JP2001170226A - Golf club head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain high friction to a ball without impairing the mechanical characteristics of an amorphous clubface. SOLUTION: This golf club head is formed with the amorphous clubface F consisting of an amorphous alloy M on the clubface F for hitting the ball. A rough surface part 4 regulated in ten point average roughness Rz to 5 to 50 μm is formed in at least part of the amorphous clubface Fa.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a golf club head having an amorphous face made of an amorphous alloy on the face.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years,
A golf club head using a face plate made of an amorphous alloy has been proposed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-76457. Amorphous alloys have high strength, high hardness, and low Young's modulus at the same time. In particular, characteristics such as high strength and high hardness enable the face plate to be thin while maintaining strength, and the face has a low Young's modulus. Can be easily bent so that the resilience characteristics of the ball can be enhanced and the flight distance can be increased.

On the face surface, for example, a groove width of 0.5 is used in order to increase the friction with the ball even in a rainy or rough shot and to give a proper spin to the hit ball.
A score line composed of narrow grooves having a groove depth of 0.3 to 0.5 mm and a groove interval of 3 to 5 times the groove width is formed. However, such a score line gives a notch effect to stresses such as bending and tension due to impact when hitting a ball. In particular, in the case of a head having an amorphous face made of an amorphous alloy on the face, if the friction of the face is increased by the score line, for example, the strength is reduced, and as a result, the properties are comparable to those of other metal materials. In some cases, the mechanical properties of the amorphous alloy tend to be impaired.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems, and forms a rough surface portion having a ten-point average roughness Rz of 5 to 50 μm on at least a part of an amorphous face surface. On the basis of this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a golf club head capable of increasing the frictional force with a ball without impairing the mechanical properties of an amorphous alloy.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf club head having an amorphous face made of an amorphous alloy formed on a face for hitting a ball, A feature is that a rough surface portion having a ten-point average roughness Rz of 5 to 50 μm is formed on at least a part of the amorphous face surface. Here, the “ten-point average roughness Rz” is determined in accordance with JIS-B0601.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the rough surface portion is surrounded by an intermediate point of each distance from a face center point to a peripheral edge of the face surface where a perpendicular drawn from the center of gravity of the head to the face surface intersects the face surface. 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the golf club head is formed in a center area of the face surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the golf club head according to the second aspect, wherein a score line is not formed at least in the center area of the face surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the ratio (S1) of the total area S1 of the rough surface portion to the total area S2 of the face surface
The golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein / S2) is 0.01 to 0.8.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the rough surface portion has a width of 0.3 to 3 mm and a length of 5.0 mm or more, extends in the width direction of the face surface, and is 5.0 in the face height direction.
The golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the golf club head has a linear shape spaced from the face surface at an arrangement pitch of ~ 7.0 mm.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the rough surface portion is formed by colliding abrasive grains with the amorphous face surface. Golf club head.

[0011]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a golf club head (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as “head”) 1 of the present embodiment.
2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. In the drawings, a head 1 of the present embodiment is illustrated as a wood type having a hollow portion i inside. In the present embodiment, a head 1 including a head body 2 and a face member 3 is illustrated.

The head body 2 includes a crown 2a forming an upper part of the head, a sole 2b forming a bottom of the head, and a side part 2 connecting between the crown 2a and the sole 2b.
c, Neck part 2 protruding toward the heel of the crown part
d, and a backup portion 2e (shown in FIG. 2) arranged on the face surface F side and supporting the face member 3 on the front surface thereof. However, the backup portion 2e is not limited to this shape, and it is needless to say that the backup portion 2e can be variously deformed, such as one that opens the front surface and supports only the peripheral edge of the face member 3. In addition, the head body 2 of this example is
For example, it is formed of various crystalline metals such as aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, and stainless steel.

The face member 3 is formed in a plate shape having a substantially constant thickness, for example, 1 mm or more, more preferably 2 mm or more, and is attached, for example, to the front surface of the backup portion 2e of the head body 2 by bonding, caulking or the like. It is arranged by the fixing means. The face member 3 constitutes at least a part of the face surface F, which is a surface on which the ball is hit, by its surface. In the present embodiment, the face member 3 is made of a molded article integrally formed of an amorphous alloy, and includes a substantial effective hitting region of the face surface F to constitute a main part thereof, thereby forming the face surface. An amorphous face Fa is formed on F. Such an amorphous face Fa is useful for improving the flight distance of a hit ball as described above.

