CN114748852A - Golf club head and method of manufacturing golf club head - Google Patents

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 made of a first material having a first density having an interior cavity, a toe portion with a toe edge, a heel portion with a heel edge, a front portion, a rear portion with a rear wall portion (including a rear opening portion), a top portion with a top edge, and a bottom portion with a bottom edge. A rear cover portion made of a second material having a second density different from the first density is attached to the body portion to close the rear opening portion. The rear cover portion includes a port extending through the rear cover portion. From which port filler material is injected into the lumen. A mass is inserted into the port to close the port. The mass portion is made of a third material having a third density greater than the first density. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

Description

Golf club head and method of manufacturing golf club head

Technical Field

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

Copyright authorization

The present disclosure may be subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the disclosure and its associated files, as they appear in the patent and trademark office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Cross-referencing

This application is a continuation-in-part application, 17/099,362, filed on 16.11/2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application 16/820,136, now 10,874,919, filed on 16.3/2020, the patent is an 16/590,105 application filed on 1/10/2019 and a continuation application filed on 10,632,349, it claims the benefits of U.S. provisional application No. 62/908,467 filed on 30.9.2019, U.S. provisional application No. 62/903,467 filed on 20.9.2019, U.S. provisional application No. 62/877,934 filed on 24.7.2019, 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 29.3.29.2019, and U.S. provisional application No. 62/814,959 filed on 7.3.7.2019.

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/171,481 filed on 6/4/2021 and U.S. provisional application No. 63/135,426 filed on 8/1/2021.

The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

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 using a variety of materials to manufacture a golf club head, the Center of Gravity (CG) location and/or the moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club head may be optimized to produce a particular trajectory and spin rate of a golf ball.

Disclosure of Invention

The present application provides a golf club head comprising: a body portion made of a first material having a first density, the body portion including an interior cavity, a toe portion having a toe edge, a heel portion having a heel edge, a front portion, a rear portion having a rear wall portion including a rear opening portion, a top portion having a top edge, and a sole portion having a sole edge; a rear cover portion made of a second material having a second density different from the first density, the rear cover portion coupled to the body portion to close the rear opening portion, the rear cover portion including a port extending therethrough; a filling material injected into the lumen from the port, and a mass inserted into the port to close the port, the mass being made of a third material having a third density, the third density being greater than the first density.

A golf club head according to one embodiment of the present application, wherein the rear cover portion is attached to the body portion with an adhesive.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present application, the mass portion includes a threaded portion that threads into a corresponding threaded hole on the body portion to attach the rear cap portion to the body portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present application, the golf club head, wherein the rear cover portion includes at least 50% of an area of the rear wall portion.

A golf club head according to yet another embodiment of the present application, further comprising a plurality of mass portions, wherein each mass portion includes a threaded shaft portion, wherein the rear cap portion includes a plurality of connection cavities and is configured to receive a port of one of the plurality of mass portions, and wherein each threaded shaft portion is threaded into a respective threaded hole of the body portion to attach the rear cap portion to the body portion.

A golf club head according to still another embodiment of the present application, wherein the second density is less than the first density.

A golf club head according to yet another embodiment of the present application, wherein the rear cover portion is made from a composite material.

The present application further provides a golf club head comprising: a body portion including an interior cavity, a toe portion having a toe edge, a heel portion having a heel edge, a front portion, a rear portion having a rear wall portion including a rear opening portion, a top portion having a top edge, and a sole portion having a sole edge, a first flange portion having a first threaded hole, and a second flange portion having a second threaded hole; a rear cover portion removably attached to the body portion to close the rear opening portion, the rear cover portion including a first port connected to the internal cavity and axially aligned with the first threaded hole of the first flange portion, and a second port connected to the internal cavity and axially aligned with the second threaded hole of the second flange portion; a first mass portion including a head portion configured to be received in the first port, and a threaded shaft portion configured to extend through the first port and engage the first threaded hole of the first flange portion to attach the rear cover portion to the body portion; a second mass portion including a head portion configured to be received in the second port, and a threaded shaft portion configured to extend through the second port and engage a second threaded hole of the second flange portion to attach the rear cover portion to the body portion; and a filler material in the cavity, wherein the rear cover portion comprises at least 50% of the total area of the rear wall portion.

According to one embodiment of the present application, the golf club head, wherein the first mass portion and the second mass portion are each made of a material having a density greater than a density of a material of the main body portion.

A golf club head according to still another embodiment of the present application, wherein the filler material is made from a material having a density that is lower than a density of a material of the body portion.

A golf club head according to still another embodiment of the present application, wherein the filling material includes a polymer material injected into the interior cavity from the first port or the second port.

A golf club head according to yet another embodiment of the present application further includes a third mass having a mass greater than twice the mass of the first or second mass and a size greater than twice the corresponding first or second mass size, and wherein the rear cover portion includes a third port located between the first port and the second port and configured to receive the third mass.

According to still another embodiment of the present application, the golf club head, wherein the rear cover portion is made of a material having a density lower than that of the material of the body portion.

According to another embodiment of the present application, a golf club head, wherein the rear cover portion is made of a carbon fiber composite material.

The present application also provides a golf club head comprising: a first mass portion having a head portion and a shaft portion; a second mass portion having a head portion and a shaft portion; a third mass portion; a body portion including an interior cavity, a toe portion having a toe edge, a heel portion having a heel edge, a front portion, a rear portion having a rear wall portion, a top portion having a top edge, and a sole portion having a sole edge, the rear wall portion including a rear opening portion and a rear cover portion configured to cover the rear opening portion, the rear cover portion comprising: a first port configured to receive the head portion of the first mass portion with the shaft portion of the first mass portion extending through the first port and into the internal cavity, a distance from the first port to the toe edge being less than a distance from the first port to the heel edge; a second port configured to receive the head portion of the second mass portion with the shaft portion of the second mass portion extending through the second port and into the internal cavity, the distance from the second port to the toe edge being greater than the distance from the second port to the heel edge; a third port located between the first port and the second port and configured to receive a third mass; and a filler material at least partially filling the internal cavity, wherein at least 50% of the rear cap portion is below the horizontal mid-plane of the body portion, and wherein the shaft portions of the first and second mass portions are joined to the body portion to attach the rear cap portion to the body portion.

A golf club head according to one embodiment of the present application, wherein at least one of the first mass, the second mass, or the third mass includes tungsten.

A golf club head according to still another embodiment of the present application, wherein the filler material includes a polymer material injected into the interior cavity from the first port, the second port, or the third port.

A golf club head according to still another embodiment of the present application, wherein the third port has a size greater than twice the first port corresponding size or the second port corresponding size.

A golf club head according to still another embodiment of the present application, wherein the rear cover portion includes an upper tongue portion configured to engage a portion of the body portion proximate the top edge and between the rear wall portion and the front portion to couple the top portion of the rear cover portion to the body portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present application, a golf club head, wherein the rear cover portion is made from a carbon fiber composite material.

Drawings

Fig. 1 depicts a golf club head with a golf club in accordance with any embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 depict perspective front, rear, cross-sectional (along line 4-4 of fig. 3), cross-sectional (along line 5-5 of fig. 3), cross-sectional (along line 6-6 of fig. 3), front but not showing a face, another front but not showing a face, cross-sectional (along line 10-10 of fig. 2), cross-sectional perspective (along line 11-11 of fig. 2), and cross-sectional (along line 12-12 of fig. 2), respectively, of a golf club head in accordance with embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and articles described herein.

Fig. 13 depicts a rear view of a face of a golf club head in accordance with any embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 14 depicts a manner in which the example golf club heads described herein may be manufactured.

Fig. 15 and 16 depict schematic cross-sectional views of two example faces of a golf club head, in accordance with embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 17 depicts a top view of a mass of a golf club head, in accordance with embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 18 and 19 depict side views of two example masses of a golf club head, in accordance with embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 depict front, rear, heel, toe, cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 of fig. 21, cross-sectional view taken along line 25-25 of fig. 21, cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26 of fig. 21, cross-sectional view taken along line 27-27 of fig. 21, cross-sectional view taken along line 28-28 of fig. 21, cross-sectional view taken along line 29-29 of fig. 21, front view (without a face), interior side view of a rear cap portion, rear view (without a rear cap portion), and exterior side view of a rear cap portion, respectively, of a golf club head according to any embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and articles described herein.

34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50 depict front, rear, cross-sectional view taken along line 36-36 of fig. 34, cross-sectional view taken along line 37-37 of fig. 34, cross-sectional view taken along line 38-38 of fig. 34, cross-sectional view taken along line 39-39 of fig. 35, cross-sectional view taken along line 40-40 of fig. 35, cross-sectional view taken along line 41-41 of fig. 35, mass, another mass, yet another mass, rear (no rear cover portion), an outside view of the rear cover portion, a toe side view of the rear cover portion, a front view (no face portion), an inside view of the rear cover portion, and a heel side view of the rear cover portion, respectively, of a golf club head in accordance with any of the apparatus, methods, and articles described herein.

Fig. 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, and 64 depict a front view, a rear view, a cross-sectional view taken along line 53-53 of fig. 52, a cross-sectional view taken along line 54-54 of fig. 52, a cross-sectional view taken along line 55-55 of fig. 52, a cross-sectional view taken along line 56-56 of fig. 51, a cross-sectional view taken along line 57-57 of fig. 51, a cross-sectional view taken along line 58-58 of fig. 51, a rear view (without a rear cover portion), a toe side view of a rear cover portion, an outside side view of a rear cover portion, a front view (without a face portion), a heel side view of a rear cover portion, and an inside view of a rear cover portion, respectively, according to any embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and articles described herein.

Fig. 65 depicts a manner in which the example golf club heads described herein may be manufactured.

Fig. 66 depicts a manner in which the example golf club heads described herein may be manufactured.

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 disclosure. Furthermore, 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 of the present disclosure.

Disclosure of Invention

The following U.S. patents and patent applications, collectively referred to herein as "incorporated by reference publications," are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety: us patent 8,961,336; 9,199,143, respectively; 9,421,437, respectively; 9,427,634, respectively; 9,468,821, respectively; 9,533,201, respectively; 9,610,481, respectively; 9,649,542, respectively; 9,675,853, respectively; 9,814,952, respectively; 9,878,220, respectively; 10,029,158, respectively; 10,029,159, respectively; 10,159,876, respectively; 10,232,235, respectively; 10,265,590, respectively; 10,279,233, respectively; 10,286,267, respectively; 10,293,229, respectively; 10,449,428, respectively; 10,478,684, respectively; 10,512,829, respectively; 10,596,424, respectively; 10,596,425, respectively; 10,632,349, respectively; 10,716,978, respectively; 10,729,948, respectively; 10,729,949, respectively; 10,814,193, respectively; 10,821,339, respectively; 10,821,340, respectively; 10,828,538, respectively; 10,864,414, respectively; 10,874,919; 10,874,921, respectively; 10,905,920, respectively; 10,933,286, respectively; 10,940,375, respectively; 11,058,932, respectively; 11,097,168, respectively; 11,117,030, respectively; 11,141,633, respectively; 11,154,755, respectively; and 11,173,359; and U.S. patent publication numbers 20170282026; 20170282027, respectively; 20170368429, respectively; 20180050243, respectively; 20180050244, respectively; 20180133567, respectively; 20180140910, respectively; 20180140910, respectively; 20180169488, respectively; 20180169488; 20180221727; 20180236325, respectively; 20190232125, respectively; 20190232126, respectively; 20190240549, respectively; 20190247727, respectively; 20190247727, respectively; 20200171363, respectively; 20210023422, respectively; 20210086044, respectively; 20210197037, respectively; and 20210197037.

