations, other widths and/or depths can be
used.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2C, the faceplate 22 defines a generally
planar impact surface 29. The slots 126 define forward and rearward
edges 131 and 133 where the forward edge 131 is closer to the
planar impact surface 129 of the faceplate 22 than the rearward
edge 133. The forward edge of the slot 126 is preferably spaced
apart from the planar impact surface of the faceplate 22 by a
distance d within the range of 0.030 to 0.15 inch. In other
implementations, the distance d can be other dimensions or vary
from one slot to another slot. In one implementation, the distance
d is substantially the same as the thickness of the faceplate
22.
[0048] Plugs 130 are each similar to plug 30 described above. Plugs
130 occupy their respective apertures 126 about cavity 46 and about
faceplate 22. In the example illustrated, each of plugs 130
comprises a same material having the same hardness less than that
of wall 36 and compressibility or flexibility that is greater than
that of wall 36. In one implementation, each of plugs 30 equally
fill their respective apertures 126. In another implementation,
some of plugs 30 may have different sizes or different volumes. In
some implementations, some of plugs 30 may occupy different
percentages of the interior volume of their respective apertures
126. For example, in one implementation, apertures 126 along a
first portion of wall 36 are filled to a first extent (the plug
completely occluding the aperture having a first thickness, wherein
such thicknesses is measured in a direction from the outer surface
of wall 36 to the inner surface of wall 36 adjacent cavity 46)
while apertures along a second portion of wall 36 are filled to a
second different extent (the plug completely occluding such
apertures but having a second different thickness). For example, in
one implementation, aperture 126B may be completely filled by its
respective plug while aperture 130E is only partially filled (a
lesser thickness) by its respective plug. By varying the degree to
which the respective apertures 126 are filled with or occupied by
their associated plugs 130, the characteristics of head 120 may be
varied or customized as desired according to the particular
golfer's preferences.
[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates iron-type golf club head 220, another
implementation of head 20. Head 220 is similar to head 120
described above except that head 220 is specifically illustrated as
having plugs 230A-230I (collectively referred to as plugs to 30) in
lieu of plugs 130A-1301, respectively. Plugs 230 are similar to
plugs 130 except that plugs 230, amongst themselves, are formed
from different materials or materials having different properties
or characteristics. In the example illustrated, plugs 230A, 230B
and 230C are formed from different materials (as indicated by the
different representative stippling) having different hardness
properties and/or different resiliency/compressibility properties.
For example, in one implementation, plug 230A may comprise a first
type of urethane and plugs 230B and 230C are formed from different
types of urethanes. In one implementation, plug 230A is formed from
a solid polymer while plug 230B and/or 230C is formed from an open
or closed cell polymer. The different material properties of plugs
230 allow the absorption or impact characteristics of head 222 be
selectively varied with respect to different adjacent portions of
faceplate 22. In one implementation, the plugs 230 along the
topline can be formed of a first material having a first hardness,
the plugs along the toe can be formed of a second material having a
second hardness, and the plugs along the sole can be formed of a
third material having a third hardness. The first, second and third
hardness can be the same, or differ from each other such that one
region of the body 124 provides a slightly different response or
feel as other regions. In some implementations, different clubs may
be provided with different combinations of plugs or patterns to
customize the performance of head 222 an individual golfer's skill
level or personal preferences.
[0050] In other implementations, aperture 126 may have other
shapes, other sizes and other numbers. FIGS. 4A through 4D
illustrate example implementations of different shapes, numbers and
sizes of apertures 126 that can be formed in the body 124. FIG. 4A
illustrates a plurality of triangular shaped apertures 126 formed
into the wall 36 of the body 124. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrates a
plurality of circular shaped and semi-circular shaped apertures
126, respectively. FIG. 4D illustrates a plurality of wavy or
curved apertures 126. In other implementations, apertures 126 can
be formed in other polygonal shapes, other curved shapes, other
irregular shapes, and combinations thereof. Additionally, the
number and size of the apertures can vary from 2 to 20. In one
implementation, the number of apertures can be within the range of
3 to 15. In some implementations, aperture 26 may have different
shapes in different lengths depending upon the location of the
aperture 26. For example, a first size or shape aperture 26 may be
provided on topline 42 or other shapes or numbers of apertures 26
are provided on sole 38 or toe 40. In some implementations,
aperture 26 may be in the form of a cutout through (partially or
entirely) a portion of wall 36, wherein the cutout has an outline
of a word or words, letter, logo or image. For example, in one
implementation, aperture 26 may spell out a symbol, a trademark, a
name of the manufacturer, a brand of the golf club head 20 or the
like. All such variations are contemplated under the present
invention.
[0051] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example method of forming an
iron-type golf club head, such as head 20 or head 120. As indicated
by block to 270, an iron-type golf club body is provided, wherein
the body has a wall, such as wall 36, about an opening, such as
opening 32. The wall has at least one aperture, such as aperture 26
or aperture 126, therethrough. As indicated by block 272, a
faceplate, such as faceplate 22, is secured to the wall across the
opening. In one implementation, the faceplate is welded to the
wall.
[0052] As indicated by block 274, the at least one aperture is
occluded or plugged with at least one plug, such as plug 26, plug
126 or any of the plugs described hereafter. While the wall is
formed from a first material having a first hardness and/or
compressibility, the at least one plug is formed from a second
material having a second different hardness and/or compressibility.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term "material" encompasses a
single material, multiple layers of a material or a mixture of
multiple materials. As will be described hereafter, in some
implementations, the at least one plug may be formed by injecting a
plug material, while in a liquid or viscous state into such
apertures. In other implementations, the at least one plug may be
formed by inserting into the golf club body a preformed panel or
insert providing one or more plugs.
