JP2000510009A - Golf club head or its face - Google Patents

Abstract

A striking face (4) for golf clubs, such as a driver, iron or putter, includes zones of the same or different material arranged to create a desired "feel" to the golfer and/or produce a desired effect on the golf ball. For instance, the zones can be arranged to create a variation in mechanical properties across the striking face. The zones can be created by using "pixels" such as round or hexagonal rods arranged with their central axes perpendicular to the striking face. Pixels of a first material such as a shape memory alloy such as super-elastic NiTi can be arranged in one or more concentric patterns and the remainder of the striking face can be made up of pixels of a second material such as beta-titanium, martensitic NiTi or stainless steel. The super-elastic NiTi pixels can thus create a sweet spot on the striking face of the club.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION                             Title of invention               Golf club head or its face                               Field of the invention   The present invention relates to golf clubs for golf clubs such as drivers, irons, and putters. The present invention relates to an improvement in the structure of a love head or its face.                               Background of the Invention   Many types of materials have been proposed for golf club heads and faces, Used and commercial. These materials are used throughout Or used in club face inserts. There is no attempt to extend the distance or control the ball. Have been. These materials include polymers, ceramics and metals, The most common metals are stainless steel, BeCu, and There are various titanium alloys in the near future, as well as shapes such as Niti-based and copper-based alloys Shape memory materials are also included.   Each of these materials has its own different properties, but basically has common characteristics. Which allows the golfer to exert an essentially constant mechanical force through the face. Golf club surfaces have been created that impact the ruff ball.   For example, a typical titanium alloy, such as titanium 6-4, has a bullet of about 15 million psi. With a modulus of about 120,000 psi for less than 1% strain It has a yield strength. Other materials also have different degrees of strain Has a different elastic modulus and a different yield strength for Certain properties are required for use on the surface of a club.   When the ball impacts the club face, its mechanical properties (graph The course (ballistic, distance, and variation) of the ball's flight depends on the speed, material properties, and shape) Controlling the course of the ball can be determined by controlling its material properties Decisive to do.   The club head speed and shape are constant and should be used as the club impact surface. It does not depend on the particular properties of the material used.                               Summary of the Invention   The present invention provides a golf ball striking surface of a golf club.   Here, the first and second material regions are provided on the hitting surface. There is this one Or more first areas are surrounded by one or more second areas. And the one or more first areas is the one or more It has a higher or lower elastic modulus than the second region. These first and second territories The region may be a region that has been partially heat treated on a single piece of metallic material. Or Also, many of the first areas can be made from discontinuous pieces of the first material, such as shape memory alloys. Can be made, and this second region can be made of β-titanium or stainless steel It can also be made from a single piece of the second material. In this case, the first area is in the second material Inset.   According to many embodiments according to the present invention, many of the first regions have their respective central axes Wire members can be arranged in a pattern so as to cross the exposed surface of the ball striking surface It is.   The hitting surface may or may not be flat.   Most of the first area consists of discontinuous pieces that are patterned, and the second area It can also consist of a frame surrounding an area. This first area is polyhedral, cylindrical Or it can take various forms, such as other desired forms.   Much of the second area is divided by much of the first area, and the intersection of the first and second areas It can also be like a mutual ring. For example, the first region is an annular ring And the second region is an inner second region surrounded by the first region and a first region. And an outer second area surrounding the second area.   This first area is the area around the club head or insert of the golf club. It can also be used to adjust weights.   Alternatively, a third material region may surround the first region and the second region. That In this case, the third area may be a peripheral part of the golf club head or insert. It is made of a high-density material that can provide light.   This first region can be made of solid or hollow metal. example For example, one or more first regions may be formed from single crystal CuNiAl wires. You can also. In this case, arrange this wire so that its central axis crosses the ball striking surface. You can also queue.                           BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES   FIG. 1 shows a golf club incorporating a ball striking surface according to the present invention.   FIG. 2 shows a "pixel" arrangement according to the invention.   3 to 13 show various "pixel" arrangements according to the invention.   FIG. 14 shows a "pixel" according to the invention in which the striking surface is not flat Represents an array.   FIG. 15 shows that the wires making up the individual pixels consist of bent wire sections 1 represents a "pixel" arrangement according to the invention.   FIG. 16 shows a "pixel" arrangement according to the invention in which the pixels consist of tubes. Shows a column example.   17 to 21 show an embodiment of the present invention. The plates of material are separately heat treated to create regions with different properties.   Figures 22 to 23 show the first region inserted into a groove in the base material. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.   FIG. 24 shows a stress / strain curve of a wire sample of a single crystal CuNiAl wire. I forgot.   25 and 26 show an embodiment in which weighting is performed on the peripheral portion. I forgot.   FIG. 27 shows a prior art in which a weight arrangement is performed on a peripheral portion. Things.                           Detailed description of the invention   In the present invention, the impact face of the club can be as small as 0.0001 square inches. Arbitrarily controlling and changing the mechanical properties of the ball striking surface of each golf club It is possible.   Using the method of the present invention, the characteristics of the club face can be varied depending on the impact surface. It can be changed to kind.   As shown in FIG. 1, a club face 4 of a driver type golf club 6 is provided. An elliptical “sweet spot” 2 is formed on the top, and The mechanical properties of the concentric circles (or other desired arrangement) And / or its high yield strength and elasticity The combination of distortion characteristics can be varied in any way.   A similar screen is useful for understanding the present invention. Golf Club A Think of the TV screen as the impact part, and the full range of materials available Think of each pixel as a selectable material You. Simply select the desired pixel for a possible arrangement or combination of material properties. By doing so, it is possible to make a "screen" (impact surface). this Is analogous to how a television image can be formed on a screen. Furthermore, one by one It is possible for the single pixel itself to have a suitable shape, such as a circle or hexagon. is there.   For example, if a hexagonal shape is selected as each pixel, the pixel Are essentially "tightly packed" so that there is little gap between the individual You can do it. On the other hand, if you choose a circular shape, the placed pixels Since a gap 10 (see FIG. 2) is formed between the circles 8, this gap is It can be made of the same or different materials as you like. Pixel size, The combination of shape and material selection allows for an infinite number of combinations of material properties. is there.   The scope of the present invention is to provide uniform uniformity on golf club faces by selecting a single material. It can be a characteristic, or you can choose the size, shape, and material of the "pixel" So you can draw any pattern on the face and give it countless characteristics .   The improvement of the ball striking face according to the invention is very simple. Using the TV screen To illustrate, the pixels can be titanium, polymeric, or, preferably, highly elastic. Shape memory material (e.g. (E.g., a NiTi base material). As shown in FIG. 3, the hexagonal wire 12 is tight and stored in the frame 14. Epoxy polymer (or silicon metal powder, or solder, or other sticky Matrix). The frame consists of a driver, Desirable as an insert 16 for the face surface of golf clubs such as Ian and putter It can be made to a small size.   And the frame matrix of wire pixels fits the club face shape. By machining or grinding Formed and attached to the club.   The insert 16 obtained as described above simply consists of the desired wire material and its By choosing the diameter or cross-sectional shape, any combination of desired material properties can be It can be designed to be.   4 to 7 illustrate some forms of the invention. Fig. 4 Circular "pixels" having a uniform diameter within a matrix 20 of oxypolymer Represents 18.   FIG. 5 shows a tightly packed hexagonal pixel 22.   FIG. 6 shows a frame 24 formed to fit hexagonal pixels.   FIG. 7 shows a combination of pixel sizes 26 and 28.   The frame may be left as part of the insert, or "pixels" may be interchanged. It can be removed after it has been combined.   As mentioned above, the pixels also vary with the choice of material. Figure 1 is oval The center spot of this is made of a material having a high elastic modulus. Built and in If you select a material with a lower elastic modulus toward the boundary of the impact surface, Will change.   