JP2008295586A - Golf club - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a golf club which is easy to handle, which allows a player to increase carry, and which has excellent stability in direction. <P>SOLUTION: The golf club is mounted with a hollow head that comprises a face part 1a, a sole part 1c, a side part 1d and a crown part 1b. The hollow head is provided with a head front part 1A including the face part 1a, a head rear part 1B, and a head middle part IC positioned between the head front part 1A and the head rear part 1B. The head middle part 1C is disposed with lightweight members 5 and 6 which are formed of a member having a smaller specific gravity or smaller thickness than that of the head front part 1A and the head rear part 1B. A connecting part 3 is formed on a side part of the head middle part 1C so as to integrally connect the head front part 1A and the head rear part 1B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wood-type golf club, and more particularly, to a golf club having a hollow portion made of a metal component of a head.

  Recent wood-type golf clubs are becoming clubs that are easy to hit due to an increase in the volume of the head as the material is improved.

  However, since it is necessary to reduce the thickness of the outer shell of the hollow head as the size of the head increases, the degree of freedom in designing the position of the center of gravity and the design of the appropriate head weight has been lost. In addition, the thickness of the portion other than the face is reduced due to the increase in the size of the head, and as a result, the depth of the center of gravity is reduced and the moment of inertia is also reduced. It becomes a golf club, and it becomes a problem that it becomes a golf club which is difficult for an average golfer to operate.

For this reason, for example, in Patent Document 1, a mid body is formed between the front body and the back body with respect to the head, and this mid body has a specific gravity and a longitudinal elastic modulus higher than those of the constituent materials of the front body and the back body. A technique is disclosed in which a low component material is used to increase the moment of inertia of the head as a whole and to increase the depth of the center of gravity to widen the sweet area. That is, according to the golf club having the head configured as described above, the crown portion is sufficiently bent at the time of impact, the launch angle is increased, the flight distance can be increased, and the moment of inertia is increased to increase the sweet area. Can be expanded.
JP 2004-229820 A

  As described above, the head is composed of three parts (a front body, a mid body, and a back body). The mid body has a specific gravity and a longitudinal elastic modulus that are higher than those of the front body and the back body. In a golf club configured to be low, the back body is displaced in the front-rear direction because the mid body is easily deformed in the hitting direction at the time of hitting. As a result, the weight distribution of the back body in the entire head is not efficient. End up. That is, at the time of hitting, there is a problem that the weight of the back body cannot be efficiently transmitted to the face portion, and the flight distance cannot be increased and the directional stability cannot be obtained.

  The present invention has been made based on the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a golf club that is easy to operate, has an increased flight distance, and has excellent directional stability.

  In order to achieve the above object, a golf club according to the present invention has a configuration in which a hollow head having a face portion, a sole portion, a side portion, and a crown portion is mounted, and the hollow head includes a front portion including the face portion. Part, a head rear part, and a head intermediate part located between the head front part and the head rear part, and the head intermediate part has a specific gravity smaller than the head front part and the head rear part, or a wall thickness. A light weight member made of a thin member is disposed, and a connecting portion for integrally connecting the head front portion and the head rear portion is formed on a side portion of the head intermediate portion.

  In a golf club equipped with a head as described above, a lightweight member is arranged in the middle part of the head, so that this part is relatively lightened and the weight is distributed to the head rear side. Is possible. This increases the center of gravity depth and increases the moment of inertia.

  In addition, by forming a connecting part that integrally connects the head front part and the head rear part on the side part of the head intermediate part, the portion of the lightweight member is prevented from expanding and contracting or deforming at the time of hitting, and the head rear part Thus, the weight distributed to the head easily acts directly on the face surface of the front portion of the head. For this reason, since the weight of the rear part of the head is accurately transmitted to the face surface, it is possible to effectively utilize the increase in the center of gravity depth and the moment of inertia of the head, improving the flight distance and stabilizing the direction of the ball at the time of hitting A golf club with improved properties can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, it is easy to operate, the flight distance can be increased, and a golf club excellent in directional stability can be obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a golf club according to the present invention will be described.
1 to 7 are views showing a first embodiment of a golf club according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a head attached to the golf club, and FIG. 2 is taken along line AA in FIG. 3 is a side view of the head, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in which a portion of the crown portion is enlarged, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 3.

  The golf club according to the present embodiment is configured by mounting a head 1 set to a specified lie angle and loft angle with respect to a reference horizontal plane P at the tip of a shaft made of metal or FRP (not shown). Has been.

