U.S. patent application number 17/709746 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-14 for golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads.
This patent application is currently assigned to PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC. Invention is credited to Matthew T. Andrews.
Application Number | 20220219054 17/709746 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220219054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andrews; Matthew T. |
July 14, 2022 |
GOLF CLUB HEADS AND METHODS TO MANUFACTURE GOLF CLUB HEADS
Abstract
Examples of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club
heads are generally described herein. In one example, a body
portion of a golf club head may include a top portion with a recess
and a pocket inside the recess. A plate portion may be coupled to
the body portion and may include a flat portion configured to fit
inside the recess and a boss portion configured to fit inside the
pocket. The boss portion may include a threaded port aligned with a
through-port extending from a base portion of the pocket through to
a sole portion of the body portion. A fastener may be inserted
through a sole-end of the through-port and threadingly coupled to
the threaded port to secure the plate portion to the body portion.
Other examples may be described and claimed.
Inventors: |
Andrews; Matthew T.;
(Scottsdale, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC |
Scottsdale |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
Scottsdale
AZ
|
Appl. No.: |
17/709746 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17472321 |
Sep 10, 2021 |
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17709746 |
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16940806 |
Jul 28, 2020 |
11141635 |
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17472321 |
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16006055 |
Jun 12, 2018 |
10737153 |
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16940806 |
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15987731 |
May 23, 2018 |
10821341 |
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16940806 |
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15188661 |
Jun 21, 2016 |
10441858 |
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15987731 |
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14812212 |
Jul 29, 2015 |
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15188661 |
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Apr 17, 2017 |
10124221 |
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15987731 |
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15078749 |
Mar 23, 2016 |
9649540 |
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Dec 4, 2017 |
10478680 |
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Feb 14, 2019 |
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Jun 10, 2021 |
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16275883 |
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Jul 16, 2021 |
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Apr 16, 2021 |
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Sep 14, 2021 |
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Feb 25, 2022 |
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17474925 |
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62659060 |
Apr 17, 2018 |
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62518715 |
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Jul 30, 2014 |
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Apr 10, 2015 |
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62138925 |
Mar 26, 2015 |
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62212462 |
Aug 31, 2015 |
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62213933 |
Sep 3, 2015 |
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62431157 |
Dec 7, 2016 |
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62480338 |
Mar 31, 2017 |
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62745194 |
Oct 12, 2018 |
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62755241 |
Nov 2, 2018 |
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62798277 |
Jan 29, 2019 |
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62533481 |
Jul 17, 2017 |
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62949064 |
Dec 17, 2019 |
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63008654 |
Apr 10, 2020 |
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63215078 |
Jun 25, 2021 |
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63244283 |
Sep 15, 2021 |
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International
Class: |
A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04; A63B 53/06 20060101 A63B053/06; A63B 60/02 20060101
A63B060/02 |
Claims
1. A golf club head comprising: a body portion comprising a toe
portion, a heel portion, a front portion, a rear portion, a top
portion, and a sole portion; a recess at the top portion; a pocket
inside the recess and at a lower depth relative to the recess; a
plate portion comprising: a flat portion configured to fit inside
the recess; and a boss portion extending downward from an underside
portion of the flat portion and configured to fit inside the
pocket, the boss portion having a threaded port at a bottom portion
of the boss portion and abutting a base portion of the pocket; a
through-port in the body portion and aligned with the threaded port
of the boss portion and extending from the base portion of the
pocket through to the sole portion; and a mechanical fastener
inserted through a sole-end of the through-port and threadingly
coupled to the threaded port of the boss portion to secure the
plate portion to the body portion.
2. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the plate
portion is selected from a plurality of interchangeable plate
portions, each plate portion of the plurality of interchangeable
plate portions having a different alignment aid.
3. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the boss portion
is cylindrical.
4. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the flat portion
fits flush inside the recess.
5. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the pocket
includes an opening having a shape that complements a shape of the
boss portion.
6. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a
first foam pad attached to the underside portion of the flat
portion; and a second foam pad attached to the bottom portion of
the boss portion, wherein each of the first foam pad and the second
foam pad are compressed between the plate portion and the body
portion when the mechanical fastener is threadingly coupled to the
threaded port.
7. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the through-port
includes an upper chamber at or proximate to the base portion of
the pocket, a lower chamber at or proximate to the sole portion,
and an intermediate chamber located between the upper chamber and
the lower chamber, wherein the upper chamber has a larger diameter
than the intermediate chamber, and wherein the lower chamber has a
larger diameter than the intermediate chamber.
8. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
retaining washer in an upper chamber of the through-port, wherein
the mechanical fastener is a captive fastener extending through the
retaining washer.
9. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, further comprising an
insert portion removably coupled to the body portion, the insert
portion having a at least one weight port configured to receive a
weight portion.
10. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the pocket has
a circular opening and includes an upper portion that decreases in
diameter in a downward direction toward the base portion and a
lower portion that extends in the downward direction toward the
base portion at a fixed diameter.
11. A kit comprising: a golf club head comprising: a body portion
having a toe portion, a heel portion, a front portion, a rear
portion, a top portion, and a sole portion; a recess in the top
portion; a pocket extending downward from the recess toward the
sole portion; and a through-port extending from a base portion of
the pocket through to the sole portion; a plurality of
interchangeable alignment aid portions configured to be removably
coupled to the body portion, each alignment aid portion comprising:
an upper portion configured to fit inside the recess; and a boss
portion extending downward from an underside portion of the upper
portion and configured to fit inside the pocket, the boss portion
having a threaded port at a bottom portion of the boss portion; and
a fastener configured to insert through a sole-end of the
through-port and couple to the threaded port of the boss portion to
secure the alignment aid portion to the body portion, wherein each
alignment aid portion comprises a different visual alignment aid on
a top portion of the upper portion.
12. A kit as defined in claim 11, the plurality of interchangeable
alignment aid portions comprising: a first upper portion comprising
a first alignment aid comprising one or more lines; and a second
upper portion comprising a second alignment aid comprising one or
more dots.
13. A kit as defined in claim 11 further comprising a rear insert
portion that is configured to removably couple to the body portion
and that defines a portion of the sole portion and a portion of the
rear portion, wherein the body portion comprises a first material
having a first density, wherein the rear insert portion comprises a
second material having a second density, and wherein the second
density is greater than the first density.
14. A kit as defined in claim 11 further comprising: a first weight
port in the sole portion, the first weight port configured to
receive a first weight portion; a second weight port in the sole
portion, the second weight port configured to receive a second
weight portion; and a rear insert portion that defines a portion of
the sole portion and a portion of the rear portion, wherein the
rear insert portion is positioned rearward of the first weight port
and the second weight port.
15. A golf club head comprising: a body portion comprising a toe
portion, a heel portion, a front portion, a rear portion, a top
portion, and a sole portion; a recess in the top portion, the
recess extending between the front portion and the rear portion and
extending between the heel portion and the toe portion; a pocket
extending downward from the recess toward the sole portion; and a
plate portion attached to the body portion, the plate portion
comprising: a flat portion configured to fit within the recess; an
alignment aid on a top portion of the flat portion; and a boss
portion extending downward from an underside portion of the flat
portion and configured to fit within the pocket.
16. A golf club head as defined in claim 15 further comprising a
fastener extending through the sole portion and into the boss
portion to fasten the plate portion to the body portion.
17. A golf club head as defined in claim 15 further comprising: a
through-port in the body portion; and a fastener extending through
the through-port and into a threaded port in the boss portion to
attach the plate portion to the body portion.
18. A golf club head as defined in claim 15 further comprising: a
threaded port in a bottom portion of the boss portion; a
through-port in the sole portion of the body portion, the
through-port aligned with the threaded port of the boss portion;
and a fastener extending through the through-port and into the
threaded port to attach the plate portion to the body portion.
19. A golf club head as defined in claim 15 further comprising a
rear insert portion that defines a portion of the sole portion and
a portion of the rear portion, wherein the rear insert portion is
positioned rearward of the boss portion.
20. A golf club head as defined in claim 15 further comprising: a
first weight portion coupled to a first weight port, the first
weight port located in a toe side of the sole portion; a second
weight portion coupled to a second weight port, the second weight
port located in a heel side of sole portion; and a rear insert
portion coupled to the body portion and comprising a third weight
portion coupled to a third weight port and a fourth weight portion
coupled to a fourth weight port, wherein the third weight port and
the fourth weight port are located rearward of the first weight
port and the second weight port.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 17/472,321, filed Sep. 10, 2021, which is a continuation
of application Ser. No. 16/940,806, filed Jul. 28, 2020, now U.S.
Pat. No. 11,141,635, which is a continuation of U.S. application
Ser. No. 16/006,055, filed Jun. 12, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.
10,737,153, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/518,715, filed Jun. 13, 2017, U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/533,481, filed Jul. 17, 2017, U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/536,266, filed Jul. 24, 2017, U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/644,233, filed Mar. 16, 2018, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/659,060, filed Apr. 17, 2018.
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/940,806, filed Jul. 28,
2020, is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 15/987,731,
filed May 23, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,821,341, which claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/518,715, filed Jun.
13, 2017, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/533,481, filed Jul.
17, 2017, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/536,266, filed Jul.
24, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/574,071, filed
Oct. 18, 2017.
[0003] U.S. application Ser. No. 15/987,731 is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 15/188,661, filed Jun.
21, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,441,858, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 14/812,212, filed Jul. 29, 2015, now U.S. Pat.
No. 9,387,375, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/030,820, filed Jul. 30, 2014, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/146,114, filed Apr. 10, 2015.
[0004] U.S. application Ser. No. 15/987,731 is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 15/489,366, filed Apr.
17, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,124,212, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 15/078,749, filed Mar. 23, 2016, now U.S. Pat.
No. 9,649,540, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/138,925, filed Mar. 26, 2015, U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/212,462, filed Aug. 31, 2015, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/213,933, filed Sep. 3, 2015.
[0005] U.S. application Ser. No. 15/987,731 is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 15/831,151, filed Dec.
4, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,478,680, which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/431,157, filed Dec. 7,
2016.
[0006] U.S. application Ser. No. 15/987,731 is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 15/922,506, filed Mar.
15, 2018, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/480,338, filed Mar. 31, 2017.
[0007] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 16/674,332, filed Nov. 5, 2019, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 16/275,883, filed Feb. 14, 2019, now U.S. Pat.
No. 10,493,331, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/745,194, filed Oct. 12, 2018, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/755,241, filed Nov. 2, 2018.
[0008] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 17/344,705, filed Jun. 10, 2021, which is a continuation
of application Ser. No. 16/751,500, filed Jan. 24, 2020, now U.S.
Pat. No. 11,045,698, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/798,277, filed Jan. 29, 2019.
[0009] U.S. application Ser. No. 16/751,500 is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 16/035,271, filed Jul.
13, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,576,339, which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/533,481, filed Jul. 17,
2017.
[0010] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 17/378,252, filed Jul. 16, 2021, which is a continuation
of application Ser. No. 17/232,401, filed Apr. 16, 2021, now U.S.
Pat. No. 11,090,535, which is a continuation of application Ser.
No. 16/567,937, filed Sep. 11, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No.
10,981,038.
[0011] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 17/123,325, filed Dec. 16, 2020, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/949,064, filed Dec. 17,
2019.
[0012] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 17/133,260, filed Dec. 23, 2020, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/008,654, filed Apr. 10,
2020.
[0013] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 17/474,925, filed Sep. 14, 2021, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/215,078, filed Jun. 25,
2021.
[0014] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 17/680,520, filed Feb. 25, 2022.
[0015] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 63/244,283, filed Sep. 15, 2021.
[0016] The disclosure of the referenced application is incorporated
herein by reference.
COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION
[0017] The present disclosure may be subject to copyright
protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
reproduction by anyone of the present disclosure and its related
documents, as they appear in the Patent and Trademark Office patent
files or records, but otherwise reserves all applicable
copyrights.
FIELD
[0018] The present disclosure generally relates to golf equipment,
and more particularly, to golf club heads and methods to
manufacturing golf club heads.
BACKGROUND
[0019] Proper alignment of a golf club head at an address position
relative to a golf ball may improve the performance of an
individual. Various alignment aids have been used on the golf club
heads to improve the individual's visual alignment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a front and top perspective view of a golf
club head according to an example of the apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein.
[0021] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the example golf club head of
FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3 depicts a rear view of the example golf club head of
FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the example golf club head of
FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the example golf club head
of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 6 depicts a left view of the example golf club head of
FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 7 depicts a right view of the example golf club head of
FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 8 depicts a top view of a body portion of the example
golf club head of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 9 depicts a bottom view of the example body portion of
FIG. 8.
[0029] FIG. 10 depicts a top view of a weight portion associated
with the example golf club head of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 11 depicts a side view of a weight portion associated
with the example golf club head of FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 12 depicts a side view of another weight portion
associated with the example golf club head of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 13 depicts a bottom view of another example body
portion of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 14 depicts a top view of a golf club head according to
another example of the apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein.
[0034] FIG. 15 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of a golf
club head according to yet another example of the apparatus,
methods and articles of manufacture described herein.
[0035] FIG. 16 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of another
example of the golf club head of FIG. 15.
[0036] FIG. 17 depicts a front view of a golf club head according
to yet another example of the apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein.
[0037] FIG. 18 depicts a rear view of the golf club head of FIG.
17.
[0038] FIG. 19 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 17 at lines 19-19 of FIG. 17.
[0039] FIG. 20 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 17 at lines 20-20 of FIG. 18.
[0040] FIG. 21 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 17 at lines 21-21 of FIG. 18.
[0041] FIG. 22 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 17 at lines 22-22 of FIG. 18.
[0042] FIG. 23 depicts a front and top perspective view of a golf
club head according to yet another example of the apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.
[0043] FIG. 24 depicts a front and bottom perspective view of the
golf club head of FIG. 23.
[0044] FIG. 25 depicts a front view of the golf club head of FIG.
23.
[0045] FIG. 26 depicts a rear view of the golf club head of FIG.
23.
[0046] FIG. 27 depicts a top view of the golf club head of FIG.
23.
[0047] FIG. 28 depicts a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG.
23.
[0048] FIG. 29 depicts a left view of the golf club head of FIG.
23.
[0049] FIG. 30 depicts a right view of the golf club head of FIG.
23.
[0050] FIG. 31 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 23 taken at lines 31-31 of FIG. 31.
[0051] FIG. 32 depicts a front perspective view of a face portion
of a golf club head according to an example of the apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.
[0052] FIG. 33 depicts a side perspective view of the face portion
of FIG. 32.
[0053] FIG. 34 depicts a perspective cross-sectional view of the
face portion of FIG. 32.
[0054] FIG. 35 depicts an enlarged view of area 35 of the face
portion of FIG. 34.
[0055] FIG. 36 depicts an enlarged view of area 36 of the face
portion of FIG. 32.
[0056] FIG. 37 depicts an enlarged view of area 37 of the face
portion of FIG. 36.
[0057] FIG. 38 depicts a perspective schematic view of a pyramidal
frustum.
[0058] FIG. 39 depicts an enlarged view of area 39 of the face
portion of FIG. 32.
[0059] FIG. 40 depicts an alternative face pattern for a face
portion of a golf club.
[0060] FIG. 41 depicts another alternative face pattern for a face
portion of a golf club.
[0061] FIG. 42 depicts a method of manufacturing a face portion
according to an example of the apparatus, methods and articles of
manufacture described herein.
[0062] FIG. 43 depicts another method of manufacturing a face
portion according to an example of the apparatus, methods and
articles of manufacture described herein.
[0063] FIG. 44 depicts a front view of a golf club head according
to another example of the apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein.
[0064] FIG. 45 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 44 taken at lines 45-45 of FIG. 44.
[0065] FIG. 46 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 44 taken at lines 46-46 of FIG. 44.
[0066] FIG. 47 depicts a front view of a face insert of the golf
club head of FIG. 44 according to an example of the apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.
[0067] FIG. 48 depicts a back view of the face insert of FIG.
47.
[0068] FIG. 49 depicts a bottom view of the face insert of FIG.
47.
[0069] FIG. 50 depicts a back view of a filler insert of the golf
club head of FIG. 44 according to an example of the apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.
[0070] FIG. 51 depicts a front and top perspective view of a golf
club head according to yet another example of the apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.
[0071] FIG. 52 depicts a rear and bottom perspective view of the
golf club head of FIG. 51.
[0072] FIG. 53 depicts a top view of a body portion of the golf
club head of FIG. 51.
[0073] FIG. 54 depicts a plate portion capable of being assembled
to the body portion of FIG. 53.
[0074] FIG. 55 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 51 taken at lines 55-55 of FIG. 51.
[0075] FIG. 56 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 51 taken at lines 56-56 of FIG. 51.
[0076] FIG. 57 depicts a number of interchangeable plate portions
showing different line-type alignment aids.
[0077] FIG. 58 depicts a number of interchangeable plate portions
showing different dot-type alignment aids.
[0078] FIG. 59 depicts a number of interchangeable plate portions
showing different dot and line-type alignment aids.
[0079] FIG. 60 depicts a top perspective view of a golf club head
according to yet another example of the apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein.
[0080] FIG. 61 depicts a bottom perspective view of the golf club
head of FIG. 60.
[0081] FIG. 62 depicts a top view of a body portion of the golf
club head of FIG. 60.
[0082] FIG. 63 depicts a right side cross-sectional view of the
golf club head of FIG. 60 taken at section 63-63.
[0083] FIG. 64 depicts a rear cross-sectional view of the golf club
head of FIG. 60 taken at section 64-64.
[0084] FIG. 65 depicts a top view of a plate portion capable of
being assembled to the body portion of FIG. 62.
[0085] FIG. 66 depicts a bottom view of the plate portion of FIG.
65.
[0086] FIG. 67 depicts a side view of the plate portion of FIG.
65.
[0087] FIG. 68 depicts a front view of the plate portion of FIG.
65.
[0088] FIG. 69 depicts a front perspective view of a golf club head
according to yet another example of the apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein.
[0089] FIG. 70 depicts a bottom perspective view of the golf club
head of FIG. 69.
[0090] FIG. 71 depicts a front view of the golf club head of FIG.
69.
[0091] FIG. 72 depicts a rear view of the golf club head of FIG.
69.
[0092] FIG. 73 depicts a top view of the golf club head of FIG.
69.
[0093] FIG. 74 depicts a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG.
69.
[0094] FIG. 75 depicts a heel side view of the golf club head of
FIG. 69.
[0095] FIG. 76 depicts a toe side view of the golf club head of
FIG. 69.
[0096] FIG. 77 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 69 taken at section 77-77 of FIG. 73.
[0097] FIG. 78 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 69 taken at section 78-78 of FIG. 74.
[0098] FIG. 79 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 69 taken at section 79-79 of FIG. 74.
[0099] FIG. 80 depicts a cross-sectional view of the golf club head
of FIG. 69 taken at section 80-80 of FIG. 74.
[0100] FIG. 81 depicts a rear view of the golf club head of FIG. 69
with a plate portion removed.
[0101] FIG. 82 depicts a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 69
with the plate portion removed.
[0102] FIG. 83 depicts a rear view of the golf club head of FIG. 69
with the plate portion and associated fasteners removed.
[0103] FIG. 84 depicts a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 67
with a plate portion and associated fasteners removed.
[0104] FIG. 85 depicts a top view of a plate portion capable of
being assembled to the body portion of FIG. 69.
[0105] FIG. 86 depicts a bottom view of the plate portion of FIG.
85.
[0106] FIG. 87 depicts a front view of the plate portion of FIG.
85.
[0107] FIG. 88 depicts a rear view of the plate portion of FIG.
85.
[0108] FIG. 89 depicts a heel side view of the plate portion of
FIG. 85.
[0109] FIG. 90 depicts a toe side view of the plate portion of FIG.
85.
[0110] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing
figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and
descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may
be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.
Additionally, elements in the drawing figures may not be depicted
to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in
the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help
improve understanding of examples of the present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION
[0111] The following U.S. patents, U.S. Patent Publications, and
U.S. patent applications, which are collectively referred to herein
as "the incorporated by reference patents," are incorporated by
reference herein in their entirety: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,233,283,
9,387,375, 9,387,375, 9,387,375, 9,440,124, 9,440,124, 9,649,540,
9,649,540, 9,649,540, 10,124,212, 10,124,212, 10,124,212,
10,258,844, 10,258,845, 10,258,845, 10,315,080, 10,315,080,
10,441,858, 10,441,858, 10,441,858, 10,478,680, 10,478,680,
10,478,680, 10,493,331, 10,561,911, 10,576,339, 10,576,339,
10,646,758, 10,688,355, 10,688,355, 10,737,153, 10,821,341,
10,821,341, 10,960,271, 10,981,038, 11,045,698, 11,090,535,
11,141,635, and 11,173,361; and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
17/680,520, and 17/474,925.
[0112] In general, golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf
club heads are described herein. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard. In the example of FIGS. 1-13, a golf club head 100 may
include a body portion 110 and a visual guide portion, which is
generally shown as a first visual guide portion 122, a second
visual guide portion 124, and a third visual guide portion 126. The
body portion 110 may include a toe portion 130, a heel portion 140,
a front portion 150, a rear portion 160, a top portion 170, and a
sole portion 180. The body portion 110 may also include a bore 185
to receive a shaft (not shown) with a grip (not shown).
Alternatively, the body portion 110 may include a hosel (not shown)
to receive the shaft. The golf club head 100 and the grip may be
located on opposite ends of the shaft to form a golf club. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0113] The body portion 110 may be partially or entirely made of a
steel-based material (e.g., 17-4 PH stainless steel), a
titanium-based material, an aluminum-based material (e.g., a
high-strength aluminum alloy or a composite aluminum alloy coated
with a high-strength alloy), a tungsten-based material, any
combination thereof, and/or other suitable types of materials.
Alternatively, the body portion 110 may be partially or entirely
made of a non-metal material (e.g., composite, plastic, etc.). The
golf club head 100 may be a putter-type golf club head (e.g., a
blade-type putter, a mid-mallet-type putter, a mallet-type putter,
etc.). Based on the type of putter as mentioned above, the body
portion 110 may be at least 200 grams. For example, the body
portion 110 may be in a range between 300 to 600 grams. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0114] The toe and heel portions 130 and 140, respectively, may be
on opposite ends of the body portion 110 and may define a width of
the body portion 110. The front and rear portions 150 and 160,
respectively, may be on opposite ends of the body portion 110 and
may define a length of the body portion 110. The front portion 150
may include a face portion 155 (e.g., a strike face), which may be
used to impact a golf ball (not shown). The face portion 155 may be
an integral portion of the body portion 110. Alternatively, the
face portion 155 may be a separate piece or an insert coupled to
the body portion 110 via various manufacturing and/or processes
(e.g., a bonding process, a welding process, a brazing process, a
mechanical locking method, a mechanical fastening method, any
combination thereof, or other suitable types of manufacturing
methods and/or processes). The face portion 155 may be associated
with a loft plane that defines the loft angle of the golf club head
100. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0115] As illustrated in FIG. 8, for example, the body portion 110
may include two or more weight ports, generally shown as a first
set of weight ports 820 (e.g., shown as weight ports 821, 822, 823,
824, and 825) to form the first visual guide portion 122 and a
second set of weight ports 840 (e.g., shown as weight ports 841,
842, 843, 844, and 845) to form the second visual guide portion
124. The first and second sets of weight ports 820 and 840,
respectively, may be exterior weight ports configured to receive
one or more weight portions (e.g., one shown as 1000 in FIG. 10).
In particular, the first and second sets of weight ports 820 and
840 may be located at or proximate to a periphery of the golf club
head 100. For example, the first and second sets of weight ports
820 and 840, respectively, may be on or proximate to the top
portion 170. The first set of weight ports 820 may be at or
proximate to the toe portion 130 whereas the second set of weight
ports 840 may be at or proximate to the heel portion 140. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0116] Each weight port of the first set of weight ports 820 may
have a first port diameter (PD.sub.1) 850. In particular, a uniform
distance of less than the first port diameter 850 may separate any
two adjacent weight ports of the first set of weight ports 820
(e.g., (i) weight ports 821 and 822, (ii) weight ports 822 and 823,
(iii) weight ports 823 and 824, or (iv) weight ports 824 and 825).