[0053] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate one example method for forming any of
golf club heads 20, 120 or 220. FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate an example
method in which an example iron-type golf club head 320 is plugged.
As shown FIG. 6A, the unplugged head 320 is similar to head 120
described above. Those components of head 320 which correspond to
components of head 120 are numbered similarly.
[0054] As shown by FIG. 6B, a stopper 321 is inserted into the
cavity 46 behind faceplate 22 such an edges of stopper 321 extend
across apertures 326. As further indicated by FIG. 6B, plug
material 322, in liquid form, is injected or otherwise deposited
into apertures 326. In one implementation, plug material 322
comprises a polymer that, upon curing or solidifying, has a
hardness less than that of the material of wall 36 and a
compressibility or flexibility greater than that of wall 36. In one
implementation, plug material 322 comprises a urethane. In one
implementation, plug material 322 comprises an open cell or closed
celled foam material. In yet other implementations, plug material
322 comprises other materials which may place in a liquid or
viscous state and subsequently dried or cured to a solid or
semi-solid state.
[0055] As shown by FIG. 6B, the edges 324 of stop 321 limit the
extent to which plug material 322 may flow into or through
apertures 326. As further shown by FIG. 6B, some implementations,
stop 321 is sized so as to not necessarily terminate at the edge of
one of aperture 326, but is sized to be inserted into or project
into selected apertures 326. In such an implementation, the
configuration of stop 321 may be varied to control the extent to
which individual apertures 326 are filled with plug material 322.
In the example illustrated, stop 321 partially projects into
aperture 326A, limiting the extent to which aperture 326A is filled
with plug material 322. At the same time, stop 321 terminates prior
to extending into aperture 326C, facilitating a complete fill of
aperture 326C.
[0056] As shown by FIG. 6C, upon sufficient curing or
solidification of the plug material within apertures 326, stop 321
is removed from cavity 46. In one implementation, stop 321 is
resiliently flexible facilitating deformation to allow stop 321 to
be removed from cavity 46. In another implementation, stop 321 is
formed from a destructible material, wherein stop 321 is sacrificed
after the plugging of club 320. In yet another implementation, stop
321 may be omitted such as where the injection of plug material 322
is precisely controlled or where walls 36 include integral
structures that at least partially extend behind and across such
apertures 322 so as to serve as stops to limit the flow of plugging
material into or through apertures 326. In some implementations,
other inserts are structures may be inserted into cavity 426 behind
our partially into aperture 3262 control the extent to which plug
material 322 fills or occupies such apertures, wherein such inserts
are left in place following the injection of plug material 322. In
one implementation, such inserts may comprise an open web, open
frame or other structure having boards or cavities into and through
which plug material 322 is filled or injected to occupy the voids
of the insert, wherein the insert act as rebar modifying the
characteristics of the plug material 322 within the respective
aperture 326. The plug material 322 solidifies, cures or hardens to
form plugs 130 described above.
[0057] As shown by FIG. 6D, in the example illustrated, a badge 350
is inserted into cavity 46. In one implementation, badge 350
comprises a placard, panel or other structure containing logos,
labels or the like. In one implementation, badge 350 is covered or
coated with a metallic film. The badge 350 can be formed as a
single piece or part or of multiple pieces or parts. The badge 350
may have a uniform thickness or variable thickness. The badge 350
may be thinner than illustrated in FIG. 6D. The badge 350 can be
sized to fill or partially fill the cavity 46. The badge 350 may be
sized to completely cover the back surface of face plate 22. In
other implementations, the badge 350 may be sized to cover a
portion, such as at least 25 percent, of the surface area formed by
the exposed back surface of the face plate 22 attached to the wall
36. In the example illustrated, badge 350 has outer perimeter edges
352 that abut the inner surfaces 131 of plugs 130 to stabilize the
positioning of such plugs 130 and to inhibit inadvertent dislodge
with an inward movement of plugs 130. In yet other implementations,
badge 350 may be omitted.
[0058] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate yet another method for plugging
golf club head 320. As shown by FIG. 7A, and insert 450 is
positioned within cavity 46. In one implementation, walls 36
include internal shoulders or catches which control positioning of
such that insert 450 is spaced from the inner rear surface 23 of
faceplate 22 so as to form an internal void 452. Thereafter, plug
material 322 is injected into apertures 326 and into void 452,
between insert 450 and faceplate 22, wherein material 322 within
such apertures 326 form plugs 330A and 330C and additional plugs
for additional apertures 326 not illustrated. As shown by FIG. 7B,
in one implementation, void 452 is completely filled with plug
material 322 such that plug material 322 continuously extends from
one aperture 326 through void 452 to another of apertures 326. In
one implementation, insert 450 is left in place within cavity 46.
In one implementation, insert 450 comprises a badge having a rear
surface having markings, and indicia, logos, labels or the like. In
yet another implementation, upon sufficient solidification or
curing of plug material 322 to form the various plugs 130 as well
as the expanse of material connecting such plugs 130, insert 450
may be removed. In one implementation, sensor 450 is removed and
replaced with a decorative badge, such as badge 350. In some
implementations, the method or process shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B may
be carried out without insert 450. For example, in some
implementations, head 320 may be supported in a fixture during
plugging such that rear surface or face 23 of faceplate 22 extends
substantially horizontal, wherein the viscous or liquid plug
material 322 flows across the horizontal surface 23 under the
guidance of gravity and is permitted to cure or otherwise
modify.