The face member 3 presses the alloy material melted in a liquid state with a pair of upper and lower water-cooled dies in, for example, a vacuum or an inert gas atmosphere, and performs critical cooling so that crystal nuclei are not generated and grown. By using a so-called melt forging method or the like that rapidly cools at a speed higher than the speed, it is possible to form a plate-like material (bulk material) having an amorphous structure (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
-104809, JP-A-11-104810). However, as long as it is an amorphous metal, how it is manufactured is not particularly limited.

As the amorphous metal, those having various alloy compositions are used. For example, a general formula: MaXb (where a and b are atomic% and 65 ≦ a ≦ 10
0, 0 ≦ b ≦ 35) are preferred. here,
M is Zr, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni,
Cu, Ti, Mo, W, Ca, Li, Mg, Si, A
and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Sm, Md, Hf, and N.
It is desirable to use one composed of one or more metal elements selected from b and Ta. Preferably, a and b satisfy 65 ≦ a ≦ 95.5 and 0.5 ≦ b ≦ 35, and more preferably a Zr-based amorphous alloy. In the present embodiment, Zr ₅₅ Al ₁₀
An example using an amorphous alloy of Ni ₅ Cu ₃₀ (the number is atomic%) is shown.

A rough surface portion 4 having a ten-point average roughness Rz of 5 to 50 μm is formed on at least a part of the amorphous face surface Fa.
An example in which the above-described score line is not formed in the entire area of the above is shown. Generally, the surface of an amorphous alloy has a ten-point average roughness of 1
Since it is about μm, the rough surface portion 4 has a roughened surface roughness. In such a head 1, since the rough surface portion 4 can exert a frictional force at the time of hitting between the golf ball and the amorphous face Fa, the number of score lines or the like is reduced or omitted, for example. Can reduce the groove depth, can suppress the notch effect by the score line, and can prevent deterioration of the mechanical properties of the amorphous alloy. In particular, the face surface F as in this embodiment
In the case where no score line is provided, the effect becomes more remarkable. For example, the thickness of the face member 3 can be reduced, and the repulsive force with the ball can be increased to further improve the flight distance. .

Here, the ten-point average roughness Rz of the rough surface portion 4 is 5
If it is less than μm, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient frictional force with the ball because the surface tends to be smoothed, and particularly in rainy weather, etc., the drainage of the amorphous face Fa becomes poor, and the frictional force is reduced. I will. Conversely, the ten-point average roughness Rz of the rough surface portion 4 is 5
If it exceeds 0 μm, the surface becomes excessively rough and the ball tends to be damaged, which is not preferable. From such a viewpoint, the ten-point average roughness Rz of the rough surface portion 4 is 10 to 40 μm.
m, more preferably 20 to 40 μm.

The width W of the rough surface portion 4 of this embodiment is 0.3 to 0.3.
1.5 mm and length L (length in the face width direction) is 5.0
In this example, a linear shape extending in the width direction of the face surface F with a distance of 5.0 mm or more and being disposed at a pitch P of 5.0 to 7.0 mm in the face height direction is illustrated. Such a rough surface portion 4 is dispersed and arranged in large numbers on the amorphous face surface Fa, so that a relatively small total area can secure a wide range of contact opportunities with the ball, and the strength of the face member 3 is reduced. It is possible to give the ball an optimal spin amount without any trouble.

Further, since such a linear rough surface portion 4 has a surface gloss different from that of the portion other than the rough surface portion based on the surface roughness, the face surface F has a score formed by a conventional narrow groove formed by the rough surface portion 4. This is preferable in that a decorative effect similar to a line is exerted to give a user psychological security and that the rough surface portion 4 can be clearly recognized. Particularly, it is preferable that the length L of the rough surface portion 4 is larger than the width W. Note that the reason why the width W and the length L are limited when forming such a linear shape is that the width W is 0.1 mm.
If the length is less than 3 mm or less than 5.0 mm, the effect of increasing the frictional force with the ball is relatively reduced,
Also, when the width W is larger than 1.5 mm, the difference in appearance from the score line becomes large.

The shape and position of the rough surface portion 4 are not particularly limited. For example, the rough surface portion 4 serves as an ideal hitting area on the face surface F, and has a particularly large contact area with the ball. It is particularly desirable to form the film. Here, the “face area central area C” refers to a face center point CP at which a perpendicular N drawn from the center of gravity G of the head 1 to the face area F intersects the face area F as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
The midpoint d of each distance K1, K2, ... to 1, e2, ...
.. Are areas including the intermediate point surrounded by 1, d2,. By forming the rough surface portion 4 in the center area C of the face surface, the chance of contact between the rough surface portion 4 and the ball increases,
It is possible to give an effective spin to a hit ball. Note that “forming the rough surface portion 4 in the face surface center region C” means that the rough surface portion 4 is formed in the entire face surface center region C and that the rough surface portion 4 partially covers the face surface center region C. The case where it is formed is naturally included.

