EP2035099B1 - Golf clubs and golf club heads - Google Patents

Golf clubs and golf club heads Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2035099B1
EP2035099B1 EP07796341.1A EP07796341A EP2035099B1 EP 2035099 B1 EP2035099 B1 EP 2035099B1 EP 07796341 A EP07796341 A EP 07796341A EP 2035099 B1 EP2035099 B1 EP 2035099B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
club head
golf club
head body
weight
golf
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP07796341.1A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2035099A2 (en
Inventor
Robert Boyd
Gary G. Tavares
John T. Stites
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nike Innovate CV USA
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Nike Innovate CV USA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP2035099A2 publication Critical patent/EP2035099A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2035099B1 publication Critical patent/EP2035099B1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B53/00—Golf clubs
    • A63B53/04—Heads
    • A63B53/0408—Heads characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B53/00—Golf clubs
    • A63B53/04—Heads
    • A63B53/0408—Heads characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
    • A63B53/0412—Volume
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B53/00—Golf clubs
    • A63B53/04—Heads
    • A63B53/0466—Heads wood-type
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
    • A63B60/02—Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B53/00—Golf clubs
    • A63B53/04—Heads
    • A63B2053/0491—Heads with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
    • A63B2102/32—Golf
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A63B2209/02—Characteristics of used materials with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to golf clubs and golf club heads, including "wood-type” golf clubs and golf club heads, e.g ., for drivers, fairway woods, "wood-type” hybrid or utility clubs, or the like.
  • Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players - players of different genders and dramatically different ages and/or skill levels. Golf is somewhat unique in the sporting world in that such diverse collections of players can play together in golf events, even in direct competition with one another ( e.g ., using handicapped scoring, different tee boxes, in team formats, etc.), and still enjoy the golf outing or competition.
  • These factors together with the increased availability of golf programming on television (e.g ., golf tournaments, golf news, golf history, and/or other golf programming) and the rise of well known golf listings, at least in part, have increased golf's popularity in recent years, both in the United States and across the world. The number of individuals participating in the game and the number of golf courses have increased steadily in recent years.
  • golf clubs Being the sole instrument that sets a golf ball in motion during play, golf clubs also have been the subject of much technological research and advancement in recent years. For example, the market has seen dramatic changes and improvements in putter designs, golf club head designs, shafts, and grips in recent years. Additionally, other technological advancements have been made in an effort to better match the various elements and/or characteristics of the golf club and characteristics of a golf ball to a particular user's swing features or characteristics (e.g ., club fitting technology, ball launch angle measurement technology, ball spin rates, etc.).
  • wood-type golf clubs particularly the driver
  • wood-type golf clubs can be very difficult for some players to hit consistently well.
  • additional technological advances that improve a player's ability to get a golf ball airborne; increase distance, direction, and/or control; and/or otherwise improve the playability of wood-type golf clubs, particularly the driver, would be welcome in the golf world.
  • US Patent 6,152,833 and WO2006/073930 disclose a golf club having a relatively square shape and added weights. However, there is no disclosure of a plurality of weight ports for receiving removable weight members.
  • some example aspects of this invention relate to wood-type golf clubs and/or golf club heads (such as drivers or fairway woods, "wood-type” utility or hybrid clubs, and/or the like) that include a club head body having a relatively square or rectangular cross sectional appearance and/or shape over at least a portion of its height.
  • Such club heads allow club designers to place weight rearward, outward, and/or downward in the overall club head structure, thereby increasing the moment of inertia of the club head ( i.e., resistance to twisting, particularly about a vertical or z-axis ( e.g., Izz)).
  • the present invention provides a golf club head and a golf club as defined in the appended claims.
  • the overall diagonal dimension may be at least 80%, 85%, 90%, or even 95% of the theoretical maximum diagonal dimension (e.g., at least 0.8 x (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 , 0.85 x (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 , 0.9 x (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 , or even 0.95 x (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 ).