[0059] FIG. 8 is an exploded view illustrating iron-type golf club
head 420, another implementation of golf club head 120. Golf club
head 420 comprises body 424, insert 421 and badge 350. Body 424 is
similar to body 124 described above except that body 424 comprises
eight apertures 426 rather than nine apertures 126. Remaining
aspects of body 424 are described above with respect to body 1 to 4
of club head 120. Badge 350 is described above with respect to club
head 320. Head 420 is similar to head 120 described above except
that head 420 utilizes insert 421 to provide plugs for apertures
126.
[0060] As shown by FIG. 8, insert 426 comprises a panel or other
structure sized, shaped in form from is sufficiently flexible or
bendable material so as to enable insert 421 to be inserted into
cavity 46 of body 24, within the loop formed by wall 36 and behind
faceplate 22. Insert 421 comprises a central body 427 and one or
more projections, fingers, extensions or tabs 428A, 428B, 428C,
428D, 428E, 428F, 428G and 428H (collectively referred to as tabs
428) extending from body 427. Each of tabs 428A, 428B, 428C, 428D,
428E, 428F, 428G and 428H is located and sized to be concurrently
inserted into apertures 426A, 426B, 426C, 426D, 426E, 426F, 426G
and 426H, respectively, where tabs 428 serve as plugs for each of
such corresponding apertures 426. In one implementation, insert 421
is resilient and bendable, allowing insert 421 to be bent such that
428 may be snapped into corresponding apertures 126, wherein 428
are held within apertures 126. Each of tabs 428 has a hardness less
than a hardness of the surrounding material of wall 36. Each of
tabs 428 has a compressibility or flexibility greater than that of
the material forming wall 36.
[0061] In one implementation, insert 421 is furthered adhesively
bonded or fused to body 24 once positioned within cavity 46. In
another implementation, insert 421 is removable from cavity 426 and
from apertures 426, allowing the insert 421 of head 422 be replaced
or exchanged. In some implementations, head 420 may be accompanied
by a set of multiple different inserts 421, each insert 421 having
tabs 428 with different degrees of hardness and/or different
degrees of flexibility or compressibility. As a result, in such a
system, a golfer may customize his or her club 420 through the
selection and use of different inserts 421. Once insert 421 has
been position within cavity 46 with tabs 428 positioned within
their corresponding apertures 426, badge 350 is positioned behind
insert 421. In other implementations, badge 350 may be omitted. In
some implementations, the markings, logos or decorative effects
otherwise provided by badge 350 or alternatively provided on the
rear face 450 of insert 421.
[0062] Although insert 421 is illustrated as having eight tabs 428
corresponding to the eight apertures 426 of body 424, in other
implementations, insert 421 may comprise fewer than or greater than
eight such tabs, wherein some or all of the apertures 426 are
filled by a tab 428. For example, in some implementations, some of
the apertures 426 not filled by tabs 428 of insert 421 are injected
with a plug material, such as plug material 322 described above. In
one implementation, the perimeter edges of insert 421 that do not
project into an opposite aperture 426 in wall 36 may serve as a
stop controlling and extent to which the plug material 322,
injected in liquid form prior to solidification, fills the
particular apertures 426 not plugged by insert 421. In other
implementations where wall 36 of the particular golf club comprises
a greater or fewer of such apertures 126 or where apertures 426
additionally sized or differently located, insert 421 may also
include a different arrangement of tabs 428 based upon the
different number, size, location and/or shape of the different
apertures 426.
[0063] FIG. 9 illustrates insert 521, another example of insert 421
for use with head 420. Insert 521 is similar to insert 421 except
that insert 521 comprises tabs 528A, 528B, 528C, 528D, 528E, 528F
and 528G (collectively referred to as tabs 528) in lieu of tabs
428. Tabs 528 include individual tabs formed from different
materials or compositions so as to have different hardness
properties and/or different compressibility, flexibility
properties. In the example illustrated, tabs 528C the 528F are
formed from a different material or a different combination of
materials such that they have different hardness properties and/or
different compressibility or flexibility properties as compared to
the remaining tabs 528. As a result, in one implementation, tabs
528C and 528E may comprise a first type of urethane material while
remaining tabs are formed from a different type of urethane
material are completely different material. In one implementation,
tabs 528C and 528E are formed from a solid polymer while the
remaining tabs are formed from an open or closed cell polymer. In
one implementation, some of 528 may be solid other of tabs 528 may
be hollow. With respect to those hollow tabs, different tabs 528
may have different wall thicknesses and differently sized or shaped
hollow interiors. The different material properties of tabs 528
allow the absorption or impact characteristics of head 222 be
selectively varied with respect to different adjacent portions of
faceplate 22. In some implementations, different inserts 521 may be
provided with different combinations of tabs or patterns to
customize the performance of the golf club head in which such
inserts 521 are used to an individual golfer's skill level or
personal preferences.
[0064] FIG. 10 illustrates iron-type golf club head 620. Head 620
is similar to heads 20, 120 and 420 except that head 620 comprises
a different arrangement of apertures and corresponding plugs. In
the example shown in FIG. 8, head 620 includes differently sized
apertures 626 and corresponding differently sized plugs 630. As may
be appreciated from FIG. 8, different iron-type golf club heads may
be relied with apertures of different sizes, shapes and locations
and different plugs of corresponding different sizes, shapes and
locations. For example, a first 7-iron may be provided with a first
layout of apertures and plugs while a second 7-iron may be provided
with a second layout of apertures and plugs depending upon the
material forming the rest of the body of the club, the thickness
and dimensions of wall 36 of the club as well as the skill level or
preference of the golfer who is to use the club. Likewise,
different types of irons may divide with different layouts of
apertures and plugs. For example, a 4-iron may be provided with a
first layout of apertures and plugs that is different from the
layout of apertures and plugs of a 7-iron. A 7-iron itself may be
provided with a layout of apertures and plugs that differs from the
layout of apertures and plugs of the 9-iron or a wedge.
