CN113015563A

CN113015563A - Golf club head and method of manufacturing golf club head

Info

Publication number: CN113015563A
Application number: CN201980071050.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗伯特·R·帕森斯; 迈克尔·R·尼科莱特; 布拉德利·D·施韦格特
Original assignee: Parsons Xtreme Golf LLC
Current assignee: Parsons Xtreme Golf LLC
Priority date: 2018-11-02
Filing date: 2019-10-01
Publication date: 2021-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-01
Also published as: JP6989730B2; KR102348245B1; CN113015563B; JP2021534926A; WO2020091938A1; KR20210070381A

Abstract

Embodiments of golf club heads, golf clubs, and methods of manufacturing golf club heads and golf clubs are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion having an interior cavity and a front portion. The face portion is attached to the front portion of the body portion to enclose the internal cavity. The golf club head may further comprise: a first filler material coupled to a portion of the inner wall of the body portion; and a second filler material between the first filler and the face and coupled to the face. The first filler material has a greater coefficient of restitution (COR) than the second filler material, and the second filler material has a greater stiffness than the first filler material. Other examples and embodiments are possible as described and claimed.

Description

Golf club head and method of manufacturing golf club head

Copyright authorization

This document is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the document or any document as it appears in the patent and trademark office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Cross referencing

This application claims priority to application number 16/179,406 filed on 2/11/2018. The present application also claims rights and benefits to U.S. provisional application No. 62/908,467 filed on 30.9.2019, U.S. provisional application No. 62/903,467 filed on 20.9.9.2019, U.S. provisional application No. 62/877,934 filed on 24.7.7.2019, U.S. provisional application No. 62/877,915 filed on 24.7.2019, U.S. provisional application No. 62/865,532 filed on 24.6.2019, U.S. provisional application No. 62/826,310 filed on 29.3.3.2019, and U.S. provisional application No. 62/814,959 filed on 7.3.7.2019. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to golf equipment and, more particularly, to golf club heads (golf club heads) and methods of manufacturing golf club heads.

Background

Various materials (e.g., steel-based materials, titanium-based materials, tungsten-based materials, etc.) may be used to manufacture the golf club head. By manufacturing golf club heads from a variety of materials, the Center of Gravity (CG) position and/or moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club head may be optimized to produce a specific trajectory (trajectory) and spin rate of the golf ball.

Drawings

Fig. 1, 2, 3, and 4 illustrate a bottom perspective view, a toe side perspective view, a heel side perspective view, and a cross-sectional perspective view (along line 4-4 of fig. 1), respectively, of a golf club head in accordance with embodiments of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 5, 6, and 7 depict a top view, a schematic cross-sectional view (along line 6-6 of fig. 5), and an elevation view, respectively, of a golf club head according to another embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 8, 9, and 10 depict, respectively, a top view, a schematic cross-sectional view (along line 9-9 of fig. 8), and an elevation view of a golf club head in accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 11, 12, and 13 depict a top view, a schematic cross-sectional view (along line 12-12 of fig. 11), and another schematic cross-sectional view (along line 12-12 of fig. 11), respectively, of a golf club head according to yet another embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 depict a perspective rear view, a perspective cross-sectional view (along line 15-15 of FIG. 14), a perspective cross-sectional view (along line 16-16 of FIG. 14), a perspective cross-sectional view (along line 17-17 of FIG. 14), a perspective cross-sectional view (along line 18-18 of FIG. 14), a perspective cross-sectional view (along line 19-19 of FIG. 14), a perspective cross-sectional view (along line 20-20 of FIG. 14), another perspective cross-sectional view (along line 15-15 of FIG. 14), another perspective cross-sectional view (along line 19-19 of FIG. 14), a front perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 14 without a face portion (face portion), and a back side of the golf club head face portion of FIG. 14, respectively, according to one embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles described herein.

Fig. 25 depicts one manner of manufacturing the example golf club head of fig. 14.

Fig. 26, 27, and 28 depict perspective cross-sectional views (along line 26-26 of fig. 27), perspective cross-sectional views (along line 27-27 of fig. 26), and perspective cross-sectional views (along line 28-28 of fig. 26), respectively, of a golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

29, 30, and 31 depict perspective cross-sectional views (along line 29-29 of FIG. 30), perspective cross-sectional views (along line 30-30 of FIG. 29), and perspective cross-sectional views (along line 31-31 of FIG. 29), respectively, of a golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIGS. 32, 33, and 34 depict perspective cross-sectional views (along line 32-32 of FIG. 33), perspective cross-sectional views (along line 33-33 of FIG. 32), and perspective cross-sectional views (along line 34-34 of FIG. 32), respectively, of a golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 35, 36, and 37 depict perspective cross-sectional views (along line 35-35 of fig. 36), perspective cross-sectional views (along line 36-36 of fig. 35), and perspective cross-sectional views (along line 37-37 of fig. 35), respectively, of a golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIGS. 38, 39, and 40 depict perspective cross-sectional views (along line 38-38 of FIG. 39), perspective cross-sectional views (along line 39-39 of FIG. 38), and perspective cross-sectional views (along line 40-40 of FIG. 38), respectively, of a golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

41, 42, and 43 depict perspective cross-sectional views (along line 41-41 of FIG. 42), perspective cross-sectional views (along line 42-42 of FIG. 41), and perspective cross-sectional views (along line 43-43 of FIG. 41), respectively, of a golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 44 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a golf club head according to one embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 45 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a golf club head according to one embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 46 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a golf club head according to one embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 47 depicts one manner of manufacturing golf club heads described herein.

Fig. 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, and 53 depict perspective front, rear, front without face, cross-sectional perspective views (along line 51-51 of fig. 49), cross-sectional perspective views (along line 52-52 of fig. 49), and cross-sectional perspective views (along line 53-53 of fig. 49), respectively, of a golf club head according to one embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65 depict perspective front, rear, cross-sectional (along line 56-56 of FIG. 55), cross-sectional (along line 57-57 of FIG. 55), and cross-sectional (along line 58-58 of FIG. 55), front, cross-sectional (along line 62-62 of FIG. 54), cross-sectional (along line 63-63 of FIG. 54), and cross-sectional (along line 64-64 of FIG. 54), respectively, of a golf club head according to one embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 65 depicts a rear view of a face of a golf club head according to any embodiments of devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 66 depicts one manner of manufacturing the example golf club heads described herein.

67, 68, 69, 70, 71, and 72 depict perspective front, rear, front with a face not shown, cross-sectional perspective views (along line 70-70 of FIG. 68), cross-sectional perspective views (along line 71-71 of FIG. 68), and cross-sectional perspective views (along line 72-72 of FIG. 68), respectively, of a golf club head according to one embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 73 and 74 depict front and rear perspective views, respectively, of a filling insert (filler insert) according to embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 75 depicts a perspective cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 67, taken along line 71-71 of FIG. 68, with a filler insert according to another embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 76, 77, and 78 depict front, rear, and side perspective views of the filler insert of fig. 75.

Fig. 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86 depict perspective cross-sectional views of the golf club head of fig. 67, taken along line 71-71 of fig. 68, with a filler insert in accordance with several embodiments of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 87 depicts an example of a golf club head made in accordance with any embodiments of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 88 and 89 depict cross-sectional views of two facial examples in accordance with any embodiment of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 90 depicts a top view of a mass portion according to any embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 91 and 92 depict side views of exemplary masses according to any embodiments of the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

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 description. Additionally, the elements of the drawings may not be drawn 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 embodiments herein.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, golf club heads, golf clubs, and methods of manufacturing golf club heads and golf clubs are described herein. The following U.S. patents and patent applications, collectively referred to herein as "incorporated by reference," are incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S. patents 8,961,336, 9,199,140, 9,199,143, 9,352,197, 9,399,158, 9,468,821, 9,533,201, 9,550,096, 9,610,481, 9,630,070, 9,669,270, 9,675,853, 9,782,643; 9,795,842, 9,814,952, 9,821,201, 9,833,667, 9,861,867, 9,981,160, 10,213,659, 10,413,787; and U.S. patent application 15/209,364 filed 2016, 7, 13; us patent application 15/462,281 filed on 35.3.2017; us patent application 15/785,001 filed on 16/10/2017; us patent application 15/876,877 filed on 22/1/2018; us patent application 15/934,579 filed on 23.3.2018; us patent application 16/039,496 filed 2018, 7, 19; us patent application 16/179,406 filed on 2.11.2018; us patent application 16/205,583 filed on 30/11/2018; us patent application 16/422,661 filed 24.5.2019. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In fig. 1-4, a golf club head 100 may include a body portion 110, the body portion 110 having a top portion 130 with a crown 135, a sole 140, a toe 150, a heel 160, a front portion 170, and a rear portion 180. The crown 135 may be a separate component attached to the top 130 and made of a composite material. The sole 140 may include a skirt (not shown) defined as one side of the golf club head 100 between the top 130 and the sole 140, excluding the front portion 170, extending from the toe portion 150, across the periphery of the golf club head 100, around the rear portion 180, and to the heel portion 160. The front portion 170 may include a face 175 to strike a golf ball (not shown). The golf club head 100 may have a neutral axis 401. Neutral axis 401 may be perpendicular to face 175 and may intersect the center of face 175. The body portion 110 may also include a sheath (hosel) portion 165 to receive a shaft (craft) (not shown). Alternatively, the body portion 110 may include a bore instead of the sheath portion 165. Body portion 110 may be made of any one or combination of materials described herein or in any application incorporated by reference. The maximum distance from the front to the rear of the golf club head 100 may be greater than the maximum distance from the heel to the toe of the golf club head 100. Although fig. 1-4 depict a particular type of golf club head (e.g., a driver head), the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of club heads (e.g., fairway wood heads, ironwood heads, iron heads, putter heads). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The bottom 140 may include a plurality of orifice regions, such as shown as: a first orifice region 210 having a first set of orifices 211 (shown generally as

orifices

212, 214, and 216) proximate toe 150; a second orifice region 220 having a second set of orifices 220 (shown generally as

orifices

222, 224, and 226) proximate the front portion 170; and a third porthole area 230 having a third set of portholes 231 (shown generally as

portholes

232, 234, and 236) proximate the heel 160. Although fig. 1-4 illustrate various port regions and certain configurations of various ports, the number of port regions, the number and configuration of ports in each region, and the location of various ports may be similar to any golf club head described herein or in any of the applications incorporated by reference herein. Body portion 110 may also include a plurality of masses, shown as a first set of masses 260 (shown generally as

masses

262, 264, and 266), a second set of masses 270 (shown generally as

masses

272, 274, and 276), and a third set of masses 280 (shown generally as

masses

282, 284, and 286). Each orifice may interchangeably accommodate any mass. The masses of first set of masses 260, second set of masses 270, and/or third set of masses 280 may be similar or different. Thus, by using a mass portion having a similar or different mass in each of the

vent regions

210, 220, and/or 230, the total mass in each vent region and/or the mass distribution in each vent region may be adjusted to generally optimize and/or adjust the swing weight, center of gravity, moment of inertia, and/or overall feel of the golf club head for an individual using the golf club head 100, as described herein and in any of the applications incorporated by reference herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Some areas of the interior of the body portion 110 may include a polymeric material, also referred to herein as a filler material, similar to any of the polymeric materials described herein or in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The filler material may reduce vibration, attenuate noise, lower the center of gravity and/or provide a better feel and sound to the golf club head 100 when striking a golf ball (not shown). The golf club head 100 may have one or more interior regions and/or cavities that may include any polymeric material similar to those described herein or described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. In one example, as shown in fig. 4, the body portion 110 may include a cavity wall portion 320. The cavity wall portion 320 may form a first inner cavity portion 410 and a second inner cavity portion 420 within the body portion 110. The first inner cavity portion 410 and the second inner cavity portion 420 may be separated by a cavity wall portion 320. Alternatively, the first inner chamber portion 410 and the second inner chamber portion 420 may be connected by one or more openings in the chamber wall portion 320. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As shown in fig. 4, the cavity wall portion 320 can include a first portion 322 extending from at or near the top portion 130 toward the bottom portion 140. The first portion 322 may extend toward the bottom 140 at an angle or direction relative to the face 175. In one example, the first portion 322 may extend toward the bottom 140 and away from the face 175. Thus, the first width 411 (W) of the first inner cavity portion 410 _C1) May increase in a direction from the top 130 to the bottom 140. In another example, the first portion 322 may extend toward the bottom 140 and toward the face 175. Accordingly, the first width 411 of the first inner cavity portion 410 may decrease in a direction from the top portion 130 to the bottom portion 140. In the example of FIG. 4, the first portion 322 of the cavity wall 320 may begin at or near the top 130Extending substantially parallel or substantially parallel to the face 175. Thus, the first width 411 of the first inner cavity portion 410 may be constant or substantially constant. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first inner cavity portion 410 may include an enlarged cavity portion 412 between the top portion 130 and the bottom portion 140. As shown in fig. 4, the enlarged cavity portion 412 extends in a manner to partially or fully cover the second orifice region 220. Thus, the enlarged cavity portion 412 may have a second width 413 (W) of the first inner cavity portion 410_C2) Which may be greater than the first width 411 of the first inner cavity portion 410. The second width 413 may be about two times greater than the first width 411. The second width 413 may be at least two times greater than the first width 411. The pocket portion 412 may be at least partially below the neutral axis 401 of the golf club head 100. The pocket portion 412 may be entirely below the neutral axis 401 of the golf club head 100. The first width 411 may be located above the neutral axis 401. Second width 413 may be located below neutral axis 401. The pocket portion 412 may be defined by a second wall portion 324, and the second wall portion 324 may extend from the first wall portion 322 to the rear portion 180 and the bottom portion 140 and traverse rearward over the second orifice region 220. The first inner cavity portion 410 can include a third wall portion 326 that extends from the second wall portion 324 toward or near the bottom portion 140. The first inner cavity portion 410 may have a third width 414 (W) extending from the third wall portion 326 toward the rear surface 176 of the face portion 175 _C3). The third width 414 may be located below the enlarged cavity portion 412. The third width 414 may be located below the second width 413. The third width 414 may be less than the second width 413. Third width 414 may be substantially equal to first width 411. As shown in fig. 4, the third width 414 may be located between the second orifice region 220 and the face 175. The third width 414 may be located near the bottom. In another example, the first width 411 may be similar to the second width 413 of the first inner cavity portion 410 (not shown). Thus, the first wall portion 322 of the cavity wall portion 320 may be located further to the rear 180 than the first wall portion 322 shown in fig. 4, such that the portion of the first inner cavity portion 410 above the second orifice region 220 extends above the one or more orifices of the second orifice region 220. In other examples, first inner cavity portion 410 may be configured as described hereinAny of the lumens described above and shown in fig. 5-13 are similar. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the first inner cavity portion 410 may be unfilled (i.e., empty space). Alternatively, the first interior cavity portion 410 may be partially filled (i.e., less than 100% filled) or completely filled with a filler material (i.e., cavity filler) to absorb shock, isolate vibration, attenuate noise, and/or provide structural support to the face. For example, at least 50% of first interior cavity portion 410 may be filled with a TPE material to absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise when golf club head 100 strikes a golf ball via face portion 175. In one example, the first inner cavity portion 410 may be partially or fully filled with a filler material through an aperture (e.g., aperture 224) located in the bottom portion 140. In one example, as shown in fig. 4, the aperture 224 may include an opening into the first inner cavity portion 410. The opening may provide a fluid pathway for introducing a filler material into the first interior chamber portion 410. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

When the face portion 175 of the golf club head 100 impacts a golf ball, the face portion 175 and the filler material may deform and/or compress. The kinetic energy of the impact may be transferred to the face 175 and/or the filler material. For example, some of the kinetic energy may be converted to heat by the filler material or deform and/or compress the filler material. In addition, some of the kinetic energy may be transferred back to the golf ball causing the golf ball to be ejected at a certain velocity. A filler material having a relatively high COR may impart relatively more kinetic energy to the golf ball and dissipate relatively less kinetic energy. Accordingly, a filler material having a relatively high COR may produce a relatively high ball velocity because a relatively large portion of the kinetic energy of the impact may be transferred back to the golf ball in order to launch the golf ball from the golf club head 100. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

After forming the first interior cavity portion 410 supported by the cavity wall portion 320 and filling at least a portion of the first interior cavity portion 410 with a filler material, the face portion 175 may be relatively thin without reducing the structural integrity, sound, and/or feel of the golf club head 100. In one example, the face 175 can have a thickness (e.g., distance between the front surface 174 and the back surface 176) that is less than or equal to 0.075 inches. In another example, the face 175 may have a thickness less than or equal to 0.2 inches. In another example, the face 175 can have a thickness less than or equal to 0.06 inches. In yet another example, the face 175 may have a thickness less than or equal to 0.05 inches. Further, the face 175 can have a thickness of less than or equal to 0.03 inches. In yet another example, the thickness of the face 175 can be greater than or equal to 0.03 inches and less than or equal to 0.2 inches. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 1-4, the second inner cavity portion 420 may be unfilled (i.e., empty space). Alternatively (not shown), the second inner cavity portion 420 may be partially or fully filled with a filler material (i.e., a cavity filler portion), which may include one or more similar or different types of materials described herein, and may be different or similar to the filler material used to fill the first inner cavity portion 410. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Although each of the examples herein 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. Referring to fig. 5-7, for example, a golf club head 500 may include a body portion 510 and a cavity wall portion 520. Although fig. 5-7 may depict a particular type of club head (e.g., a fairway wood head), the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of club heads (e.g., a driver head, a irons head, an irons head, a putter head, etc.). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The body portion 510 may include a toe portion 540, a heel portion 550, a front portion 560, a rear portion 570, a top portion 580 (e.g., a crown), and a sole portion 590 (e.g., sole portion). The front portion 560 may include a face 562 (e.g., a ball striking face). The face 562 may include a front surface 564 and a rear surface 566. The front surface 564 may include a plurality of grooves, shown generally as 710 in FIG. 7. The cavity wall portion 520 may form a first inner cavity portion 610 and a second inner cavity portion 620 within the body portion 510. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the cavity wall portion 520 may extend from the rear surface 566 of the face portion 562. The cavity wall 520 may be a single curved wall. In particular, the cavity wall portion 520 can have a convex arc profile (e.g., C-shape) relative to the rear surface 566 to form a dome-like structure with an elliptical base (e.g., fig. 7) or a circular base on the rear surface 566. In another example, the cavity wall portion 520 may form a conical or cylindrical structure with the body portion 510. Alternatively, cavity wall portion 520 may be a concave arcuate profile relative to rear surface 566. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first inner cavity portion 610 may be partially or fully filled with a suitable filler material, such as any of the filler materials described herein or in any of the applications incorporated by reference herein, to absorb shock, isolate vibration, attenuate noise, and/or provide structural support. The elastic polymer material may be injected into the first interior cavity portion 610 by an injection molding process via an orifice in the face portion 562. After forming the first interior cavity portion 610 under the support of the cavity wall portion 520 and filling at least a portion of the first interior cavity portion 610 with an elastic polymer material, the face portion 562 may be relatively thin without reducing the structural integrity, sound, and/or feel of the golf club head 500. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The cavity wall 520 may include multiple portions. For example, in fig. 8-10, a golf club head 800 may include a body portion 810 and a cavity wall portion 820. Body portion 810 may include a toe portion 840, a heel portion 850, a front portion 860, a rear portion 870, a top portion 880 (e.g., a crown), and a sole portion 890 (e.g., a sole portion). The front portion 860 may include a face 862 (e.g., a ball striking face) having a front surface 864 and a rear surface 866. The cavity wall portion 820 may extend from the rear surface 866 to form a first interior cavity portion 910 and a second interior cavity portion 920 within the body portion 810. The cavity wall 820 may include two or more walls, generally shown in fig. 9 as 930, 940, and 950. Similar to first inner cavity portion 610 (fig. 5-7), first inner cavity portion 910 may be partially or fully filled with a filler material. The filler material may be injected into the first inner cavity portion 910 by an injection molding process via an aperture in the face portion 862. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, for example, golf club head 1100 may include a body portion 1110 and a cavity wall portion 1120. Body portion 1110 may include a toe portion 1140, a heel portion 1150, a front portion 1160, a back portion 1170, a top portion 1180 (e.g., a crown), and a sole portion 1190 (e.g., a sole portion). The front portion 1160 may include a face portion 1162 (e.g., a ball striking face) having a front surface 1164 and a rear surface 1166. Face 1162 may be associated with a loft plane 1230 that defines a loft angle of golf club head 1100. The cavity wall 1120 may be a single flat wall. Specifically, cavity wall portion 1120 may extend between toe portion 1140 and heel portion 1150 and between top portion 1180 and bottom portion 1190 to form first interior cavity portion 1210 and second interior cavity portion 1220 within body portion 1110. The cavity wall portion 1120 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the face plane 1230. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 13, the cavity wall portion 1320 may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the ground plane 1330. Similar to inner cavity portion 610 (fig. 5-7) and inner cavity portion 910 (fig. 8-10), first inner cavity portion 1210 may be partially or fully filled with an elastomeric polymer or elastomer (elastomer) material. The elastic polymeric material may be injected into the first interior cavity portion 1210 through an injection molding process via apertures on the face 1162 and/or the bottom 1190, as described herein or in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Alternatively, the cavity wall 1120 may extend between the sole 1190 and the top-to-front transition region (i.e., the transition region between the crown 1180 and the front 1160) such that the cavity wall 1120 and the face plane 1230 may not be parallel to each other. In another example, the cavity wall 1120 may extend between the top 1180 and a bottom-to-front transition region (i.e., the transition region between the bottom 1190 and the front 1160) such that the cavity wall 1120 and the face plane 1230 may not be parallel to each other. Although fig. 11-13 illustrate that the

cavity walls

1120 and 1320 can be flat or substantially flat, the cavity walls 1120 and/or 1320 can be concave or convex relative to the face 1162. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 14-24, the golf club head 1400 may include a body portion 1410 having a toe portion 1440, a heel portion 1450, a front portion 1460, a rear portion 1470, a top portion 1480, and a bottom portion 1490, where the heel portion 1450 may include a hosel portion 1455 configured to receive a shaft (not shown) having a grip (not shown) at one end and the golf club head 1400 at an opposite end of the shaft, thereby forming a golf club; the front portion 1460 therein has a peripheral edge portion 1461. Toe 1440, heel 1450, front 1460, rear 1470, top 1480, and/or bottom 1490 may partially overlap one another. Golf club head 1400 may be an iron-type golf club head (e.g., iron 1, iron 2, iron 3, iron 4, iron 5, iron 6, iron 7, iron 8, iron 9, etc.), or a wedge (wedge) type golf club head (e.g., pitching wedge, high throw wedge, sand pit wedge, n-degree wedges such as 44 degrees (°), 48 °, 52 °, 56 °, 60 °, etc.). While fig. 14-24 may depict a particular type of club head, the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of club heads (e.g., driver heads, fairway wood heads, ironwood heads, putter heads, etc.). The materials of construction of the golf club head 1400 and/or any of its components may be similar to the materials used to construct the golf club head described in any of the applications described herein or incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 1400 may include a face portion 1462 (i.e., a ball striking face) that may be integrally formed (e.g., as a single unitary piece) with the body portion 1410. In one example, as shown in fig. 14-24, the face portion 1462 may be a separate component coupled (e.g., adhesively, mechanically, via welding or soldering) to the body portion 1410. The face 1462 may include a front surface 1464 and a rear surface 1466. In one example (not shown), the front portion 1460 may include one or more recessed shoulders configured to receive the face portion 1462 to attach the face portion 1462 to the body portion 1410. In another example, as shown in fig. 14-24, the rear surface 1466 may include a peripheral portion 1467 that may be attached to a peripheral edge portion 1461 of the body portion 1410 to attach the face portion 1462 to the body portion 1410. The peripheral edge portion 1461 of the body portion 1410 and the peripheral portion 1467 of the face portion 1462 may be attached by one or more fasteners, one or more adhesives or cements, and/or welding or soldering. In one example, as shown in fig. 14-24, the peripheral portion 1467 of the face portion 1462 may be welded to the peripheral edge portion 1461 of the body portion 1410 at one or more locations. Alternatively, the entire peripheral portion 1467 of the face portion 1462 may be welded to the entire peripheral edge portion 1461 of the body portion 1410 (i.e., continuously welded). The face portion 1462 may include a hitting region 1468 for hitting a golf ball. In one example, the center of the ball striking zone 1468 may be the geometric center 1463 of the face 1462. In another example, the geometric center 1463 of the face 1462 may be offset from the center of the ball striking zone 1468. In one example, the geometric center 1443 and one or more regions within the striking zone 1468 near and/or about the geometric center may provide a substantially optimal location on the face 1462 for striking a golf ball (i.e., optimal ball distance, ball speed, ball spin characteristics, etc.). In yet another example, any location at or near the geometric center 1463 and within the ball striking region 1468 may provide a generally optimal location on the face 1462 for striking a golf ball. However, for any of the golf club heads described herein, the ball may be struck with the face 1462 at any location within the ball striking zone 1468 or outside of the ball striking zone 1468, such that certain ball flight characteristics that may be preferred by the player are different from a center shot. The construction of the face portion 1462 and the attachment (e.g., welding) of the face portion 1462 to the body portion 1410 may be similar in many respects to golf club heads described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 1400 may be associated with a ground plane 2310, a horizontal midplane 2320, and a top plane 2330. In particular, the ground plane 2310 may be a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel to the ground and tangent to the lowest edge of the bottom portion 1490 when the golf club head 1400 is in a address position (e.g., the golf club head 1400 is aligned to strike a golf ball). The top plane 2330 may be a plane that is tangent to the uppermost edge of the top section 1480 when the golf club head 1400 is in the address position. The ground plane 2310 and the top plane 2330 may be parallel or substantially parallel to each other. The horizontal midplane 2320 may be at a vertical midpoint between the ground plane 2310 and the top plane 2330. Additionally, the golf club head 1400 may be associated with a face plane 2340 that defines a loft angle 2345(α) of the golf club head 1400. The face plane 2340 may be a tangential plane to the face 1462. The loft angle 2345 may be defined by a face plane 2340 and a vertical plane 2350 perpendicular to the ground plane 2310.