In one example, the first port diameter 850 may be about 0.25 inch
(6.35 millimeters) and any two adjacent weight ports of the first
set of weight ports 820 may be separated by 0.1 inch (2.54
millimeters). In a similar manner, each weight port of the second
set of weight ports 840 may have a second port diameter (PD.sub.2)
855. A uniform distance of less than the second port diameter 855
may separate any two adjacent weight ports of the second set of
weight ports 840 (e.g., (i) weight ports 841 and 842, (ii) weight
ports 842 and 843, (iii) weight ports 843 and 844, or (iv) weight
ports 844 and 845). For example, the second port diameter 855 may
be about 0.25 inch (6.35 millimeters) and any two adjacent weight
ports of the second set of weight ports 840 may be separated by 0.1
inch (2.54 millimeters). The first and second port diameters 850
and 855 may be equal (i.e., PD.sub.1=PD.sub.2). Alternatively, the
first and second port diameters 850 and 855 may be different. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0117] As noted above, the visual guide portion may include the
third visual guide portion 126. Accordingly, the body portion 110
may include two or more weight ports, generally shown as a third
set of weight ports 860 (e.g., shown as weight ports 861, 862, 863,
864, 865, 866, 867, and 868) to form the third visual guide portion
126. In particular, the third visual guide portion 126 may be
substantially equidistant from the first and second visual guide
portions 122 and 124. For example, the third visual guide portion
126 may extend between the front and rear portions 150 and 160
located at or proximate to a center of the body portion 110. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0118] Each weight port of the third set of weight ports 860 may
have a third port diameter 870. In one example, the third port
diameter 870 may be equal to the first port diameter 850 and/or the
second port diameter 855 (e.g., 850=855=870). In another example,
the third port diameter 870 may be different from the first port
diameter 850 and the second port diameter 855. A uniform distance
of less than the third port diameter 870 may separate any two
adjacent weight ports of the third set of weight ports 860 (e.g.,
(i) weight ports 861 and 862, (ii) weight ports 862 and 863, (iii)
weight ports 863 and 864, (iv) weight ports 864 and 865, (v) weight
ports 865 and 866, (vi) weight ports 866 and 867, or (vii) weight
ports 867 and 868). The body portion 110 may also include a U-shape
recess portion 190. The third visual guide portion 126 may be
located in the U-shape recess portion 190. The apparatus, methods,
and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in
this regard.
[0119] Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the body portion 110 may
include an interior cavity 900. The interior cavity 900 may be
partially or entirely filled with a polymer material, an elastic
polymer or elastomer material, a thermoplastic elastomer material
(TPE), a thermoplastic polyurethane material (TPU), and/or other
suitable types of materials to absorb shock, isolate vibration,
and/or dampen noise. A plate portion 500 (FIG. 5) may cover the
interior cavity 900 from the sole portion 180. The plate portion
500 may be partially or entirely made of a steel-based material
(e.g., 17-4PH stainless steel), a titanium-based material, an
aluminum-based material (e.g., a high-strength aluminum alloy or a
composite aluminum alloy coated with a high-strength alloy), any
combination thereof, and/or other suitable types of materials.
Alternatively, the plate portion 500 may be partially or entirely
made of a non-metal material (e.g., composite, plastic, etc.) with
one shown as 1300 in FIG. 13. The apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0120] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the first and second visual guide
portions 122 and 124, respectively, may be located a distance from
a first vertical plane 880 and a second vertical plane 885,
respectively. For example, the first visual guide portion 122 may
be located less than one inch (25.4 millimeters) from the first
vertical plane 880 and the second visual guide portion 124 may be
located less than one inch (25.4 millimeters) from the second
vertical plane 885. Further, a distance 400 (FIG. 4) may separate
the first and second visual guide portions 122 and 124, which may
be greater than a diameter of a golf ball (e.g., 1.68 inches or
42.67 millimeters). In one example, the distance 400 may be greater
than three inches (76.2 millimeters). In another example, the
distance 400 may be about 3.75 inches (95.25 millimeters). The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0121] The first and second visual guide portions 122 and 124 may
be located relative to the periphery of the golf club head 100. In
one example, the first visual guide portion 122 may be located less
than 0.5 inch (12.7 millimeters) from the periphery at or proximate
to the toe portion 130 whereas the second visual guide portion 124
may be located less than 0.5 inch (12.7 millimeters) from the
periphery at or proximate to the heel portion 140. In one example,
each of the first and second visual guide portions 122 and 124 may
extend about a maximum length 405 between the front and rear
portions 150 and 160. In another example, each of the first and
second visual guide portions 122 and 124 may extend less than 50%
of the maximum length 405 between the front and rear portions 150
and 160. In yet another example, each of the first and second
visual guide portions 122 and 124 may extend between 50% and 100%
of the maximum length 405 between the front and rear portions 150
and 160. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0122] Each of the first and second visual guide portions 122 and
124, respectively, may be dotted lines formed by two or more weight
portions, generally shown as a first set of weight portions 420
(e.g., shown as weight portions 421, 422, 423, 424, and 425) and a
second set of weight portions 440 (e.g., shown as weight portions
441, 442, 443, 444, and 445). In a similar manner, the third visual
guide portion 126 may be a dotted line formed by two or more weight
portions, generally shown as a third set of weight portions 460
(e.g., shown as weight portions 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467,
and 468). The first, second, and third sets of weight portions 420,
440, and 460, respectively, may be partially or entirely made of a
high-density material such as a tungsten-based material or suitable
types of materials. Alternatively, the first, second, and third
sets of weight portions 420, 440, and 460, respectively, may be
partially or entirely made of any metal material or non-metal
material (e.g., composite, plastic, etc.). The apparatus, methods,
and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in
this regard.
[0123] The first, second, and third sets of weight portions 420,
440, and 460, respectively, may have similar or different physical
properties (e.g., density, shape, mass, volume, size, color, etc.).
In the illustrated example as shown in FIGS. 10-12, each of the
weight portions of the first, second, and third sets of weight
portions 420, 440, and 460 may have a cylindrical shape (e.g., a
circular cross section). Alternatively, each of the weight portions
of the first and second sets of weight portions 420 and 440 may
have a first shape (e.g., a cylindrical shape) whereas each of the
weight portions of the third set of weight portions 460 may have a
second shape (e.g., a rectangular shape). Although the above
examples may describe weight portions having a particular shape,
the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein may include weight portions of other suitable shapes (e.g.,
a portion of or a whole sphere, cube, cone, cylinder, pyramid,
cuboidal, prism, frustum, or other suitable geometric shape). The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0124] Further, each of the weight portions of the first, second,
and third sets of weight portions 420, 440, and 460, respectively,
may have a diameter 1010 (FIG. 10) of about 0.25 inch (6.35
millimeters) but the first, second, and third sets of weight
portions 420, 440, and 460, respectively, may be different in
height. In particular, each of the weight portions of the first and
second sets of weight portions 420 and 440 may be associated with a
first height 1100 (FIG. 11), and each of the weight portions of the
third set of weight portions 460 may be associated with a second
height 1200 (FIG. 12). The first height 1100 may be relatively
longer than the second height 1200. In one example, the first
height 1100 may be about 0.3 inch (7.62 millimeters) whereas the
second height 1200 may be about 0.16 inch (4.06 millimeters).
Alternatively, the first height 1100 may be equal to or less than
the second height 1200. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0125] The first and second sets of weight portions 420 and 440,
respectively, may include threads to secure in the weight ports.
For example, each weight portion of the first and second sets of
weight portions 420 and 440 may be a bolt or screw. The first and
second sets of weight portions 420 and 440, respectively, may not
be readily removable from the body portion 110 with or without a
tool. Alternatively, the first and second sets of weight portions
420 and 440, respectively, may be readily removable (e.g., with a
tool) so that a relatively heavier or lighter weight portion may
replace one or more of the weight portions of the first and second
sets 420 and 440, respectively. In another example, the first and
second sets of weight portions 420 and 440, respectively, may be
secured in the weight ports of the body portion 110 with epoxy or
adhesive so that the first and second sets of weight portions 420
and 440, respectively, may not be readily removable. In yet another
example, the first and second sets of weight portions 420 and 440,
respectively, may be secured in the weight ports of the body
portion 110 with both epoxy and threads so that the first and
second sets of weight portions 420 and 440, respectively, may not
be readily removable. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0126] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the golf club head 100 may
also include a fourth set of weight portions 620 (e.g., shown as
weight portions 621, 622, 623, and 624) and a fifth set of weight
portions 720 (e.g., shown as weight portions 721, 722, 723, and
724). Although both the fourth and fifth sets of weight portions
620 and 720 may be located at or proximate to the rear portion 160,
the fourth set of weight portions 620 may be located at or
proximate to the heel portion 140 whereas the fifth set of weight
portions 720 may be at or proximate to the toe portion 130. Each of
the fourth and fifth sets of weight portions 620 and 720 may
include at least three weight portions. Each weight portion of the
fourth and fifth sets of weight portions 620 and 720 may be coupled
(e.g., via threads) to a corresponding weight port (e.g., shown as
weight ports 641, 642, 643, 644, 741, 742, 743, and 744) on the
periphery of the body portion 110. The corresponding weight ports
may be spaced apart and have port diameters similar or different to
any one or more of the first, second, and third port diameters 850,
855, and 870 associated with the first, second, and third sets of
weight ports 820, 840, and 860. In one example, as shown in FIG. 4,
the fourth and fifth sets of weight portions 620 and 720 and the
corresponding weight ports may not be visible when the club head
100 is directly viewed from the top. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0127] Although the above examples may describe a particular number
of visual guide portions, weight ports, and weight portions, the
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
may include more or less visual guide portions, weight ports,
and/or weight portions. While the golf club head 100 illustrated in
FIGS. 1-9 may depict a particular type of putter club head (e.g., a
mallet-type putter club head), the apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of
putters. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be
applicable to a blade-type putter golf club head 1400. The golf
club head 1400 may include a body portion 1410, and a visual guide
portion, generally shown as a first visual guide portion 1422 and a
second visual guide portion 1424. The body portion 1410 may include
a toe portion 1430, a heel portion 1440, a front portion 1450, a
rear portion 1460, a sole portion (not shown), and a top portion
1470. The body portion 1410 may also include a bore 1445 to receive
a shaft (not shown). Alternatively, the body portion 1410 may
include a hosel (not shown) to receive a shaft. The body portion
1410 may be partially or entirely made of a steel-based material
(e.g., 17-4PH stainless steel), a titanium-based material, an
aluminum-based material (e.g., a high-strength aluminum alloy or a
composite aluminum alloy coated with a high-strength alloy), a
tungsten-based material, any combination thereof, and/or other
suitable types of materials. Alternatively, the body portion 1410
may be partially or entirely made of a non-metal material (e.g.,
composite, plastic, etc.). The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0128] The first and second visual guide portions 1422 and 1424,
respectively, may be located a particular distance from a first
vertical plane 1415 and a second vertical plane 1425, respectively.
For example, the first visual guide portion 1422 may be located
less than one inch (25.4 millimeters) from the first vertical plane
1415 and the visual guide portion 1424 may be located less than one
inch (25.4 millimeters) from the second vertical plane 1425.
Further, a distance 1475 may separate the first and second visual
guide portions 1422 and 1424, which may be greater than a diameter
of a golf ball. In one example, the distance 1475 may be greater
than three inches (76.2 millimeters). In another example, the
distance 1475 may be about 3.75 inches (95.25 millimeters).
[0129] The first and second visual guide portions 1422 and 1424 may
be located relative to a periphery of the golf club head 1400. In
one example, the first visual guide portion 1422 may be located
less than 0.5 inch (12.7 millimeters) from the periphery at or
proximate to the toe portion 1430 whereas the second visual guide
portion 1424 may be located less than 0.5 inch (12.7 millimeters)
from the periphery at or proximate to the heel portion 1440. In one
example, each of the first and second visual guide portions 1422
and 1424 may extend about a maximum length 1476 between the front
and rear portions 1450 and 1460. In another example, each of the
first and second visual guide portions 1422 and 1424 may extend
less than 50% of the maximum length 1476 between the front and rear
portions 1450 and 1460. In yet another example, each of the first
and second visual guide portions 1422 and 1424 may extend between
50% and 100% of the maximum length 1476 between the front and rear
portions 1450 and 1460. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0130] Each of the first and second visual guide portions 1422 and
1424, respectively, may be dotted lines formed by two or more
weight portions, generally shown as a first set of weight portions
1480 (e.g., shown as weight portions 1481, 1482, 1483, 1484, and
1485) and a second set of weight portions 1490 (e.g., shown as
weight portions 1491, 1492, 1493, 1494, and 1495). The first and
second sets of weight portions 1480 and 1490, respectively, may be
partially or entirely made of a high-density material such as a
tungsten-based material or suitable types of materials.
Alternatively, the first and second sets of weight portions 1480
and 1490, respectively, may be partially or entirely made of a
non-metal material (e.g., composite, plastic, etc.). The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0131] The first and second sets of weight portions 1480 and 1490,
respectively, may have similar or different physical properties
(e.g., density, shape, mass, volume, size, color, etc.). In the
illustrated example as shown in FIGS. 10-12, each of the weight
portions of the first and second sets of weight portions 1480 and
1490 may have a cylindrical shape (e.g., a circular cross section).
Although the above examples may describe weight portions having a
particular shape, the apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein may include weight portions of other
suitable shapes (e.g., a portion of or a whole sphere, cube, cone,
cylinder, pyramid, cuboidal, prism, frustum, or other suitable
geometric shape). The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0132] The first and second sets of weight portions 1480 and 1490,
respectively, may include threads to secure in the weight ports,
which may also have corresponding threads. For example, each weight
portion of the first and second sets of weight portions 1480 and
1490 may be a bolt or screw. The first and second sets of weight
portions 1480 and 1490, respectively, may not be readily removable
from the body portion 1410 with or without a tool. Alternatively,
the first and second sets of weight portions 1480 and 1490,
respectively, may be readily removable (e.g., with a tool) so that
a relatively heavier or lighter weight portion may replace one or
more of the weight portions of the first and second sets of weight
portions 1480 and 1490, respectively. In another example, the first
and second sets of weight portions 1480 and 1490, respectively, may
be secured in the weight ports of the body portion 1410 with epoxy
or adhesive so that the first and second sets of weight portions
1480 and 1490, respectively, may not be readily removable. In yet
another example, the first and second sets of weight portions 1480
and 1490, respectively, may be secured in the weight ports of the
body portion 1410 with both epoxy and threads so that the first and
second sets of weight portions 1480 and 1490, respectively, may not
be readily removable. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0133] In the example of FIGS. 15 and 16, a golf club head 1500 may
include a body portion 1510. The body portion 1510 may include a
toe portion (not shown), a heel portion (not shown), a front
portion 1550, a rear portion 1560, a top portion 1570, and a sole
portion 1580. The body portion 1510 may be manufactured via various
manufacturing methods and/or processes (e.g., a casting process, a
forging process, a milling process, a cutting process, a grinding
process, a welding process, a combination thereof, etc.). The body
portion 1510 may be partially or entirely made of an aluminum-based
material (e.g., a high-strength aluminum alloy or a composite
aluminum alloy coated with a high-strength alloy), a
magnesium-based material, a stainless steel-based material, a
titanium-based material, a tungsten-based material, any combination
thereof, and/or other suitable types of materials. Alternatively,
the body portion 1510 may be partially or entirely made of
non-metal material (e.g., composite, plastic, etc.). The golf club
head 1500 may be a putter-type golf club head (e.g., a blade-type
putter, a mid-mallet-type putter, a mallet-type putter, etc.).
Based on the type of putter as mentioned above, the body portion
1510 may be at least 200 grams. For example, the body portion 1510
may be in a range between 300 to 600 grams. Although FIGS. 15 and
16 may depict a particular type of golf club head, the apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be
applicable to other types of golf club heads (e.g., a driver-type
golf club head, a fairway wood-type golf club head, a hybrid-type
golf club head, an iron-type golf club head, etc.). The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0134] The body portion 1510 may include a hosel portion 1545
configured to receive a shaft (not shown) with a grip (not shown).
The golf club head 1500 and the grip may be located on opposite
ends of the shaft to form a golf club. The front and rear portions
1550 and 1560, respectively, may be on opposite ends of the body
portion 1510. The front portion 1550 may include a face portion
1555 (e.g., a strike face). The face portion 1555 may be used to
impact a golf ball. The face portion 1555 may be an integral
portion of the body portion 1510. Alternatively, the face portion
1555 may be a separate piece or an insert coupled to the body
portion 1510 via various manufacturing methods and/or processes
(e.g., a bonding process, a welding process, a brazing process, a
mechanical locking method, a mechanical fastening method, any
combination thereof, or other suitable types of manufacturing
methods and/or processes). The face portion 1555 may be associated
with a loft plane that defines the loft angle of the golf club head
1500. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0135] The body portion 1510 may include one or more weight ports
and one or more weight portions similar to any of the golf club
heads described herein. For example, a weight port 1520 is shown in
FIG. 16. For example, the body portion 1510 may include a first set
of weight ports (not shown) similar to the first set of weight
ports 820 of the golf club head 100 and a second set of weight
ports (not shown) similar to the second set of weight ports 840 of
the golf club head 100 that are configured to receive a plurality
of weight portions. Accordingly, a detailed description of the
weight ports and weight portions of the golf club head 1500 is not
described. Alternatively, the body portion 1510 may not include any
weight ports and/or weight portions.
[0136] The body portion 1510 may be a hollow body including an
interior cavity 1582 extending between the front portion 1550 and
the rear portion 1560. Further, the interior cavity 1582 may extend
between the top portion 1570 and the sole portion 1580. A cavity
wall portion 1584 may separate the interior cavity 1582 and the
face portion 1555. The interior cavity 1582 may be associated with
a cavity height 1586 (H.sub.C) and the body portion 1510 may be
associated with a body height 1588 (H.sub.B). While the cavity
height 1586 and the body height 1588 may vary between the toe and
heel portions, the cavity height 1586 may be at least 50% of the
body height 1588 (H.sub.C>0.5*H.sub.B). For example, the cavity
height 1586 may vary between 70% and 85% of the body height 1588.
With the cavity height 1586 of the interior cavity 1582 being
greater than 50% of the body height 1588, the golf club head 1500
may produce relatively more consistent feel, sound, and/or result
when the golf club head 1500 strikes a golf ball via the face
portion 1555 than a golf club head with a cavity height of less
than 50% of the body height. However, the cavity height 1586 may be
less than 50% of the body height 1588. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0137] In one example, the interior cavity 1582 may be unfilled
(i.e., empty space). Alternatively, the interior cavity 1582 may be
partially or entirely filled with a filler material (e.g.,
generally shown as 1590). The filler material 1590 may be an
elastic polymer or elastomer material (e.g., a viscoelastic
urethane polymer material such as Sorbothane.RTM. material
manufactured by Sorbothane, Inc., Kent, Ohio), a thermoplastic
elastomer material (TPE), a thermoplastic polyurethane material
(TPU), and/or other suitable types of materials to absorb shock,
isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise. For example, at least 50%
of the interior cavity 1582 may be filled with a TPE material to
absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the golf
club head 1500 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 1555. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0138] In another example, the filler material 1590 may be a
polymer material such as an ethylene copolymer material to absorb
shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the golf club
head 1500 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 1555. In
particular, at least 50% of the interior cavity 1582 may be filled
with a high density ethylene copolymer ionomer, a fatty acid
modified ethylene copolymer ionomer, a highly amorphous ethylene
copolymer ionomer, an ionomer of ethylene acid acrylate terpolymer,
an ethylene copolymer comprising a magnesium ionomer, an injection
moldable ethylene copolymer that may be used in conventional
injection molding equipment to create various shapes, an ethylene
copolymer that can be used in conventional extrusion equipment to
create various shapes, and/or an ethylene copolymer having high
compression and low resilience similar to thermoset polybutadiene
rubbers. For example, the ethylene copolymer may include any of the
ethylene copolymers associated with DuPont.TM. High-Performance
Resin (HPF) family of materials (e.g., DuPont.TM. HPF AD1172,
DuPont.TM. HPF AD1035, DuPont.RTM. HPF 1000 and DuPont.TM. HPF
2000), which are manufactured by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and
Company of Wilmington, Del. The DuPont.TM. HPF family of ethylene
copolymers are injection moldable and may be used with conventional
injection molding equipment and molds, provide low compression, and
provide high resilience. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0139] The filler material 1590 may be injected into the interior
cavity 1582 by an injection molding process via a port 1592 on the
body portion 1510 as shown in FIG. 15. The port 1592 may have an
opening 1594 on the body portion 1510 to allow injection of the
filler material into the interior cavity 1582 through the port
1592. The port 1592 may have a plug 1596, by which the opening 1594
may be closed after injection of the filler material 1590 into the
interior cavity 1582. Alternatively, as shown in the example of
FIG. 16, at least one of the weight ports (e.g., 1520) on the body
portion 1510 may be connected to the interior cavity 1582 through a
connection port 1522 that may be similar to the port 1592.
Accordingly, the filler material may be injected into the interior
cavity 1582 from the at least one weight port (e.g., 1520) through
the connection port 1522. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0140] For example, at least 50% of the interior cavity 1582 may be
filled with a TPE material to absorb shock, isolate vibration,
dampen noise, and/or provide structural support when the golf club
head 1500 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 1555. With the
support of the cavity wall portion 1584 and filling at least a
portion of the interior cavity 1582 with an elastic polymer
material, the face portion 1555 may be relatively thin without
degrading the structural integrity, sound, and/or feel of the golf
club head 1500. In one example, the face portion 1555 may have a
thickness of less than or equal to 0.075 inch or 1.905 millimeters
(e.g., the thickness of the cavity wall portion 1584). In another
example, the face portion 1555 may have a thickness of less than or
equal to 0.060 inch (1.524 millimeters). In yet another example,
the face portion 1555 may have a thickness of less than or equal to
0.050 inch (1.270 millimeters). Further, the face portion 1555 may
have a thickness of less than or equal to 0.030 inch (0.762
millimeters). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0141] In the example of FIGS. 17 and 18, a golf club head 1700 may
include a body portion 1710. The body portion 1710 may include a
toe portion 1730, a heel portion 1740, a front portion 1750, a rear
portion 1760, a top portion 1770, and a sole portion 1780. The body
portion 1710 may be manufactured via various manufacturing methods
and/or processes (e.g., a casting process, a forging process, a
milling process, a cutting process, a grinding process, a welding
process, a combination thereof, etc.). The body portion 1710 may be
partially or entirely made of an aluminum-based material (e.g., a
high-strength aluminum alloy or a composite aluminum alloy coated
with a high-strength alloy), a magnesium-based material, a
stainless steel-based material, a titanium-based material, a
tungsten-based material, any combination thereof, and/or other
suitable types of materials. Alternatively, the body portion 1710
may be partially or entirely made of non-metal material (e.g.,
composite, plastic, etc.). The golf club head 1700 may be a
putter-type golf club head (e.g., a blade-type putter, a
mid-mallet-type putter, a mallet-type putter, etc.). Based on the
type of putter as mentioned above, the body portion 1710 may be at
least 200 grams. For example, the body portion 1710 may be in a
range between 300 to 600 grams. Although FIGS. 17 and 18 may depict
a particular type of golf club head, the apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other
types of golf club heads (e.g., a driver-type golf club head, a
fairway wood-type golf club head, a hybrid-type golf club head, an
iron-type golf club head, etc.). The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0142] The body portion 1710 may include a hosel portion 1745
configured to receive a shaft (not shown) with a grip (not shown).