[0065] FIGS. 11 through 16 illustrate another example
implementation of the present invention. A golf club head 720 is
similar to heads 20, 120, 220, 320, 420 and 620 except the head 720
includes a body 724 that defines a first set of apertures 726 and
at least one second aperture 728. The prior disclosure is
applicable to the golf club head 720 and other implementations as
referenced below. The body 724 supports, and is coupled to, the
faceplate 22. The body 724 includes a hosel 734 comprising a hollow
cylinder for receiving a tip end of a golf shaft. The body 724
further includes a wall 736 extending in a loop starting and ending
at the hosel 734. The body 724 and the wall 736 are substantially
similar to the body 24 and the wall 36. The wall 736 has a first
hardness value that is substantially the same as the wall 36. The
wall 736 includes an outer peripheral surface 737, a sole 738, a
toe 740 and a topline 742. The sole 738 comprises the underside of
the wall 736 that faces the ground when a golf ball is addressed by
the head 720 during use. The toe 740 comprises the end portion of
the head 720, and the topline 742 comprises the top portion of the
wall 736 opposite the sole 738.
[0066] The wall 736 defines the first set of apertures 726 and at
least one second aperture 728. As best shown in FIG. 13, the first
set of apertures 726 extend about a first plane 770 and the at
least one second aperture 728 extends about a second plane 772. In
other words, the first plane 770 extends through each of the first
set of apertures 770, and the second plane 772 extends through the
at least one second aperture 728. The first and second planes 770
and 772 can be parallel to each other. The first and second planes
770 and 772 can be spaced apart from each other by a distance, D.
In one implementation, the distance D can be within the range of
0.010 to 0.50 inch. In other implementations, the distance D can be
outside of the range 0.010 to 0.50 inch. In other implementations,
the first and second planes may be angled with respect to each
other. In other implementations, one or both of the first and
second planes 770 and 772 can be parallel to the generally planar
impact surface 29. In other implementations, the first and/or
second planes 770 and 772 may be angled with respect to the
generally planar impact surface 29 within the range of 1 to 10
degrees.
[0067] The first set of apertures 726 are substantially similar to
apertures 126. In FIGS. 11 through 16, the first set of apertures
726 include a total of nine (9) slots arranged end to end about the
first plane 770. Three apertures of the first of apertures 726 are
defined into the topline 742, three apertures of the first of
apertures 726 are formed into the toe end 740, and three of the
first of apertures 726 are formed into the sole 738 of the wall
726. In other implementations, the first set of apertures 726 can
number 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 or more apertures, and can be
spaced apart along the topline, the toe and/or the sole in any
manner including one or more of topline, the toe and the sole can
be formed without any of the first set of apertures 726. The first
set of apertures 726 can be formed in the shape of slots, and can
be formed of different or varying slot lengths. The slots 726 can
have a length of at least 0.125 inch and a width W within the range
of 0.025 and 0.25 inch. In other implementations, the first set of
apertures 726 can be formed as slots of the same length. In other
implementations, the first set of apertures 726 can be formed with
any combination of shapes, lengths, widths and numbers. The
faceplate 22 defines the planar impact surface 29 and the first set
of apertures 726 can include forward and rearward edges 774 and
776. The forward edge 774 of the first set of apertures 726 can be
spaced apart from the planar impact surface 29 by a distance of at
least 0.030 inch. In one implementation, the forward edge 774 is
spaced apart from the planar impact surface 29 by a distance d
within the range of 0.030 to 0.15 inch. In other implementations,
the forward edge 774 can be spaced part from the impact surface 29
by other dimensions outside of 0.030 to 0.15 inch.
[0068] The at least one second aperture 728 is rearwardly spaced
apart from the first set of apertures 726 on the body 724. In
another implementation, the at least one second aperture 728 is at
least two second apertures 728 forming a second set of apertures
728. As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the at least two second apertures 728
can be positioned on the sole 738 of the body 724. In other
implementations, the at least two apertures forming the second set
of apertures 728 can number 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more second
apertures. In other implementations, the at least one second
aperture 728 can be positioned on one or more of the sole 738, the
toe end 740 and/or the topline 742. The second set of apertures 728
can be sized, shaped and/or numbered in a manner similar to the
first set of apertures 726. The first and second sets of apertures
726 and 728 can have the same length, or they can variable lengths.
The apertures 726 and 728 can be spaced about faceplate 22, through
each of the sole 738, the toe 740 and the topline 742 of the wall
736. Any combination of numbers, shapes, sizes for the first and/or
second sets of apertures 726 and 728 can be used and are
contemplated by the present invention. In one implementation, the
second set of apertures 728 can have lengths of at least 0.125, and
widths within the range of 0.025 to 0.25 inch. The second set of
apertures 728 can be shaped as slots or other shapes. The second
set of apertures 728 can have a second forward edge 778 and a
second rearward edge 780. In one implementation, the first rearward
edge 776 of the first set of apertures 726 can be spaced apart from
the second forward edge 778 by a distance within the range of 0.030
to 0.50 inch. In one implementation, the first and second sets of
apertures 726 and 728 can be extend entirely through the thickness
of the wall 736.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 11, the first and second sets of apertures
726 and 728 can be filled, or generally filled, by the plug 30. The
plug 30 as described above with respect to apertures 26 and 126,
can also be used in association with the first and second sets of
apertures 726 and 728. The plugs 30 can be viewable from the outer
peripheral surface 737 of the wall 736. The plug 30 or plugs 30
have or have a hardness value that is less than the hardness value
of the wall 736. The golf club head of FIG. 11 can provide a
unique, aesthetically-pleasing appearance and sound upon impacting
a golf ball.