  The head 1 includes a face portion 1a having a hitting surface, a crown portion 1b extending rearward from the upper edge of the face portion 1a, and a sole portion 1c extending rearward from the lower edge of the face portion 1a. And a side portion 1d extending from the toe side edge of the face portion to the heel side edge of the face portion and connecting the edges of the crown portion 1b and the sole portion 1c. It is formed in the hollow structure provided with. In the drawings, a toe part, a back part and a heel part constituting such a side part 1d are indicated by reference numerals 1e, 1f and 1g, respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the above-described shaft (not shown) is inserted into the shaft fixing portion 2 formed on the face side on the heel side in the crown portion 1b, and is fixed by adhesion or the like. In this case, the shaft fixing portion 2 is configured as a hole portion into which the shaft is inserted, but a hosel portion to which the shaft is fixed may be formed to protrude from the surface of the crown portion 1b.

  The above-described head 1 includes, as a basic structure, a head front portion 1A including a face portion 1a, a head rear portion 1B including a back portion 1f, and a head intermediate portion 1C positioned between the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B. It is constituted by. As shown in FIG. 3, the head front portion 1A, the head intermediate portion 1C, and the head rear portion 1B are, when viewed from the side, the front and rear boundary portions when lightweight members 5 and 6 to be described later are fastened. Defined and defined by

  In each of the components, on the sole side in a side view, the length of the head in the front-rear direction (face-back direction) is L, the length of the head front portion 1A is L1, the length of the head rear portion 1B is L2, and the middle of the head When the length of the part 1C is L3, it is preferable to set L1 / L in the range of 20 to 40%, L2 / L in the range of 20 to 40%, and L3 / L in the range of 20 to 60%. Similarly, even when the respective lengths on the crown side are set to L1 ′, L2 ′, and L3 ′, it is preferable that the length is set within the above range. Moreover, it is preferable that the relationship between the three parties is L3> L2> L1 and is set within the above range.

  In the above ratio, it is preferable to set the length of the head intermediate portion 1C to be relatively longer than the other two portions 1A and 1B. Thereby, the intermediate area of the head 1 can be reduced in weight, and the center of gravity depth can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the crown portion 1b and the sole portion 1c of the head 1 composed of the three portions described above (the head front portion, the head intermediate portion, and the head rear portion) cause a stepped portion in the boundary region between the above portions. It is configured to be flush with each other.

  Further, the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B are formed in a so-called cup shape. In this case, the head front portion 1A is a ball striking surface on which the front surface is the face portion 1a and a hit ball is formed, and the other portions are a crown portion 1b, a sole portion 1c, and a side portion 1d of the head. Part of. Similarly, the back portion 1B of the head rear portion is the back portion 1f described above, and the other portions constitute part of the crown portion 1b, sole portion 1c, and side portion 1d of the head. .

  Further, the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B described above are integrally formed with the connecting portion 3 that integrally connects the head front portion and the head rear portion at the side portion of the head intermediate portion 1C. The connecting portion 3 constitutes a part of the head intermediate portion 1C. In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 3 is disposed in the region of the toe portion 1e and the heel portion 1f constituting the side portion 1d.

  The connecting portion 3 extends in the face-back direction and has a predetermined width in the crown-sole direction in the region of the head intermediate portion 1C. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting portion 3 is preferably formed at a position including the height of the center of gravity G of the head when the head 1 is viewed from the side. That is, it is preferable to form the connecting portion 3 so that the center of gravity position G is located within the range of the width of the connecting portion 3 in the crown / sole direction when viewed from the side. More preferably, the connecting portion 3 is formed so as to include all the horizontal planes P1 including the sweet spot S and the gravity center position G.

  The head intermediate portion 1C other than the connecting portion 3 is a member having a specific gravity smaller than that of the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B, or a member having a small thickness (referred to as a lightweight member) 5. , 6 are fastened. In this case, the lightweight member 5 on the crown side is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section so as to constitute the entire surface of the crown portion and the upper surface of the toe portion and the heel portion in the head intermediate portion 1C. Yes. The lightweight member 6 on the sole side is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section so as to constitute the entire surface of the sole portion and a part of the lower side of the toe portion and the heel portion in the head intermediate portion 1C. The light-weight members 5 and 6 having a substantially U-shaped cross section are fixed to the end regions of the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B by adhesion or welding. Part 1C is configured.

  Here, the “light weight member” means that the area of the head intermediate portion 1C is reduced as compared with the case where the head intermediate portion 1C is integrally formed with the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B (normal head configuration). Any member can be used as long as it is possible. For this reason, even if the material has a specific gravity smaller than that of the constituent material of the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B, the thickness thereof may be the same as (or more than) the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B. As long as it is a thin member, the specific gravity may be the same (or higher) as the constituent material of the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B.