The golf club head 1700 and the grip may be located on opposite
ends of the shaft to form a golf club. The front and rear portions
1750 and 1760, respectively, may be on opposite ends of the body
portion 1710. The front portion 1750 may include a face portion
1755 (e.g., a strike face). The face portion 1755 may be used to
impact a golf ball. The face portion 1755 may be associated with a
loft plane that defines the loft angle of the golf club head 1700.
The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0143] The body portion 1710 may include one or more weight ports
and one or more weight portions similar to any of the golf club
heads described herein. For example, the body portion 1710 may
include a first set of weight ports 1720 at or proximate the rear
portion 1760. In the examples of FIGS. 17-22, the rear portion 1760
may include a back wall portion 1762 having a first weight port
1722 of the first set of weight ports 1720 and a second weight port
1724 of the first set of weight ports 1720. The first weight port
1722 may be closer to the toe portion 1730 than the second weight
port 1724. The second weight port 1724 may be closer to the heel
portion 1740 than the first weight port 1722. The first and second
weight ports 1722 and 1724, respectively, may be at any location on
the back wall portion 1762 or the rear portion 1760. Alternatively,
the body portion 1710 may not include any weight ports on the back
wall portion 1762. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0144] In the example of FIGS. 17-22, the body portion 1710 may
include a second set of weight ports 1840 as shown in FIG. 20
proximate to the heel portion 1740 and extending between the toe
portion 1730 and the heel portion 1740. The second set of weight
ports 1840 may include any number of weight ports, such as three
weight ports as shown in FIG. 20 as weight ports 1842, 1843, and
1844. The body portion 1710 may include a third set of weight ports
1860 that may be located near the toe portion 1730 and extend
between the toe portion 1730 and the heel portion 1740. The third
set of weight ports 1860 may include any number of weight ports,
such as three weight ports similar to the weight ports of the
second set of weight ports 1840. The second and third sets of
weight ports 1840 and 1860, respectively, may be similar to each
other and symmetrically arranged relative to a midpoint of the body
portion 1710. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0145] The golf club head 1700 may include a plurality of weight
portions. Each weight port of the first, second, and third sets of
weight ports 1720, 1840, and 1860 may be configured to receive a
weight portion. For example, the first and second weight ports 1722
and 1724 of the first set of weight ports 1720 may receive weight
portions 1732 and 1734, respectively. The weight ports 1842, 1843,
and 1844 of the second set of weight ports 1840 may receive weight
portions 1852, 1853, and 1854, respectively. The weight ports of
the third set of weight ports 1860 may receive weight portions
similar to the second set of weight ports 1840. In the example of
FIG. 22, a weight port 1862 of the third set of weight ports 1860
is shown to have received a weight portion 1872. The configurations
of the weight ports and the weight portions (e.g., inner diameter,
outer diameter, size, shape, distance from an adjacent weight port
or weight portion, etc.) of the golf club head 1700 may be similar
in many respects to the weight ports and weight portions of any of
the golf club heads descried herein. Accordingly, a detailed
description of the weight ports and weight portions of the golf
club head 1700 is not described. Alternatively, the body portion
1710 may not include any weight ports and/or weight portions. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0146] In the example of FIGS. 17-22, the face portion 1755 may
include a separate piece or an insert coupled to the body portion
1710. The face portion 1755 may include a face insert 1756, which
may be attached to the front portion 1750 via any manufacturing
methods and/or processes (e.g., a bonding process, a welding
process, a brazing process, a mechanical locking method, a
mechanical fastening method, any combination thereof, or other
suitable types of manufacturing methods and/or processes). In one
example shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, the face insert 1756 may include
two fastener holes 1758 proximate to the toe portion and heel
portion of the face insert 1756. Each of the fastener holes 1758
may be configured to receive a fastener 1763 for attachment of the
face insert 1756 to the body portion 1710. The body portion 1710
may include two fastener ports 1768 (one fastener port 1768 shown
in FIG. 19) configured to receive the fasteners 1763. Each fastener
port 1768 may have internal threads that are configured to engage
external threads on the fasteners 1763. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0147] The face portion 1755 may include a peripheral recessed
portion 1772 configured to receive the face insert 1756. As shown
by example in FIGS. 19-22, the depth of the peripheral recessed
portion 1772 may be similar to the thickness of the face insert
1756 such that when the face insert 1756 is fastened to the body
portion 1710, the face insert 1756 is positioned flush or
substantially flush with the face portion 1755. Alternatively, the
face insert 1756 may project from the face portion 1755. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0148] The fasteners 1763 may have similar or different weights to
balance and/or provide heel or toe weight bias for the golf club
head 1700. For example, the weight of the body portion 1710 may be
increased or decreased by similarly increasing or decreasing,
respectively, the weights of the fasteners 1763. In one example,
the golf club head 1700 may be provided with a toe-biased weight
configuration by having the fastener 1763 that is closer to the toe
portion 1730 be heavier than the fastener 1763 that is closer to
the heel portion 1740. Conversely, the golf club head 1700 may be
provided with a heel-biased weight configuration by having the
fastener 1763 that is closer to the heel portion 1740 be heavier
than the fastener 1763 that is closer to the toe portion 1730. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0149] To attach the face insert 1756 to the body portion 1710, the
face insert 1756 may be inserted in the peripheral recessed portion
1772, thereby generally aligning the fastener holes 1758 of the
face insert 1756 and the fastener ports 1768 of the body portion
1710. The fasteners 1763 can be inserted through the fastener holes
1758 and bolted or screwed into the fastener ports 1768 to securely
attach the face insert 1756 to the body portion 1710. The face
insert 1756 may be constructed from any material such as metal,
metal alloys, plastic, wood, composite materials or a combination
thereof to provide a certain ball striking characteristic to the
golf club head 1700. The material from which the face insert 1756
is manufactured may affect ball speed and spin characteristics.
Accordingly, the face insert 1756 may be selected to provide a
certain ball speed and spin characteristics for an individual.
Thus, the face insert 1756 may be interchangeable with other face
inserts having different ball speed and spin characteristics. The
face insert 1756 may be coupled to the body portion 1710 by other
methods or devices, such as by bonding, welding, adhesive and/or
other types of fastening devices and/or methods. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0150] The body portion 1710 may include an interior cavity 1782
extending between the front portion 1750 and the rear portion 1760
and between the toe portion 1730 and the heel portion 1740. In one
example as shown in FIGS. 20-22, the interior cavity 1782 may be
defined by a recess 1784 in the front portion 1750 that is covered
by the face insert 1756. The recess 1784 may extend from near the
toe portion 1730 to near the heel portion 1740 and from near the
top portion 1770 to near the sole portion 1780. Alternatively, the
recess 1784 may extend between the fastener ports 1768 of the body
portion 1710. In one example, the recess 1784 may be located in
and/or near the regions of the face portion 1755 that generally
strike a golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0151] The interior cavity 1782 may be associated with a cavity
height 1786 (H.sub.C) and the body portion 1710 may be associated
with a body height 1788 (H.sub.B). While the cavity height 1786 and
the body height 1788 may vary between the toe and heel portions
1730 and 1740, the cavity height 1786 may be at least 50% of a body
height 1788 (H.sub.C>0.5*H.sub.B). For example, the cavity
height 1786 may vary between 70% and 85% of the body height 1788.
With the cavity height 1786 of the interior cavity 1782 being
greater than 50% of the body height 1788, the golf club head 1700
may produce relatively more consistent feel, sound, and/or result
when the golf club head 1700 strikes a golf ball via the face
portion 1755 than a golf club head with a cavity height of less
than 50% of the body height. However, the cavity height 1786 may be
less than 50% of the body height 1788. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0152] In one example, the interior cavity 1782 may be unfilled
(i.e., empty space). Alternatively, the interior cavity 1782 may be
partially or entirely filled with a filler material 1792 to absorb
shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the face portion
1755 strikes a golf ball. The filler material 1792 may be an
elastic polymer or elastomer material (e.g., a viscoelastic
urethane polymer material such as Sorbothane.RTM. material
manufactured by Sorbothane, Inc., Kent, Ohio), a thermoplastic
elastomer material (TPE), a thermoplastic polyurethane material
(TPU), and/or other suitable types of materials to absorb shock,
isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise. For example, at least 50%
of the interior cavity 1782 may be filled with a TPE material to
absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the golf
club head 1700 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 1755. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0153] In another example, the filler material 1792 may be a
polymer material such as an ethylene copolymer material to absorb
shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the golf club
head 1700 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 1755. In
particular, at least 50% of the interior cavity 1782 may be filled
with a high density ethylene copolymer ionomer, a fatty acid
modified ethylene copolymer ionomer, a highly amorphous ethylene
copolymer ionomer, an ionomer of ethylene acid acrylate terpolymer,
an ethylene copolymer comprising a magnesium ionomer, an injection
moldable ethylene copolymer that may be used in conventional
injection molding equipment to create various shapes, an ethylene
copolymer that can be used in conventional extrusion equipment to
create various shapes, and/or an ethylene copolymer having high
compression and low resilience similar to thermoset polybutadiene
rubbers. For example, the ethylene copolymer may include any of the
ethylene copolymers associated with DuPont.TM. High-Performance
Resin (HPF) family of materials (e.g., DuPont.TM. HPF AD1172,
DuPont.TM. HPF AD1035, DuPont.RTM. HPF 1000 and DuPont.TM. HPF
2000), which are manufactured by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and
Company of Wilmington, Del. The DuPont.TM. HPF family of ethylene
copolymers are injection moldable and may be used with conventional
injection molding equipment and molds, provide low compression, and
provide high resilience. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0154] The interior cavity 1782 may be partially or fully filled
with the filler material 1792. In one example, the recess 1784 may
be filled with the filler material 1792 prior to attaching the face
insert 1756 to the face portion 1755. In one example, the interior
cavity 1782 may be filled with the filler material 1792 via any one
of the first and second weight ports 1722 or 1724 of the first set
of weight ports 1720. In one example as shown in FIG. 20, the
second weight port 1724 may be connected to the interior cavity
1782 via an opening 1794. Similarly, the first weight port 1722 may
be connected to the interior cavity 1782 via an opening (not
shown). The filler material 1792 may be injected in the interior
cavity 1782 from the second weight port 1724 via the opening 1794.
As the filler material 1792 fills the interior cavity 1782, the air
inside the interior cavity 1782 that is displaced by the filler
material 1792 may exit the interior cavity 1782 from the first
weight port 1722 through the opening (not shown) that connects the
first weight port 1722 to the interior cavity 1782. Accordingly,
the first weight port 1722 may function as an exit port for the
displaced air inside the interior cavity 1782. After the interior
cavity 1782 is partially or fully filled with the filler material
1792, the first and second weight ports 1722 and 1724 may be closed
by inserting and securing weight portions 1732 and 1734,
respectively, therein as described in detail herein. Alternatively,
the filler material 1792 may be injected in the interior cavity
1782 from the first weight port 1722 while the second weight port
1724 functions as an exit port for the displaced air inside the
interior cavity 1782. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0155] For example, at least 50% of the interior cavity 1782 may be
filled with the filler material 1792 to absorb shock, isolate
vibration, dampen noise, and/or provide structural support when the
golf club head 1700 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 1755.
With the support of the back wall portion 1762 and filling at least
a portion of the interior cavity 1782 with the filler material
1792, the face portion 1755 may be relatively thin without
degrading the structural integrity, sound, and/or feel of the golf
club head 1700. In one example, the face portion 1755 may have a
thickness of less than or equal to 0.075 inch (1.905 millimeters).
In another example, the face portion 1755 may have a thickness of
less than or equal to 0.060 inch (1.524 millimeters). In yet
another example, the face portion 1755 may have a thickness of less
than or equal to 0.050 inch (1.270 millimeters). Further, the face
portion 1755 may have a thickness of less than or equal to 0.030
inch (0.762 millimeters). The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0156] In one example, the face portion 1755 may be in one-piece
with the body portion 1710 or be an integral part of the body
portion 1710 (not shown). The body portion 1710 may include an
interior cavity near the face portion 1755 that may be similar in
many respects to the interior cavity 1782. However, unlike the
interior cavity 1782 which may be partially defined by the face
insert 1756, an interior cavity of the body portion 1710 having a
one-piece face portion 1755 may be an integral part of the body
portion 1710. The interior cavity may be partially or fully filled
with a filler material 1792 via the first and second weight ports
1722 and/or 1724 as described in detail herein. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0157] In the example of FIGS. 23-31, a golf club head 2300 may
include a body portion 2310. The body portion 2310 may include a
toe portion 2330, a heel portion 2340, a front portion 2350, a rear
portion 2360, a top portion 2370, and a sole portion 2380. The body
portion 2310 may be manufactured via various manufacturing methods
and/or processes (e.g., a casting process, a forging process, a
milling process, a cutting process, a grinding process, a welding
process, a combination thereof, etc.). The body portion 2310 may be
partially or entirely made of an aluminum-based material (e.g., a
high-strength aluminum alloy or a composite aluminum alloy coated
with a high-strength alloy), a magnesium-based material, a
stainless steel-based material, a titanium-based material, a
tungsten-based material, any combination thereof, and/or other
suitable types of materials. Alternatively, the body portion 2310
may be partially or entirely made of non-metal material (e.g.,
composite, plastic, etc.). The golf club head 2300 may be a
putter-type golf club head (e.g., a blade-type putter, a
mid-mallet-type putter, a mallet-type putter, etc.). Based on the
type of putter as mentioned above, the body portion 2310 may be at
least 200 grams. For example, the body portion 2310 may be in a
range between 300 to 600 grams. Although FIGS. 23-31 may depict a
particular type of golf club head, the apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other
types of golf club heads (e.g., a driver-type golf club head, a
fairway wood-type golf club head, a hybrid-type golf club head, an
iron-type golf club head, etc.). The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0158] The body portion 2310 may include a hosel portion 2345
configured to receive a shaft (not shown) with a grip (not shown).
The golf club head 2300 and the grip may be located on opposite
ends of the shaft to form a golf club. Alternatively, the body
portion 2310 may include a bore (not shown) for receiving the shaft
(not shown). The front and rear portions 2350 and 2360,
respectively, may be on opposite ends of the body portion 2310. The
front portion 2350 may include a face portion 2355 (e.g., a strike
face). The face portion 2355 may be used to impact a golf ball. The
face portion 2355 may be associated with a loft plane that defines
the loft angle of the golf club head 2300. The apparatus, methods,
and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in
this regard.
[0159] As illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 27, for example, the body
portion 2310 may include two or more weight regions, generally
shown as a first weight region 2412 and a second weight region
2512. The first weight region 2412 may include a first weight
platform portion 2414 having a first set of weight ports 2420
(e.g., shown as weight ports 2421, 2422, 2423, 2424, and 2425).
Each weight port of the first set of weight ports 2420 is
configured to receive a weight portion of a first set of weight
portions 2430 (e.g. shown as weight portions 2431, 2432, 2433, 2434
and 2435). The second weight region 2512 may include a second
weight platform portion 2514 having a second set of weight ports
2520 (e.g., shown as weight ports 2521, 2522, 2523, 2524, and
2525). Each weight port of the second set of weight ports 2520 is
configured to receive a weight portion of a second set of weight
portions 2530 (e.g. shown as weight portions 2531, 2532, 2533, 2534
and 2535). Each weight portion of the first set of weight portions
2430 may be interchangeable with each weight portion of the second
set of weight portions 2530. Accordingly, each weight port of the
first set of weight ports 2420 and the second set of weight ports
2520 may be configured to interchangeably receive any of the weight
portions of the first set of weight portions 2430 or the second set
of weight portions 2530. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0160] The first weight platform portion 2414 and the second weight
platform portion 2514 may have a weight platform portion length
(L.sub.wp) 2715 that may be greater than about 40% of a body
portion length (L.sub.B) 2895 (FIG. 28). In one example, the weight
platform portion length 2715 may be greater than 50% of the body
portion length 2895. In one example, the weight platform portion
length 2715 may be greater than 60% of the body portion length
2895. In one example, the weight platform portion length 2715 may
be greater than 70% of the body portion length 2895. Accordingly,
the mass of each of the first and second weight platform portions
2414 and 2514 may be distributed along a substantial portion of the
body portion length 2895. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0161] The masses of the first and second weight platform portions
2414 and 2514 may be moved laterally outward on the body portion
2310. The mass of each of the first and second weight platform
portions 2414 and 2514 may be between 5% and 30% of the mass of the
body portion 2310 including the mass of the first weight platform
portion 2414 and the second weight platform portion 2514. In one
example, the mass of each of the first and second weight platform
portions 2414 and 2514 may be between about 3% and about 13% of the
mass of the body portion 2310 if the first and second weight
platform portions 2414 and 2514 are made from relatively lighter
metals such as metals including titanium or titanium alloys. In
another example, the mass of each of the first and second weight
platform portions 2414 and 2514 may be between about 8% and about
21% of the mass of the body portion 2310 if the first and second
weight platform portions 2414 and 2514 are made from metals
including steel. In yet another example, the mass of each of the
first and second weight platform portions 2414 and 2514 may be
between about 10% and about 30% of the mass of the body portion
2310 if the first and second weight platform portions 2414 and 2514
are made from relatively heavier metals such as metals including
magnesium or magnesium alloys. Accordingly, between about 3% and
about 30% of the mass of the body portion 2310 may be redistributed
to the toe portion 2330 and the heel portion 2340 by the first and
second weight platform portions 2414 and 2514 from other parts of
the body portion 2310. Further, the first weight platform portion
2414 may be located at or proximate to the periphery of the toe
portion 2330 and the second weight platform portion 2514 may be
located at or proximate to the periphery of the heel portion 2340.
The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0162] Each weight port of the first set of weight ports 2420 may
have a first port diameter (PD.sub.1). In particular, a uniform
distance of less than the first port diameter may separate any two
adjacent weight ports of the first set of weight ports 2420 (e.g.,
(i) weight ports 2421 and 2422, (ii) weight ports 2422 and 2423,
(iii) weight ports 2423 and 2424, or (iv) weight ports 2424 and
2425). In one example, the first port diameter may be about 0.25
inch (6.35 millimeters) and any two adjacent weight ports of the
first set of weight ports 2420 may be separated by 0.1 inch (2.54
millimeters). Each weight port of the second set of weight ports
2520 may have a second port diameter (PD.sub.2). A uniform distance
of less than the second port diameter may separate any two adjacent
weight ports of the second set of weight ports 2520 (e.g., (i)
weight ports 2521 and 2522, (ii) weight ports 2522 and 2523, (iii)
weight ports 2523 and 2524, or (iv) weight ports 2524 and 2525).
For example, the second port diameter may be about 0.25 inch (6.35
millimeters) and any two adjacent weight ports of the second set of
weight ports 2520 may be separated by 0.1 inch (2.54 millimeters).
The first and second port diameters may be equal to each other
(i.e., PD.sub.1=PD.sub.2). Alternatively, the first and second port
diameters may be different. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0163] The first weight platform portion 1414, the first set of
weight ports 2420 (weight ports 2421, 2422, 2423, 2424, and 2425),
and/or the first set of weight portions 2430 (weight portions 2431,
2432, 2433, 2434, and 2435) may form a first visual guide portion
2442. The second weight platform portion 2514, the second set of
weight ports 2520 (weight ports 2521, 2522, 2523, 2524, and 2525),
and/or the second set of weight portions 2530 (weight portions
2531, 2532, 2533, 2534, and 2535) may form a second visual guide
portion 2542. The first weight region 2412 may be located at or
proximate to a periphery of the toe portion 2330 of the golf club
head 2300. Accordingly, the first visual guide portion 2442 may be
located at or proximate to the periphery of the toe portion 2330.
The second weight region 2512 may be located at or proximate to the
periphery of the heel portion 2340 of the golf club head 2300.
Accordingly, the second visual guide portion 2542 may be located at
or proximate to the periphery of the heel portion 2340. The first
weight platform portion 2414 and/or any of the weight portions of
the first set of weight portions 2430 may have distinct colors,
markings and/or other visual features so as to be visually
distinguished from the surrounding portions of the body portion
2310. Similarly, the second weight platform portion 2514 and/or any
of the weight portions of the second set of weight portions 2530
may have distinct colors, markings and/or other visual features so
as to be visually distinguished from the surrounding portions of
the body portion 2310. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0164] The golf club head 2300 may also include a third visual
guide portion 2642, which may be substantially equidistant from the
first and second visual guide portions 2442 and 2542. For example,
the third visual guide portion 2642 may extend between the front
and rear portions 2350 and 2360 located at or proximate to a center
of the body portion 2310. The third visual guide portion 2642 may
be the same as or different from the first and/or second visual
guide portions 2442 and 2542, respectively. In one example, the
third visual guide portion 2642 may be a recessed line portion
having a certain color. In another example, the third visual guide
portion 2642 may include a plurality of weight ports (not shown)
with a plurality of weight portions (not shown) received therein.
Alternatively, the third visual guide portion 2642 may be defined
by a raised portion of the top portion 2370. The third visual guide
portion 2642 may be similar in many respects to any of the visual
guide portions described herein. Therefore, a detailed description
of the third visual guide portion 2642 is not provided. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0165] The first and second sets of weight portions 2430 and 2530,
respectively, may have similar or different physical properties
(e.g., density, shape, mass, volume, size, color, etc.). The first
and second sets of weight portions 2430 and 2530, respectively, may
include threads to secure in the weight ports of the first and
second sets of weight ports 2420 and 2520, respectively. The
physical properties of the weight portions of the first and second
sets of weight portions 2430 and 2530, respectively, may be similar
in many respects to any of the weight portions described herein.