[0070] FIGS. 17 through 21 illustrate another example
implementation of the present invention. A golf club head 820 is
similar to heads 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 620 and 720 except the
head 820 includes a body 824 that defines first and second sets of
apertures 826 and 828, and at least one third aperture 830. The
prior disclosure is applicable to the golf club head 820 and to
other implementations as referenced below. The body 824 supports,
and is coupled to, the faceplate 22. The body 824 includes a hosel
834 comprising a hollow cylinder for receiving a tip end of a golf
shaft. The body 824 further includes a wall 836 extending in a loop
starting and ending at the hosel 834.
[0071] The wall 836 has a first hardness value that is
substantially the same as the wall 36. The wall 836 includes an
outer peripheral surface 837, a sole 838, a toe 840 and a topline
842. The sole 838 comprises the underside of the wall 836 that
faces the ground when a golf ball is addressed by the head 820
during use. The toe 840 comprises the end portion of the head 820,
and the topline 842 comprises the top portion of the wall 836
opposite the sole 838. The faceplate 22 and the wall 836 define a
back cavity 846. A badge 850 can be placed within the back cavity
846 rearward of the faceplate 22.
[0072] The wall 836 defines the first and second sets of apertures
826 and 828, and the at least one third aperture 830. As best shown
in FIG. 17, the first set of apertures 826 extend about a first
plane 870, the second set of apertures 828 extend about a second
plane 872, and the at least one third aperture 830 extends about a
third plane 874. The first and second planes 870 and 872 extend
through each of the first and second sets of apertures 826 and 828,
respectively, and the third plane 874 extends through the at least
one third aperture 830. Any two, or all three, of the first, second
and third planes 870, 872 and 874 can be parallel to each other. In
one implementation, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the first, second
and third planes 870, 872 and 874 are all parallel to each other.
The second set of apertures 828 is rearwardly spaced apart from the
first set of apertures 826 on the body 824, and the at least one
third aperture 830 is rearwardly spaced apart from the first and
second sets of apertures 826 and 828. The first and second planes
870 and 872 can be spaced apart from each other by a distance,
D.sub.1, and the second and third planes 872 and 874 can be spaced
apart from each other by a distance, D.sub.2. The first and third
planes 870 and 874 are spaced apart by a distance D.sub.3, which
can be within the range of 0.100 to 0.600 inch. In one
implementation, the distance D.sub.1 and the distance D.sub.2 can
each be within the range of 0.010 to 0.50 inch. In other
implementations, the distances D1 and D2 can be within the range of
0.060 to 0.400 inch. In one implementation, the distances D1 and D2
can be substantially the same. In other implementations, the
distances D1 and D2 can be different. In other implementations,
two, or all three, of the first, second and third planes may be
angled with respect to each other. In other implementations, one,
two or all three of the first, second and third planes 870, 872 and
874 can be parallel to the generally planar impact surface 29. In
other implementations, one, two or all three of the first, second
and third planes 870, 872 and 874 may be angled with respect to the
generally planar impact surface 29 within the range of 1 to 10
degrees.
[0073] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, in one implementation, the
first set of apertures 826 can be a set of three apertures
extending along the first plane 870, the second set of apertures
828 can be a pair of apertures extending along the second plane
872, and the at least one third aperture 830 can be a single
aperture extending along the third plane 874. The first and second
sets of apertures 826 and 828 and the third aperture 830 are all
defined by, or positioned within, the sole 838. In one
implementation, the topline 842 and the toe 840 are all formed
without the first and second sets of apertures 826 and 828, and
without the third aperture 830. In this implementation, the first
and second sets of apertures 826 and 828 and the third aperture 830
are only positioned on the sole of the body 824. In other
implementations, one or more of the first and second sets of
apertures 826 and 828 and the third aperture 830 can be formed on
the toe and/or on the topline of the body 824. The slots formed by
the first and/or second sets of apertures 826 and 828 and the third
aperture 830 can have a length within the range of 0.125 inch to
3.0 inches, and a width W within the range of 0.030 and 0.100 inch.
In other implementations, the first and second sets of apertures
826 and 828 and the third aperture 830 can be formed as slots of
the same length. In other implementations, the first and second
sets of apertures 826 and 828 and the third aperture 830 can be
formed with any combination of shapes, lengths, widths and numbers.
The faceplate 22 defines the planar impact surface 29 and the first
set of apertures 826 can include forward and rearward edges 876 and
878. The forward edge 876 of the first set of apertures 826 can be
spaced apart from the planar impact surface 29 by a distance of at
least 0.030 inch.
[0074] In other implementations, the number of apertures within the
first and second sets 826 and 828, and within the at least one
third aperture 830 can all have other numbers of apertures. The
first and second sets of apertures 826 and 828 can be formed in the
shape of slots, and can be formed of different or varying slot
lengths. Any combination of numbers, shapes, sizes for the first
and/or second sets of apertures 826 and 828, and the at least one
third aperture can be used and are contemplated by the present
invention. The second set of apertures 828 can have a second
forward edge 880 and a second rearward edge 882. In one
implementation, the first rearward edge 878 of the first set of
apertures 826 can be spaced apart from the second forward edge 880
by a distance within the range of 0.030 to 0.50 inch. In one
implementation, the first and second sets of apertures 826 and 828
can be extend entirely through the thickness of the wall 736.