  • golf club heads and golf club structures will include at least one horizontal cross section of the club head body that encloses or encompasses an area of at least 0.8 x BL, and in some examples, at least 0.85 x BL, at least 0.9 x BL, or even at least 0.95 x BL.
  • Golf club heads in accordance with at least some examples of this invention further may include one or more weighted portions or weight members integrally formed in and/or engaged with the club head body (e.g., at or proximate to a rear of the club head body portion, optionally toward the rear toe and/or rear heel portions of the club head and/or toward the rear sole portion of the club head).
  • Golf club heads in accordance with this invention further may be incorporated into a golf club structure, e.g., by attaching a shaft to the club head body and/or a grip or handle member to the shaft.
  • aspects of this invention relate to wood-type golf club heads, golf clubs, and the like (such as drivers or fairway woods, "wood-type” utility or hybrid clubs, and/or the like).
  • One aspect of golf clubs and golf club heads in accordance with at least some examples of this invention relates to the club head's generally "squared" or rectangular design.
  • the golf club heads may be somewhat square or rectangular shaped so as to allow club designers to move weight (and thereby the club head's center of gravity) rearward, outward (i.e., toward the heel and/or toe areas), and/or low (i.e., toward the sole) in the overall club head structure.
  • the club head's center of gravity will be located as far away from the club head face member and/or as close to the club head sole member as reasonably possible, e.g., in order to create a golf club structure that is easier to use (e.g ., easier to get balls airborne, helps make balls fly farther and/or straighter, provides a club head with a higher moment of inertia, particularly about a vertical axis ( e.g ., Izz), etc.).
  • golf club heads include a club head body having a club head length dimension ("L”) and a club head breadth dimension ("B”), wherein the club head body has a breadth dimension to length dimension ratio of at least 0.9, optionally a club head volume of at least 450 cubic centimeters, and at least one overall diagonal dimension of at least 75% of a theoretical maximum diagonal dimension (the overall diagonal dimension and the theoretical maximum diagonal dimension are measured along a diagonal of a bounding box enclosing or encompassing the club head body and defined by the length dimension L and the breadth dimension B) or at least 0.75 ⁇ (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 .
  • L club head length dimension
  • B club head breadth dimension
  • the overall diagonal dimension may be at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the theoretical maximum diagonal dimension ( e.g ., at least 0.8 ⁇ (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 , at least 0.85 ⁇ (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 , at least 0.9 ⁇ (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 , or even at least 0.95 ⁇ (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 ).
  • golf club heads and golf club structures will include at least one horizontal cross section of the club head body (when the club head is oriented for typical use) that encloses or encompasses an area of at least 0.8 ⁇ BL, and in some examples, at least 0.85 ⁇ BL, at least 0.9 ⁇ BL, or even at least 0.95 ⁇ BL.
  • a majority of the club head's height will have horizontal cross sectional areas having the features described above (i.e., at least 50% of the overall club head height (from the sole to crown) will have these cross sectional characteristics).
  • the club head body may be made in a wide variety of ways and/or from a wide variety of materials and parts without departing from this invention, including in conventional ways, from conventional materials and parts, as are known and used in the art.
  • the club head body may be made from one or more of: metal materials (e.g., metal alloys, such as alloys containing steel, titanium, magnesium, aluminum, etc.); composite or other non-metal materials (e.g., carbon fiber composites, basalt fiber composites, etc., for a crown portion, a skirt portion, a sole portion, an aft body portion, a ball sinking face portion, etc.); polymeric materials; etc.
  • the golf club head further includes at least two weighted portions or members integrally formed in and/or engaged with the club head body.
  • the weighted portion(s) or member(s) will be located at or proximate to a rear of the club head body portion, optionally toward the rear toe, the rear heel, and/or the rear sole portions of the club head.
  • the weighted portion(s) or member(s) may be selectively removable from the club head body, e.g., to allow customization, interchange, replacement, and/or club-fitting (e.g., to provide a draw biased club, to provide a fade biased club, to provide a high trajectory biased club, to provide a low trajectory biased club, to provide a club to help compensate for undesired ball flights or swing flaws (e.g., to help correct hooks, slices, etc., to help get balls airborne, to help prevent ballooning ball flights, etc.), etc.).