  In the present embodiment, when the lightweight members 5 and 6 are fixed to the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B, the surfaces thereof are flush with the surfaces of the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B. It is configured as follows. Hereinafter, the fixing method will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing method for the crown portion 1b of the lightweight member 5 is that the support portions 11 and 12 are formed on the end portion of the head front portion 1A and the end portion of the head rear portion 1B. The front and rear sides of the member 5 are placed and bonded with an adhesive. The support portions 11 and 12 are set so that when the lightweight member 5 is placed, the surfaces of the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B and the surface of the lightweight member 5 are flush with each other. The edge is fixed in a state of being applied to the regulation walls 11a, 12a of the support portions 11, 12.

  In addition, it is preferable to form the thick part 11b by the predetermined width W in the vicinity of the support part (in the figure, the support part 11 side). The thickness T of the thick portion 11b is formed to be thicker than other regions of the crown portion 1b in the head front portion 1A, and the length W of the thick portion 11b is equal to or greater than the thickness (W = 1). .About 2 to 3T).

  By comprising in this way, the intensity | strength of the adhesion | attachment area | region of the lightweight member 5 comes to improve. Of course, such a thick portion 11b may be formed at the end of the head rear portion 1B.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the fixing method at the sole portion of the lightweight member 6 is in a state where the end surface of the lightweight member 6 is applied to the end portion of the head front portion 1A and the end surface of the head rear portion 1B. Both are welded by welding or the like (a weld bead is indicated by reference numeral 9). In this case, if the lightweight member 6 is formed of a thin material, the thin wall portions 13 and 14 are formed at the end of the head front portion 1A and the end of the head rear portion 1B accordingly. You can keep it. The joining area of both may be approximately the same thickness, but the thickness of the other is set to 100 ± 50%, preferably 100 ± 30% with respect to one thickness. Thus, a joined state with a stable strength can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the toe side and the heel side of the lightweight member 5 are bonded by the same fastening method as in FIG. 5, and the toe side and the heel side of the lightweight member 6 are It is welded by the same fastening method. Of course, the above-described fastening method may be appropriately changed depending on the part. For example, the fastening method in the crown portion 1b shown in FIG. 5 may be applied to the sole portion side in FIG. 6, or the fastening method in the sole portion 1c shown in FIG. 6 is applied to the crown portion side in FIG. Also good. Similarly, the fastening methods shown in FIG. 7 may be arbitrarily combined.

  In addition, the fixing method of a lightweight member can be suitably changed with the constituent material of 1 A of head front parts and the head rear part 1B, and the constituent material of the lightweight members 5 and 6. FIG. For this reason, for example, laser welding may be used, or brazing may be used.

  Various materials can be used for the material constituting the head 1 described above. The head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B can be integrally formed by casting, pressing, or the like, for example, titanium, a titanium alloy, an aluminum alloy, or a magnesium alloy. In this case, the face portion 1a at the front portion of the head may be configured such that a plate-like face member is individually formed and fixed to an opening formed in the head front portion 1A. As for the head intermediate portion 1C, the connecting portion 3 can be integrally formed with the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B, and the lightweight members 5 and 6 are made of titanium, a titanium alloy, or an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, it can be formed of a metal material such as a magnesium alloy, or can be formed of a composite material such as a carbon fiber reinforced resin.

  According to the golf club equipped with the head configured as described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  By disposing the lightweight members 5 and 6 in the head intermediate portion 1C, the intermediate region of the head 1 is relatively lightened, and the weight can be distributed to the head rear side by the reduced weight. As a result, the center of gravity depth of the head increases and the moment of inertia increases, so that the head easily returns during hitting, slicing is suppressed, and an easy-to-operate golf club with excellent flight distance and directional stability is obtained. be able to.

  In addition, since the connecting portion 3 that integrally connects the head front portion and the head rear portion is formed at the side portion of the head intermediate portion 1C, the portions of the lightweight members 5 and 6 can expand and contract or deform when the ball is hit. Thus, the weight distributed to the rear part of the head is likely to act directly on the face surface of the head front part 1A. For this reason, the weight distributed to the rear part of the head easily acts directly on the face surface of the head front part 1A, improving the rebound of the ball and increasing the flight distance. In particular, the weight of the back of the head can be accurately transmitted to the face surface, making it possible to effectively utilize the increase in the center of gravity depth and moment of inertia of the head, improving the flight distance and the direction of the ball when hitting A golf club with improved stability can be obtained.