Body portion 1410 may be a hollow body that includes an interior cavity 1510 having an interior wall 1512. Lumen 1510 may extend between front 1460, rear 1470, top 1480, and bottom 1490. In the example of fig. 14-24, the inner cavity 1510 of the body portion 1410 may be enclosed and partially defined by the face 1462. The configuration (e.g., height, width, volume, shape, etc.) of the interior cavity 1510, the configuration of the interior cavity 1510 relative to the body portion 1410 (e.g., the volume of the interior cavity 1510 relative to the volume of the body portion 1410), the variation in width and height, and the access to the interior cavity 1510 from one or more apertures of the body portion 1410 may be similar to golf club heads described in any of the applications incorporated by reference herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Further, body portion 1410 may include one or more apertures, which may be external apertures and/or internal apertures (e.g., located inside body portion 1410). The inner wall 1512 of the inner cavity 1510 can include one or more apertures. In one example, as shown in fig. 14, rear portion 1470 may include one or more apertures along or adjacent to the periphery of body portion 1410. For example, body portion 1410 may include a first set of apertures 1520 (e.g., shown as

apertures

1521, 1522, and 1523), a second set of apertures 1530 (e.g., shown as

apertures

1531, 1532, and 1533), and a third set of apertures 1540 (e.g., shown as apertures 1541 and 1542). The location, spacing relative to other apertures, and any other configuration of each aperture of first set of apertures 1520, second set of apertures 1530, and/or third set of apertures 1540 may be similar in many respects to the apertures described herein or described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. Further, any one or more of the first set of apertures 1520, the second set of apertures 1530, and/or the third set of apertures 1540 may be connected to the inner cavity 1510 through which one or more filler materials may be injected into the inner cavity 1510. In the example of fig. 14-24, the orifice 1542 may be connected to the inner cavity 1510 via an opening 1543. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Each aperture of the first set of apertures 1520 may be separated by a distance that is less than the aperture diameter of any aperture of the first set of apertures 1520. Each aperture of the second set of apertures 1530 may be separated by a distance that is less than the aperture diameter of any aperture of the second set of apertures 1530. Each of the third set of apertures 1540 may be separated by a distance that is less than the aperture diameter of any of the third set of apertures 1540. The first set of apertures 1520 and the second set of apertures 1530 may be separated by a distance that is substantially greater than the aperture diameter of any of the first set of apertures 1520 and the second set of apertures 1530. In one example, the second set of apertures 1530 and the third set of apertures 1540 may be spaced apart by a distance that is less than the aperture diameter of any of the second set of apertures 1530 and the third set of apertures 1540. In another example, as shown in fig. 14, the second set of orifices 1530 and the third set of orifices 1540 may be spaced apart by a distance that is substantially greater than the orifice diameter of any of the second set of orifices 1530 and the third set of orifices 1540. In one example, the portion of body portion 1410 between second set of apertures 1530 and third set of apertures 1540 may generally correspond to or be aligned with ball striking region 1468, and may be devoid of any apertures. In another example (not shown), the second set of apertures 1530 and the third set of apertures 1540 may extend continuously and have approximately equal aperture spacing from the toe 1440 to the heel 1450. The invention described herein is not limited to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture.

Although the figures may depict the orifices as separate and distinct portions, each of the first, second, and third sets of

orifices

1520, 1530, and 1540, respectively, may be a single orifice. In one example, all of the first set of apertures 1520 (e.g., shown as 1521, 1522, and 1523) may be combined into a single aperture (e.g., a first aperture). In another example, all of the second set of apertures 1530 (e.g., shown as 1531, 1532, and 1533) may be combined into a single aperture (e.g., a second aperture). In yet another example, all of the third set of apertures 1540 (e.g., shown as 1541 and 1542) may be combined into a single aperture (e.g., a third aperture). Although the figures may depict a particular number of apertures, the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may include a greater or lesser number of apertures.

The body portion 1410 may include one or more masses (e.g., one or more weights), which may be one or more integral masses or one or more separate masses, which may be coupled to the body portion 1410. In the example of fig. 14, the body portion 1410 may include a first set of masses 1620 (e.g., shown as

masses

1621, 1622, and 1623), a second set of masses 1630 (e.g., shown as

masses

1631, 1632, and 1633), and a third set of masses 1640 (e.g., shown as masses 1641 and 1642). Although the above examples may describe a particular number or portion of mass portions, a set of mass portions may include a single mass portion or a plurality of mass portions, as described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. For example, the first set of masses 1620 may be a single mass (e.g.,

masses

1631, 1632, and 1633 may be a single mass referred to as a first mass). In a similar manner, second set of masses 1630 and/or third set of masses 1640 may be a single mass. Further, the first set of masses 1620, the second set of masses 1630, and/or the third set of masses 1640 may be part of the physical structure of the body portion 1410. Each mass of the first set of masses 1620, second set of masses 1630, and/or third set of masses 1640 may be similar to any mass described herein or in any application incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Body portion 1410 may be made of a first material, while the masses of first set of masses 1620, second set of masses 1630, and/or third set of masses 1640 may be made of a second material. Each mass of the first set of masses 1620, second set of masses 1630, and/or third set of masses 1640 may be a similar or different material. The material of the body portion 1410 and any mass portions of the first, second, and/or third sets of

mass portions

1620, 1630, and/or 1640 may be similar to the material of the body portion and any mass portions, respectively, described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The internal cavity 1510 may be partially or fully filled with one or more fill materials (i.e., cavity fill materials), which may include one or more similar or different types of materials. In one example, as shown in fig. 14-24, the lumen 1510 can be filled with a first filler material 1712 and a second filler material 1714. The first filler material 1712 may be coupled or attached to the back surface 1466 of the face 1462. In one example, the first fill material 1712 may have an inherent adhesiveness or bonding to attach to the back surface 1466 of the face 1462. In another example, the first filler material 1712 may be attached to the rear surface 1466 of the face portion 1462 by one or more bonding agents or adhesives that may be mixed with the first filler material 1712. In another example, the first filler material 1712 may be attached to the back surface 1466 of the face portion 1462 by one or more bonding agents or adhesives that may be separate from the first filler material. In another example, the first filler material 1712 may be held in contact with the back surface 1466 of the face 1462 by the second filler material 1714 as described herein. In yet another example, the first filler material 1712 may be both bonded to the back surface 1466 of the face 1462 as described herein and may remain in contact with the back surface 1466 of the face 1462 through the second filler material 1714. The first filler material 1712 and/or the second filler material 1714 may be similar to filler materials described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first filler material 1712 may be coupled to at least a portion of the rear surface 1466 of the face 1462 that corresponds to the ball striking region 1468 of the face 1462. The first fill material 1712 may be coupled to the rear surface 1466 of the face 1462 in areas outside of the ball striking region 1468. The first fill material 1712 can be coupled to one or more portions of the rear surface 1466 of the face 1462 that occupy greater than or equal to 10% and less than or equal to 100% of the area of the rear surface exposed to the interior cavity 1510. The amount of the rear surface 1466 of the face portion 1462 that the first filler material 1712 may couple to may depend on the loft angle of the golf club head, the overall thickness of the face portion 1462, the thickness profile of the face portion 1462, the shape of the interior cavity 1510, the location and configuration of any apertures of the mass, the material properties of the first filler material 1712, and/or the material properties of the second filler material 1714. In one example, a relatively large portion of the rear surface 1466 of the face 1462 can be coupled with the first fill material 1712 for a relatively thin face 1462 such that the first fill material 1712 provides sufficient structural support to the face 1462. In another example, a golf club head with a relatively large loft angle may limit the portions of the rear surface 1466 of the face portion 1462 that are coupled by the first filler material 1712. In yet another example, the acoustic characteristics of the golf club head may be a factor in determining the amount of filler material 1712 coupled to the rear surface 1466 of the face portion to provide a pleasing sound and feel to the player. The amount of the first fill material 1712 coupled to the back surface 1466 of the face 1462 may be: (i) provide vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a steady and/or pleasant sound and feel felt by a player using the golf club head 1400 when the golf club head 1400 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support to the face 1462; and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Width 1722 (W) of first fill material 1712_F1) May vary from toe 1440 to heel 1450 and/or from top 1480 to bottom 1490. The width 1722 of the first filler material 1712 may be constant or substantially constant from the toe portion 1440 to the heel portion 1450 and/or from the top portion 1480 to the bottom portion 1490. The width 1722 of the first fill material 1712 can be constant or substantially constant at one or more locations of the internal cavity 1510, and can vary at some other location of the internal cavity 1510. In one example, as shown in fig. 14-24, the width 1722 of the first fill material 1712 can vary at one or more locations of the inner cavity 1510 similar to or substantially similar to the contour of all or a portion of the inner wall 1512 of the inner cavity 1510 (i.e., similar to or substantially similar to the shape of the inner wall 1512 of the inner cavity 1510). Thus, the amount of the first filler material 1712 in the interior cavity 1510 and/or the amount coupled to the face 1462 can be maximized while within the first filler material 1712 and the interior cavity 1510 as will be described laterA gap is maintained between the walls 1512. In another example, the first filling material 1712 at and/or around the ball striking region 1468 of the face 1462 may have a relatively larger width 1722 to: (i) provide vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a steady and/or pleasant sound and feel felt by a player using the golf club head 1400 when the golf club head 1400 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support to the face 1462; and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. At the ball striking zone 1468 and/or other regions of the interior cavity 1510, the width 1722 of the first filling material 1712 may be determined to provide the golf club head 1400 with a relatively high or optimal coefficient of restitution (COR). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 14-24, the distance between the first filler material 1712 and the inner wall 1512 of the lumen 1510 can define a gap 1724. The size of the gap 1724 can be constant or can vary within the inner cavity 1510, similar or substantially similar to the shape of the first filler material 1712, the shape of the inner wall 1512 of the inner cavity 1510, the location of one or more apertures connectable to the inner cavity 1510, the location of one or more integral and/or removable masses, and/or other factors described herein. At some point within the cavity 1510, the gap 1724 may be sized as small as possible, but still provide enough space to accommodate the second filler material 1714 between the first filler material 1712 and the inner wall 1512 of the cavity 1510. In one example, the gap may be the result of manufacturing the golf club head with the first and

second filler materials

1712, 1714.

In an example, the gap 1724 can be greater than or equal to 0.001 inches (0.003cm) and less than or equal to 0.2 inches (0.508 cm). In another example, the gap 1724 may be greater than or equal to 0.007 inches (0.18cm) and less than or equal to 0.1 inches (0.384 cm). In another example, the gap 1724 may be greater than or equal to 0.015 inches (0.038cm) and less than or equal to 0.05 inches (0.127 cm). In yet another example, the gap 1724 may be greater than or equal to 0.003 inches (0.008cm) and less than or equal to 0.38 inches (0.635 cm). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As described herein, the width 1722 of the first filler material 1712 can vary similar or substantially similar to the shape of the inner wall 1512 of the inner cavity 1510. Thus, in one example, the change in width (Wg) of the gap 1724 can be expressed by the following equation:

wherein: wg_maxIs the maximum of the Wg, and,

Wg_minis a minimum Wg, and

1＜Rg≤5

in one example, Rg can be 2 or less when the width 1722 of the first fill material 1712 varies similar or substantially similar to the shape of the inner wall 1512 of the lumen 1510. In another example, Rg can be 3 or less. Thus, the maximum width (Wg) of the gap 1724_max) May be no greater than the minimum width (Wg) of the gap 1724_min) Three times that of the original. In yet another example, Rg can be 4 or less. Thus, the maximum width (Wg) of the gap 1724_max) May be no greater than the minimum width (Wg) of the gap 1724_min) Four times that of the prior art. The variation in the gap 1724 may be small such that the shape of the first filler material 1712 may vary similar or substantially similar to the contour of the inner walls 1512 of the lumen 1510 (i.e., the shape of the individual inner walls of the lumen 1510). Although the above examples may describe Wg_maxRatio Wg_minBut the devices, methods, and articles described herein may include Wg_maxRatio Wg_minTo a greater ratio of (a). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The posterior surface 1466 of the face portion 1462 may include a peripheral portion 1467, which may be attached to a peripheral edge portion 1461 of the body portion 1410 as described herein. Accordingly, the rear surface 1466 of the face 1462 may include an inner surface 1469 that is exposed to the internal cavity 1510. The inner surface 1469 may also define the boundaries of the lumen 1510 (i.e., the front boundary of the lumen 1510). In one example (not shown)Out), the first filler material 1712 may be coupled to the entire inner surface 1469 of the face 1462. In another example, as shown in fig. 14-24, the first filler material 1712 may be coupled to a portion of the inner surface 1469 of the face 1462. Thus, the first fill material 1712 may include a front area 1713 that is attached to the inner surface 1469 of the face 1462. In one example, the front area 1713 of the first filler material 1712 (the area where the front surface of the first filler material 1712 is attached to the face 1462) (FA_m) Area (BA) of inner surface 1469 of face 1462_f) The relationship between can be expressed by the following equation:

FA_m＝BA_f(A₁α+A₂) (2)

wherein:

FA_mis the front area 1713 of the first fill material 1712,

BA_fis the area of the inner surface 1469 of the face 1462,

a is the loft angle of the face 1462,

-0.003≤A₁less than or equal to 0.001, and

0.4≤A₂≤0.85

the loft angle α described herein may be associated with the type of iron-type golf club head, such as an iron 5 golf club, an iron 7 golf club, or a pick-up golf club. For example, a 5-iron club head may have a loft angle α of 38 ° ± 2 °. In another example, a 7-gauge iron club head may have a loft angle α of 44 ° ± 2 °. In yet another example, a pick-up golf club head may have a loft angle α of 5 ° ± 2 °. Thus, any loft angle represented herein may fluctuate by ± 2 ° for the same type of iron-type golf club head. Although the above examples may describe particular iron-type golf club heads, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may include driver-type golf club heads, fairway wood-type golf club heads, ironwood-type golf clubs, putter-type golf club heads, or other types of golf club heads. Further, while the above examples may describe a particular loft angle, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may include a greater or lesser loft angle. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Coefficient A₁And A₂May define upper and lower boundaries of a ratio of the front area 1713 of the first filler material 1712 to the area of the inner surface 1469 of the face portion 1462. In one example, the coefficient A is assumed according to equation (2)₁And-0.0018, the upper and lower boundaries of the ratio of the front area 1713 of the first filler material 1712 to the area of the interior surface 1469 of the face portion 1462 may be determined as shown in table 1 for a set of iron-type golf club heads.

Iron rod type	α	(FA_m/BA_f)≤	(FA_m/BA_f)≥
				3	18	0.77	0.45
4	21	0.77	0.44
				5	23	0.76	0.44
6	26	0.76	0.43
				7	30	0.75	0.43
8	34	0.74	0.42
				9	39	0.73	0.41
Digging rod	44	0.72	0.40
				Relay digging rod	49	0.71	0.39
Sand pit digging rod	54	0.71	0.38
				High throwing digging rod	59	0.70	0.38

Table 1.

The loft angle of the golf club head may determine the structural configuration of the golf club head. Thus, golf club heads with different lofts may have different cavity shapes, port locations, mass locations, fill material volumes, different CG locations, different sized faces, or different golf club head cross-sectional shapes. In one example, a golf club head with a relatively higher loft angle has a generally smaller cavity width profile than a golf club head with a lower loft angle. Therefore, FA for golf clubs having a relatively high loft angle_m/BA_fThe value may generally be less than golf club heads having lower loft angles due to differences in the amount of filler material that may be provided in the interior cavity of each of the golf club heads described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard

In another example, the volume of the first filler material 1712 is the volume of the lumen 1510 (V)_m) The relationship between them can be expressed by the following formula:

V_m＝V_c(B₁α+B₂) (3)

wherein:

V_mis the volume of the first filler material 1712,

V_cis the volume of the interior cavity 1510,

a is the loft angle and is,

-0.001≤B₁less than or equal to 0.001, and

0.3≤B₂≤0.65

coefficient B₁And B₂May determine the upper and lower boundaries of the ratio of the volume of the first filler material 1712 to the volume of the lumen 1510. In one example, the coefficient B is assumed according to equation (3)₁Is-0.0015, then for a set of iron type golf club heads, the first fill isThe upper and lower boundaries of the ratio of the volume of material 1712 to the volume of lumen 1510 can be determined as shown in table 2.

Iron type	α	(V_m/V_c)≤	(V_m/Vc)≥
				3	18	0.61	0.35
4	21	0.61	0.35
				5	23	0.60	0.35
6	26	0.60	0.34
				7	30	0.59	0.34
8	34	0.58	0.33
				9	39	0.58	0.32
Digging rod	44	0.57	0.32
				Relay digging rod	49	0.56	0.31
Sand digging rod	54	0.55	0.30
				High throwing digging rod	59	0.55	0.29

Table 2.

As described herein, golf club heads with different lofts may have different cavity shapes, port locations, mass locations, fill material volumes, different CG locations, different sized faces, or different golf club headsClub head cross-sectional shape. In one example, a golf club head with a relatively higher loft angle may have a generally smaller cavity width profile than a golf club head with a lower loft angle. Thus, V of golf club having relatively high loft angle _m/V_cThe value is generally less than that of a golf club head having a lower loft angle due to the differences in the amount of filler material that may be provided in the interior cavity of each of the golf club heads described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Coefficient A₁、A₂、B₁And B₂Values within the coefficient boundaries described herein may maintain a certain gap or a certain perimeter gap between the first filler material 1712 and the inner walls of the lumen 1510, as described herein, and/or optimize or maximize the width 1722 of the first filler material 1712 at or near the ball striking region 1468. In addition, coefficient A₁、A₂、B₁And B₂May vary within the boundaries of these coefficients defined herein depending on the particular internal construction or structure of the golf club head. For example, as shown in fig. 22, certain regions of the lumen 1510 may not be wide enough to include both the first fill material 1712 and the second fill material 1714. As shown in fig. 19, the region of the lumen 1510 between the aperture 352 and the face 1462 may include only the second fill material 1714. Thus, when the lumen 1510 is absent of the first filler material 1712 in the region between the aperture 352 and the face 1462 (as shown in fig. 19), it may affect both the upper and lower boundaries of the ratio of the anterior area of the first filler material 1712 to the area of the interior surface 1469 of the face 1462, and/or the ratio of the volume of the first filler material 1712 to the volume of the lumen 1510. In another example, as shown in fig. 15 and 16, the ratio of the anterior area 1713 of the first filler material 1712 to the area of the interior surface 1469 of the face 1462, and/or the ratio of the volume of the first filler material 1712 to the volume of the lumen 1510 may be determined such that the width of the first filler material 1712 at the ball striking region 1468 is maximized while still maintaining a sufficient width of the gap 1724 to accommodate the second filler material 1714. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As described herein, in one example, the first filler material 1712 may not be attached to the entire inner surface 1469 of the face portion 1462. Thus, the first filler material 1712 and the perimeter edge 1461 (or perimeter 1467 of the face portion) may be separated by a perimeter gap 1725. The perimeter gap 1725 may be larger than the gap 1724 due to one or more golf club head design and manufacturing considerations. For example, the peripheral gap 1725 may have to be large enough so that heat from any of the welding or soldering processes described herein (to attach the peripheral portion 1467 of the face portion 1462 to the peripheral edge portion 1461 of the body portion 1410) does not damage, migrate, dislodge, detach from the face portion 1462, and/or change the material properties (e.g., melting characteristics) of the first filler material 1712 at or near the peripheral portion 1467 of the face portion 1462. Thus, as shown in fig. 21 and 22, the peripheral gap 1725 may be larger than the gap 1724. In another example, as shown in fig. 22, portions of the lumen 1510 at or near the peripheral edge portion 1461 may not be wide enough to include both the first and

second filler materials

1712, 1714. Thus, the peripheral gap 1725 may be much larger than the gap 1724. As such, the gap 1724 can be configured such that the first filler material 1712 follows the contour of the inner wall 1512 of the lumen 1510, while the perimeter gap 1725 can be similar to, larger than, or much larger than the gap 1725 depending on the location or region of the lumen 1510. In one example, the relationship between perimeter gap 1725 and gap 1724 may be represented by the following equation:

Wherein: wg_PRIs the width of the peripheral gap 1725, an

Wg_minIs the minimum width of the gap 1724.

In one example, the first filler material 1712 can include a polymeric material having a relatively high coefficient of restitution (COR). The COR of the first filler material 1712 may be determined by projecting a sample of golf ball-sized first filler material 1712 from an air cannon toward a steel plate. The approach and rebound velocities of the sample can be measured with two optical screens at known positions between the cannon and the plate. The COR of the sample can then be calculated as the rebound velocity divided by the approach velocity. In one example, the COR of the first filler material 1712 may be greater than or equal to 0.7 when the approach speed is 125ft/s (51.1 m/s). In another example, the COR of the first filler material 1712 may be greater than or equal to 0.75 when the approach speed is 125ft/s (51.1 m/s). In yet another example, the COR of the first filler material 1712 may be greater than or equal to 0.7 and less than or equal to 0.9 when the closing speed is 125 feet/second (51.1 m/s). The COR of any of the materials described herein (including any of the filler materials described herein) can be determined using the methods described above. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The compressibility of the golf ball sized sample may be related to the COR of the golf ball sized sample. Compressibility is a measure of how much a sample of the size of a golf ball deforms (compresses) under load. A relatively lower compression ratio rating indicates a softer filler material, while a relatively higher compression ratio rating indicates a harder filler material. Compressibility can be measured using an ATTI compressibility Meter manufactured by ATTI Engineering, Union City, New Jersey. In one example, when the compressibility is greater than or equal to 35, the COR of the first filler material 1712 may be greater than or equal to 0.75. In another example, the COR of the first filler material 1712 may be greater than or equal to 0.78 when the compressibility is greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 0.8 when the compressibility is less than or equal to 80. In yet another example, the COR of the first filler material 1712 may be greater than or equal to 0.78 when the compressibility is greater than or equal to 45 and less than or equal to 0.9 when the compressibility is less than or equal to 90. The devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the first filler material 1712 can be a density greater than or equal to 1.1g/cm³And less than or equal to 1.3g/cm³The polymeric material of (1). In another example, the first filler material 1712 can be a density greater than or equal to 1.15g/cm³And less than or equal to 1.38g/cm³The polymeric material of (1). In yet another example, the first filler material 1712 can be a density greater than or equal to 1.1g/cm³And is small1.2g/cm or less³The polymeric material of (1). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the first filler material 1712 may be a polymeric material including a rubber or rubber compound (rubber compound) similar to the rubbers or rubber compounds described herein that provide the COR and compressibility ranges herein. In one example, the first filler material 1712 can include a rubber and at least another compound that can provide increased softness or firmness to the first filler material 1712 to maximize the COR of the first filler material 1712 while maintaining a compressibility value within a certain range as described herein. In one example, the first filler material 1712 may include rubber and Zinc Diacrylate (ZDA), which may increase the compression value of the first filler material 1712 and thus increase the COR of the first filler material 1712. The amount of Zinc Diacrylate (ZDA) in the first filler material 1712 can be varied to achieve certain COR and/or compression values as described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The adhesive used to bond the first filler material 1712 to the rear surface 1466 of the face portion 1462 may be any type of adhesive capable of bonding the first filler material 1712 to the material of the face portion 1462. In one example, the first filler material 1712 may be rubber or a rubber composite, while the face 1462 may be made of a steel-based material (e.g., stainless steel). Thus, the adhesive used to bond the first filler material 1712 to the rear surface 1466 of the face portion 1462 may be one type of adhesive used to bond a steel-based material to rubber or a rubber compound. In another example, the first filler material 1712 may be rubber or a rubber composite, and the face 1462 may be constructed of titanium or a titanium alloy. Thus, the adhesive used to bond the first filler material 1712 to the rear surface 1466 of the face portion 1462 may be one type of adhesive used to bond a titanium-based material to rubber or a rubber compound. In yet another example, the first filler material 1712 may be bonded to the back surface 1466 of the face portion 1462 with a second filler material 1714. The combination of the first filler material 1712 with any portion of the body portion 1410, the face portion 1462, and/or the second filler material 1714, and the combination of the second filler material 1714 with the body portion 1410, the face portion 1462, and/or the first filler material 1712 may be similar to any of the combination characteristics and processes described in the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example (not shown), the lumen 1510 can be completely filled with the first fill material 1712. In another example, as shown in fig. 14-24 and described herein, the lumen 1510 can be partially filled with a first filler material 1712 to define a gap 1724 between the first filler material 1712 and an inner wall 1512 of the lumen 1510. Accordingly, the remainder of the first lumen 1510 can be filled with a second fill material 1714. As described herein, the second filler material 1714 may provide or assist (e.g., alone or with one or more adhesives) in the bonding of the first filler material 1712 to the face 1462. In other words, the first filler material 1712 may remain affixed to the back surface 1466 of the face portion 1462 with the second filler material 1714. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the second filler material 1714 may have one or more characteristics, such as density, compressibility, hardness (i.e., durometer), tensile strength, shear strength, viscosity, elasticity, etc., that are different than the first filler material 1712 to optimize the transfer of energy from the face 1462 to the golf ball. The second filler material may be a polymer material such as epoxy. In one example, the second filler material 1714 may have a lower COR than the first filler material 1712. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As described herein, the first filler material 1712 and/or the second filler material 1714 may provide vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a steady and/or pleasant sound and feel that a player using the golf club head 1400 feels when the golf club head 1400 strikes a golf ball), provide structural support to the face portion 1462, and/or improve ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight height, ball drop angle, and/or ball distribution. First filler 1712 and second fillerThe material 1714, or both, may provide the properties and features described herein, while the mass of the first filler material 1712, the mass of the second filler material 1714, or the mass ratio of both relative to the body portion 1410 may best affect the mass, mass distribution, CG, MOI properties, structural integrity, and/or other static and/or dynamic features of the golf club head 1400. In one example, the mass (m) of the first filler material 1712_m1Mass (m) of the second filler 1714_m2) And mass (m) of body 1410_b) The relationship between them can be expressed by the following formula:

m_m1＝m_b(C₁α+C₂)-m_m2 (5)

wherein:

m_m1is the mass of the first filler material 1712,

m_m2is the mass of the second filler material 1714,

m_bIs the mass of the body portion 1410,

a is the loft angle and is,

-0.001≤C₁less than or equal to 0.001, and

0.1≤C₂≤0.2

coefficient C as defined herein₁And C₂May provide a ratio of the sum of the masses of the first and

second filler materials

1712, 1714 to the mass of the body portion 1410 (i.e., (m)_m1+m_m2)/m_b) Upper and lower boundaries of (a). In one example, according to equation (5), and assuming a coefficient C₁Is-0.0016, the upper and lower boundaries of the ratio of the sum of the mass of the first and

second filler materials

1712 and 1714 to the mass of the body portion 1410 may be determined as shown in table 3 for a set of iron-type golf club heads.

Iron type	α	(m_m1+m_m2)/m_b)≤	(m_m1+m_m2)/m_b)≥
				3	18	0.16	0.08
4	21	0.16	0.08
				5	23	0.15	0.08
6	26	0.15	0.07
				7	30	0.14	0.06
8	34	0.13	0.06
				9	39	0.13	0.05
Digging rod	44	0.12	0.04
				Relay digging rod	49	0.11	0.03
Sand digging rod	54	0.10	0.03
				High throwing digging rod	59	0.09	0.02

Table 3.