A head having no score line formed on the face surface F may cause psychological anxiety. For example, a head other than an ideal hitting area, that is, a position where there is little chance of contact with the ball, may be used. It is possible to provide a score line or the like in an area excluding the face area central area C. It is desirable that the area other than the rough surface portion 4 has a ten-point average roughness Rz of less than 5 μm, for example.

If the total area S1 of the rough surface portion 4 in the total area S2 of the face surface F is too small, it is difficult to give a sufficient spin to the ball, while if too large, the strength of the face member 3 tends to decrease. . From such a viewpoint, although not particularly limited, the ratio (S1 / S2) of the total area S1 of the rough surface portion 4 to the total area S2 of the face surface F is, for example, 0.01 to 0.8. Preferably 0.02-0.
5, more preferably 0.03 to 0.3, particularly preferably 0.03 to 0.2.

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a predetermined masking (not shown) is performed on the surface of the face member 3 except for a region where the rough surface 4 is formed. Can be processed by causing abrasive grains S to collide with the surface. In addition, since the face member 3 is usually a curved surface, there is a tendency that processing is generally difficult in polishing or grinding, and in polishing or the like, roughness tends to have directionality, and this directionality acts similarly to the notch effect. Such a method is desirable because it is easy.

As a processing method for causing the abrasive grains S to collide with the surface of the face member 3, various methods such as sand blasting, shot peening, grit blasting, and liquid honing are known. Can be used. The abrasive grains S
Can be made of any material, shape, etc., for example, steel shot (small iron ball), steel grid (cast steel crushed granules), wire cut, glass beads, organic materials, granules made of various alloys, spheres, ceramics, other It is preferable to use one or more of various abrasives such as inorganic substances. The average grain size of the abrasive grains S is, for example, 10 to 1
000 μm, more preferably about 50 to 500 μm. Such abrasive grains can be accelerated using any means such as gas, liquid, or centrifugal force to collide with the surface of the face member 3.

As an example, for example, in a direct pressure type blasting machine which accelerates the abrasive grains S using high pressure air, for example, a ceramic material (White Alundum # 100:
0.5-0.6MP using a granular system of 80-200 μm)
When the air pressure is set to about a and the injection is performed, for example, for 3 to 10 seconds, the ten-point average roughness Rz is about 5
It is possible to form the rough surface portion 4 of about 50 μm. The ten-point average roughness Rz can be adjusted by adjusting the particle size of the abrasive grains, the injection pressure, the injection time, and the like. The abrasive grains may collide after the face member 3 is assembled to the head body 2.

FIGS. 5A to 5C and FIGS. 6A to 6C.
5 shows another embodiment of the shape of the rough surface portion 4. The rough surface portion 4 is illustrated in a trapezoidal shape in FIG. 5A, a plurality of horizontally long rectangular shapes in FIG. 5B, and a single circular shape in FIG. 5C. Further, in FIG. 6 (A), the rough surface portion 4 is formed in a plurality of circles, in FIG. 6 (B), is formed in a horizontally elliptical shape, and in FIG. 6 (C), the rough surface portion 4 is formed in a shape similar to the peripheral edge of the face surface. Are respectively exemplified.

[0027]

Next, a more specific embodiment of the present invention will be described. The face member is made of an amorphous alloy formed of Zr ₅₅ Al ₁₀ Ni ₅ Cu ₃₀ (atomic%) and manufactured by the forging method (ten-point average roughness Rz: 1.0 at the time of forming).
μm) and fixed to a titanium alloy head main body to produce various types of wood-type golf club heads having a volume of 258 cm ³ , and subjected to a friction resistance test with a ball and a hitting durability test.