Therefore, a detailed description of the physical properties of the
weight portions of the first and second sets of weight portions
2430 and 2530, respectively, is not provided. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0166] The first weight platform portion 2414 may be attached to
the body portion 2310 with any one or more weight portions of the
first set of weight portions 2430 or the second set of weight
portions 2530. The body portion 2310 may include a plurality of toe
side threaded bores (not shown) on the top portion 2370 at or
proximate to the toe portion 2330. When the first weight platform
portion 2414 is placed on the top portion 2370 at or proximate to
the periphery of the toe portion 2330 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 27,
for example, the toe side threaded bores may generally align with
the weight ports of the first set of weight ports 2420. When a
weight portion of the first set of weight portions 2430 or the
second set of weight portions 2530 is inserted in a weight port of
the first set of weight ports 2420, the weight portion extends
through a corresponding one of the toe side threaded bores of the
body portion 2310 such that the threads on the weight portion
engage the corresponding threads in the toe side threaded bore. The
weight portion can then be bolted or screwed into the corresponding
toe side threaded bore to fasten the first weight platform portion
2414 on the body portion 2310. The apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0167] The second weight platform portion 2514 may be attached to
the body portion 2310 with any one or more weight portions of the
first set of weight portions 2430 or the second set of weight
portions 2530. The body portion 2310 may include a plurality of
heel side threaded bores (not shown) on the top portion 2370 at or
proximate to the heel portion 2340. When the second weight platform
portion 2514 is placed on the top portion 2370 at or proximate to
the periphery of the heel portion 2340 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 27,
for example, the heel side threaded bores generally align with the
weight ports of the second set of weight ports 2520. When a weight
portion of the first set of weight portions 2430 or the second set
of weight portions 2530 is inserted in a weight port of the second
set of weight ports 2520, the weight portion extends through a
corresponding one of the heel side threaded bores of the body
portion 2310 such that the threads on the weight portion engage the
corresponding threads in the heel side threaded bore. The weight
portion can then be bolted or screwed into the corresponding heel
side threaded bore to fasten the second weight platform portion
2514 on the body portion 2310. The apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0168] Each of the weight portions of the first and second sets of
weight portions 2430 and 2530, respectively, may have sufficient
length to extend through a weight port and into a corresponding
threaded bore of the body portion 2310 as described herein to
fasten the first weight platform portion 2414 and the second weight
platform portion 2514 to the body portion 2310. One or more weight
portions of the first set of weight portions 2430 and/or one or
more weight portions of the second set of weight portions 2530 may
function both as weights for configuring a weight distribution of
the golf club head 2300 and as fasteners for fastening the first
weight platform portion 2414 and/or the second weight platform
portion 2514 on the body portion 2310. Alternately, the first
weight platform portion 2414 and/or the second weight platform
portion 2514 may be fastened on the body portion 2310 by using
other types of fastening mechanisms such that one or more weight
portions of the first set of weight portions 2430 and/or one or
more weight portions of the second set of weight portions 2530 may
only function as weight portions. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0169] Each of the first and second weight platform portions 2414
and 2514, respectively, may be partially or entirely made of an
aluminum-based material (e.g., a high-strength aluminum alloy or a
composite aluminum alloy coated with a high-strength alloy), a
magnesium-based material, a stainless steel-based material, a
titanium-based material, a tungsten-based material, any combination
thereof, and/or other suitable types of materials. The first and
second weight platform portions 2414 and 2514, respectively, may
have a similar mass or different masses to optimally affect the
weight distribution, center or gravity location, and/or moment of
inertia of the golf club head 2300. Each of the first and second
weight platform portions 2414 and 2514 may function as an added
weight for the body portion 2310 and as a platform for receiving
additional weights for the body portion 2310 in the form of the
first and second sets of weight portions 2430 and 2530. Thus, the
physical properties and the materials of construction of the first
and second weight platform portions 2414 and/or 2514 may be
determined to optimally affect the weight, weight distribution,
center of gravity, moment of inertia characteristics, structural
integrity and/or or other static and/or dynamic characteristics of
the golf club head 2300. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0170] In one example, the face portion 2355 may be in one-piece
with the body portion 2310 or be an integral part of the body
portion 2310 (not shown). The face portion 2355 may include a
separate piece or an insert coupled to the body portion 2310. The
face portion 2355 may include a face insert 2356, which may be
attached to the front portion 2350 via any manufacturing methods
and/or processes (e.g., a bonding process, a welding process, a
brazing process, a mechanical locking method, a mechanical
fastening method, any combination thereof, or other suitable types
of manufacturing methods and/or processes). In one example shown in
FIGS. 23-25, the face insert 2356 may include two fastener holes
2358 proximate to the toe portion and heel portion of the face
insert 2356. Each of the fastener holes 2358 may be configured to
receive a fastener 2362 for attachment of the face insert 2356 to
the body portion 2310. The body portion 2310 may include two
fastener ports (not shown) configured to receive the fasteners
2362. The fasteners 2362 may be similar or substantially similar to
the weight portions of the first set of weight portions 2430 and/or
the weight portions of the second set of weight portions 2530.
Accordingly, the fasteners 2362 may function both as weights for
configuring a weight distribution of the golf club head 2300 and as
fasteners for fastening the face insert 2356 to the face portion
2355. Each fastener port may have internal threads that are
configured to engage external threads on the fasteners 2362. The
fastener ports of the body portion 2310 may be similar in many
respects to the fastener ports 1768 of the golf club head 1700
described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0171] The face portion 2355 may include a peripheral recessed
portion 3172 (shown in FIG. 31) configured to receive the face
insert 2356. As shown by example in FIG. 31, the depth of the
peripheral recessed portion 3172 may be similar to the thickness of
the face insert 2356 such that when the face insert 2356 is
fastened to the body portion 2310, the face insert 2356 is
positioned flush or substantially flush with the face portion 2355.
Alternatively, the face insert 2356 may project from the face
portion 2355. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0172] As described, the fasteners 2362 may be similar or
substantially similar to the weight portions of the first set of
weight portions 2430 and/or the weight portions of the second set
of weight portions 2530 so that the fasteners 2362 may function to
configure the weight distribution of the golf club head 2300.
Accordingly, the fasteners 2362 may have similar or different
weights to balance and/or provide heel or toe weight bias for the
golf club head 2300. For example, the weight of the body portion
2310 may be increased or decreased by similarly increasing or
decreasing, respectively, the weights of the fasteners 2362. In one
example, the golf club head 2300 may be provided with a toe-biased
weight configuration by having the fastener 2362 that is closer to
the toe portion 2330 be heavier than the fastener 2362 that is
closer to the heel portion 2340. Conversely, the golf club head
2300 may be provided with a heel-biased weight configuration by
having the fastener 2362 that is closer to the heel portion 2340 be
heavier than the fastener 2362 that is closer to the toe portion
2330. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0173] To attach the face insert 2356 to the body portion 2310, the
face insert 2356 may be inserted in the peripheral recessed portion
3172, thereby generally aligning the fastener holes 2358 of the
face insert 2356 and the fastener ports (not shown) of the body
portion 2310. The fasteners 2362 can be inserted through the
fastener holes 2358 and bolted or screwed into the fastener ports
of the body portion 2310 to securely attach the face insert 2356 to
the body portion 2310. The face insert 2356 may be constructed from
any material such as metal, metal alloys, plastic, wood, composite
materials or a combination thereof to provide a certain ball
striking characteristic to the golf club head 2300. The material
from which the face insert 2356 is manufactured may affect ball
speed and spin characteristics. Accordingly, the face insert 2356
may be selected to provide a certain ball speed and spin
characteristics for an individual. Thus, the face insert 2356 may
be interchangeable with other face inserts having different ball
speed and spin characteristics. The face insert 2356 may be coupled
to the body portion 2310 by other methods or devices, such as by
bonding, welding, adhesive and/or other types of fastening devices
and/or methods. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0174] The body portion 2310 may include an interior cavity 3182
(shown in FIG. 31) extending between the front portion 2350 and the
rear portion 2360 and between the toe portion 2330 and the heel
portion 2340. The interior cavity 3182 may be open or accessible at
the face portion 2355 and/or at the sole portion 2380. Accordingly,
the interior cavity 3182 may have a first opening 3176 at the face
portion 2355 and/or a second opening 3178 at the sole portion 2380.
The interior cavity 3182 allows the mass of the body portion 2310
to be removed at or around the center portion of the body portion
2310 so that removed mass may be redistributed to the toe portion
2330 and the heel portion 2340 using the first weight platform
portion 2414 and the second weight platform portion 2514 without
affecting or substantially affecting the overall mass of the golf
club head 2300. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0175] In one example as shown in FIGS. 28 and 31, the interior
cavity 3182 may be covered at the face portion 2355 by the face
insert 2356 and at the sole portion 2380 by a cover or sole plate
3180. In one example, the sole plate 3180 may have a mass between
7% and 17% of the mass of the golf club head 2300. In one example,
the sole plate 3180 may have a mass between 10% and 15% of the mass
of the golf club head 2300. As described herein, the interior
cavity 3182 allows the mass of the body portion 2310 to be removed
at or around the center portion of the body portion 2310. The
removed mass can be also redistributed to the sole portion 2380
using the sole plate 3180 to lower the center of gravity of the
golf club head 2300 without affecting or substantially affecting
the overall mass of the golf club head 2300. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0176] The sole plate 3180 may be attached to the sole portion 2380
with one or more fasteners. In the example of FIGS. 24 and 28-31,
the sole plate 3180 may be attached to the sole portion 2380 with
fasteners 3081, 3082, and 3083 to cover the second opening 3178 of
the interior cavity 3182 at the sole portion 2380. Each of the
fasteners 3081, 3082, and 3083 may have a threaded portion that is
configured to engage a correspondingly threaded bore 3190 (shown in
FIG. 31) in the body portion 2310. The fasteners 3081, 3082, and/or
3083 may be similar or substantially similar to the weight portions
of the first set of weight portions 2430 and/or the weight portions
of the second set of weight portions 2530. Accordingly, the
fasteners 3081, 3082, and/or 3083 may function both as weights for
configuring a weight distribution of the golf club head 2300 and as
fasteners for fastening the sole plate 3180 to the sole portion
2380. The fasteners 3081, 3082, and/or 3083 may also lower the
center of gravity of the golf club head 2300 by adding more mass to
the sole portion 2380 without affecting or substantially affecting
the overall mass of the golf club head 2300 as described herein
with respect to the sole plate 3180. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0177] The sole plate 3180 may be partially or entirely made of an
aluminum-based material (e.g., a high-strength aluminum alloy or a
composite aluminum alloy coated with a high-strength alloy), a
magnesium-based material, a stainless steel-based material, a
titanium-based material, a tungsten-based material, any combination
thereof, and/or other suitable types of materials. The physical
properties and the materials of construction of the sole plate 3180
may be determined to optimally affect the weight, weight
distribution, center of gravity, moment of inertia characteristics,
structural integrity and/or or other static and/or dynamic
characteristics of the golf club head 2300. The apparatus, methods,
and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in
this regard.
[0178] The interior cavity 3182 may extend from near the toe
portion 2330 to near the heel portion 2340 and from near the top
portion 2370 to near the sole portion 2380. Alternatively, the
interior cavity 3182 may extend between the front portion 2350 and
the rear portion 2360 and include a portion of the body portion
2310 between the toe portion 2330 and near the heel portion 2340
and between the top portion 2370 and near the sole portion 2380. In
one example, a portion of the interior cavity 3182 may be located
proximate to the regions of the face portion 2355 that generally
strike a golf ball. In one example, the interior cavity 3182 may be
only at the face portion 2355 similar to the interior cavity 1782
of the golf club head 1700 described herein. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0179] The interior cavity 3182 proximate to the face portion 2355
may be associated with a cavity height 3186 (H.sub.C), and the body
portion 2310 proximate to the face portion 2355 may be associated
with a body height 3188 (H.sub.B). While the cavity height 3186 and
the body height 3188 may vary between the toe and heel portions
2330 and 2340, the front and rear portions 2350 and 2360, and the
top and sole portions 2370 and 2380, the cavity height 3186 may be
at least 50% of the body height 3188 (H.sub.C>0.5*H.sub.B)
proximate to the face portion 2355 or an any location of the
interior cavity 3182. For example, the cavity height 3186 may vary
between 70% and 85% of the body height 3188. With the cavity height
3186 of the interior cavity 3182 being greater than 50% of the body
height 3188, the golf club head 2300 may produce relatively more
consistent feel, sound, and/or result when the golf club head 2300
strikes a golf ball via the face portion 2355 than a golf club head
with a cavity height of less than 50% of the body height. However,
the cavity height 3186 may be less than 50% of the body height
3188. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0180] In one example, the interior cavity 3182 may be unfilled
(i.e., empty space). Alternatively, the interior cavity 3182 may be
partially or entirely filled with a filler material (not shown) to
absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the face
portion 2355 strikes a golf ball. The filler material may be an
elastic polymer or elastomer material (e.g., a viscoelastic
urethane polymer material such as Sorbothane.RTM. material
manufactured by Sorbothane, Inc., Kent, Ohio), a thermoplastic
elastomer material (TPE), a thermoplastic polyurethane material
(TPU), and/or other suitable types of materials to absorb shock,
isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise. For example, at least 50%
of the interior cavity 3182 may be filled with a TPE material to
absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the golf
club head 2300 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 2355. In
one example, the mass of the filler material (e.g., TPE, TPU, etc.)
may be between 3% and 13% of the mass of the golf club head 2300.
In one example, the mass of the filler material may be between 6%
and 10% of the mass of the golf club head 2300. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0181] In another example, the filler material may be a polymer
material such as an ethylene copolymer material to absorb shock,
isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the golf club head 2300
strikes a golf ball via the face portion 2355. In particular, at
least 50% of the interior cavity 3182 may be filled with a high
density ethylene copolymer ionomer, a fatty acid modified ethylene
copolymer ionomer, a highly amorphous ethylene copolymer ionomer,
an ionomer of ethylene acid acrylate terpolymer, an ethylene
copolymer comprising a magnesium ionomer, an injection moldable
ethylene copolymer that may be used in conventional injection
molding equipment to create various shapes, an ethylene copolymer
that can be used in conventional extrusion equipment to create
various shapes, and/or an ethylene copolymer having high
compression and low resilience similar to thermoset polybutadiene
rubbers. For example, the ethylene copolymer may include any of the
ethylene copolymers associated with DuPont.TM. High-Performance
Resin (HPF) family of materials (e.g., DuPont.TM. HPF AD1172,
DuPont.TM. HPF AD1035, DuPont.RTM. HPF 1000 and DuPont.TM. HPF
2000), which are manufactured by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and
Company of Wilmington, Del. The DuPont.TM. HPF family of ethylene
copolymers are injection moldable and may be used with conventional
injection molding equipment and molds, provide low compression, and
provide high resilience. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0182] The interior cavity 3182 may be partially or fully filled
with the filler material. In one example, the interior cavity 3182
may be filled with the filler material from the first opening 3176
and/or the second opening 3178 prior to attaching the face insert
2356 and/or the sole plate 3180, respectively, to the body portion
2310. In one example, the interior cavity 3182 may be filled with
the filler material after the face insert 2356 and the sole plate
3180 are attached to the body portion 2310 by injecting the filler
material into the interior cavity 3182 through one or more ports
(not shown) on the sole plate 3180. The filler material may be
injected into the interior cavity 3182 from one or more ports on
the sole plate 3180 while the air inside the interior cavity 3182
that is displaced by the filler material may exit the interior
cavity 3182 from one or more other ports on the sole plate 3180.
The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0183] For example, at least 50% of the interior cavity 3182 may be
filled with the filler material to absorb shock, isolate vibration,
dampen noise, and/or provide structural support when the golf club
head 2300 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 2355. With the
filler material, the face portion 2355 may be relatively thin
without degrading the structural integrity, sound, and/or feel of
the golf club head 2300. In one example, the face portion 2355 may
have a thickness of less than or equal to 0.075 inch (1.905
millimeters). In another example, the face portion 2355 may have a
thickness of less than or equal to 0.060 inch (1.524 millimeters).
In yet another example, the face portion 2355 may have a thickness
of less than or equal to 0.050 inch (1.270 millimeters). Further,
the face portion 2355 may have a thickness of less than or equal to
0.030 inch (0.762 millimeters). The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0184] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, a face portion 3200 of a golf
club head may include a strike portion 3210, a toe portion 3230
having a toe edge 3231, a heel portion 3240 having a heel edge
3241, a top portion 3270 having a top edge 3271, a sole portion
3280 having a sole edge 3281, and a central strike portion 3285.
The toe edge 3231, the heel edge 3241, the top edge 3271, and the
sole edge 3281 may define a periphery or perimeter 3290 of the face
portion 3200. The central strike portion 3285 may be located inside
the perimeter 3290 and may include a geometric center 3286 of the
face portion 3200. The face portion 3200 may be used with any golf
club head including any of the golf club heads described herein. In
one example, the face portion 3200 may be co-manufactured with a
body portion (e.g., one shown as 2310) of a golf club head (e.g.,
one shown as 2300) to be an integral part of the body portion of
the golf club head (e.g., milling and/or other techniques such as
grinding, etching, laser milling, etc. to the body portion). In
another example, the face portion 3200 may be a separate piece from
a body portion of a golf club and attached to the body portion by
welding, soldering, adhesive bonding, press fitting, and/or other
suitable attachment methods. In yet another example, the face
portion 3200 may be a separate piece from a body portion of a golf
club head and attached to the body portion by one or more fasteners
such as bolts and/or screws. The apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0185] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, the strike portion 3210 may
include a plurality of projections 3330 (e.g., two projections
generally shown in FIGS. 32-36 as 3331 and 3332). In the example of
FIGS. 32-39, the entire strike portion 3210 of the face portion
3200 may include the plurality of projections 3330. In another
example, the strike portion 3210 of the face portion 3200 may
partially include the plurality of projections 3330. In one
example, the face portion 3200 may be a separate piece and the
strike portion 3210 may be located opposite a back portion 3220
(FIG. 34) of the face portion 3200. The back portion 3220 may be
coupled to and/or in contact with a filler material that may at
least partially structurally support the face portion 3200, dampen
noise, and/or reduce vibration when the face portion 3200 strikes a
golf ball as described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0186] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, each one of the plurality of
projections 3330 may be separated from and linearly aligned with an
adjacent projection by one of a plurality of grooves 3340 (e.g.,
one groove generally shown in FIGS. 34-36 as 3341). The plurality
of grooves 3340 may be arranged on the strike portion 3210 of the
face portion 3200 in a grid pattern with each grid cell
corresponding to one of the plurality of projections 3330 (e.g.,
one projection shown in FIG. 38 as 3331). In other words, the
plurality of projections 3330 may be configured on the strike
portion 3210 of the face portion 3200 in an array defined by the
plurality of grooves 3340. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0187] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, the plurality of grooves 3340
may include a first plurality of grooves 3740 (FIG. 37) and a
second plurality of grooves 3750 (FIG. 37). The first plurality of
grooves 3740 may include two or more grooves (e.g., generally shown
in FIG. 37 as grooves 3342 and 3343) extending across the strike
portion 3210 in a first direction (e.g., as indicated in FIG. 37 by
direction arrows 3710 and 3715 associated with grooves 3342 and
3343, respectively). The second plurality of grooves 3750 may
include two or more grooves (e.g., generally shown in FIG. 37 as
grooves 3344 and 3345) extending across the strike portion 3210 in
a second direction (e.g., as indicated in FIG. 37 by direction
arrows 3720 and 3725 associated with grooves 3344 and 3345,
respectively). The second direction may be different from the first
direction. In one example, the second direction may be transverse
to the first direction. Each one of the first plurality of grooves
3740 (e.g., groove 3342) may be linear and may be parallel or
substantially parallel with each other one of the first plurality
of grooves 3740 (e.g., groove 3343). Similarly, each one of the
second plurality of grooves 3750 (e.g., groove 3344) may be linear
and may be parallel or substantially parallel with each other one
of the second plurality of grooves 3750 (e.g., groove 3345). In
another example (not shown), each one of the first plurality of
grooves 3740 (e.g., groove 3342) may be non-linear (e.g., s-shaped,
arcuate, serpentine shape, etc.) and/or non-parallel with each
other one of the first plurality of grooves 3740. Similarly, each
one of the second plurality of grooves 3750 (e.g., groove 3344) may
be non-linear (e.g., s-shaped, arcuate, serpentine shape, etc.)
and/or non-parallel with each other one of the second plurality of
grooves 3750 (e.g., groove 3345). The first plurality of grooves
3740 may intersect with the second plurality of grooves 3750. In
one example, one or more grooves of the first plurality of grooves
3740 and one or more grooves of the second plurality of grooves
3750 may intersect a horizontal centerline axis 3288 (FIG. 32) of
the face portion 3200 at a 45 degree angle. In another example, one
or more grooves of the first plurality of grooves 3740 and one or
more grooves of the second plurality of grooves 3750 may intersect
the horizontal centerline axis 3288 at a 60 degree angle. In yet
another example, one or more grooves of the first plurality of
grooves 3740 and one or more grooves of the second plurality of
grooves 3750 may intersect the horizontal centerline axis 3288 at a
30 degree angle. In yet another example, one or more grooves of the
first plurality of grooves 3740 and one or more grooves of the
second plurality of grooves 3750 may intersect the horizontal
centerline axis 3288 at any angle. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0188] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, and generally indicated in
FIG. 37 by direction arrows 3710 and 3715, the first direction may
include a first diagonal direction extending upwardly from
left-to-right across the strike portion 3210. Accordingly, the
first plurality of grooves 3740 may include grooves of the
plurality of grooves 3340 extending in the first direction between
the toe edge 3231 and the top edge 3271, between the sole edge 3281
and the top edge 3271, and between the sole edge 3281 and the heel
edge 3241. The second direction, as generally indicated in FIG. 37
by direction arrows 3720 and 3725, may include a second diagonal
direction extending upwardly from right-to-left across the strike
portion 3210 of the face portion 3200. Accordingly, the second
plurality of grooves 3750 may include grooves of the plurality of
grooves 3340 extending in the second direction between the heel
edge 3241 and the top edge 3271, between the sole edge 3281 and the
top edge 3271, and between the sole edge 3281 and the toe edge
3231. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0189] In one example, as shown in FIG. 35, a groove, generally
shown as groove 3341, may have a truncated V-shaped cross section,
or said differently, an inverted trapezoidal cross section. The
groove 3341 may have a depth 3441 and a variable width that
transitions from a lowermost width 3442 to an uppermost width 3443.
In one example, the width of the groove 3341 linearly transitions
from the lowermost width 3442 to the uppermost width 3443. The
depth 3441 may be greater than or equal to approximately 0.010 inch
(0.254 millimeters) and less than or equal to approximately 0.020
inch (0.508 millimeters). The lowermost width 3442, as measured
between base portions (e.g., a base portion 3410 of projection 3331
is shown in FIG. 38) of adjacent projections (e.g., projections
3331 and 3332) of the plurality of projections 3330, may be greater
than or equal to approximately 0.010 inch (0.254 millimeters) and
less than or equal to approximately 0.012 inch (0.305 millimeters).
The uppermost width 3443, as measured between peak portions (e.g.,
a peak portion 3420 of projection 3331 is shown in FIG. 38) of
adjacent projections (e.g., projections 3331 and 3332), may be
greater than or equal to approximately 0.021 inch (0.533
millimeters) and less than or equal to approximately 0.036 inch
(0.914 millimeters).
[0190] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, each groove of the plurality
of grooves 3340 may have a cross section similar to groove 3341. As
described herein, the plurality of projections 3330 may be defined
by the arrangement of the plurality of grooves 3340. In one
example, the resulting geometric shape of each one of the plurality
of projections 3330 may be a pyramidal frustum. The distance
between adjacent projections of the plurality of projections 3330
may be defined by the width of a groove of the plurality of grooves
3340 extending therebetween. For example, the distance between
adjacent projections 3331 and 3332 of the plurality of projections
3330 may be defined by the width of groove 3341 of the plurality of
grooves 3340. In one example, each groove of the plurality of
grooves 3340 may have the same or substantially the same width,
whether the width be constant or variable. Accordingly, distances
between adjacent projections of the plurality of projections 3330
may be similar or substantially similar. In another example (not
shown), some or all of the grooves of the plurality of grooves 3340
may have different widths. Accordingly, the distance between
adjacent projections of the plurality of projections 3330 may also
be different. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0191] While not shown, the face portion 3200 may be configured
such that one or more of the plurality of projections 3330 have
other geometric shapes. For example, one or more of the plurality
of projections 3330 may be a cube or cuboid. Accordingly, the
corresponding grooves of the plurality of grooves 3340 may be an
intersecting array of grooves that define one or more cubic or
cuboidal grid cells. In another example, one or more of the
plurality of projections 3330 may be a triangular pyramidal
frustum. Accordingly, the corresponding grooves of the plurality of
grooves 3340 may be an intersecting array of grooves that define
one or more triangular grid cells. In yet another example, one or
more of the plurality of projections 3330 may be a pentagonal
pyramidal frustum. Accordingly, the corresponding grooves of the
plurality of grooves 3340 may be an intersecting array of grooves
that define one or more pentagonal grid cells. In yet another
example, one or more of the plurality of projections 3330 may be a
hexagonal pyramidal frustum. Accordingly, the corresponding grooves
of the plurality of grooves 3340 may be an intersecting array of
grooves that define one or more hexagonal grid cells. In yet
another example, one or more of the plurality of projections 3330
may be any regular or irregular polygonal pyramidal frustum. In yet
another example, one or more of the plurality of projections 3330
may be a conical frustum (e.g., having circular or elliptical base
portion). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0192] In one example, as shown in FIG. 38, a projection, generally
shown as projection 3331, may be a square or rectangular pyramidal
frustum having a base portion 3410 proximal to the face portion
3200, a peak portion 3420 distal to the face portion 3200, and a
height 3430. The base portion 3410 may include edges 3411, 3412,
3413, and 3414, and the peak portion 3420 may include edges 3421,
3422, 3423, and 3424. The length of edge 3411 or edge 3413 of the
base portion 3410 may correspond to a distance (e.g., distance 3444
in FIG. 37) separating two successive grooves of one of the first
plurality of grooves 3740 and the second plurality of grooves 3750.