  • customization, interchange, replacement, and/or club-fitting e.g., to provide a draw biased club, to provide a fade biased club, to provide a high trajectory biased club, to provide a low trajectory biased club, to provide a club to help compensate for undesired ball flights or swing flaws (e.g., to help correct hooks, slices, etc., to help get balls airborne, to help prevent ballooning ball flights, etc.), etc
  • golf clubs including golf club heads of the various types described above.
  • Such golf clubs further may include a shaft member engaged with the club head body (e.g., via an external hosel member, via an internal hosel member, through an opening provided in the club head, via adhesives, via mechanical connectors (e.g., threads, retaining elements, etc.), etc.).
  • Golf clubs in accordance with examples of this invention further may include grip or handle members engaged with or formed as part of the shaft member, to provide a location for the user to grip the club.
  • Figs. 1A through 2C illustrate example golf club and golf club head.
  • that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts throughout.
  • Example golf club and golf club head structures in accordance with this invention may constitute "wood-type” golf clubs and golf club heads, e.g., clubs and club heads typically used for drivers and fairway woods, as well as for "wood-type” utility or hybrid clubs, or the like.
  • Such club head structures may have a relatively “squared” or rectangular shape and appearance, e.g., as illustrated in the figures and described in more detail below.
  • the club heads may include a multiple piece construction and structure, e.g., including one or more of a sole member, a face member (optionally including a ball striking face integrally formed therein or attached thereto), one or more body members (e.g., ribbons of material making up the club head body), a crown member, a face plate, an aft body, etc.
  • body members e.g., ribbons of material making up the club head body
  • a crown member e.g., a face plate, an aft body, etc.
  • various portions of the club head structure may be integrally formed with one another, as a unitary, one piece construction, without departing from the invention (e.g., the body member(s) may be integrally formed with the sole and/or crown members, the face member may be integrally formed with the sole, body, and/or crown members, etc.).
  • the various portions of the club head structure (such as the sole member, the crown member, the face member, the body member(s), etc.) individually may be formed from multiple pieces of material without departing from this invention.
  • the entire club head may be made as a single, one piece, unitary construction, or a face plate member may be attached to a one piece club head aft body. More specific examples and features of golf club heads and golf club structures according to this invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the example golf club structures illustrated in Figs. 1A through 2C .
  • Figs. 1A through 1D illustrate an example golf club 100 and/or golf club head 102.
  • the overall golf club structure 100 of this example includes a hosel region 104, a shaft member 106 received in and/or inserted into and/or through the hosel region 104, and a grip or handle member 108 attached to the shaft member 106.
  • the external hosel region 104 may be eliminated and the shaft member 106 may be directly inserted into and/or otherwise attached to the head member 102 ( e.g ., through an opening provided in the top of the club head 102, through an internal hosel member ( e.g ., provided within an interior chamber defined by the club head 102), etc.).
  • the shaft member 106 may be received in, engaged with, and/or attached to the club head 102 in any suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the art, without departing from the invention.
  • the shaft member 106 may be engaged with the club head 102 via a hosel member 104 and/or directly to the club head structure 102, e.g ., via adhesives, cements, welding, soldering, mechanical connectors (such as threads, retaining elements, or the like), through a shaft-receiving sleeve or element extending into the club head body 102, etc.
  • the shaft member 106 also may be made from any suitable or desired materials, including conventional materials known and used in the art, such as graphite based materials, composite or other non-metal materials, steel materials (including stainless steel), aluminum materials, other metal alloy materials, polymeric materials, combinations of various materials, and the like.
  • the grip or handle member 108 may be attached to, engaged with, and/or extend from the shaft member 106 in any suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the art, e.g ., using adhesives or cements; via welding, soldering, adhesives, or the like; via mechanical connectors (such as threads, retaining elements, etc.); and/or in any other desired manner.
  • the grip or handle member 108 may be integrally formed as a unitary, one-piece construction with the shaft member 106.