[0075] The first and second sets of apertures 826 and 828 can be
filled, or generally filled, by the plug 30. In one implementation,
the first and second sets of apertures 826 and 828 can be at least
80 percent filled by the plug 30. The plug 30 as described above
with respect to apertures 26, 126 and 726, can also be used in
association with the first and second sets of apertures 826 and
828, and the at least one third aperture 830. The plugs 30 can be
viewable from the outer peripheral surface 837 of the wall 836. The
plug 30 or plugs 30 have or have a hardness value that is less than
the hardness value of the wall 836. In FIG. 17, one of the
apertures (one of the apertures of the second set of apertures 828)
is shown with the plug 30 filling the aperture 828. The remaining
apertures 826, 828 and 830 are shown without a plug, however, in
the completed club head 820 all of the apertures 826, 828 and 830
are filled with plugs 30. The plugs 30 can be separate pieces of
material. In other implementations two or more plugs can be formed
as a single piece of fill material. The golf club head of FIG. 17
can provide a unique, aesthetically-pleasing appearance and sound
upon impacting a golf ball. In one implementation, the plug can be
formed of a urethane. In another implementation, the plug 30 can be
formed of a metal-infused or metal impregnated urethane. When the
plugs 30 are formed of a metal-infused urethane, the mass and/or
density of the elastomer forming the plugs 30 contributes to
lowering the center of gravity of the club head 824. In other
implementations, the plug 30 or plugs 30 can be formed of other
resilient materials, such as other polymeric materials, other
thermoplastic materials, thermoset materials and combinations
thereof.
[0076] The first and second sets of apertures 826 and 828 can be
elongate slots arranged in an end-to-end manner about the first and
second planes 870 and 872, respectively. The first set of apertures
826 can be a set of three apertures with first and second portions
836a and 836b of the wall 836 separating or spacing apart the three
apertures 826. The second set of apertures 828 can be a pair of
elongated slots separated by a third portion 836c of the wall 836.
The pair of apertures of the second set of apertures 828 can
overlie the first and second portions 836a and 836b spacing apart
the three apertures of the first set of apertures 826 when viewing
the sole 838 of the club head 820 from a rearmost surface of the
body 824 toward the face plate 22 of the club head 820. Similarly,
the third aperture 830 can be positioned so as to overlie the third
portion 836c spacing apart the pair of apertures of the second set
of apertures 828 when viewing the sole 838 of the club head 820
from a rearmost surface of the body 824 toward the face plate 22 of
the club head 820.
[0077] FIGS. 22 through 27 illustrate another example
implementation of the present invention. A golf club head 920 is
similar to heads 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 620, 720 and 820 except
the head 920 includes a body 924 that defines first and second sets
of apertures 926 and 928. The prior disclosure is applicable to the
golf club head 920 and to other implementations as referenced
below. The body 924 supports, and is coupled to, the faceplate 22.
The body 924 includes a hosel 934 comprising a hollow cylinder for
receiving a tip end of a golf shaft. The body 924 further includes
a wall 936 extending in a loop starting and ending at the hosel
934. The wall 936 has a first hardness value that is substantially
the same as the wall 936. The wall 936 includes an outer peripheral
surface 937, a sole 938, a toe 940, a topline 942, a heel 944 and a
rear wall portion 946. The rear wall portion 946 upwardly extends
from the rear portion of sole 938. The rear wall portion 946
extends from the heel 944 to the toe 940 and curves forward. In one
implementation, the rear wall portion 946 can have a V-shape or
V-shaped indentation that increases the stiffness of the club head
910. The sole 938, the rear wall portion 946 and the faceplate 22
define lower cavity 948 that is continuous with a back cavity 950
defined by the wall 936 and the faceplate 22. A badge 952 can be
placed within the back cavity 950 rearward of the faceplate 22 and
above the lower cavity 948. In alternative implementation, the
badge 952 can extend over a majority of the back surface of the
faceplate 22 and into the lower cavity 948.
[0078] The wall 936 defines the first and second sets of apertures
926 and 928. As best shown in FIG. 23, the first set of apertures
926 extend about a first plane 970, and the second set of apertures
928 extend about a second plane 972. The first and second planes
970 and 972 extend through each of the first and second sets of
apertures 926 and 928, respectively. In one implementation, the
first and second planes 970 and 972 are parallel. The second set of
apertures 928 is rearwardly spaced apart from the first set of
apertures 926 on the body 924. In other implementations, the first
and second planes may be angled with respect to each other. In
other implementations, the apertures can be randomly positioned
along the sole of the wall.
[0079] The first set of apertures 926 can be a set of three
apertures extending along the first plane 970, and the second set
of apertures 928 can be a pair of apertures extending along the
second plane 972. The first and second sets of apertures 926 and
928 are all defined by, or positioned within, the sole 938. In one
implementation, the topline 942 and the toe 940 are all formed
without the first and second sets of apertures 926 and 928. In this
implementation, the first and second sets of apertures 926 and 928
are only positioned on the sole of the body 924. In other
implementations, one or more of the first and second sets of
apertures 926 and 928 can be formed on the toe and/or on the
topline of the body 924. The slots formed by the first and/or
second sets of apertures 926 and 928 can have lengths L.sub.1 and
L.sub.2, and widths W.sub.1 and W.sub.2, respectively. The lengths
L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 can be within the range of 0.125 inch to 3.0
inches, and the widths W.sub.1 and W.sub.2 can be within the range
of 0.030 and 0.100 inch. The lengths of the first set of apertures
926 can be the same or they can vary from one to another. For
example, the center aperture of the first set of apertures 926 can
be longer than the two apertures of the first set of apertures 926
positioned on each end of the center aperture, and the pair of
apertures of the second set of apertures 928 can have substantially
the same length. In other implementations, the first and second
sets of apertures 926 and 928 can be formed with any combination of
shapes, lengths, widths and numbers.