Coefficient C₁And C₂Values that may be taken within the coefficient boundaries defined herein may be: (i) provide vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a steady and/or pleasant sound and feel felt by a player using the golf club head 1400 when the golf club head 1400 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support to the face 1462; and/or (iii) improve ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight height, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. The first and

second filler materials

1712, 1714 may provide the properties and features described herein, while the first and

second filler materials

1712, 1714 are relative to the body portion The mass ratio of 1410 optimally affects the mass, mass distribution, CG, MOI characteristics, structural integrity, and/or other static and/or dynamic characteristics of the golf club head 1400. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Fig. 25 depicts one manner in which the example golf club heads 1400 herein may be manufactured. In the example of fig. 25, the process 2500 may begin by providing a body portion 1410 and a face portion 1462 of a golf club head 1400 (block 2510). The first filler material 1712 may be formed or molded into a shape (block 2512), as detailed herein, for example, to resemble, closely resemble, or substantially resemble the contours of the interior cavity 1510 (i.e., the shape of the interior walls 1512 of the interior cavity 1510) of the golf club head 1400. The first filler material 1712 in molded form may then be attached or bonded to the back surface 1466 of the face 1462 as described herein (block 2514). The face portion 1462 may then be attached to the body portion 1410 as described herein to form or enclose the internal cavity 1510 (block 2516). A second filler material 1714 may then be injected into the lumen 1510 through one or more of the first set of ports 350, the second set of ports 360, and/or the third set of ports 370 that may be in communication with the lumen 1510 as described herein to fill the gap 1724, thereby filling the remainder of the lumen 1510 (block 2518), and/or surrounding the first filler material 1712. The second filler material 1714 can be injected into the lumen 1510 at a relatively high pressure if necessary, and/or from more than one orifice if necessary, to allow the second filler material 1714 to fill the relatively narrow gaps 1724 in the lumen 1510 at locations between the first filler material 1712 and the inner walls of the lumen 1510 as described herein. The second filler material 1714 may then be cured at ambient temperature or by one or more heating/cooling cycles, depending on the material used for the second filler material 1714. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 26-28, golf club head 2600 may include a body portion 2610 having: a toe portion 2640; a heel portion 2650; a front portion 2660 having a face portion 2662 (e.g., a ball striking face) with a front surface 2664 and a rear surface 2666; a rear portion 2670; a top 2680; and a bottom 2690. In one example, the body portion 2610 can be a hollow body that includes an internal cavity 2677 extending between the front and

rear portions

2660, 2670 and between the top and

bottom portions

2680, 2690. Golf club head 2600 may be similar in various respects to any of the golf club heads described herein. For example, golf club head 2600 may include any number of ports and/or masses similar to any of the golf club heads described herein. In another example, golf club head 2600 may comprise any of the materials described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Golf club head 2600 may include one or more filler materials in interior cavity 2677. In one example, as shown in fig. 26-28, the golf club head 2600 may include a first filler material 2711 and a second filler material 2713 having one or more properties (e.g., elasticity, density, hardness, etc.) different from the first filler material 2711. In one example, the first filler material 2711 may be a polymer material that is different in elasticity than the second filler material 2713 (e.g., the second filler material 2713 may be more elastic than the first filler material 2711, or vice versa). In another example, the first filler material 2711 may comprise a polymer material having a density different from the second filler material 2713 (e.g., the first filler material 2711 may have a higher density than the second filler material 2713, or vice versa). In yet another example, the first filler material 2711 may have a hardness (e.g., Shore D or Shore a) different from the second filler material 2713 (e.g., the first filler material 2711 may have a higher hardness than the second filler material 2713, or vice versa). In yet another example, the first and

second filler materials

2711 and 2713 may have different coefficient of restitution (COR). The first and

second filler materials

2711 and 2713, respectively, can be different types of non-metallic materials. In one example, the first filler material 2711 may comprise a thermoset material and the second filler material 2713 may comprise a thermoplastic elastomer material. In another example, the first filler material 2711 may be rubber or a rubber compound as described herein. In another example, the second filler material 2713 may comprise a thermoset material, while the first filler material 2711 may comprise a thermoplastic elastomer material. The first and

second filler materials

2711 and 2713, respectively, may comprise the same type of non-metallic material but have different properties. In one example, the first filler material 2711 may comprise a thermoset material and the second filler material 2713 may comprise a thermoset material having a different elasticity than the first filler material 2711. In another example, the first filler material 2711 may comprise a thermoplastic material and the second filler material 2713 may comprise a thermoplastic material having a different elasticity than the first filler material 2711. Alternatively, the first and

second filler materials

2711 and 2713, respectively, may comprise metallic and/or non-metallic materials. For example, the first filler material 2711 may include one or more metal-based materials, while the second filler material 2713 may include one or more polymer materials. Further, first filler material 2711 and/or second filler material 2713 may include any of the filler materials described herein. In one example, the first filler material 2711 can be an epoxy material such as any of the epoxy materials described herein, and the second filler material 2713 can be an elastomeric material such as any of the elastomeric materials described herein. In one example, the first filler material 2711 can be an epoxy material such as any of the epoxy materials described herein, and the second filler material 2713 can be an elastomeric material such as any of the elastomeric materials described herein. In yet another example, the first filler material 2711 may be a rubber-based compound, while the second filler material 2713 may be an epoxy-based compound. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 26-28, the first fill material 2711 may be attached or bonded to a portion of the rear surface 2666 of the face 2662. In one example, the first fill material 2711 may be attached or bonded to the ball striking region of the rear surface 2666 of the face 2662. In another example, the first filling material 2711 may be attached or bonded to the ball striking region of the rear surface 2666 of the face portion 2662 and the area surrounding the ball striking region of the rear surface 2666 of the face portion 2662. In one example, the width of the first filler material 2711 (i.e., the thickness of the first filler material 2711) may be less than the thickness of the face portion 2662. In another example, the width of the first filling material 2711 may be similar to the thickness of the face portion 2662. In yet another example, the width of the first filling material 2711 may be greater than the thickness of the face portion 2662. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 26-28, the remainder of the lumen 2677 can be partially or fully filled with the second filler material 2713. The first filler material 2711 may be surrounded by the second filler material 2713 such that the second filler material 2713 is attached or bonded to the remainder of the rear surface 2666 of the face portion 2662. As shown in fig. 26, the second filler material 2713 may be attached or bonded to the rear surface 2666 of the face portion 2662 and define a perimeter around the first filler material 2711 on the rear surface 2666 of the face portion 2662. For example, as shown in fig. 26-28, second filling material 2713 may be attached or adhered to a portion of rear surface 2666 of face portion 2662 and surround first filling material 2711 at or near toe portion 2640; attached or adhered to a portion of the rear surface 2666 of the face portion 2662 and surrounding the first fill material 2711 at or near the heel portion 2650; attached or bonded to a portion of the rear surface 2666 of the face portion 2662 and surrounding the first fill material 2711 at or near the top portion 2680; and/or attached or bonded to a portion of the rear surface 2666 of the face portion 2662 and surrounding the first fill material 2711 at or near the bottom portion 2690. The devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 29-31, the golf club head 2900 may include a body portion 2910 having: toe 2940; a heel 2950; a front portion 2960 having a face portion 2962 (e.g., a ball striking face), the face portion 2962 having a front surface 2964 and a rear surface 2966; a rear portion 2970; a top portion 2980; and a bottom 2990. In one example, the body portion 2910 may be a hollow body that includes a lumen 2977 extending between the front 2960 and the back 2970 and between the top 2980 and the bottom 2990. The golf club head 2900 may be similar in various respects to any of the golf club heads described herein. For example, the golf club head 2900 may include any number of ports and/or masses similar to any of the golf club heads described herein. In another example, the golf club head 2900 may include any of the materials described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 2900 may include a first filler material 3011 and a second filler material 3013, which may be similar to the first filler material 2711 and the second filler material 2713, respectively, of the golf club head 2600. In the example of fig. 29-31, the first filler material 3011 may be attached or bonded to a portion of the posterior surface 2966 of the face 2962, similar to the example of fig. 26-28. However, in the example of fig. 29-31, the first filler material 3011 may extend from the back surface 2966 of the face portion 2962 to the back surface 2976 of the back wall 2972 of the back portion 2970. The first filler material 3011 may contact or be attached or bonded to the back surface 2976 of the back wall 2972 of the back portion 2970. The remainder of the interior cavity 2977 may be partially or completely filled with the second filler material 3013. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 32-34, the golf club head 3200 may include a body portion 3210 having: a toe portion 3240; a heel portion 3250; a front portion 3260 having a face portion 3262 (e.g., a ball striking face), the face portion 3262 having a front surface 3264 and a rear surface 3266; a rear portion 3270; a top portion 3280; and a bottom 3290. In one example, the body portion 3210 may be a hollow body that includes a lumen 3277 extending between a front portion 3260 and a rear portion 3270, and extending between a top portion 3280 and a bottom portion 3290. The golf club head 3200 may be similar in various respects to any of the golf club heads described herein. For example, the golf club head 3200 may include any number of apertures and/or masses similar to any of the golf club heads described herein. In another example, the golf club head 3200 may comprise any of the materials described herein. The devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 3200 may include a first filling material 3311 and a second filling material 3313, which may be similar to the first filling material 2711 and the second filling material 2713, respectively, of the golf club head 2600. In the example of fig. 32-34, the first filling material 3311 may be attached or bonded to a substantial portion of the rear surface 3266 of the face portion 3262. In one example, the width of the first filling material 3311 (i.e., the thickness of the first filling material 3311) may be less than the thickness of the face 3262. In another example, the width of the first filling material 3311 may be similar to the thickness of the face portion 3262. In yet another example, the width of the first filling material 3311 may be greater than the thickness of the face portion 3262. The remainder of the interior cavity 3277 may be partially or fully filled with the second filler material 3313. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 35-37, a golf club head 3500 may include a body portion 3510 having: a toe portion 3540; a heel portion 3550; a front portion 3560 having a face portion 3562 (e.g., a ball striking face), the face portion 3562 having a front surface 3564 and a rear surface 3566; a rear portion 3570; a top portion 3580; and a bottom 3590. In one example, the body portion 3510 can be a hollow body that includes an interior cavity 3577 extending between a front portion 3560 and a rear portion 3570 and extending between a top portion 3580 and a bottom portion 3590. The golf club head 3500 may be similar in various respects to any of the golf club heads described herein. For example, the golf club head 3500 may include any number of ports and/or masses similar to any of the golf club heads described herein. In another example, the golf club head 3500 may include any of the materials described herein. The golf club head 3500 may include a first filling material 3611 and a second filling material 3613, which may be similar to the first filling material 2711 and the second filling material 2713, respectively, of the golf club head 2600. In the example of fig. 35-37, the portion of inner cavity 3577 above horizontal median plane 3583 of body portion 3510 may be partially or fully filled with first filler material 3611, and the portion of inner cavity 3577 below horizontal median plane 3583 may be partially or fully filled with second filler material 3613. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 38-40, the golf club head 3800 may include a body portion 3810 having: a toe portion 3840; a heel portion 3850; a front portion 3860 having a face portion 3862 (e.g., a ball striking face), the face portion 3862 having a front surface 3864 and a rear surface 3866; a rear portion 3870; a top portion 3880; and a bottom 3890. In one example, the body portion 3810 may be a hollow body that includes an inner cavity 3877 extending between the front portion 3860 and the rear portion 3870 and extending between the top portion 3880 and the bottom portion 3890. The golf club head 3800 may be similar in various respects to any of the golf club heads described herein. For example, the golf club head 3800 may include any number of apertures and/or masses similar to any of the golf club heads described herein. In another example, the golf club head 3800 may include any of the materials described herein. The golf club head 3800 may include a first filler material 3911 and a second filler material 3913, which may be similar to the first filler material 2711 and the second filler material 2713, respectively, of the golf club head 2600. In the example of fig. 38-40, the portion of the inner cavity 3877 above the horizontal median plane 3883 of the body portion 3810 may be partially or fully filled with the first filler material 3911, and the portion of the inner cavity 3877 below the horizontal median plane 3883 may be partially or fully filled with the second filler material 3913. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 41-43, the golf club head 4100 may include a body portion 4110 having: a toe portion 4140; a heel portion 4150; a front portion 4160 having a face portion 4162 (e.g., a ball striking face), the face portion 4162 having a front surface 4164 and a rear surface 4166; a rear portion 4170; a top portion 4180; and a bottom 4190. In one example, the body portion 4110 may be a hollow body that includes an internal cavity 4177 extending between the front 4160 and the rear 4170 and extending between the top 4180 and the bottom 4190. The golf club head 4100 may be similar in various respects to any of the golf club heads described herein. For example, the golf club head 4100 may include any number of ports and/or masses similar to any of the golf club heads described herein. In another example, the golf club head 4100 may comprise any of the materials described herein. The devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 4100 may include a first filling material 4211 and a second filling material 4213, which may be similar to the first filling material 2711 and the second filling material 2713, respectively, of the golf club head 2600. In the example of fig. 41-43, the portion of the cavity 4177 defined by the body portion 4110 and the face portion 4162 that is spaced apart from any boundary of the cavity 4177 may be filled with the first filler material 4211, and the remainder of the cavity 4177 may be partially or fully filled with the second filler material 4213. In other words, the first filler material 4211 may be suspended in the internal cavity 4177 and completely surrounded by the second filler material 4213. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, one or more polymer materials may be injection molded in the body of any of the golf club heads described herein, as described herein. The one or more polymeric materials can be manufactured or formed by any effective shaping means for forming polymers. This includes: molding (molding), including compression molding (compression molding), injection molding (injection molding), blow molding (blow molding), and transfer molding (transfer molding); film blowing (film blowing) or casting (casting); extrusion (extrusion), and thermoforming (thermoforming); and by lamination (pultrusion), pultrusion (pultrusion), extrusion (protrusion), drawing reduction (drawing reduction), rotational molding (rotational molding), spin bonding (spin bonding), melt spinning (meltspinning), melt blowing (meltblowing); or a combination thereof. In another example, any one or more of the polymeric materials described herein can be pellets (bullets) or solid blocks (solid pieces) that can be placed in the lumen, expanded and/or cured by heating. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The interior cavity of any of the golf club heads described herein may be partially (i.e., greater than 0% and less than 100%) or completely filled with one or more thermoset materials (e.g., one or more epoxy materials), such as any one or more of the epoxy materials described herein or any other suitable epoxy material. In one example, the mass of the thermoset material (e.g., epoxy) that partially, mostly (e.g., fills at least 50% of the interior cavity), or completely fills the interior cavity of any of the golf club heads described herein may be greater than or equal to 6.0 grams and less than or equal to 32.0 grams. Thermoset materials that partially, mostly, or completely fill the internal cavity can affect the attenuation of vibration and noise, structural support for relatively thin faces, ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight height, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As shown in fig. 44, for example, similar to any of the golf club heads described herein, the interior cavity 4412 of the body portion 4410 of the golf club head 4400 may be filled with a thermoset material 4414 (e.g., an epoxy material) below the horizontal midplane 4470 of the golf club head 4400. In another example, the interior cavity 4412 of the golf club head 4400 or any of the golf club heads described herein may be filled with a thermoset material (e.g., an epoxy material) (not shown) above the horizontal median plane 4470. In yet another example, the interior cavity 4412 of the golf club head 4400 or any of the golf club heads described herein may be filled with a thermoset material (e.g., an epoxy material) above and below the horizontal midplane 4470 and still have areas (not shown) in the interior cavity 4412 that do not include any thermoset material or include other materials. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As shown in fig. 45, for example, a golf club head 4500 may be similar to any of the golf club heads described herein, which may include a body portion 4510, the body portion 4510 having an interior cavity 4512, the interior cavity 4512 having a thermoset 4514 with a width 4516. The width 4516 may be associated with the face thickness 4519 of the face 4518 by the expression:

W_th＝aT_f (6)

Wherein: a is more than or equal to 0.5 and less than or equal to 5.0

W_thIs the width of the thermoset material in inches, and

T_fthe thickness of the face in inches.

In one example, width 4516 of thermoset 4514 may be greater than or equal to half of face thickness 4519. In another example, width 4516 of thermoset 4514 may be greater than or equal to face thickness 4519, e.g., W_th≥T_f). In yet another example, width 4516 of thermoset 4514 may be greater than or equal to twice face thickness 4519 (e.g., W)_th≥2T_f). In another example, width 4516 of thermoset 4514 may be greater than or equal to three times face thickness 4519 (e.g., W)_th≥3T_f). In yet another example, width 4516 of thermoset 4514 may be greater than five times (e.g., W) face thickness 4519_th≥5T_f). In yet another example, width 4516 of thermoset 4514 may be greater than or equal to face thickness 4519 and less than or equal to three times (e.g., T) face thickness 4519_f≤W_th≤3T_f). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, for any of the golf club heads described herein, the mass of the thermoset material that partially, mostly, or completely fills the interior cavity may be correlated to the mass of the golf club head by the following equation:

Wherein: m is_TThe mass of the thermoset material in grams, and

m_Hthe mass of the golf club head in grams.

According to the above formula, the ratio of the mass of the thermosetting material to the mass of the golf club head may be greater than or equal to 0.03 and less than or equal to 0.2. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The thermoset material that partially, mostly, or completely fills the interior cavity may have a certain shore D hardness to provide attenuation of vibration and noise and/or a relatively thin surface that structurally supports the golf club head. In one example, the thermoset material partially, mostly, or completely filling the lumen may have a shore D hardness of at least 45. In another example, the thermoset material partially, mostly, or completely filling the lumen may have a shore D hardness greater than or equal to 45 and less than or equal to 80. In another example, the shore D hardness of the thermoset material partially, mostly, or completely filling the lumen can be greater than or equal to 50 and less than or equal to 70. In yet another example, the thermoset material partially, mostly, or completely filling the internal cavity can have a shore D hardness greater than or equal to 55 and less than or equal to 65. In yet another example, the shore D hardness of the material partially, mostly, or completely filling the lumen can be greater than or equal to 55 and less than or equal to 75. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The thermoset material that partially, mostly, or completely fills the interior cavity may have a density to provide attenuation of vibration and noise and/or to structurally support the relatively thin face portion of the golf club head. In one example, the thermoset material partially, mostly, or completely filling the internal cavity can have a mass of greater than or equal to 1.0 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm)³) And less than or equal to 2.0g/cm³The density of (c). In another example, the thermoset material partially, mostly, or completely filling the internal cavity can have a thickness greater than or equal to 1.1g/cm³And less than or equal to 1.5g/cm³The density of (c). In yet another example, the thermoset material partially, mostly, or completely filling the internal cavity can have a thickness greater than or equal to 1.0g/cm³And less than or equal to 1.4g/cm³The density of (c). In yet another example, the thermoset material partially, mostly, or completely filling the internal cavity can have a thickness greater than or equal to 1.1g/cm³And less than or equal to 1.2g/cm³The density of (c). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

A polymeric material (e.g., thermoset 4514 as shown in fig. 45) may be located adjacent to rear surface 4521 of face 4518. For example, thermoset 4514 may be directly attached to and/or bonded to rear surface 4521 of face 4518. Alternatively, thermoset 4514 may be located away from face 4518. In one example, thermoset 4514 is attached and/or bonded to rear wall portion 4575 of rear portion 4574. As a result, thermoset 4514 may not contact rear surface 4521 of face 4518. Although the examples herein describe a polymer material, such as the thermoset material 4514, attached and/or bonded to various surfaces and/or walls of the golf club head 4500, or suspended within the interior cavity 4512, the thermoset material 4514 may be attached and/or bonded to more or fewer surfaces and/or walls. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As shown in fig. 46, for example, the golf club head 4600 may be similar to any of the golf club heads described herein, which may have a body portion 4610, the body portion 4610 including an inner chamber 4612, the inner chamber 4612 may have an inner chamber width that varies between a top portion 4680 and a bottom portion 4690. Specifically, the inner chamber 4612 may include a first width 4620 (W) located above a horizontal median plane 4670 of the golf club head 4600₁) And a second width 4630 (W) below the horizontal median plane 4670₂) And a third width 4640 (W) between first width 4620 and second width 4630₃). Third width 4640 may be at or below horizontal midplane 4670. In one example, third width 4640 may be above one or more apertures (e.g., the one generally shown as 4622). Thus, the third width 4640 may be located above one or more masses (not shown in fig. 46, but, for example, the masses disposed in the apertures 4622) and/or closer to the horizontal median plane 4670 than the one or more masses. In another example, the third width 4640 may be above one or more orifices of the golf club head 4500 and below the horizontal median surface 4670. Third width 4640 may be greater than first width 4620 (e.g., W) ₃＞W₁) And is greater than second width 4630 (e.g., W)₃＞W₂). In one example, first width 4620 may be greater than or equal to second width 4630 (e.g., W)₂≥W₁). In another example, the second width 4630 may be greater than or equal to the first width 4620 (e.g., W)₁≥W₂). In yet another example, third width 4640 may be no greater than three times second width 4630. In yet another example, third width 4640 may be no greater than twice as wide as second width 4630. In yet another example, third width 4640 may be no greater than 1.5 times second width 4630. In yet another example, third width 4640 may be no greater than 1.38 times second width 4630. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Third width 4640 may be located at some vertical position of body portion 4610. The face 4618 of the golf club head 4600 may include a plurality of grooves. The face 4618 of the golf club head 4600 may include a similar number of grooves as the golf club head 100 of fig. 1. Thus, face 4618 may include a plurality of recesses (e.g., eleven recesses are shown collectively in fig. 46, being

recesses

4651, 4652, 4653, 4654, 4655, 4656, 4657, 4658, 4659, 4660, and 4661). Third width 4640 may be positioned between any of the plurality of grooves. In one example, the third width 4640 may be located between the first and

eleventh recesses

4651 and 4661 from the bottom 4690. In another example, third width 4640 may be located between fourth and

eighth recesses

4654 and 4658, counted from bottom 4690. In yet another example, the third width 4640 may be located between the fifth and

seventh recesses

4655 and 4657 from the bottom 4690. Although fig. 46 may show first, second, and

third widths

4620, 4630, and 4640 (e.g., perpendicular to the face plane) of the inner chamber 4612 relative to the face plane (e.g., the one generally shown as 1040 in fig. 3) associated with the face 4618, respectively, one or more widths may be measured relative to a ground plane (e.g., the one generally shown as 1010 in fig. 1). For example, one or more widths of the inner lumen 4612 may be substantially parallel to a ground plane (e.g., the one generally shown as 1010 in fig. 1). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the process of filling the interior cavity of the golf club head may not include applying the bond to the rear surface of the face portion. For example, as shown in fig. 47, the process 4700 of filling an interior cavity of a golf club head may include partially, mostly, or completely filling the interior cavity with an epoxy material (block 4710), and then curing the epoxy material (block 4720). Epoxy material may be injected into the interior cavity from one or more orifices of the golf club head body portion, as described herein. In one example, the process of curing the epoxy material may include heating, radiation, and/or pressure for a period of time. In another example, the process of curing the epoxy material may simply include allowing the epoxy material to cure for a period of time at ambient or room temperature. In another example, a process of filling an interior cavity of a golf club head may include applying a first epoxy material to a rear surface of a face portion, curing the first epoxy material to a first cure state as described herein, filling the interior cavity with a second epoxy material that is the same as or different from the first epoxy material, curing the first epoxy material to a second cure state as described herein, and curing the second epoxy material. In another example, the internal cavity may be mostly or completely filled with two or more epoxy materials, using a single curing process or multiple curing processes for each epoxy material. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 48-53, a golf club head 4800 may include a body portion 4810 having: a toe 4840 having a toe edge 4842; a heel portion 4850 having a heel edge 4852, which may include a hosel portion 4855 configured to receive a shaft (not shown) having a grip (not shown) at one end and a golf club head 4800 at an opposite end of the shaft, thereby forming a golf club; a front portion 4860 having a peripheral edge portion 4861; a rear portion 4870 having a rear wall portion 4872; a top portion 4880 having a top edge 4882; and a bottom 4890 having a bottom edge 4892. Toe portion 4840, heel portion 4850, front portion 4860, rear portion 4870, top portion 4880, and/or sole portion 4890 can partially overlap one another. The toe edge 4842, heel edge 4852, top edge 4882, and bottom edge 4892 may define the periphery of the body portion 4810. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 4800 may be an iron type golf club head (e.g., iron 1, iron 2, iron 3, iron 4, iron 5, iron 6, iron 7, iron 8, iron 9, etc.), or an excavation type golf club head (e.g., a split, a high throw, a sand pit, an n degree excavation such as 44 degrees (°), 48 °, 52 °, 56 °, 60 °, etc.). While fig. 48-53 may depict a particular type of club head, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of club heads (e.g., driver heads, fairway wood heads, ironwood heads, putter heads, etc.). The volume of the golf club head 4800, the materials of construction of the golf club head 4800, and/or any components thereof may be similar to any of the golf club heads described herein and/or in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 4800 may include a face portion 4862 (i.e., a ball striking face) that may be integrally formed (e.g., as a single unitary piece) with the body portion 4810. In one example, as shown in fig. 48-53, the face portion 4862 can be a separate component coupled (e.g., adhesively coupled, mechanically coupled, welded, and/or welded) to the front portion 4860. The face 4862 may include a front surface 4864 and a back surface 4866. In one example (not shown), front portion 4860 can include one or more recessed shoulders configured to receive face portion 4862 such that face portion 4862 is attached to body portion 4810. In another example, as shown in fig. 48-53, the posterior surface 4866 can include a peripheral portion 4867 attachable to a peripheral edge portion 4861 of the body portion 4810. The peripheral portion 4867 of the face portion 4862 may be attached to the peripheral edge portion 4861 of the body portion 4810 by one or more fasteners, one or more adhesives or bonding agents, and/or welding or soldering. In one example, as shown in fig. 48-53, the peripheral portion 4867 of the face portion 4862 may be welded to the peripheral edge portion 4861 of the body portion 4810 at one or more locations. Alternatively, the entire peripheral portion 4867 of the face portion 4862 may be fusion welded (i.e., continuously welded) to the entire peripheral edge portion 4861 of the body portion 4810. The face 4862 may include a hitting region 4868 to hit a golf ball. In one example, the center of the ball striking zone 4868 may be the geometric center 4863 of the face 4862. In another example, the geometric center 4863 of the face 4862 may be offset from the center of the ball striking zone 4868. In one example, the geometric center 4863 and one or more areas within the ball striking zone 4868 proximate to and/or surrounding the geometric center can provide a substantially optimal location on the face 4862 for striking a golf ball (i.e., optimal ball distance, ball speed, ball spin characteristics, etc.). In yet another example, any location at or near the geometric center 4863 and within the striking zone 4868 may provide a substantially optimal location on the face 4862 for striking a golf ball. However, for any of the golf club heads described herein, the ball may be struck with any portion of the face portion 4862 that is located inside or outside of the striking zone 4868, which results in certain ball flight characteristics (which may be preferred by the player) that are different from a center hit ball. The construction of the face portion 4862 and the attachment (e.g., welding) of the face portion 4862 to the body portion 4810 may be similar in various respects to any golf club head described herein and/or in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 4800 can be associated with a ground plane 5110, a horizontal midplane 5120, and a top plane 5130. Specifically, the ground plane 5110 may be a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel to the ground and tangent to the lowest portion of the sole edge 4892 when the golf club head 4800 is in a ball ready position (e.g., the golf club head 4800 is aligned to strike a golf ball). The top plane 5130 may be a plane that is tangent to the uppermost portion of the top edge 4882 when the golf club head 4800 is in a address position. Ground plane 5110 and top plane 5130 may be parallel or substantially parallel to each other. The horizontal midplane 5120 may be located at a vertical midpoint between the ground plane 5110 and the top plane 5130. Additionally, the golf club head 4800 can be associated with a face plane 5140 that defines a loft angle 5145(α) of the golf club head 4800. The face plane 5140 may be the tangent plane to the face 4862. The loft angle 5145 may be defined by the angle between the loft plane 5140 and a vertical plane 5150 perpendicular to the ground plane 5110.