Of course, the opposite combination of material properties can be made. That is, It is possible to have a low elastic modulus at the center and a high elastic modulus on the outside. The materials may be combined, or a uniform material may be selected.   Preferred embodiments of the invention include maximum control (minimum variability), maximum Designed to guide large distances or the ideal combination of distance and control include.   Various patterns of the impact area are shown in FIGS. here, Pixels 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 Are arranged in frames 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 .   "Pixel" to effect a change in the mechanical response of the club face in the Z-axis The thickness of the matrix can also be varied. This change in thickness has Machining the front, back, or both sides of the insert Therefore it can be made. Also, the impact surface of the insert should be short pixels and long By using pixels, three-dimensional effects can be applied to the impact surface as shown in FIG. Can bring fruit. In this case, the striking surface 66 forms a curved surface with a radius R, The xels 46 increase in length toward the center of the frame 60. Depending on the purpose, Since the material can be selected in various ways, the surface shape of the impact surface can be selectively etched. It can be formed by ching or customized. For example, If you select “Pixel” that combines tan-nickel and aluminum, Chemical etching of the impact surface using a weak alkaline solution Aluminum material can be etched more strongly than titanium material . Obedience This surface is nickel-titanium element raised between low aluminum materials The material will be in the existing state. A similar alkali treatment is applied to various materials including polymers. I can do it. This allows for the grooves, points, and Produces an ideal grip or spin on the ball, as well as holes, burrs and jaggies The surface of the impact area to be emitted can be obtained. This method also allows for differences in material colors Can also be used to make In other words, controlling the patterns used Allows the logo, design and / or company to be visible on the surface of the insert It can also be used to create service marks such as names.   The frame that constrains the pixel matrix is machined, blackened, or cast. And can be made from materials such as stainless steel. Polymer frame also , Can be made by casting or machining.   Inserts are shaped as matrices joined together by epoxy resin For this purpose, a temporary frame may be used. After joining, remove the frame And leave the frameless insert on the club face Depressions and cavities may be formed.   The back side of the "pixel" matrix may be supported by a frame structure, or May have a recess in the club to support the back of the matrix, Furthermore, they can be combined.   In another example of the invention, individual wires 48 ("pixels") were bent or broken. (See Fig. 15), the total compression, bending and distortion at impact with the ball Can be made possible. This individual pixel 50 is hollow, Good. For example, a thin-walled tube with a hollow interior Or may have its lumen blocked with another material, such as a polymer. And every other metal or polymer or ceramic metal, or May be a thin-walled tube partially plugged (see FIG. 16).   The present invention is more specifically illustrated by the following examples. However, The description is not limited to only these examples. ・ Driver example   Golf Club "Driver" inserts are optimal in epoxy matrix Made from flexible elastic nickel titanium wire and beta titanium wire. And high The elastic modulus beta titanium wire forms an outer circular impact area, which reduces the elastic modulus A number of nickel titanium forms the inner circular impact area.   In this example, the long flight distance derived from the high elasticity beta titanium and the low flight distance Derived from nickel-titanium with very high elasticity and no linear distortion characteristics Controls that can be combined. This array is the face of the club Approximating the strain distribution of the ball deformed by   You can reduce the size of the pixels to create a gradual change in the modulus, By adding a third or fourth material, it can. The outer region is formed with low elastic modulus NiTi, and high elastic modulus beta titanium Or form the inner area with stainless steel of similar high modulus of elasticity. The opposite example can be considered. ・ Iron example   The insertion portion of the golf club into the iron is made of a super-elastic NiTi alloy with Or made from a composite of superelastic NiTi and a martensitic NiTi alloy material Consists of a matrix of striped hexagonal wires.   NiTi material in super-elastic or optimal elastic state has its pressure / strain hysteresis As a result of the absorption of energy resulting from the cis action, Despite the fact, it is possible not to feel the vibration at the moment of impact. ・ Putter example   The insert for the golf club putter is a martensitic NiTi wire. Yarn matrices alone or in combination with polymer wires.   