[0080] Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, in one implementation, the
lower cavity 948 is continuous with the first and second sets of
apertures 926 and 928, and the lower cavity and the first and
second sets of apertures 926 and 928 are filled with a fill
material 960. In one implementation, the fill material is a
urethane. In other implementations, the fill material 960 can be a
metal-infused or metal impregnated urethane, other polymeric
materials, other thermoplastic materials, thermoset materials and
combinations thereof. The fill material 960 has a second hardness
value measured on a Shore C hardness scale within the range of 14
to 90. The second hardness value is lower (or softer) than the
first hardness value.
[0081] The fill material 960 substantially fills the first and
second apertures 926 and 928, and the lower cavity 948 such that
the fill material 960 is viewable through the first and second
apertures 926 and 928 from the outer peripheral surface 937 of the
wall 936. In one implementation, the top surface of the fill
material 960 may also be visible from the back cavity 950. In other
implementations, the badge 952 can be positioned within the back
cavity 950 so as to obscure or cover some or all of the top surface
of the fill material 960 from view when viewing the club head 920
from the rear.
[0082] The first and second sets of apertures 926 and 928 can be
elongate slots arranged in an end-to-end manner about the first and
second planes 970 and 972, respectively. The first set of apertures
926 can be a set of three apertures with first and second portions
936a and 936b of the wall 936 separating or spacing apart the three
apertures 926. The second set of apertures 928 can be a pair of
elongated slots separated by a third portion 936c of the wall 936.
The pair of apertures of the second set of apertures 928 can
overlie the first and second portions 936a and 936b spacing apart
the three apertures of the first set of apertures 926 when viewing
the sole 938 of the club head 920 from a rearmost surface of the
body 924 toward the face plate 22 of the club head 920.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, the size, shape, number and
position of the first and second sets of apertures 926 and 928 can
be optimized through use of dynamic modeling and impact analysis. A
dynamic model simulating the impact of a golf ball 90 with the
faceplate of a golf club head having a plurality of apertures in
the sole of the club head was performed. The model simulated the
golf ball 90 impacting the clubhead at an incoming velocity of 95
mph at first and second impact positions. The first impact position
being located at the center of the faceplate 22 of the club head
and the second impact position being located 0.5 inch away from the
first impact location toward the toe of the club head. The dynamic
analysis analyzed the simulated ball exit velocity for impacts at
first and second impact locations. The analysis included hundreds
of iterations in which several aperture and club head body
specifications were varied. For example, the length L1, the width
W1 and a spacing L3 between two adjacent apertures of the set of
three first apertures 926, and the length L2, the width W2, and the
spacing L4 of the pair of second apertures of the second set of
apertures 928 were varied. The analysis also varied the rearward
spacing S1 from the planar impact surface 29 of the faceplate 22 to
the first set of apertures 926, and the rearward spacing S2 of the
second set of apertures 928 from the first set of apertures
926.
[0084] The dynamic analysis generates exit velocities of the golf
ball 90 at the first and second impact location for the large
number of club head iterations in which the dimensions L1 through
L4, W1, W2, S1 and S2 were varied. The resulting data is then
utilized to optimize the selection of each of these dimensions and
the overall size, shape and position of the first and second sets
of apertures within the body of the club head. FIG. 29 is a
representation of an example set of iterations of the design of the
club head 920 from the dynamic modeling and impact analysis. The
dynamic analysis is also used to assess the sound emanating from
the club head upon impact. In one implementation, the values of L1
through L4, W1, W2, S1 and S2 were as indicated below.
TABLE-US-00001 Dimension Value (inch) Range (inch) L1 0.900
0.400-1.100 L2 0.830 0.400-1.100 L3 0.160 0.070-0.250 L4 0.200
0.070-0.250 W1 0.090 0.060-0.120 W2 0.090 0.060-0.120 S1 0.080
0.060-0.120 S2 0.090 0.060-0.120
[0085] In other implementations, other values of L1 through L4, W1,
W2, S1 and S2 can be used. For example, L1 through L4, W1, W2, S1
and S2 can be within the ranges specified above.
[0086] FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate two embodiments of golf club
heads with first and second sets of apertures resulting from
dynamic modeling and impact analysis simulating the impact of a
golf ball 90 with the faceplate of a golf club head having a
plurality of apertures in the sole of the club head. FIGS. 30 and
31 illustrate embodiments of a golf club head 1020 in which a first
set of apertures 1026 is a pair of apertures, and a second set of
apertures is a single aperture 1028. The club head embodiments of
FIGS. 30 and 31 are substantially similar to the golf club head
embodiment of FIGS. 22 through 27, except the number of apertures
in the first and second sets of apertures is different.