Body portion 4810 may be a hollow body including a lumen 4910 having an inner wall 4912. Lumen 4910 may extend between a forward portion 4860, a rearward portion 4870, a top portion 4880, and a bottom portion 4890. In the example of fig. 48-53, the lumen 4910 of the body portion 4810 may be enclosed and partially defined by the face portion 4862. The configuration (e.g., height, width, volume, shape, etc.) of interior cavity 4910, the configuration of interior cavity 4910 relative to body portion 4810 (e.g., the volume ratio of interior cavity 4910 relative to body portion 4810), the variation in the width and height of interior cavity 4910, and the entry into interior cavity 4910 from one or more apertures of body portion 4810 may be similar to any golf club head described herein and/or described in any application incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The rear wall portion 4872 of the rear portion 4870 may include an upper rear wall portion 5212 and a lower rear wall portion 5214. The rear wall portion 4872 can include a ledge portion 5216, which can extend continuously or discontinuously between the toe edge 4842 and the heel edge 4852. The lower rear wall portion 5214 may be located further rearward on the body portion 4810 than the upper rear wall portion 5212, with the ledge portion 5216 defining a transition between the upper rear wall portion 5212 and the lower rear wall portion 5214. Thus, the ledge portion 5216 may extend transversely to the upper and lower

rear wall portions

5212, 5214. In one example, as shown in fig. 48-53, the ledge portion 5216 can comprise a first ledge portion 5226 and a second ledge portion 5236. The first ledge portion 5226 can extend on the rear wall portion from the toe edge 4842 to the rear wall central portion 5240 of the rear wall portion 4872. The second ledge portion 5236 can extend from the central portion 5240 of the rear wall portion 4872 to the heel edge 4852. As shown in fig. 48-53, the ledge portion 5216 can provide a relatively large mass below the horizontal median plane 5120 and shift the mass of the body portion 4810 below the horizontal median plane 5120 further rearward of the body portion 4810. The width of the ledge portion 5216 can be greater than, equal to, or less than the width of the lumen at certain locations of the body portion 4810. The configuration (e.g., width, segmentation, tapering, shape, etc.) of the ledge portion 5216 and the characteristics of the ledge portion 5216 relative to the width of the interior cavity may be similar to any ledge portion or similar structure of any golf club head described herein and/or described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Body portion 4810 may include one or more apertures, which may be external apertures and/or internal apertures (e.g., located inside body portion 4810). Inner wall 4912 of lumen 4910 may include one or more orifices (not shown). In one example, as shown in fig. 48-53, back portion 4870 can include one or more apertures along or near the periphery of body portion 4810. For example, the body portion 4810 may include a first set of apertures 4920 (e.g., shown as apertures 4921 and 4922), a second set of apertures 4930 (e.g., shown as apertures 4931 and 4932), a third set of apertures 4940 (e.g., shown as

apertures

4941, 4942, and 4943), and a fourth set of apertures 4950 (e.g., shown as apertures 4951 and 4952). The location, spacing from other orifices, and any other configuration of each orifice of the first, second, third, and/or fourth sets of

orifices

4920, 4930, 4940, and/or 4950 may be similar in various respects to any of the orifices described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. Further, any one or more of the first set of orifices 4920, the second set of orifices 4930, the third set of orifices 4940, and/or the fourth set of orifices 4950 may be communicated to lumen 4910 through which one or more filler materials may be injected into lumen 4910. In the example of fig. 48-53,

apertures

4921, 4931, and 4951 may be connected to lumen 4910 via

openings

4961, 4971, and 4981, respectively. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Each orifice of the first set of orifices 4920 may be separated by a distance that is less than an orifice diameter of any orifice of the first set of orifices 4920. Each of the apertures of the second set of apertures 4930 may be separated by a distance that is less than the aperture diameter of any of the apertures of the second set of apertures 4930. Each aperture of the third set of apertures 4940 may be separated by a distance that is less than an aperture diameter of any aperture of the third set of apertures 4940. Each orifice of the fourth set of orifices 4950 may be separated by a distance that is less than the orifice diameter of any orifice of the third set of orifices 4950. In one example, the first and second sets of

orifices

4920, 4930 may be spaced apart by a distance greater than the orifice diameter of any of the first and second sets of

orifices

4920, 4930. In another example, the second and third sets of apertures 4930 and 4940 may be separated by a distance greater than the aperture diameter of any of the apertures of the second and third sets of apertures 4930 and 4940. In yet another example, the third and fourth sets of orifices 4940, 4950 may be spaced apart by a distance greater than an orifice diameter of any of the orifices of the third and fourth sets of orifices 4940, 4950. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Although the figures may depict the orifices as separate and distinct portions, each or a combination of adjacent sets of orifices in the first, second, third, and fourth sets of

orifices

4920, 4930, 4940, and 4950 may be a single orifice. In one example, all of the orifices of the first set of orifices 4920 may be combined into a single orifice (e.g., a first orifice). In another example, all of the apertures in the second set of apertures 4930 may be combined into a single aperture (e.g., a second aperture). In another example, all of the orifices of the third set of orifices 4940 may be combined into a single orifice (e.g., the third orifice). In yet another example, all of the orifices of the fourth set of orifices 4950 may be combined into a single orifice (e.g., the fourth orifice). Although the figures may depict a particular number of apertures, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may include a greater or lesser number of apertures.

The body portion 4810 may include one or more masses (e.g., one or more weights), which may be integral masses or separate masses, which may be coupled to the body portion 4810. In the example of fig. 48-53, the body portion 4810 can include a first set of mass portions 5020 (shown, for example, as mass portions 5021 and 5022), a second set of mass portions 5030 (shown, for example, as mass portions 5031 and 5032), a third set of mass portions 5040 (shown, for example, as

mass portions

5041, 5042, and 5043), and a fourth set of mass portions 5050 (shown, for example, as mass portions 5051 and 5052). Although the above examples may describe a particular number or portion of mass portions, a set of mass portions may include a single mass portion or a plurality of mass portions as described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. For example, any one mass portion or a combination of multiple adjacent sets of mass portions in the first set of mass portions 5020 can be a single mass portion, the second set of mass portions 5030 can be a single mass portion, the third set of mass portions 5040 can be a single mass portion, and/or the fourth set of mass portions 5050 can be a single mass portion. Further, the first set of masses 5020, the second set of masses 5030, the third set of masses 5040, and/or the fourth set of masses 5050 can be part of the physical structure of the body portion 4810. The individual mass portions of the first set of mass portions 5020, the second set of mass portions 5030, the third set of mass portions 5040, and/or the fourth set of mass portions 5050 can be similar to any mass portions described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The inner lumen 4910 may be partially or completely filled with one or more filler materials (i.e., cavity filler materials), which may include one or more similar or different types of materials. In one example, as shown in fig. 48-53, the lumen 4910 can be filled with a first filler material 5112 and a second filler material 5114. First filler material 5112 and second filler material 5114 may be similar to any of the filler materials described herein or in any of the incorporated by reference applications, respectively. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first filler material 5112 may be coupled to all or portions of the inner wall 4912 of the lumen 4910. In one example, the first filler material 5112 may have inherent adhesive or bonding properties to attach to all or portions of the inner wall 4912. In another example, the first filler material 5112 may be attached to all or more portions of the inner wall 4912 with one or more bonding agents or adhesives that may be mixed with the first filler material 5112. In another example, the first filler material 5112 may be attached to all or portions of the inner wall 4912 using one or more bonding agents or adhesives that may be separate from the first filler material 5112. In yet another example, the first filler material 5112 may be attached to all or portions of the inner wall 4912 using the second filler material 5114. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 48-53, the first filler material 5112 may be coupled to at least a portion of the inner wall 4912 generally corresponding to the ball striking zone 4868 of the face 4862 (i.e., the first filler material 5112 may be generally located behind the ball striking zone 4868), or to an area adjacent to and/or surrounding the ball striking zone 4868 of the face 4862. In another example, the first filler material 5112 can couple at least 10% of the inner wall 4912. In another example, the first filler material 5112 can couple at least 25% of the inner wall 4912. In yet another example, the first filler material 5112 may couple 25% to 50% of the inner wall 4912. In another example, the first filler material 5112 may couple 35% to 75% of the inner wall 4912. In yet another example, the first filler material 5112 may couple 50% to 90% of the inner wall 4912. In yet another example, the first filler material 5112 may couple more than 75% of the inner wall 4912. In yet another example, the first filler material 5112 may be coupled to all of the inner wall 4912. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The amount of the first filler material 5112 that may be coupled to the inner wall 4912 may depend on the loft angle of the golf club head, the overall thickness of the face portion 4862, the thickness profile of the face portion 4862, the shape of the interior cavity 4910, the location and configuration of any apertures or mass portions, the material properties of the first filler material 5112, and/or the material properties of the second filler material 5114. In one example, a golf club head with a relatively large face angle may limit the portion of the inner wall 4912 that is coupled by the first filler material 5112. In another example, a golf club head with a relatively small loft angle may allow the first filler material 5112 to couple to all or a majority of the inner wall 4912. In yet another example, the acoustic characteristics of the golf club head may be a factor in determining the amount of filler material 5112 that may be coupled to the interior wall 4912 to provide a pleasing sound and feel to the player. The amount (i.e., volume and/or mass) of the first filler material 5112 coupled to the inner wall 4912 on each golf club head (i.e., having a certain loft angle) is determined to: (i) providing vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., the steady and/or pleasant sound and feel felt by a player using the golf club head 4800 when the golf club head 4800 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support to the face 4862; and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 48-53, a center portion 4911 of the lumen 4910 may include a first filler material 5112 and a second filler material 5114, which center portion 4911 may be the portion of the lumen 4910 that may generally correspond to the ball striking zone 4868. A width 4913 of lumen 4910 at a central portion 4911 of lumen 4910 may be generally greater than a width 4913 of lumen 4910 at other portions of lumen 4910. Thus, the area of the inner cavity 4910 rearward of the ball striking zone 4868, i.e., the center portion 4911, may include a relatively large volume of the first and/or

second filler materials

5112, 5114. Further, the configuration (i.e., size, shape, profile, volume, etc.) of the central portion 4911 may depend on the loft angle 5145. For example, a golf club head 4800 having a relatively smaller loft angle 5145 may have a larger center portion 4911 (i.e., a larger volume, depth, height, etc.) as compared to a golf club head 4800 having a relatively larger loft angle 5145. Thus, as described herein, the amount of the first and/or

second filler materials

5112, 5114 within the inner cavity 4910, and more specifically in the central portion 4911, may be determined based on the loft angle 5145 to: (i) providing vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a steady and/or pleasant sound and feel as perceived by a player using the golf club head 4800 when the golf club head 4800 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support to the face 4862; and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The profile of the lumen 4910 or the shape of the inner wall 4912 may be defined by a plurality of recessed portions that are recessed relative to the peripheral edge portion 4861. In the example of fig. 48-53, the lumen 4910 may include a first recess 4914, a second recess 4915 that may have a generally smaller depth (i.e., a lumen width 4913 as viewed in the cross-sections of fig. 51-53) relative to the first recess 4914, a third recess 4916 that may have a generally smaller depth than the second recess 4915, a fourth recess 4917 that may have a generally smaller depth than the third recess 4916, and a fifth recess 4918 that may have a generally smaller depth than the fourth recess 4917. The lumen 4910 may have more or fewer recesses. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first recessed portion 4914 may generally include a maximum width 4913 of the lumen 4910, and may be located at the central portion 4911 and/or may include multiple portions that abut or surround the central portion 4911. The second recess 4915 may abut all or portions of the first recess 4914 and may include portions that may be in the central portion 4911. In the example of fig. 48-53, the second recess 4915 is located below the first recess 4914. The portion of the structure of body portion 4810 that includes the third set of apertures 4940 may be located between the second recess 4915 and the lower backwall portion 5214. Accordingly, the depth of the second recess 4915 may be less than the depth of the first recess 4914 such that the body portion 4810 may accommodate the third set of apertures 4940 between the second recess 4915 and the lower rear wall 5214. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The third recessed portion 4916 may abut and/or surround all or part of the second recessed portion 4915 and/or the first recessed portion 4914, and may include a portion that may be in the central portion 4911. In the example of fig. 48-53, the third recess 4916 encompasses the first recess 4914 above the horizontal median plane 5120. The fourth recess 4917 may be at or near the peripheral edge portion 4861 and/or may abut and/or surround all or part of the third recess 4916, the second recess 4915, and/or the first recess 4914. In the example of fig. 48-53, the fourth recess 4917 abuts portions of the first and

second recesses

4914, 4915 below the horizontal median plane 5120. The portion of the structure of the body portion 4810 that includes the second and fourth sets of

apertures

4930 and 4950 may be located between the fourth recess 4917 and the lower backwall portion 5214. Accordingly, the depth of the fourth recess 4917 may be less than the depth of the first and

second recesses

4914, 4915 such that the body portion 4810 may accommodate the second and fourth sets of

apertures

4930, 4950 between the fourth recess 4917 and the lower backwall portion 5214. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The fifth recessed portion 4918 may abut the peripheral edge portion 4861. Accordingly, at any location in the lumen 4910 that includes the fifth recess 4918, the fifth recess 4918 may be located between the peripheral edge portion 4861 and any one or more of the first recess 4914, the second recess 4915, the third recess 4916, and the fourth recess 4917. The portion of the structure of the body portion 4810 that includes the first set of apertures 4920 may be located between the fifth recess 4918 and the upper rear wall portion 5212. Accordingly, the depth of the fifth recess 4918 may be less than the depth of the plurality of abutments of the third recess 4916 such that the body portion 4810 may receive the first set of apertures 4920 between the fifth recess 4918 and the upper rear wall portion 5212. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The internal cavity 4910 may include one or more internal channels that may extend between the toe portion 4840 and the heel portion 4850. In one example, as shown in fig. 48-53, the internal cavity 4910 may include a first internal passage 4925 and a second internal passage 4926, the first internal passage 4925 may extend from a location at the toe portion 4840 to the hub portion 4911, and the second internal passage 4926 may extend from a location at the heel portion 4850 to the hub portion 4911. First internal channel 4925 and second internal channel 4926 are connected to first recess 4914 and may have the same depth at or near central portion 4911 as first recess 4914. The depths of the first and second

internal channels

4925, 4926 may decrease from the first recess 4914 toward the toe portion 4840 and the heel portion 4850, respectively. As shown in the examples of fig. 48-53, the portion of the first internal channel 4925 and/or the second internal channel 4926 that connects the first recess 4914 and/or that is adjacent to the first recess 4914 may remain at a constant depth and similar to the depth of the first recess 4914. Thus, first and second

internal channels

4925, 4926 provide a greater volume of first and/or

second filler material

5112, 5114 between central portion 4911 and toe portion 4840 and the heel portion. Alternatively, all or portions of first internal channel 4925 and/or second internal channel 4926 may have a decreasing depth in a direction toward toe portion 4840 and heel portion 4850, respectively. The increased volume of the first filler material 5112 and/or the second filler material 5114 in the

internal channels

4925 and 4926 when the golf ball is struck off-center with the face portion 4862 may: (i) provide vibration or sound attenuation, (ii) provide structural support for the face 4862, and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. In addition, the mass removed from the body portion 4810 by providing

internal channels

4925 and 4926 may be moved to various other locations of the body portion 4810 to increase and/or optimize the moment of inertia and the location of the center of gravity of the golf club head 4800. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The lumen 4910 may include another plurality of recesses that may define transition regions between the first through

fifth recesses

4914 and 4918 and the

internal channels

4925 and 4926. Each recess may adjoin and transition into any one or more other recesses. For example, as shown in fig. 50-51, the first recess 4914 may include an inclined surface 4927, which inclined surface 4927 may transition over the first recess 4914 and connect the third recess 4916. Further, any indentations may transition directly to peripheral edge portion 4861. The recess and the transition region may collectively define the overall shape and/or profile of the inner cavity 4910. The transition region may include walls that are perpendicular, transverse, or include adjoining recesses. Further, the transition region may include a fillet when joined to an adjoining recess to reduce stress concentrations at the joint corners. These indentations may define a contoured, continuously and/or stepwise decreasing width of lumen 4910 from central portion 4911 to peripheral edge portion 4861. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The shape, size, width, height, and other characteristics of the

recess

4914 and 4918 and the

internal channels

4925 and 4926 may be associated with the loft angle 5145 of the golf club head 4800. In one example, as shown in fig. 48-53, the first and

second recesses

4914, 4915 may be filled with a first filler material 5112. The first filler material 5112 may be injection molded in the first and

second recesses

4914, 4915. The first filler material 5112 may be bonded to the inner wall 4912 (the inner wall 4912 including the first and second recesses 4914, 4915) by having inherent adhesive or bonding properties, by a bonding agent mixed with the first filler material 5112, and/or a separate bonding agent. In another example, the first filler material 5112 may be separately molded into the shape of the first and

second recesses

4914, 4915 and coupled to the first and

second recesses

4914, 4915 with a bonding agent, and/or second filler material 5114. In one example, the remaining portion of the internal cavity 4910 including the third recess 4916, the fourth recess 4917, and the fifth recess 4918 may be filled with a second filler material 5114. Thus, the second filler material 5114 may be coupled to the back surface 4866 of the face portion 4862, coupled to portions of the inner wall 4912 outside of the first and

second recesses

4914, 4915, coupled to portions of the inner wall 4912 not exposed to and not coupled with the first filler material 4211, and/or disposed between the face portion 4862 and the first filler material 5112. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Width 5122 (W) of first fill material 5112_F1) And width 5124 (W) of second fill material 5114_F2) From toe portion 4840 to heel portion 4850And/or from top 4880 to bottom 4890 and/or according to the shape of the first recess 4914, second recess 4915, third recess 4916, fourth recess 4917, and/or fifth recess 4918 depending on where inside the lumen 4910 it is located. The width 5122 of the first filler material 5112 may vary depending on the shape of the first and

second recesses

4914, 4915. The width 5122 of the first filler material 5112 and/or the width 5124 of the second filler material 5114 may be constant or substantially constant at one or more locations within the lumen 4910, and may be varied at some other location within the lumen 4910. In one example, the width 5122 of the first filler material 5112 and/or the width 5124 of the second filler material 5114 may vary at one or more locations within the lumen 4910 in a manner similar or substantially similar to the profile of all or a portion of the inner wall 4912 of the lumen 4910 (i.e., the profile of the indentations) and/or the profile of the boundary between the first filler material 5112 and the second filler material 5114. In one example, the second fill material 5114 may: (i) providing vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a steady and/or pleasant sound and feel as perceived by an individual using the golf club head 4800 when the golf club head 4800 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support to the face 4862; and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. The width 5122 of the first filler material 5112 and the width 5124 of the second filler material 5114 may be determined at the ball striking zone 4868 and/or other areas of the interior cavity 4910 to provide a relatively high or optimal coefficient of restitution (COR) for the golf club head 4800. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the first filler material 5112 can be similar to any of the first filler materials described herein, e.g., first filler material 4211. In another example, the first filler material 5112 may be a rubber-type material, such as a compound (compound) including a mixture of polybutadiene as a base polymer material with a vulcanizing agent (vulcanizing agent) that may be based on sulfur, peroxide, metal oxide, acetoxy silane, or urethane crosslinking agent. The added vulcanizing agent may promote crosslinking between polybutadiene chains to vulcanize or cure the polybutadiene polymer. The amount of curative may be directly related to the resilience of the resulting cured polymer, which may be measured by the Yerzley method, ASTM D945-59. In one example, the first filler material 5112 may be formed of a composite including 3 to 7.5 parts by weight of sulfur per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene. In another example, the first filler material 5112 may be formed of a composite including 4 to 6.25 parts by weight of a vulcanizing agent such as sulfur per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene. In yet another example, the first filler material 5112 may be formed of a composite including 4.75 to 5.75 parts by weight of sulfur per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene. The amounts of polybutadiene and sulfur as described herein may result in a composite having a Yerzley rebound resilience of (1) 75% to 85%, (2) 80% to 90%, or (3) greater than 90%. First filler material 5112 and mixed compositions thereof can be similar to any of the composites described in U.S. patent 3,241, 834, which is incorporated herein by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Other additives may be combined with the mixture of polybutadiene and vulcanizing agent to initiate the cure cycle. In particular, activators such as zinc oxide and/or stearic acid may be used to initiate the cure cycle of the mixture of polybutadiene and vulcanizing agent. In one example, the zinc oxide may be used in an amount of 2 to 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene, and/or the stearic acid may be used in an amount of 0.5 to 4 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene. In another example, the zinc oxide may be used in an amount of 2.5 to 4.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene, and/or the stearic acid may be used in an amount of 1 to 2 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene. In yet another example, the zinc oxide may be used in an amount of 3.5 to 4.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene, and/or the stearic acid may be used in an amount of 1.5 to 2.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of butadiene. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In addition, other additives may be combined with the mixture of polybutadiene and vulcanizing agent to accelerate the vulcanization rate. Accelerating the vulcanization rate can shorten the length of the molding cycle of the first filler material 5112 and can also equalize the heat throughout the mixture during the curing cycle. In one example, any one or combination of N-oxydiethylene benzothiazole 2 sulfenamide (trade name AMAX), di-o-tolylguanidine (trade name DOTG), and bismuth dimethyldithiocarbonate (trade name Bismate) may be used to accelerate the vulcanization process. Activation of these accelerators may occur when the mixture reaches a particular temperature. For Bismate and DOTG, the activation temperature is about 230 ° F, while the activation temperature for AMAX is about 260 ° F. By ensuring that the heat of reaction is equalized throughout the mixture, a more uniform rate of vulcanization is achieved and consistency of the final product is improved. In one example, AMAX, DOTG, and Bismate may each be used in an amount of 0.25 to 4 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene. In another example, AMAX, DOTG, and Bismate may each be used in an amount of 1 to 3 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene. In yet another example, AMAX, DOTG, and Bismate may each be used in an amount of 1.5 to 2.75 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Fillers (filler) may be added to the mixture of polybutadiene and vulcanizing agent. In one example, hydrated silica may be added to the mixture as a filler. The added filler material may serve to provide tear and abrasion resistance. The filler material is selected to enhance the durability of the polybutadiene without excessively increasing the specific gravity. In another example, carbon black may be used as the filler material. In yet another example, lithium oxide may be used as the filler material. In one example, the filler material may be used in an amount of 4 to 16 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene. In another example, the filler material may be used in an amount of 5 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene. In yet another example, the filler material may be used in an amount of 7 to 8 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene.

The amount of filler material can affect the specific gravity of the resulting polymeric material, which in turn can affect the resilience of the resulting polymeric material. In one example, the filler material can be used in an amount to provide a specific gravity of 1.0 to 1.5 in a mixture of polybutadiene and vulcanizing agent to optimize the resilience of the resulting polymeric material (i.e., the first filler material 5112). In another example, the filler material can be used in an amount to provide a specific gravity of 1.1 to 1.4 in a mixture of polybutadiene and a vulcanizing agent to optimize the resilience of the resulting polymeric material. In yet another example, the filler material can be used in an amount to provide a specific gravity of 1.0 to 1.05 in a mixture of polybutadiene and vulcanizing agent to optimize the resiliency of the resulting polymeric material. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

One or more antioxidant materials may be added to the polymer mixture to prevent oxidation and staining, and/or to inhibit aging of the resulting polymer composite. In one example, 4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol (trade name of Antioxidint 2246) may be added to the mixture in an amount of 0.25 to 3 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene. Other exemplary antioxidant materials that may be used include phenyl beta naphthylamine, alkyl diphenylamines, and/or hindered alkyl phenols. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The various elements of the polymer mixtures described herein may be mixed well so that the elements are uniformly distributed throughout the mixture. In one example, the mixture can then be placed in a mold under a pressure of 500 to 3000 pounds per square inch (psi) for about 10 to 30 minutes while the temperature of the mixture can be raised to about 285 to 340 ° F. In another example, the mixture can then be placed in a mold and held at a pressure of 750-2000 psi for about 12-25 minutes while the temperature of the mixture can be raised to about 300-330F. In yet another example, the mixture can then be placed in a mold and held at a pressure of 900-1100 psi for about 15-20 minutes while the temperature of the mixture can be raised to about 315-325F. Various aspects of the mixture processing (e.g., length, pressure, and/or temperature of each molding operation) may be adjusted to compensate for any variations in other aspects of the mixture processing. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The adhesive used to bond the first filler material 5112 to the inner wall 4912 may be any adhesive type that is capable of bonding the first filler material 5112 to the face portion 4862. In one example, the first filler material 5112 may be a rubber or rubber compound as described herein, and the face portion 4862 may be constructed of a steel-based material such as stainless steel. Thus, the adhesive used to bond the first filler material 5112 to the inner wall 4912 may be of the type of adhesive used to bond the steel-based material to rubber or a rubber compound. In another example, the first filler material 5112 can be rubber or a rubber composite, and the body portion 3510 can be composed of titanium or a titanium alloy. Thus, the adhesive used to bond the first filler material 5112 to the portion of the inner wall 4912 may be of the type of adhesive used to bond the titanium-based material to rubber or a rubber compound. In another example, the second filler material 5114 may be used to bond the first filler material 5112 to portions of the inner wall 4912. The bonding of the first filler material 5112 to any portion of the body portion 4810, the face portion 4862, and/or the second filler material 5114, and the bonding of the second filler material 5114 to the body portion 4810, the face portion 4862, and/or the first filler material 5112 can be similar to any of the bonding characteristics and processes described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example (not shown), the lumen 4910 can be completely filled with the first filler material 5112. In another example, as shown in fig. 48-53, the lumen 4910 can be partially filled with a first filler material 5112. Thus, the remainder of the first lumen 4910 can be filled with the second filler material 5114. As described herein, the second filler material 5114 may provide or assist in the coupling of the first filler material 5112 to portions of the inner wall 4912 (e.g., alone or with one or more adhesives). In other words, the second filler material 5114 may assist in maintaining or maintaining the coupling of the first filler material 5112 with the inner wall 4912 and/or the rear surface 4866 of the face 4862. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The second filler material 5114 may have one or more properties, such as density, compressibility, hardness (i.e., durometer), tensile strength, shear strength, viscosity, resilience, etc., that are different than the first filler material 5112 to optimize energy transfer from the face portion 4862 to the golf ball. The second filler material may be a polymeric material. The second filler material may be similar to any of the second filler materials described herein, for example, second filler material 4213. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The second filler material 5114 can have a smaller COR than the first filler material 5112. In one example, the COR of the second filler material 5114 may be 1% to 10% less than the COR of the first filler material 5112. In another example, the COR of the second filler material 5114 may be 2% to 5% less than the COR of the first filler material 5112. In another example, the COR of the second filler material 5114 may be 2% to 4% less than the COR of the first filler material 5112.