The length of edge 3412 or edge 3414 of the base portion 3410 may
correspond to the distance separating two successive grooves of the
other one of the first plurality of grooves 3740 and the second
plurality of grooves 3750. The base portion 3410 may be connected
to the peak portion 3420 via at least one side wall generally shown
as side walls 3425, 3426, 3427, and 3428. The peak portion 3420 may
be flat or textured and may have a smaller area than the base
portion 3410. Accordingly, the projection 3331 may taper in a
direction from the base portion 3410 to the peak portion 3420. For
example, each of the side walls 3425, 3426, 3427, and 3428 may be
trapezoidal and may extend inwardly from the base portion 3410 to
the peak portion 3420. Said differently, the area of the projection
3331 may gradually diminish when transitioning from the base
portion 3410 to the peak portion 3420. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0193] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, each projection of the
plurality of projections 3330 may be oriented on the face portion
3200 such that the diagonals of the corresponding base portion 3410
and peak portion 3420 generally point in horizontal and vertical
directions along the face portion 3200 when directly viewing the
strike portion 3210. Accordingly, the projections of the plurality
of projections 3330 may be linearly aligned in one or more diagonal
directions across the strike portion 3210 of the face portion 3200.
Linearly aligned projections of the plurality of projections 3330
may extend diagonally from the toe portion 3230 to the top portion
3270, from the toe portion 3230 to the sole portion 3280, from the
top portion 3270 to the sole portion 3280, from the heel portion
3240 to the top portion 3270, from the heel portion 3240 to the
sole portion 3280, or a combination thereof. As described herein,
the grooves of the plurality of grooves 3340 may also extend
diagonally from the toe portion 3230 to the top portion 3270, from
the toe portion 3230 to the sole portion 3280, from the top portion
3270 to the sole portion 3280, from the heel portion 3240 to the
top portion 3270, from the heel portion 3240 to the sole portion
3280, or a combination thereof. Additionally, or alternatively, the
projections of the plurality of projections 3330 and the grooves of
the plurality of grooves 3340 may be vertically and/or horizontally
configured on the strike portion 3210 of the face portion 3200. For
example, at least a portion of the projections of the plurality of
projections 3330 may be substantially aligned in one or more
horizontal and/or vertical directions across the strike portion
3210 of the face portion 3200. In another example, the projections
of the plurality of projections 3330 and the grooves of the
plurality of grooves 3340 may have curved configurations on the
strike portion 3210 of the face portion 3200. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0194] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, the sizes (e.g., volumes) of
the plurality of projections 3330 may change in any direction
moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the perimeter 3290
of the face portion 3200. In one example, the areas of the peak
portions 3420 of the plurality of projections 3330 may successively
increase in any direction moving from the central portion 3285 to
the perimeter 3290 of the face portion 3200. Additionally, or
alternatively, the areas of the base portions 3410 of the plurality
of projections 3330 may successively increase in any direction
moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the perimeter 3290.
Accordingly, a smallest one of the plurality of projections 3330
(e.g., projection 3331) may be located at the central strike
portion 3285, and more particularly, at or proximate the geometric
center 3286 of the face portion 3200, whereas a largest one of the
plurality of projections 3330 may be located farthest from the
central strike portion 3285, typically at or proximate the toe edge
3231 and/or the heel edge 3241. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0195] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, at least two projections of
the plurality of projections 3330 may have similar sizes if they
are located on a line passing through the geometric center 3286 and
are equidistant to the geometric center 3286. For purposes of
illustration, FIG. 32 shows a vertical centerline axis 3287
extending between the top edge 3271 and the sole edge 3281 and
passing through the geometric center 3286. FIG. 32 also shows the
horizontal centerline axis 3288 extending between the toe edge 3231
and the heel edge 3241 and passing through the geometric center
3286. At least two projections of the plurality of projections 3330
may have similar sizes due to being located on the vertical
centerline axis 3287 and equidistant to the geometric center 3286.
For example, the two projections of the plurality of projections
3330 may include a first projection 3333 on the vertical centerline
axis 3287 at or proximate the top edge 3271 and a second projection
3334 on the vertical centerline axis 3287 at or proximate the sole
edge 3281, the first and second projections 3333 and 3334 being
equidistant to the geometric center 3286. Likewise, at least two
projections of the plurality of projections 3330 may have similar
sizes if they are located on the horizontal centerline axis 3288
and are equidistant to the geometric center 3286. For example, the
two projections of the plurality of projections 3330 may include a
first projection 3335 on the horizontal centerline axis 3288 at or
proximate the toe edge 3231 and a second projection 3336 on the
horizontal centerline axis 3288 at or proximate the heel edge 3241,
the first and second projections 3335 and 3336 being equidistant to
the geometric center 3286. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0196] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, each one of the plurality of
projections 3330 may be a square or rectangular pyramidal frustum
of similar height 3430. The total areas of the base portions 3410
and peak portions 3420 of the plurality of projections 3330 may be
approximately 2.15 square inches (1387.09 square millimeters) and
1.04 square inches (670.97 square millimeters), respectively.
Accordingly, the total areas of the peak portions 3420 may be less
than half the total areas of the base portions 3410. Alternatively,
the total areas of the peak portions 3420 may be equal to or
greater than half the total areas of the base portions 3410. As
described herein, the smallest one of the plurality of projections
3330 (e.g., projection 3331) may be located at the central strike
portion 3285 and may be located at or proximate the geometric
center 3286 of the face portion 3200. In one example, an area ratio
between the base portion 3410 and the peak portion 3420 of the
smallest one of the plurality of projections 3330 may be
approximately 4.16 or more generally ranging from 4.0 to 5.0.
However, area ratios outside the foregoing range are also possible.
The largest one of the plurality of projections 3330 on the
vertical centerline axis 3287 of the face portion 3200 may be
located at or proximate the top edge 3271 and/or the sole edge
3281. For example, the largest one of the plurality of projections
3330 on the vertical centerline axis 3287 may correspond to two
projections (e.g., projections 3333 and 3334) equidistant to the
geometric center 3286 of the face portion 3200 and oppositely
located at or proximate the top edge 3271 and the sole edge 3281,
respectively. In one example, the area ratio between the base
portion 3410 and the peak portion 3420 belonging to the largest one
of the plurality of projections 3330 on the vertical centerline
axis 3287 may be approximately 2.68 or more generally ranging from
2.0 to 3.0. However, area ratios outside the foregoing range are
also possible. The largest one of the plurality of projections 3330
on the horizontal centerline axis 3288 of the face portion 3200 may
be located at or proximate the toe edge 3231 and/or the heel edge
3241. For example, the largest one of the plurality of projections
3330 located on the horizontal centerline axis 3288 may correspond
to two projections (e.g., projections 3335 and 3336) equidistant to
the geometric center 3286 of the face portion 3200 and oppositely
located at or proximate the toe edge 3231 and the heel edge 3241,
respectively. In one example, the area ratio between the base
portion 3410 and the peak portion 3420 belonging to the largest one
of the plurality of projections 3330 on the horizontal centerline
axis 3288 may be approximately 1.61 or more generally ranging from
1.0 to 2.0. However, area ratios outside the foregoing range are
also possible. Accordingly, the area ratio between the base portion
3410 and the peak portion 3420 of a projection of the plurality of
projections 3330 may be inversely related to the size of the
projection. In other words, the larger a projection is, the smaller
is the area ratio between the base portion 3410 and the peak
portion 3420 of the projection. Said differently still, in examples
where the base portions 3410 and the peak portions 3420 of the
plurality of projections 3330 successively increase in any
direction moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the
perimeter 3290 of the face portion 3200, the corresponding area
ratios between the base portions 3410 and the peak portions 3420 of
the plurality of projections 3330 may successively decrease in any
direction moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the
perimeter 3290. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0197] In the example shown in FIGS. 32-39, at least one of the
plurality of projections 3330 may be a different size compared to
at least one other projection of the plurality of projections 3330
positioned adjacently leftward, rightward, above, below, or at a
diagonal with respect thereto. The difference in sizing between two
adjacent projections of the plurality of projections 3330 (e.g.,
projections 3331 and 3332) may result from differences between the
areas of their base portions 3410 and/or peak portions 3420.
Additionally, or alternatively, the difference in sizing between
two adjacent projections of the plurality of projections 3330 may
result from differences in height 3430. A change in size between
two or more projections of the plurality of projections 3330
successively aligned in a substantially horizontal, vertical, or
diagonal direction across the face portion 3200 may be based on a
relative proximity between each of the two or more projections of
the plurality of projections 3330 and the central strike portion
3285. In one example, the two or more successively aligned
projections of the plurality of projections 3330 may successively
increase in size in the substantially horizontal, vertical, or
diagonal direction moving from the central strike portion 3285 to
the perimeter 3290. In one example, Accordingly, the largest one of
the plurality of projections 3330 may be located farthest from the
central strike portion 3285, generally at or about the perimeter
3290 of the face portion 3200, and more particularly, at or
proximate the toe edge 3231 or the heel edge 3241 of the face
portion 3200. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0198] In one example, two or more of the plurality of projections
3330 may be similar or substantially similar in height such that
the peak portions 3420 associated therewith may each provide a ball
striking surface. In another example, the plurality of projections
3330 may increase in height 3430 in one or more directions moving
from the central strike portion 3285 to the perimeter 3290 of the
face portion 3200. In yet another example, the plurality of
projections 3330 may decrease in height in one or more directions
moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the perimeter 3290.
In yet another example, the plurality of projections 3330 may
increase, decrease, or otherwise vary in height in one or more
directions on the face portion 3200. Accordingly, the depths 3441
of the plurality of grooves 3340 may vary based on the heights 3430
of the plurality of projections 3330, or vice versa. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0199] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, a rate of change of the areas
of the peak portions 3420 and/or base portions 3410 of the
plurality of projections 3330 may be similar in a direction moving
from the central strike portion 3285 to the toe edge 3231 and in a
direction moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the heel
edge 3241. In another example, the rate of change of the areas of
the peak portions 3420 and/or base portions 3410 of the plurality
of projections 3330 may be similar in a direction moving from the
central strike portion 3285 to the top edge 3271 and in a direction
moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the sole edge 3281.
In yet another example, the rate of change of the areas of the peak
portions 3420 and/or base portions 3410 of the plurality
projections 3330 may be similar in a direction moving from the
central strike portion 3285 to the toe edge 3231, in a direction
moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the heel edge 3241,
in a direction moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the
top edge 3271, and in a direction moving from the central strike
portion 3285 to the sole edge 3281. In yet another example, the
rate of change of the areas of the peak portions 3420 and/or base
portions 3410 of the plurality of projections 3330 may be similar
and/or vary in any direction (e.g., horizontal, vertical, diagonal,
etc.) moving from the central strike portion 3285 to any location
on the perimeter 3290. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0200] In one example, the change in areas of the peak portions
3420 and/or base portions 3410 of the plurality of projections 3330
in one or more directions moving from the central strike portion
3285 to the perimeter 3290 of the face portion 3200 may be a
function of a distance between the location of the plurality of
projections 3330 on the face portion 3200 and the central strike
portion 3285. Accordingly, the areas of the peak portions 3420
and/or base portions 3410 of the plurality of projections 3330 may
successively increase moving from the central strike portion 3285
to the perimeter 3290 according to a function based on the distance
of the projections 3330 from the central strike portion 3285. In
one example, the change in areas of the peak portions 3420 and/or
base portions 3410 of the plurality of projections 3330 in one or
more directions moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the
perimeter 3290 of the face portion 3200 may be a linear function of
a distance between the location of the plurality of projections
3330 on the face portion 3200 and the central strike portion 3285.
In another example, the change in areas of the peak portions 3420
and/or base portions 3410 of the plurality of projections 3330 in
one or more directions moving from the central strike portion 3285
to the perimeter 3290 of the face portion 3200 may be a polynomial
function (e.g., a quadratic function or cubic function) of a
distance between the location of the plurality of projections 3330
on the face portion 3200 and the central strike portion 3285. The
areas of the peak portions 3420 and/or base portions 3410 may vary
from the central strike portion 3285 to the toe portion 3230, the
heel portion 3240, the top portion 3270, and/or the sole portion
3280 according to any relationship based on any physical property
of the face portion 3200 and/or any physical property of a portion
of the face portion 3200 (e.g., a location on the face portion
3200) relative to the central strike portion 3285. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0201] In the example of FIGS. 32-39, the change in areas of the
peak portions 3420 and/or base portions 3410 of the plurality of
projections 3330 in one or more directions moving from the central
strike portion 3285 to the perimeter 3290 may be defined by the
change in a distance 3444 (FIG. 37) between successive grooves of
the first plurality of grooves 3740 extending in the first
direction and between successive grooves of the second plurality of
grooves 3750 extending in the second direction. In one example, the
distance 3444 between successive grooves of the first and second
plurality of grooves 3740 and 3750 may successively increase in any
direction moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the
perimeter 3290 of the face portion 3200. In other words, the
distance 3444 between successive grooves of the first and second
plurality of grooves 3740 and 3750 may successively increase moving
from the central strike portion 3285 to the toe edge 3231, from the
central strike portion 3285 to the heel edge 3241, moving from the
central strike portion 3285 to the top edge 3271, and moving from
the central strike portion 3285 to the sole edge 3281. In one
example, the distance 3444 between successive grooves of the first
and second plurality of grooves 3740 and 3750 may increase linearly
from the central strike portion 3285 to the perimeter 3290 of the
face portion 3200. The distance 3444 between successive grooves of
the first and second plurality of grooves 3740 and 3750 may be a
linear function of a distance between the location of the first and
second plurality of grooves 3740 and 3750 on the face portion 3200
and the central strike portion 3285. In another example, the
distance 3444 between successive grooves of the first and second
plurality of grooves 3740 and 3750 may be a polynomial function
(e.g., a quadratic function or cubic function) of a distance
between the location of the first and second plurality of grooves
3740 and 3750 on the face portion 3200 and the central strike
portion 3285. In another example, the distance 3444 between
successive grooves of the first and second plurality of grooves
3740 and 3750 may successively increase in one or more directions
moving from the central strike portion 3285 toward the perimeter
3290 of the face portion 3200. In other words, the distance 3444
between successive grooves of the first and second plurality of
grooves 3740 and 3750 may successively increase in one or more of
the following directions: from the central strike portion 3285 to
the toe edge 3231, from the central strike portion 3285 to the heel
edge 3241, from the central strike portion 3285 to the top edge
3271, and from the central strike portion 3285 to the sole edge
3281. In yet another example, the distance 3444 between successive
grooves of the first and second plurality of grooves 3740 and 3750
may successively increase at a similar or different rate in one or
more directions moving from the central strike portion 3285 toward
the perimeter 3290 of the face portion 3200. Accordingly, the
change in the distance 3444 between successive grooves of the first
and second plurality of grooves 3740 and 3750 located at or
proximate to the toe portion 3230, at or proximate to the heel
portion 3240, at or proximate to the top portion 3270, and/or at or
proximate to the sole portion 3280 may be similar or may vary. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0202] In the example of FIG. 39, the center longitudinal axes of
the first plurality of grooves 3740 are represented by broken
lines, whereas the center longitudinal axes of the second plurality
of grooves 3750 are represented by solid lines. As described
herein, the first plurality of grooves 3740 and the second
plurality of grooves 3750 may have the same width and/or depth.
Additionally, the first plurality of grooves 3740 may be parallelly
or substantially parallelly arranged with each other and may extend
diagonally across the face portion 3200. The second plurality of
grooves 3750 may be parallelly arranged with each other and may
extend diagonally across the face portion 3200 in a transverse
direction to the first plurality of grooves 3740. In other words,
the first plurality of grooves 3740 and the second plurality of
grooves 3750 may crisscross. The grooves of the first and second
plurality of grooves 3740 and 3750 may each extend at a 45 degree
angle or approximately 45 degree angle relative to both the
vertical centerline axis 3287 and the horizontal centerline axis
3288. The vertical centerline axis 3287 may bisect the face portion
3200 into a toe-ward zone 3802 and a heel-ward zone 3804, while the
horizontal centerline axis 3288 may bisect the face portion 3200
into a top-ward zone 3806 and a sole-ward zone 3808. The vertical
centerline axis 3287 may intersect the horizontal centerline axis
3288 at intersection point 3289, which may coincide with the
geometric center 3286 of the face portion 3200. The intersection
point 3289 may not coincide with the geometric center of the face
portion 3200. As defined herein, the toe-ward zone 3802 may
encompass some or all of the area of the face portion 3200 between
the vertical centerline axis 3287 and the toe edge 3231, the
heel-ward zone 3804 may encompass some or all of the area of the
face portion 3200 between the vertical centerline axis 3287 and the
heel edge 3241, the top-ward zone 3806 may encompass some or all of
the area of the face portion 3200 between the horizontal centerline
axis 3288 and the top edge 3271, and the sole-ward zone 3808 may
encompass some or all of the area of the face portion 3200 between
the horizontal centerline axis 3288 and the sole edge 3281.
Accordingly, the toe-ward, heel-ward, top-ward, and sole-ward zones
3802, 3804, 3806, and 3808 may collectively define part of the face
portion 3200 or an entirety thereof. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0203] The first plurality of grooves 3740 may include two
successive grooves 3810 and 3820 located equidistant from
intersection point 3289. Groove 3810 may intersect the vertical
centerline axis 3287 in the top-ward zone 3806 and may intersect
the horizontal centerline axis 3288 in the toe-ward zone 3802. In
contrast, groove 3820 may intersect the vertical centerline axis
3287 in the sole-ward zone 3808 and may intersect the horizontal
centerline axis 3288 in the heel-ward zone 3804. The second
plurality of grooves 3750 may also include two successive grooves
3910 and 3920 located equidistant from intersection point 3289.
Groove 3910 may intersect the vertical centerline axis 3287 in the
sole-ward zone 3808 and may intersect the horizontal centerline
axis 3288 in the toe-ward zone 3802. In contrast, groove 3920 may
intersect the vertical centerline axis 3287 in the top-ward zone
3806 and may intersect the horizontal centerline axis 3288 in the
heel-ward zone 3804. In such an arrangement, successive grooves
3810 and 3820 of the first plurality of grooves 3740 may intersect
successive grooves 3910 and 3920 of the second plurality of grooves
3750 to define a projection (e.g., projection 3331) centered at the
intersection point 3289. The size of projection 3331 may be based
on a spacing D.sub.0 (e.g., represented by bidirectional arrow
3830) between successive grooves 3810 and 3820 and a spacing
d.sub.0 (e.g., represented by bidirectional arrow 3930) between
successive grooves 3910 and 3920. The spacing D.sub.0 between
successive grooves 3810 and 3820 may be equal or substantially
equal to the spacing d.sub.0 between successive grooves 3910 and
3920. Alternatively, the spacing D.sub.0 between successive grooves
3810 and 3820 may be greater than or less than the spacing d.sub.0
between successive grooves 3910 and 3920. Accordingly, the
individual sizes of the plurality of projections 3330 may be
determined based on the spacings of the first plurality of grooves
3740 and the spacings of the second plurality of grooves 3750. In
one example, each of the plurality of projections 3330 may
correspond to a raised structure enclosed by two successive grooves
of the first plurality of grooves 3740 and two successive grooves
of the second plurality of grooves 3750 intersecting therewith. As
used herein, the term "spacing" may correspond to a distance
between the center longitudinal axes of two successive grooves of
the first plurality of grooves 3740 or the second plurality of
grooves 3750. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0204] In the example of FIG. 39, the first plurality of grooves
3740 may include a first toe-ward succession of grooves and a first
heel-ward succession of grooves. The first toe-ward succession of
grooves may include groove 3810 and a number of grooves (e.g.,
shown as grooves 3811, 3812, and 3813) spaced between groove 3810
and the toe edge 3231 of the face portion 3200. The first heel-ward
succession of grooves may include groove 3820 and a number of
grooves (e.g., shown as grooves 3821, 3822, and 3823) spaced
between groove 3820 and the heel edge 3241 of the face portion
3200. Accordingly, the first toe-ward succession of grooves may
include a number of the first plurality of grooves 3740
intersecting the horizontal centerline axis 3288 in the toe-ward
zone 3802 whereas the first heel-ward succession of grooves may
include a number of the first plurality of grooves 3740
intersecting the horizontal centerline axis 3288 in the heel-ward
zone 3804. The spacings of the first toe-ward succession of grooves
and the first heel-ward succession of grooves of the first
plurality of grooves 3740 may be provided by the following linear
equation:
D.sub.n=A+nB (1) [0205] Where: [0206] D.sub.n is the spacing
between successive grooves n and n-1 of the first toe-ward
succession of grooves and the first heel-ward succession of
grooves; [0207] A and B are predetermined values; and [0208] n is
an integer starting at 1 and designating a groove based on the
groove's order relative to groove 3810 if the groove is in the
first toe-ward succession of grooves, or relative groove 3820 if
the groove is in the first heel-ward succession of grooves. With
respect to equation 1, the values of A and B may be selected based
on a desired spacing between successive grooves of the first
toe-ward succession of grooves and between successive grooves of
the first heel-ward succession of grooves. Generally, smaller
values of A and B will result in successive grooves being spaced
closer together whereas larger values of A and B will result in
successive grooves being spaced farther apart. The spacing D.sub.0
between successive grooves 3810 and 3820 may be predetermined
independently of equation 1. In the example of FIG. 39, A may be
0.042 inch (0.10668 centimeter) or approximately 0.042 inch and B
may be 0.0025 inch or approximately 0.0025 inch (0.00635
centimeter). D.sub.0 may be equal to or substantially equal to A.
Alternatively, D.sub.0 may be greater than or less than A.
Accordingly, once D.sub.0 has been selected, equation 1 may be
iterated n number of times to determine the spacings for grooves
n=1 and onward. In the present example, n=1 designates grooves 3811
and 3821 by virtue of grooves 3811 and 3821 being the first grooves
moving away from grooves 3810 and 3820 toward the toe edge 3231 and
the heel edge 3241, respectively. In like manner, n=2 designates
grooves 3812 and 3822, n=3 designates grooves 3813 and 3823, and so
on for however many grooves are in the first toe-ward succession of
grooves and the first heel-ward succession of grooves. Computing
equation 1 for each value of n results in a spacing D.sub.1 (e.g.,
represented by bidirectional arrow 3831) between successive grooves
3810 and 3811 and between successive grooves 3820 and 3821 of
0.0445 inch (0.11303 centimeter) or approximately 0.0445 inch, a
spacing D.sub.2 (e.g., represented by bidirectional arrow 3832)
between successive grooves 3811 and 3812 and between successive
grooves 3821 and 3822 of 0.047 inch (0.11938 centimeter) or
approximately 0.047 inch, and a spacing D.sub.3 (e.g., represented
by bidirectional arrow 3833) between successive grooves 3812 and
3813 and between successive grooves 3822 and 3823 of 0.0495 inch
(0.12573 centimeter) or approximately 0.0495 inch. Accordingly, the
first toe-ward succession of grooves may be spaced apart at
different distances and the first heel-ward succession of grooves
may also be spaced apart at different distances. More specifically,
the first toe-ward succession of grooves may be increasingly spaced
apart moving from groove 3810 toward the toe edge 3231 and the
first heel-ward succession of grooves may be increasingly spaced
apart moving from groove 3820 toward the heel edge 3241. As a
result, the first toe-ward succession of grooves may be spaced
closer together toward groove 3810 and spaced farther apart toward
the toe edge 3231, and the first heel-ward succession of grooves
may be spaced closer together toward groove 3820 and spaced farther
apart toward the heel edge 3241. In the example of FIG. 39, the
first toe-ward succession of grooves are increasingly spaced apart
at a same rate or approximately the same rate as the first
heel-ward succession of grooves. Specifically, the first toe-ward
succession of grooves and the first heel-ward succession of grooves
are increasingly spaced apart by a fixed value corresponding to the
value of B (e.g., 0.0025 inch (0.00635 centimeter)) of equation 1,
that is, D.sub.0+B=D.sub.1, D.sub.1+B=D.sub.2, D.sub.2+B=D.sub.3,
D.sub.3+B=D.sub.4, and so on (i.e., D.sub.n+B=D.sub.n+1) with
D.sub.0 being equal to or substantially equal to A for the example
of FIG. 39. In alternative examples, equation 1 may be used to
first determine only the spacings of the first toe-ward succession
of grooves and may be used again (e.g., with different values of A
and/or B) to determine only the spacings of the first heel-ward
succession of grooves. Doing so results in the first toe-ward
succession of grooves becoming increasingly spaced apart at a
different rate than the first heel-ward succession of grooves. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0209] In the example of FIG. 39, the second plurality of grooves
3750 may include a second toe-ward succession of grooves and a
second heel-ward succession of grooves. The second toe-ward
succession of grooves may include groove 3910 and a number of
grooves (e.g., shown as grooves 3911, 3912, and 3913) spaced
between groove 3910 and the toe edge 3231 of the face portion 3200.