  • any desired grip or handle member 108 materials may be used without departing from this invention, including rubber materials, leather materials, rubber or other materials including cord or other fabric material embedded therein, polymeric materials, and the like.
  • the club head 102 itself also may be constructed in any suitable or desired manner and/or from any suitable or desired materials without departing from this invention, including from conventional materials and/or in conventional manners known and used in the art.
  • the club head 102 includes a base member 102a, which makes up a major portion of this example club head structure 102, including, for example, the ball striking face, at least a portion of the crown, at least a portion of the sole, the body portions between the crown and the sole, etc.
  • the base member 102a may be made from multiple pieces that are connected together ( e.g ., by welding or other fusing techniques, by mechanical connectors, etc.).
  • the base member 102a may be made from any desired materials, including materials that are conventionally known and used in the art, such as metal materials, including lightweight metal materials. More specific examples of suitable materials include steel, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, composite or other non-metal materials, polymeric materials, etc. In some specific example structures, a separate face plate member may be attached to a front face frame member that makes up at least a portion of the base member 102a.
  • one or more portions of the club head structure 102 may be made from a composite material, such as from carbon fiber composite materials that are conventionally known and used in the art.
  • a composite material such as from carbon fiber composite materials that are conventionally known and used in the art.
  • suitable composite or other non-metal materials that may be used for one or more portions of the club head structure 102 include, for example: glass fiber composite materials, basalt fiber composite materials, polymer materials, etc.
  • at least some portion(s) of the crown member e.g ., portion 102b
  • the sole member e.g ., portions 102c and 102d
  • portions 102c and 102d may be made from a composite or other non-metal material.
  • one or more portions of the club head's body member may be made from a composite or other non-metal material.
  • the body portion aft of a club head face member, or optionally the entire club head may be made from a composite or other non-metal material without departing from this invention.
  • the composite or other non-metal material may be incorporated as part of the club head structure 102 in any desired manner, including in conventional manners that are known and used in the art. Reducing the club head's weight (e.g ., through the use of composite or other non-metal materials, lightweight metals, metallic foam or other cellular structured materials, etc.) allows club designers to selectively position additional weight in the overall club head structure, e.g., to desirable locations to increase the moment of inertia and/or affect other playability characteristics of the club head structure 102.
  • the various individual parts that make up a club head structure 102 may be engaged with one another and/or held together in any suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the art.
  • the various parts of the club head structure 102 such as the base member 102a and the composite (or other non-metal) portions(s) 102b, 102c, and/or 102d, may be joined and/or fixed together (directly or indirectly through intermediate members) by adhesives, cements, welding, soldering, or other bonding or finishing techniques; by mechanical connectors (such as threads, screws, nuts, bolts, or other connectors); and the like.
  • the side edges of various parts of the club head structure 102 may include one or more raised ribs, tabs, ledges, or other engagement elements that fit into or onto corresponding grooves, slots, surfaces, ledges, or openings provided in or on the facing side edge to which it is joined.
  • Cements, adhesives, mechanical connectors, finishing material, or the like may be used in combination with the raised rib/groove/ledge/edge or other connecting structures described above to further help secure the various parts of the club head structure 102 together.
  • club heads in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may have dimensions and/or other characteristics that fall within the various example ranges of dimensions and/or characteristics of the club heads described in U.S. Patent Appln. No. 11/125,327 filed May 10, 2005 (and corresponding to U.S. Published Patent Appln. No. 2005-0239576 A1 published October 27, 2005 ). Note, for example, the Tables in these documents.
  • club heads 102 in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may have a relatively "squared" or rectangular shape or appearance, particularly when viewed from overhead and down on the crown portion of the club head as shown in Fig. 1A.
  • Fig. 1A further illustrates that the club head 102 has an overall length dimension L in the heel to toe direction and an overall breadth dimension B in the front to rear direction.