In one example, the first filler material 5112 can have a shore a hardness of 54-76. In another example, the first filler material 5112 can have a Shore A hardness of 60-70. In another example, the first filler material 5112 can have a shore a hardness of 62 to 68. In yet another example, the first filler material 5112 can have a Shore A hardness of 60-75. The second filler material 5114 may have a different hardness than the first filler material 5112. In one example, the second filler material 5114 can have a shore D hardness of 55 to 80. In another example, the second filler material 5114 can have a Shore D hardness of 50-85. The filler material 5114 may have a Shore D hardness of 60 to 75. In yet another example, the second filler material 5114 can have a Shore D hardness of 62-73. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the mass of the first filler material 5112 may be 0.5% to 6.0% of the total mass of the golf club head 4800. In another example, the mass of the first filler material 5112 may be 1.0% to 5.0% of the total mass of the golf club head 4800. In another example, the mass of the first filler material 5112 may be 2.0% to 4.0% of the total mass of the golf club head 4800. In another example, the mass of the first filler material 5112 may be greater than 5% of the total mass of the golf club head 4800. In yet another example, the body portion 4810 can be completely filled with the first filler material 5112 described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the mass of the second filler material 5114 may be 2.0% to 14.0% of the total mass of the golf club head 4800. In another example, the mass of the second filler material 5114 may be between 3.0% and 12.0% of the total mass of the golf club head 4800. In another example, the mass of the second filler material 5114 may be 5.0% to 10.0% of the total mass of the golf club head 4800. In another example, the mass of the second filler material 5114 may be greater than 10% of the total mass of the golf club head 4800. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

As described herein, the face portion 4862 can be relatively thin to increase the bending and flexing (deflection) of the face portion 4862 during a golf ball strike. In addition, the face 4862 can include one or more grooves (e.g., grooves 5469 shown in fig. 65) on the posterior surface 4866 of the face 4862 described herein to further increase the flexibility of the face 4862. The second filler material 5114 may be a polymer material having a relatively high strength and rigidity to provide structural support and stability to the face portion 4862 to prevent disabling (i.e., facial fatigue) of the face portion 4862 during one or repeated golf shots. The second filler material 5114 may also have a relatively high COR as described herein to provide a rebound effect to the face portion 4862 after a golf ball impact. As further described herein, the first filler material 5112 may be a rubber-like compound having a lower strength and stiffness (i.e., softer or less rigid) than the second filler material 5114 and a higher COR than the second filler material 5114. Thus, the first fill material 5112 can provide additional structural support to the face portion 4862. In addition, the relatively high COR of the first filler material 5112 may allow the first filler material 5112 to store energy from a golf ball strike and release a large amount of energy back into the golf ball (i.e., without losing too much impact energy) by providing a relatively large rebound effect for the face portion 4862. Further, the different material properties of first filler material 5112 and second filler material 5114 as described herein may provide sound and vibration attenuation in different frequency ranges, thereby providing a pleasant sound and feel to an individual. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

As described herein, the first filler material 5112 can have a resiliency (i.e., yrerzley resiliency) of (1) 75% to 85%, (2) 80% to 90%, or (3) greater than 90%. The relatively high resiliency of the first filler material 5112 may be directly related to the rebound velocity and/or acceleration of the face portion 4862 in response to the face portion 4862 flexing after impact with a golf ball. Accordingly, a golf club head with a more resilient first filler material 5112 may provide a relatively longer golf ball distance than a golf club head with a less resilient first filler material 5112. The amount of compression of the first filler material 5112 may also be directly related to the rebound velocity and/or acceleration of the face portion 4862 after it strikes a golf ball. An amount of compression of the first fill material 5112 may provide the best rebound effect for the face 4862. Increasing the amount of compression of the first filler material 5112 beyond a certain amount can negatively impact the rebound of the face 4862 due to the dissipation of excess compression energy through the first filler material 5112. Accordingly, the first filler material 5112 may have a relatively high elasticity (resilience) as described herein when the face 4862 impacts the golf ball without the first filler material 5112 being excessively compressed. To control and/or prevent over-compression of the first filler material 5112, a second filler material 5114 can be disposed between the face portion 4862 and the first filler material 5112 described herein. The second filler material 5114 may effectively transfer and evenly distribute the energy of the golf ball from the face portion 4862 to the first filler material 5112 and prevent over-compression, particularly localized compression of the first filler material 5112, so as to optimally or substantially optimally and generally evenly transfer the rebound energy from the first filler material 5112 to the face portion 4862. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The second fill material 5114 may also attenuate the vibrations of the face portion 4862 to provide some sound and feel to the golf club head 4800. Thus, the combination of the first filler material 5112 and the second filler material 5114 may attenuate the vibrations of the face portion 4862 over a wide range of frequencies, thereby providing some sound and feel to the golf club head 4800. The second fill material 5114 may also provide some rebound and/or acceleration to the face portion 4862 to optimize the transfer of energy from the golf club head 4800 to a golf ball. In other words, the second filler material 5114 may cooperate with the first filler material 5112 to optimize the rebound of the face portion 4862 to maximize the speed and distance of the golf ball. Further, as described herein, the second filler material 5114 may act as an adhesive between the first filler material 5112 and the face portion 4862 to provide continuous and/or uniform energy transfer between the face portion 4862 and the first filler material 5112. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 54-52, the golf club head 5400 may include a body portion 5410 having: a toe 5440 having a toe edge 5442; a heel 5450 having a heel edge 5452, which may include a hosel 5455 configured to receive a shaft (not shown) having a grip (not shown) at one end and a golf club head 5400 at an opposite end of the shaft, thereby forming a golf club; a front portion 5460 having a perimeter rim portion 5461; a rear portion 5470 having a rear wall portion 5472; a top 5480 having a top edge 5482; and a bottom 5490 having a bottom edge 5492. Toe portion 5440, heel portion 5450, front portion 5460, rear portion 5470, top portion 5480, and/or sole portion 5490 may partially overlap one another. Toe edge 5442, heel edge 5452, top edge 5482, and bottom edge 5492 may define a periphery of body portion 5410. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 5400 may be an iron type golf club head (e.g., iron 1, iron 2, iron 3, iron 4, iron 5, iron 6, iron 7, iron 8, iron 9, etc.), or an excavation type golf club head (e.g., a split, a high throw, a sand pit, an n degree excavation such as 44 degrees (°), 48 °, 52 °, 56 °, 60 °, etc.). Although fig. 54-65 may depict a particular type of club head, the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of club heads (e.g., driver heads, fairway wood heads, ironwood heads, putter heads, etc.). The volume of the golf club head 5400, the materials of construction of the golf club head 5400, and/or any components thereof may be similar to the golf club heads described herein or in any of the applications incorporated by reference herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 5400 may include a face portion 5462 (i.e., a ball striking face) that may be integrally formed (e.g., a single unitary piece) with the body portion 5410. In one example, as shown in fig. 54-65, the face portion 5462 can be a separate component that is coupled (e.g., adhesively, mechanically, by welding, and/or by welding) to the front portion 5460. The face portion 5462 may include a front surface 5464 and a back surface 5466. In one example (not shown), the front portion 5460 can include one or more recessed shoulders configured to receive the face portion 5462 for attaching the face portion 5462 to the body portion 5410. In another example, as shown in fig. 54-65, the rear surface 5466 can include a peripheral portion 5467 that is attached to a peripheral edge portion 5461 of the body portion 5410. A peripheral portion 5467 of the face portion 5462 can be attached to the peripheral edge portion 5461 of the body portion 5410 by one or more fasteners, one or more adhesives or bonding agents, and/or welding or soldering. In one example, as shown in fig. 54-65, a peripheral portion 5467 of the face portion 5462 can be welded to a peripheral edge portion 5461 of the body portion 5410 at one or more locations. Alternatively, the entire peripheral portion 5467 of the face portion 5462 can be welded (i.e., continuously welded) to the entire peripheral edge portion 5461 of the body portion 5410. The face portion 5462 may include a hitting region 5468 for hitting a golf ball. In one example, the center of the ball striking zone 5468 may be the geometric center 5463 of the face 5462. In another example, the geometric center 5463 of the face 5462 may be offset from the center of the ball striking zone 5468. In one example, the geometric center 5463 and one or more areas near and/or around the geometric center within the striking zone 5468 can provide a generally optimal location on the face 5462 for striking a golf ball (i.e., optimal ball distance, ball speed, ball spin characteristics, etc.). In yet another example, any location at or near the geometric center 5463 and within the striking zone 5468 may provide a generally optimal location on the face 5462 for striking a golf ball. However, for any of the golf club heads described herein, the ball may be struck with the face 5462 at any portion within or outside of the striking zone 5468 to obtain flight characteristics for certain balls that may be preferred by the player other than center shots. The configuration of the face portion 5462 and the attachment (e.g., welding) of the face portion 5462 to the body portion 5410 may be similar in various respects to any golf club head described herein and/or in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 5400 may be associated with a ground plane 5710, a horizontal midplane 5720, and a top plane 5730. In particular, the ground plane 5710 may be a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel to the ground and tangent to the lowest portion of the bottom edge 5492 when the golf club head 5400 is in a ball ready position (e.g., the golf club head 5400 is aligned to strike a golf ball). The top plane 5730 may be a plane tangent to an uppermost portion of the top edge 5482 when the golf club head 5400 is in a address position. The ground plane 5710 and the top plane 5730 may be parallel or substantially parallel to each other. The horizontal midplane 5720 may be located at a vertical midpoint between the ground plane 5710 and the top plane 5730. Additionally, the golf club head 5400 can be associated with a face plane 5740 that defines a loft angle 5745(α) of the golf club head 5400. The face plane 5740 may be a plane that is tangent to the face 5462. The loft angle 5745 may be defined by the angle between the loft plane 5740 and a vertical plane 5750 perpendicular to the ground plane 5710.

Body portion 5410 may be a hollow body that includes an interior cavity 5510 having an interior wall 5512. The lumen 5510 can extend between a front 5460, a back 5470, a top 5480, and a bottom 5490. In the example of fig. 54-65, the lumen 5510 of the body portion 5410 can be enclosed and partially defined by the face portion 5462. The configuration (e.g., height, width, volume, shape, etc.) of interior cavity 5510, the configuration (e.g., volume of interior cavity 5510 relative to volume of body portion 5410) of interior cavity 5510 relative to body portion 5410, the variation in width and height of interior cavity 5510, and the passage from one or more apertures on body portion 5410 into interior cavity 5510 may be similar to any golf club head described herein and/or described in any application incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The rear wall portion 5472 of the rear portion 5470 can include an upper rear wall portion 5812 and a lower rear wall portion 5814. The rear wall portion 5472 can include a ledge 5816 that can extend continuously or discontinuously between the toe edge 5442 and the heel edge 5452. The lower rear wall portion 5814 may be located further rearward of the body portion 5410 than the upper rear wall portion 5812, and the ledge portion 5816 defines a transition between the upper rear wall portion 5812 and the lower rear wall portion 5814. Thus, the ledge portion 5816 may extend transverse to the upper and lower rear wall portions 5812, 5814. In one example, as shown in fig. 54-65, the ledge 5816 may include a first ledge 5826 and a second ledge 5836. The first ledge portion 5826 can extend from the toe edge 5442 on the rear wall portion to a rear wall center portion 5840 of the rear wall portion 5472. The second ledge portion 5836 may extend from a central portion 5840 of the rear wall portion 5472 to the heel edge 5452. As shown in fig. 54-65, the ledge portion 5816 can provide a body portion 5410 of relatively greater mass below the horizontal median plane 5720, with the mass of the body portion 5410 below the horizontal median plane 5720 moving farther back on the body portion 5410. The ledge portion 5816 can have a width that is greater than, equal to, or less than the width of the internal cavity at certain locations of the body portion 5410. The configuration (e.g., width, segmentation, taper, shape, etc.) of the ledge portion 5816 and the characteristics of the ledge portion 5816 relative to the width of the interior cavity may be similar to any ledge portion or similar structure of any golf club head described herein and/or described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Body portion 5410 may include one or more apertures, which may be external apertures and/or internal apertures (e.g., located inside body portion 5410). The inner wall 5512 of the lumen 5510 may include one or more orifices (not shown). In one example, as shown in fig. 54-65, rear portion 5470 can include one or more apertures along or adjacent to the periphery of body portion 5410. For example, body portion 5410 may include a first set of apertures 5520 (e.g., shown as apertures 5521 and 5522), a second set of apertures 5530 (e.g., shown as apertures 5531 and 5532), a third set of apertures 5540 (e.g., shown as

apertures

5541, 5542, and 5543), and a fourth set of apertures 5550 (e.g., shown as apertures 5551 and 5552). The position, spacing relative to other apertures, and any other configuration of each aperture of the first, second, third, and/or fourth sets of

apertures

5520, 5530, 5540, 5550 may be similar in various respects to any of the apertures described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. Further, any one or more of the first, second, third, and/or fourth sets of

orifices

5520, 5530, 5540, 5550 may be communicated to the internal cavity 5510, whereby one or more filler materials may be injected into the internal cavity 5510. In the example of fig. 54-65, the

orifices

5521, 5531, and 5551 may be communicated to the lumen 5510 via

openings

5561, 5571, and 5581, respectively. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Each aperture of the first set of apertures 5520 may be separated by a distance that is less than the aperture diameter of any aperture of the first set of apertures 5520. Each aperture of the second set of apertures 5530 may be separated by a distance that is less than the aperture diameter of any aperture of the second set of apertures 5530. Each aperture of the third set of apertures 5540 may be separated by a distance that is less than the aperture diameter of any aperture of the third set of apertures 5540. Each aperture of the fourth set of apertures 5550 may be separated by a distance that is less than the aperture diameter of any aperture of the fourth set of apertures 5550. In one example, the first and second sets of

apertures

5520, 5530 may be separated by a distance greater than the aperture diameter of any of the first and second sets of

apertures

5520, 5530. In another example, the second and third sets of

apertures

5530, 5540 may be separated by a distance greater than the aperture diameter of any of the second and third sets of

apertures

5530, 5540. In yet another example, the third and fourth sets of

apertures

5540, 5550 may be separated by a distance greater than the aperture diameter of any of the third and fourth sets of

apertures

5540, 5550. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Although the figures may describe the apertures as separate and distinct portions, the apertures of each or a combination of adjacent sets of the first, second, third, and fourth sets of

apertures

5520, 5530, 5540, 5550 may be a single aperture. In one example, all of the apertures in the first set of apertures 5520 may be combined into a single aperture (e.g., a first aperture). In another example, all of the apertures in the second set of apertures 5530 may be combined into a single aperture (e.g., a second aperture). In another example, all of the apertures in the third set of apertures 5540 may be combined into a single aperture (e.g., a third aperture). In yet another example, all of the apertures in the fourth set of apertures 5550 may be combined into a single aperture (e.g., a fourth aperture). Although the figures may depict a particular number of apertures, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may include a greater or lesser number of apertures.

Body portion 5410 may include one or more masses (e.g., one or more weights) that may be one or more integral masses or separate masses coupled to body portion 5410. In the example of fig. 54-65, body portion 5410 can include a first set of masses 5620 (e.g., shown as masses 5621 and 5622), a second set of masses 5630 (e.g., shown as masses 5631 and 562), a third set of masses 5640 (e.g., shown as

masses

5641, 5642, and 5643), and a fourth set of masses 5650 (e.g., shown as masses 5651 and 5652). Although the above examples may describe a particular number or portion of masses, a set of masses may include a single mass or multiple masses as described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. For example, any one set of masses or a combination of multiple adjacent sets of masses in the first set of masses 5620 can be a single mass, the second set of masses 5630 can be a single mass, the third set of masses 5640 can be a single mass, and/or the fourth set of masses 5650 can be a single mass. Further, the first, second, third, and/or fourth set of

masses

5620, 5630, 5640, 5650 may be part of the physical structure of the body portion 5410. These masses of the first, second, third, and/or fourth sets of

masses

5620, 5630, 5640, and/or 5650 may be similar to any of the masses described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Lumen 5510 may be partially or fully filled with one or more fill materials (i.e., cavity fill materials), which may include one or more similar or different types of materials. In one example, as shown in fig. 54-65, the lumen 5510 can be filled with a first filler material 5712 and a second filler material 5714. In one example, the first filler material 5712 can be similar to the first filler material 5112 described herein and the second filler material 5714 can be similar to the first filler material 5114 described herein. Thus, the first filler material 5712 may be rubber or a rubber compound and the second filler material 5714 may be said to be an epoxy type material. In another example, first filler material 5712 and/or second filler material 5714 may be similar to any filler material described herein or in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first filler material 5712 may couple all or a portion of the inner wall 5512 of the lumen 5510. In one example, the first filler material 5712 may have inherent adhesive or bonding properties to attach all or part of the inner wall 5512. In another example, the first filler material 5712 may be attached to all or a portion of the inner wall 5512 with one or more cements or adhesives that may be mixed with the first filler material 5712. In another example, the first filler material 5712 may be attached to all or a portion of the inner wall 5512 with one or more cements or adhesives that may be separate from the first filler material 5712. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 56 and 57, the first filler material 5712 may be coupled to at least a portion of the inner wall 5512 that may generally correspond to the ball striking region 5468 of the face 5462 (i.e., the first filler material 5712 may generally be located behind the ball striking region 5468), or to those areas of the ball striking region 5468 that are proximate to and/or surround the face 5462. In another example, the first filler material 5712 may couple at least 10% of the inner wall 5512. In another example, the first filler material 5712 may couple at least 25% of the inner wall 5512. In yet another example, the first filler material 5712 may be coupled between 25% and 50% of the inner wall 5512. In yet another example, the first filler material 5712 may be coupled between 41% and 75% of the inner wall 5512. In yet another example, the first filler material 5712 may be coupled to 50% -90% of the inner wall 5512. In yet another example, the first filler material 5712 may couple greater than 75% of the inner wall 5512. In yet another example, the first filler material 5712 may be coupled to all of the inner walls 5512. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in table 4, the volume (V) of the first filler material 5712_r) Can be expressed as the volume (V) of the body portion 5410 _b) Relative value of (c) and volume (V) of lumen 5510_c) Relative value of (a). Further, as shown in table 4, the mass (m) of the first filler material 5712_r) And a mass (m) of the second filler material 5714_f) Can be expressed as mass (m) of the body portion 5410_b) Relative value of (a).

TABLE 4

As shown in the example of table 4, the amount of first filler material 5712 located in the interior cavity 5510 and/or coupled to the interior wall 5512 may depend on the loft angle of the golf club head (e.g., iron 4, iron 7, wedge (PW), etc.). In another example, the ratio of the volume of the first filler material 5712 to the volume of the body portion 5410 may be greater than or equal to 2.5% and less than or equal to 30%. In another example, the ratio of the volume of the first filler material 5712 to the volume of the lumen 5510 may be greater than or equal to 15% and less than or equal to 50%. In another example, the ratio of the mass of the first filler material 5712 to the mass of the body portion 5410 may be greater than or equal to 0.75% and less than or equal to 7.5%. In another example, the ratio of the volume of the first filler material 5712 to the volume of the lumen 5510 may be greater than 50%. In another example, the ratio of the volume of the first filler material 5712 to the volume of the lumen 5510 may be 100% or near 100% (i.e., the lumen 5510 is completely filled with the first filler material 5712). In yet another example, a ratio of the mass of the second filler material 5712 to the mass of the body portion 5410 may be greater than or equal to 2.0% and less than or equal to 10%. Although table 4 lists golf club heads that are labeled as having a particular loft angle or range of lofts, each of the golf club heads of table 4 may include a range of lofts that is partially similar to or overlaps the range of lofts of adjacent golf club heads of table 4. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The amount of first filler material 5712 in the internal cavity may also depend on the overall thickness of the face portion 5462, the thickness profile of the face portion 5462, the shape of the internal cavity 5510, the location and configuration of any apertures or mass portions, the material properties of the first filler material 5712, and/or the material properties of the second filler material 5714. In one example, a golf club head with a relatively high loft angle may limit the portion of the inner wall 5512 that may be coupled by the first filler material 5712. In another example, a golf club head with a relatively small loft angle may allow the first filler material 5712 to couple all or a majority of the inner wall 5512. In yet another example, the acoustic properties of the golf club head may be a factor in determining the amount of filler material 5712 that may be coupled to the inner wall 5512 to provide a pleasing sound and feel to the player. For each golf club head (i.e., having a certain loft angle), the amount (i.e., volume and/or mass) of the first filler material 5712 coupled to the inner wall 5512 may be determined to: (i) providing vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a steady and/or pleasant sound and feel as perceived by a player using the golf club head 5400 when the golf club head 5400 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support to the face 5462; and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 54-65, the portion of the cavity 5510 that includes the center portion 5511, i.e., the portion of the cavity 5510 that can generally correspond to the ball striking zone 5468, can include a first filler material 5712 and a second filler material 5714. The width 5513 of the lumen 5510 at a central portion 5511 thereof may be generally greater than the width 5513 of the lumen 5510 at other portions of the lumen. Thus, the area of the interior cavity 5510 behind the ball striking region 5468, i.e., the central portion 5511, may include a relatively large volume of the first and/or

second filler materials

5712, 5714. Further, the configuration (i.e., size, shape, profile, volume, etc.) of the central portion 5511 may depend on the loft angle 5745. For example, a golf club head 5400 with a relatively smaller loft angle 5745 may have a larger center portion 5511 (i.e., greater volume, depth, height, etc.) than a golf club head 5400 with a relatively larger loft angle 5745. Thus, as described herein, the amount of the first and/or

second filler materials

5712, 5714 inside the internal cavity 5510, and more particularly in the central portion 5511, may be determined based on the loft angle 5745 to: (i) provide vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a steady and/or pleasant sound and feel as perceived by a player using the golf club head 5400 when the golf club head 5400 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support to the face 5462; and/or (iii) optimize ball travel distance, ball velocity, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight height, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The contour of the internal cavity 5510 or the shape of the internal wall 5512 may be defined by a plurality of recessed portions that are recessed relative to the peripheral edge portion 5461. In the example of fig. 54-65, the lumen 5510 may include a first recess 5514, a second recess 5515 having a generally smaller depth (i.e., a lumen width 5513 as viewed in cross-section from fig. 57) than the first recess 5514, a third recess 5516 having a generally smaller depth than the second recess 5515, a fourth recess 5517 having a generally smaller depth than the third recess 5516, and a fifth recess 5518 having a generally smaller depth than the fourth recess 5517. The lumen 5510 may have more or fewer indentations. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first recessed portion 5514 may generally include a maximum width 5513 of the internal cavity 5510, and may be located at the central portion 5511 and/or may include a portion that abuts and/or surrounds the central portion 5511. The second recessed portion 5515 may abut and/or surround all or several portions of the first recessed portion 5514, and may include several portions located in the central portion 5511. In the example of fig. 54-65, the second recessed portion 5515 is located below the first recessed portion 5514. The portion of the structure of body portion 5410 that includes third set of apertures 5540 may be located between second recess 5515 and lower rear wall 5814. Accordingly, the depth of the second recessed portion 5515 may be less than the depth of the first recessed portion 5514 such that the body portion 5410 may accommodate the third set of apertures 5540 between the second recessed portion 5515 and the lower rear wall portion 5814. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The third recessed portion 5516 may abut and/or surround all or portions of the second recessed portion 5515 and/or the first recessed portion 5514, and may include portions located in the central portion 5511. In the example of fig. 54-65, the third recess 5516 surrounds the first recess 5514 above the horizontal median plane 5720. The fourth recessed portion 5517 may be at or near the peripheral edge portion 4161 and/or may abut and/or surround all or portions of the third recessed portion 5516, the second recessed portion 5515, and/or the first recessed portion 5514. In the example of fig. 54-65, the fourth recess 5517 abuts portions of the first and

second recesses

5514, 5515 below the horizontal median plane 5720. The portion of the structure of body portion 5410 that includes the second and fourth sets of

apertures

5530, 5550 may be located between fourth recess 5517 and lower rear wall 5814. Accordingly, the depth of the fourth recess 5517 may be less than the depth of the first and

second recesses

5514, 5515, such that the body portion 5410 may accommodate the second and fourth sets of

apertures

5530, 5550 between the fourth recess 5517 and the lower rear wall portion 5814. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Fifth recessed portion 5518 may abut peripheral edge portion 5461. Accordingly, at any location in the internal cavity 5510 that includes the fifth recessed portion 5518, the fifth recessed portion 5518 may be between the peripheral edge portion 5461 and any one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth recessed

portions

5514, 5515, 5516, 5517. The portion of the structure of body portion 5410 that includes first set of apertures 5520 may be located between fifth recess 5518 and upper rear wall portion 5812. Accordingly, the depth of the fifth recessed portion 5518 may be less than the depth of each adjoining portion of the third recessed portion 5516, such that the body portion 5410 may accommodate the first set of apertures 5520 between the fifth recessed portion 5518 and the upper rear wall portion 5812. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The internal cavity 5510 can include one or more internal channels that can extend between the toe portion 5440 and the heel portion 5450. In one example, as shown in fig. 54-65, the internal cavity 5510 can include a first internal passage 5525 and a second internal passage 5526, the first internal passage 5525 can extend from a location of the toe portion 5440 to the central portion 5511, and the second internal passage 5526 can extend from a location of the heel portion 5450 to the central portion 5511. The first and second

internal passages

5525, 5526 are connected to the first recessed portion 5514 and may have the same depth as the first recessed portion 5514 at or near the central portion 5511. The depth of first and second

internal channels

5525, 5526 may decrease from first recess 5514 toward toe and

heel portions

5440, 5450, respectively. As shown in the examples of fig. 54-65, portions of the first and/or second

internal passages

5525, 5526 that connect the first recess 5514 and/or that are adjacent to the first recess 5514 may maintain a constant depth similar to the depth of the first recess 5514. Alternatively, all or portions of first interior channel 5525 and/or second interior channel 5526 may have a decreasing depth in a direction toward toe 5440 and heel 5450, respectively. In one example, as shown in fig. 54-65, the height of first interior channel 5525 increases in a direction from toe portion 5440 to central portion 5511 to include a relatively large and expanding triangular shaped first channel portion 5535. Similarly, the height of the second interior channel 5526 increases in a direction from the heel 5450 to the central portion 5511 to include a relatively large and expanding triangular second channel portion 5536. The first and