The second heel-ward succession of grooves may include groove 3920
and a number of grooves (e.g., shown as 3921, 3922, and 3923)
spaced between groove 3920 and the heel edge 3241 of the face
portion 3200. Accordingly, the second toe-ward succession of
grooves may include a number of the second plurality of grooves
3750 intersecting the horizontal centerline axis 3288 in the
toe-ward zone 3802 whereas the second heel-ward succession of
grooves may include a number of the second plurality of grooves
3750 intersecting the horizontal centerline axis 3288 in the
heel-ward zone 3804. The spacings of the second toe-ward succession
of grooves and the second heel-ward succession of grooves of the
second plurality of grooves 3750 may be provided by the following
linear equation:
d.sub.0=C+nE (2)
[0210] Where: [0211] d.sub.n is the spacing between successive
grooves n and n-1 of the second toe-ward succession of grooves and
the second heel-ward succession of grooves; [0212] C and E are
predetermined values; and [0213] n is an integer starting at 1 and
designating a groove based on the groove's order relative to groove
3910 if the groove is in the second toe-ward succession of grooves,
or relative groove 3920 if the groove is in the second heel-ward
succession of grooves. With respect to equation 2, the values of C
and E may be selected based on a desired spacing between successive
grooves of the second toe-ward succession of grooves and between
successive grooves of the second heel-ward succession of grooves.
Generally, smaller values of C and E will result in successive
grooves being spaced closer together whereas larger values of C and
E will result in successive grooves being spaced further apart. The
spacing d.sub.0 between successive grooves 3910 and 3920 may be
predetermined independently of equation 2. In the example of FIG.
39, C may be the same value as A (e.g., 0.042 inch (0.10668
centimeter)) and E may be the same value as B (0.0025 inch (0.00635
centimeter)). Like D.sub.0, the spacing d.sub.0 between successive
grooves 3910 and 3920 may be predetermined independently of
equation 1. In the present example, the spacing d.sub.0 between
successive grooves 3910 and 3920 may be selected to mirror the
spacing D.sub.0 between successive grooves 3810 and 3820 of the
first plurality of grooves 3740. Accordingly, in the example of
FIG. 39, d.sub.0=D.sub.0=A=C. The selected values of D.sub.0 and
d.sub.0 will determine the size of projection 3331 relative to the
other projections of the plurality of projections 3330.
Accordingly, projection 3331 may be the single smallest projection,
one of a number of smallest projections, or larger than one or more
projections of the plurality of projections 3330. Once d.sub.0 has
been selected, equation 2 may be iterated n number of times to
determine the spacings for groove numbers of n=1 and onward. In the
present example, n=1 designates grooves 3911 and 3921 by virtue of
grooves 3911 and 3921 being the first grooves moving away from
grooves 3910 and 3920 toward the toe edge 3231 and the heel edge
3241, respectively. In like manner, n=2 designates grooves 3912 and
3922, n=3 designates grooves 3913 and 3923, and so on for however
many grooves are in the second toe-ward succession of grooves and
the second heel-ward succession of grooves. Computing equation 2
for each value of n results in a spacing d.sub.1 (e.g., represented
by bidirectional arrow 3931) between successive grooves 3910 and
3911 and between successive grooves 3920 and 3921 of 0.0445 inch
(0.11303 centimeter) or approximately 0.0445 inch, a spacing
d.sub.2 (e.g., represented by bidirectional arrow 3932) between
successive grooves 3911 and 3912 and between successive grooves
3921 and 3922 of 0.047 inch (0.11938 centimeter) or approximately
0.047 inch, and a spacing d.sub.3 (e.g., represented by
bidirectional arrow 3933) between successive grooves 3912 and 3913
and between successive grooves 3922 and 3923 of 0.0495 inch
(0.12573 centimeter) or approximately 0.0495 inch. Accordingly, the
second toe-ward succession of grooves may be spaced apart at
different distances and the second heel-ward succession of grooves
may also be spaced apart at different distances. More specifically,
the second toe-ward succession of grooves may be increasingly
spaced apart moving from groove 3910 toward the toe edge 3231 and
the second heel-ward succession of grooves may be increasingly
spaced apart moving from groove 3920 toward the heel edge 3241. As
a result, the second toe-ward succession of grooves may be spaced
closer together toward groove 3910 and spaced farther apart toward
the toe edge 3231, and the second heel-ward succession of grooves
may be spaced closer together toward groove 3920 and spaced farther
apart toward the heel edge 3241. In the example of FIG. 39, the
second toe-ward succession of grooves are increasingly spaced apart
at a same rate or approximately the same rate as the second
heel-ward succession of grooves. Specifically, the second toe-ward
succession of grooves and the second heel-ward succession of
grooves are increasingly spaced apart by a fixed value
corresponding to the value of E (e.g., 0.0025 inch (0.00635
centimeter)) of equation 2, that is, d.sub.0+B=d.sub.1,
d.sub.1+E=d.sub.2, d.sub.2+E=d.sub.3, d.sub.3+E=d.sub.4, and so on
(i.e., d.sub.n+E=d.sub.n+1) with d.sub.0 being equal to or
substantially equal to C for the example of FIG. 39. In alternative
examples, equation 2 may be used to first determine only the
spacings of the second toe-ward succession of grooves and may be
used again (e.g., with different values of C and/or E) to determine
only the spacings of the second heel-ward succession of grooves.
Doing so results in the second toe-ward succession of grooves
becoming increasingly spaced apart at a different rate than the
second heel-ward succession of grooves. In the present example, the
rate of change in the spacings of the second plurality of grooves
3750 may mirror the rate of change in the spacings of the first
plurality of grooves 3740. In alternative examples, the rate of
change in the spacings of the second plurality of grooves 3750 may
be different than the rate of change in the spacings of the first
plurality of grooves 3740. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0214] In the example of FIG. 39, the spacings of the first
plurality of grooves 3740 in conjunction with the spacings of the
second plurality of grooves 3750 may result in the plurality of
projections 3330 becoming increasingly larger in size moving
outwardly away from projection 3331 in any and all radial
directions toward the perimeter 3290 of the face portion 3200. Said
differently, the plurality of projections 3330 may become
increasingly larger in size pursuant to a circular ripple pattern
spreading outwardly away from projection 3331 toward the toe edge
3231, the heel edge 3241, the top edge 3271, and the sole edge 3281
of the face portion 3200. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0215] While equations 1 and 2 are described as linear equations,
one or both of equations 1 and 2 may be alternatively expressed as
a polynomial equation. Additionally, or alternatively, one or both
of equations 1 and 2 may be rewritten as a subtraction operation
instead of an addition operation. In this manner, the first
toe-ward succession of grooves and the first heel-ward succession
of grooves of the first plurality of grooves 3740 and/or the second
toe-ward succession of grooves and the second heel-ward succession
of grooves of the second plurality of grooves 3750 may be
decreasingly spaced apart moving outwardly away from central strike
portion 3285 toward the toe edge 3231 and the heel edge 3241 of the
face portion 3200. As a result, the plurality of projections 3330
may become decreasingly smaller spreading outwardly away from
projection 3331 toward the toe edge 3231, the heel edge 3241, the
top edge 3271, and the sole edge 3281 of the face portion 3200.
However, it is generally preferable to space the first and second
plurality of grooves 3740 and 3750 such that the plurality of
projections 3331 become increasingly larger spreading outwardly
away from projection 3331. Additionally, it is generally preferable
to configure the first and second plurality of grooves 3740 and
3750 with the same width so that the plurality of projections 3330
are evenly spaced apart while becoming increasingly larger moving
outwardly away from projection 3331. Accordingly, the face portion
3200 or strike face may have a gradual increase in surface area
away from the central strike portion 3285 toward the toe edge 3231,
the heel edge 3241, the top edge 3271, and the sole edge 3281.
Advantageously, the increasingly larger surface areas of the
plurality of projections 3330 toward the perimeter 3290 may reduce
energy loss caused by the gearing effect when a golf ball is mishit
(e.g., struck away from the central strike portion 3285).
Meanwhile, the relatively smaller surface areas of the plurality of
projections 3330 at the central strike portion 3285 limit contact
with a golf ball, which may enhance sound, feel, and responsiveness
when a golf ball is struck at the center strike portion 3285.
Collectively, the smaller projections at the central strike portion
3285 and the increasingly larger projections toward the perimeter
3290 may normalize ball speed across the face portion 3200 such
that a more consistent roll (e.g., distance and speed) may be
achieved regardless of where a golf ball is struck on the face
portion 3200. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0216] While the example of the face portion 3200 shown in FIGS.
32-39 generally includes a plurality of projections 3330 increasing
in size in any direction moving from the central strike portion
3285 to the perimeter 3290 of the face portion 3200, other examples
(not shown) of the face portion 3200 may feature the plurality of
projections 3330 decreasing in size in any direction moving from
the central strike portion 3285 to the perimeter 3290 of the face
portion 3200. For instance, the areas of the peak portions 3420
and/or base portions 3410 may successively decrease in any
direction moving from the central portion 3285 to the perimeter
3290 of the face portion 3200. Accordingly, a largest one of the
plurality of projections 3330 may be located at the central strike
portion 3285, and more particularly, at or proximate the geometric
center 3286 of the face portion 3200, whereas a smallest one of the
plurality of projections 3330 may be located at or proximate the
toe edge 3231 and/or the heel edge 3241. The apparatus, methods,
and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in
this regard.
[0217] A rate of change of the areas of the peak portions 3420
and/or base portions 3410 of the plurality of projections 3330 may
be similar in a direction moving from the central strike portion
3285 to the toe edge 3231 and in a direction moving from the
central strike portion 3285 to the heel edge 3241. In another
example, the rate of change of the areas of the peak portions 3420
and/or base portions 3410 of the plurality of projections 3330 may
be similar in a direction moving from the central strike portion
3285 to the top edge 3271 and in a direction moving from the
central strike portion 3285 to the sole edge 3281. In yet another
example, the rate of change of the areas of the peak portions 3420
and/or base portions 3410 of the plurality of projections 3330 may
be similar in a direction moving from the central strike portion
3285 to the toe edge 3231, in a direction moving from the central
strike portion 3285 to the heel edge 3241, in a direction moving
from the central strike portion 3285 to the top edge 3271, and in a
direction moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the sole
edge 3281. In yet another example, the rate of change of the areas
of the peak portions 3420 and/or base portions 3410 of the
plurality of projections 3330 may be similar and/or vary in any
direction (i.e., horizontal, vertical, diagonal, etc.) moving from
the central strike portion 3285 to any location on the perimeter
3290. The change in areas of the peak portions 3420 and/or base
portions 3410 of the plurality of projections 3330 from the central
strike portion 3285 to the perimeter 3290 of the face portion 3200
may be a linear or polynomial function (e.g., a quadratic function
or cubic function) of a distance between the location of the
plurality of projections 3330 on the face portion 3200 and the
central strike portion 3285. Additionally, or alternatively, the
plurality of projections 3330 may decrease in height 3430 at a
fixed or variable rate from the central strike portion 3285 to the
perimeter 3290 of the face portion 3200. The apparatus, methods,
and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in
this regard.
[0218] The change in areas of the peak portions 3420 and/or base
portions 3410 of the plurality of projections 3330 from the central
strike portion 3285 to the perimeter 3290 may be defined by the
change in the distance 3444 between successive grooves of the first
plurality of grooves 3740 extending in the first direction and
between successive grooves of the second plurality of grooves 3750
extending in the second direction. In one example, the distance
3444 between successive grooves of the first and second plurality
of grooves 3740 and 3750 may successively decrease in any direction
moving from the central strike portion 3285 to the perimeter 3290
of the face portion 3200. In other words, the distance 3444 between
successive grooves of the first and second plurality of grooves
3740 and 3750 may successively decrease moving from the central
strike portion 3285 to the toe edge 3231, moving from the central
strike portion 3285 to the heel edge 3241, moving from the central
strike portion 3285 to the top edge 3271, and moving from the
central strike portion 3285 to the sole edge 3281. The distance
3444 between successive grooves of the first and second plurality
of grooves 3740 and 3750 may be a linear or polynomial function
(e.g., a quadratic function or cubic function) of a distance
between the location of the first and second plurality of grooves
3740 and 3750 on the face portion 3200 and the central strike
portion 3285. In another example, the distance 3444 between
successive grooves of the first and second plurality of grooves
3740 and 3750 may successively decrease in any direction moving
from the central strike portion 3285 toward the perimeter 3290 of
the face portion 3200. In other words, the distance 3444 between
successive grooves of the first and second plurality of grooves
3740 and 3750 may successively decrease in one or more of the
following directions: from the central strike portion 3285 to the
toe edge 3231, from the central strike portion 3285 to the heel
edge 3241, from the central strike portion 3285 to the top edge
3271, and from the central strike portion 3285 to the sole edge
3281. The distance 3444 between successive grooves of the first and
second plurality of grooves 3740 and 3750 may successively decrease
at a similar or different rate in one or more directions moving
from the central strike portion 3285 toward the perimeter 3290 of
the face portion 3200. Accordingly, the decrease in the distance
3444 between successive grooves of the first and second plurality
of grooves 3740 and 3750 located at or proximate to the toe portion
3230, at or proximate to the heel portion 3240, at or proximate to
the top portion 3270, and/or at or proximate to the sole portion
3280 may be similar or vary. The apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0219] In the examples of FIGS. 40-41, alternative face patterns
are shown. The face pattern of FIG. 40 may be similar to the
example of FIG. 39 with the exception of one or more horizontal
grooves 4010 bisecting one or more of the plurality of projections
3330. Additionally, or alternatively, the face pattern may include
one or more vertical grooves 4020 bisecting one or more of the
plurality of projections 3330. In this configuration, one or more
of the plurality of projections 3330 may be divided in half or in
quarters. In the example of FIG. 41, the face pattern may be
similar to the example of FIG. 39 except rotated 45 degrees
counterclockwise. The face pattern may also include one or more
diagonal grooves 4130 extending upwardly from left-to-right across
the face portion 3200 and bisecting one or more of the plurality of
projections 3330. Additionally, or alternatively, the face pattern
may include one or more diagonal grooves 4140 extending upwardly
from right-to-left across the face portion 3200 and bisecting one
or more of the plurality of projections 3330. In this
configuration, one or more of the plurality of projections 3330 may
be divided in half or in quarters. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0220] In one example, as shown in FIG. 42, a process 4200 of
manufacturing the face portion 3200 may include providing a face
portion (block 4202) having a planar strike portion (i.e., without
any grooves). In one example, the face portion 3200 may be an
integral part of a golf club head. In another example, the face
portion 3200 may be a separate face insert that may be coupled to a
front portion of a golf club head by using adhesive, tape, welding,
soldering, fasteners and/or other suitable methods and devices. The
process 4200 may include forming a plurality of grooves on the
strike portion of the face portion (block 4204) with distances
between successive grooves of the plurality of grooves changing
(e.g., increasing or decreasing) in any direction moving from a
central strike portion to a perimeter of the face portion. For
example, the grooves may be spaced apart according to equations 1
and 2 described herein with respect to the example of FIGS. 32-39.
Alternatively, in another example, as shown in FIG. 43, a process
4300 of manufacturing the face portion 3200 may include providing a
face portion (block 4302) having a planar strike portion (i.e.,
without any grooves), and forming a plurality projections on the
strike portion of the face portion (block 4304) with the size of
the plurality of projections changing (e.g., increasing or
decreasing) in any direction from a central strike portion to a
perimeter of the face portion. As described herein, each one of the
plurality of projections may include a peak portion separated from
a base portion by a height. In one example, two or more of the
plurality of projections may be pyramidal frustums. The change in
size may include a change to the areas of the peak portions of the
plurality of projections, a change to the areas of the base
portions of the plurality of projections, and/or a change in height
of the plurality of projections. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0221] In one example, the plurality of grooves may be manufactured
by milling the face portion. Accordingly, the portions of the face
portion that are not milled may form the plurality of projections
(e.g., residual portion(s)). In another example, the plurality of
grooves may be stamped onto the face portion. In yet another
example, the face portion including the plurality of projections
and/or the plurality of grooves may be manufactured by forging. In
yet another example, the face portion including the plurality of
projections and/or the plurality of grooves may be manufactured by
casting. In yet another example, the plurality of projections
and/or the plurality of grooves may be manufactured by press
forming. In yet another example, the plurality of projections
and/or the plurality of grooves may be manufactured by laser and/or
thermal etching or eroding of the face material. In yet another
example, the plurality of projections and/or the plurality of
grooves may be manufactured by chemically eroding the face material
using photo masks. In yet another example, the plurality of
projections and/or the plurality of grooves may be manufactured by
electro/chemically eroding the face material using a chemical mask
such as wax or a petrochemical substance. In yet another example,
the plurality of projections and/or the plurality of grooves may be
manufactured by abrading the face material using air or water as
the carry medium of the abrasion material such as sand. Any one or
a combination of the methods discussed above can be used to
manufacture one or more of the plurality of projections and/or the
plurality of grooves on the face portion. The apparatus, methods,
and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in
this regard.
[0222] In the example of FIGS. 44-50, a golf club head 4400 may
include a body portion 4410 having a toe portion 4430, a heel
portion 4440, a front portion 4450, a rear portion 4460 having a
back wall portion 4484 (shown in FIG. 46), a top portion 4470, and
a sole portion 4480. The body portion 4410 may include a hosel
portion 4445 configured to receive a shaft (not shown) with a grip
(not shown). The golf club head 4400 and the grip may be located on
opposite ends of the shaft to form a golf club. The front and rear
portions 4450 and 4460, respectively, may be on opposite ends of
the body portion 4410. The front portion 4450 may include a face
portion 4455 (e.g., a strike face). The face portion 4455 may be
used to impact a golf ball and may be similar in configuration to
any face portion described herein including face portion 3200. The
face portion 4455 may be associated with a loft plane that defines
the loft angle of the golf club head 4400. The golf club head 4400
may be manufactured by any of the methods described herein and from
any one or more of the materials described herein or associated
with any of the golf club heads described herein. Although FIGS.
44-46 may depict a particular type of golf club head, the
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
may be applicable to other types of golf club heads (e.g., a
driver-type golf club head, a fairway wood-type golf club head, a
hybrid-type golf club head, an iron-type golf club head, etc.). The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0223] The body portion 4410 may include one or more weight ports
and one or more weight portions. In the example of FIGS. 44-50, the
body portion 4410 may include a first set of weight ports 4540
(shown in FIG. 46 as weight ports 4542, 4543, and 4544) proximate
to the toe portion 4430 and extending between the toe portion 4430
and the heel portion 4440 and configured to receive weight portions
4552, 4553, and 4554. The body portion 4410 may also include a
second set of weight ports 4560 (one weight port 4562 is shown in
FIG. 45) proximate to the heel portion 4440 and extending between
the toe portion 4430 and the heel portion 4440 and configured to
receive weight portions (one weight portion 4572 is shown in FIG.
45). The golf club head 4400 may include any number of weight ports
and weight portions at any location on the body portion 4410. The
configurations of the weight ports and the weight portions (e.g.,
inner diameter, outer diameter, size, shape, distance from an
adjacent weight port or weight portion, etc.) of the golf club head
4400 may be similar in many respects to the weight ports and weight
portions of any of the golf club heads described herein.
Alternatively, the body portion 4410 may not include any weight
ports and/or weight portions. The apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0224] In the example of FIGS. 44-50, the face portion 4455 may
include a face insert 4456, which may be attached to the front
portion 4450 via any manufacturing methods and/or processes (e.g.,
a bonding process, a welding process, a brazing process, a
mechanical locking method, a mechanical fastening method, any
combination thereof, or other suitable types of manufacturing
methods and/or processes). In the example of FIGS. 44-50, the face
insert 4456 may include two fastener holes 4458 proximate to the
toe portion and heel portion of the face insert 4456. Each of the
fastener holes 4458 may be configured to receive a fastener 4462
for attachment of the face insert 4456 to the body portion 4410.
The fasteners 4462 may have similar or different weights to balance
and/or provide heel or toe weight bias for the golf club head 4400.
The body portion 4410 may include two fastener ports 4468 (one
fastener port 4468 shown in FIG. 45) configured to receive the
fasteners 4462. Each fastener port 4468 may have internal threads
that are configured to engage external threads on the fasteners
4462. As described herein, the face portion 4455 may include a
peripheral recessed portion (not shown) configured to receive the
face insert 4456 so that the face insert 4456 is positioned flush
or substantially flush with the face portion 4455. The face insert
4456 may be attached to the face portion 4455 by any of the methods
described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0225] The body portion 4410 may include an interior cavity 4482
extending between the front portion 4450 and the rear portion 4460
and between the toe portion 4430 and the heel portion 4440. In the
example of FIGS. 44-50, the interior cavity 4482 may be defined by
a recess in the front portion 4450 that is covered by the face
insert 4456. The interior cavity 4482 may extend from near the toe
portion 4430 to near the heel portion 4440 and from near the top
portion 4470 to near the sole portion 4480. Alternatively, the
interior cavity 4482 may extend between the fastener ports 4468 of
the body portion 4410. In one example, the interior cavity 4482 may
be located at and/or near the regions of the face portion 4455 that
generally strike a golf ball. The physical characteristics of the
interior cavity 4482 such as interior cavity height relative to the
physical characteristics of the body portion 4410 such as the
height of the body portion 4410 may be similar in many respects to
any of the golf club heads described herein. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0226] In one example, the interior cavity 4482 may be unfilled
(i.e., empty space). Alternatively, the interior cavity 4482 may be
partially or entirely filled with a filler material 4492 to absorb
shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the face portion
4455 strikes a golf ball. The filler material 4492 may be an
elastic polymer or elastomer material similar to any of the filler
materials described herein. For example, at least 50% of the
interior cavity 4482 may be filled with a TPE material to absorb
shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the golf club
head 4400 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 4455. In one
example, the filler material 4492 may be injected into the interior
cavity 4482 by any of the methods described herein (e.g., from one
or more of the weight ports). In another example, the filler
material 4492 may be in the form of an insert having a shape that
is similar to the shape of the interior cavity 4482. The insert,
exemplarily shown in FIG. 50 as filler insert 5092, may be placed
in the interior cavity 4482 prior to the face insert 4456 being
fastened to the face portion 4455. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0227] In one example, the body portion 4410 may include a bonding
portion 4610. The bonding portion 4610 may provide connection,
attachment, and/or bonding of the filler material 4492 or filler
insert 5092 to the face insert 4456. The bonding portion 4610 may
be a bonding agent, a combination of bonding agents, one or more
bonding structures or attachment devices, a combination of bonding
structures and/or attachment devices, and/or a combination of one
or more bonding agents, one or more bonding structures, and/or one
or more attachment devices. For example, the golf club head 4400
may include a bonding agent to improve adhesion and/or mitigate
delamination between the face insert 4456 and any filler material
or filler insert to fill the interior cavity 4482 of the golf club
head 4400. In one example, the filler material 4492 or filler
insert 5092 may include bonding or adhesive properties to bond or
adhere to the body portion 4410. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0228] In one example, the bonding portion 4610 may include a
bonding agent having a low-viscosity, organic, solvent-based
solutions and/or dispersions of polymers and other reactive
chemicals such as MEGUM.TM., ROBOND.TM., and/or THIXON.TM.
materials manufactured by the Dow Chemical Company, Auburn Hills,
Mich. In another example, the bonding portion 4610 may include a
bonding agent having LOCTITE.RTM. materials manufactured by Henkel
Corporation, Rocky Hill, Conn. The apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture are not limited in this regard.