This embodiment produces the greatest damping (vibration reduction) effect at impact. This allows for maximum control of the ball when putting. Sensation of so-called “hole in front of (dead)” or “soft hit” Is obtained. ・ Example of "partial heat treatment"   FIG. 17 shows an insert 70 into a golf ball striking surface of a golf club, The insert is made from a solid piece of NiTi-based shape memory alloy. This NiTi solid pieces can be heat-treated separately in a uniform or non-uniform mold, Control the mechanical properties up to the point, or with the "pixel" method described above Similar effects can be achieved.   Partial heat treatment, limited by surrounding area that does not change with heat treatment An area 72 can be created. This heat treatment is performed, for example, by vertically arranging the electrodes, Facing the surface to be treated and passing AC or DC current through the electrodes More can be done. Heat treatment that keeps current flowing from electrode to electrode through the material The method provides a local heating effect and has one corresponding to the shape of the opposing electrode Alternatively, more heat treatment regions can be formed.   FIG. 17 shows the nickel-titanium base of the club face. Shape memory alloy insert 70 is placed between a pair of opposing electrodes 74,76. ing. FIG. 18 shows the NiTi insert 70 partially heat treated in FIG. FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, the heat-treated region 72 is circular.   When heat treating the insert, if there is a pair of electrodes, the heat treatment region 72 is continuously formed. It can be used to make, but it can also be Any type of heat treatment zone mold can be made.   FIGS. 19 to 21 are actual examples of the patterns of the heat treatment regions 78, 80, and 82. These are heat-treated NiTi 84, 86, 88 inserts on golf club faces. Can be obtained separately. As shown in these figures, the arrangement of the electrodes Wide range of different mechanical properties depending on the shape of the rows and / or electrodes themselves Can control the flight of the golf ball ideally Wear. FIG. 19 shows an annular ring type heat treatment area 78, which is a pair of relative heat treatment areas. Can be made with a tubular electrode. FIG. 20 shows an arrangement in a ring shape. Represents a plurality of circular heat treatment areas, which are the opposite heat treatment areas shown in FIG. One annular region 80 is formed from one or more pairs of electrodes.   FIG. 21 shows one or more pairs of opposing strips. FIG. 5 is an example of a “strip” heat treatment area 82 made from electrodes (eg, plate electrodes). . ・ Compound example   FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 are examples of the composite insert 90 on the ball striking surface of a golf club. is there. As shown in FIG. 22, this insert is intended to change the characteristics of the insert. Base with one or more embeddings 94 of a selected material Material 92. For example, as shown in FIG. 94 should be closer to the central zone than to the outer edge of the insert You can also.   As shown in FIG. 23, the base material is provided with a groove 9 for fitting an additional portion 94. 6 can be included.   This groove is provided in a desired pattern such as a uniform or non-uniform pattern. be able to.   For example, make this groove gradually increase the space toward the outer circumference of the insert. You can also make it. The insert material must have a different elastic modulus than the base material Is preferred. This groove is shown to extend vertically, but in any direction, It can take any desired shape. For example, it may be provided horizontally or at an angle May be provided. Alternatively, mix them and create multiple sets of grooves with different shapes and directions. You may combine them. ・ Example of “CuNiAi single crystal”   The insert as a golf ball hitting surface is made of single crystal CuNiAl. The "pixel" described above is also included. This material has a "stability zone" at low pressures of 1 It has an excellent strain ability to elastically deform up to a strain of 2 to 14%. Completely resilient with low hysteresis.   FIG. 24 shows the pressure / strain of a 0.06 inch diameter single crystal CuNiAl wire sample. It is only a curve.   The distortion characteristics of such materials leave the golf ball on the golf club for a long time. Can increase the sense of ball control for club users. You. ・ "Peripheral weight" example   FIG. 25 is a book showing how a peripheral portion of a golf club is processed. It is an Example of an invention.   In this example, the center portion 100 of the club face is shown in FIGS. Pixels and other arrangements Can be included.   This central part is made of pure metal (eg uranium, tungsten, molygden, lead) Etc.) in high density "pixels" 102, such as rods of heavy material Is partially enclosed.   The purpose of weighting the periphery is to make the striking surface as thin as possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 26, an iron type having a peripheral weight 102 The cross-sectional area of the club face 104 of FIG. Commonly cast and forged stainless steel iron clubs The cross-sectional area increases around the loop 106 and the bottom 108.   The basics of the present invention, the preferred embodiment and the operation method have been described above. It should be construed that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.   The above-described embodiment is only a limited example, and should be considered within the scope of the claims of the present invention. Various modifications of these embodiments can be confirmed by those skilled in the art without being it can.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, L U, MC, NL, PT, SE), JP (72) Inventor Dixon, Frank, See.             United States California             94063 Redwood City, Fifth               Avenue 824

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Golf of a golf club having a first material region and a second material region on a hitting surface A ball striking surface,   The first material region is an area surrounded by one or more second material regions. Or more regions, where the first material region is higher than the second material region Or the first material area and the second material area are subjected to different heat treatments. Golf club characterized by being an area consisting of a single piece of metal material Fball hitting surface. (2) The metal material is mainly a superelastic shape memory alloy. The golf ball striking surface according to claim 1. (3) The hitting surface is installed in a frame. 3. The golf ball striking surface according to the item 1. (4) The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the hitting surface is not flat. Le hitting surface. (5) The plurality of second material regions are separated by the plurality of first material regions. The golf ball striking surface according to claim 1, wherein: (6) The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the hitting surface is flat or not flat. Ball hitting surface. (7) In an iron type golf club, an insert having a substantially uniform thickness The golf ball striking surface according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball has a hitting surface. (8) The first material region includes an annular ring, and an inside surrounded by the first material region. A plurality of second materials including a second material region and an outer second material region surrounding the first material region The golf ball striking surface according to claim 1, further comprising a golf ball region. (9) The hitting surface includes a golf club insert or a club head. The golf ball striking surface according to claim 1, wherein: (10) a third material region surrounding the first material region and the second material region; ,   This third material region is made of a high density material, and may be a golf club insert or Claims for use in weighting the periphery of a club head Item 2. A golf ball hitting surface according to item 1. (11) A golf ball striking surface of a golf club, wherein the striking surface has a plurality of pieces. Are arranged, these pieces have endwalls that form the ball striking face, and Each piece has at least one side wall that contacts the side wall of the adjacent piece A golf ball striking surface of a golf club, characterized in that: (12) The respective pieces have the same cross-sectional shape. Golf ball hitting surface. (13) Each of the pieces has a polyhedral shape. Golf ball hitting surface. (14) A putter in which each of the pieces has a hexagonal shape and the pieces are geometrically densely stacked. The golf ball striking surface according to claim 13, wherein the golf ball striking surface is arranged on the golf ball. (15) Each of the pieces is made of a polymer or a metal material. 2. The golf ball hitting surface according to 1. (16) Each piece is superelastic or martensitic shape memory The golf ball striking surface according to claim 15, wherein the golf ball is gold. (17) Each piece has a polyhedral shape and is geometrically tightly packed in a frame 12. The golf ball hitting ball according to claim 11, wherein the golf ball is arranged in a pattern. surface. (18) The hitting surface is a putter, an iron type club or a driver type club. The golf ball hitting surface according to claim 11, wherein the golf ball hitting surface is a hitting surface. (19) Each piece has the same shape and the same or different length, The golf ball striking surface according to claim 11, wherein: (20) The hitting surface includes an insert for an iron-type golf ball club. The insert of claim 11, wherein the insert has a substantially uniform thickness. The golf ball hitting surface of the description. (21) Each piece consists of a single-crystal CuNiAl portion, and this portion is 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein an axis is arranged so as to intersect the hitting surface. Golf ball hitting surface. (22) Each of the pieces includes the portion, and the portion is bent, and an end of the portion is hit. The golf ball according to claim 11, wherein the golf balls are arranged so as to intersect the surface. Hitting surface. (23) The side wall of each of the pieces is not bonded to each other. 3. The golf ball striking surface according to the item 1. (24) The ball having a back surface in which the hitting surface is supported by a cavity in the club head. The golf ball striking surface according to claim 11, further comprising an insert.