second channel portions

5535, 5536 may effectively expand the central portion 5511 further toward the toe portion 5440 and the heel portion 5450, respectively. Accordingly, first and second

internal passages

5525, 5526 may provide a greater volume of first and/or

second filler material

5712, 5714 between central portion 5511 and toe portion 5440 and the heel portion. Upon striking the golf ball with the eccentricity of the face portion 5462, the increase in volume of the first filler material 5712 and/or the second filler material 5714 in the

internal passages

5525 and 5526 may: (i) providing vibration attenuation or sound attenuation; (ii) provide structural support to the face 5462; and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. Further, the mass removed from the body portion 5410 to provide the internal passages 5525 and 5526 (more specifically, the first and second passage portions 5535 and 5536) may be shifted to other locations of the body portion 5410 to increase and/or optimize the moment of inertia and center of gravity position of the golf club head 5400. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The lumen 5510 may include additional recesses that may define transition regions between the first through

fifth recesses

5514 and 5518 and the

internal passages

5525 and 5526. Each of these recesses may abut and transition into any one or more other recesses. For example, as shown in fig. 57-59, the first recess 5514 may include an inclined surface 5527 that may transition over the first recess 5514 and connect to the third recess 5516. Further, any of these indentations can transition directly to peripheral rim portion 5461. The recess and transition region may collectively define the overall shape and/or profile of the internal cavity 5510. The transition region may include walls that are perpendicular, transverse, or contain adjacent recesses. Further, the transition region may include a fillet when joining adjacent recesses to reduce stress concentrations at the joint corners. The recessed portions may define an undulating shape, a continuous, and/or a stepped decrease in the width of the internal cavity 5510 from the central portion 5511 to the peripheral edge portion 5461. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The shape, size, width, height, and other characteristics of the

recess

5514, 5518 and the

internal channels

5525, 5526 may be associated with the loft angle 5745 of the golf club head 5400. In one example, as shown in fig. 54-65, the first recess 5514, the second recess 5515, the third recess 5516, and the

internal channels

5525 and 5526 can be filled with a first filler material 5712. The first filler material 5712 may be injection molded in the first recess 5514, the second recess 5515, the third recess 5516, and the

internal channels

5525 and 5526. The first filler material 5712 may be combined with the first recess 5514, the second recess 5515, the third recess 5516, and the inner walls 5512 of the

internal passages

5525 and 5526 by having inherent adhesive or bonding characteristics, using an adhesive mixed with the first filler material 5712, and/or a separate adhesive. In another example, the first filler material 5712 may be molded in the shape of the first, second, third and

inner recesses

5514, 5515, 5516 and 5525 and 5526, respectively, and bonded with the first, second, third and

inner recesses

5514, 5515, 5516 and 5525 and 5526 using an adhesive. In one example, the remaining portion of the internal cavity 5510 including the fourth and

fifth recesses

5517, 5518 may be filled with a second filler material 5714. Thus, the second fill material 5714 may couple the back surface 5466 of the face portion 5462; portions of the coupling inner wall 5512 located outside the first, second, and third recessed

portions

5514, 5515, 5516; and/or between the face portion 5462 and the first filler material 5712. In another example, the first and

second recesses

5514, 5515 can be filled with a first filler material 5712, while the remainder of the lumen 5510 can be filled with a second filler material 5714. In another example, the first recess 5514, the second recess 5515, and the

internal passages

5525 and 5526 can be filled with a first fill material 5712, while the remainder of the internal cavity 5510 can be filled with a second fill material 5714. In another example, the first recess 5514, the second recess 5515, the

internal channels

5525 and 5526, the third recess 5516 and the fifth recess 5518 may be filled with a first filler material 5712, while the remainder of the internal cavity 5510 may be filled with a second filler material 5714. In yet another example, the entire lumen 5510 can be filled with the first filler material 5712. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Width 5722 (W) of first filler material 5712_F1) And a width 5724 (W) of the second filler material 5714_F2) May be dependent on cavity 55 from toe portion 5440 to heel portion 5450 and/or from top portion 5480 to bottom portion 5490 and/or from first recess 5514, second recess 5515, third recess 5516, fourth recess 5517, and/or fifth recess 5518The shape of the location inside 10 varies. The width 5722 of the first filling material 5712 may vary according to the shapes of the first, second, and

third recesses

5514, 5515, 5516. The width 5722 of the first filler material 5712 and/or the width 5724 of the second filler material 5714 may be constant or substantially constant at one or more locations in the internal cavity 5510, and may vary at some other location in the internal cavity 5510. In one example, the width 5722 of the first filler material 5712 and/or the width 5724 of the second filler material 5714 may vary at one or more locations within the internal cavity 5510 in a profile that is similar or substantially similar to the profile of all or a portion of the internal wall 5512 (i.e., the profile of the recess) of the internal cavity 5510 and/or the profile of the boundary between the first filler material 5712 and the second filler material 5714. In one example, the second filler material 5714 may: (i) provide vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a steady and/or pleasant sound and feel experienced by a player using the golf club head 5400 when the golf club head 5400 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support to the face 5462; and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. The width 5722 of the first filler material 5712 and the width 5724 of the second filler material 5714 may be determined at the ball striking zone 5468 and/or other areas of the interior cavity 5510 to provide a relatively high or optimal coefficient of restitution (COR) for the golf club head 5400. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example (not shown), the lumen 5510 can be completely filled with the first filler material 4555. In another example, as shown in fig. 54-65, the lumen 5510 can be partially filled with a first filler material 5712. Thus, the remainder of first lumen 5510 can be filled with second filler material 5714. As described herein, the second filler material 5714 can provide or assist in the coupling of the first filler material 5712 to the rear wall portion 5472 (e.g., alone or with one or more adhesives). In other words, the second filler material 5714 may maintain or assist in maintaining the coupling of the first filler material 5712 with the rear wall portion 5472. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 65, a rear surface 5466 of the face portion 5462 can include one or more grooves proximate a peripheral portion 5467 of the face portion 5462. In one example, as shown in fig. 65, the groove 5469 can be a continuous groove (i.e., defining a ring) extending along a similar path as the path of the peripheral portion 5467 adjacent the peripheral portion 5467. The recess 5469 includes a relatively thin portion of the face 5462. Accordingly, the recess 5469 may increase the flexibility of the face portion 5462 such that the face portion 5462 provides a greater bounce force (i.e., a greater bounce effect) when a golf ball strikes the face portion 5462, and thus may provide a greater golf ball speed. All or a portion of the recess 5469 can be filled with the first filler material 5712 and/or the second filler material 5714. In the example of the golf club head 5400, the entirety of the recess 5469 may be filled with the second filler material 5714. Thus, the second filler material 5714 may provide structural support to the relatively thin portion of the face portion 5462 defined by the recesses 5469. In another example, a plurality of individual grooves (not shown) may be provided on the rear surface 5466 of the face portion 5462 at locations proximate to the peripheral portion 5467 to provide some spring-back effect to the face portion 5462. In yet another example, a continuous groove similar to groove 5469 and/or a plurality of separate grooves (not shown) may be provided at certain locations between peripheral portion 5467 and geometric center 5463 on rear surface 5466 of face portion 5462 to provide some spring back effect to face portion 5462. The face of any of the golf club heads described herein may include a recess 5469. For example, the face portion 3562 of the golf club head 3500 of fig. 35 may include similar grooves that may be filled with the second filler material 3814 and/or the first filler material 3812. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

As described herein, the face portion 5462 may be relatively thin to provide increased bending and flexing of the face portion 5462 during a golf shot. In addition, the face 4862 can include one or more grooves, such as grooves 5469 on the posterior surface 5466 of the face 5462 as described herein, to further increase the flexibility of the face 5462. The second filler material 5714 may be a polymer material having a relatively high strength and stiffness to provide structural support and stability to the face portion 5462 to prevent the face portion 5462 from failing (i.e., facial fatigue) during one or repeated golf shots. As described herein, the second filler material 5714 may be an epoxy type material. The second filler material 5714 may also have a relatively high COR as described herein to provide a rebound effect to the face portion 5462 after a golf ball strike. As further described herein, the first filler material 5712 may be a rubber-type compound having lower strength and stiffness (i.e., softer or less rigid) than the second filler material 5714 and a higher COR than the second filler material 5714. Thus, the first filler material 5712 may provide additional structural support to the face 5462. In addition, the relatively high COR of the first filler material 5712 may allow the first filler material 5712 to store energy from a golf ball strike and return a substantial portion of that energy to the golf ball (i.e., without losing excessive impact energy) by providing a relatively large rebound effect for the face portion 5462. In addition, the different material properties of the first and

second filler materials

5712, 5714, as described herein, may provide sound and vibration attenuation in different frequency ranges, thereby providing a pleasing sound and feel to the player. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Fig. 66 depicts one manner in which a golf club head 5400 or any of the golf club heads described herein may be manufactured. In the example of fig. 66, the process 6600 may begin by providing a body portion 5410 and a face portion 5462 of a golf club head 5400 (block 6610). The first filler material 5712 may be coupled to the inner cavity 5510 (block 6620). In one example, the first filler material 5712 may be injection molded into one or more recesses (i.e., any of the recesses described herein) of the internal cavity 5510. The first filler material 5712 may then be cured at ambient temperature or by one or more heating/cooling cycles, depending on the material used for the first filler material 5712. In another example, the first filler material 5712 may be molded into the shape of one or more recesses described herein and then coupled with the one or more recesses with an adhesive described herein. The face portion 5462 may then be attached to the body portion 5410 as described herein to enclose the internal cavity 5510 (block 6630). Second filler material 5714 may then be injected into lumen 5510 through one or more of first set of orifices 5520, second set of orifices 5530, third set of orifices 5540, and/or fourth set of orifices 5550 that may communicate with lumen 5510 as described herein (block 6640). The second filler material 5714 may then be cured at ambient temperature or by one or more heating/cooling cycles, depending on the material used for the second filler material 5714. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As shown in fig. 67-86, the golf club head 6700 may include a body portion 6710 having: a toe 6740 having a toe edge 6742; a heel portion 6750 having a heel edge 6752 and may include a hosel portion 6755 configured to receive a shaft (not shown) having a grip (not shown) at one end and a golf club head 6700 at an opposite end of the shaft, thereby forming a golf club; a front portion 6760 having a peripheral edge portion 6761; a rear portion 6770 having a rear wall portion 6772; a top 6780 having a top edge 6782; and a bottom portion 6790, with a bottom edge 6792. The toe portion 6740, heel portion 6750, front portion 6760, rear portion 6770, top portion 6780, and/or bottom portion 6790 may partially overlap one another. The toe edge 6742, heel edge 6752, top edge 6782, and bottom edge 6792 may define a periphery of the body portion 6710. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 6700 may be an iron-type golf club head (e.g., iron 1, iron 2, iron 3, iron 4, iron 5, iron 6, iron 7, iron 8, iron 9, etc.), or an excavation-type golf club head (e.g., a split, a high-throw, a sand-pit, an n-degree such as 44 degrees (°), 48 °, 52 °, 56 °, 60 °, etc.). While fig. 67-86 depict a particular type of club head, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of club heads (e.g., driver heads, fairway wood heads, ironwood heads, putter heads, etc.). The volume of the golf club head 6700, the materials of construction of the golf club head 6700, and/or any components thereof may be similar to any of the golf club heads described herein and/or in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 6700 may include a face portion 6762 (i.e., a ball striking face) that may be integrally formed (e.g., as a single unitary piece) with the body portion 6710. In one example, as shown in fig. 67-86, the face portion 6762 may be a separate component that is coupled (e.g., adhesively coupled, mechanically coupled, welded, and/or welded) to the front portion 6760. The face portion 6762 may include an anterior surface 6764 and a posterior surface 6766. In one example (not shown), the front portion 6760 may include one or more recessed shoulders configured to receive the face portion 6762 such that the face portion 6762 is attached to the body portion 6710. In another example, as shown in fig. 67-86, the rear surface 6766 may include a peripheral portion 6767 that is attachable to a peripheral edge portion 6761 of the body portion 6710. A peripheral portion 6767 of the face portion 6762 may be attached to the peripheral edge portion 6761 of the body portion 6710 by one or more fasteners, one or more adhesives or bonding agents, and/or welding or soldering. In one example, as shown in fig. 67-86, a peripheral portion 6767 of the face portion 6762 may be welded to a peripheral edge portion 6761 of the body portion 6710 at one or more locations. Alternatively, the entire peripheral portion 6767 of the face portion 6762 may be welded to the entire peripheral edge portion 6761 of the body portion 6710 (i.e., continuously welded). The face portion 6762 may include a hitting region 6768 for hitting a golf ball. In one example, the center of the ball striking zone 6768 may be the geometric center 6763 of the face 6762. In another example, the geometric center 6763 of the face 6762 may be offset from the center of the ball striking zone 6768. In one example, the geometric center 6763 and one or more areas near and/or around the geometric center within the striking zone 6768 may provide a generally optimal location on the face 6762 for striking a golf ball (i.e., optimal ball distance, ball speed, ball spin characteristics, etc.). In yet another example, any location at or near the geometric center 6763 and within the striking zone 6768 may provide a generally optimal location on the face 6762 for striking a golf ball. However, for any of the golf club heads described herein, the ball may be struck with any portion of the face portion 6762 that is located within or outside of the ball striking zone 6768, which results in certain ball flight characteristics (which may be preferred by the player) that are different from a center hit ball. The configuration of the face portion 6762 and the attachment (e.g., welding) of the face portion 6762 to the body portion 6710 may be similar in various respects to any of the golf club heads described herein and/or in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The face portion 6762 may include a recess 6769 (see fig. 72) that is similar in many respects to the recess 5469 of the golf club head 5400. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 6700 may be associated with a ground plane 7010, a horizontal midplane 7020, and a top plane 7030. In particular, the ground plane 7010 may be a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel to the ground and tangent to the lowest portion of the sole edge 6792 when the golf club head 6700 is in a ball ready position (e.g., the golf club head 6700 is aligned to strike a golf ball). The top plane 7030 may be a plane that is tangent to the uppermost portion of the top edge 6782 when the golf club head 6700 is in a address position. The ground plane 7010 and the top plane 7030 can be parallel or substantially parallel to each other. Horizontal midplane 7020 may be located at a vertical midpoint between ground plane 7010 and top plane 7030. Additionally, the golf club head 6700 may be associated with a face plane 7040 that defines a loft angle 7045(α) of the golf club head 6700. The face plane 7040 may be the tangent plane to the face portion 6762. The loft angle 7045 may be defined by the angle between the loft plane 7040 and a vertical plane 7050 perpendicular to the ground plane 7010.

Body portion 6710 may be a hollow body including a lumen 6810 having an inner wall 6812. The cavity 6810 can extend between the front 6760, the rear 6770, the top 6780, and the bottom 6790. In the example of fig. 67-86, the cavity 6810 of the body portion 6710 can be enclosed and partially defined by the face portion 6762. The configuration (e.g., height, width, volume, shape, etc.) of cavity 6810, the configuration of cavity 6810 relative to body portion 6710 (e.g., the volume of cavity 6810 relative to the volume of body portion 6710), variations in the width and height of cavity 6810, and the path from one or more apertures of body portion 6710 into cavity 6810 may be similar to any golf club head described herein and/or described in any application incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The rear wall portion 6772 of the rear portion 6770 may include an upper rear wall portion 7112 and a lower rear wall portion 7114. The rear wall portion 6772 may include a ledge portion 7116 that may extend continuously or discontinuously between the toe edge 6742 and the heel edge 6752. The lower rear wall portion 7114 may be located more rearward on the body portion 6710 than the upper rear wall portion 7112, with the ledge portion 7116 defining a transition between the upper rear wall portion 7112 and the lower rear wall portion 7114. Thus, the ledge portion 7116 may extend transverse to the upper back wall portion 7112 and the lower back wall portion 7114. In one example, as shown in fig. 67-86, the ledge portion 7116 may comprise a first ledge portion 7126 and a second ledge portion 7136. The first ledge portion 7126 can extend on the rear wall portion from the toe edge 6742 to the rear wall center portion 7140 of the rear wall portion 6772. The second ledge portion 7136 may extend from the central portion 7140 of the rear wall portion 6772 to the heel edge 6752. As shown in fig. 67-86, the ledge portion 7116 may cause the body portion 6710 to have a relatively large mass below the horizontal median plane 7020 and shift the mass of the body portion 6710 below the horizontal median plane 7020 further rearward of the body portion 6710. The width of the ledge portion 7116 may be greater than, equal to, or less than the width of the interior cavity at certain locations of the body portion 6710. The configuration (e.g., width, segmentation, tapering, shape, etc.) of the ledge portion 7116 and the characteristics of the ledge portion 7116 relative to the width of the interior cavity may be similar to any ledge portion or similar structure of any golf club head described herein and/or described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The body portion 6710 may include one or more orifices, which may be external orifices and/or internal orifices (e.g., located inside the body portion 6710). The inner wall 6812 of the lumen 6810 can include one or more orifices (not shown). In one example, as shown in fig. 67-86, the rear portion 6770 may include one or more apertures along or near the periphery of the body portion 6710. For example, body portion 6710 can include a set of apertures 6820 (e.g., shown as

apertures

6821, 6822, 6823, 6824, and 6825). Each aperture of the set of apertures 6820 can be separated by a distance less than, equal to, or greater than the aperture diameter of any aperture of the set of apertures 6820. In one example, the

apertures

6821 and 6822 may be separated by a distance greater than the aperture diameter of either of the

apertures

6821 or 6822. Similarly,

apertures

6824 and 6825 may be separated by a distance greater than the aperture diameter of either of

apertures

6824 or 6825. The

apertures

6822, 6823, and 6824 may be separated by a distance less than an aperture diameter of any of the

apertures

6822, 6823, or 6824. Any one or more of the apertures in the set of apertures 6820 can be combined into a single aperture. The location, spacing from other apertures, and any other configuration of each aperture in the set of apertures 6820 may be similar in various respects to any aperture described in any application described herein or incorporated by reference. Additionally, any one or more of the set of apertures 6820 may be communicated to the inner cavity 6810 through which one or more filler materials may be injected into the inner cavity 6810. In the example of fig. 67-86,

apertures

6821 and 6825 may communicate to the lumen 6810 via

openings

6861 and 6871, respectively. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The body portion 6710 may include one or more mass portions (e.g., one or more weight portions), which may be integral mass portions or separate mass portions, which may be coupled to the body portion 6710. In the example of fig. 67-86, the body portion 6710 may include a set of mass portions 6920 (e.g., shown as

mass portions

6921, 6922, 6923, 6924, and 6925). Although the above examples may describe a particular number or portion of mass portions, a set of mass portions may include a single mass portion or a plurality of mass portions as described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. For example, any one mass portion or a combined plurality of adjacent mass portions in the set of mass portions 6920 can be a single mass portion. Further, the set of mass portions 6920 may be part of the physical structure of the body portion 6710. The individual masses of the set of masses 6920 can be similar to any of the masses described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The lumen 6810 can be partially or completely filled with one or more fill materials described herein (i.e., cavity fill materials), which can include one or more similar or different types of materials. In one example, as shown in fig. 67-86, cavity 6810 can be filled with filler material 7012, which can be similar to filler material 5112 or filler material 5712, or any filler material described in any of the applications described herein or incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The filler material 7012 may be coupled to all or portions of the inner wall 6812 of the inner cavity 6810. In one example, the filler material 7012 may have inherent adhesive or bonding properties to attach to all or part of the inner wall 6812. In another example, the filler material 7012 may be attached to all or portions of the inner wall 6812 with one or more bonding agents or adhesives that may be mixed with the filler material 7012. In another example, the filler material 7012 may be attached to all or portions of the inner wall 6812 using one or more bonding agents or adhesives that are separable from the filler material 7012. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the filler material 7012 may be coupled to at least a portion of the inner wall 6812 that generally corresponds to the ball striking region 6768 of the face 6762 (i.e., the filler material 7012 may generally be located behind the ball striking region 6768), or to an area of the ball striking region 6768 adjacent to and/or surrounding the face 6762. In another example, the filler material 7012 may couple at least 10% of the inner walls 6812. In another example, the filler material 7012 may couple at least 25% of the inner walls 6812. In yet another example, the filler material 7012 may couple 25% to 50% of the inner wall 6812. In another example, the filler material 7012 may couple between 54% and 75% of the inner wall 6812. In yet another example, the filler material 7012 may couple 50% to 90% of the inner wall 6812. In yet another example, the filler material 7012 may couple more than 75% of the inner wall 6812. In yet another example, the fill material 7012 may be coupled to all of the inner walls 6812. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The amount of filling material 7012 that may be coupled to the inner wall 6812 may depend on the loft angle of the golf club head, the overall thickness of the face portion 6762, the thickness profile of the face portion 6762, the shape of the interior cavity 6810, the location and configuration of any apertures or mass portions, and/or the material properties of the filling material 7012. In one example, a golf club head with a relatively large face angle may limit the portion of the inner wall 6812 that is coupled by the filler material 7012. In another example, a golf club head with a relatively small loft angle may allow the filler material 7012 to couple to all or a majority of the inner wall 6812. In yet another example, the acoustic characteristics of the golf club head may be a factor in determining the amount of filling material 7012 that may be coupled to the inner wall 6812 to provide a pleasing sound and feel to an individual. The amount (i.e., volume and/or mass) of the filler material 7012 coupling the inner wall 6812 on each golf club head (i.e., having a certain loft angle) is determined to: (i) provide vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a steady and/or pleasant sound and feel as perceived by a player using the golf club head 6700 when the golf club head 6700 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support for the face 6762; and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 67-86, the portion of the cavity 6810 that includes the central portion 6811, i.e., the portion of the cavity 6810 that generally corresponds to the ball striking zone 6768, may include the filler material 7012. The width 6813 of the internal cavity 6810 at the central portion 6811 of the internal cavity 6810 can be generally larger than the width 6813 of the internal cavity 6810 at other portions of the internal cavity 6810. Thus, the area of the cavity 6810 behind the ball striking zone 6768, i.e., the center portion 6811, can include a relatively large volume of the filler material 7012. Further, the configuration (i.e., size, shape, profile, volume, etc.) of the central portion 6811 can depend on the loft angle 7045. For example, a golf club head 6700 having a relatively smaller loft angle 7045 may have a larger central portion 6811 (i.e., larger volume, depth, height, etc.) as compared to a golf club head 6700 having a relatively larger loft angle 7045. Thus, as described herein, the amount of filler material 7012 inside the internal cavity 6810, and more specifically in the central portion 6811, may be determined based on the loft angle 7045 to: (i) provide vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a steady and/or pleasant sound and feel as perceived by a player using the golf club head 6700 when the golf club head 6700 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support for the face 6762; and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The contour of the inner cavity 6810 or the shape of the inner wall 6812 can be defined by a plurality of recesses that are recessed relative to the peripheral edge portion 6761. In the example of fig. 67-86, the cavity 6810 can include a first recess 6814, a second recess 6815 that can have a depth generally smaller than the first recess 6814, a third recess 6816 that can have a depth generally smaller than the second recess 6815, a fourth recess 6817 that can have a depth generally smaller than the third recess 6816, and a fifth recess 6818 that can have a depth generally smaller than the fourth recess 6817. The cavity 6810 can have more or fewer recesses. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first recessed portion 6814 can generally include the maximum width 6813 of the internal cavity 6810, and can be located at the central portion 6811 and/or can include multiple portions that abut or surround the central portion 6811. The second recessed portion 6815 can abut and/or surround all or a portion of the first recessed portion 6814, and can include portions that can be in the central portion 6811. In the example of fig. 67-86, the second recessed portion 6815 is located below the first recessed portion 6814. The portion of the structure of the body portion 6710 including the

apertures

6822, 6823, and 6824 may be located between the second recessed portion 6815 and the lower rear wall portion 7114. Accordingly, the depth of the second recessed portion 6815 can be less than the depth of the first recessed portion 6814, such that the main body portion 6710 can accommodate the

apertures

6822, 6823, and 6824 between the second recessed portion 6815 and the lower rear wall portion 7114. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The third recessed portion 6816 may abut and/or surround all or a portion of the second recessed portion 6815 and/or the first recessed portion 6814, and may include a portion that may be in the central portion 6811. In the example of fig. 67-86, the third recessed portion 6816 surrounds the first recessed portion 6814 above the horizontal median plane 7020. The fourth recessed portion 6817 can be at or near the peripheral edge portion 6761 and/or can abut and/or enclose all or a portion of the third recessed portion 6816, the second recessed portion 6815, and/or the first recessed portion 6814. In the example of fig. 67-86, the fourth recessed portion 6817 abuts portions of the first and second recessed

portions

6814 and 6815 below the horizontal median plane 7020. The fifth recessed portion 6818 can abut the peripheral edge portion 6761. Accordingly, at any location in the internal cavity 6810 that includes the fifth recessed portion 6818, the fifth recessed portion 6818 can be located between the peripheral edge portion 6761 and any one or more of the first recessed portion 6814, the second recessed portion 6815, the third recessed portion 6816, and the fourth recessed portion 6817. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The cavity 6810 can include one or more internal channels that can extend between the toe portion 6740 and the heel portion 6750. In one example, as shown in fig. 67-86, the cavity 6810 can include a first internal channel 6825 and a second internal channel 6826, the first internal channel 6825 can extend from a location at the toe portion 6740 to the central portion 6811, and the second internal channel 6826 can extend from a location at the heel portion 6750 to the central portion 6811. The first and second

internal passages

6825 and 6826 are connected to the first concave portion 6814 and may have the same depth as the first concave portion 6814 at or near the central portion 6811. The depth of the first and second

internal channels

6825, 6826 may decrease from the first depression 6814 toward the toe portion 6740 and the heel portion 6750, respectively. As shown in the examples of fig. 67-86, the portion of the first internal channel 6825 and/or the second internal channel 6826 connecting the first recess 6814 and/or adjacent the first recess 6814 may remain at a constant depth similar to the depth of the first recess 6814. Alternatively, all or portions of the first interior channel 6825 and/or the second interior channel 6826 may have a decreasing depth in a direction toward the toe portion 6740 and the heel portion 6750, respectively. The increased volume of filler material 7012 in

internal passages

6825 and 6826 when the golf ball is struck off-center with face 6762 may be: (i) provide vibration or sound attenuation, (ii) provide structural support for face 6762, and/or (iii) optimize ball flight distance, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rate, ball flight altitude, ball landing angle, and/or ball distribution. In addition, the mass removed from the body portion 6710 by providing the

internal channels

6825 and 6826 may be moved to a variety of other locations of the body portion 6710 to increase and/or optimize the moment of inertia and the location of the center of gravity of the golf club head 6700. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The cavity 6810 can include another plurality of recesses that can define transition regions between the first through fifth recesses 6814-6818 and the