  • the breadth dimension to length dimension ratio (“B/L") in the club head structures will be at least 0.9, and in some examples, this ratio may be at least 0.92, at least 0.93, at least 0.94, at least 0.95, at least 0.96, at least 0.97, or even at least 0.98.
  • the relatively "squared" or rectangular shape or appearance of golf club heads in accordance with examples of this invention is advantageous because it allows weight in the club head structure 102 (e.g ., weight saved by using composite materials, lightweight metal alloys, cellular structure metals or other materials, metal foam materials, polymeric materials, etc.) to be selectively located in the club head structure 102, e.g ., situated rearward, toward the heel and/or toe areas, and/or toward the sole portion of the club head structure 102.
  • weight arrangements can help increase the club head's moment of inertia characteristics, particularly its moment of inertia about a vertical axis ( e.g ., Izz).
  • Fig. 1E illustrates the club head structure 102 of Fig. 1A with a bounding box enclosing the club head body 102.
  • the bounding box extends tangent to the club head body's outer surface (at its maximum width and depth points) and is defined by the club head's length dimension L and its breadth dimension B (which make up the four sides of the bounding box) arranged at right angles to one another to define the corners of the bounding box.
  • the bounding box therefore defines a rectangular structure at the extreme dimensions of the club head body 102 along the four major sides of the club head 102 when viewed from overhead (e.g ., the smallest rectangular box that encloses the club head body 102).
  • the bounding box also defines the theoretical maximum diagonal dimension, which extends from one corner of the bounding box to its diagonally opposite corner.
  • This diagonal dimension is the theoretical maximum diagonal dimension for a perfectly square or rectangular club head (i.e ., if the club head 102 were perfectly square or rectangular, with each and every corner a right angle and its opposite sides parallel to one another, its diagonal dimension would be the length from points D 1 to D 4 in Fig. 1E (which also corresponds to the length (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 ).
  • the club head 102 is not perfectly “square” or rectangular. Therefore, its overall diagonal dimension D along the same diagonal line (i.e., from points D 2 to D 3 in Fig.
  • the actual overall diagonal dimension of club heads (e.g., from points D 2 to D 3 in Fig. 1E ) will be at least 0.75 x (the length from points D 1 to D 4 in Fig. 1E ) or at least 0.75 x (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 .
  • the actual overall diagonal dimension of club heads (e.g., from points D 2 to D 3 in Fig. 1E ) will be at least 0.8 x (the length from points D 1 to D 4 in Fig.
  • either one or both diagonals of the club head structure 102 may have the dimensional characteristics described above.
  • the diagonal(s) may be measured at a vertical height or level in the overall club head structure 102 at which the club head body cross section encloses or encompasses the greatest total area (e.g., so as to provide the club head's largest actual diagonal dimension D), or it may be measured using the widest points on the club head body along the diagonal line, irrespective of the vertical height location of these widest points, as shown in Fig. 1E (also called the "overall diagonal dimension").
  • the dimension along the diagonal line D from D 1 to D 2 may be less than 25.4 mm (1 inch), and in some examples less than 19.05 mm (0.75 inches), or even less than 12.7 mm (0.5 inches). In general, the smaller this open portion of the diagonal dimension, the more "square" or rectangular the structure.
  • FIG. 1E Another way of evaluating the "squareness" of a club head involves use of horizontal cross sectional area enclosed or encompassed by the club head (e.g., horizontal with respect to the club head's orientation during typical use, e.g., when addressing and/or hitting a golf ball or with the club head oriented at its lie angle and/or resting on its sole plate).
  • the club head 102 were perfectly "square” or rectangular (i.e., with the front, rear, and side edges arranged orthogonally in a rectangular arrangement)
  • golf club heads 102 will include at least one horizontal cross section (when the club head is oriented for typical use, on its sole, and/or at its intended lie angle), and optionally multiple horizontal cross sections, that encloses or encompasses an area of at least 0.75 x BL, at least 0.8 x BL, at least 0.85 x BL, at least 0.9 x BL, or even at least 0.95 x BL.
