EP0574334B1 - Golf club - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a new club for the practice of golf, also called "cane", in particular of the iron type.

If in the following description, the invention is more particularly described in its application to irons, it can also be for wood. It suffices that the striking face of the club, flat or slightly curved, be inclined relative to the ground.

For the sake of convenience, and to facilitate the description of such a rod (or club), it is necessary to virtually position the club in space in a system of orthogonal planes: P1, P2 and P3 (see Figure 1) , in which the axis II 'of the handle, also called a rod, is located in the plane P1, the plane P3 designating the ground and the plane P2 the plane orthogonal to the ground passing through the axis of the striking zone and orthogonal to the plan containing the handle of the club. The club handle forms a beta angle, also called "lie angle", with respect to the axis Ox defining the ground.

As said above, Figure 1 shows a golf club shown in the normal position at the address, that is to say in the position of striking the ball.

Figures 2 to 4 show a classic golf club called iron, respectively seen from the front (Figure 2), and whose head is shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4, respectively front view (Figure 3) and side view ( figure 4).

Such an iron, designated by the general reference (1), essentially comprises a handle (2) terminated by a handle (3) and connected to the head (4) by a socket (5) receiving the other end of the handle (2 ). This socket (5) is connected to the head (4) by a neck (6) disposed at the end of the heel (7).

The actual head (4), generally made of metal, molded or forged, comprises a flat striking face inclined (8) at a gamma angle (see FIG. 4), relative to the axis Oy (see FIG. 1) called the angle opening or "Loft angle". The striking face (8) comprises a striking zone proper, striated (9), delimited at the bottom by a lower edge (11), disposed in front of the upper edge (12) inclined in projection on the plane P1 at an angle alpha (see Figure 3) relative to the axis Ox, defining the inclined striking plane.

The handle (3), then the handle (2), define a longitudinal axis (I-I ') along which is arranged the socket (5) for connecting the handle (2) on the neck (6). The inclined striking face (8) comprises two smooth lateral zones (7) and (10) arranged on either side of the striated striking zone (9). The wide free end zone (10) is called "point", while the narrow opposite zone connected to the handle (2) comprises a connecting zone (13) arranged between the striking zone (9) and the neck (6); this smooth connection zone (13) is terminated by the heel (7) merged with the base of the neck (6) comprising the socket (5).

Thus, the neck (6) comprises two main parts, respectively a connecting portion (13) merged with the heel (7), arranged most of the time tangentially and at the end of this heel (7), and a straight portion comprising the socket (5) connecting with the handle (2).

To date, the socket (5) is aligned with the handle (2) along the longitudinal axis (I-I ') and is, as said above, disposed at the end of the heel (7), c 'that is to say at the narrowest end of the striking face (8) and more precisely at the end called heel (7) of the smooth connecting zone (13).

We know that during the impact of the head (4) with the ball, the induced shock generates a torsional moment and vibrations which propagate along the handle (2) to go up to the handle (3). First there is discomfort, then fatigue for the player, which can go so far as to cause trauma in the player's arm.

In US-A-4,986,541, a series of irons easier to play for medium or inexperienced players has been described. In this document, a law of variation of the "progression face" has been proposed, that is to say, in profile view, the distance between the longitudinal axis of the handle (I-I ') and the point the most advanced of the lower edge (11) of the head (4). As is known, the more the axis (I-I ') is disposed behind the lower edge (11), the more the ball tends to rise. This makes it difficult to use long irons, that is to say irons whose striking face has a small gamma tilt angle, for example between ten and twenty degrees. To obtain this offset of the "progression face", the irons produced according to the teachings of this document US-A-4,986,541, have a neck offset in the plane P2 (see FIG. 3c of this document).

In document US-A-3,947,041, an iron has been described in which the socket is coincident with the heel, but also forms an elbow, however disposed in front of the striking face.

In document GB-A-2 109 249, a golf club has been described, the handle of which is connected to the neck of the striking head by an elbow and a socket. In this arrangement, the handle is intended to be oriented in order to be able to modify, on request, the positions of the head relative to the handle. Unfortunately, when we angularly shift the handle in the socket, all the relative parameters vary, so that in practice, this club is difficult to use, not to mention that it is expensive and fragile in use.

In document US-A-2 784 969, an iron has been described in which the striking face is disposed slightly in front of the rectilinear longitudinal axis (I-I ').

But in all the examples of realization of clubs other than putters described in the above documents, like the current clubs, the neck fastener (6), in other words the narrow connection zone, is always tangent to the narrowest end of the head (4) proper. In other words, the fastener is merged with the heel (7). As a result, this attachment is relatively far from the striking zone (9), therefore from the ideal percussion center. In this way, upon impact, we continue to observe an appreciable torsional moment.