internal channels

6825 and 6826. Each recess may adjoin and transition into any one or more other recesses. For example, the first depression 6814 can include a sloped surface 6827 (see fig. 71), which sloped surface 6827 can transition over the first depression 6814 and connect the third depression 6816. Further, any indentations may transition directly to the peripheral edge portion 6761. The depressions and transition regions may collectively define the overall shape and/or profile of the internal cavity 6810. The transition region may include walls that are perpendicular, transverse, or include adjoining recesses. Further, the transition region may include a fillet when joining adjoining recesses to reduce stress concentrations at the joint corners. The recessed portions can define an undulating shape, a continuous and/or a stepwise decreasing width of the cavity 6810 from the central portion 6811 to the peripheral edge portion 6761. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The shape, size, width, height, and other characteristics of the depressions 6814-6818 and the

internal channels

6825 and 6826 may be associated with the loft angle 7045 of the golf club head 6700. In one example, as shown in fig. 67-86, the first recess 6814, the second recess 6815, and the third recess 6816 can be filled with a fill material 7012. The filler material 7012 may be injection molded in the first concave portion 6814, the second concave portion 6815, and the third concave portion 6816. The filling material 7012 may be bonded to the inner walls 6812 of the first concave portion 6814, the second concave portion 6815, and the third concave portion 6816 by having inherent adhesive or bonding characteristics, by a bonding agent mixed with the filling material 7012 and/or a bonding agent alone, and/or a bonding agent alone. In another example, the filler material 7012 can be separately molded into the shapes of the first 6814, second 6815, and third 6816 recesses and coupled to the first 6814, second 6815, and third 6816 recesses with a bonding agent. In one example, the remaining portion of the cavity 6810 including the fourth and

fifth recesses

6817 and 6818 may be unfilled. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The width of the filler material 7012 may vary from the toe portion 6740 to the heel portion 6750, and/or from the top portion 6780 to the bottom portion 6790, and/or based on the position within the interior 6810 based on the shape of the first 6814, second 6815, third 6816, fourth 6817, and fifth 6818 recesses; and/or a width similar to any of the fill materials described herein. In one example, as shown in fig. 67-86, the filler material 7012 may be a filler insert 7320 having a width 7322 (W)_FI) May be similar to or slightly larger than the width 6813 of the lumen 6810. Accordingly, filler insert 7320 may extend from inner wall 6812 of cavity 6810 to rear surface 6766 of face portion 6762. The filler insert 7320 may include a front surface 7330 and a rear surface 7340. The distance between the front surface 7330 and the rear surface 7340 may define a width 7322 of the fill insert 7320. The rear surface 7340 may be coupled (i.e., contacted, joined, attached, or bonded) to the inner wall 6812 of the inner cavity 6810. To provide a continuous or substantially continuous coupling between filler insert 7320 and inner wall 6812 of cavity 6810, rear surface 7340 may have a shape that corresponds or substantially corresponds to the portions of inner wall 6812 of cavity 6810 to which filler insert 7320 is coupled. Thus, as shown in the example of fig. 74, the rear surface 7340 may have a shape corresponding to the portions of the first recess 6814, the second recess 6815, the third recess 6816, the first internal passage 6825, the second internal passage 6826, and any internal wall transitions (i.e., transitions between recesses and/or passages) to which the filling insert 7320 is coupled. To provide a continuous or substantially continuous coupling between the first filling insert 7320 and the rear surface 6766 of the face portion 6762, the front surface 7330 of the filling insert 7320 may have a shape that corresponds or substantially corresponds to the shape of the rear surface 6766 of the face portion 6762. In one example, as shown in fig. 73, the front surface 7330 of the filler insert 7320 may be flat. In another example (not shown), the front surface 7330 may have grooves, ridges, channels, slots (slots), corrugations (dimples), reverse tapers, and/or various other shapes and contours May resemble a corresponding shape of the rear surface of the face portion 6762 and/or result in various thickness profiles of the face portion 6762 so as to provide a continuous or substantially continuous coupling between the first filler insert 7320 and the face portion 6762. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The adhesive used to bond filler insert 7320 to inner wall 6812 of lumen 6810 and to rear surface 6766 of face portion 6762 may be similar to any of the adhesives or bonding agents described herein. In one example, the adhesive used to bond filler insert 7320 to inner wall 6812 of cavity 6810 and to rear surface 6766 of face portion 6762 may be similar. In another example, the adhesive used to bond filler insert 7320 to inner wall 6812 of cavity 6810 and to rear surface 6766 of face portion 6762 may be different to account for the different materials of body portion 6710 and face portion 6762. In yet another example, the adhesive used to bond filler insert 7320 to inner wall 6812 of inner cavity 6810 and rear surface 6766 of face 6762 may be similar to second filler material 4213. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 75-78, another filler insert 7420 having a front surface 7430 and a rear surface 7440 may be similar in several respects to the filler insert 7320 described herein. The filler insert 7420 may include an upper slot 7450, which may be U-shaped. Accordingly, the upper socket 7450 may include a first arm 7452 and a second arm 7454. The first arm 7452 may be coupled to the rear surface 6766 of the face 6762. The second arm 7454 may be coupled to the inner wall 6812 of the inner cavity 6810. When the face portion 6762 strikes a golf ball, the first arm 7452 may compress the second arm 7454 and deflect toward the second arm 7454 to allow a corresponding upper portion of the face portion 6762 to have a greater deflection than a lower portion of the face portion 6762. Accordingly, an upper portion of the face 6762 may exhibit different ball spin, launch angle, launch velocity, and/or trajectory characteristics than a lower portion of the face 6762. Additionally, the filler insert 7420 may absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise when the face portion 6762 hits a golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 79, another filling insert 7920 having a front surface 7930 and a rear surface 7940 may be similar in many respects to filling insert 7320 described herein. The filler insert 7920 may include a lower slot 7950, and the lower slot 7950 may be U-shaped. Accordingly, the lower slot 7950 may include a first arm 7952 and a second arm 7954. The first arm 7952 may be coupled or bonded to the rear surface 6766 of the face portion 6762 as described herein. The second arm 7954 may be coupled to the inner wall 6812 of the cavity 6810 as described herein. When the face portion 6762 strikes a golf ball, the first arm 7952 may compress the second arm 7954 and deflect toward the second arm 7954 to allow a corresponding lower portion of the face portion 6762 to have a greater deflection than an upper portion of the face portion 6762. The lower portion of the face 6762 may exhibit different ball spin, launch angle, launch velocity, and/or trajectory characteristics than the upper portion of the face 6762. Additionally, the filler insert 7920 may absorb impact, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise when the face portion 6762 strikes a golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 80, another filler insert 8020 having a front surface 8030 and a rear surface 8040 can be similar in many respects to the filler inserts 7320 described herein. The filler insert 8020 can include a front cavity 8050 at the front face 8030. Thus, the front surface 8030 can include an upper front surface 8031 that couples or engages the rear surface 6766 of the face portion 6762, and a lower front surface 8032 that couples or engages the rear surface 6766 of the face portion 6762. As shown in fig. 80, the anterior chamber 8050 can have a circular shape. In another example (not shown), the anterior chamber 8050 can have a non-circular shape. In one example, as shown in fig. 80, the anterior chamber 8050 can be located behind a central portion of the face 6762, corresponding to the general hitting zone of the face 6762. The center portion of the face portion 6762 may have a greater deflection than the surrounding portions of the face portion 6762 when the face portion 6762 strikes a golf ball. Thus, the center portion of the face 6762 may exhibit different ball spin, launch angle, launch velocity, and/or trajectory characteristics than the surrounding portions of the face 6762. Additionally, the filler insert 8020 may absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise when the face portion 6762 strikes a golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 81, another filler insert 8120 having a front surface 8130 and a rear surface 8140 may be similar in many respects to filler inserts 7320 described herein. The filler insert 8120 may include an upper slot 8150 and a lower slot 8152 to define a central portion 8153. The central portion 8153 defines a portion of the front surface 8130 that couples or joins with the rear surface 6766 of the face portion 6762. The area of the central portion 8153 to which the face portion 6762 is coupled or bonded may have any shape, such as circular, rectangular, or square. The center portion 8153 may be located behind the center portion of the face portion 6762, corresponding to the overall hitting zone of the face portion 6762. The center portion 8153 of the filler insert 8120 may flex along the center portion of the face portion 6762 when the face portion 6762 strikes a golf ball. Thus, this central portion of the face 6762 may exhibit different ball spin, launch angle, launch velocity, and/or trajectory characteristics than the surrounding portions of the face 6762. Additionally, the filler insert 8120 may absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise when the face portion 6762 strikes a golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 82, another filler insert 8220 having a front surface 8230 and a rear surface 8240 can be similar in many respects to the filler inserts 7320 described herein. The filler insert 8220 may include a forward cavity 8250 on the forward face 8230. Thus, the front surface 8230 can include an upper front surface 8231 coupled to or bonded to the rear surface 6766 of the face portion 6762 and a lower front surface 8232 coupled to or bonded to the rear surface 6766 of the face portion 6762. As shown in the example of fig. 82, the front cavity 8250 may have a rectangular shape. In another example (not shown), the front cavity 8250 can have a non-rectangular shape. In one example, as shown in fig. 82, the forward cavity 8250 can be positioned behind a center portion of the face portion 6762, corresponding to the ball striking zone of the face portion 6762. This central portion of the face portion 6762 may have a greater deflection than the surrounding portions of the face portion 6762 when the face portion 6762 strikes a golf ball. Thus, this central portion of the face 6762 may exhibit different ball spin, launch angle, launch velocity, and/or trajectory characteristics than the surrounding portions of the face 6762. In addition, the filler insert 8220 may absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise when the face portion 6762 strikes a golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 83, another fill insert 8320 having a front surface 8330 and a rear surface 8340 may be similar in many respects to fill inserts 7320 described herein. The height 8321 of the fill insert 8320 may be less than the height of the fill insert 7320. Thus, the front surface 8330 may be coupled or bonded to a smaller area of the face 6762. As a result, the face portion 6762 may exhibit different ball spin, ball launch angle, ball launch velocity, and/or trajectory characteristics than the surrounding portions of the face portion 6762 in comparison to a golf club head having the filler insert 7320. In addition, the filler insert 8320 may absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise when the face 6762 strikes a golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 84, another fill insert 8420 having a front surface 8430 and a rear surface 8440 may be similar in many respects to the fill inserts 7320 described herein. The height 8421 of the fill insert 8420 may be less than the height 8420 of the fill insert 7320 and less than the height 8321 of the fill insert 8320. Thus, the front surface 8430 may be coupled or bonded to a smaller area of the face 6762. As a result, the face portion 6762 may exhibit different ball spin, launch angle, launch velocity, and/or trajectory characteristics than surrounding portions of the face portion 6762 as compared to a golf club head having a

filler insert

7320 or 8320. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 85, another filler insert 8520 having a front surface 8530 and a rear surface 8540 may be similar in many respects to the filler insert 7320 described herein. The front surface 8530 of the filler insert 8520 may be bonded or coupled to the face portion 6762. The rear surface 8540 of the filler insert 8520 may not be coupled to the inner wall 6812 of the cavity 6810. The filler insert 8520 may have any cross-sectional shape. In the example of fig. 85, the width 8523 of the filler insert 8520 increases linearly or substantially linearly in a direction from the top 6780 to a location behind the center of the face portion 6762, and decreases linearly in a direction from the location behind the center of the face portion 6762 toward the bottom portion 6790. The face portion 6762 may exhibit different ball spin, launch angle, launch velocity, and/or trajectory characteristics at different locations on the face portion 6762 that correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the filler insert 8520. In addition, the filler insert 8520 may absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise when the face portion 6762 strikes a golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 86, another filler insert 8620 having a front surface 8630 and a rear surface 8640 can be similar in many respects to the filler insert 7320 described herein. The front surface 8630 of the filler insert 8620 can be bonded or coupled to the face portion 6762. Rear surface 8640 of filler insert 8620 may not couple with inner wall 6812 of cavity 6810. The filler insert 8620 may have any cross-sectional shape. In the example of fig. 86, the width 8623 of the filler insert 8620 may increase in a curved manner or path in a direction from the top 6780 to a location behind the center of the face portion 6762 and decrease in a curved manner or path in a direction from the location behind the center of the face portion 6762 toward the bottom portion 6790. The face 6762 may exhibit different ball spin, launch angle, launch velocity, and/or trajectory characteristics, corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the filler insert 8620. In addition, the filler insert 8620 may absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise when the face portion 6762 strikes a golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example (not shown), the lumen 6810 can be completely filled with the filler material 7012. In another example, as shown in fig. 67-86, cavity 6810 may be partially filled with filler material 7012, and the remainder of cavity 6810 may be unfilled. In another example (not shown), the remainder of the lumen 6810 can be filled with another filler material, which can be similar to any of the filler materials described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, any of the filler insert cross-sectional shapes shown in FIGS. 67-86 may extend the entire distance between the toe portion 6740 and the heel portion 6750 within the inner cavity 6810. In another example, the cross-sectional shape of the filler insert may extend along one or more portions of the distance between the toe portion 6740 and the heel portion 6750 within the cavity 6810. In another example, the cross-sectional shape of the filler insert may extend along the portion of the cavity 6810 that is located behind the center portion or ball striking region of the face portion 6762. In another example, the cross-sectional shape of the filler insert may extend some portion within the inner cavity 6810 according to one of the configurations described herein, and the cross-sectional shapes at other portions of the inner cavity 6810 may be arranged according to one or more other cross-sectional configurations of the filler insert described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Any of the filler inserts described herein may be attached or bonded to inner wall 6812 of lumen 6810 by any of the adhesives or bonding agents described herein. In another example, one or more portions of the lumen 6810 that may not be occupied by the fill material 8020 may be filled with any of the fill materials described herein. In another example, the lumen 6810 may include only the filler insert described herein. In yet another example, the lumen 6810 can be partially or completely filled with any of the filler materials described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Fig. 87 illustrates one manner in which a golf club head 6700, or any of the golf club heads described herein, may be manufactured. In the example of fig. 87, the process 8700 may begin by providing a body portion 6710 and a face portion 6762 of a golf club head 6700 (block 8710). The filler insert 7320 may be formed by injecting filler material 7012 into a mold configured to produce the filler insert 7320 as described herein (block 8720). For example, there are portions of the interior of the mold that correspond in shape to the portions of the cavity 6810 to which the filler insert 7320 is attached. Filler insert 7320 may then be attached to inner wall 6812 of lumen 6810 as described herein (block 8730). Face portion 6762 may then be attached to body portion 6710 as described herein to enclose lumen 6810 (block 8740). In one example, an adhesive or bonding agent may be applied to the rear surface 6766 of the face portion 6762 at the portion coupled with the filler insert 7320 prior to attaching the face portion 6762 to the body portion 6710. In another example, the filler insert 7320 may be bonded to the rear surface 6766 of the face portion 6762 without the use of any adhesive or bonding agent. Alternatively, the filler insert 7320 may be attached to the rear surface 6766 of the face portion 6762 (block 8730). In one example, an adhesive or bonding agent may be applied to the portion of inner cavity 6810 that couples with fill insert 7320 prior to attaching face portion 6762 to body portion 6710. In another example, the filler insert 7320 may engage the inner wall 6812 of the cavity 6810 without the use of any adhesive or bonding agent. After face portion 6762 is attached to body portion 6710, filler insert 7320 may be slightly compressed between inner wall 6812 of inner cavity 6810 and rear surface 6766 of face portion 6762. The slight compression of filling insert 7320 may help to keep filling insert 7320 engaged with inner wall 6812 of cavity 6810 and/or rear surface 6766 of face portion 6762 with or without the use of adhesives or bonding agents. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 88, the face 8862 may have a first thickness 8810(T1) or a second thickness 8820 (T2). The first thickness 8810 may be the thickness of the portion of the face 8862 that abuts the groove 8868, while the second thickness 8820 may be the thickness of the portion of the face 8862 that is below the groove 8868. For example, the first thickness 8810 may be a maximum distance between the front surface 8864 and the back surface 8866. The second thickness 8820 can be based on the grooves 8868. Specifically, the groove 8868 may have a groove depth 8825 (Dgroove). The second thickness 8820 may be the maximum distance between the bottom of the recess 8868 and the rear surface 8866. The sum of the second thickness 8820 and the groove depth 8825 may be substantially equal to the first thickness 8810 (e.g., T2+ Dgroove — T1). Thus, the second thickness 8820 may be less than the first thickness 8810 (e.g., T2 < T1).

To reduce and/or move back the CG of a golf club head (e.g., the CG of any of the golf club heads described herein), mass may be removed from the front of the golf club head by using a relatively thin face portion 8862. For example, the first thickness 8810 or the second thickness 8820 may be less than or equal to 0.1 inches (2.54 millimeters). In another example, the first thickness 8810 or the second thickness 8820 may be about 0.075 inches (1.875 millimeters) (e.g., T1 ═ 0.075 inches). When the interior cavity is formed under support of the rear wall portion of the golf club head and at least a portion of the interior cavity is filled with one or more fill materials described herein, the face portion 8862 may be relatively thinner (e.g., T1 < 0.075 inches) without degrading the structural integrity, sound, and/or feel of the golf club head. In one example, the first thickness 8810 may be less than or equal to 0.060 inches (1.524 millimeters) (e.g., T1 ≦ 0.060 inches). In another example, the first thickness 8810 may be less than or equal to 0.040 inches (1.016 millimeters) (e.g., T1 ≦ 0.040 inches). Based on the type of material used to form the face portion 8862 and/or the body portion 110, the face portion 8862 can be thinner and the first thickness 8810 can be less than or equal to 0.030 inches (0.762 millimeters) (e.g., T1 ≦ 0.030 inches). The groove depth 8825 can be greater than or equal to the second thickness 8820 (e.g., Dgroove ≧ T2). In one example, the groove depth 8825 may be about 0.020 inches (0.508 millimeters) (e.g., Dgroove ═ 0.020 inches). Accordingly, the second thickness 8820 may be about 0.010 inches (0.254 millimeters) (e.g., 0.010 inches for T2). In another example, the groove depth 8825 may be about 0.015 inches (0.381 millimeters) and the second thickness 8820 may be about 0.015 inches (e.g., 0.015 inches for Dgroove T2). Alternatively, the groove depth 8825 can be less than the second thickness 8820 (e.g., Dgroove < T2). Without the support of the golf club head rear wall portion and one or more fill materials used to fill the interior cavity, the golf club head may not be able to withstand multiple impacts of a golf ball against the face. In contrast, a golf club head (e.g., a rear cavity golf club head) having a relatively thin face portion, but no rear wall portion and support of one or more of the filler materials described herein, may generate an unpleasant sound (e.g., a sharp sound) and/or feel upon impact with a golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The face portion 8862 may include other materials at or near its periphery based on the manufacturing processes and methods used to form golf club heads (e.g., any of the golf club heads described herein). Accordingly, the face 8862 may also include a third thickness 8830 and a chamfered portion (chamfer portion) 8840. The third thickness 8830 may be greater than the first thickness 8810 or the second thickness 8820 (e.g., T3 > T1 > T2). In particular, the face portion 8862 may be coupled to the body portion of the golf club head by a fusion welding process. For example, first thickness 8810 may be about 0.030 inches (0.762 millimeters), second thickness 8820 may be about 0.015 inches (0.381 millimeters), and third thickness 8830 may be about 0.050 inches (1.27 millimeters). Accordingly, when the face 8862 is welded to the main body portion of the golf club head, the chamfered portion 8840 may accommodate some other material.

For example, in fig. 89, the face 8862 may include a reinforcement, shown generally at 8905, below one or more grooves 8868. In one example, the face 8862 may include a reinforcement 8905 below each groove. Alternatively, the face 8862 may include reinforcements 8905 under some grooves (e.g., every other groove) or just under one groove. The face portion 8862 may include a first thickness 8910, a second thickness 8920, a third thickness 8930, and chamfered portions 8940. The recess 8868 may have a recess depth 8925. The reinforcement 8905 can define a second thickness 8920. First thickness 8910 and second thickness 8920 may be substantially equal to each other (e.g., T1 ═ T2). In one example, first 8910 and second 8920 thicknesses may each be approximately 0.030 inches (0.762 millimeters) (e.g., T1-T2-0.030 inches). The recess depth 8925 may be about 0.015 inch (0.381 mm) and the third thickness 8930 may be about 0.050 inch (1.27 mm). The grooves 8868 may also have a groove width. The width of the reinforcement 8905 can be greater than or equal to the groove width. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Alternatively, the thickness of the face 8862 may vary at the top and bottom and/or between the top and bottom of the golf club head. In one example, the face 8862 may be relatively thicker at or near the top than at or near the bottom (e.g., the thickness of the face 8862 may taper from top to bottom). In another example, the face 8862 may be relatively thicker at or near the bottom than at or near the top (e.g., the thickness of the face 8862 may taper from bottom to top). In yet another example, the face 8862 may be thicker between the top and bottom than at or near the top and bottom (e.g., the thickness of the face 8862 may have a bell-shaped profile). The face 8862 may be similar to any of the faces described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

One or more of any set of masses described herein may have similar or different physical properties (e.g., color, indicia, shape, size, density, mass, volume, exterior surface texture, materials of construction, etc.). Thus, any of the sets of masses described herein may contribute to the ornamental design of the golf club head. In the example as in fig. 90, one or more masses of any set of masses described herein can have a cylindrical shape (e.g., a circular cross-section). Alternatively, one or more masses of any set of masses described herein can have a first shape (e.g., a cylindrical shape) and one or more masses of another set of masses described herein can have a second shape (e.g., a cubic shape). In another example, one or more of the masses of any of the sets of masses described herein may include two or more masses having different shapes. In another example, one or more masses of any set of masses described herein may have a different color, marking, shape, density, mass, volume, material of construction, outer surface texture, and/or any other physical property than one or more masses of another set of masses described herein. The properties of any mass and any set of masses described herein can be similar to the properties of any mass and any set of masses described in any application incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

For example, as shown in fig. 91 and 92, the first mass portion 9100 and the second mass portion 9200 can include threads, generally designated 9110 and 9210, respectively, for engaging correspondingly configured threads in an aperture to secure in an aperture as described herein. Thus, one or more of the masses described herein may be similar in shape and function as a screw or threaded fastener for engaging threads in a bore. For example, one or more of any set of masses described herein may be a screw. One or more of any of the masses described herein may be difficult to remove from the body portion of the golf club head with or without the use of tools. Alternatively, one or more masses of any set of masses described herein may be easily removed (e.g., using a tool) such that a relatively heavier or lighter mass may replace one or more masses of any set of masses described herein. In another example, one or more masses of any of the sets of masses described herein may be secured in the orifice with an epoxy or adhesive such that the masses are not easily removed. In yet another example, one or more masses of any of the sets of masses described herein may be secured in the aperture using threads and a thread sealant (e.g., an acrylic adhesive, a cyanoacrylate adhesive, an epoxy, a thermoplastic adhesive, a silicone sealant, or a polyurethane adhesive) such that the masses are not easily removed. In yet another example, one or more masses of any set of masses described herein can be pressed into an orifice and stapled. In yet another example, one or more masses of any of the sets of masses described herein may be formed within the orifice by injection molding. For example, a liquid metal material (i.e., molten metal) or a plastic material (e.g., rubber, foam, or any polymeric material) may be injected or otherwise introduced into the orifice. After the liquid material is cooled and/or solidified within the orifice, the resulting solid material (e.g., a metallic material, a plastic material, or a combination thereof) may form the mass. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

As noted above, one or more of the masses in any of the sets of masses described herein may be similar in some physical properties, but may differ in other physical properties. For example, one mass portion may be made of an aluminum-based material or an aluminum alloy, while the other mass portion may be made of a tungsten-based material or a tungsten alloy. In another example, one mass portion may be made of a polymer material and the other mass portion may be made of a steel base material. In yet another example, as shown in fig. 90-92, one or more of the masses of any of the sets of masses described herein may have a diameter 9010 of about 0.25 inches (6.35 millimeters), but one or more of the masses of another set or sets of masses described herein may have a different height. In particular, one or more of any of the sets of masses described herein can be associated with a first height 9120, and one or more of the other sets of masses described herein can be associated with a second height 9220. The first height 9120 can be relatively shorter than the second height 9220. In one example, the first height 9120 can be about 0.125 inches (3.175 millimeters) and the second height 9220 can be about 0.3 inches (7.62 millimeters). In another example, the first height 9120 can be about 0.16 inches (4.064 millimeters) and the second height 9220 can be about 0.4 inches (10.16 millimeters). Alternatively, the first height 9120 can be equal to or greater than the second height 9220. Although the above examples may describe particular dimensions, one or more of the masses described herein may have different dimensions. In one example, any of the masses described herein may be used interchangeably in any of the orifices described herein. Any property of any mass described herein may be similar to a corresponding property of any mass described in any document incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may include one or more club identifiers (e.g., serial number, matrix barcode, trademark, club number, loft, characters, etc.). For example, any of the golf club heads described herein may include a visual identifier, such as a club number, to identify the type of golf club. In particular, the club number may correspond to a loft angle of the golf club head (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9). In one example, a 7 iron type golf club head may be labeled with "7". In another example, the golf club head may be marked with a loft angle. For example, a 54 degree wedge type golf club head may be labeled "54". In yet another example, a 10.5 degree driver-type golf club head may be labeled "10.5". Any indicia associated with the club identifier may be visually distinguished from the rest of the golf club head (e.g., a different color, texture, pattern, etc.). To distinguish from other golf club heads, the golf club heads described herein may include a brand (e.g., a word, name, symbol, design, or any combination thereof) to identify the brand name or model of the golf club head (e.g., from other manufacturers or vendors). The club identifier may be another type of visual identification, such as a product number or serial number, to identify the golf club head as a genuine device, to track inventory, or to distinguish the golf club head from counterfeit or counterfeit products. Alternatively, the club identifier may be a digital signature or machine-readable optical representation of information or data about the golf club head (e.g., a digital character, an alphanumeric character, a byte, a one-dimensional barcode such as a Universal Product Code (UPC), a two-dimensional barcode such as a Quick Response (QR) code, etc.). Various methods (e.g., painting, laser etching, stamping, casting, or molding onto the golf club head) may be used to place the club identifier at various locations on the golf club head (e.g., heel, hosel, face, top, bottom, etc.). For example, the club identifier may be a serial number laser etched on the hosel of the golf club head. The club identifier may be a separate component coupled to the golf club head (e.g., a label affixed via an adhesive or epoxy) rather than being an integral part of the golf club head. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

To determine the effect of using different filler materials on the coefficient of restitution (COR) and performance of the golf club head 5400, several golf clubs were tested having a club head similar to the golf club head 5400 but with different loft configurations (i.e., iron 4, iron 7, wedge) and different filler materials, thereby obtaining COR, ball speed, launch angle, backspin, flight height, and ball flight distance for each golf club. To measure the COR of each golf club, a golf ball weighing about 45 grams is shot at an initial velocity (i.e., ball speed) of about 125mph (defined below) using an air cannon device, multiple times, toward a center position of the golf club head. The speed monitoring device measures the ball exit velocity (mph) and rebound time (in milliseconds) of the golf ball in each round of testing. An average COR of the golf club head is then determined based on the measurement data. To measure ball speed, launch angle, backspin, flight height, and ball flight distance for each of the Golf clubs, each of the example Golf clubs was tested using a swing robot manufactured by Golf Laboratories, san diego, california, repeatedly making multiple rounds of hits on a Golf ball at each of five positions on the face of the Golf club head at an average Golf club head speed of 84mph to 86mph to determine an average ball speed (mph), an average ball launch angle (radians), an average ball backspin (rpm), an average ball flight height (yards), and an average total ball flight distance (yards). The five positions of the face are the center position, toe position, heel position, low position, and high position, respectively. The center position refers to a position at which a player of the face normally hits a golf ball. In other words, the center position statistically (e.g., greater than 75%) maximizes the number of hits. The center position is determined to be 0.75 inches or about 0.75 inches bottom up and at the center of the corresponding recess of the face there is a variation and/or approximation depending on the measurement tolerance and/or the actual hitting zone of the swing robot on the face. The toe position and the heel position are determined to be 0.5 inches or about 0.5 inches from the center position in the toe direction and the heel direction, respectively, with variations and/or approximations depending on the measurement tolerances and/or the actual hitting area of the swing robot on the face. The upper and lower positions are determined to be 0.25 inches or about 0.25 inches from the center position in the top and bottom directions, respectively, with variations and/or approximations depending on the measurement tolerances and/or the actual hitting area of the swing robot on the face. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Tables 5-10 show experimental performance results for three examples of a No. 4 iron type golf club having a golf club head constructed in accordance with the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein for golf club head 5400, with each example having a different filler material. The golf club head 5491 of example 1 (not shown) is similar to the golf club head 5400 of iron 4 construction, except that the golf club head 5491 is filled with a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) filler material having characteristics the same as or similar to any TPE material described in any of the applications described herein or incorporated by reference. The golf club head 5492 of example 2 (not shown) is similar to the golf club head 5400 of the No. 4 iron construction, except that the golf club head 5492 is filled with an epoxy material having characteristics the same as or similar to any of the epoxy materials described in any of the applications described herein or incorporated by reference. The golf club head 5493 of example 3 is similar to the golf club head 5400 of the No. 4 iron construction and is filled with a first filler material 5712 and a second filler material 5714 as detailed herein. Thus, all three example golf club heads 5491, 5492, and 5493 are similar in structure, except that their filler materials are different.