  • Figs. 2A through 2C illustrate various examples. More specifically, Figs. 2A and 2B show a club head structure 200 that includes at least two separate weight members W 1 and W 2 arranged toward the lower, rear corners of the club head structure 200. As illustrated in this example structure 200, both of the weight members W 1 and W 2 are removably mounted to the club head structure 200, e.g. to enable removal, replacement, interchange, customization, etc.
  • a larger (or heavier) weight is provided toward the heel side of the club head structure 200, to better promote a drawing golf shot (e.g., to provide a draw biased club, to help correct a slicing or excessively fading ball flight, etc.).
  • club head 200 may be provided with a variety of weights of different masses and/or a variety of weight port locations for receiving weight members W 1 and W 2 (including ports at different overall heights in the club head structure 200), to enable a variety of weight orientation and customization options (e.g., to provide a draw biased club, to provide a fade biased club, to provide a high trajectory biased club, to provide a low trajectory biased club, to provide a club to help compensate for undesired ball flights or swing flaws (to correct hooks, slices, etc., to help get balls airborne, to the prevent ballooning ball flights, etc.), etc.).
  • FIG. 2C illustrates the weight member(s) (e.g., W 1 and W 2 ) arranged somewhat higher and differently in the club head structure 250.
  • the weight arrangements of both Figs. 2B and 2C are provided in a single club head structure (i.e., with the set of weight port locations provided in Fig. 2C located somewhat higher and/or inside the weight port locations provided in Fig. 2B ).
  • More than two weight members may be provided in a club head structure 200 without departing from this invention. If desired, one or more available weight ports in a club head structure may remain empty.
  • the removably attached weight member(s) e.g., W 1 and W 2
  • W 1 and W 2 may be attached to the club head structure 200 and/or 250 in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including via conventional manners that are known and used in the art, such as via mechanical connectors (e.g., threaded connections, etc.), retaining systems, adhesives, and the like.
  • weight member may be provided without departing from this invention, including, for example, tungsten-containing or lead-containing members, including tungsten or lead elements, tungsten or lead alloys, tungsten or lead-containing polymers, etc.
  • the body of the club head structure e.g., structure 102
  • the body of the club head structure may be integrally formed to provide weighting in one or more desired areas. This may be accomplished in any desired manner without departing from this invention.
  • weighted regions may be provided by including a weighted material (e.g., tungsten or lead) in the metal, composite, or other structural materials of the club head 102 at the desired rear, sole, and/or side positions.
  • weighted regions may be provided by making desired portions of the club head 102 from a thicker metal (or other) material or by making the desired portions of the club head from a different, heavier metal (or other) material.
  • the weight member(s) or region(s) may be provided inside or partially inside the club head structure (e.g., engaged with or fixed to an interior wall or structure, etc.); may be provided outside or partially outside the club head structure (e.g., engaged with or fixed to an exterior wall or structure); may be integrally formed at a desired position in one or more wall structures; may be provided in one or more ports formed in or engaged with the club head structure; etc. Any desired ways of providing additional weighted regions at desired locations in an overall club head structure 102 may be used without departing from this invention.
  • various dimensions and/or characteristics may be used (such as various loft angles, face angles, head weights, lie angles, center of gravity angles, inset distances, lengths, breadths, heights, face thicknesses, crown thicknesses, sole thicknesses, body member thicknesses, hosel diameters, volumes, bulge radii, roll radii, body densities, etc.), e.g ., depending on whether the golf club head is a driver, a 2-wood, a 3-wood, a 4-wood, a 5-wood, a 7-wood, a 9-wood, a wood-type hybrid club, etc.
  • various dimensions and/or characteristics may be provided to suit a user's preferences and/or swing characteristics; to provide the desired launch angle, carry distance, and/or other characteristics for the club; etc.
  • various different shaft characteristics such as stiffness, flex point, kick point, etc. may be used to further allow change and control over the club's and the club head's feel and characteristics.
  • golf club heads in accordance with examples of this invention may use the club head design and/or geometry to produce other desired club head characteristics.