[0229] In one example, as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49, the bonding
portion 4610 may include a bonding structure 4612 on a back side
4457 of the face insert 4456 and/or on a front side 4493 (shown in
FIG. 46) of the filler material 4492, which may include filler
insert 5092. In one example, as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49, the back
side 4457 of the face insert 4456 may include a plurality of
projections 4810 defining a plurality of channels 4812 between the
projections 4810. The projections 4810 may have any shape, size,
height, configuration, arrangement, spacing, or other features. In
the example of FIGS. 48 and 49, the projections 4810 may have a
generally rectangular shape or square shape that may be arranged in
a rectangular array (i.e., rows and columns) on the back side 4457
of the face insert 4456. Accordingly, the channels 4812 may extend
in a direction from the toe portion 4430 to the heel portion 4440
and in a direction from the top portion 4470 to the sole portion
4480. The channels 4812 may have any orientation, size, shape,
configuration, arrangement, spacing, and/or other features that may
depend on the physical properties of the projections 4810 and the
arrangement of the projections 4810 on the back side 4457 of the
face insert 4456. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0230] In one example, when the filler material 4492 is an elastic
polymer or an elastomer material, the filler material 4492 may be
injection molded in the interior cavity 4482. When the filler
material 4492 is injection molded in the interior cavity 4482, the
filler material 4492 may surround the projections 4810 and may fill
the channels 4812 to increase the bonding area between the filler
material 4492 and the back side 4457 of the face insert 4456.
Accordingly, the bonding structure 4612 may provide a stronger bond
between the filler material 4492 and the face insert 4456. In one
example, a bonding agent (not shown), such as any of the bonding
agents described herein, may be applied to the back side 4457 of
the face insert 4456 before injection molding the filler material
4492 in the interior cavity 4482 to provide further bonding
strength between the filler material 4492 and the back side 4457 of
the face insert 4456. The bonding process may include single or
multiple stage time and/or temperature curing of the bonding agent.
The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0231] In one example, as shown in FIG. 50, the filler material
4492, which may be constructed from an elastic polymer material or
an elastomer material, may be in the form of the filler insert
5092, which may be molded or formed outside of the interior cavity
4482 and placed in the interior cavity 4482 prior to attachment of
the face insert 4456 to the face portion 4455. The back side 4457
of the face insert 4456 or the front side 4493 of the filler insert
5092 (i.e., the side facing the face insert 4456) may include the
bonding structure (not shown for the filler insert 5092 of FIG. 50)
as described herein to increase the bonding strength between the
face insert 4456 and the filler insert 5092 after a bonding agent
is applied to the back side 4457 of the face insert 4456 and/or the
front side 4493 of the filler insert 5092. In one example (not
shown), both the back side 4457 of the face insert 4456 and the
front side 4493 of the filler insert 5092 may include one or more
bonding structures similar to any of the bonding structures
described herein. For example, the back side 4457 of the face
insert 4456 may include the bonding structure 4612 as described
herein and the front side 4493 of the filler insert 5092 may
include a mating and/or a complementary structure to the bonding
structure 4612. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0232] In one example, the face insert 4456 may be bonded to the
elastic polymer or elastomer filler insert 5092 before being
attached to the body portion 4410 of the golf club head 4400. A
bonding agent, such as any of the bonding agents described herein
may be applied to the back side 4457 of the face insert 4456 and/or
the front side 4493 of the filler insert 5092. The face insert 4456
may then be attached and bonded to the filler insert 5092. The
bonding process may include single or multiple stage time and/or
temperature curing of the bonding agent. The attached face insert
4456 and the filler insert 5092 may then be attached to the body
portion 4410 as described herein. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0233] In one example, the face insert 4456 may be constructed from
one or more metals or metal alloys such as steel, aluminum,
titanium, tungsten or alloys thereof. Accordingly, the filler
material 4492 or the filler insert 5092 may be constructed from an
elastic polymer material or an elastomer material as described
herein to absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when
the face portion 4455 strikes a golf ball. The face insert 4456 may
be constructed from a non-metallic material such as a composite
material, plastic material, or a polymer material. In one example,
the face insert 4456 may be constructed from a thermoplastic
polyurethane (TPU) material (hereinafter referred to for this
example as the TPU face insert 4456). The filler insert 5092 may be
constructed from metal or metal alloys such as steel, aluminum,
titanium, tungsten or alloys thereof. In one example, the filler
insert 5092 may be constructed form aluminum or an aluminum alloy
(hereinafter referred to for this example as the aluminum filler
insert 5092). The TPU face insert 4456 may absorb shock, isolate
vibration, and/or dampen noise when the face portion 4455 strikes a
golf ball. The aluminum filler insert 5092 may limit the deflection
of the TPU face insert 4456 and provide structural support for the
TPU face insert 4456 when the TPU face insert 4456 strikes a golf
ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0234] The back side 4457 of the TPU face insert 4456 or the front
side 4493 of the aluminum filler insert 5092 may include the
bonding structure 4612 as described herein and shown in FIGS. 48
and 49. In another example, both the back side 4457 of the TPU face
insert 4456 and the front side 4493 of the aluminum filler insert
5092 may include the bonding structure 4612 as described herein. In
one example, only the back side 4457 of the TPU face insert 4456
may include the bonding structure 4612 while the front side 4493 of
the aluminum filler insert 5092 may not include a bonding
structure. The bonding structure 4612 may provide increased bonding
strength when the TPU face insert 4456 is attached to the aluminum
filler insert 5092 with a bonding agent as described herein. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0235] In one example, the TPU face insert 4456 may be bonded to
the aluminum filler insert 5092 before being attached to the body
portion 4410 of the golf club head 4400. A bonding agent, such as
any of the bonding agents described herein may be applied to the
back side 4457 of the TPU face insert 4456 and/or the front side
4493 of the aluminum filler insert 5092. The TPU face insert 4456
may then be attached and bonded to the aluminum filler insert 5092.
The bonding process may include single or multiple stage time
and/or temperature curing of the bonding agent. The attached TPU
face insert 4456 and the aluminum filler insert 5092 may then be
attached to the body portion 4410 as described herein. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0236] As described herein, the back side 4457 of the face insert
4456 or the front side 4493 of the filler insert 5092 (i.e., the
side facing the face insert 4456) may include the bonding structure
4612 to increase the bonding strength between the face insert 4456
and the filler insert 5092 after a bonding agent is applied to the
back side 4457 of the face insert 4456 and/or the front side 4493
of the filler insert 5092. In one example, both the back side 4457
of the face insert 4456 and the front side 4493 of the filler
insert 5092 may include one or more bonding structures similar to
any of the bonding structures described herein. For example, the
back side 4457 of the face insert 4456 may include the bonding
structure 4612 as described herein and the front side 4493 of the
filler insert 5092 may include a mating and/or a complementary
structure to the bonding structure 4612. The apparatus, methods,
and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in
this regard.
[0237] In one example, a back side 5095 (shown in FIG. 50) of the
filler insert 5092 may also include a bonding structure (not
shown), such as any of the bonding structures described herein, to
attach the filler insert 5092 to the walls of the interior cavity
4482. For example, a bonding agent such as any of the bonding
agents described herein may be applied to one or more walls of the
interior cavity 4482 and/or the bonding structure on the back side
5095 of the filler insert 5092. The filler insert 5092 may then be
bonded to the walls of the interior cavity 4482. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0238] With the support of the back wall portion 4484 (shown in
FIG. 46) of the body portion 4410 and the filler material 5092, the
face insert 4456 may be relatively thin without degrading the
structural integrity, sound, and/or feel of the golf club head
4400. In one example, the face insert 4456 may have a thickness of
less than or equal to 0.075 inch (1.905 millimeters). In another
example, the face insert 4456 may have a thickness of less than or
equal to 0.060 inch (1.524 millimeters). In yet another example,
the face insert 4456 may have a thickness of less than or equal to
0.050 inch (1.270 millimeters). Further, the face insert 4456 may
have a thickness of less than or equal to 0.030 inch (0.762
millimeters). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0239] In the example of FIGS. 51-56, a golf club head 5000 may
include a body portion 5010 having a toe portion 5030, a heel
portion 5040, a front portion 5050 with a face portion 5055 (e.g.,
a strike face), a rear portion 5060, a top portion 5070, and a sole
portion 5080. The body portion 5010 may also include a bore 5075 to
receive a shaft (not shown) with a grip (not shown). Alternatively,
the body portion 5010 may include a hosel (not shown) to receive
the shaft. The golf club head 5000 and the grip may be attached to
opposite ends of the shaft to form a golf club. The body portion
5010 may be partially or entirely made of a steel-based material
(e.g., 17-4 PH stainless steel), a titanium-based material, an
aluminum-based material (e.g., a high-strength aluminum alloy or a
composite aluminum alloy coated with a high-strength alloy), a
tungsten-based material, any combination thereof, and/or other
suitable types of metal materials. Alternatively, the body portion
5010 may be partially or entirely made of a non-metal material
(e.g., composite, plastic, etc.). The configuration of the body
portion 5010, various properties of the body portion 5010, the
materials of construction of the body portion 5010, and/or the
configuration of the face portion 5055, such as one or more groove
patterns on the face portion 5055, may be similar in many respects
to any of the golf club heads described herein or in any of the
incorporated by reference patents. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0240] The golf club head 5000 may include a plurality of weight
portions 5110 (e.g., weight portions 5111, 5112, 5113, and 5114)
coupled to a plurality of weight ports 5120 (e.g., weight ports
5121, 5122, 5123, and 5124) located at the sole portion 5080. The
plurality of weight portions 5110 and the plurality of weight ports
5120 may be at any location on the body portion 5010. In one
example, as illustrated in FIGS. 51-56, weight ports 5121 and 5122,
and corresponding weight portions 5111 and 5112, may be located at
or proximate to opposite front corners of the sole portion 5080,
and weight ports 5123 and 5124, and corresponding weight portions
5113 and 5114, may be located at or proximate to the rear portion
5060. In another example, weight port 5121 and the corresponding
weight portion 5111 may be at or proximate to the toe portion 5030,
and weight port 5122 and the corresponding weight portion 5112 may
be located at or proximate to the heel portion 5040. The
configuration of any weight ports and weight portions, and/or
locations of any weight ports and weight portions on the body
portion 5010 may be similar in many respects to any of the golf
club heads described herein or in any of the incorporated by
reference patents. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0241] In the illustrated example of FIGS. 51-56, weight ports 5123
and 5124, and corresponding weight portions 5113 and 5114, may be
located at a rear insert portion 5130 removably coupled to the body
portion 5010 via a mechanical fastener 5131 (e.g., a bolt or
screw). The rear insert portion 5130 may define a portion of the
sole portion 5080 and a portion of the rear portion 5060. In one
example, the rear insert portion 5130 may be partially or entirely
made of a steel-based material, a titanium-based material, an
aluminum-based material, a tungsten-based material, any combination
thereof, and/or other suitable types of metal materials. In another
example, the rear insert portion 5130 may be partially or entirely
made of a non-metal material (e.g., composite, plastic, etc.). In
another example, the rear insert portion 5130 may be made of a
material (e.g., a tungsten-based material) having a greater density
than a material (e.g., an aluminum-based material) of the body
portion 5010 to increase a moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club
head 5000 and move a center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head
5000 rearward. In yet another example, the rear insert portion 5130
may have a different texture and/or color to be visually
distinguishable from the body portion 5010. The texture and/or
color of the rear insert portion 5130 may be indicative of the
overall mass and/or the material of construction of the rear insert
portion 5130. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0242] The golf club head 5000 may include an upper portion 5140
that may be removably coupled to the body portion 5010 by any
suitable coupling means. The upper portion 5140 may include an
outer surface that may define a portion of the top portion 5070 and
be visible to an individual at an address position. The upper
portion 5140 may have any shape, contour, curvature, or geometric
properties. The upper portion 5140 may be attached to the top
surface of the top portion 5070 or inside a correspondingly shaped
recess in the top portion 5070. In one example, the upper portion
5140 may be dome shaped. In another example, the upper portion 5140
may define a depression in the top portion 5070. In another
example, the upper portion may have one or more portions that may
protrude from the top portion 5070. In yet another example, the
upper portion 5140 may have one or more portions that may be
recessed relative to the top portion 5070. In the illustrated
example of FIGS. 51-56, the upper portion 5140 may be plate shaped,
which may be also referred to herein as the plate portion 5140 and
may be removably coupled to the body portion 5010 via a mechanical
fastener 5150 (e.g., a bolt or screw). In another example, the
plate portion 5140 may be removably coupled to the body portion
5010 via a magnet. In another example, the plate portion 5140 may
be removably coupled to the body portion 5010 via a hook and loop
fastener. In another example, the plate portion 5140 may be
removably coupled to the body portion 5010 via an interference fit.
In another example, the plate portion 5140 may be removably coupled
to the body portion 5010 via a snap fit or other suitable
interlocking assembly feature. The apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0243] The plate portion 5140 may be made from any material(s)
described herein with respect to the body portion 5010. In the
illustrated example of FIGS. 51-56, the plate portion 5140 may
include a flat portion 5141 and a boss portion 5142 extending
downward from an underside portion 5143 of the flat portion 5141.
The boss portion 5142 may have a cylindrical shape. The boss
portion 5142 may include a central threaded port 5144 located at a
bottom portion 5145 of the boss portion 5142. In another example,
as illustrated in FIGS. 60-68, the boss portion 5142 may have a
shape similar to a cuboid. In another example, the boss portion
5142 may have a shape similar to a cube. In another example, the
boss portion 5142 may have a frustopyramidal shape. In another
example, the boss portion 5142 may have a frustoconical shape. In
yet another example, the boss portion 5142 may have any other
geometric shape. The flat portion 5141 may be configured to fit
flush or substantially flush with a recess 5160 at the top portion
5070. The recess 5160 may include a pocket 5162 located at a lower
depth inside the recess 5160 and configured to receive the boss
portion 5142. The pocket 5162 may have an opening having a shape
(e.g., cylindrical) that complements the shape of the boss portion
5142. The pocket 5162 may include an upper portion 5163 that
decreases in diameter in a downward direction toward a base portion
5165 of the pocket and a lower portion 5164 that extends in the
downward direction toward the base portion 5165 at a fixed
diameter. The boss portion 5142 may fit flush or substantially
flush inside the pocket 5162. In an alternative example, the boss
portion 5142 may fit inside the pocket 5162 with room to spare.
Once received inside the pocket 5162, the bottom portion 5145 of
the boss portion 5142 may abut the base portion 5165 of the pocket
5162. As illustrated in FIG. 54 for example, a first foam pad 5146
may be coupled (e.g., adhered) to the underside portion 5143 of the
flat portion 5141 and may have a cutout 5147 with sufficient
clearance for the boss portion 5142. A second foam pad 5148 may be
coupled (e.g., adhered) to the bottom portion 5145 of the boss
portion 5142 and may have a cutout 5149 allowing access to the
central threaded port 5144. When the fastener 5131 is tightened,
the first foam pad 5146 may be compressed between the plate portion
5140 and the body portion 5010. Similarly, when the fastener 5131
is tightened, the second foam pad 5148 may be compressed between
the plate portion 5140 and the body portion 5010. Collectively, the
first foam pad 4146 and the second foam pad 5148 may function to
dampen or eliminate vibration or rattling occurring between the
plate portion 5140 and the body portion 5010 when the golf club
head 5000 strikes a golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0244] In the example of FIGS. 51-56, the pocket 5162 may
communicate with a through-port 5170 that extends downwardly from
the base portion 5165 of the pocket 5162 and through to the sole
portion 5080. The through-port 5170 may be aligned with the central
threaded port 5144 of the boss portion 5142 and may be configured
to receive the mechanical fastener 5150 through a sole-end 5180 of
the through-port 5170. The through-port 5170 may include an upper
chamber 5171 proximate the base portion 5165 of the pocket 5162, a
lower chamber 5172 proximate the sole portion 5080, and an
intermediate chamber 5173 between the upper chamber 5171 and the
lower chamber 5172. The upper chamber 5171, the lower chamber 5172,
and the intermediate chamber 5173 may have similar or different
diameters. In the illustrated example of FIGS. 51-56, the
mechanical fastener 5150 may be a captive fastener that remains
attached to the body portion 5010 even when fully untreaded from
the plate portion 5140. The captive fastener may extend through a
retaining washer 5190. The upper chamber 5171 may have a larger
diameter than a diameter of the lower chamber 5172 to accommodate
the retaining washer 5190. The lower chamber 5172 may have a larger
diameter than a diameter of the intermediate chamber 5173 to
accommodate a head portion 5151 of the mechanical fastener 5150. In
assembly, the mechanical fastener 5150 may extend through the
sole-end 5180 of the through-port 5170 and threadingly engage the
central threaded port 5144 of the boss portion 5142, thereby
securing the plate portion 5140 to the body portion 5010. The
relative diameters of the lower chamber 5172 and the intermediate
chamber 5173 of the through-port 5170 may be configured to limit
upward travel of the mechanical fastener 5150. For example, the
diameter of the through-port 5170 may narrow from the lower chamber
5172 to the intermediate chamber 5173 and thereby limit upward
travel of the mechanical fastener 5150 by preventing axial
advancement of a head portion 5151 of the mechanical fastener 5150
beyond the lower chamber 5172. In the illustrated example of FIGS.
51-56, the retaining washer 5190 may be provided in the upper
chamber 5171. The relative diameters of the upper chamber 5171 and
the intermediate chamber 5173 of the through-port 5170 may be
configured to limit downward travel of the mechanical fastener
5150. For example, the diameter of the through-port 5170 may narrow
from the upper chamber 5171 to the intermediate chamber 5173 and
thereby limit downward travel of the captive fastener by preventing
axial movement of a threaded portion of the mechanical fastener
beyond the retaining washer 5190. The retaining washer 5190 may
retain the mechanical fastener 5150 in an attached relationship to
the body portion 5010, even when the fastener is fully unthreaded
from the top plate 5140, and thereby prevent the mechanical
fastener 5150 from being lost (e.g., when interchanging top
plates). In one example, the retaining washer 5190 may be made of a
metal material. In another example, the retaining washer 5190 may
be made of a polymer material. The retaining washer 5190 may be a
washer that is threaded onto the mechanical fastener 5150 and
located at a reduced diameter shank portion between the threaded
portion and the head portion 5151. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0245] The plate portion 5140 may be selected from a plurality of
interchangeable plate portions exemplarily shown in FIGS. 57-59 as
plate portions 5710, 5720, 5730, 5810, 5820, 5830, 5840, 5910, and
5920. Each of the plurality of interchangeable plate portions may
be configured similarly to plate portion 5140 and may be similarly
assembled to the body portion 5010. While the plate portion 5140
shown in the example of FIGS. 51-56 does not include an alignment
aid on the flat portion 5141, each of the plurality of
interchangeable plate portions shown in FIGS. 57-59 may include an
alignment aid on a top portion of the flat portion 5141. In the
illustrated examples of FIG. 57, plate portions 5710, 5720, and
5730 may each include an alignment aid having one or more lines. In
the illustrated examples of FIG. 58, plate portions 5810, 5820,
5830, and 5840 may each include an alignment aid having one or more
dots (e.g., recesses, protrusions, or openings). In the illustrated
examples of FIG. 59, plate portions 5910 and 5920 may each include
an alignment aid having one or more lines and one or more dots. In
another example (not shown), interchangeable plate portions may
include various configurations and arrangements of arrows on the
flat portion 5141 with each arrow pointing toward the front portion
5050. In another example (not shown), interchangeable plate
portions may include various configurations and arrangements of
triangles on the flat portion 5141 with a vertex of each triangle
pointing toward the front portion 5050. In another example (not
shown), interchangeable plate portions may include various
configurations and arrangements of other geometric shapes and/or
non-geometric shapes on the flat portion 5141 that collectively
assist an individual with aligning the golf club head 5000. In
another example (not shown), interchangeable plate portions may
include various configurations and arrangement of non-parallel
lines on the flat portion 5141 that converge to or toward the front
portion 5050 (e.g., converge at a location in front of the front
portion 5050). In yet another example, interchangeable plate
portions may include any of the alignment aids described and shown
in any of the incorporated by reference patents, and any of the
alignment aids described and shown in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 17/680,520, filed Feb. 25, 2022, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference. The alignment aid may vary in size,
shape, and/or color to match individual preference. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0246] The alignment aid can be provided by any suitable means of
manufacturing. In one example, the alignment aid can be painted on
the flat portion 5141. In another example, the alignment aid can be
machined (e.g., milled or drilled) into the flat portion 5141. In
another example, the alignment aid can be etched (e.g., laser or
chemical) into the flat portion 5141. In another example, the
alignment aid can be engraved into the flat portion 5141. In
another example, the alignment aid can be a decal or badge that is
adhered to the flat portion. In another example, the alignment aid
can be pressed into the flat portion 5141. In another example, the
alignment aid can be a textured surface (e.g., polished or
sandblasted) on the flat portion 5141. In another example, the
alignment aid can be applied through dye sublimation. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
are not limited in this regard.
[0247] The golf club head 5100 may include one or more contrasting
colors to enhance visibility of the alignment aid. In one example,
the alignment aid may be a first color and the flat portion 5141
may be a second color that is dissimilar from the first color
(e.g., a red alignment aid and a silver flat portion). In another
example, the alignment aid may be a first color, and the body
portion 5010 may be a second color that is dissimilar from the
first color (e.g., a white alignment aid and a black body portion).
In another example, the alignment aid may be a first color, the
flat portion 5141 may be a second color, the body portion 5010 may
be a third color, and the first color may be dissimilar from the
second color and dissimilar from the third color (e.g., a red
alignment aid, a white flat portion, and a black body portion). In
another example, the alignment aid may be a first color, the flat
portion 5141 and the body portion 5010 may be a second color, and
the first color may be dissimilar from the second color (e.g., a
white alignment aid, a black flat portion, and a black body
portion). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0248] The plate portion 5140 may be selected to have a preferred
alignment aid or may be selected without an alignment aid as
illustrated in FIG. 51. The plate portion may be easily assembled
to the body portion 5010 and may be easily disassembled from the
body portion 5010 in favor of a different plate portion. A
plurality of plate portions may be provided as part of a kit that
allows an individual to interchange plate portions based on
personal preference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0249] A kit may include a golf club head and a plurality of
interchangeable alignment aid portions. The golf club head may be
similar to any of the golf club heads described herein or in any of
the incorporated by reference patents and may be part of a golf
club. Each interchangeable alignment aid portion may be an
interchangeable plate portion with an alignment aid visible on an
exterior surface of the plate portion. The plurality of
interchangeable plate portions may include at least two plate
portions (e.g., 2, 3, or 4). In one example, the plurality of plate
portions may be provided as a preselected set of interchangeable
plate portions. In another example, an individual may select the
plurality of plate portions from a larger assortment of plate
portions based on personal preference. The kit may include a
mechanical fastener to removably attach one of the plurality of
interchangeable plate portions to the body portion. The fastener
may be a captive fastener. The kit may include a tool (not shown)
for operating (e.g., tightening or loosening) the fastener. In one
example, the tool may be a generic tool, such as a hex key or a
screwdriver. In another example, the tool may be a proprietary tool
configured to engage a proprietary head portion of the fastener.