TABLE 5.4 COR of iron type golf club in center of face position

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5491	126.63	123.45	124.62	121.32	126.65
Golf club head 5492	127.52	124.18	124.97	122.93	125.73
						Golf club head 5493	127.95	124.33	125.03	123.42	126.42

TABLE 6.4 iron type Golf clubs ball speed (mph) vs. face position

TABLE 7.4 iron type Golf club launch Angle (radian) vs. face position

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5491	3695	3839	4889	3764	3942
Golf club head 5492	3826	3931	3696	3899	3924
						Golf club head 5493	3765	3925	3689	3865	3988

TABLE 8.4 iron type Golf club face position in reverse rotation (rpm)

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5491	28.00	26.17	25.83	25.50	27.00
Golf club head 5492	28.00	26.67	26.00	27.00	26.17
						Golf club head 5493	28.83	27.00	26.67	27.00	27.33

TABLE 9.4 ball flight height (weight) vs. face position for iron type golf club

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5491	210.33	202.33	207.00	199.00	207.50
Golf club head 5492	210.67	203.17	206.00	201.00	205.50
						Golf club head 5493	211.83	203.33	207.00	202.67	206.67

TABLE 10.4 ball flight distance (yards) versus face position for iron type golf clubs

Referring to table 5, the golf club head 5493 has a higher COR for face center hits than the golf club heads 5491 and 5492. Thus, as shown in table 6, a higher COR provides a higher ball speed at the center than the golf club heads 5491 and 5492. In particular, in the center position, the ball speed of the golf club head 5493 increases approximately 0.5mph relative to the golf club head 5492, while the ball speed of the golf club head 5493 increases over one (1) mph, approximately 1.5mph relative to the golf club head 5491. Referring to table 10, the golf club head 5493 has greater total ball flight distance relative to the golf club heads 5491 and 5492 due to the increased ball speed at the center position. In particular, in the center position, the ball flight distance of the golf club head 5493 increases more than one (1) yards relative to the golf club head 5492, while the ball flight distance of the golf club head 5493 increases 1.5 yards relative to the golf club head 5491. As described herein, the center position of the face may represent the most probable struck area of the face. In other words, many players may hit golf balls at or near the center position. Thus, the golf club head 5493 detailed herein (e.g., filled with the first and second filler materials 5712, 5714) provides improved performance for all face center hits as compared to a golf club head similar to the golf club head 5400, but filled with another filler material, such as a TPE material filled head (e.g., the golf club head 5491) or an epoxy material filled head (e.g., the golf club head 5492). Further, the ball speed and ball flight distance of the golf club head 5493 at heel, toe, and face high positions are greater than the ball speed and ball flight distance of the golf club heads 5491 and 5492 at the same positions, respectively. Thus, the golf club head 5493 detailed herein (e.g., filled with the first and second filler materials 5712, 5714) provides generally improved performance as compared to a golf club head similar to the golf club head 5400, but filled with another filler material, such as a TPE material filled head (e.g., the golf club head 5491) or an epoxy material filled head (e.g., the golf club head 5492).

Tables 11-16 show experimental performance results for three examples of a 7 iron type golf club having a golf club head constructed in accordance with the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein for golf club head 5400, with each example having a different filler material. The golf club head 5591 of example 4 (not shown) is similar to the golf club head 5400 of iron 7 construction, except that the golf club head 5591 is filled with a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) filler material having characteristics the same as or similar to any TPE material described in any of the applications described herein or incorporated by reference. The golf club head 5592 (not shown) of example 5 is similar to the golf club head 5400 of the No. 7 iron construction, except that the golf club head 5592 is filled with an epoxy material having characteristics the same as or similar to any of the epoxy materials described in any of the applications described herein or incorporated by reference. The golf club head 5593 of example 6 is similar to the golf club head 5400 of the No. 7 iron construction and is filled with a first filler material 5712 and a second filler material 5714 as detailed herein. Thus, all three example golf club heads 5591, 5592, and 5593 are similar in structure, except that their filler materials are different.

TABLE 11.7 COR of iron type golf club in center of face position

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5591	115.90	114.00	113.70	113.90	112.60
Golf club head 5592	115.52	113.44	113.12	111.89	111.75
						Golf club head 5593	116.70	113.90	114.30	114.00	112.90

TABLE 12.7 speed of golf (mph) vs. face position for iron-type golf club

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5591	18.40	18.30	18.00	17.90	17.70
Golf club head 5592	18.28	17.97	18.26	18.82	17.45
						Golf club head 5593	17.80	17.30	17.30	18.00	17.20

TABLE 13.7 launch angle (radian) vs. face position for iron type golf club

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5591	5484	5534	5045	5298	5761
Golf club head 5592	5796	5927	5495	5836	6032
						Gaoer (Chinese character of 'Gaoer')Fuff club head 5593	5534	5824	5469	5597	5784

TABLE 14.7 face position versus reverse rotation (rpm) for iron type golf club

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5591	31.00	30.00	29.00	29.00	28.00
Golf club head 5592	31.00	29.10	29.10	29.60	27.30
						Golf club head 5593	31.00	28.00	28.00	29.00	28.00

TABLE 15.7 ball flight height (weight) vs. face position for iron type Golf clubs

TABLE 16.7 ball flight distance (yards) versus face position for iron type golf clubs

Referring to table 11, the golf club head 5593 has a higher COR for face center hits than the golf club heads 5591 and 5592. Thus, as shown in table 12, the golf club head 5593 provides a higher ball speed in the center position than the golf club heads 5591 and 5592. In particular, in the center position, the ball speed of the golf club head 5593 increases near one (1) mph relative to the golf club head 5592, while the ball speed of the golf club head 5593 increases more than one (1) mph relative to the golf club head 5591. Referring to table 16, the golf club head 5593 has a greater total ball flight distance relative to the golf club heads 5591 and 5592 due to the increased ball speed at the center position. In particular, in the center position, the ball flight distance of the golf club head 5593 increases more than one (1) yard relative to the golf club head 5591, while the ball flight distance of the golf club head 5593 increases more than three (3) yards relative to the golf club head 5592. As described herein, the center position of the face may represent the most probable struck area of the face. In other words, many players may hit golf balls at or near the center position. Thus, the golf club head 5593 (e.g., filled with the first and second filler materials 5712, 5714) detailed herein provides improved performance for all face center hits as compared to a golf club head similar to the golf club head 5400 but filled with another filler material, such as a TPE material filled head (e.g., golf club head 5591) or an epoxy material filled head (e.g., golf club head 5592).

Tables 17-22 show experimental performance results for three examples of a wedge-type (PW) golf club having a golf club head constructed in accordance with the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein for golf club head 5400, with each example having a different filler material. The golf club head 5691 of example 7 (not shown) is similar to the golf club head 5400 of PW construction, except that the golf club head 5691 is filled with a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) filler material, which is characterized as being the same as or similar to any TPE material described in any of the applications described herein or incorporated by reference. The golf club head 5692 (not shown) of example 8 is similar to the golf club head 5400 of PW construction, except that the golf club head 5692 is filled with an epoxy material, the features of which are the same as or similar to any of the epoxy materials described herein or in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The golf club head 5693 of example 9 is similar to the golf club head 5400 of PW construction and is filled with a first filler material 5712 and a second filler material 5714 as detailed herein. Thus, all three example golf club heads 5691, 5692, and 5693 are similar in structure, except that their filler materials are different.

TABLE 17 COR of wedge-type golf club in center of face position

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5691	91.15	90.22	89.78	90.48	87.82
Golf club head 5692	92.05	91.00	90.12	91.50	88.17
						Golf club head 5693	92.30	91.15	90.25	91.33	88.38

TABLE 18 speed of the ball (mph) versus face position for a split-club type golf club

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5691	25.88	25.40	26.22	26.58	24.47
Golf club head 5692	26.32	25.57	26.25	26.48	24.45
						Golf club head 5693	26.70	25.55	26.43	26.88	24.85

TABLE 19 launch angle (radian) versus face position for split-type golf clubs

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5691	8527	8757	8083	8173	9100
Golf club head 5692	8372	8748	8011	8432	8931
						Golf club head 5693	8201	8806	8101	8301	8982

TABLE 20 ball backspin (rpm) versus face position for a split-type golf club

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5691	26.83	25.50	26.00	27.00	23.00
Golf club head 5692	27.67	26.17	26.17	27.17	23.17
						Golf club head 5693	28.17	26.17	26.50	27.83	24.00

TABLE 21 ball flight altitude versus face position for split-type golf clubs

Golf club head/face position	Center of a ship	Toe piece	Heel	Height of	Is low in
						Golf club head 5691	122.50	120.50	120.67	121.67	116.67
Golf club head 5692	123.83	121.83	121.67	122.67	117.67
						Golf club head 5693	124.17	122.00	121.50	122.50	117.50

TABLE 22 ball flight distance versus face position for split-type golf clubs

Referring to table 17, the golf club head 5693 has a higher COR for face center hits than the golf club heads 5691 and 5692. Thus, as shown in table 18, the golf club head 5693 provides a higher ball speed at the center position than the golf club heads 5691 and 5692. In particular, in the center position, the ball speed of the golf club head 5693 relative to the golf club head 5691 increases over one (1) mph, while the ball speed of the golf club head 5693 relative to the golf club head 5692 increases by approximately 0.5 mph. Referring to table 22, the golf club head 5693 has a greater total ball flight distance relative to the golf club heads 5691 and 5692 due to the increased ball speed at the center position. In particular, in the center position, the ball flight distance of the golf club head 5693 increases by approximately two (2) yards relative to the ball flight distance of the golf club head 5691, while the ball flight distance of the golf club head 5693 increases by approximately 0.5 yards relative to the ball flight distance of the golf club head 5692. As described herein, the center position of the face may represent the most probable struck area of the face. In other words, many players may hit golf balls at or near the center position. Thus, the golf club head 5693 described in detail herein (e.g., filled with the first and second filler materials 5712, 5714) provides improved performance for all face center hits as compared to a golf club head similar to the golf club head 5400, but filled with another filler material, such as a TPE material filled head (e.g., golf club head 5691) or an epoxy material filled head (e.g., golf club head 5692). Additionally, the ball speed and ball flight distance of the golf club head 5693 at the heel, toe, and face low positions are greater than the ball speed and ball flight distance of the golf club heads 5691 and 5692 at the same positions, respectively. Thus, the golf club head 5693 detailed herein (e.g., filled with the first and second filler materials 5712, 5714) provides generally improved performance for all face positions of the club head compared to a golf club head similar to the golf club head 5400, but filled with another filler material, such as a TPE material filled club head (e.g., golf club head 5691) or an epoxy material filled club head (e.g., golf club head 5692).

In one example, several center positions of the face 5462 of the golf club heads 5592 and 5593 are digitally confirmed using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in response to deflection of a golf shot. A numerically simulated impact occurs between a two-part golf Ball (USGA bridge Calibration Ball) moving at 38m/s (85mph) and each of the fixed position golf club heads 5592 and 5593, respectively, and the face thickness of each of the golf club heads 5592 and 5593 is approximately 0.059 inches (1.5 mm). The results of FEA are shown in table 23, considering that the forces are almost the same when the face is deflected most (i.e., the deformed shape of the golf ball is almost the same).

Table 23.

As shown in table 23, the measured time from the time the golf ball hit the face portion 5462 to the time the center of the face portion reached the maximum deflection and the rebound time of the face portion 5462 (i.e., the time from the maximum deflection to the deflection of almost zero) were almost the same for the golf club heads 5592 and 5593. However, as shown in table 23, the maximum deflection of the face portion 5462 of the golf club head 5593 is almost twice the maximum deflection of the face portion 5462 of the golf ball 5592 with the maximum deflection and rebound time intervals being almost the same. Thus, at the same time interval, the deflection and subsequent rebound of the face 5462 of the golf club head 5593 is greater than that of the golf club head 5592 (i.e., the face rebound velocity is greater), which may transfer more rebound energy to the golf ball, resulting in an increase in the ball speed and ball flight time of the golf club head 5593 described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

The body portion and/or face portion of any of the golf club heads described herein may be partially or entirely formed from a steel-based material (e.g. 17-4PH stainless steel,

50 stainless steel, alloy steel 8620, martensitic steel, or other types of 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, a non-metallic material, a composite material, and/or other suitable types of materials. The body portion and/or face portion may be constructed of materials similar to any body portion and/or face portion described herein or in any application incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the area of the front surface of the face portion of any of the golf club heads described herein may be greater than or equal to 330mm²And less than or equal to 5000mm². In another example, the area of the front surface of the face portion of any of the golf club heads described herein may be greater than or equal to 1000mm²And is less than or equal to 5300mm². In yet another example, the area of the front surface of the face portion of any of the golf club heads described herein may be greater than or equal to 1500mm²And is less than or equal to 4800mm ². Although the above examples may describe featuresThe area is fixed, but the area of the front surface may be larger or smaller than those numbers. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the filler material may comprise an elastic polymer or elastomeric material (e.g., a viscoelastic urethane polymer material, such as manufactured by Sorbothane, inc., Kent, Ohio

Materials), thermoplastic elastomer materials (TPEs), thermoplastic polyurethane materials (TPUs), other polymer material(s), bonding material(s) (e.g., adhesives), and/or other types of materials that may absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise. In another example, the filler material may be one or more thermosetting polymers (e.g., one or more adhesives or epoxy materials) having adhesive properties. The materials described herein may also absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise when the golf club head impacts a golf ball. Further, the filler material may be an epoxy material that is flexible or somewhat flexible when cured. In another example, the filler material may include 3M manufactured by 3M corporation of st paul, minnesota ^TMScotch-Weld^TMAny of the DP100 series epoxy adhesives (e.g., 3M)^TMScotch-Weld^TMEpoxy adhesives DP100, DP100Plus, DP100NS and DP100 FR). In another example, the filler material may include 3M^TMScotch-Weld^TMDP100Plus Clear adhesive. In another example, the filler material may comprise a low viscosity, organic, solvent-based solution and/or dispersion of a polymer and other reactive chemicals, such as MEGUM manufactured by Dow Chemical Company, Auburn Hills, Mich^TM，ROBOND^TMAnd/or THIXON^TMA material. In yet another example, the filler material may be LOC manufactured by Henkel Corporation, Rocky Hill, Connecticut

A material. In another example, the filler material may be DuokalThe club head may be a polymer material, such as an ethylene copolymer material, that absorbs impact, isolates vibration, and/or attenuates noise when the golf ball is hit via the face. In another example, the filler material may be a high density ethylene copolymer ionomer, a fatty acid modified ethylene copolymer ionomer, a highly amorphous ethylene copolymer ionomer, an ionomer of an 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 produce various shapes, an ethylene copolymer having high compressibility and low resilience similar to thermoset polybutadiene rubber, and/or a highly neutralized polymer composition, a highly neutralized acid polymer, or a mixture of a highly neutralized acid polymer composition and a filler. For example, the ethylene copolymer may include DuPont manufactured by E.I.du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Delaware ^TMHigh-Performance Resin (HPF) family of materials (e.g., DuPont)^TM HPF AD1172，DuPont^TM HPF AD1048，

HPF 1000 and DuPont^TMHPF 2000) associated with any ethylene copolymer. DuPont^TMThe HPF series of ethylene copolymers are all injection moldable and can be used with conventional injection molding equipment and molds, providing low compression ratios and providing high resilience, i.e., relatively high coefficient of restitution (COR). The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard. Filler materials not specifically recited herein may include one or more materials similar or different from the types of materials described herein and in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Any of the fill materials described herein may be subjected to different processes during the manufacture of any of the golf club heads described herein. Such processes may include heating and/or cooling of one or more filler materials by conduction, convection, and/or radiation during one or more injection molding processes or post-injection curing processes. For example, all of the heating and cooling processes may be performed with a heating or cooling system that employs a conveyor belt to move the golf club heads described herein through a heated or cooled environment for a period of time as described herein. The process of manufacturing a golf club head with one or more filler materials may be similar to any of the processes described in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Any of the golf club heads described herein may be manufactured by casting metal (e.g., steel). However, other techniques capable of manufacturing the golf club heads described herein may be used, such as 3D printing, or molding the golf club heads from metallic or non-metallic materials (e.g., ceramic).

All methods described herein can be performed in any 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 acts in any process described herein may be performed sequentially, concurrently (concurrently), or simultaneously (simultaneously).

Golf standards organizations and/or colleagues such as the United States Golf Association (USGA) and/or the Royal ancient Golf club (R)&A) The defined procedure may be used to measure the head volume of any of the golf club heads described herein. For example, weighted water displacement (i.e., Archimedes' principle) may be used to determine the volume of the club head. Although the figures may depict a particular type of club head (e.g., a driver-type club head or an iron-type golf club head), the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of club heads (e.g., fairway wood-type club heads, ironwood heads, putter-type club heads, etc.). Thus, the volume of any of the golf club heads described herein may be within a range of volumes corresponding to certain types of golf club heads defined by golf clutters. The head volume of a driver-type golf club head may be greater than or equal to 300 cubic centimeters (cm) ³Or cc). In another example, a driver-type golf club head may have a head volume of 460 cc. Wooden pole head of ball trackThe head volume of (a) may be between 100cc and 300 cc. In one example, a fairway wood head may have a head volume of 180 cc. The head volume of an iron-type golf club head may be between 25cc and 100 cc. In one example, the volume of an iron-type golf club head may be 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 may have a volume outside of these ranges. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Because golf rules may change from time to time (e.g., new rules are adopted or old rules are cancelled or modified by golf standards organizations and/or council agencies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the imperial anderson royal ancient golf club (R & a), etc.), golf equipment associated with the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may or may not comply with golf rules at any particular time. Accordingly, golf devices associated with the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf devices. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this regard.

Although the above examples may describe iron-type or wedge-type golf club heads, the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golf club heads (e.g., driver-type golf club heads, fairway wood-type golf club heads, ironwood-type golf club heads, putter-type golf club heads, etc.). Further, although the above examples may describe steel-based materials, the apparatus, methods, and articles described herein may be applicable to other types of metallic materials, non-metallic materials, or both.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are 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 specifically recited herein. A numerical range defined by the word "between. A spatial range defined by the word "between" includes any point within the spatial range and the boundaries of the spatial range. The positions relative to two spaced apart or overlapping elements denoted by the word "between" include: (i) any space between these elements; (ii) a portion of each element; and/or (iii) the boundaries of each element.

The terms "a," "an," and/or "the" used in the context of describing various examples of the disclosure should be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The term "couple" and any variation thereof, refers to the joining of two or more elements, either directly or indirectly, in chemical, mechanical, and/or other manner. The term "removably connected" is defined such that two elements that are "removably connected" can be separated from each other without destroying or destroying the utility of either element.

The term "substantially" when used to describe a feature, parameter, characteristic, or value of an element can mean a deviation or variation that does not diminish the feature, parameter, characteristic, or value that the element may be intended to provide. Variations or changes in characteristics, parameters, characteristics, or values of elements 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", "near", "next", "near", "adjacent", etc., and these terms may be used interchangeably as appears in this disclosure.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to clarify the disclosure and does not limit the scope of the disclosure. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of any embodiment discussed herein. The devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be practiced in various embodiments, and the foregoing description of some of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the description of the drawings, as well as the drawings themselves, discloses at least one embodiment, and may disclose alternative embodiments.

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 group members may be included in the group or deleted from the group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is to be considered as the group containing the written description modified to satisfy all markush groups used in the appended claims.

Although different features or aspects of the embodiments may be described with respect to one or more features, a single feature may comprise multiple elements, and multiple features may be combined into one element without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Further, although methods are disclosed as including one or more operations, a single operation may include multiple steps, and multiple operations may be combined into one step without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

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 manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A golf club head, comprising:

a main body portion having an interior cavity and a front portion;

a face portion attached to a front portion of the body portion to enclose the internal cavity;

a first filler material coupled to a portion of the inner wall of the body portion; and

a second filling material positioned between the first filling material and the face portion and coupled to the face portion,

wherein the first filler material has a coefficient of restitution (COR) greater than the second filler material,

wherein the second filler material has a greater stiffness than the first filler material, an

Wherein the COR of the golf club head is greater than or equal to 0.82.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first filler material is an insert formed prior to attaching the face portion to the body portion that bonds to the portion of the interior wall of the body portion to fill a portion of the interior cavity, and wherein the second filler material is injected into the interior cavity to fill the remainder of the interior cavity.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the volume of the first filler material is greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 20% of the volume of the body portion, wherein the volume of the first filler material is greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 45% of the volume of the interior cavity, wherein the mass of the first filler material is greater than or equal to 1.0% and less than or equal to 3.5% of the mass of the body portion, and wherein the mass of the second filler material is greater than or equal to 2.5% and less than or equal to 8.5% of the mass of the body portion.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first filler material is a rubber-based compound.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second filler material is an epoxy-based material.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the body portion includes a plurality of indentations defining the interior cavity, wherein a central indentation of the plurality of indentations includes a maximum width of the interior cavity, and wherein all or a majority of the first filler material is located in the central indentation.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the body portion includes a plurality of indentations defining internal cavities, wherein the width of the internal cavities decreases from a central indentation of the plurality of indentations toward one or more indentations of the plurality of indentations adjacent to a peripheral edge portion of the body portion, and wherein all or a majority of the first filler material is located in the central indentation.

8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the total mass of the second filling material in the interior cavity is greater than the total mass of the first filling material in the interior cavity.

9. A golf club head, comprising:

a main body portion having an interior cavity and a front portion;

wherein the second filler material has a greater stiffness than the first filler material,

wherein the volume of the first filler material is greater than or equal to 5% of the volume of the body portion, and less than or equal to 20% of the volume of the body portion,

wherein the volume of the first filler material is greater than or equal to 20% of the volume of the lumen, and less than or equal to 45% of the volume of the lumen,

wherein the mass of the first filler material is greater than or equal to 1.0% and less than or equal to 3.5% of the mass of the body portion, and

wherein the mass of the second filler material is greater than or equal to 2.5% and less than or equal to 8.5% of the mass of the body portion.

10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the first filler material is an insert formed prior to attaching the face portion to the body portion and bonded to the portion of the interior wall of the body portion to fill a portion of the interior cavity, wherein the second filler material is injected into the interior cavity to fill the remainder of the interior cavity.

11. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the first filler material is a rubber-based compound, and wherein the second filler material is an epoxy-based material.

12. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the first filler material has a coefficient of restitution (COR) greater than the second filler material.

13. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the thickness of the face portion is less than or equal to 0.075 inch (1.9 millimeters) and the center portion of the face portion has a maximum deflection greater than or equal to 0.0197 inch (0.5 millimeters) when a golf ball impacts the center portion of the face portion at a speed of 85 miles per hour (38 meters per second).

14. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the body portion includes a plurality of indentations defining the interior cavity, wherein a central indentation of the plurality of indentations includes a maximum width of the interior cavity, and wherein all or a majority of the first filler material is located in the central indentation.

15. A golf club head, comprising:

a main body portion having an interior cavity and a front portion;

a face portion attached to a front portion of the body portion to enclose the internal cavity, the face portion having a thickness of less than or equal to 0.075 inches (1.9 millimeters);

wherein the first filler material comprises a rubber-based compound,

wherein the second filler material comprises an epoxy-based compound, the second filler material having a coefficient of restitution (COR) less than that of the first filler material, an

Wherein a maximum deflection of the center portion of the face is greater than or equal to 0.0197 inches (0.5 millimeters) when the golf ball impacts the center portion of the face at a velocity of 85 miles per hour (38 meters per second), an

Wherein the COR of the golf club head is greater than or equal to 0.81.

16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the volume of the first filler material is greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 20% of the volume of the body portion, wherein the volume of the first filler material is greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 45% of the volume of the interior cavity.

17. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the mass of the first filler material is greater than or equal to 1.0% and less than or equal to 3.5% of the mass of the body portion, and wherein the mass of the second filler material is greater than or equal to 2.5% and less than or equal to 8.5% of the mass of the body portion.

18. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the first filler material is an insert formed prior to attaching the face portion to the body portion and bonded to the portion of the interior wall of the body portion to fill a portion of the interior cavity, wherein the second filler material is injected into the interior cavity to fill the remainder of the interior cavity.

19. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the second filler material has a greater stiffness than the first filler material.

20. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the body portion includes a plurality of indentations that define the interior cavity, wherein the width of the interior cavity decreases from a central indentation of the plurality of indentations toward one or more of the plurality of indentations adjacent to the peripheral edge portion of the body portion, and wherein all or a majority of the first filler material is located in the central indentation and extends toward the peripheral edge portion without contacting the face portion.