In document GB-B-876,414, an iron has been described in which the socket connected to the heel is bent, but in the plane containing the axis (I-I '), so that the extension of the handle meets the striking face. This theoretical embodiment unfortunately does not comply with the Rules in force, in particular the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Saint Andrews (Appendix II-4-1b), which specify that the handle and the neck (socket) must remain in line with the heel or with a point located to the right or left of it, seen in the position of the address.

In document US-A-2 683 036, an iron has been described comprising a handle and a striking head with a striated striking zone delimited on each side by a smooth zone, respectively a broad zone forming the point and a narrow zone forming the heel. This striking zone is delimited by a lower edge at the front of the sole and by an upper edge, these two edges defining the inclined plane of the striking face. The handle is connected to the striking head by means of a neck respectively comprising a socket for connection to the handle and a connection portion to the striking surface, disposed behind the tip and behind the plane of the striking face. . In this embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the handle meets the striking face above and behind the striated striking zone (see FIG. 4). This arrangement is not satisfactory, since it does not effectively attenuate the torque during impact, and does not allow self-centering, which is more and more sought after by average practitioners or little experienced.

The invention overcomes these drawbacks. It is aimed at a club for the practice of golf of the type in question with an inclined striking face, having a reduced torsional moment, therefore easier to practice for average or inexperienced players.

• . un manche rectiligne sur toute sa longueur, avec une poignée alignée, l'ensemble définissant un axe longitudinal ;
• . une tête comprenant une face de frappe inclinée, comprenant une zone de frappe proprement dite striée, délimitée de chaque côté par une zone lisse, respectivement une zone large formant pointe et une zone étroite formant le talon, et délimitée sur le bas par une arête inférieure délimitant l'avant de la semelle et sur le haut par une arête supérieure, lesdites arêtes définissant le plan incliné de la face de frappe ;
• . un cou comprenant deux parties principales, respectivement :
  • . une portion de liaison à la surface de frappe,
  • . un emboitement de raccordement avec le manche,
• . et dans lequel l'axe longitudinal du manche rencontre la face de frappe à l'intérieur de la zone de frappe striée ;

The golf club according to the invention, of the iron or wood type, which includes:

• . a straight handle over its entire length, with an aligned handle, the assembly defining a longitudinal axis;
• . a head comprising an inclined striking face, comprising a striated striking zone, delimited on each side by a smooth zone, respectively a wide zone forming a point and a narrow zone forming the heel, and delimited on the bottom by a lower edge delimiting the front of the sole and on the top by an upper edge, said edges defining the inclined plane of the striking face;
• . a neck comprising two main parts, respectively:
  • . a portion of connection to the striking surface,
  • . a connection socket with the handle,
• . and in which the longitudinal axis of the handle meets the striking face inside the striated striking zone;

is characterized :

• in that the connection portion of the neck to the striking surface is disposed substantially set back from the end of the heel in the narrow smooth zone and close to the striated striking zone proper, which brings the longitudinal axis of the handle closer the center of gravity of the head;
• and in that, when the head is in contact with the ground, whatever the number of the iron chosen, the distance AB between the point A representing the projection on the ground of the most advanced point of the lower edge and the point B representing the projection on the ground of the longitudinal axis of the handle, is at most equal to thirty millimeters.

• tout d'abord, à disposer la portion de liaison du cou à la surface de frappe non plus à l'extrémité et dans le prolongement du talon, mais sensiblement en retrait de l'extrémité du talon dans la zone étroite lisse et proche de la zone de frappe striée proprement dite, ce qui rapproche l'axe longitudinal du manche du centre de gravité de la tête ; cette disposition et celle localisation atténuent alors le couple de torsion dû à l'impact de la balle et réduisent, après l'impact, le temps de retour en position normale de la tête;
• puis, en ce que le point le plus avancé de l'arête inférieure est le plus près possible de l'axe longitudinal du manche.

In other words, the invention consists:

• first, to arrange the connecting portion of the neck to the striking surface no longer at the end and in the extension of the heel, but substantially set back from the end of the heel in the narrow smooth region close to the striated striking zone proper, which brings the longitudinal axis of the handle closer to the center of gravity of the head; this arrangement and that location then attenuate the torque due to the impact of the ball and reduce, after impact, the time to return to normal position of the head;
• then, in that the most advanced point of the lower edge is as close as possible to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

In this way, the combination of these two characteristics contributes to reducing the torque by reducing the distance and by distributing the mass on either side of the longitudinal axis of the handle.