[0087] Similar to the club head of FIGS. 22 through 27, a lower
cavity of the club head 1020, like the club head 920, can be
continuous with the first set of apertures 1026 and the second
aperture 1028. The lower cavity and the first set of apertures 1026
and the second aperture 1028 are filled with a fill material 1060,
which is substantially same as the fill material 960. In one
implementation, the fill material 1060 is a urethane. In other
implementations, the fill material 1060 can be a metal-infused or
metal impregnated urethane, other polymeric materials, other
thermoplastic materials, thermoset materials and combinations
thereof. The fill material 1060 substantially fills the first set
of apertures 1026 and the second aperture 1028, and the lower
cavity, such that the fill material 1060 is viewable through the
first set of apertures 1026 and the second aperture 1028 from the
outer peripheral surface 937 of a wall 1024 of the club head 1020.
The wall 1024 has a first hardness value and the fill material 1060
has a second hardness value. The second hardness value is less than
the first hardness value.
[0088] The first set of apertures 1026 are a pair of apertures
extend through the sole of the club head 1020 and are positioned
end to end and define the first plane 770 (see FIG. 13) that is
substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the face plate 22 of
the club head. The second aperture 1028 is a single elongate
aperture that extends through the club head 1020 from the bottom
surface of the club head 1020 to the lower cavity of the club head
1020. The second aperture 1028 defines the second plane 772 (see
FIG. 13) that is substantially parallel to the first plane 770
defined by the first set of apertures 1026. The second aperture
1028 is positioned rearward of the first set of aperture 1026. The
second aperture 1028 is positioned so as to overlie at least a
portion of each of the two apertures of the first set of apertures
1026, when viewing the sole of the club head 1020 from a rearmost
surface of the body toward the face plate of the club head
1020.
[0089] The club head 1020 includes the body 1024 that defines the
first set of apertures 1026 and the at least one second aperture
1028. The body 1024 further includes the wall 936 extending in a
loop starting and ending at the hosel 934. The body 1024 is coupled
to the face plate 22. The wall 936 has a first hardness value that
is substantially the same as the wall 936. The wall 936 includes
the outer peripheral surface 937, the sole 938, the toe 940, the
topline 942, the heel 944 and the rear wall portion 946. The rear
wall portion 946 upwardly extends from the rear portion of the sole
938. The rear wall portion 946 extends from the heel 944 to the toe
940 and curves forward. The sole 938, the rear wall portion 946 and
the faceplate 22 define the lower cavity 948 that is continuous
with the back cavity 950 defined by the wall 936 and the faceplate
22. The badge 952 can be placed within the back cavity 950 rearward
of the faceplate 22 and above the lower cavity 948. In alternative
implementation, the badge 952 can extend over a majority of the
back surface of the faceplate 22 and into the lower cavity 948. The
first set of apertures 1026 extend through the wall 936 from the
peripheral outer surface 937 to the lower cavity 948 and are
continuous with the lower cavity 948. The first set of apertures
extend about the first plane 770 (FIG. 13). The at least one second
aperture 1028 extends through the wall 936 from the peripheral
outer surface 937 to the lower cavity 948 and is continuous with
the lower cavity 948. The second aperture 1028 extends about the
second plane 772. The first and second planes 770 and 772 (see FIG.
13) are substantially parallel to each other. The first and second
planes 770 and 772 are substantially parallel to a lower edge of
the faceplate 22.
[0090] The first set of apertures 1026 and the second aperture 1028
are elongate slots. The first set of apertures 1026 is arranged in
an end-to-end manner about the first plane 770. The first set of
apertures 1026 are two apertures with a first portion 1040 of the
wall 936 separating the two apertures of the first set of apertures
1026. The second aperture 1028 overlies the first portion 1040 when
viewing the sole 938 of the club head 1020 from a rearmost surface
of the body 1024 toward the face plate 22 of the club head 1020.
The second aperture 1028 overlies the first portion 1040, and at
least a portion of each of the two apertures of the first set of
apertures 1026, when viewing the sole 938 of the club head 1020
from a rearmost surface of the body 1024 toward the face plate 22
of the club head 1020.
[0091] The width of the first set of apertures and the width of the
second aperture are within the range of 0.060 to 0.120 inch. In one
implementation, the width of the first set of apertures and the
width of the second aperture are within the range of 0.080 to 0.100
inch. The length of each of the first set of apertures 1026 and the
second aperture 1028 is within the range of 0.3 inch to 1.5 inches.
In one implementation, the length of one of the two apertures of
the first set of apertures 1028 is within the range of 0.7 inch to
1.4 inches, and wherein the length of the other of the two
apertures of the first set of apertures 1028 is within the range of
0.3 to 1.0 inch. In one implementation, the length of the second
aperture 1028 can be within the range 0.9 inch to 1.5 inches. The
first set of apertures 1026 are arranged end to end and extend
along the first plane 770. In one implementation, the first set of
apertures 1026 is two apertures, and the distance separating the
two apertures of the first set of aperture 1026 is within the range
of 0.100 and 0.400 inch. The distance separating the first set of
apertures 1026 and the second aperture 1028 measured in a direction
from the face plate 22 to the rearmost surface of the body 1024 is
within the range of 0.080 to 0.150 inch. In one implementation, the
distance separating the first set of apertures 1026 and the second
aperture 1028 measured in a direction from the face plate 22 to the
rearmost surface of the body 1024 is within the range of 0.100 to
0.130 inch.
[0092] Although the present disclosure has been described with
reference to example implementations, workers skilled in the art
will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.
For example, although different example implementations may have
been described as including one or more features providing one or
more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may
be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with
one another in the described example implementations or in other
alternative implementations. Because the technology of the present
disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology
are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to
the example implementations and set forth in the following claims
is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example,
unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single
particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular
elements.
* * * * *