  • the club head will have a larger head and/or face length (e.g ., heel to toe) relative to the club head's depth or breadth ( e.g ., front to back) and a "squared" structure, which results in a club head that is more torsionally stable (i.e., more resistant to twisting), thereby producing a more consistent, reliable, and/or straight golf ball flight.
  • Golf club heads and golf clubs in accordance with at least some of these example aspects of the invention may include a club head body having an overall club head length dimension L of at least 11.43 cm (4.5 inches), at least 11.68 cm (4.6 inches), at least 11.93 cm (4.7 inches), at least 12.19 cm (4.8 inches), or even at least 12.45 cm (4.9 inches), and a ratio of an overall club head breadth dimension to the overall club head length dimension of 0.9 or more and 1 or less.
  • Club heads in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may have a ratio of club head breadth to club head length of at least 0.94, at least 0.95, at least 0.96, at least 0.97, or even at least 0.98.
  • the overall club head breadth B dimension may be at least 10.67 cm (4.2 inches), at least 10.92 cm (4.3 inches), at least 11.18 cm (4.4 inches), at least 11.43 cm (4.5 inches), at least 11.68 cm (4.6 inches), at least 11.93 cm (4.7 inches), at least 12.19 cm (4.8 inches), or even at least 12.45 cm (4.9 inches).
  • the club head body may be dimensioned such that the overall club head length dimension L is at least 11.93 cm (4.7 inches), at least 12.19 cm (4.8 inches), or even at least 12.45 cm (4.9 inches), and/or such that the overall club head body size is 500 cm 3 or less, 470 cm 3 or less, or even 460 cm 3 or less.
  • the overall club head body size or volume will be at least 350cc, at least 400cc, at least 420cc, or even at least 450cc.
  • the overall club head length dimension L will be about 12.52 cm (4.93 inches)
  • the overall club head breadth dimension B will be about 12.34 cm (4.86 inches)
  • the club head overall diagonal dimension D will be at least 0.9 (B 2 + L 2 ) 1/2 (or at least 15.82 cm (6.23 inches).
  • the "open portion of the diagonal" dimension e.g., along the diagonal line D from D 1 to D 2 in Fig. IE

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Golf Clubs (AREA)
EP07796341.1A 2006-06-22 2007-06-22 Golf clubs and golf club heads Not-in-force EP2035099B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/425,737 US20070298903A1 (en) 2006-06-22 2006-06-22 Golf clubs and golf club heads
PCT/US2007/014540 WO2007149552A2 (en) 2006-06-22 2007-06-22 Golf clubs and golf club heads

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2035099A2 EP2035099A2 (en) 2009-03-18
EP2035099B1 true EP2035099B1 (en) 2015-12-30

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EP07796341.1A Not-in-force EP2035099B1 (en) 2006-06-22 2007-06-22 Golf clubs and golf club heads

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US (3) US20070298903A1 (ja)
EP (1) EP2035099B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP5377299B2 (ja)
KR (1) KR20090091647A (ja)
CN (1) CN101495197B (ja)
AU (1) AU2007261300B9 (ja)
CA (1) CA2655354C (ja)
TW (1) TWI414333B (ja)
WO (1) WO2007149552A2 (ja)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101495197A (zh) 2009-07-29
AU2007261300B9 (en) 2013-02-21
WO2007149552A3 (en) 2008-03-27
US20080268979A1 (en) 2008-10-30
AU2007261300B2 (en) 2013-01-24
EP2035099A2 (en) 2009-03-18
TWI414333B (zh) 2013-11-11
US20070298903A1 (en) 2007-12-27
CN101495197B (zh) 2011-07-06
KR20090091647A (ko) 2009-08-28
TW200806363A (en) 2008-02-01
US20100093462A1 (en) 2010-04-15
CA2655354A1 (en) 2007-12-27
JP2009540933A (ja) 2009-11-26
WO2007149552A2 (en) 2007-12-27
CA2655354C (en) 2013-12-17
JP5377299B2 (ja) 2013-12-25
AU2007261300A1 (en) 2007-12-27

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