Preferably, the distance (D) between the end of the heel and the longitudinal axis of the handle, or more exactly its extension, is close to 8 millimeters. Advantageously, the connecting portion is arranged halfway in the smooth narrow zone formed between the end of the heel and the edge of the striated part of the striking zone.

• . fer n°1 : 18 < AB < 22
• . fer n°2 : 19 < AB < 23
• . fer n°3 : 20 < AB < 24
• . fer n°4 : 21 < AB < 25
• . fer n°5 : 22 < AB < 26
• . fer n°6 : 23 < AB < 27
• . fer n°7 : 24 < AB < 28
• . fer n°8 : 25 < AB < 29
• . fer n°9 : 26 < AB < 30
• . fer PW : 26 < AB < 30
• . fer SW : 26 < AB < 30.

Advantageously, in practice, the distance AB expressed in millimeters varies as a function of the number of the iron chosen according to the following law of variation:

• . iron n ° 1: 18 <AB <22
• . iron n ° 2: 19 <AB <23
• . iron n ° 3: 20 <AB <24
• . iron n ° 4: 21 <AB <25
• . iron n ° 5: 22 <AB <26
• . iron n ° 6: 23 <AB <27
• . iron n ° 7: 24 <AB <28
• . iron n ° 8: 25 <AB <29
• . iron n ° 9: 26 <AB <30
• . iron PW: 26 <AB <30
• . iron SW: 26 <AB <30.

• . pour les fers longs (fers 1,2 et 3) entre 0 et 20 millimètres,
• . pour les fers moyens (4,5,6) entre 20 et 25 millimètres,
• . et pour les fers courts (7 à SW), entre 25 et 30 millimètres.

In another embodiment, this characteristic distance AB varies according to another simplified law, namely:

• . for long irons (irons 1,2 and 3) between 0 and 20 millimeters,
• . for medium irons (4,5,6) between 20 and 25 millimeters,
• . and for short irons (7 to SW), between 25 and 30 millimeters.

In another embodiment, this distance AB is equal to zero.

In a variant, the neck is bent in the planes P1 and / or P2.

In one embodiment, the neck is straight.

In a preferred embodiment for irons, the head of this iron has a peripheral weight distribution on the back of the striking face and, more precisely on the sole, which has the advantage of offering better resistance to twisting during off-center hits.

To do this, the sole is formed of three distinct zones, respectively two extreme lateral zones and a central zone. According to a first characteristic, the two end zones are wider and thicker than the central zone. Overall, each of these zones has a general curvilinear shape; for example, the rear edge of the sole, seen from above, has a generally convex shape at each of the two ends, concave in the center.

The external shape of the sole, that is to say that intended to come into contact with the ground, is generally convex and its internal shape, that is to say that which is opposite, is generally concave .

In this way, these different geometrical characteristics distribute the masses predominantly over the ends of the sole on either side of the striking center, which authorizes decentering, which we know to be frequent among average practitioners or inexperienced.

The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge more clearly from the following exemplary embodiments in support of the appended figures.

As already said, FIG. 1 represents the positioning of a traditional iron with respect to the three reference planes P1, P2 and P3.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 represent this traditional iron respectively seen from the front in FIG. 2 and the head of which is detailed in FIG. 3 seen from the front, and side view in FIG. 4.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate an iron according to the invention shown respectively seen from the front (Figure 5), seen from the side (Figure 6), seen from above (Figure 7).

Figure 8 shows a traditional iron in rear view.

Figures 9 to 11 show an iron head according to the invention viewed respectively from the rear (Figure 9), from below (Figure 10), from above (Figure 11).

For the sake of simplification, in FIGS. 5 to 7, the same elements show the same elements as in FIGS. 2 to 4. In these figures, the reference (15) designates the sole, generally convex.

Point A designates the projection of the most advanced point of the lower edge (11) on the ground (16) (see Figures 5 and 6), when the club is at the address. The reference (17) designates the vertical center line of the striated zone (9) of the striking face (8).

The beta angle designates, as already said, the lie angle, while the gamma angle designates the opening angle or loft angle of the striking face (8).

The reference R1 (FIG. 5) designates the radius of the lower edge (11) limiting the sole (15), at least when the latter, as shown, is convex, from the heel (7) to the tip (10). Likewise, this sole (15) (see FIG. 6) is convex from the front lower edge (11) to the rear lower edge (11a) with a radius of curvature R2.

In a practical embodiment, R1 is close to 120 to 130 millimeters and R2 is close to 50 millimeters.