  Further, as described above, since the connecting portion 3 is formed at a position including the height of the center of gravity position G of the head when the head is viewed from the side, the weight of the head rear portion 1B is accurately measured through the center of gravity position G. The golf club can be transmitted to the surface, and the golf club can be further improved in flight distance and directional stability. In particular, in the present embodiment, the connecting portion 3 described above is formed so as to include all of the sweet spot S of the face portion 1a and the horizontal plane P1 including the gravity center position G. When the ball is hit, the weight of the head rear portion 1B can be more accurately transmitted to the face surface through the gravity center position G.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In these drawings, FIG. 8 is a plan view of the head mounted on the golf club, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a side view of the head, and FIG. It is sectional drawing along the EE line. In these drawings, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted (simplified).

  In the present embodiment, a recessed portion 20 that is recessed toward the center of the head over the entire circumference is formed in the head intermediate portion 1C. Such a recess 20 gradually reduces the diameter so as to narrow the rear end region of the head front portion 1A toward the head center direction, and similarly narrows the front end region of the head rear portion 1B toward the head center direction. It is formed by gradually reducing the diameter. The fastening pieces 21a and 22a are integrally bent and formed in the substantially horizontal direction so that the lightweight members 5 and 6 can be fastened to the end portions (recessed positions) of the respective reduced diameter positions. Yes. In this case, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above can be applied to the method of fixing the lightweight members 5 and 6 to the fixing pieces 21a and 22a.

  Further, when forming the above-described recess 20, an area where the head front portion 1 </ b> A transitions from the outer peripheral surface to the fastening piece 21 a is an inclined portion 21 by extending the end portion of the head front portion 1 </ b> A as it is. And also about the area | region which transfers to the fastening piece 22a from the outer peripheral surface of 1 C of head rear parts, the edge part of 1 C of head rear parts is extended as it is, and it is the inclined part 22. FIG. That is, in the present embodiment, the area where the lightweight members 5 and 6 are fixed is not inclined at a substantially right angle at the rear end portion of the head front portion 1A and the front end portion of the head rear portion 1B, but is inclined. It is composed.

  Further, as described above, the head intermediate portion 1 </ b> C constituted by the recessed portion 20 is integrally formed with the connecting portion 3 that connects the head front portion and the head rear portion at the side portion, as in the above-described embodiment. The connecting portion 3 constitutes a part of the head intermediate portion 1C and is disposed in the region of the toe portion 1e and the heel portion 1f constituting the side portion 1d.

  In this case, the connecting portion 3 is formed so as to be flush with the surfaces of the lightweight members 5 and 6 to be fastened. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, with respect to the amount of depression at that position (the amount of depression on the toe side, the amount of depression on the heel side), the ball striking surface in which the score line or the like is formed on the face portion 1a is rearward (in parallel). When extending, it is preferable to form so as to be within the range W1. Further, the connecting portion 3 is formed so as to include all the horizontal planes P1 including the sweet spot S and the gravity center position G of the face portion 1a when the head 1 is viewed from the side as in the above-described embodiment.

  According to the golf club equipped with the head configured as described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  As described above, by forming the recessed portion 20 in the head intermediate portion 1C, it is possible to make the head intermediate portion 1C smaller and lighter, and accordingly, the center of gravity depth of the head is increased, It becomes possible to increase the moment of inertia. Moreover, since the lightweight members 5 and 6 are fixed to the bottom of the hollow portion 20, it is possible to effectively prevent the lightweight member from being damaged. In particular, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the depression portion 20 is formed for the sole portion 1c that may come into contact with the ground when hitting the ball. Damage or the like can be prevented more effectively.

  Further, the inclined portion 21 in front of the head intermediate portion 1C is formed by extending the head front portion 1A as it is, and the lightweight members 5 and 6 are fixed at the recessed portion of the head intermediate portion. The strength of the head can be increased, and the lightweight member can be prevented from being damaged or damaged, and a head structure having high strength and excellent durability can be obtained. Similarly, the inclined portion 22 at the rear of the head intermediate portion 1C is formed by extending the head rear portion 1B as it is, and the lightweight members 5 and 6 are fixed at the recessed portion of the head intermediate portion. Also, the strength of the head 22 can be increased, and the lightweight member can be prevented from being damaged or damaged, and a head structure having high strength and excellent durability can be obtained.