In the example of fig. 1-14, the golf club 100 may include a golf club head 200, a shaft (craft) 104, and a grip (grip) 106. The golf club head 200 may be attached to one end of the shaft 104 and the grip 106 may be attached to the opposite end of the shaft 104. The golfer may grasp the grip 106 and swing the golf club head 200 with the shaft 104 to hit a golf ball (not shown). The golf club head 200 may include a body portion 210, the body portion 210 having a toe portion 240 with a toe edge 242, a heel portion 250 with a heel edge 252 (which may include a hosel portion 255, the hosel portion 255 configured to receive a shaft with a grip at one end (see fig. 1 for an example grip 106) and the golf club head 200 at the other end (see fig. 1 for an example shaft 104) to form a golf club (see fig. 1 for an example golf club 100), a front portion 260 with a peripheral edge portion 261, a rear portion 270 with a rear wall portion 272, a top portion 280 with a top edge 282, and a bottom portion 290 with a bottom edge 292. Toe edge 242, heel edge 252, top edge 282, and bottom edge 292 may define the periphery of body portion 210. Toe 240, heel 250, front 260, rear 270, top 280, and/or bottom 290 may partially overlap one another. For example, a portion of toe 240 may overlap one or more portions of front portion 260, rear portion 270, top portion 280, and/or bottom portion 290. Similarly, a portion of the heel 250 may overlap one or more portions of the front 260, rear 270, top 280, and/or bottom 290. In another example, a portion of the rear portion 270 may overlap one or more portions of the toe portion 240, the heel portion 250, the top portion 280, and/or the sole portion 290. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The golf club head 200 may include a face portion 262 (i.e., a ball striking face), which may be integrally formed with (e.g., a single unitary piece with) the body portion 210. In one example, as shown in fig. 2-13, the face 262 may be a separate piece that is coupled (e.g., adhesively, mechanically, by welding, and/or by brazing) to the front 260. The face 262 may include a front surface 264 and a rear surface 266. In one example (not shown), the front portion 260 may include one or more recessed shoulders (not shown) configured to receive the face portion 262 to attach the face portion 262 to the body portion 210. In another example, as shown in fig. 2-13, the rear surface 266 may include a peripheral portion 267 that is attached to the peripheral edge portion 261 of the body portion 210. The peripheral portion 267 of the face portion 262 may be attached to the peripheral edge portion 261 of the body portion 210 by one or more fasteners, one or more adhesives or bonding agents, and/or welding or brazing. In one example, as shown in fig. 2-13, the peripheral portion 267 of the face portion 262 may be welded at one or more locations to the peripheral edge portion 261 of the body portion 210. Alternatively, the entire peripheral portion 267 of the face portion 262 may be welded to the entire peripheral edge portion 261 of the body portion 210 (i.e., continuously welded). The face 262 may include a hitting region 268 to hit a golf ball. In one example, the center of the ball striking zone 268 may be the geometric center 263 of the face 262. In another example, the geometric center 263 of the face 262 may be offset from the center of the ball striking zone 268. In one example, the geometric center 263 and one or more areas located near and/or around the geometric center within the hitting zone 268 may provide an overall optimal location on the face 262 for hitting 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 263 and within the hitting zone 268 may provide an overall optimal location for hitting a golf ball on the face 262. However, for any of the golf club heads described herein, the ball may be struck with the face 262 at any location within the striking zone 268 or outside of the striking zone 268, such that certain ball flight characteristics that may be preferred by the player are different than a center hit ball. The construction of the face portion 262 and the attachment (e.g., welding) of the face portion 262 to the body portion 210 may be similar in various respects to any of the golf club heads described herein and/or in any of the publications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The golf club head 200 may be associated with a ground plane 510, a horizontal midplane 520, and a top plane 530. In particular, the ground plane 510 may be a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel to the ground and tangent to the lowest portion of the bottom edge 292 when the golf club head 200 is in a ball ready position (e.g., the golf club head 200 is aligned to strike a golf ball). The top plane 530 may be a plane that is tangent to the uppermost portion of the top edge 282 when the golf club head 200 is in the address position. The ground plane 510 and the top plane 530 may be parallel or substantially parallel to each other. The horizontal midplane 520 may be located at a vertical midpoint between the ground plane 510 and the top plane 530. Additionally, the golf club head 200 may be associated with a face plane 540 that defines a loft angle (α)545(α) of the golf club head 200. The face plane 540 may be a plane that is tangent to the face 262. The loft angle 545 may be defined by the angle between the loft plane 540 and a vertical plane 550 perpendicular to the ground plane 510.

Body portion 210 may be a hollow body including an interior cavity 310 having an interior wall 312. The inner cavity 310 may extend between the front 260, rear 270, top 280, and bottom 290. In the example of fig. 2-13, the internal cavity 310 of the body portion 210 may be enclosed and partially defined by the face portion 262. The configuration (e.g., height, width, volume, shape, etc.) of the interior cavity 310, the configuration of the interior cavity 310 relative to the body portion 210 (e.g., the volume of the interior cavity 310 relative to the volume of the body portion 210), the variation in the width and height of the interior cavity 310, and the access into the interior cavity 310 from one or more ports of the body portion 210 may be similar to any golf club head described herein and/or described in any publication incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The rear wall portion 272 of the rear portion 270 may include an upper rear wall portion 612 and a lower rear wall portion 614. The rear wall portion 272 may include a ledge portion 616 that may extend in a continuous or discontinuous manner between the toe edge 242 and the heel edge 252. Lower rear wall portion 614 may be located more rearward on body portion 210 than upper rear wall portion 612, with a shelf portion 616 defining a transition between upper rear wall portion 612 and lower rear wall portion 614. Accordingly, the ledge portion 616 may extend transverse to the upper and lower rear wall portions 612, 614. In one example, as shown in fig. 2-13, the gantry portion 616 can include a first gantry portion 626 and a second gantry portion 636. The first ledge portion 626 may extend on the rear wall portion from the toe edge 242 to a central portion of the rear wall portion 272. The second ledge portion 636 may extend from a central portion of the rear wall portion 272 to the heel edge 252. As shown in fig. 2-13, the stand portion 616 may provide a relatively greater mass to the body portion 210 below the horizontal midplane 520 and cause the mass of the body portion 210 below the horizontal midplane 520 to move further rearward on the body portion 210. The width of the ledge portion 616 may be greater than, equal to, or less than the width of the interior cavity at certain locations of the body portion 210. The configuration (e.g., width, sections, taper, shape, etc.) of the shelf portion 616 and the characteristics of the shelf portion 616 relative to the width of the interior cavity may be similar to any shelf portion or similar structure of any golf club head described herein and/or in any of the publications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Body portion 210 may include one or more ports, which may be external ports and/or internal ports (e.g., located inside body portion 210). The inner wall 312 of the lumen 310 may include one or more ports (not shown). In one example, as shown in fig. 2-13, rear portion 270 may include one or more ports along or near the periphery of body portion 210. For example, the body portion 210 may include a first set of ports 320 (e.g., illustrated as ports 321 and 322) above the horizontal midplane 520, a second set of ports 330 (e.g., illustrated as ports 331 and 332) below the horizontal midplane 520, a third set of ports 340 (e.g., illustrated as ports 341, 342, and 343) below the horizontal midplane 520, and a fourth set of ports 350 (e.g., illustrated as ports 351 and 352) below the horizontal midplane 520. The location, spacing relative to other ports, and any other configuration of each port of first set of ports 320, second set of ports 330, third set of ports 340, and/or fourth set of ports 350 may be similar in various respects to any of the ports described herein or described in any of the publications incorporated by reference. Further, any one or more of first set of ports 320, second set of ports 330, third set of ports 340, and/or fourth set of ports 350 may be connected to inner cavity 310, and one or more filler materials may be injected into inner cavity 310 through these ports. In the example of fig. 2-13, ports 321, 331, and 351 can be connected to lumen 310 via openings 361, 371, and 381, respectively. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The body portion 210 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 that may be coupled to the body portion 210. In the example of fig. 2-13, the body portion 210 may include a first set of mass portions 420 (e.g., illustrated as mass portions 421 and 422), a second set of mass portions 430 (e.g., illustrated as mass portions 431 and 432), a third set of mass portions 440 (e.g., illustrated as mass portions 441, 442, and 443), and a fourth set of mass portions 450 (e.g., illustrated as mass portions 451 and 452). While 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 multiple mass portions, as described herein and in any publication incorporated by reference. For example, any one mass portion of the first set of mass portions 420 or a combination of adjacent sets of mass portions may be a single mass portion, the second set of mass portions 430 may be a single mass portion, the third set of mass portions 440 may be a single mass portion, and/or the fourth set of mass portions 450 may be a single mass portion. Further, the first, second, third and/or fourth sets of mass portions 420, 430, 440, 450 may be part of the physical structure of the body portion 210. Each mass of first set of masses 420, second set of masses 430, third set of masses 440, and/or fourth set of masses 450 may be similar to any mass described in any publication incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The internal cavity 310 may be partially or completely 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. 2-13, the internal cavity 310 may be filled with a first filler material 512 and a second filler material 514. In one example, the first filler material 512 may be rubber or a rubber compound, and the second filler material 514 may be an epoxy type material. In another example, the first and/or second filler materials 512, 514 may be different polymer materials. First filler material 512 and second filler material 514 may be similar to any filler material described herein or described in any publication incorporated by reference. The first and/or second filler materials 512, 514 may be coupled to all or a portion of the inner wall 312 of the inner cavity 310. In one example, first filler material 512 and/or second filler material 514 may have inherent adhesion or bonding properties to attach to all or a portion of inner wall 312. In another example, the first and/or second filler materials 512, 514 may be attached to all or a portion of the inner wall 312 by one or more bonding agents or adhesives mixed with the first and/or second filler materials 512, 514, respectively. In another example, the first and/or second filler materials 512, 514 may be attached to all or a portion of the inner wall 312 with one or more bonding agents or adhesives that are separable from the first and/or second filler materials 512, 514, respectively. The amount (i.e., volume and/or mass) of the first filling material 512 and/or the second filling material 514 may be determined for each golf club head (i.e., having a particular loft angle) to (i) provide vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., the steady and/or pleasant sound and feel perceived by a player using the golf club head 200 when the golf club head 200 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support to the face 262; 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. Details regarding the filler materials 512 and 514, the coupling of the filler materials 512 and 514 and body portion 210 to one another, the material composition and/or physical properties of the filler materials 512 and 514, the mass and/or volume of each of the filler materials 512 and 514 within the internal cavity 310 may be provided in detail in any publication incorporated by reference, particularly in U.S. patent No.10,632,349, which is incorporated herein by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In the example of fig. 2-13, the portion of the internal cavity 310 including the central portion 311 (which may be the portion of the internal cavity 310 that generally corresponds to the ball striking region 268) may include a first filler material 512 and a second filler material 514. The width 313 of the inner cavity 310 at the central portion 311 of the inner cavity 310 may be substantially greater than the width 313 of the inner cavity 310 at other portions of the inner cavity 310. Thus, the area of the cavity 310 behind the ball striking zone 268, i.e., the center portion 311, may include a relatively large volume of the first and/or second filler materials 512, 514. Further, the configuration (i.e., size, shape, contour, volume, etc.) of the central portion 311 may depend on the loft angle 545. For example, a golf club head 200 having a relatively small loft angle may have a larger central portion 311 (i.e., greater volume, depth, height, etc.) than a golf club head 200 having a relatively large loft angle. Accordingly, as described herein, the amount of the first filling material 512 and/or the second filling material 514 within the interior cavity 310, and more particularly, the center portion 311, may be determined based on the loft angle 545 to provide (i) vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., a stabilizing and/or pleasing sound and feel as perceived by a player using the golf club head 200 when the golf club head 200 strikes a golf ball); (ii) provide structural support to the face 262; 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 respect.

The contour of the inner cavity 310 or the shape of the inner wall 312 may be defined by a plurality of recesses, which may be recessed relative to the peripheral edge portion 261. In the example of fig. 2-13, the lumen 310 may include a first recess 314, a second recess 315 that may have a generally smaller depth than the first recess 314 (i.e., defined by a lumen width 313, as seen in the cross-sections of fig. 5-40), a third recess 316 that may have a generally smaller depth than the second recess 315, a fourth recess 317 that may have a generally smaller depth than the third recess 316, and a fifth recess 318 that may have a generally smaller depth than the fourth recess 317. The inner cavity 310 may have more or fewer recesses. The internal cavity 310 may include a first internal channel 325 that may extend from a location at the toe 240 to the central portion 311 and a second internal channel 326 that may extend from a location at the heel 250 to the central portion 311. First recess 314, second recess 315, third recess 316, fourth recess 317, fifth recess 318, first internal passage 325, second internal passage 326, and/or any transition region therebetween may be detailed in one or more of the incorporated by reference publications, particularly U.S. patent 10,632,349, which is incorporated by reference herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, as shown in fig. 2-13, first recess 314, second recess 315, third recess 316, and interior channels 325 and 326 may be filled with a first filler material 512, while the remainder of internal cavity 310 may be filled with a second filler material 514. In another example, first recess 314, second recess 315, and interior channels 325 and 326 may be filled with first filler material 512, while the remainder of internal cavity 310 may be filled with second filler material 514. In another example, first recess 314, second recess 315, internal channels 325 and 326, third recess 316, and fifth recess 318 may be filled with first filler material 512, while the remainder of internal cavity 310 may be filled with second filler material 514. In yet another example, the entire internal cavity 310 may be filled with the first filler material 512 or the first filler material. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Width 522 (W) of first fill material 512_F1) And a width 524 (W) of the second fill material 514_F2) May vary from toe 240 to heel 250 and/or from top 280 to bottom 290 based on its position within interior cavity 310 and/or may vary depending on the shape of first recess 314, second recess 315, third recess 316, fourth recess 317, and/or fifth recess 318. The width 522 of the first filler material 512 and the width 524 of the second filler material 514, which are related to the physical characteristics, ball and trajectory characteristics, and configuration (e.g., loft angle) of the golf club head 200, may be detailed in any publication incorporated by reference, particularly U.S. patent No. 10,632,349, which is incorporated herein by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, as shown in fig. 13, the rear surface 266 of the face 262 can include one or more grooves proximate a peripheral portion 267 of the face 262. In one example, as shown in fig. 13, the grooves 269 can be continuous grooves (i.e., defining a ring) extending in a similar line proximate to and similar to the line of the peripheral portion 267. Recess 269 may include a relatively thin portion of face 262. Accordingly, the grooves 269 may increase the flexibility of the face 262 such that the face 262 provides greater rebound (i.e., greater trampoline effect) when a golf ball impacts the face 262, and thus may allow the speed of the golf ball to be faster. All or a portion of the grooves 269 may be filled with the first and/or second filler materials 512, 514. In the example of the golf club head 200, all of the recesses 269 may be filled with the second filler material 514. Thus, the second filler material 514 may structurally support the relatively thin portion of the face 262 defined by the grooves 269. In another example, a plurality of individual grooves (not shown) may be provided on the rear surface 266 of the face 262 at locations proximate the peripheral portion 267 to provide some spring-back effect to the face 262. In yet another example, a continuous groove similar to groove 269 and/or a plurality of individual grooves (not shown) may be provided on the posterior surface 266 of the face 262 at locations between the peripheral portion 267 and the geometric center 263 to provide some spring-back effect to the face 262. The face of any of the golf club heads described herein may include grooves 269. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