According to a first characteristic of the invention (FIGS. 5 and 6), the connecting portion (13) of the neck is arranged midway between the narrow end of the heel (7) of the striking face (8), and the first edge (20) of the striated striking zone (9) proper. The distance (D) between the end of the heel (7) and the longitudinal axis (I-I ') is at least eight millimeters, preferably between 8 and 16 millimeters.

Furthermore, the longitudinal axis (I-I ') of the handle (2) meets the flat striking face (8) in the striated striking zone (9) (see FIG. 7), in the lower part of this zone of strike (9). In this way, the axis (I-I ') is closer to the center of gravity of the head than it is in the traditional clubs shown in Figures 2 to 4.

Alternatively, this axis (I-I ') may meet the extension of the inclined plane forming the striking face (9) just in front of the lower edge (11).

In practice, the length of the neck (6) varies as a function of the gamma loft angle of the club head. Advantageously, this neck (6) is formed of a first straight cylindrical portion to connect to the handle in the plane P1 substantially vertical, then of a second bent portion progressively flattened and curved to connect to the connection zone (13). .

Thus, the section of the neck (6) progressively varies from top to bottom from a circular section (straight portion) to a flat elliptical portion (bent portion), to form an asymmetrical elliptical portion at the connection (13) with the plane. of the flat striking face (8).

Thanks to the combination of these characteristics and to the fact that the projection of the axis of the handle is carried out on the plane of the striking zone, upon impact, the shock causes a very reduced torsional moment and therefore generates strongly attenuated vibrations. It follows then unlike the current traditional club, better comfort and above all less fatigue for the player, especially for an average player. Finally, this allows, after impact, a better return to normal with less energy.

As already said, in an advantageous embodiment, the characteristic distance AB varies according to one of the laws mentioned above.

According to another characteristic of the invention advantageous for irons, shown in Figures 9 and 10, part of the weight of the head is concentrated on the lower part of the perimeter of the rear face (21). To do this, the upper cord (22), has a thickness e₁ and a width l₁ substantially constant, from the heel (7) to the tip (10).

On the other hand, the wall formed by the concave internal face (25) and the sole (15), (see FIGS. 9 and 10), is thicker and wider than the upper bead (22). This wall increases then decreases in width l₂ and decreases in thickness e₂ from the heel (7) or the tip (10) towards the middle (28), that is to say is thicker and is wider in the lateral portions (26,27) than in the central portion (28), to better concentrate the mass on the ends (7 and 10) and on either side of the striking area.

In practice, this internal wall (25) firstly has in its center (28) a recess connected by two curvilinear portions (26,27) respectively at the heel (7) and at the toe (10), (see FIGS. and 10). The thickness (e2) of the sole (15) measured in the plane coinciding with the rear face (21) gradually decreases from the tip (10) to the heel (7). Likewise, each of the three portions (26, 27, 28) of the wall forming the sole (15) takes, in a plane parallel to the plane of the striking face (8), a generally slightly curved concave shape (FIG. 9) .

The portion (30) formed between the lower wall (25) forming the sole and the upper cord (22) is planar and is parallel to the striking plane (8). The thickness of this hollowed out portion (30) is substantially constant and is close to 4.5 millimeters, in order to better concentrate the weight on the sole (15).

The bottom wall forming the sole (15) is notched in the middle (28), so as to redistribute the weight even better on the ends (7, 10) and to better center the center of gravity in the head.

These provisions, combined with one another, improve the redistribution of the weight at the periphery, on the rear of the striking face, near the sole (15).

This peripheral weight distribution minimizes head twists during off-center hits. In this way, unlike traditional clubs, the clubs according to the invention give a better feeling of comfort, reduce fatigue, especially among average or less experienced players.

Claims (10)

1. Golf club (1), of the iron or wood type, which comprises:

   - a shaft (2) which is straight over its entire length, with an aligned grip (3);

   - a head (4) comprising an inclined striking face (8), comprising a grooved striking zone proper (9), delimited on either side by a smooth zone, respectively a wide zone forming a toe (10), and a narrow zone forming the heel (7), and delimited on the bottom by a lower edge (11) delimiting the front of the base, and on the top by an upper edge (12), the said edges (11,12) defining the inclined plane of the striking face;

   - a neck (6) comprising two main parts, respectively:

   . a portion (13) linking with the striking surface (8),

   . a hosel (5) for connection with the shaft (2),

   - and in which the longitudinal axis (I-I') of the shaft (2) meets the striking face (8) within the grooved striking zone (9);
   characterised:

   - in that the portion (13) of the neck (6) linking with the striking surface (8) is offset with respect to the end of the heel (7) in the narrow smooth zone and close to the groved actual strinking zone (9), which brings the longitudinal axis of the shaft (2) closer to the centre of gravity of the head;

   - and in that, when the head (4) rests on the ground, whatever the number of the iron chosen, the distance A-B between the point A representing the projection onto the ground of the foremost point of the lower edge (11), and the point B representing the projection onto the ground of the longitudinal axis (I-I') of the shaft (2), is at most thirty millimetres.
2. Golf club according to Claim 1, characterised in that the linking portion (13) of the neck (6) with the striking zone (8) is located mid-way in the smooth narrow zone made between the end of the heel (7) and the side (20) of the grooved striking zone (9).
3. Club according to Claim 1, characterised in that the distance (D) between the end of the heel (7) and the longitudinal axis (I-I') of the shaft (2) is close to 8 millimetres.
4. Golf iron according to Claim 1, characterised in that, depending on the number of the iron chosen, the distance A-B, expressed in millimetres, varies as follows:

   . iron n°. 1: 18 < AB < 22

   . iron n°. 2: 19 < AB < 23

   . iron n°. 3: 20 < AB < 24

   . iron n°. 4: 21 < AB < 25

   . iron n°. 5: 22 < AB < 26

   . iron n°. 6: 23 < AB < 27

   . iron n°. 7: 24 < AB < 28

   . iron n°. 8: 25 < AB < 29

   . iron n°. 9: 26 < AB < 30

   . PW: 26 < AB < 30

   . SW: 26 < AB < 30
5. Golf iron according to Claim 1, characterised in that the distance A-B, expressed in millimetres, varies as follows:

   . long irons (irons 1, 2 and 3) between 0 and 20 millimetres;

   . medium irons (4, 5 and 6) between 20 and 25 millimetres;

   . short irons (7 to SW), between 25 and 30 millimetres.
6. Golf iron according to Claim 1, characterised in that the offset neck (6) is set back from the tip of the heel (7) and is formed of a first cylindrical straight portion connected to the shaft, then of a second progressively flattened and curved bent portion, the cross-section of this neck passing progressively from a circular cross-section in the first portion, to a flattened elliptical cross-section, and finally is connected to the plane striking surface (8) via an asymmetrical elliptical section.
7. Golf iron according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that of the weight of the head is concentrated at the back of the striking face (8) on the two sides (7,10) of the lower wall forming the sole (15) of general convex shape.
8. Golf iron according to Claim 7, characterised in that the thickness of the lower wall forming the sole (15), measured in a direction parallel to the striking face (8), is smaller in the central zone (28) than in the extreme lateral zones (26,27).
9. Golf iron according to Claim 8, characterised in that the two extreme lateral zones (26,27) are wider and thicker than the central zone (28), and in that the outer edge of each of the zones adopts a general shape which is convex for the extreme zones (26,27), connected to a general concave shape for the central zone (28).
10. Golf iron head, according to one of the preceding claims, comprising:

    - an inclined striking face (8), comprising a grooved striking zone proper (9), delimited on either side by a smooth zone, respectively a wide zone forming a toe (10), and a narrow zone forming the heel (7), and delimited on the bottom by a lower edge (11) delimiting the front of the base, and on the top by an upper edge (12), the said edges (11,12) defining the inclined plane of the striking face;

    - a neck (6) comprising two main parts, respectively:

    . a portion (13) linking with the striking surface (8),

    . a hosel (5) for connection with the shaft (2),

    - and in which the longitudinal axis (I-I') of the shaft (2) meets the striking face (8) within the grooved striking zone (9);
    characterised:

    - in that the portion (13) of the neck (6) linking with the striking surface (8) is offset with respect to the end of the heel (7) in the narrow smooth zone and close to the grooved actual striking zone (9), which brings the longitudinal axis of the shaft (2) closer to the centre of gravity of the head;

    - and in that, when the head (4) rests on the ground, whatever the number of the iron chosen, the distance A-B between the point A representing the projection onto the ground of the foremost point of the lower edge (11), and the point B representing the projection onto the ground of the longitudinal axis (I-I') of the shaft (2), is at most thirty millimetres;

    - in that the thickness of the lower wall forming the sole (15), measured in the direction parallel to the striking face (8), is smaller in the central zone (28) than in the extreme lateral zones (26,27);

    - in that the two extreme lateral zones (26,27) of the sole are wider and thicker than the central zone (28),

    - and in that the outer edge of each of the zones adopts a general shape which is convex for the extreme zones (26,27), connected to a general concave shape for the central zone (28).

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