The face member 3 of the embodiment has the structure shown in FIG.
A rough surface having the specifications and shapes shown in Table 1 was formed. Further, as Comparative Example 1, a head having no rough surface portion formed on the face member (10-point average roughness Rz: 1.
0 μm) as a comparative example 2 and a score line composed of narrow grooves in the head of the comparative example 1 having a groove width of 0.9 mm, a groove depth of 0.5 mm, and a groove interval of 3 times the groove width. And a head having a ten-point average roughness Rz outside the range of the present invention was prepared as a comparative example 3, and a test was also conducted. The thickness of the face member, the head body, and the like were the same. The rough surface portion was processed by performing predetermined masking on the face member and injecting and colliding ceramic particles with an air pressure of 0.59 MPa for 3 to 10 seconds using a direct pressure shot blast machine. The test method is as follows.

<Friction resistance test with ball> A head is fixed, and while the ball is pressed against the head with a vertical load of 3920 N, the two are relatively moved parallel to the face at 50 mm / min. Measure with a load cell. Then, the maximum static friction force, which is the maximum value of the measured lateral load, was divided by the longitudinal load (3920N) to evaluate the friction coefficient μ under a high load. The coefficient of friction μ under high load was measured in a dry state where the contact portion between the ball and the face surface was dry, and in a wet state where water was dropped on the face surface. The higher the value, the better. The ball used for the measurement was DDH Tour-Special R manufactured by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
B (two-piece ball), which was visually observed for scratches after the test.

<Battery endurance test> A wood type golf club was prototyped by incorporating a shaft into each head, fixed to a swing robot, and the head speed at the time of impact was set to 50 m / s. The ball was hit 10,000 times. After the impact was completed, the face was inspected for damage. If there was no damage, “フ ェ ー ス” indicates that no damage occurred, and “X” indicates that damage occurred. Table 1 shows the test results.

[0031]

[Table 1]

As a result of the test, it was confirmed that the frictional force with the ball of the example was improved as compared with the comparative example, particularly, the frictional force in a wet state was improved. In addition, it can be confirmed that the club of the actual example is also superior in durability to the head provided with the score line. In the case of Comparative Example 2, cracks occurred at the groove bottoms of the score lines.

[0033]

As described above, in the golf club head of the present invention, a rough surface portion for increasing frictional resistance with a ten-point average roughness Rz of 5 to 50 μm is formed on at least a part of the amorphous face surface. Therefore, it is possible to exert a frictional force at the time of hitting the golf ball and the amorphous face surface by using the rough surface portion. Therefore, for example, it is possible to reduce or omit the number of score lines, etc., and further reduce the depth of the grooves, thereby suppressing the notch effect due to the score lines, and furthermore, making use of the mechanical properties of the amorphous alloy in golf. Can provide club head. In particular, by not providing a score line on the face surface, the effect becomes more remarkable, for example, the thickness of the face member can be made smaller, the repulsive force with the ball can be increased, and the flight distance can be further improved. become.

When the rough surface portion is formed in the center area of the face surface, or when the entire area is regulated, the chance of contact with the golf ball is increased and spin can be effectively given to the hit ball. . Also, by limiting the width, length, arrangement pitch and the like of the rough surface portion to form the rough surface portion in a linear shape separated from the face surface, the same decorative effect as the conventional score line can be obtained. Therefore, a sense of security can be given to the user. Further, when the rough surface portion is formed by colliding abrasive grains with the amorphous face surface, the rough surface portion can be easily formed without giving directionality to the roughness.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a golf club head according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a central area of a face surface.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of forming a rough surface portion.

5A to 5C are front views of a head illustrating another shape of the rough surface portion.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are front views of a head illustrating another shape of the rough surface portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Golf club head 2 Head main body 3 Face member 4 Rough surface part C Face surface central area F Face surface Fa Amorphous face surface S Abrasive grains

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A golf club head having an amorphous face made of an amorphous alloy formed on a face hitting a ball, wherein at least a part of the amorphous face has a ten-point average roughness. A golf club head having a rough surface portion with Rz of 5 to 50 μm. 2. A rough surface portion is located in a center area of a face surface surrounded by an intermediate point of each distance from a face center point intersecting the face surface with a perpendicular line drawn from the center of gravity of the head to the face surface to a peripheral edge of the face. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the golf club head is formed. 3. A score line is not formed at least in the center area of the face surface.
The golf club head as described. 4. A ratio (S1 / S2) of a total area S1 of the rough surface portion to a total area S2 of the face surface is 0.01 to 0.8.
The golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. The rough surface portion has a width of 0.3 to 3 mm and a length of 5.0 mm or more, extends in the width direction of the face surface, and has a width of 5.0 to 7.0 mm in the face height direction. The golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the golf club head has a linear shape separated from the face surface at a pitch. 6. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the rough surface portion is formed by colliding abrasive grains with the amorphous face surface.