As described herein, the face 262 may be relatively thin to increase the bending and deflection (deflection) of the face 262 during a golf shot. In addition, face 262 may include one or more recesses (e.g., recesses 269) on a posterior surface 266 of face 262 described herein to further increase the flexibility of face 262. The second filler material 514 may be a polymer material having a relatively high strength and rigidity to provide structural support and stability to the face 262 to prevent failure of the face 262 (i.e., facial fatigue) during a single golf shot or repeated golf shots. The second filler material 514 may be an epoxy type material, as described herein. The second filler material 514 may also have a relatively high COR as described herein to provide a rebound effect to the face 262 after a golf ball impact. As further described herein, the first filler material 512 may be a rubber-like compound having a lower strength and stiffness (i.e., softer or less rigid) than the second filler material 514 and a higher COR than the second filler material 514. Thus, the first filler material 512 may provide additional structural support to the face 262. In addition, the relatively high COR of the first filler material 512 may allow the first filler material 512 to store energy from a golf ball impact and release substantial energy back onto the golf ball (i.e., without losing too much impact energy) by providing a relatively large rebound effect to the face portion 262. Further, the different material properties of the first and second filler materials 512, 514 as described herein may provide sound and vibration attenuation at 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 respect.

Fig. 14 depicts one manner in which the golf club head 200, or any of the golf club heads described herein, may be manufactured. In the example of fig. 14, the process 1400 may begin by providing the body portion 210 and the face portion 262 of the golf club head 200 (block 1410). The first filler material 512 may be coupled to the inner cavity 310 (block 1420). In one example, the first filler material 512 may be injection molded into one or more recesses of the internal cavity 310 as described herein (i.e., any recess described herein). The first filler material 512 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 512. In another example, the first filler material 512 may be molded into the shape of the one or more recesses described herein and then coupled to the one or more recesses with an adhesive as described herein. The face portion 262 may then be attached to the body portion 210 as described herein to enclose the internal cavity 310 (block 1430). A second filler material 514 may then be injected into the inner cavity 310 through one or more of the first set of ports 320, the second set of ports 330, the third set of ports 340, and/or the fourth set of ports 350, which may be connected to the inner cavity 310 as described herein (block 1440). The second filler material 514 may then be cured at ambient temperature, or through one or more heating/cooling cycles, depending on the material used for the second filler material 514. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, as shown in fig. 15, a face 1562 (which may be any of the faces described herein) may have a first thickness 1510(T1) or a second thickness 1520 (T2). First thickness 1510 may be the thickness of the portion of face 1562 adjacent to groove 1568, while second thickness 1520 may be the thickness of the portion of face 1562 below groove 1568. For example, first thickness 1510 may be the maximum distance between front surface 1564 and back surface 1566. The second thickness 1520 may be based on the groove 1568. Specifically, the groove 1568 may have a groove depth 1525 (Dgroove). The second thickness 1520 may be the maximum distance between the bottom of the groove 1568 and the back surface 1566. The sum of second thickness 1520 and groove depth 1525 may be substantially equal to first thickness 1510 (e.g., T2+ Dgroove — T1). Accordingly, the second thickness 1520 may be less than the first thickness 1510 (e.g., T2< T1).

To lower and/or move the Center of Gravity (CG) of a golf club head further rearward, such as the CG of any of the golf club heads described herein, the mass at the front of the golf club head may be removed by using a relatively thinner face portion 1562. For example, the first thickness 1510 or the second thickness 1520 can be less than or equal to 0.1 inch (2.54 millimeters). In another example, the first thickness 1510 or the second thickness 1520 may be about 0.075 inches (1.875 millimeters) (e.g., T1 ═ 0.075 inches). Due to the support of the rear wall portion of the golf club head to form the interior cavity and to fill at least a portion of the interior cavity with one or more filler materials as described herein, the face portion 1562 may be relatively thin (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 1510 can be less than or equal to 0.060 inches (1.524 millimeters) (e.g., T1 ≦ 0.060 inches). In another example, the first thickness 1510 can be less than or equal to 0.040 inches (1.016 millimeters) (e.g., T1 ≦ 0.040 inches). Depending on the type of material used to form the face portion 1562 and/or the body portion 210, the face portion 1562 may be thinner such that the first thickness 1510 is less than or equal to 0.030 inches (0.762 millimeters) (e.g., T1 ≦ 0.030 inches). The groove depth 1525 may be greater than or equal to the second thickness 1520 (e.g., Dgroove ≧ T2). In one example, the groove depth 1525 may be approximately 0.020 inches (0.508 millimeters) (e.g., Dgroove ═ 0.020 inches). Accordingly, the second thickness 1520 may be about 0.010 inches (0.254 millimeters) (e.g., 0.010 inches for T2). In another example, the groove depth 1525 may be about 0.015 inches (0.381 millimeters) and the second thickness 1520 may be about 0.015 inches (e.g., 0.015 inches for Dgroove T2). Alternatively, the groove depth 1525 may be less than the second thickness 1520 (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 on the face of a golf ball. In contrast, a golf club head (e.g., a cavity-back golf club head) having a relatively thin face portion, but no rear wall portion and one or more supports for the filler material 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 respect.

The face portion 1562 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 1562 may also include a third thickness 1530 and a chamfered portion (chamfer portion) 1540. The third thickness 1530 may be greater than the first thickness 1510 or the second thickness 1520 (e.g., T3> T1> T2). In particular, the face portion 1562 may be coupled to the body portion of the golf club head through a fusion welding process. For example, the first thickness 1510 may be about 0.030 inches (0.762 millimeters), the second thickness 1520 may be about 0.015 inches (0.381 millimeters), and the third thickness 1530 may be about 0.050 inches (1.27 millimeters). Accordingly, when the face 1562 is welded to the body portion of the golf club head, the chamfered portion 1540 may accommodate some other material.

As shown in fig. 16, for example, the face 1562 may include a reinforcement, shown generally as reinforcement 1605, below one or more grooves 1568. In one example, the face 1562 may include a reinforcement 1605 below each groove. Alternatively, the face 1562 may include reinforcements 1605 under some grooves (e.g., every other groove) or under only one groove. The face 1562 may include a first thickness 1610, a second thickness 1620, a third thickness 1630, and a chamfered portion 1640. The groove 1568 may have a groove depth 1625. The reinforcement 1605 can define a second thickness 1620. First thickness 1610 and second thickness 1620 may be substantially equal to each other (e.g., T1 — T2). In one example, first thickness 1610 and second thickness 1620 may each be approximately 0.030 inches (0.762 millimeters) (e.g., T1-T2-0.030 inches). The groove depth 1625 may be about 0.015 inch (0.381 mm) and the third thickness 1630 may be about 0.050 inch (1.27 mm). The groove 1568 may also have a groove width. The width of the reinforcement 1605 can be greater than or equal to the groove width. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Alternatively, the thickness of the face portion 1562 may vary at and/or between the top and bottom of the golf club head. In one example, the face 1562 may be relatively thicker at or near the top than at or near the bottom (e.g., the thickness of the face 1562 may taper from top to bottom). In another example, the face 1562 may be relatively thicker at or near the bottom than at or near the top (e.g., the thickness of the face 1562 may taper from bottom to top). In yet another example, the face 1562 may be relatively thicker between the top and bottom than at or near the top and bottom (e.g., the thickness of the face 1562 may have a bell-shaped profile). Face 1562 may be similar to any face described in any publication incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

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.). In the example of fig. 17, one or more masses of any of the sets of masses described herein may have a cylindrical shape (e.g., a circular cross-section). Alternatively, one or more masses of any set of masses described herein may have a similar or different shape relative to one or more other masses of the set of masses. 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 characteristic than one or more masses of another set of masses described herein. The characteristics of any mass and any set of masses described herein can be similar to any mass and any set of masses described in any publication incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Referring to fig. 18 and 19, for example, first mass 1800 and second mass 1900 may include threads, generally indicated as threads 1810 and threads 1910, respectively, for engagement with correspondingly configured threads to secure within a port 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 port. For example, one or more of the masses of any of the sets 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 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 of any set of masses described herein. In another example, one or more of the masses of any of the sets described herein may be secured in the port with an epoxy or adhesive, making the masses less susceptible to removal. In yet another example, one or more masses of any of the sets of masses described herein may be secured in the port with 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 of the sets of masses described herein may be pressed into the port and stapled. In yet another example, one or more masses of any of the sets of masses described herein may be formed within the port 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 port. After the liquid material is cooled and/or solidified within the port, 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 respect.

As noted above, one or more of the masses of any of the sets 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 while the other mass portion may be made of a steel base material. In yet another example, as shown in fig. 17-19, one or more masses of any of the sets of masses described herein may have a diameter 1710 of about 0.25 inches (6.35 millimeters), but one or more masses of another set or sets of masses described herein may have a different height. In particular, one or more masses of any of the sets of masses described herein may be associated with a first height 1820 and one or more masses of another set or sets of masses described herein may be associated with a second height 1920. The first height 1820 may be relatively shorter than the second height 1920. In one example, the first height 1820 may be about 0.125 inches (3.175 millimeters) and the second height 1920 may be about 0.3 inches (7.62 millimeters). In another example, the first height 1820 may be about 0.16 inches (4.064 millimeters) and the second height 1920 may be about 0.4 inches (10.16 millimeters). Alternatively, the first height 1820 may be equal to or greater than the second height 1920. Although the above examples may describe particular dimensions, one or more masses described herein may have different dimensions. In one example, any of the masses described herein may be used interchangeably in any of the ports described herein. Any characteristic of any quality portion described herein may be similar to a corresponding characteristic of any quality portion described in any publication incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In the example of fig. 20-33, the golf club head 2000 may include a body portion 2010, the body portion 2010 having a toe 2040 with a toe edge 2042, a heel 2050 with a heel edge 2052 (which may include a hosel 2055, the hosel 2055 configured to receive a shaft having a grip at one end (see fig. 1 for example grip 106), and a golf club head 2000 at the other end (see fig. 1 for example shaft 104) to form a golf club (see fig. 1 for example golf club 100), a front portion 2060, a rear portion 2070 with a rear wall portion 2072, a top portion 2080 with a top edge 2082, and a bottom portion 2090 with a bottom edge 2092. The toe 2040, heel 2050, front 2060, back 2070, top 2080, and/or bottom 2090 may partially overlap one another. The toe edge 2042, heel edge 2052, top edge 2082, and bottom edge 2092 may define a periphery of the body portion 2010. The golf club head 2000 may be any of the types of golf club heads described herein, such as an iron-type golf club head or a wedge-type golf club head. The physical characteristics (e.g., volume, materials of construction, and mass portions) of the golf club head 2000 and/or any of its components may be similar in various respects to any of the golf club heads described herein and/or described in any of the publications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The golf club head 2000 may include a face portion 2062 (i.e., a ball striking face) that may be integrally formed (e.g., as a single, unitary piece) with the body portion 2010. In one example, as shown in fig. 20-33, front portion 2060 may include a front opening 2063. The face portion 2062 may be a separate component coupled (e.g., adhesively, mechanically, via welding, and/or via welding) to the front portion 2060 to close the front opening 2063. The face 2062 may include a front surface 2064 (having a plurality of grooves 2065) and a rear surface 2066. The construction of the face portion 2062 and the connection (e.g., welding) of the face portion 2062 to the body portion 2010 may be similar in various respects to the construction of the face portion 262 and the connection of the face portion 262 to the body portion 210 of the golf club head 200, respectively, or to the construction of the face portion and the body portion of any golf club head described herein or in any publication incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The golf club head 2000 may be associated with a ground plane 2110, a horizontal medial plane 2120, and a top plane 2130. In particular, the ground plane 2110 may be a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel to the ground and tangent to the lowest portion of the sole (port) edge 2092 when the golf club head 2000 is in a address position (e.g., the golf club head 2000 is aligned to strike a golf ball). The top plane 2130 may be a plane that is tangent to the uppermost portion of the top edge 2082 when the golf club head 2000 is in the address position. Ground plane 2110 and top plane 2130 may be parallel or substantially parallel to each other. Horizontal median plane 2120 may be located at a vertical midpoint between ground plane 2110 and top plane 2130. Additionally, the golf club head 2000 may be associated with a loft plane 2140 that defines a loft angle 2145(α) of the golf club head 2000. The face plane 2140 may be a plane that is tangent to the face 2062. The loft angle 2145 may be defined by the angle between the loft plane 2140 and a vertical plane 2150 perpendicular to the ground plane 2110. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The body portion 2010 may be a hollow body portion having a front opening 2063 and a rear opening 2073 in the rear wall portion 2072. Accordingly, the body portion 2010 may include an interior cavity 2020 having a front opening 2063 and a rear opening 2073. A face 2062 may be attached to the front portion 2060 to close the front opening 2063, as described herein. The body portion 2010 may include a rear cover portion 2272, the rear cover portion 2272 may be attached or coupled to the rear wall portion 2072 to cover and close the rear opening 2073, enclosing the interior cavity 2020 along with the face portion 2062 that closes the front opening 2063. Alternatively, body portion 2010 and face portion 2062 may be manufactured together and as a single, unitary piece. Accordingly, the rear cover portion 2272 may be attached to the rear wall portion 2072 to enclose the internal cavity 2020. The interior cavity 2020 may extend between the face portion 2062, the rear wall portion 2072 and the rear cover portion 2272, the top portion 2080, and the bottom portion 2090. The configuration (e.g., height, width, volume, shape, etc.) of the interior cavity 2020, the configuration of the interior cavity 2020 relative to the body portion 2010 (e.g., the volume of the interior cavity 2020 relative to the body portion 2010), the variation in the width and height of the interior cavity 2020, and the access to the interior cavity 2020 from one or more ports on the body portion 2010 may be similar to any golf club head described herein and/or described in any publication incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The rear wall portion 2072 may include edge portions (rim portions) 2074 at the rear opening 2073 around all or part of the rear opening 2073. In one example, the edge portion 2074 may surround all of the rear opening 2073. In another example, the edge portion 2074 may comprise one or more separate segments around the rear opening 2073. In another example, as shown in fig. 20-33, the edge portion 2074 may include one or more cut-out portions (cutout portions), such as a toe side cut-out portion 2620, a center cut-out portion 2630, and a heel side cut-out portion 2640, all of which may be located below the horizontal median plane 2120. The rear cover portion 2272 may include a rear cover peripheral portion 2274. When the rear cover portion 2272 is placed on the rear opening 2073 to close the rear opening 2073, the edge portion 2074 receives the rear cover peripheral portion 2274. The edge portion 2074 may be recessed with a recess depth relative to the portion of the rear wall portion 2072 surrounding the rear opening 2073. The rear cover portion 2272 may have a thickness similar or substantially similar (in view of manufacturing tolerances) to the recessed depth of the edge portion 2074. Thus, when placed and positioned in the edge portion 2074 and covering the rear opening 2073, the rear cover portion 2272 may be positioned flush or substantially flush with the portion of the rear wall portion 2072 surrounding the rear cover portion 2272. In another example, the rear cover 2272 may be raised relative to a portion of the rear wall 2072 proximate the rear cover 2272. In yet another example, the rear cover 2272 may be recessed relative to portions of the rear wall 2072 proximate the rear cover 2272. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The rear cover portion 2272 may define a portion of the rear wall portion 2072. Accordingly, the rear cover portion 2272 and portions of the rear wall portion 2072 surrounding the rear cover portion 2272 may define the rear wall portion 2072. In one example, the rear cover portion 2272 may define the entirety of the rear wall portion 2072. In another example, the rear cover portion 2272 may define 90% or more of the rear wall portion 2072. In another example, the rear cover portion 2272 may define 10% or more and 90% or less of the rear wall portion 2072. In another example, the rear cover portion 2272 may define 30% or more and 80% or less of the rear wall portion 2072. In another example, the rear cover portion 2272 may define 50% or more and 70% or less of the rear wall portion 2072. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example, the body portion 2010 may include a plurality of rear cover portions that may cover a single opening or a corresponding plurality of openings on the rear wall portion 2072. In another example, a larger portion of the rear cover 2272 may be closer to the toe edge 2042 than the heel edge 2052. In another example, a larger portion of the rear cover 2272 may be closer to the heel edge 2052 than the toe edge 2042. In another example, a larger portion of the rear cover portion 2272 may be closer to the top edge 2082 than the bottom edge 2092. In another example, a larger portion of the rear cover portion 2272 may be closer to the bottom edge 2092 than the top edge 2082. In another example, as shown in fig. 21 (see also fig. 35 and 52), a greater portion of the rear cover portion 2272 may be below the horizontal median plane 2120. In another example, 50% or more than 50% of the rear cover portion 2272 (as shown in fig. 21, 35, and 52) may be located below the horizontal median plane 2120. In another example, the entire rear cover 2272 may be located below the horizontal median plane 2120. In another example, 50% or more than 50% of the rear cover portion 2272 may be closer to the toe edge 2042 than the heel edge 2052. In another example, 50% or more than 50% of the rear cover portion 2272 may be closer to the heel edge 2052 than the toe edge 2042. In yet another example, 50% or more than 50% of the rear cover portion 2272 may be located above the horizontal median plane 2120. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, the rear cover portion 2272 may have a substantially uniform thickness. In another example, one or more portions of the rear cover portion 2272 may have a different thickness than one or more other portions of the rear cover portion 2272. The thickness or any thickness variation of the rear cover portion 2272 may be correlated to the mass distribution of the rear cover portion 2272. The thickness or any thickness variation of the rear cover portion 2272 may also be correlated to the structural characteristics (e.g., stiffness, strength, etc.) of the rear cover portion 2272. Accordingly, the thickness of the rear cover portion 2272 may be different at certain locations of the rear cover portion 2272 to provide certain mass distribution and/or structural characteristics to the rear cover portion 2272 and/or the golf club head 2000. In one example, 50% or more than 50% of the total mass of the rear cover portion 2272 may be located below the horizontal median plane 2120. In another example, 50% or more than 50% of the total mass of the rear cover portion 2272 may be closer to the toe edge 2042 than the heel edge 2052. In another example, 50% or more than 50% of the total mass of the rear cover portion 2272 may be closer to the heel edge 2052 than the toe edge 2042. In yet another example, 50% or more than 50% of the total mass of the rear cover portion 2272 may be located above the horizontal median plane 2120. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, the rear cover portion 2272 may be constructed of one or more materials, which may be similar to one or more materials of the body portion 2010 or different from one or more materials of the body portion 2010. In another example, the rear cover portion 2272 may be constructed of a material having a higher density than the material of the body portion 2010. Accordingly, the rear cover portion 2272 may position a greater portion of the mass of the body portion 2010 away from the face portion 2062 so as to move the Center of Gravity (CG) of the body portion 2010 further rearward. In yet another example, the rear cover portion 2272 may be constructed of a material having a lower density than the material of the body portion 2010. Thus, as detailed herein, one or more mass portions may be coupled to various locations on the body portion 2010, optimizing the CG and MOI of the golf club head 2000 while maintaining the overall weight of the golf club head within a particular weight range. In one example, the material of construction of the rear cover portion 2272 and the physical characteristics of the rear cover portion 2272 (e.g., the thickness of the rear cover portion 2272) may be determined to impart certain performance characteristics to the golf club head 2000. In one example, the rear cover portion 2272 may be constructed of any metal, metal alloy, or combination of metals (e.g., steel, aluminum or aluminum alloy, titanium or titanium alloy, tungsten or tungsten alloy, or magnesium alloy). In another example, the rear cover portion 2272 may be constructed of any type of composite material, such as a carbon fiber-based composite material. Rear cover 2272 may be formed of one or more layers of epoxy-reinforced carbon fibers that may be stacked in different fiber orientations for directional strength. Accordingly, the rear cover portion 2272 may be lighter than a correspondingly configured rear cover portion made of a metallic material, such as steel, while having similar or relatively greater strength. The weight that may be saved by using a rear cover portion 2272 made of a composite material or a material that is less dense than the material of the body portion 2010 may be strategically placed at one or more locations of the golf club head 2000 to optimize the CG location of the golf club head 2000 (e.g., lower the CG and move the CG farther rearward) and/or to optimize the moment of inertia of the golf club head 2000 (e.g., increase the moment of inertia). The rear cover portion 2272 may be constructed of other types of materials such as one or more polymeric materials, wood, or other composite materials such as fiberglass (fiberglass). The determination of the material of construction of the rear cover portion 2272 may provide the golf club head 2000 with a particular overall weight, weight distribution, swing characteristics, and/or structural characteristics. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, as shown in fig. 20-33, the rear wall portion 2072 may include an upper rear wall portion 2212, a lower rear wall portion 2214, and a landing portion 2216 defining a transition between the upper and lower rear wall portions 2212 and 2214. The stand portion 2216 may include a first stand portion 2226 and a second stand portion 2236. The first stage portion 2226 may extend from the toe edge 2042 to a third stage portion 2246 of the rear wall portion 2072 on the rear wall portion, which third stage portion 2246 may be at or near the center portion 2026 of the body portion 2010. The second ledge portion 2236 may extend from the third ledge portion 2246 to the heel edge 2052. The shelf portion 2216 may position the mass of the body portion 2010 further rearward and below the horizontal medial surface 2120 to respectively move the CG of the golf club head 2000 rearward and lower. The configuration (e.g., width, pitch, taper, shape, etc.) of the shelf portion 2216 and the characteristics of the shelf portion 2216 relative to the width of the interior cavity may be similar to any shelf portion or similar structure of any golf club head described herein and/or in any publication incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The body portion 2010 may include one or more ports that may be external ports and/or internal ports (e.g., located inside the body portion 2010). The interior wall of the lumen 2020 may include one or more ports (not shown). In one example, as shown in fig. 20-33, the rear cover 2272 may include a first set of ports 2320 (e.g., shown as ports 2321 and 2322), a second set of ports 2330 (e.g., shown as ports 2331), and a third set of ports 2340 (e.g., shown as ports 2341 and 2342). First set of ports 2320, second set of ports 2330, and/or third set of ports 2340 may include any number of ports. The location, spacing relative to other ports, and any other configuration of each port in the first set of ports 2320, the second set of ports 2330, and/or the third set of ports 2340 may be similar in various respects to any of the ports described herein or in any publication incorporated by reference. Additionally, any one or more of the first set of ports 2320, the second set of ports 2330, and/or the third set of ports 2340 may be connected to the interior cavity 2020 and one or more fill materials may be injected through the ports into the interior cavity 2020. In one example, as shown in fig. 20-33, port 2321 and port 2342 may be connected to lumen 2020 through openings 2361 and 2382, respectively, through which one or more filler materials may be injected into lumen 2020. Openings 2361 and 2382 may each have a smaller diameter than ports 2321 and 2342 to define internal port shoulders 2371 and 2391, respectively. Inner port shoulder 2371 and inner port shoulder 2391 may prevent any plug or mass from being inserted into the respective port to extend beyond inner port shoulder 2371 or inner port shoulder 2391 and into inner cavity 2020. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Each port of the first set of ports 2320 may be located in the first port region 2329 of the rear cover 2272. The distance from any port of the first set of ports 2320 to the toe edge 2042 may be less than the distance from any port of the first set of ports 2320 to the heel edge 2052 or the hosel 2055. Each port in the first set of ports 2320 may be separated by a distance less than the port diameter of any port in the first set of ports 2320. Each port of the second set of ports 2330 may be located in a second port zone 2339 of the rear cover portion 2272. The second port area 2339 may be located at or near the central portion 2026 of the body portion 2010. Each port of the third set of ports 2340 may be located in the third port region 2349 of the rear cover portion 2272. The distance from any port of the third set of ports 2340 to the toe edge 2042 may be greater than the distance from any port of the third set of ports 2340 to the heel edge 2052 or the hosel 2055. Each port of the third set of ports 2340 may be separated by a distance that is less than a port diameter of any port of the third set of ports 2340. Port regions 2329, 2339, and 2349 may be thicker sections, protrusions, and/or structural enhancements of rear cover 2272 to accommodate the structure and/or function of the individual ports of port groups 2320, 2330, and 2340, respectively. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, as shown in fig. 20-33, the second set of ports 2330 may include ports 2331, which may be larger in diameter than any of the first set of ports 2320 and/or the third set of ports 2340. The port 2331 may be located at or near the center portion 2026 of the body portion 2010, or near the third ledge portion 2246, and completely or at least partially below the horizontal median plane 2120. In one example, as shown in fig. 20-33, the port 2331 may be located below the horizontal median plane 2120 and below the third gantry portion 2246. In one example, the diameter of the port 2331 can be greater than or equal to 1.25 times the diameter of any of the first set of ports 2320 and the third set of ports 2340. In another example, the diameter of the port 2331 can be greater than or equal to twice the diameter of any of the first set of ports 2320 and the third set of ports 2340. In another example, the diameter of the port 2331 may be greater than or equal to 2.5 times the diameter of any of the first set of ports 2320 and the third set of ports 2340. In yet another example, the diameter of the port 2331 can be greater than or equal to 3.5 times the diameter of any of the first set of ports 2320 and the third set of ports 2340. In fig. 20-33, each of the first set of ports 2320, the second set of ports 2330, and the third set of ports 2340 is illustrated as cylindrical. In other examples (not shown), the port may have any shape. Thus, the relative sizes of the ports may be compared in any dimension, such as length, width, radius, diameter, distance between two boundaries, or any dimension corresponding to a particular geometry (e.g., major and minor axes of an elliptical port). The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The rear cover portion 2272 may be attached to the body portion 2010 by any method, such as using an adhesive, mechanical fastening or locking, welding (welding), and/or brazing (welding). To attach the rear cover portion 2272 to the body portion 2010, the rear cover portion 2272 may be placed over the rear opening 2073 such that the rear cover perimeter portion 2274 is positioned or seated atop a corresponding portion of the (sealed) edge portion 2074. The rear cover perimeter portion 2274 may directly contact the edge portion 2074, or be coupled to the edge portion 2074 via one or more adhesives or bonding agents, depending on the method used to attach the rear cover portion 2272 to the body portion 2010. In the set position, the first port region 2329 may extend through the toe side cutout region 2620 and into the internal cavity 2020, the second port region 2339 may extend through the central cutout region 2630 and into the internal cavity 2020, and the third port region 2349 may extend through the heel side cutout region 2640 and into the internal cavity 2020. In one example, one or more adhesives or bonding agents may be used to attach the rear cover portion 2272 to the body portion 2010, regardless of the type of material from which the rear cover portion 2272 is constructed. For example, the rear cover portion 2272 constructed of a carbon composite material may be attached to the body portion 2010 with one or more adhesives or bonding agents. Thus, one or more adhesives may be applied to the back cover perimeter 2274, the edge portion 2074, or both. In another example, the rear cover portion 2272 composed of a metal or metal alloy may be attached to the body portion 2010 by welding. Accordingly, the rear cover portion 2272 and the body portion 2010 may be fusion welded together at one or more gaps between the rear cover portion 2272 and the portion of the rear wall portion 2072 surrounding the rear cover portion 2272. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The body portion 2010 may include one or more mass portions (e.g., weighted portions) that may be integral with the body portion 2010 or may be separate mass portions that may be coupled to the body portion 2010. In the example of fig. 20-33, the body portion 2010 may include a first set of masses 2520 (e.g., illustrated as masses 2521 and 2522), a second set of masses 2530 (e.g., illustrated as masses 2531), and a third set of masses 2540 (e.g., illustrated as masses 2541 and 2542). Each mass of the first set of masses 2520 and the third set of masses 2540 can be similar to any mass described in any publication described herein or incorporated by reference. For example, each mass of the first and third sets of masses 2520 and 2540 may be similar to the mass 180 of fig. 18, 1900 of fig. 19, or 4200 of fig. 42 herein. In the example of fig. 20-33, the second set of masses 2530 can include masses 2531, which can have a greater mass than any of the first and third sets of masses 2520 and 2540. The mass 2531 can be similar to the mass 4400 of fig. 44 herein. Port 2331 can be configured to receive mass 2531, which can be inserted and secured into port 2331 by any of the methods described herein. In one example, as shown in fig. 20-33, each port of the first set of ports 2320, the second set of ports 2330, and the third set of ports 2340 can have a threaded inner wall to engage a threaded outer wall of a corresponding mass of the first set of masses 2520, the second set of masses 2530, and the third set of masses 2540, respectively, to enclose the ports and to enclose any openings in the ports that can connect to the interior cavity 2020, similar to coupling and/or engaging any of the masses and ports described in any of the publications described herein or incorporated by reference. Thus, for example, the dimensions of each of the first, second, and third sets of ports 2320, 2330, and 2340, and the dimensions of each of the first, second, and third sets of masses 2520, 2530, and 2540 may be determined such that each of the first, second, and/or third sets of masses 2520, 2530, and 2540 is in a flush (as shown in the examples of fig. 20-33), protruding, or recessed configuration relative to the outer surface of the rear cover 2272. Thus, each mass may be secured in the respective port by being screwed into the port as shown in fig. 33-50, or alternatively press fit, secured with an adhesive, welded, or a combination thereof. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, the total mass of the mass 2531 may be greater than the total mass of any individual mass of the first set of masses 2520 or any individual mass of the third set of masses 2540. In another example, the total mass of the masses 2531 may be greater than or equal to the total mass of the first set of masses 2520 and/or greater than or equal to the total mass of the third set of masses 2540. In yet another example, the total mass of the mass 2531 may be greater than or equal to the total mass of the first and third sets of masses 2520 and 2540. The determination of the total mass of the mass portion 2531 may provide certain performance characteristics to the golf club head 2000. In one example, the mass portion 2531 can have a total mass greater than or equal to 2 grams and less than or equal to 25 grams. In another example, the mass portion 2531 can have a total mass greater than or equal to 4 grams and less than or equal to 12 grams. In another example, the mass portion 2531 may have a total mass greater than or equal to 6 grams and less than or equal to 10 grams. In another example, the mass portion 2531 may have a total mass greater than or equal to 7 grams and less than or equal to 9 grams. The diameter of mass 2531 may be determined based on one or more characteristics of the material of construction of mass 2531 (e.g., material density). In one example, the mass 2531 can have a diameter greater than or equal to 0.2 inches (5.08mm) and less than or equal to 1.0 inches (25.4 mm). In another example, the mass 2531 may have a diameter greater than or equal to 0.4 inches (10.16mm) and less than or equal to 0.8 inches (20.32 mm). In yet another example, the mass 2531 may have a diameter greater than or equal to 0.5 inches (12.7mm) and less than or equal to 0.7 inches (17.78 mm). The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The interior cavity 2020 may be partially or completely filled with one or more fill materials (i.e., cavity fill materials), which may include one or more similar or different types of materials. Any of the one or more filler materials may be injected (e.g., injection molded) into the interior cavity 2020, or prefabricated and inserted into the interior cavity 2020, as with any of the golf club heads described herein with respect to the golf club head 200 or described in any of the publications incorporated by reference. In one example, as shown in fig. 20-33, the cavity 2020 may be filled with a first filler material 2022 and a second filler material 2024. In one example, the first and second filler materials 2022 and 2024 may be similar to the first and second filler materials 512 and 514, respectively, of the golf club head 200. In another example, the first filler material 2022 and the second filler material 2024 may be similar to the second filler material 514 and the first filler material 512, respectively, of the golf club head 200. The amount (i.e., volume and/or mass) of the first filler material 2022 may be determined for each golf club head (i.e., with a certain loft angle) to (i) provide vibration attenuation or sound attenuation (e.g., the steady and/or pleasant sound and feel perceived by a player using the golf club head 2000 when the golf club head 2000 strikes a golf ball); (ii) providing structural support to the face 2062; 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 respect.

In one example, after the rear cover portion 2272 is attached to the body portion 2010, the first and second filler materials 2022 and 2024 may be injected into the internal cavity 2020 from either or both of the ports 2321 and 2342. In another example, the second filler material 2024 may be preformed and placed within the interior cavity 2020 before the rear cover portion 2272 is attached to the body portion 2010. Then, after the rear cover portion 2272 is attached to the body portion 2010, the first filler material 2022 may be injected into the cavity 2020 from either or both of the ports 2321 and 2342. In another example, the first and second filler materials 2022, 2024 may be preformed and placed in the interior cavity 2020 before the rear cover portion 2272 is attached to the body portion 2010. In yet another example, the cavity 2020 may be filled with only one filler material (either injection molded into the cavity 2020 or preformed and placed into the cavity 2020), which may be the first filler material 2022, the second filler material 2024, or another filler material. In one example, the first filler material 2022 and/or the second filler material 2024 may be attached to the body portion 2010 using one or more adhesives or bonding agents. In another example, the first filler material 2022 and/or the second filler material 2024 may be inherently tacky, such that a separate adhesive or bonding agent may not be required. In yet another example, the first filler material 2022 and/or the second filler material 2024 may be in the interior cavity 2020 without the use of any adhesives or bonding agents. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In the example of fig. 34-50, the golf club head 3400 may include a body portion 3410 having a toe portion 3440 with a toe edge 3442, a heel portion 3450 with a heel edge 3452 (which may include a hosel portion 3455, the hosel portion 3455 being configured to receive a shaft with a grip at one end (see fig. 1 for example grip 106), and the golf club head 3400 at the other end (see fig. 1 for example shaft 104) to form a golf club (see fig. 1 for example golf club 100), a front portion 3460, a rear portion 3470 with a rear wall portion 3472, a top portion 3480 with a top edge 3482, and a bottom portion 3490 with a bottom edge 3492. The golf club head 3400 may include a face portion 3462 that couples with the front opening 3463 of the front portion 3460 to close the front opening 3463. The face portion 3462 may include a front surface 3464 (having a plurality of grooves 3465) and a rear surface 3466. The golf club head 3400 may be associated with a ground plane 3510, a horizontal midplane 3520, and a top plane 3530, a face plane 3540, a loft angle 3545 (a), and a vertical plane 3550. The body portion 3410 may be a hollow body portion having a front opening 3463 and a rear opening 3473 in the rear wall portion 3472. Accordingly, the body portion 3410 may include a through-hole defining an interior cavity 3420 having an anterior opening 3463 and a posterior opening 3473. As described herein, the face portion 3462 may be attached to the front portion 3460 to close the front opening 3463. The body portion 3410 may include a rear cap portion 3672, and the rear cap portion 3672 may be attached to the rear wall portion 3472 to cover and close the rear opening 3473, enclosing the internal cavity 3420 along with the face portion 3462 closing the front opening 3463. The above-described components and features of golf club head 3400 may be similar in many respects to golf club head 2000. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The rear wall portion 3472 including the rear cover portion 3672 may be similar in various respects to the rear wall portion 2072 and the rear cover portion 2272 of the golf club head 2000, respectively. Accordingly, the rear wall portion 3472 may include an upper rear wall portion 3612, a lower rear wall portion 3614, and a shelf portion 3616 with a first shelf portion 3626, a second shelf portion 3636, and a third shelf portion 3646, which may be similar in many respects to the same portions of the golf club head 2000. As shown in fig. 34-50, the rear wall portion 3472 may include an edge portion 3474, a toe side cutout portion 4120, a central cutout portion 4130, and a heel side cutout portion 4140. In one example, as shown in fig. 34-50, rear wall portion 3472 may include a slot 3479 on an inner surface of rear wall portion 3472 that may extend from an upper perimeter of rear opening 3473 toward top edge 3482. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Body portion 3410 may include one or more ports, which may be external ports and/or internal ports. The interior wall of the lumen 2020 may include one or more ports. In one example, as shown in fig. 34-50, rear cover portion 3672 may be similar in many respects to rear cover portion 2272 of golf club head 2000. Thus, the rear cover portion 3672 may include a first port area 3729 (which may include a first set of ports 3720 (e.g., illustrated as ports 3721 and 3722), a second port area 3739 (which may include a second set of ports 3730 (e.g., illustrated as ports 3731)) and a third port area 3749 (which may include a third set of ports 3740 (e.g., illustrated as ports 3741 and 3742)). the port areas 3729, 3739 and 3749 may have similar configurations to the port areas 2329, 2339 and 2349, respectively, of the golf club head 2000 described herein-a portion of the rear cover portion 3672 at or near the perimeter of the rear cover portion 3672 may define a rear cover perimeter portion 3674-in one example, as shown in fig. 34-50, the rear cover portion 3672 may include a rear cover tongue portion (k cover tab ion)3679 at an upper perimeter of the rear cover portion 3672-the rear cover tab 3679 may also include a rear cover tab portion 3679 (e.g., a rear cover portion 3679) that may also include a rear cover tab portion 3679 (e.g., a rear cover portion 342) that may also include a rear cover tab portion 3679 tab offset)3680, which may be perpendicular or transverse to back cover tab 3679 to define an L-shaped flange portion (flight port) with back cover tab 3679. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, one or more ports of the first set of ports 3720 and/or the third set of ports 3740 can be connected to the lumen 3420, and one or more filler materials can be injected into the lumen 3420 through these ports. In one example, as shown in fig. 34-50, the ports 3721, 3722, 3741, and 3742 can include openings 4721, 4722, 4741, and 4742, respectively, at their bottom portions that can connect with the internal cavity 3420 when the rear cover portion 3672 is coupled to the body portion 3410 as described herein. Each of the openings 4721, 4722, 4741, and 4742 may have a diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the respective port 3721, 3722, 3741, and 3742 to define a port shoulder 4821, 4822, 4841, and 4842, respectively. In one example, as shown in fig. 34-50, the diameter of ports 3721 and 3742 may be smaller than the diameter of adjacent ports 3722 and 3741, respectively, such that ports 3721 and 3742 are configured to receive a mass having a different configuration than the mass received by ports 3722 and 3741, as described herein. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 49, the first port region 3729 may increase in size in a direction from the toe 3440 to the heel 3450, while the third port region 3749 may increase in size in a direction from the heel 3450 to the toe 3440. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The body portion 3410 can include one or more masses (e.g., one or more weights), which can be one or more integral masses or one or more separate masses, which can be coupled to the body portion 3410. In the example of fig. 34-50, the body portion 3410 can include a first set of mass portions 3820 (e.g., illustrated as mass portions 3821 and 3822), a second set of mass portions 3830 (e.g., illustrated as mass portions 3831), and a third set of mass portions 3840 (e.g., illustrated as mass portions 3841 and 3842). The masses 3821 and 3842 may be similar in many respects to the masses 2521, 2522, 2541, and 2542 of the golf club head 2000. The mass portion 3831 may be similar in many respects to the mass portion 2531 of the golf club head 2000. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 34-50, the second set of masses 3830 may include a single mass 3831, which may have a greater mass than any of the first set of masses 3820 and any of the third set of masses 3840. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, as shown in fig. 42-44, each mass portion of the first, second, and third sets of mass portions 3820, 3830, 3840 may be associated with three types of mass portions. In one example, as shown in fig. 42, the first type of mass can be a first plug-type mass 4200, which can include a head portion 4202 (which can be threaded) and a shaft portion 4204. The head 4202 may include a tool receiving top 4206 for operating the first plug mass 4200. The first plug mass 4200 may be used to close a correspondingly configured port on the body portion 3410 and/or may provide a strategic weight placement on the body portion to optimize the mass, CG (center of gravity) position, and MOI (moment of inertia) of the golf club head. As shown in fig. 43, the second type of mass portion may be a fastener type mass portion 4300, which may include a head portion 4402 and a shaft portion 4404 (which may be threaded). The head 4302 may include a tool receiving tip 4306 for operating the fastener-type mass 4300. The fastener-type mass 4300 may be used to close correspondingly configured ports on the body portion 3410, may provide strategic weight placement on the body portion to optimize the mass, CG location, and MOI of the golf club head, and/or may provide the fastener function described herein. As shown in fig. 44, the third type of mass portion can be a second plug mass portion 4400, which can include a head portion 4402 (which can be threaded) and a shaft portion 4404. The head portion 4402 may include a tool receiving top portion 4406 for operating the second plug quality portion 4400. The second plug mass portion 4400 may be used to close correspondingly configured ports on the body portion 3410 and/or provide strategic weight placement for optimizing the mass, CG location and MOI of the golf club head. In one example, as shown in fig. 44, the second plug mass 4400 may have a diameter much larger than the length to resemble a disk-shaped mass. The second plug mass 4400 may have a larger diameter than the fastener mass 4300 and the first plug mass 4200. As described herein, in one example, the ports 3721 and 3742 can have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the ports 3722 and 3741 and are configured to receive the first plug mass 4200. Thus, as shown in fig. 34-50, ports 3721 and 3742 can be configured to receive the first plug-type mass 4200, ports 3722 and 3741 can be configured to receive the fastener-type mass 4300, and port 3731 can be configured to receive the second plug-type mass 4400. In another example, the ports 3721, 3722, 3741, and 3742 may be similar in diameter and configured to receive either of the mass portions 4200 or 4300. Therefore, the mass portions 4200 and 4300 may have the same outer diameter. The mass of each of the first, second, and third sets of masses 3820, 3830, and 3840, and the total mass of the first, second, and third sets of masses 3820, 3830, and 3840 relative to each other may be similar in various respects to the individual, total, and relative masses of the first, second, and third sets of masses 2520, 2530, and 2540, respectively, of the golf club head 2000. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

As shown in fig. 34-50, each of the ports 3721 and 3742 can be configured to receive one of the first plug masses 4200. In one example, the inner walls of the ports 3721 and 3742 can be threaded to receive the threaded head 4202 of the first plug mass 4200. The diameters of the openings 4721 and 4742 can be smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 4204 of the first plug mass portion 4200. Thus, first plug mass 4200 may be threaded into port 3721 or port 3742 until the bottom of shaft portion 4204 abuts shoulder 4821 or 4842, respectively, to prevent further insertion of first plug mass 4200 into port 3721 or port 3742. Each of the ports 3722 and 3741 may be configured to receive one fastener-type mass portion 4300. In one example, the inner walls of the ports 3722 and 3741 may be unthreaded to receive the head 4302 of the fastener-type mass 4300. The diameter of the openings 4722 and 4741 may be less than the diameter of the head portion 4302 but greater than the diameter of the shaft portion 4304 of the fastener-type mass portion 4300. Thus, the shaft 4304 may be inserted through the opening 4722 or 4741, with further insertion being prevented by the head 4302 engaging the shoulder 4822 or 4841, respectively. The port 3731 may be configured to receive the second plug mass 4400. In one example, an inner wall of the port 3731 can be threaded to receive the threaded head 3984 of the second plug mass 4400. Thus, the second plug mass portion 4400 may be threaded into the port 3731 until the bottom of the shaft portion 4404 abuts the bottom of the port 3731. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, as shown in fig. 34-50, the body portion 3410 can include a first flange portion 4620 and a second flange portion 4640 that can extend into the internal cavity 3420 from a location proximate the bottom edge 3492. The first flange portion 4620 may be located at or near the toe side cutout portion 4120. The first flange portion 4620 may include a threaded aperture 4622, the threaded aperture 4622 may be axially aligned with the opening 4722 of the port 3722 when the rear cover portion 3672 is seated or placed over the rim portion 3474 as described herein. The second flange portion 4640 may be located at or near the heel side cutout portion 4140. The second flange portion 4640 may include a threaded aperture 4641, the threaded aperture 4641 may be axially aligned with the opening 4741 of the port 3741 when the rear cover portion 3672 is seated or placed over the rim portion 3474 as described herein. Each of the threaded holes 4622 and 4641 is configured to receive the shaft portion 4304 of the fastener-type mass portion 4300. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, to attach rear cap portion 3672 to body portion 3410, rear cap tab 3679 may be inserted into interior cavity 3420 from rear opening 3473 and aligned with slot 3479. Accordingly, back flap tab 3679 may be positioned between slot 3479 and front portion 3460. In one example, slot 3479 may simply define a portion of the inner surface of rear wall portion 3472 that receives or contacts rear lid tab 3679. In another example, as shown in fig. 34-50, slot 3479 may be defined by a recess in the inner surface of rear wall portion 3472 that is configured to receive rear lid tab 3679. The edge portion 3474 may include an upper cutout portion 3475 that may provide visual alignment of the rear cover tab 3679 relative to the slot 3479 when the rear cover portion 3672 is attached to the body portion 3410, the rear cover tab 3679 is positioned in the slot 3479, and/or the tab side branch 3680 is received such that the rear cover portion 3672 is properly positioned over the rear opening 3473 and seated on the edge portion 3474 as described herein. After the back cap tab 3679 is aligned with respect to the slot 3479, the back cap portion 3672 may be placed on the body portion 3410 such that the back cap peripheral portion 3674 engages the edge portion 3474. As the rear lid portion 3672 moves toward the rear wall portion 3472, the rear lid tab portion 3679 may fully engage the slot 3479 and the rear lid peripheral portion 3674 may engage the edge portion 3474 to close the rear opening 3473. As shown in fig. 34-50, the first and third port regions 3729, 3749 may extend into the toe-side notch portion 4120 and the heel-side notch portion 4140 and engage or be located proximate to the first flange portion 4620 and the second scaffold portion 4640, respectively. The opening 4722 of the port 3722 and the opening 4741 of the port 3741 may then be axially aligned with the threaded bore 4622 and the threaded bore 4641, respectively. The shaft portions 4304 of the fastener-type mass portions 4300 may then be inserted through the openings 4722 and 4741 and screwed into the threaded holes 4622 and 4641 to secure the rear cover portion 3672 to the body portion 3410. Thus, an upper portion of rear cap portion 3672 may be secured to body portion 3410 by rear cap tab portions 3679 positioned in slots 3479 and/or engaged with slots 3479, a lower portion of rear cap portion 3672 may be secured to body portion 3410 by two fastener-type mass portions 4300 securing rear cap portion 3672 to first and second flange portions 4620 and 4640. In another example, the attachment of the back cover portion 3672 to the body portion 3410 with the back cover tab portion 3679 and the fastener-type mass 4300 may be further strengthened with an adhesive or bonding agent applied between the back cover perimeter portion 3674 and the edge portion 3474. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, the internal cavity 3420 can be partially or completely filled with one or more fill materials (i.e., cavity fill materials), which can include one or more similar or different types of materials. In one example, as shown in fig. 34-50, the internal cavity 3420 can be filled with a filling material 3422. The lumen 3420 may be filled from any one or more of the first set of ports 3720 or the third set of ports 3740. In one example, as shown in fig. 34-50, the lumen 3420 may be filled with a filler material 3422 from any one or combination of openings 4721, 4722, 4741 or 4742 of ports 3721, 3722, 3741 or 3742, respectively. Any one or combination of openings 4721, 4722, 4741, or 4742 not used to inject the filler material 3422 may be used to vent air from within the interior cavity 3420 such that the air is replaced by the filler material 3422. Openings 4721, 4722, 4741, and 4742 may then be closed by mass portions 3821, 3822, 3841, and 3842 inserted into ports 3721, 3722, 3741, and 3742, respectively, to close the ports, as described herein. In another example, the filler material 3422 may be a pre-formed or pre-fabricated filler material that may be placed in the interior cavity 3420 prior to securing the rear cap portion 3672 to the body portion 3410. In another example, the lumen 3420 may be filled with two or more filler materials having similar or different physical properties, as described herein or in any publication incorporated by reference. The one or more filler materials in the lumen 3420 may be any type of one or more filler materials described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In the example of fig. 51-64, the golf club head 5100 may include a body portion 5110 having a toe portion 5140 with a toe edge 5142, a heel portion 5150 with a heel edge 5152 (which may include a hosel portion 5155, the hosel portion 5155 configured to receive a shaft (see fig. 1 for example shaft 104) having a grip at one end (see fig. 1 for example grip 106) and a golf club head 5100 at the other end to form a golf club (see fig. 1 for example golf club 100), a front portion 5160, a rear portion 5170 with a rear wall portion 5172, a top portion 5180 with a top edge 5182, and a bottom portion 5190 with a bottom edge 5192. The golf club head 5100 may include a face 5162 connected to the front opening 5163 of the front portion 5160 to close the front opening 5163, a front face 5164 (having a plurality of grooves 5165), and a rear face 5166. The golf club head 5100 may be associated with a ground plane 5210, a horizontal midplane 5220, and a top plane 5230, a face plane 5240, a loft angle 5245(α), and a vertical plane 5250. The body portion 5110 may be a hollow body portion having a front opening 5163 and a rear opening 5173 located in the rear wall portion 5172. Accordingly, the body portion 5110 may include a through-hole defining an inner cavity 5120 having a front opening 5163 and a rear opening 5173. As described herein, the face 5162 can be attached to the front 5160 to close the front opening 5163. The body portion 5110 may include a rear cover portion 5372, and the rear cover portion 5372 may be attached to the rear wall portion 5172 to cover and close the rear opening 5173, which together with the face portion 5162 closing the front opening 5163 encloses the inner cavity 5120. The golf club head 5100 may be similar in various respects to the golf club heads 2000 and 3400, any of the golf club heads described herein and/or in any of the publications incorporated by reference. The above-described components and features of the golf club head 5100 may be similar in many respects to the golf club heads 2000 and 3400. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Rear wall portion 5172 may include a rear cover portion 5372 that is similar in many respects to rear wall portion 3472 and rear cover portion 3672 of golf club head 3400. Thus, the rear wall portion 5172 can include an upper rear wall portion 5312, a lower rear wall portion 5314, and a shelf portion 5316 (with a first shelf portion 5326, a second shelf portion 5336, and a third shelf portion 5346), which can be similar in many respects to the same portions of the golf club head 3400. As shown in fig. 51-64, the rear wall portion 5172 may include a rim portion 5174, a toe side cutout portion 5820, a center cutout portion 5830, and a heel side cutout portion 5840, and a slot 5179 on an inner surface of the rear wall portion 5172, which may be similar in many respects to the same portions of the golf club head 3400. In one example, as shown in fig. 51-64, the rear cover portion 5372 may be similar in many respects to the rear cover portion 3672 of the golf club head 3400. Accordingly, the rear cover part 5372 may include: a first port region 5429, which may include a first set of ports 5420 (e.g., illustrated as ports 5421 and 5422), a second port region 5439, which may include a second set of ports 5430 (e.g., illustrated as ports 5431), and a third port region 5449, which may include a third set of ports 5440 (e.g., illustrated as ports 5441 and 5442), a back cover peripheral portion 5374, a back cover tab portion 5379, and a tab side branch 5380, all of which may be similar in various respects to corresponding portions of the back cover portion 3672 of the golf club head 3400. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, one or more of the first set of ports 5420, the second set of ports 5430, and/or the third set of ports 5440 can be connected to the inner cavity 5120 through which one or more fill materials can be injected into the inner cavity 5120. In one example, as shown in fig. 51-64, the ports 5421, 5422, 5441, and 5442 may have similar inner diameters and include openings 6121, 6122, 6141, and 6142 (with a smaller opening diameter at their bottom to define port shoulders 6221, 6222, 6241, and 6242, respectively). The port 5431 may be a through hole (i.e., connected to the inner cavity 5120) having a constant or substantially constant (taking into account manufacturing tolerances) inner diameter. Thus, in the example of fig. 51-64, all of the ports 5421, 5422, 5431, 5441, and 5442 can be connected to the inner cavity 5120 and can be used to inject one or more fill materials (e.g., fill material 5122) into the inner cavity 5120 and/or act as vents as described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The body portion 5110 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 5110. In the example of fig. 51-64, body portion 5110 may include a first set of mass portions 5520 (e.g., illustrated as mass portions 5521 and 5522), a second set of mass portions 5530 (e.g., illustrated as mass portions 5531), and a third set of mass portions 5540 (e.g., illustrated as mass portions 5541 and 5542). The mass portions 5521, 5522, 5541, and 5542 may be fastener-type mass portions 4300. Thus, the inner walls of the ports 5421, 5422, 5441, and 5442 may be unthreaded to receive the head 4302 of the fastener-type mass portion 4300. The diameter of the openings 6121, 6122, 6141, and 6142 may be less than the diameter of the head portion 4302, but greater than the diameter of the shaft portion 4304 of the fastener-type mass portion 4300. Accordingly, the shaft portion 4304 may be inserted through the openings 6121, 6122, 6141, and 6142, with further insertion being prevented by engagement of the head portion 4302 with the port shoulders 6221, 6222, 6241, and 6242, respectively. The mass portion 5531 may be the second plug mass portion 4400. Accordingly, port 5431 can be configured to receive head portion 4402 of second plug mass portion 4400. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, as shown in fig. 51-64, the body portion 5110 can include a first flange portion 6020, a second flange portion 6040, and a third flange portion 6060 that can extend into the inner cavity 5120 from a location proximate the bottom edge 5192. The first flange portion 6020 may be located at or near the toe-side cutout portion 5820. The first flange portion 6020 may include a first flange portion first hole 6021 and a first flange portion second hole 6022, both of which may be threaded through holes that may be axially aligned with the openings 6121 and 6122 of the ports 5421 and 5422, respectively, when the rear cover portion 5372 is seated or positioned on the rim portion 5174 as described herein. The second flange portion 6040 may be located at or near the heel side cutout portion 5840. The second flange portion 6040 may include a second flange portion first aperture 6041 and a second flange portion second aperture 6042, both of which may be threaded through-holes that may be axially aligned with the openings 6141 and 6142 of the ports 5441 and 5442, respectively, when the rear cover portion 5372 is seated or placed over the rim portion 5174 as described herein. Each of the holes 6021, 6022, 6041, and 6042 may be configured to receive the shaft portion 4304 of the fastener-type mass portion 4300. The third flange portion 6060 may be located at or near the central cutout portion 5830 and include a third flange portion aperture 6061, which may be a blind threaded aperture that may be axially aligned with the port 5431 when the rear cover portion 5372 is seated or placed on the rim portion 5174 as described herein. The third flange portion bore 6061 may be configured to receive the head portion 4402 of the second plug mass portion 4400. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, to attach the rear cap portion 5372 to the body portion 5110, the rear cap tab portion 5379 can be inserted into the inner cavity 5120 from the rear opening 5173 and aligned with the slot 5179. Thus, the rear cover tab portion 5379 can be positioned between the slot 5179 and the front portion 5160. In one example, slot 5179 may simply define a portion on the inner surface of rear wall portion 5172 that receives or contacts rear cover tab portion 5379. In another example, as shown in fig. 51-64, slot 5179 can be defined by a recess in the inner surface of rear wall portion 5172 that is configured to receive rear cover tab portion 5379. The rim portion 5174 can include an upper cutout portion 5175 that can provide visual alignment of the rear cover tab portion 5379 relative to the slot 5179 when the rear cover portion 5372 is attached to the body portion 5110, the rear cover tab portion 5379 is placed in the slot 5179, and/or the tab side branch 5380 is received such that the rear cover portion 5372 is properly positioned over the rear opening 5173. After the rear cover tab portions 5379 are aligned with respect to the slots 5179, the rear cover portion 5372 can be placed on the body portion 5110 such that the rear cover peripheral portion 5374 engages the rim portion 5174. As the rear cover portion 5372 moves toward the rear wall portion 5172, the rear cover tab portion 5379 can fully engage the slot 5179, while the rear cover peripheral portion 5374 can engage or couple with the rim portion 5174 to close the rear opening 5173. As shown in fig. 51-64, the first port region 5429 and the third port region 5449 may extend into the toe-side cutout 5820 and the heel-side cutout 5840 and engage or be positioned proximate to the first flange portion 6020 and the second flange portion 6040, respectively. The openings 6121 and 6122 of the ports 5421 and 5422, the opening 6131 of the port 5431, and the openings 6141 and 6142 of the ports 5441 and 5442 may be axially aligned with the bores 6021, 6022, 6061, 6041, and 6042, respectively. The shaft portion 4304 of the fastener-type mass portion 4300 may then be inserted through the openings 6121, 6122, 6141, and 6142 and screwed into the holes 6021, 6022, 6041, and 6042 to secure the rear cover portion 5372 to the body portion 5110. The head portion 4402 of the second plug mass portion 4400 can be threaded into the bore 6061 to secure the second plug mass portion 4400 into the port 5431 and to the body portion 5110. The second plug mass portion 4400 may be threaded into the bore 6061 until the shaft portion 4404 engages the bottom of the bore 6062. Thus, an upper portion of the rear cap portion 5372 may be secured to the body portion 5110 by rear cap tab portions 5379 positioned in and/or engaging slots 5179, a lower portion of the rear cap portion 5372 may be secured to the body portion 5110 by four fastener-type mass portions 4300 securing the rear cap portion 5372 to the first and second flange portions 6020 and 6040. In another example, the attachment of the rear cover portion 5372 to the body portion 5110 with the rear cover tab portion 5379 and the fastener-type mass portion 4300 may be further reinforced with an adhesive or bonding agent applied between the rear cover peripheral portion 5374 and the rim portion 5174. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, the inner cavity 5120 can be partially or completely filled with one or more fill materials (i.e., cavity fill materials), which can include one or more similar or different types of materials. In one example, as shown in fig. 51-64, the inner cavity 5120 can be filled with a filler material 5122. The inner cavity 5120 can be filled from any one or combination of the first set of ports 5420, the second set of ports 5430, and the third set of ports 5440. In one example, as shown in fig. 51-64, the lumen 5120 can be filled with a filler material 5122 from any one or combination of the openings 6121, 6122, 6131, 6141, or 6142 of the ports 5421, 5422, 5431, 5441, or 5421, respectively. Any one or combination of the openings 6121, 6122, 6131, 6141, or 6142 not used to inject the filler material 5122 can be used to vent air from inside the inner cavity 5120, which is displaced by the filler material 5122. The openings 6121, 6122, 6131, 6141, and 6142 may then be closed by the mass 5521, 5522, 5531, 5541, and 5542 being inserted into the ports 5421, 5422, 5431, 544, and 544, respectively, to close the ports, as described herein. In another example, the filler material 5122 can be a pre-formed or pre-fabricated filler material that can be placed into the inner cavity 5120 prior to securing the rear cap portion 5372 to the body portion 5110. In another example, inner cavity 5120 can be filled with two or more fillers having similar or different physical properties, as described herein or in any publication incorporated by reference. The filler material in the inner cavity 5120 can be any of the types of filler materials described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, any one or more of the masses described herein may be constructed from a material having a density less than the density of the golf club head material. For example, for a golf club head constructed from steel, any one or more of the masses described herein may be constructed from a polymer material, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, magnesium, or other material having a density lower than the density of steel. In another example, any one or more of the masses described herein may be constructed from a material having a density greater than the density of the golf club head material. For example, as shown in fig. 1-64, the golf club heads described herein may be constructed at least partially of steel, and the masses described herein may be constructed of tungsten or a tungsten alloy. Thus, a mass portion having certain physical characteristics and configurations may be used with any of the golf club heads described herein to provide a pleasing sound and feel, as well as to provide a strategic weight placement on the body portion in order to optimize the golf club head mass, CG (center of gravity) position, and MOI (moment of inertia). The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, as shown in fig. 65, a process 6500 for manufacturing a golf club head 2000 may include providing a body portion 2010 with a rear opening 2073 (block 6510). As described herein, in one example, the second filler material 2024 can be in the form of a preformed insert. Accordingly, the second filler material 2024 may be inserted or placed in the lumen 2020 and/or attached with one or more adhesives or bonding agents to the inner walls defining the lumen 2020 on the body portion 2010 (block 6520). The rear cover portion 2272 may then be attached to the body portion 2010 by one or more adhesives or bonding agents (i.e., the rear cover portion 2272 is coupled to the body portion 2010 with one or more adhesives), welding, and/or brazing as described herein to close the rear opening 2073 (block 6530). After the rear cover portion 2272 is attached to the body portion 2010, either of the openings 2361 and 2382 of the ports 2321 and 2342, respectively, may be used to inject the first filler material 2022 into the interior cavity 2020 (block 6540), while the other port may be used to vent air from inside the interior cavity 2020, the air being displaced by the first filler material 2022, as described herein. The mass can then be inserted into the ports of the rear cover portion 2272 to close the ports, as described herein. In another example, both the first filler material 2022 and the second filler material 2024 may be pre-formed inserts that are inserted into the interior cavity 2020 before the rear cover portion 2272 is attached to the body portion 2010. In another example, both the first filler material 2022 and the second filler material 2024 may be injected into the internal cavity 2020 after the rear cover portion 2272 is attached to the body portion 2010. In yet another example, the golf club head 2000 may include only one fill material similar to the golf club heads 3400 and 5100. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, as shown in fig. 66, a process 6600 for manufacturing a golf club head 3400 may include providing a body portion 3410 having a rear opening 3473 as described herein (block 6610). A rear cap portion 3672 may be attached to the body portion 3410 (block 6620) to close the rear opening 3473 with one or more fastener-type mass portions as described herein. According to the example of fig. 34-50, rear cover portion 3672 may be attached to body portion 3410 by engaging rear cover tab portion 3679 with slot 3479 of body portion 3410 and attaching rear cover portion 3672 to first and second flange portions 4620 and 4640 via two fastener-type mass portions 4300, as described herein. After the rear cap portion 3672 is attached to the body portion 3410, either of the openings 4721 and 4742 of the ports 3721 and 3742, respectively, may be used to inject the filler material 3422 into the internal cavity 3420 (block 6630), while the other port of the rear cap portion 3672 may be used to vent air from inside the internal cavity 3420, which is displaced by the filler material 3422, as described herein. Subsequently, the mass can be inserted into ports 3721 and 3742 to close these ports, as described herein. In another example, the filler material 3422 may be a pre-fabricated insert that may be attached to the body portion 3410 or placed in the internal cavity 3420 before the rear cap portion 3672 is attached to the body portion 3410. In yet another example, more than one filling material may be placed in the interior cavity 3420 in a filling material and related processes similar to the golf club head 2000 described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The process for manufacturing the golf club head 5100 may be similar in various respects to process 6600. According to the example of fig. 51-64, the back cover portion 5372 may be attached to the body portion 5110 by engaging the back cover tab portion 5379 with the slot 5179 of the body portion 5110 and attaching the back cover portion 5372 to the first and second flange portions 6020, 6040 via the four fastener-type mass portions 4300, as described herein. According to the example of fig. 51-64, one fastener-type mass portion can be threaded into one of the holes 6022 and 6024 of the first flange portion 6020 and another fastener-type mass portion can be threaded into one of the holes 6042 and 6044 of the second flange portion 6040 to attach the rear cover portion 5372 to the body portion 5110, as described herein. After the rear cover portion 3672 is attached to the body portion 3410 by the at least one fastener-type mass portion 4300 (block 6620), the opening that has been opened by any of the openings 5421, 5422, 5441, or 5442, respectively, may be used to inject the filler material 5122 into the inner cavity 5120 (block 6630), while other ports may be used to vent air from inside the inner cavity 5120, the air being displaced by the filler material 5122, as described herein. In one example, the rear cap portion 5372 can be attached to the body portion 5110 by inserting the fastener-type mass portion 4300 into one of the ports 5421 or 5422 and screwing into one of the holes 6022 or 6024, and inserting the other fastener-type mass portion 4300 into one of the ports 5441 or 5442 and screwing into one of the holes 6042 or 6044. Any of the ports 5421, 5422, 5441, and 5442 that have been opened (i.e., with no fastener-type mass portion therein) can be used to fill the inner cavity 5120 with a filler material 5122. Subsequently, the fastener-type mass portion 4300 can be inserted into these open openings and screwed into the corresponding holes of the first flange portion 6020 and the second flange portion 6040 to close these open openings and completely attach the rear cover portion 5372 to the body portion 5110. In another example, the filler material 5122 can be a pre-formed insert that can be attached to the body portion 5110 or placed within the inner cavity 5120 before the rear cover portion 5372 is attached to the body portion 5110. In yet another example, more than one filling material may be placed in the interior cavity 5120 in a filling material and related processes similar to the golf club head 2000 described herein. Any of the steps in processes 6500 and 6600 may be interchanged and may be used to manufacture golf club heads 2000, 3400, and/or 5100 described herein. Thus, golf club heads 2000, 3400, and 5100 may be manufactured by process 6500 or process 6600. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Any of the golf club heads described herein may be iron-type golf club heads (e.g., iron 1, iron 2, iron 3, iron 4, iron 5, iron 6, iron 7, iron 8, iron 9, etc.), or pick-type golf club heads (e.g., pitching wedge, high throw wedge, sand pit wedge, n-degree pick, such as 44 degrees (°), 48 °, 52 °, 56 °, 60 °, etc.). Although a particular type of club head may be depicted and described, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of club heads (e.g., driver-type club heads, fairway wood-type club heads, hybrid-type club heads, putter-type club heads, etc.). The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The body portion and/or face portion of any of the golf club heads described herein may be partially or entirely made 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 a material similar to any of the body portion and/or face portion described herein or in any of the applications incorporated by reference. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

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 4800mm². Although the above examples may describe specific areas, the area of the front surface may be greater or less than those numbers. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, the filler material described herein can include 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 (TPE), thermoplastic polyurethane materials (TPU), other polymer material(s), bonding material(s) (e.g., adhesive)) And/or other types of materials that 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 manufactured by Henkel Corporation, Rocky Hill, Connecticut

A material. In another example, the filler material may be a polymer material, such as an ethylene copolymer material, that may absorb impact, isolate vibration, and/or attenuate noise when the golf club head strikes a golf ball via the face. In another example, the filler material can 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 ionomer of an ethylene copolymer comprising magnesium, an injection moldable ethylene copolymer that can be used in conventional injection molding equipment to produce various shapes, an ethylene copolymer that can be used in conventional extrusion equipment to produce various shapes, a high compressibility and low recovery similar to thermoset polybutadiene rubber An elastomeric ethylene copolymer, and/or a blend of a highly neutralized polymer component, a highly neutralized acid polymer or a highly neutralized acid polymer component, and a filler. For example, ethylene copolymers may include DuPont manufactured by E.I.du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Delaware^TMHigh-Performance Resin (HPF) series of materials (e.g., DuPont)^TM HPF AD1172,DuPont^TM HPF AD1035,

HPF1000 and DuPont^TMHPF2000) 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). In another example, any one or more of the filler materials described herein can be formed from one or more metals or metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, copper, zinc, and/or titanium). 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 respect.

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 respect.

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 indicator, 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 "7". In another example, the golf club head may be marked with a loft angle. For example, a 1 degree wedge type golf club head may be labeled as "1". In yet another example, a 10.5 degree tee wood golf club head may be labeled "10.5". Any indicia associated with the club identifier may be visually distinguished (e.g., different color, texture, pattern, etc.) from the remainder of the golf club head. To distinguish from other golf club heads, the golf club heads described herein may include a logo (e.g., words, names, symbols, designs, 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 indicator, 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 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., digital characters, alphanumeric characters, bytes, one-dimensional barcodes such as Universal Product Codes (UPCs), two-dimensional barcodes such as Quick Response (QR) codes, etc.). The club identifier may be placed in various locations on the golf club head (e.g., heel, hosel, face, top, bottom, etc.) using various methods (e.g., painting, laser etching, stamping, casting, or molding onto the golf club head). For example, the club identifier may be a serial number laser etched into a hosel of the golf club head. In addition to being an integral part of the golf club head, the club identifier may also be a separate component that is coupled to the golf club head (e.g., a label that is adhered by an adhesive or epoxy). The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Any of the devices, methods, or articles described herein can include one or more visual identifiers, such as alphanumeric characters, colors, images (images), symbols (symbols), logos (logos), and/or geometric shapes. For example, the one or more visual identifiers may be manufactured with (e.g., cast or molded with) one or more portions of the golf club (e.g., the golf club head), painted on the golf club head, etched (e.g., laser etched) on the golf club head, embossed on the golf club head, machined onto the golf club head, affixed to the golf club head as a separate emblem or sticker (e.g., glued, welded, soldered, mechanically locked, any combination thereof, etc.), or any combination thereof. The visual identifier may be made from the same material as the golf club head or a different material from the golf club head (e.g., a plastic emblem that is attached to the golf club head with an adhesive). Further, the visual identifier may be associated with manufacturer and/or brand information of the golf club head, a type of the golf club head, one or more physical characteristics of the golf club head, or any combination thereof. In particular, the visual identifier may include a brand identifier (e.g., trademark, trade name, logo, etc.) associated with the manufacturer of the golf club or other information about the manufacturer. Additionally, or alternatively, the visual identifier may include a location (e.g., country of origin), a date of manufacture of the golf club or golf club head, or both.

The visual identifier may include a serial number of the golf club or golf club head that may be used to check authenticity to determine whether the golf club or golf club head is a counterfeit product. The serial number may also include other information about the golf club, which may be encoded in alphanumeric characters (e.g., country of origin, date of manufacture of the golf club, or both). In another example, the visual identifier may include a category or type of golf club head (e.g., 5 iron, 7 iron, split club, etc.). In yet another example, the visual identifier may indicate one or more physical characteristics of the golf club head, such as one or more manufacturing materials (e.g., the visual identifier "titanium" indicates the use of titanium in the golf club head), loft, face characteristics, mass characteristics (e.g., the visual identifier "tungsten" indicates the use of tungsten in the mass of the golf club head), cavity and fill material characteristics (e.g., one or more acronyms, phrases, or words that indicate that the cavity is filled with a polymer material), any other information that may visually indicate any physical or playing characteristics of the golf club head, or any combination thereof. Further, the one or more visual identifiers may provide a decorative design or contribute to the appearance of the golf club or golf club head.

Any of the golf club heads described herein may be manufactured by casting metal (e.g., steel). However, other techniques for 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, contemporaneously (concurrently), or simultaneously (simultaneously).

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 san 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. Thus, golf equipment 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 equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

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 use of the terms "a" and/or "the" in the context of describing various embodiments of the disclosure is to 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 phrase "removably connected" is defined as two elements that are "removably connected" that can be separated from one another without destroying or destroying the utility of either element.

The term "substantially" when used to describe a feature, parameter, property, or value of an element can mean a deviation or variation that does not detract from the feature, parameter, property, or value that the element may be intended to provide. Variations or changes in the characteristics, parameters, properties, or values of an element may be based on, for example, tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limitations, and other factors. The term "proximate" is synonymous with terms such as "adjacent," "proximate," "next," "near," "adjacent," and the like, 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 apparatus, methods, and articles 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, and the drawings themselves, disclose 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 that contains 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 (20)

1. A golf club head, comprising:

a body portion made of a first material having a first density, the body portion including an interior cavity, a toe portion having a toe edge, a heel portion having a heel edge, a front portion, a rear portion having a rear wall portion including a rear opening portion, a top portion having a top edge, and a bottom portion having a bottom edge;

a rear cover portion made of a second material having a second density different from the first density, the rear cover portion coupled to the body portion to close the rear opening portion, the rear cover portion including a port extending therethrough;

a filler material injected into the lumen from the port, and

a mass portion inserted into the port to close the port, the mass portion being made of a third material having a third density, the third density being greater than the first density.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the rear cover portion is attached to the body portion with an adhesive.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the mass portion includes a threaded portion that threads into a corresponding threaded hole on the body portion to attach the rear cover portion to the body portion.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the rear cover portion comprises at least 50% of the area of the rear wall portion.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of mass portions, wherein each mass portion comprises a threaded shaft portion, wherein the rear cap portion comprises a plurality of connection cavities and is configured to receive a port of one of the plurality of mass portions, and wherein each threaded shaft portion is threaded into a corresponding threaded hole of the body portion to attach the rear cap portion to the body portion.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second density is less than the first density.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the rear cover portion is made from a composite material.

8. A golf club head, comprising:

a body portion including an internal cavity, a toe portion having a toe edge, a heel portion having a heel edge, a front portion, a rear portion having a rear wall portion including a rear opening portion, a top portion having a top edge, and a sole portion having a sole edge, a first flange portion having a first threaded hole, and a second flange portion having a second threaded hole;

a rear cover portion removably attached to the body portion to close the rear opening portion, the rear cover portion including a first port connected to the internal cavity and axially aligned with the first threaded hole of the first flange portion, and a second port connected to the internal cavity and axially aligned with the second threaded hole of the second flange portion;

A first mass portion including a head portion configured to be received in the first port, and a threaded shaft portion configured to extend through the first port and engage the first threaded hole of the first flange portion to attach the rear cap portion to the body portion;

a second mass portion including a head portion configured to be received in the second port, and a threaded shaft portion configured to extend through the second port and engage a second threaded hole of the second flange portion to attach the rear cover portion to the body portion; and

the filling material in the inner cavity is filled,

wherein the rear cover portion comprises at least 50% of the total area of the rear wall portion.

9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the first mass portion and the second mass portion are each made of a material having a density greater than a density of a material of the body portion.

10. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the filler material is made of a material having a density lower than the density of the body portion material.

11. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the filler material comprises a polymer material injected into the interior cavity from the first port or the second port.

12. The golf club head of claim 8, further comprising a third mass having a mass greater than twice the mass of the first mass or the second mass and a size greater than twice the corresponding size of the first mass or the second mass, and wherein the rear cover portion includes a third port located between the first port and the second port and configured to receive the third mass.

13. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the rear cover portion is made of a material having a density lower than a density of a material of the body portion.

14. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the rear cover portion is made from a carbon fiber composite material.

15. A golf club head, comprising:

a first mass portion having a head portion and a shaft portion;

a second mass portion having a head portion and a shaft portion;

a third mass portion;

a body portion including an interior cavity, a toe portion having a toe edge, a heel portion having a heel edge, a front portion, a rear portion having a rear wall portion, a top portion having a top edge, and a sole portion having a sole edge, the rear wall portion including a rear opening portion and a rear cover portion configured to cover the rear opening portion, the rear cover portion comprising:

a first port configured to receive the head portion of the first mass portion with the shaft portion of the first mass portion extending through the first port and into the internal cavity, a distance from the first port to the toe edge being less than a distance from the first port to the heel edge;

a second port configured to receive the head portion of the second mass portion with the shaft portion of the second mass portion extending through the second port and into the internal cavity, the distance from the second port to the toe edge being greater than the distance from the second port to the heel edge;

A third port located between the first port and the second port and configured to receive a third mass; and

a filler material at least partially filling the internal cavity,

wherein at least 50% of the rear cover portion is below the horizontal mid-plane of the main body portion, and

wherein the shaft portion of the first mass portion and the shaft portion of the second mass portion are joined to the body portion to attach the rear cover portion to the body portion.

16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first mass, the second mass, or the third mass comprises tungsten.

17. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the filler material comprises a polymer material injected into the interior cavity from the first port, the second port, or the third port.

18. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the third port is greater than twice the size of the first port corresponding size or the second port corresponding size.

19. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the rear cover portion includes an upper tongue portion configured to engage a portion of the body portion proximate the top edge and between the rear wall portion and the front portion to couple the top portion of the rear cover portion to the body portion.

20. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the rear cover portion is made of a carbon fiber composite.

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