  Furthermore, with respect to the above-described inclined portion, the length of the head intermediate portion 1C can be increased by making the inclined portion 21 on the front side steeper than the inclined portion 22 on the rear side. Further, the rear inclined portion 22 is formed more gently than the front inclined portion 21, so that damage or the like can be effectively prevented even if the rear inclined portion 22 comes into contact with the ground at the time of hitting. In particular, the sole-side inclined portion 22 can be formed so as to be easily swung out by forming it more gently.

  Further, as described above, with respect to the connecting portion 3, as shown in FIG. 11, the amount of depression at that position (the amount of depression on the toe side, the amount of depression on the heel side) forms a score line or the like on the face 1a. Since the ball striking surface is formed in the range W1 extended backward (parallel), the weight of the middle part of the head can be reduced efficiently, increasing the moment of inertia and increasing the depth of the center of gravity. , You will be able to hit the ball more stable. In addition, the center of gravity of the head rear portion 1C can be accurately transmitted to the ball striking surface.

  As described above, in the configuration in which the inclined portions 21 and 22 are formed between the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1B in the head intermediate portion 1C, the connection portion 3 may not be formed. That is, a cylindrical lightweight member may be fixed over the entire circumference of the recess 20. Further, in the configuration in which the lightweight member is fixed over the entire circumference as described above, the lightweight member may not be integrally formed in a cylindrical shape, and may be divided at an arbitrary position.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In these drawings, FIG. 12 is a plan view of a head mounted on a golf club, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 12, FIG. 14 is a side view of the head, and FIG. It is sectional drawing along the GG line.

  In this embodiment, in the configuration of the second embodiment described above, the connecting portion 3A is provided at the center position of the crown portion 1b and the connecting portion is provided at the center position of the sole portion 1c between the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1C. 3B is provided.

  As described above, the connecting portion is formed in the sole portion and the crown portion in addition to the side portion, so that the weight of the head rear portion 1B can be more accurately transmitted to the face surface, and the flying distance can be more reliably improved. It becomes possible to make the golf club excellent in stability of the direction of the ball at the time of hitting.

  In addition, in the structure which provides a connection part in a crown part or a sole part, about the magnitude | size (width) of the connection part, it is good to make a side part relatively large and to make a crown part and a sole part small. Specifically, the size of the sole portion and the crown portion may be set to be smaller than the side portion and within a range of 1/2 or more. However, it is not limited to this, and can be set arbitrarily.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be modified as appropriate in addition to the embodiments described above. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the connecting portions 3, 3A, and 3B disposed between the head front portion 1A and the head rear portion 1C are appropriately modified with respect to the formation position, width, and number of formation. It is possible. Further, the fixing method for the head front part, the head rear part, and the connecting part of the lightweight members 5 and 6 can be appropriately modified.

1 is a diagram showing a golf club according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and a plan view of a head mounted on the golf club. Sectional drawing along the AA line of FIG. The side view of a head. Sectional drawing along the BB line of FIG. Sectional drawing which expanded a part of crown part. Sectional drawing which expanded a part of sole part. Sectional drawing along CC line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is a top view of the head with which a golf club is mounted | worn. Sectional drawing along the DD line | wire of FIG. The side view of a head. Sectional drawing along the EE line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is a top view of the head with which a golf club is mounted | worn. Sectional drawing along the FF line of FIG. The side view of a head. Sectional drawing along the GG line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Head 1A Head front part 1B Head rear part 1C Head intermediate part 1a Face part 1b Crown part 1c Sole part 1c
1d Side part 1d
3, 3A, 3B Connecting portion 5, 6 Light weight member 20 Recessed portion 21, 22 Inclined portion G Center of gravity P Reference horizontal plane S Sweet spot

Claims (5)

In a golf club equipped with a hollow head having a face portion, a sole portion, a side portion and a crown portion,
The hollow head includes a head front part including the face part, a head rear part, and a head intermediate part located between the head front part and the head rear part,
A light weight member made of a member having a specific gravity smaller than the head front part and the head rear part or a thin wall is disposed in the head intermediate part, and the head front part and the head rear part are arranged on the side part of the head intermediate part. A golf club characterized in that a connecting portion for integrally connecting the two is formed.   The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is formed at a position including a height of a center of gravity of the head when the head is viewed from the side.   The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is also formed on at least one of the sole portion and the crown portion. The head intermediate portion has a shape recessed in the center direction of the head,
2. The depressed head intermediate portion and the head front portion are connected by an inclined portion extending from the head front portion, and the lightweight member is fixed at the depressed position. The listed golf club.   5. The hollow head intermediate portion and the head rear portion are connected by an inclined portion extending from the head rear portion, and the lightweight member is fixed at the depressed position. Golf club.

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