The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0250] In the example of FIGS. 60-68, a golf club head 6000 may
include a body portion 6010 having a toe portion 6030, a heel
portion 6040, a front portion 6050 with a face portion 6055 (e.g.,
a strike face), a rear portion 6060, a top portion 6070, and a sole
portion 6080. The body portion 6010 may also include a bore 6075 to
receive a shaft (not shown) with a grip (not shown). Alternatively,
the body portion 6010 may include a hosel (not shown) to receive
the shaft. The golf club head 6000 and the grip may be attached to
opposite ends of the shaft to form a golf club. The body portion
6010 may be partially or entirely made of a steel-based material
(e.g., 17-4PH stainless steel), a titanium-based material, an
aluminum-based material (e.g., a high-strength aluminum alloy or a
composite aluminum alloy coated with a high-strength alloy), a
tungsten-based material, any combination thereof, and/or other
suitable types of metal materials. Alternatively, the body portion
6010 may be partially or entirely made of a non-metal material
(e.g., composite, plastic, etc.). The configuration of the body
portion 6010, various properties of the body portion 6010, the
materials of construction of the body portion 6010, and/or the
configuration of the face portion 6055 such as one or more groove
patterns on the face portion 6055 may be similar in many respects
to any of the golf club heads described herein or in any of the
incorporated by reference patents. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0251] The golf club head 6000 may include a plurality of weight
portions 6110 (e.g., weight portions 6111, 6112, 6113, and 6114)
coupled to a plurality of weight ports 6120 (e.g., weight ports
6121, 6122, 6123, and 6124) located at the sole portion 6080. The
plurality of weight portions 6110 and the plurality of weight ports
6120 may be at any location on the body portion 6010. In one
example, as illustrated in FIGS. 60-68, weight ports 6121 and 6122,
and corresponding weight portions 6111 and 6112, may be located at
or proximate to opposite front corners of the sole portion 6080,
and weight ports 6123 and 6124, and corresponding weight portions
6113 and 6114, may be located at or proximate to the rear portion
6060. In another example, weight port 6121 and the corresponding
weight portion 6111 may be at or proximate to the toe portion 6030,
and weight port 6122 and the corresponding weight portion 6112 may
be located at or proximate to the heel portion 6040. The
configuration of any weight ports and weight portions, and/or
locations of any weight ports and weight portions on the body
portion 6010 may be similar in many respects to any of the golf
club heads described herein or in any of the incorporated by
reference patents. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0252] In the illustrated example of FIGS. 60-68, weight ports 6123
and 6124, and corresponding weight portions 6113 and 6114, may be
located at a rear insert portion 6130 removably coupled to the body
portion 6010 via a mechanical fastener 6150 (e.g., a bolt or
screw). The rear insert portion 6130 may define a portion of the
sole portion 6080 and a portion of the rear portion 6060. In one
example, the rear insert portion 6130 may be partially or entirely
made of a steel-based material, a titanium-based material, an
aluminum-based material, a tungsten-based material, any combination
thereof, and/or other suitable types of metal materials. In another
example, the rear insert portion 6130 may be partially or entirely
made of a non-metal material (e.g., composite, plastic, etc.). In
another example, the rear insert portion 6130 may be made of a
material (e.g., a tungsten-based material) having a greater density
than a material (e.g., an aluminum-based material) of the body
portion 6010 to increase a moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club
head 6000 and move a center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head
6000 rearward. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0253] The golf club head 6000 may include a plate portion 6140
(i.e., an upper portion as described herein) removably coupled to
the body portion 6010 by any suitable coupling means. The plate
portion 6140 and the coupling of the plate portion 6140 to the body
portion 6010 may be similar in many respects to any of the plate
portions and body portions described herein. In one example, as
illustrated in FIGS. 60-68, the plate portion 6140 may be removably
coupled to the body portion via a mechanical fastener 6150 (e.g., a
bolt or screw). In another example, the plate portion 6140 may be
removably coupled to the body portion 6010 via a magnet. In another
example, the plate portion 6140 may be removably coupled to the
body portion 6010 via a hook and loop fastener. In another example,
the plate portion 6140 may be removably coupled to the body portion
6010 via an interference fit. In another example, the plate portion
6140 may be removably coupled to the body portion 6010 via a snap
fit or other suitable interlocking assembly feature. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0254] The plate portion 6140 may be made from any material(s)
described herein with respect to the body portion 6010. The plate
portion 6140 may include a flat portion 6141 and a boss portion
6142 extending downward from an underside portion 6143 of the flat
portion 6141. The boss portion 6142 may have a rectangular shape.
The boss portion 6142 may include a threaded port 6144 located at a
bottom portion 6145 of the boss portion 6142. The flat portion 6141
may be configured to fit flush or substantially flush inside a
recess 6160 at the top portion 6070. The recess 6160 may include a
pocket 6162 located at a lower depth inside the recess 6160 and
configured to receive the boss portion 6142. The pocket 6162 may
have an opening having a shape (e.g., rectangular with rounded
corners) that complements the shape of the boss portion 6142. The
pocket 6162 may include an upper portion 6163 that decreases in
width in a downward direction toward a base portion 6165 of the
pocket 6162 and a lower portion 6164 that extends in the downward
direction toward the base portion 6165 at a fixed width. The boss
portion 6142 may fit flush or substantially flush inside the pocket
6162. In an alternative example, the boss portion 6142 may fit
inside the pocket 6162 with room to spare. Once received inside the
pocket 6162, the bottom portion 6145 of the boss portion 6142 may
abut the base portion 6165 of the pocket 6162. As illustrated in
FIGS. 66-68 for example, a foam pad 6146 may be coupled (e.g.,
adhered) to the underside portion 6143 of the flat portion 6141 and
may have a cutout 6147 with sufficient clearance for the boss
portion 6142. The foam pad 6146 may function to dampen vibration
between the plate portion 6140 and the body portion 6010 when the
golf club head 6000 strikes a golf ball. The apparatus, methods,
and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in
this regard.
[0255] In the example of FIGS. 60-68, the pocket 6162 may
communicate with a through-port 6170 that extends downwardly from
the base portion 6165 and through to the sole portion 6080. The
through-port 6170 may be aligned with the threaded port 6144 of the
boss portion 6142 and may be configured to receive the mechanical
fastener 6150 through a sole-end 6180 of the through-port 6170. The
through-port 6170 may include an upper chamber 6171 proximate the
base portion 6165 of the pocket 6162, a lower chamber 6172
proximate the sole portion 6080, and an intermediate chamber 6173
between the upper chamber 6171 and the lower chamber 6172. The
upper chamber 6171, the lower chamber 6172, and the intermediate
chamber 6173 may have similar or different diameters. In one
example, the upper chamber 6171 may have a larger diameter than a
diameter of the lower chamber 6172, and the lower chamber 6172 may
have a larger diameter than a diameter of the intermediate chamber
6173. In assembly, the mechanical fastener 6150 may be inserted
through the sole-end 6180 of the through-port 6170 and may
threadingly engage the threaded port 6144 of the boss portion 6142,
thereby securing the plate portion 6140 to the body portion 6010.
The lower chamber 6172 and the intermediate chamber 6173 of the
through-port 6170 may be configured to limit the travel of the
mechanical fastener 6150. For example, the narrowing in diameter
between lower chamber 6172 and the intermediate chamber may prevent
further travel of the mechanical fastener 6150 by blocking further
entry of a head portion 6151 of the mechanical fastener 6150. In
one example, a washer 6190 may be provided in the upper chamber
6171 to help retain the mechanical fastener 6150. The washer 6190
may be made of a metal-based or polymer material. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0256] The plate portion 6140 may be selected from a plurality of
interchangeable plate portions. Each of the plurality of
interchangeable plate portions may be configured similarly to plate
portion 6140 and may be similarly assembled to the body portion
6010. While the plate portion 6140 shown in the example of FIGS.
60-68 does not include an alignment aid, each of the plurality of
interchangeable plate portions may include a unique alignment aid
located on a top portion of the flat portion 6141. The alignment
aids may include, for example, one or more lines, one or more dots,
or one or more lines and one or more dots, similar to the examples
shown in FIGS. 57-59. The plate portion 6140 may be selected from
the plurality of interchangeable plate portions based on a
preferred alignment aid. The plate portion 6140 may be easily
assembled to the body portion 6010 and may be easily disassembled
from the body portion 6010 in favor of a different plate portion.
The alignment aid that may be provided on the plate portion 6140
may be similar in many respects to any of the alignment aids
described herein, described in any of the incorporated by reference
patents, and described and shown in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 17/680,520, filed Feb. 25, 2022. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0257] In the example of FIGS. 69-90, a golf club head 6900 may
include a body portion 6910 having a toe portion 6930, a heel
portion 6940, a front portion 6950 with a face portion 6955 (e.g.,
a strike face), a rear portion 6960, a top portion 6970, and a sole
portion 6980. The body portion 6910 may also include a bore 6975 to
receive a shaft (not shown) with a grip (not shown). Alternatively,
the body portion 6910 may include a hosel (not shown) to receive
the shaft. The golf club head 6900 and the grip may be attached to
opposite ends of the shaft to form a golf club. The body portion
6910 may be partially or entirely made of a steel-based material
(e.g., 17-4PH stainless steel), a titanium-based material, an
aluminum-based material (e.g., a high-strength aluminum alloy or a
composite aluminum alloy coated with a high-strength alloy), a
tungsten-based material, any combination thereof, and/or other
suitable types of metal materials. Alternatively, the body portion
6910 may be partially or entirely made of a non-metal material
(e.g., composite, plastic, etc.). The configuration of the body
portion 6910, various properties of the body portion 6910, the
materials of construction of the body portion 6910, and/or the
configuration of the face portion 6955 such as one or more groove
patterns on the face portion 6955 may be similar in many respects
to any of the golf club heads described herein or in any of the
incorporated by reference patents. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0258] The golf club head 6900 may include a plurality of weight
portions (e.g., weight portions 7011, 7012) coupled to a plurality
of weight ports (e.g., weight ports 7021, 7022) located at the sole
portion 6980. Weight ports 7021 and 7022, and corresponding weight
portions 7011 and 7012, may be located at opposite sides of the
sole portion 5080. Weight port 7021 and corresponding weight
portion 7011 may be located at a first rear insert portion 7030
that may be removably coupled to the body portion 6910 via a
mechanical fastener 7031 (e.g., a bolt or screw). The first rear
insert portion 7030 may define a portion of the sole portion 6980
and a portion of the rear portion 6960. Weight port 7022 and
corresponding weight portion 7012 may be located at a second rear
insert portion 7032 that may be removably coupled to the body
portion 6910 via a mechanical fastener 7033 (e.g., a bolt or
screw). The second rear insert portion 7032 may define a portion of
the sole portion 6980 and a portion of the rear portion 6960. The
first rear insert portion 7030 may be located on a toe-side of the
golf club head 6900. The second rear insert portion 7032 may be
located on a heel side of the golf club head 6900. In one example,
the first and second rear insert portions 7030 and 7032 may be
partially or entirely made of a steel-based material, a
titanium-based material, an aluminum-based material, a
tungsten-based material, any combination thereof, and/or other
suitable type of metal materials. In another example, the first and
second rear insert portions 7030 and 7032 may be partially or
entirely made of a non-metal material (e.g., composite, plastic,
etc.). In yet another example, the first and second rear insert
portions 7030 and 7032 may be made of a material (e.g., a
tungsten-based material) having a greater density than a material
(e.g., an aluminum-based material) of the body portion 6910 to
increase a moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club head 6900 and
move a center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head 6900 rearward.
The configuration of any weight ports and weight portions, and/or
locations of any weight ports and weight portions on the body
portion 6910 may be similar in many respects to any of the golf
club heads described herein or in any of the incorporated by
reference patents. The apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0259] The golf club head 6900 may include a plate portion 6990
(i.e., an upper portion as described herein) removably coupled to
the body portion 6910 by any suitable coupling means. The plate
portion 6990 and the coupling of the plate portion 6990 to the body
portion 6910 may be similar in many respects to any of the plate
portions and body portions described herein. In one example, as
illustrated in FIGS. 69-90, the plate portion 6140 may be removably
coupled to the body portion 6910 via a first mechanical fastener
7035 (e.g., a bolt or screw) and a second mechanical fastener 7037.
In another example, the plate portion 6990 may be removably coupled
to the body portion 6910 via a magnet. In another example, the
plate portion 6990 may be removably coupled to the body portion
6910 via a hook and loop fastener. In another example, the plate
portion 6990 may be removably coupled to the body portion 6910 via
an interference fit. In another example, the plate portion 6990 may
be removably coupled to the body portion 6910 via a snap fit or
other suitable interlocking assembly feature. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0260] The plate portion 6990 may include a front portion 8550,
rear portion 8560, toe side portion 8530, heel side portion 8540,
top portion 8570, and bottom portion 8580. The plate portion 6990
may include an alignment aid 6991 extending in a front-to-rear
direction. The plate portion 6990 may be made from any material(s)
described herein with respect to the body portion 6910. The plate
portion 6990 may include a bottom recess 8610 on the bottom portion
8580, as shown in the example of FIG. 86. The plate portion 6990
may include a front recess 8710 on the front portion 8550, as shown
in the example of FIG. 87. The golf club head 6900 may have a
horizontal protrusion 8310 extending rearward from an outer surface
of the body portion 6910, as shown in the example of FIG. 83. The
golf club head 6900 may have a vertical protrusion 8210 extending
upward from an outer surface of the body portion 6910 as shown in
the example of FIGS. 82 and 83. The horizontal protrusion 8310 may
extend in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a
direction in which the vertical protrusion 8210 extends. In one
example, the horizontal protrusion 8310 may be an integral part of
the body portion 6910. In another example, the horizontal
protrusion 8310 may be a first foam pad that is coupled (e.g.,
adhered) to the body portion 6910 and may function to dampen
vibration between the plate portion 6990 and the body portion when
the golf club head strikes a golf ball. In one example, the
vertical protrusion 8210 may be an integral part of the body
portion 6910. In another example, the vertical protrusion 8210 may
be a second foam pad that is coupled (e.g., adhered) to the body
portion 6910 and may function to dampen vibration between the plate
portion and the body portion when the golf club head strikes a golf
ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not limited in this regard.
[0261] The body portion 6910 may include a first through-port 7034
on a toe side of the sole portion 6980 and a second through-port
7036 on a heel side of the sole portion 6980. The plate portion
6990 may have a first threaded hole 8620 between the bottom recess
8610 and the toe side portion 8530 and a second threaded hole 8621
between the bottom recess 8610 and the heel side portion 8540. In
assembly, the horizontal protrusion 8310 may occupy the front
recess 8710 in the plate portion 6990, the vertical protrusion 8210
may occupy the bottom recess 8610 in the plate portion 6990, the
first threaded hole 8620 may axially align with the first
through-port 7034, and the second threaded hole 8621 may axially
align with the second through-port 7036. To fasten the plate
portion 6990 to the body portion 6910, the first mechanical
fastener 7035 may be inserted through a sole-end of a first
through-port 7034 and may threadingly engage the first threaded
hole 8620 of the plate portion 6990, and the second mechanical
fastener 7037 may be inserted through a sole-end of a second
through-port 7036 and may threadingly engage the second threaded
hole 8621 of the plate portion 6990. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0262] The plate portion 6990 may be selected from a plurality of
interchangeable plate portions. Each of the plurality of
interchangeable plate portions may be configured similarly to plate
portion 6990 and may be similarly assembled to the body portion
6910. The plate portion 6990 shown in the example of FIG. 85 has an
alignment aid 6991 having one line. Each of the plurality of
interchangeable plate portions may include a unique alignment aid.
The alignment aids may include, for example, one or more lines, one
or more dots, or one or more lines and one or more dots, similar to
the examples shown in FIGS. 57-59. The plate portion may be
selected from the plurality of interchangeable plate portions based
on a preferred alignment aid. The alignment aid that may be
provided on the plate portion 6990 may be similar in many respects
to any of the alignment aids described herein, described in any of
the incorporated by reference patents, and described and shown in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/680,520, filed Feb. 25, 2022.
The plate portion 6990 may be easily assembled to the body portion
6910 and may be easily disassembled from the body portion 6910 in
favor of a different plate portion. The apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this
regard.
[0263] While each of the above examples may describe a certain type
of golf club head, the apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of
golf club heads (e.g., a driver-type golf club head, a fairway
wood-type golf club head, a hybrid-type golf club head, an
iron-type golf club head, a putter-type golf club head, etc.).
[0264] Procedures defined by golf standard organizations and/or
governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA)
and/or the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A) may
be used for measuring the club head volume of any of the golf club
heads described herein. For example, a club head volume may be
determined by using the weighted water displacement method (i.e.,
Archimedes Principle). Although the figures may depict particular
types of club heads (e.g., a driver-type club head or iron-type
golf club head), the apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of
club head (e.g., a fairway wood-type club head, a hybrid-type club
head, a putter-type club head, etc.). Accordingly, any golf club
head as described herein may have a volume that is within a volume
range corresponding to certain type of golf club head as defined by
golf governing bodies. A driver-type golf club head may have a club
head volume of greater than or equal to 300 cubic centimeters (cm3
or cc). In another example, a driver-type golf club head may have a
club head volume of 460 cc. A fairway wood golf club head may have
a club head volume of between 100 cc and 300 cc. In one example, a
fairway wood golf club head may have a club head volume of 180 cc.
An iron-type golf club head may have a club head volume of between
25 cc and 100 cc. In one example, an iron-type golf club head may
have a volume of 50 cc. Any of the golf clubs described herein may
have the physical characteristics of a certain type of golf club
(i.e., driver, fairway wood, iron, etc.), but have a volume that
may fall outside of the above-described ranges. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0265] Any of the golf club heads and/or golf clubs described
herein may include one or more sensors (e.g., accelerometers,
strain gauges, etc.) for sensing linear motion (e.g., acceleration)
and/or forces in all three axes of motion and/or rotational motion
(e.g., angular acceleration) and rotational forces about all three
axes of motion. In one example, the one or more sensors may be
internal sensors that may be located inside the golf club head, the
hosel, the shaft, and/or the grip. In another example, the one or
more sensors may be external sensors that may be located on the
grip, on the shaft, on the hosel, and/or on the golf club head. In
yet another example, the one or more sensors may be external
sensors that may be attached by an individual to the grip, to the
shaft, to the hosel, and/or to the golf club head. In one example,
data collected from the sensors may be used to determine any one or
more design parameters for any of the golf club heads and/or golf
clubs described herein to provide certain performance or optimum
performance characteristics. In another example, data from the
sensors may be collected during play to assess the performance of
an individual. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0266] Any of the apparatus, methods, or articles of manufacture
described herein may include one or more visual identifiers such as
alphanumeric characters, colors, images, symbols, logos, and/or
geometric shapes. For example, one or more visual identifiers may
be manufactured with one or more portions of a golf club such as
the golf club head (e.g., casted or molded with the golf club
head), painted on the golf club head, etched on the golf club
(e.g., laser etching), embossed on the golf club head, machined
onto the golf club head, attached as a separate badge or a sticker
on the golf club head (e.g., adhesive, welding, brazing, mechanical
lock(s), any combination thereof, etc.), or any combination
thereof. The visual identifier may be made from the same material
as the golf club head or a different material than the golf club
head (e.g., a plastic badge attached to the golf club head with an
adhesive). Further, the visual identifier may be associated with
manufacturing and/or brand information of the golf club head, the
type of golf club head, one or more physical characteristics of the
golf club head, or any combination thereof. In particular, a visual
identifier may include a brand identifier associated with a
manufacturer of the golf club (e.g., trademark, trade name, logo,
etc.) or other information regarding the manufacturer. In addition,
or alternatively, the visual identifier may include a location
(e.g., country of origin), a date of manufacture of the golf club
or golf club head, or both.
[0267] The visual identifier may include a serial number of the
golf club or golf club head, which may be used to check the
authenticity to determine whether or not the golf club or golf club
head is a counterfeit product. The serial number may also include
other information about the golf club that may be encoded with
alphanumeric characters (e.g., country of origin, date of
manufacture of the golf club, or both). In another example, the
visual identifier may include the category or type of the golf club
head (e.g., 5-iron, 7-iron, pitching wedge, etc.). In yet another
example, the visual identifier may indicate one or more physical
characteristics of the golf club head, such as one or more
materials of manufacture (e.g., visual identifier of "Titanium"
indicating the use of titanium in the golf club head), loft angle,
face portion characteristics, mass portion characteristics (e.g.,
visual identifier of "Tungsten" indicating the use of tungsten mass
portions in the golf club head), interior cavity and filler
material characteristics (e.g., one or more abbreviations, phrases,
or words indicating that the interior cavity is filled with a
polymer material), any other information that may visually indicate
any physical or play characteristic of the golf club head, or any
combination thereof. Further, one or more visual identifiers may
provide an ornamental design or contribute to the appearance of the
golf club, or the golf club head.
[0268] Any of the golf club heads described herein may be
manufactured by casting from metal such as steel. However, other
techniques for manufacturing a golf club head as described herein
may be used such as 3D printing or molding a golf club head from
metal or non-metal materials such as ceramics.
[0269] All methods described herein may be performed in any
suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. Although a particular order of
actions may be described herein with respect to one or more
processes, these actions may be performed in other temporal
sequences. Further, two or more actions in any of the processes
described herein may be performed sequentially, concurrently, or
simultaneously.
[0270] The terms "and" and "or" may have both conjunctive and
disjunctive meanings. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or
more unless this disclosure indicates otherwise. The term
"coupled," and any variation thereof, refers to directly or
indirectly connecting two or more elements chemically,
mechanically, and/or otherwise. The phrase "removably connected" is
defined such that two elements that are "removably connected" may
be separated from each other without breaking or destroying the
utility of either element.
[0271] The term "substantially" when used to describe a
characteristic, parameter, property, or value of an element may
represent deviations or variations that do not diminish the
characteristic, parameter, property, or value that the element may
be intended to provide. Deviations or variations in a
characteristic, parameter, property, or value of an element may be
based on, for example, tolerances, measurement errors, measurement
accuracy limitations and other factors. The term "proximate" is
synonymous with terms such as "adjacent," "close," "immediate,"
"nearby," "neighboring," etc., and such terms may be used
interchangeably as appearing in this disclosure.
[0272] Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to
serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each
separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated
herein, each individual value is incorporated into the
specification as if it were individually recited herein. A
numerical range defined using the word "between" includes numerical
values at both end points of the numerical range. A spatial range
defined using the word "between" includes any point within the
spatial range and the boundaries of the spatial range. A location
expressed relative to two spaced apart or overlapping elements
using the word "between" includes (i) any space between the
elements, (ii) a portion of each element, and/or (iii) the
boundaries of each element.
[0273] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language
(e.g., "such as") provided herein is intended merely for
clarification and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the
present disclosure. No language in the specification should be
construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the
practice of any embodiments discussed herein.
[0274] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments disclosed
herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member
may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination
with other members of the group or other elements disclosed herein.
One or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from,
a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any
such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to
contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written
description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
[0275] While different features or aspects of an embodiment may be
described with respect to one or more features, a singular feature
may comprise multiple elements, and multiple features may be
combined into one element without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure. Further, although methods may be disclosed as
comprising one or more operations, a single operation may comprise
multiple steps, and multiple operations may be combined into one
step without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0276] The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments,
and the foregoing description of some of these embodiments does not
necessarily represent a complete description of all possible
embodiments. Instead, the description of the drawings, and the
drawings themselves, disclose at least one embodiment, and may
disclosure alternative embodiments.
[0277] As the rules of golf may change from time to time (e.g., new
regulations may be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or
modified by golf standard organizations and/or governing bodies
such as the USGA, the R&A, etc.), golf equipment related to the
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
may be conforming or non-conforming to the rules of golf at any
particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein
may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or
non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
[0278] Further, while the above examples may be described with
respect to golf clubs, the apparatus, methods and articles of
manufacture described herein may be applicable to other suitable
types of sports equipment such as a fishing pole, a hockey stick, a
ski pole, a tennis racket, etc.
[0279] Although certain example apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of
this disclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this
disclosure covers all apparatus, methods, and articles of articles
of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended
claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *