JP2008526311A - Golf club head - Google Patents

Abstract

A golf club head (42) having a substantially square or rectangular body is disclosed. The golf club head (42) preferably has a volume in the range of 420cc 470cc. The golf club head (42) is preferably moment of inertia about the axis Izz through the center of gravity of the golf club head is greater than 4000 g-cm ^2, the moment of inertia about the axis Ixx through the center of gravity of the golf club head 3000 g-cm ² Greater than.

Description

The present invention relates to a golf club head. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf club head having a substantially square or substantially rectangular shape.

  When a golf ball is hit with a golf club head, a large load is applied to the club head face and the golf ball. Most of the energy goes from the head to the golf ball, but some of the energy is lost as a result of the collision. Golf balls typically have a polymeric cover material (such as an ionomer) surrounding a rubbery core. These softer polymeric materials have damping characteristics that are strain or strain rate, which is on the order of 10-100 times that of metallic clubfaces. Thus, during impact, energy is lost as a result of high load and deformation (0.001-0.20 inches) of the golf ball, while metal club face deformation is low (0.025-0.050 inches). Better energy transfer from the club head to the golf ball increases the flight distance of the golf ball.

  A generally accepted approach to reducing metal or club head deformation is to increase the hardness of the club head face. However, this causes greater deformation of the golf ball and creates problems with respect to energy transfer.

  Some have recognized this issue and disclosed potential solutions. As an example, Campau's US Pat. No. 4,398,965 “A method of manufacturing and rubbing an iron golf club having a flexible impact face” (Patent Document 1) is a flexible structure in which a groove is formed in the face plate so that the face plate is bent. And a resilient faceplate. Campau's faceplate is made of an iron alloy such as stainless steel and has a thickness of 0.1 to 0.125 inches.

  Another example is US Pat. No. 5,863,261 of Eggiman “Golf Club Head with Elastically Deformable Face and Back Face” (Patent Document 2), which provides a spring effect on the golf ball during impact. It discloses the use of multiple plates that act to occur. A fluid acting as a viscous coupler is interposed between at least two plates.

  Yet another example is US Pat. No. 3,937,474 to Jepson et al., “Golf Clubs with Polyurethane Inserts”, which disclose polyurethane inserts in the Shore D hardness range of 40-75.

  Yet another example is Inamori US Pat. No. 3,975,023 “Golf Club with Ceramic Faceplate”, which discloses a faceplate made of a ceramic material having a high energy transfer coefficient. However, ceramic is usually a hard material. Chen et al. US Pat. No. 5,743,813 “Golf Club Head” discloses the use of multiple layers on the face to absorb the shock of a golf ball. One of the materials is a non-metallic material.

  Lu, US Pat. No. 5,499,814, “Hollow club head with deformable insert faceplate” (Patent Document 5) is a reinforced element with a plastic or aluminum alloy that reduces deformation of the faceplate, stainless steel, titanium, Various materials including KEVLAR® and the like with a thickness ranging from 0.01 inch to 0.30 inch are disclosed.

  Another example is Campau's other invention, US Pat. No. 3,989,248, “Golf club with elastically flexible insert” (Patent Document 6). Disclosure.

  Although not intended to bend the face plate, Viste US Pat. No. 5,282,624 discloses a golf club head made of forged stainless steel and having a face plate thickness of 3 mm. Anderson, US Pat. No. 5,344,140, “Golf Club Head and Method for Manufacturing the Same” (Patent Document 8) also discloses the use of a forged material for the faceplate. Anderson faceplates can use several forging materials including steel, copper and titanium. The forging plate has a uniform thickness of 0.090 inch to 0.130 inch.

  Another invention directed to rubbing forged club club heads is Su et al. US Pat. No. 5,776,011. Su discloses a club head having three pieces, each piece being forged material. The main purpose of Su is to build a club head with greater loft angle accuracy and to prevent structural weakness. Aizawa, US Pat. No. 5,346,216, “Golf Club Head” (Patent Document 10) discloses a faceplate having a curved striking surface.

  US Pat. No. 6,146,571 to Vincent et al. Discloses a method for manufacturing a golf club head, in which a wall is injected with a plastic-like material on an insert secured to a meltable core. Is obtained. The core has a lower melting point than the injected plastic, and when the core is removed, the inner volume is maintained and an internal cavity is formed. The insert becomes a resistance element for strengthening the inside of the front wall of the shell when the core is removed, the reinforcement element being made of aluminum with an extension made of steel in the transverse direction.

  US Pat. No. 6,149,534 to Peter et al. Has upper and lower engagement surfaces formed along a single interface surface, and the lower metal surface is heavier and denser than the upper surface. A golf club head is disclosed.

  Rigal et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,427 discloses a molded thermoplastic golf club head having a striking surface defined by an impact resistant metal sealing element. This sealing element defines the front wall of the striking surface of the club head and extends upward and along the sides of the striking surface to form a neck for attaching a shaft to the club head. The sealing element is preferably 2.5 to 5 mm thick.

  US Pat. No. 5,425,538 to Vincent et al. Discloses a hollow golf club head having a composite striking surface comprising a laminate of a woven web of steel shell and fiber.

  US Pat. No. 5,377,986 to Viollaz et al. Discloses a golf club head having a body with a series of metal plates and a plastic or composite striking plate, wherein the striking plate is convex forward. Is given. Further, US Pat. No. 5,310,185 to Viollaz et al. Discloses a hollow golf club head having a body comprised of a series of metal plates, wherein the metal support plate is located on the front striking surface and is a plastic or composite material. A striking plate consisting of The metal support plate has a convex front plate in front of the striking plate in association with a convex rear plate, thereby forming a convex striking surface in front.

  US Pat. No. 5,106,094 to Desboilles et al. Discloses a golf club head having a metal striking plate, the striking plate being a separate unit attached to a golf club head having a filler material therein. .

  Kurashima, U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,088, discloses a wood golf club head reinforced with a wood-plastic composite mixture. The wood-plastic composite material is non-uniformly distributed with a high density portion in the range of 5 mm to 15 mm adjacent to the front surface of the club head and extending substantially parallel thereto.

  Mader U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,047 discloses a sole plate, face plate, heel, toe, and hosel formed as a single piece of metal with a wood or composite crown attached to the single piece. Discloses a golf club adapted to form a hollow chamber in the club head.

  US Pat. No. 5,624,331 to Lo et al. Is a hollow metal golf club head in which the metal casing of the head has at least two openings. The head also has a composite material disposed within the head, the portion of the composite material being disposed within an opening in the club head casing.

  Daniel U.S. Pat. No. 1,167,387 (Patent Document 21) discloses a hollow golf club head in which the shell body is made of an aluminum alloy metal and the face plate is made of a hard wood such as a beak. The face plate is arranged so that the grain is vertical to the striking plate.

  U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,306 to Glover discloses a golf club head having a bracket on the sole and a striking plate integrated therewith. An elongate tube is incorporated to secure an adjustable weight member that is removable to at least one plate.

  US Pat. No. 5,410,798 to Lo discloses a method of manufacturing a composite golf club head using a metal casing into which a layered member is inserted. The sheet of composite material substantially covers the opening of the layered member and the metal casing and closes the top opening of both. Next, an inflatable pocket is inserted into the hollow layered member made of sodium nitride, ammonium chloride and water, the layered member is attached integrally with the metal casing, and the head is placed in a mold and heated.

  Thompson U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,249 discloses a wood golf club head that combines a layered top surface and a metal sole surface with a keel. In order to strengthen the layered part and to prevent the layer from leaving when it collides with an unexpected hard object, a bolt is inserted through the crown of the club head and joined to the sole plate at the keel part, It is densely compressed.

  Belmont U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,066 discloses a golf club head having a weight adjustment member that is removably inserted. This member is parallel to the central axis extending from the face section to the rear section of the club head and perpendicular to the toe axis from the crown. This weight adjusting member can be supported using a capsule filled with polyurethane resin, and the polyurethane resin can also be used for the face plate. This capsule has an opening with a cover on the rear face of the club head and serves as an inlet for adjusting the weight means.

  Clark U.S. Pat. No. 2,750,194 discloses a wood golf club head having weight adjustment means. The golf club head includes a tray member having sides and a bottom for supporting a weight adjusting member preferably formed integrally with the heel plate. The heel plate to which the weight member is attached is inserted into the golf club head through the opening.

  Ukumoto et al., US Pat. No. 5,193,811, discloses a wood-type club head body mainly composed of a synthetic resin and a metal sole plate. The metal sole plate has an integrally formed member on its surface, which is composed of a hosel on the heel side, a weight on the toe side, a beam for connecting the weight and the hosel, and a beam for connecting the weight and the hosel.

  Further, Ukumoto et al., US Pat. No. 5,516,107, discloses a golf club head having an outer shell, preferably made of synthetic resin, and a metal weight member located within the club head. A moldable material is injected into the hollow interior of the club head to form the core. When the moldable material is injected and the sole plate is attached, the club head is heated and the moldable material expands, pressing the weight member against the inner surface of the outer shell and pushing the weight member to the toe, heel, or rear side. Hold in the located recess.

  US Pat. No. 4,872,685 to Sun discloses a golf club head in which a female unit is combined with a male unit to form a single golf club head. The female unit has an upper portion of the golf club head and is preferably made of plastic, alloy, or wood. The male member includes a sole plate, a face plate comprising a striking plate, and a structural portion of a weight element. The male unit has a substantially greater weight and is preferably made of a lightweight metal alloy. These units are brought together and held by adhesive or mechanical means.

  Katayama US Pat. No. 5,398,935 discloses a golf club having a striking face in which the hitting face height at the toe end of the golf club head is approximately equal to or greater than the hitting face height at the center of the golf club head. The head is disclosed.

  Mattern U.S. Pat. No. 1,780,625 discloses a club head with a rear portion made of a lightweight metal such as magnesium. U.S. Pat. No. 1,638,916 to Butchart discloses a golf club head having a balance member made of wood such as birch and a shell-like body made of aluminum attached to the balance member.

  Nunziato U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,507 discloses a cube-like club head having a rectangular face.

  Kent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,336,405, discloses a trapezoidal golf club.

  Baker U.S. Pat. No. D226,431 discloses a club head design with a large rear wall.

  U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,888 to Springer et al. Discloses a putter having a rectangular shape.

  Hodge U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,755 discloses a putter shaped like a triangle.

  U.S. Pat. No. 3,901,514 discloses a putter having a club head shaped like a ring.

  Hoffmeister U.S. Pat. No. D179,002 discloses a club head design having a circular face and an elongated body.

The golf rules established by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and St. Andrews Royal Enchant Golf Club provide requirements for golf club heads. This requirement is specified in Rule 4 and Appendix II. The full golf rules are available from the USGA web page www.usga.org . One of them is related to the volume of the golf club head.

Large volume driver heads (> 400cc) made of current normal materials (titanium, steel) and made in the normal manufacturing method (casting, forging, MIM, machining) are used to increase the moment of inertia of the club head There is a limit on the amount of any material that can be. Conventional golf club head shapes also limit the moment of inertia possible for a given golf club head volume.

U.S. Pat.No. 4,398,965 U.S. Patent No. 5,863,261 U.S. Pat.No. 3,975,023 U.S. Pat.No. 5,743,813 U.S. Patent No. 5,499,814 U.S. Pat.No. 3,989,248 U.S. Pat.No. 5,282,624 U.S. Pat.No. 5,344,140 U.S. Pat.No. 5,776,011 U.S. Pat.No. 5,346,216 U.S. Patent No. 6,146,571 U.S. Patent No. 6,149,534 U.S. Pat.No. 5,547,427 U.S. Pat.No. 5,425,538 U.S. Pat.No. 5,377,986 U.S. Pat.No. 5,310,185 U.S. Pat.No. 5,106,094 U.S. Pat.No. 4,568,088 U.S. Pat.No. 4,021,047 U.S. Pat.No. 5,624,331 U.S. Patent No. 1,167,387 U.S. Pat.No. 3,692,306 U.S. Pat.No. 5,410,798 U.S. Pat.No. 4,877,249 U.S. Pat.No. 3,897,066 U.S. Pat.No. 2,750,194 U.S. Pat.No. 5,193,811 U.S. Pat.No. 5,516,107 U.S. Pat.No. 4,872,685 U.S. Pat.No. 5,398,935 U.S. Patent No. 1,780,625 U.S. Pat.No. 1,638,916 U.S. Pat.No. 3,981,507 U.S. Pat.No. 2,336,405 U.S. Patent No. D226,431 U.S. Pat.No. 3,397,888 U.S. Pat.No. 3,486,755 U.S. Pat.No. 3,901,514 U.S. Patent D179,002

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention is a golf club head having a substantially square shape and a moment of inertia Izz about the center of gravity of the golf club head of greater than 4000 g-cm ² .

  The golf club head is made of a plurality of materials including a metal face element and a non-metallic aft body element that is adhesively fixed to the face element.

Another aspect of the invention, the front wall, the crown wall, sole wall, Tookabe a golf club head having a body with a heel wall, the aft wall and a toe wall, the body in the range of 350cm ³ ~500cm ³ A golf club head having a volume and each of the aft wall, the toe wall and the heel wall being substantially straight.

  The golf club head preferably has a shape center point, aft-heel edge point, aft-toe edge point, and the distance from the shape center point to the aft-heel edge point is the distance from the shape center point to the aft-toe edge point. equal. The golf club head also has an aft-heel curve section between the aft wall and the heel wall, and an aft-toe curve section between the aft wall and the toe wall. Each of the aft-heel curve section and the aft-toe curve section has a curve length ranging from 0.5 inch to 1.0 inch. The heel wall preferably extends from the peripheral edge of the front wall rearward by a distance of at least 50% of the length of the heel wall at an angle in the range of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the face. ing. The distance from the shape center point to the aft-heel edge point and the distance from the shape center point to the aft-toe point are preferably the maximum distances from the shape center point to any position of the golf club head.

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is a golf club head having a body having a face wall, a crown wall, a sole wall, a heel wall, a rear wall and a toe wall. The golf club head has a volume in the range of 350 cm3 to 500 cm3 and a mass in the range of 190 g to 250 g. More than 50% of the volume of the golf club head is in front of the center of gravity of the golf club head, and less than 50% of the mass of the golf club head is in front of the center of gravity. The front side of the center of gravity of the golf club head is the side facing the face wall.

Yet another aspect of the present invention has a more uniform coefficient of restitution ("COR") across the golf club head striking plate as compared to other golf club heads. More specifically, the golf club head of the present invention has a smaller COR deviation with respect to the entire striking plate than other golf club heads. In particular, the golf club head of the present invention the volume is in the range of 350cm ³ ~500cm ^3, the mass is in the range of 190 g to 250 g, the standard deviation of the COR is less than 0.226.

Another aspect of the present invention is a golf club head having a body having a face wall, a crown wall, a sole wall, a heel wall, a rear wall and a toe wall. The golf club head volume is in the range of 350cm ³ ~500cm ^3, the mass is in the range of 190 g to 250 g. The golf club head has a center of shape of the face wall and a delta of coefficient of restitution from 0.5 inches from the center to the sole, and the coefficient of restitution is less than 0.65.

  The present invention as a whole has a substantially square or rectangular shape when viewed from the top or bottom (as opposed to from the side) and a relatively high moment of inertia Izz about the center of gravity of the golf club head. It is aimed at the head. A general embodiment of a club head is shown in FIGS. 1-7. A preferred embodiment of a club head is shown in the figure. An alternate embodiment of the club head is shown in FIGS. 22-27. A second alternative embodiment of the club head is shown in FIGS. 28-33. A third alternative embodiment of the club head is shown in FIGS. 34-39. Although five embodiments are shown, those skilled in the art can appreciate from these descriptions that other embodiments of golf club heads are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Let's go.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the golf club head of the present invention is generally designated 42. Preferably, the golf club head body 43 has a crown 62 ', a sole 64', a ribbon 90 ', and a striking plate 72', all of which preferably define a hollow interior. The golf club head 42 has a heel end 42, a toe end 68 and an aft end 70.

  The golf club head 42 when designed as a driver has a volume of 200 cubic centimeters to 600 cubic centimeters, more preferably 300 cubic centimeters to 500 cubic centimeters, most preferably 420 cubic centimeters to 470 cubic centimeters, and most preferably 460 cubic centimeters. The volume of the golf club head 42 varies between fairway woods (preferably No. 3 wood to No. 11 wood) smaller than the driver.

  When designed as a driver, the golf club head 42 preferably has a mass of less than 215 g, and most preferably 180 g-215 g. When the golf club head 42 is designed as a fairway wood, the golf club head preferably has a nominal weight of 135g-200g, preferably a mass of 140g-165g.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the golf club 40 has a substantially square golf club head 42. A shaft 48 is attached to the club head 42, and a grip 50 is provided at an end 52 of the shaft 48, and a tip 56 of the shaft 48 is inserted into a hosel 54 of the 42.

  The club head 42 has a heel wall 166, a toe wall 168, and a rear wall 170, all of which are substantially linear with each other and the striking plate 72 'of the club head 42. Further, the heel 166, toe 168 and rear wall 170 are substantially straight compared to the wall of the conventional club head shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heel wall 166 has a distance “Dhw” ranging from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate 72 ′ to the rearmost of the club head, which is preferably in the range of 2.00 inches to 5.00 inches, and more preferably. Is 3.0 inches to 4.5 inches, most preferably 3.5 inches to 4.0 inches.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toe wall 168 has a distance “Dtw” from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate 72 ′ to the end of the club head, which is preferably in the range of 2.00 inches to 5.00 inches, and more preferably. As shown in FIG. 5, the rear wall 170 extends from the widest portion of the heel end 66 of the club head to the toe end 68 of the club head 42. It has a distance “Daw” to the wide portion, which is preferably in the range of 2.50 inches to 5.50 inches, more preferably 3.0 inches to 4.75 inches, and most preferably 4.0 inches to 4.5 inches.

  In one embodiment, Dhw, Dtw, and Daw are all equal in length and range from 3.5 inches to 4.25 inches. In other embodiments, Dhw, Dtw, and Daw are all equal in length and range from 2.5 inches to 4.0 inches.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the shape center of the club head 42 is indicated as “GC”. The shape center is defined as the center based on the club head geometry. The distance “Dgh” from the shape center to the aft-heel edge point 150 is in the range of 1.5 inches to 3.5 inches, more preferably 2.0 inches to 3.0 inches, and most preferably 2.5 inches. The distance “Dgt” from the shape center to the aft-to-edge point 155 is in the range of 1.5 inches to 3.5 inches, more preferably 2.0 inches to 3.0 inches, and most preferably 2.5 inches. In the preferred embodiment, Dgh and Dgt are the distance from the geometric center of the club head 42 to the furthest point. In other embodiments, the distances Dgh and Dgt are at least equal to the distance from the geometric center of the club head 42 to the furthest point. The aft-heel edge point 150 is defined as an inflection point along the edges of the heel wall 166 and the rear wall 170 where the heel wall 166 moves to the rear wall 170. The aft-toe edge point 155 is defined as an inflection point along the edges of the toe wall 168 and the rear wall 170 where the toe wall 168 moves to the rear wall 170.

As shown in FIG. 6, the club head 42 has an aft-heel curve section 200 and an aft-toe curve section 205. The aft-heel curve section 200 is the transition point from the heel wall 166 to the rear wall 170. The aft-toe curve point 205 is a transition point from the toe wall 168 to the rear wall 170. The club head 42 of the present invention has fewer curved sections than the conventional club head 42x.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the golf club head 42 has a length L _gch from the leading edge 777 of the golf club head 42 to the rearmost edge 747 of 42, preferably in the range of 3.0 inches to 5.0 inches, more preferably 3.5 inches to 4.75 inches, more preferably 4.0 inches to 4.5 inches, and most preferably about 4.15 inches. In the preferred embodiment, the center of gravity CG of the golf club head 42 is located less than 50% of the length L _gch from the leading edge 777. The center of gravity CG is more preferably 30% to 49% of the length from the most advanced 777. In the preferred embodiment, due to the loft angle of the face of the golf club head 42, the leading edge 777 is the intersection of the face wall (striking plate) 72 ′ and the sole wall 64 ′ of the golf club head 42. The trailing edge 747 is preferably on the ribbon 90 '.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the golf club head 42 has a height H _gch from the top 787 of the crown 62 ′ of the golf club head 42 to the bottom of the sole 64 ′ of the golf club head 42, which is Preferably, it is in the range of 2.0 inches to 3.0 inches, more preferably 2.25 inches to 2.75 inches, and most preferably 2.60 inches. The center of gravity CG of the golf club head 42 is located at a position less than 50% of the height H _gch from the lowest portion of the sole 64 ′ of the golf club head 42, and more preferably from the lowest portion of the sole 64 ′ of the golf club head 42. It is located in the range of 40% to 49% of the height H _gch .

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 6A, a dotted line 555 indicates a virtual plane that divides the golf club head 42 into a front section of the center of gravity CG and a rear section of the center of gravity CG. The golf club head 42 preferably has a volume greater than 50% of the volume of the golf club head 42 on the front side of the center of gravity CG, and preferably less than 50% of the mass of the golf club head 42 is on the front side of the center of gravity CG. It is new. In other words, preferably less than 50% of the volume of the golf club head 42 is behind the center of gravity of the golf club head 42, and 50% or more of the mass of the golf club head 42 is behind the center of gravity CG. is there. In other words, preferably 50% or more of the volume of the golf club head 42 is in front of the center of gravity CG of the golf club head 42, and 50% or more of the mass of the golf club head 42 is behind the center of gravity CG. That's right. Most preferably, 35% to 46% of the mass of the golf club head 42 is on the front side of the center of gravity CG. Most preferably, 51% to 65% of the volume of the golf club head 42 is on the front side of the center of gravity CG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the heel wall 166 has a distance “Dhw7” from the perimeter of the striking plate 72 ′ to the aft-heel edge point 150, which is preferably in the range of 2.00 inches to 4.5 inches. It is preferably 2.5 inches to 4.25 inches, and most preferably 3.0 inches to 4.0 inches.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the toe wall 168 has a distance “Dtw” ”from the perimeter of the striking plate 72 ′ to the aft-toe edge point 155, which is preferably in the range of 2.00 inches to 4.5 inches, More preferably, it is 2.5 inches to 4.25 inches, and most preferably 3.0 inches to 4.0 inches.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the rear wall 170 has a distance “Daw” from the aft-heel edge point 150 to the aft-toe edge point 155, which is preferably in the range of 2.50 inches to 5.00 inches. Preferably it is 3.0 inches to 4.0 inches, most preferably 3.25 inches to 3.75 inches. In the preferred embodiment, the distances Dhw 'and Dtw' are equal and range from 2.5 inches to 4.0 inches.

  In the preferred embodiment, the club head 42 typically comprises two elements, a face element 60 and an aft body 61, as shown in FIGS. 10-16. The aft body 61 preferably has a crown portion 62 and a sole portion 64.

  The face element usually consists of a single piece of metal, preferably a forged metal material. More preferably, the forged metal material is a forged titanium material. This titanium material includes pure titanium, 6-4 titanium alloy, DAT55G titanium alloy obtained from Daido Steel in Japan and Tokyo, and titanium alloys such as Ti 10-2-3 Beta-C titanium obtained from Ohio's RTI International Metal. included. Other metals for face element 60 include other high strength steels and amorphous metals. Alternatively, the face element 60 can be manufactured by casting, molding, machining, powder metal molding, metal injection molding, electrochemical machining, and the like.

  The face element 60 generally includes a striking plate portion (also referred to herein as a face plate) 72 and a return portion (return portion) 74 extending inwardly laterally from the perimeter of the striking plate portion 72. The striking plate portion 72 typically has a plurality of score lines thereon. The striking plate portion 72 preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.010 inches to 0.250 inches, and the return portion 74 preferably has a thickness of 0.010 inches to 0.250 inches. The return portion 74 preferably extends from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate portion 72 in the range of 0.25 inches to 1.5 inches.

  In the preferred embodiment, the return portion 74 generally includes an upper lateral section 76, a lower lateral section 78, a heel lateral section 80, and a toe lateral section 82. Thus, the return portion 74 surrounds the striking plate portion 72 over the entire 360 °. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the return portion 74 can be surrounded by a portion of the striking plate portion 72, eg, 180 degrees, and discontinuously.

  The upper transverse section 76 preferably extends inwardly in the direction of the aft 61 by a predetermined distance d and engages the crown 62. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined distance d is in the range of 0.2 inches to 1.2 inches, more preferably 0.4 inches to 1.0 inches, most preferably when measured from the perimeter of the striking plate portion 72 to the rear end of the upper transverse section 76. Is 0.8 inches. In the preferred embodiment, the upper transverse section 76 is substantially straight and substantially parallel to the striking plate portion 72 from the heel 66 to the toe end 68.

  The perimeter of the striking plate portion 72 is preferably defined as a changing portion where the face 60 is substantially perpendicular to the striking plate portion 72 from a plane substantially parallel to the striking plate 72. Alternatively, one way to determine the changing portion is to take a plane parallel to the striking plate 72 and a plane perpendicular to the striking plate portion 72 and then 45 ° to the plane perpendicular to the parallel plane. Take the face of. The portion of the 45 ° surface that contacts the face element is the changing portion, which will define the perimeter of the striking plate portion.

  The heel lateral section 80 is substantially orthogonal to the striking plate portion 72, and the heel lateral section 80 is preferably in front of the hosel 54 before engaging the optional ribbon section 90 and the bottom section 91 of the sole portion 64 of the aft body 61. Cover the part. The heel sideways section 80 is attached to the sole portion 64, the ribbon section 90, and the bottom section 91 as described in detail below. The heel sideways section 80 extends inwardly from the perimeter 73 by a distance d, which ranges from 0.2 inches to 1.2 inches, preferably 0.40 inches to 1.0 inches, and most preferably 0.8 inches. The heel lateral section 80 is preferably straight at the edge.

  The other end of the face element 60 has a toe transverse section 82. The toe transverse section 82 is preferably attached to both the sole 64, the ribbon 90 and the bottom section 91, as will be described in detail below. The toe transverse section 82 extends inwardly from the perimeter 73 by a distance d, which distance d ranges from 0.2 inches to 1.2 inches, preferably 0.40 inches to 1.0 inches, and most preferably 0.8 inches. . The toe transverse section 80 is preferably straight at the edges.

  The lower lateral section 78 extends inwardly in the direction of the aft body 61 by a distance d and engages the sole portion 64. In a preferred embodiment, the distance d is in the range of 0.2 inches to 1.2 inches, preferably 0.40 inches to 1.0 inches, most preferably 0.8 inches, measured from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate 72 to the edge of the lower lateral section 78. .

  The aft body 61 attached to the face element 60 and separated therefrom by a gap 105 is preferably made of a non-metallic material, preferably a continuous fiber owreg material (including a thermosetting material or thermoplastic material for the resin). ). Other materials for the aft body 61 include thermosetting materials such as injectable plastic and thermoplastic materials. Alternatively, the aft body 61 can be a low density metal material such as magnesium or aluminum. Examples of magnesium alloys from Phillips Plastic Corporation as ZA-91-D (nominal composition is magnesium containing aluminum, zinc and manganese), AM-60-B (nominal composition is magnesium containing aluminum and manganese) and AM Available as -50-A (nominal composition is magnesium with aluminum and manganese). The aft body 61 is preferably made by metal injection molding. Apart from this, the aft body 61 can be made by casting, molding, machining, powder metal molding, electrochemical machining and the like.

  The aft body 61 is preferably made by bladder molding, resin transfer molding, resin injection molding, injection molding, pressure molding or the like. In a preferred process, the face element 60 with adhesive on the inner surface of the return 74 is placed in a mold for bladder molding along with the aft body 61 preform. This adhesive includes a thermosetting adhesive of a liquid or film-like medium. A preferred adhesive is a two-component liquid epoxy sold by 3M of Minneapolis, Minnesota under the DP420NS and DP460NS brands. Other adhesives include modified acrylic liquids such as DP810NS sold by 3M companies. Apart from this, foamed tapes such as Hysol Synspan can also be used in the present invention.

  A bladder is placed in the hollow interior of the preform and in the face element 60 and is pressurized and heated in the mold. The aft body 61 and the face element 60 are fixed by this integral molding process. Alternatively, the aft body 61 can be fixed to the return portion 74 with an adhesive or mechanically.

  The crown portion 62 of the aft body 61 is generally convex with respect to the sole 64 and engages the ribbon section 90 of the sole portion 64 outside the engagement with the face element 60. The crown portion 62 preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches, more preferably 0.025 inches to 0.070 inches, even more preferably 0.028 inches to 0.040 inches, and most preferably 0.033 inches. A sole portion 64 that includes a bottom section 91 and an optional ribbon section 90 and is substantially orthogonal to the bottom section 91 is preferably in the range of 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches, more preferably 0.025 inches to 0.070 inches, and even more preferably 0.028 inches. It has a thickness of ˜0.040 inches, most preferably 0.033 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the aft body 61 may comprise a plurality, typically six or six, as described in US Pat. No. 6,248,025 “Composite Golf Club Head and Manufacturing Method”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. It consists of 7 layers of prepreg plies.

  The hosel 54 is preferably disposed at least partially within the hollow interior of the club head 42 and is preferably disposed as part of the face element 60. The hosel 54 is preferably made of the same material as the face element 60 and is preferably secured to the face element 60 by welding or the like. Alternatively, the hosel 54 can be made with the formation of the face element 60.

  In the preferred embodiment, a weight member 122 is preferably disposed on the aft body 61 to increase the moment of inertia of the club head 42 or affect other inherent characteristics of the club head 42. The weight member 122 is preferably a tungsten filled film, a tungsten doped polymer, or US Pat. No. 6,386,990 filed Dec. 29, 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other weight mechanisms such as those described in “Composite Golf Club Heads” can be made. One skilled in the art will appreciate that high density materials such as lead-free pewters can be used as selective weights without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment, two weight members 122a and 122b are incorporated into the prepreg ply of the ribbon section 90 of the sole portion 64 of the aft body 61. The weight of each weight member 122 is 5 g to 30 g. Each weight member 122 is preferably a density in the range of ^{5g / cm 3 ~20g / cm 3} , made of a material having a higher density of preferably leaves ^{7g / cm 3 ~12g / cm 3} .

Each weight member 122 is preferably made of a polymer integrated with a metallic material. This metallic material can preferably be selected from copper, tungsten, steel, aluminum, tin, silver, gold, platinum and the like. The preferred metal is tungsten because of its high density. The polymer material is a thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer material. Preferred polymer materials are materials such as polyurethane, epoxy, nylon and polyester. The most preferred polymer material is a thermoplastic polyurethane. A preferred weight member 122 is one in which tungsten having a density of 8.0 g / cm ³ is integrally incorporated in a thermoplastic polyurethane to be molded. In the preferred embodiment, each weight member 122 comprises 50 to 95 weight percent polyurethane and 50 to 5 weight percent tungsten. Also, in the preferred embodiment, each weight member 122 is comprised of 10-25% by weight polyurethane and 90-75% by weight tungsten.

  Preferably, the weight members 122a and 122b are located at the aft-heel and aft-toe corners of the golf club head 42, which correspond approximately to the aft-heel edge point 150 and the aft-toe edge point 155, respectively. ing. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other materials can be used for the weight member 122 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The arrangement of the weight members 122a, 122b allows the moment of inertia of the golf club head 42 to be optimized.

  As shown in FIGS. 40-42, the face element has a striking plate portion 72 of varying thickness such that portion 72a is thicker than portion 72b and portion 72b is thicker than portion 72c. In the preferred embodiment, the striking plate portion 72 has a variety of thicknesses as described in US Pat. No. 6,398,666 “Golf Club Strike Plates of Various Thicknesses” incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of striking plate portion 72 thicknesses are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,471,603 "Golf Club Face with Curved Surface" and U.S. Patent No. 6,368,234 owned by Callaway Golf Company, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference. Golf club striking plate having areas with multiple thicknesses.

  As described above, the face element 60 is preferably manufactured by forging from a metal bar. One preferred forging process for the manufacture of face elements is described in US Pat. No. 6,440,011, “Method of Manufacturing a Golf Club Head Blowing Plate,” filed Apr. 13, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Has been. Alternatively, the face element 60 can be cast from a molten metal, known as a lost wax casting process. The metal for forging or casting is preferably titanium or a titanium alloy such as 6-4 titanium alloy, α-β titanium alloy, β titanium alloy for forging or 6-4 titanium alloy for casting.

  Further manufacturing methods of the face element 60 include a method of forming the face element 60 from a flat metal sheet, a method of forming the face element 60 from a flat metal sheet by superplastic forming, a method of machining from a solid metal block, and forging. A method of electrochemically processing a face from a preform is included. Still other methods include diffusion bonding sheet methods and superplastic formation to provide different thicknesses.

  Alternatively, face element 60 can be made of an amorphous metal as described in US Pat. No. 6,471,604, filed Apr. 4, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

  Another embodiment of a club head 42 having a face element 60 and an aft body 61 is shown in FIGS. 22-27. In this embodiment, the club head 42 has weights 122a 'and 122b' disposed on the outside of the aft body 61. Another embodiment of a club head 42 having a face element 60 and an aft body 61 is shown in FIGS. 28-32. In addition, another embodiment of a club head 42 having a face element 60 and an aft body 61 is shown in FIGS. 34-39. In this embodiment, the bottom section 91 of the sole portion 64 has a sole inwardly curved surface 333 that creates a first keel point 275 and a second keel point 277 of the club head 42.

  In another embodiment of the golf club head 42 of FIGS. 1-7, the body 43 has a front wall with an opening in which the striking plate 72 'is disposed. The body 43 is preferably made of a non-metallic material, preferably a composite material such as a continuous fiber prepreg material (including a thermoset material or a thermoplastic material for the resin). Other materials for the body 43 include thermosetting materials such as injectable plastic or thermoplastic materials. Furthermore, other materials for the body 43 include magnesium alloys, aluminum alloys, magnesium, aluminum or other low density metals. The body 43 is preferably made by a method such as bladder molding, resin transfer molding, resin injection molding, or pressure molding.

The striking plate insert 72 ′ is fixed to the body 43 so as to cover the opening of the front wall of the body 43. The striking plate insert 72 'is preferably made of a molded metal material. Alternatively, the striking plate insert 72 'is made from a machined metal material, a forged metal material, a cast metal material, or the like. The striking plate insert 72 'is preferably made of a molded titanium or steel material. A preferred material is steel 4340, which is heat treated and then coated with titanium nitride. Titanium materials suitable for the striking plate insert 40 are pure titanium and 6-4 titanium alloy, SP-700 titanium alloy (available from Nippon Steel in Tokyo, Japan), DAT55G titanium alloy available from Daido Steel in Japan, Ohio Includes titanium alloys such as Ti 10-2-3 β-C titanium alloy, etc. available from RTI International Metal. Other striking plate inserts 40 include other high strength steel alloys and amorphous metals. Such metallic materials include 17-4PH, Custom 450, 455, 465 and 465+ stainless steels available from Carpenter Specialty Alloys, Pennsylvania, AERMET 100 and AERMET 310 alloy steels, and maraging steels available from Allvac, North Carolina. Such amorphous metals include beryllium-based alloys as described in US Pat. No. 5,288,344, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference, and US Pat. No. 5,735,975, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference. Five-element metallic glass as described, “Calculation of Amorphous-Forming Composition Range For Ternary Alloy, incorporated herein by reference.
System And Analyzes Of Stabilization Of Amorphous Phase and Amorphous -Forming
Ability, Takeuchi and Inoue, Material Transaction, Vol. 42, No. 7, p
1435-1444 (2001) ”is included.

  The striking plate insert 72 ′ is preferably molded integrally with the body 43, or fitted into the opening after the body 43 is manufactured. In another attachment method, the body 43 is first formed by bladder molding, and then the striking plate insert 72 'is secured to the recess in the front wall using an adhesive. Adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the recess. This adhesive includes a liquid or film medium thermosetting adhesive. A preferred adhesive is a two-component liquid epoxy sold under the DP420NS and DP460NS brands by 3M of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Other adhesives include modified alkyl liquid adhesives such as DP810NS, also sold by 3M. Alternatively, foam tape such as Hysol Synspan can be used in the present invention.

  In yet another embodiment of the golf club head 42 shown in FIGS. 1-7, the body 43 is preferably made of a metallic material such as titanium, a titanium alloy, and most preferably is a cast titanium alloy.

  The body 43 is preferably cast from molten metal by the well-known lost wax casting method. The metal for casting is preferably titanium or a titanium alloy such as 6-4 titanium alloy, α-β titanium alloy, β titanium alloy for forging and 6-4 titanium for casting. Apart from this, the body 43 is made of 17-4 steel alloy. Other methods for building the body 43 are: a method of forming the body 43 from a flat metal sheet, a method of forming the body 43 from a flat metal sheet by superplastic forming, and a method of building the body 43 by machining from a solid metal block Manufacturing methods such as a method of electrochemically processing a body from a forged preform, a method of casting a body using centrifugal casting, and the like.

The golf club head 42 of this example has a front wall with an opening for selectively placing the striking plate insert 72 'as disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,902,497 “Golf Club Head with Face Insert”. is doing. The striking plate insert 72 'is preferably made of a molded titanium alloy material. This titanium material is available from RTI International Metals, Ohio, 6-22-22 titanium alloy, Ti 10-2-3 alloy, β-C titanium alloy, SP-700 titanium alloy (available from Nippon Steel, Tokyo, Japan) DAT 55G titanium alloy available from Daido Steel in Japan and Tokyo. The preferred material for the striking plate insert 72 'is a heat treated 6-22-22 titanium alloy, 6% aluminum, 2% tin, 2% chromium, 2% molybdenum, 2% zirconium and 2% silicon. It is a titanium alloy containing. In this titanium alloy, 40% or more of the entire microstructure has an α phase.

  In a preferred embodiment, the striking plate insert 72 'has a uniform thickness, and for the titanium alloy striking plate insert 72' is in the range of 0.040 inches to 0.250 inches, more preferably 0.080 inches to 0.120 inches, and most preferably 0.108. Inches.

  In another embodiment of the golf club head 42 shown in FIGS. 1-7, the golf club head is described in US Pat. No. 6,575,845 “Composite Golf Club Head”, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference. It has a structure having a crown made of a ply of prepreg material.

  In a further embodiment, the golf club head 42 is a U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,452 “Golf Club Head with High Moment of Inertia”, particularly as shown in FIGS. 1-7 and related portions incorporated herein by reference. It has a structure having a body made of a ply of prepreg material as disclosed.

In the preferred embodiment, the golf club head 42 has a high coefficient of restitution, which allows a longer flight distance when hit with the golf club 40. This coefficient of restitution (referred to as “COR”) is defined by the following equation.

e = (v ₂ −v ₁ ) / (U ₁ −U ₂ )

Where U ₁ is the speed of the club head before impact; U ₂ is the speed of the golf ball before impact; zero; v ₁ is the speed of the club head immediately after the golf ball leaves the face of the club head; v ₂ is the velocity of the golf ball immediately after the golf ball leaves the face of the club head; e is the coefficient of restitution between the golf ball and the club head.

  If no energy is added to the system, the value of e is between zero and 1.0. In a material such as soft clay, the coefficient of restitution e is close to zero, and the value of e is 1 if there is no loss of energy due to deformation with a perfect elastic body. The present invention provides a club head having a coefficient of restitution ranging from 0.81 to 0.94 when measured under normal test conditions.

  The coefficient of restitution of the golf club head 42 with USGA standard test conditions and a given ball is in the range of about 0.81 to 0.94, preferably 0.825 to 0.883, and most preferably 0.845.

  The golf club head 42 of the present invention has a more uniform COR across the striking plate than conventional golf club heads. As shown in FIG. 2A, the COR was tested at nine points on the face wall 72 ′ or striking plate 72. The first position is the shape center of the striking plate and is shown as GFC. Other positions 801-808 are located with respect to the geometric face center GFC. The other position 803 is located on the heel side by 0.25 inches from the face center, the position 804 is located on the heel side by 0.5 inches from the face center, and the position 802 is located on the toe side by 0.25 inches from the face center. Is located 0.5 inches toe from the face center, position 807 is crowned 0.25 inches from the face center, position 808 is crowned 0.5 inches from the face center, and position 805 is 0.25 inches from the face center Located on the sole side, position 806 is located on the sole side by 0.5 inches. A circle on a 1 inch diameter face centered on the geometric face center GFC is used as a region with a constant COR. One purpose of the COR distribution test is to determine how the COR decreases as it moves away from the face center every quarter inch.

  The preferred method and apparatus for testing COR is similar to that established by USGA. The purpose of this test is to simulate the boundary condition based on the condition of the position where the golf ball collided with the face of the golf club head and the ball collided with the face of the golf club head. The basic elements of the device are: a safety enclosure with an ignition circuit and an interlocked door; a three-axis platform for adjusting the target to geometric (spatial) conditions; a holder that houses a specific golf club head A barrel, beach and cannon ignition assembly; a laser sight that indicates where the ball hits the face of the club head; a dedicated computer with special software to operate the cannon; a synchronous sensor to trigger; and a display.

  The face of the golf club head is prepared for mapping. An impact tape is placed on an appropriate score line in the center of the face. The coordinates of the X and Y axes at that position are recorded after each shot. Preferably 25 valid shots are used to examine the club head. A shot starts from the center of the face and then moves left and right and up and down. The shot (of the golf ball) is continued until the highest speed is obtained on the face, and the XY coordinates of the highest speed position are positioned on the face. An effective shot has an incident speed of 109.05 mph ± 0.65 mph and an exit angle of 5.00 ° or less with respect to the incident angle. Ten effective shots are fired at a maximum speed to a point on the face. (Effective shots have an incident speed of 109.09 mph ± 0.34 mph and an exit angle of 5.00 ° or less with respect to the incident angle, and 10 shots must be within 2 mm of the XY coordinates of the position). The maximum and minimum speeds will not be used in later calculations. The average of the remaining 8 data is calculated and the value is the speed ratio of the golf club head.

  In the preferred embodiment, the golf club head 42 has a standard deviation of COR of less than 0.226. More preferably, the golf club head 42 has a COR standard deviation of less than 0.180. More preferably, the golf club head 42 has a COR standard deviation of less than 0.165. Apart from this, the standard deviation of the COR of the golf club head 42 is in the range of 0.225 to 0.150.

  Standard deviation is an indicator of the variance of the frequency distribution and is defined as the square root of the mean square of the frequency deviation of each class from the mean of the variance frequency.

  Further, in the golf club head 42 of the present invention, the change in the COR value is small between the face shape center GFC and the position 806 that is 0.5 inches away from the face center toward the sole. Preferably, the Δ of COR between the face shape center GFC and the position 806 is less than 0.065. More preferably, the COR Δ between the face shape center GFC and the position 806 is less than 0.058, and more preferably less than 0.050. The preferred range of COR Δ between the shape center GFC of the face and the position 806 is 0.068 to 0.040.

Table 1 shows the standard deviation of COR and Δ between the center of the shape of the face of the golf club head of the present invention and the position 0.5 inches away from the center of the face toward the sole side in comparison with currently commercially available golf club heads. Show.

さらに、フェース要素60の打撃プレート部分72はより大きいアスペクト比を与えるより矩形のフェースを持つ。アスペクト比はここではフェースの幅”W”をフェースの高さ”H”で除した値として定義される。一つの好ましい実施例においては、幅Wは100mmで高さHは56mmであり、アスペクト比は1.8である。本発明の打撃プレート部分72は、体積が420cm³より大きいクラブヘッドについては、好ましくはアスペクト比が1.8より大きい。

Further, the striking plate portion 72 of the face element 60 has a more rectangular face that provides a larger aspect ratio. The aspect ratio is defined here as a value obtained by dividing the face width “W” by the face height “H”. In one preferred embodiment, the width W is 100 mm, the height H is 56 mm, and the aspect ratio is 1.8. The striking plate portion 72 of the present invention preferably has an aspect ratio greater than 1.8 for club heads having a volume greater than 420 cm ³ .

  The face area of the striking plate portion 72 is preferably in the range of 5.00 square inches to 100 square inches, more preferably 6.0 square inches to 9.5 square inches, and most preferably 7.0 square inches to 9.0 square inches. 23 to 26 show an inertial axis passing through the center of gravity of the golf club head. The inertial axes are indicated by X, Y and Z. The X axis extends from the striking plate portion 72 through the center of gravity CG to the rear of the golf club head 42. The Y axis passes through the center of gravity CG from the toe end 68 of the golf club head 42 and extends to the heel end 66 of the golf club head 42. The Z-axis extends from the crown portion 62 through the center of gravity CG and through the sole portion 64.

"Golf
Club Design, Fitting, Alternation & Repair, 4 ^th Edition, by
As defined in “Ralph Maltby”, the center of gravity of a golf club head is the intersection of its vertical lines when balanced at two or more points on the club head. A more detailed definition of the center of gravity can be found in Golf Club Design, Fitting, Alternation & Repair.

The center of gravity and moment of inertia of the golf club head 42 are measured using test frames (X ^T , Y ^T , Z ^T ), and then the head frame (X ^H ,
Y ^H , Z ^H ). The center of gravity of the golf club head uses a center of gravity table with two weighing scales as disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,607,452, “Composite golf club with high moment of inertia”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Can be obtained. If there is a shaft, remove it and replace it with a hosel cube with multiple faces orthogonal to the axis of the golf club head.
Given the weight of the golf club head, know the distribution of the weight of the golf club head by placing the golf club head the same on both scales and measuring along a specific direction, X, Y, Z Can do. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are other ways to determine the center of gravity and moment of inertia of a golf club head.

Generally, the moment of inertia Izz about the Z-axis of the golf club head 42 is in the range of 3500 g-cm ^{2 to} 6000 g-cm ² , more preferably 4000 g-cm ^{2 to} 5000 g-cm ² , most preferably 4200 g-cm ^2. in the range of ~4750g-cm ^2. Golf The moment of inertia Iyy of the Y-axis of the club head 42 is 2000g-cm ² ~4000g-cm ^2, more preferably in the range of from ^{2500g-cm 2 ~3500g-cm 2} , and most preferably 2900g-cm ² ~3300g-cm The range is ² . The moment of inertia of the X-axis of the golf club head 42 Ixx in the range of ^{2000g-cm 2 ~4000g-cm 2} , more preferably ^{2500g-cm 2 ~3750g-cm 2} , and most preferably 3000g-cm ² ~3500g-cm The range is ² .

Generally, the golf club head 42 has a product of inertial force as disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,425,832 filed Jul. 26, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Preferably, the product of each inertial force of golf club head 42, Ixy, Ixz, Iyz, has an absolute value of less than 100 g-cm ² . Separately, at least two of the products of inertial forces Ixy, Ixz, and Iyz of the golf club head 42 have an absolute value of less than 100 g-cm ² .

  17-21, the heel wall 166, toe wall 168 and rear wall 170 of the golf club head 42 are substantially straight. In a preferred embodiment, at least 50% of the length of the heel wall 166 is within the range of 80 ° to 90 ° from the perimeter of the striking plate portion 72 to the rear and parallel to the outermost range of the striking plate portion 72. It extends. For example, in FIG. 18, a line 502 represents a plane parallel to the outermost range of the striking plate portion 72, and a line 503 represents a 90 ° line with respect to the line 502. A line indicated by a dotted line is an 80 ° line with respect to the line 502. In a more preferred embodiment, at least 66% of the length of the heel wall 166 is 80 ° -90 ° rearward from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate portion 72 and parallel to the outermost extent of the striking plate portion 72. It extends backward within the range. In an even more preferred embodiment, at least 90% or 95% of the length of the heel wall 166 is 80 ° rearward from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate portion 72 and parallel to the outermost extent of the striking plate portion 72. It extends backward within the range of ~ 90 °. Further, 50% to 95% of the length of the heel wall 166 is preferably from 80 ° to 90 ° rearward from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate portion 72 and parallel to the outermost range of the striking plate portion 72. In the range of 66% to 80%, and more preferably in the range of 66% to 80%.

  In a preferred embodiment, at least 50% of the length of the toe wall 168 is in the range of 80 ° to 90 ° rearward from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate portion 72 and parallel to the outermost extent of the striking plate portion 72. It extends backwards in. For example, in FIG. 20, a line 504 indicates a line parallel to the outermost range of the striking plate portion 72, and a line 505 indicates a line orthogonal to the line 504. A line indicated by a dotted line is an 80 ° line with respect to the line 502. In a more preferred embodiment, at least 66% of the length of the toe wall 168 is 80 ° -90 ° rearward from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate portion 72 and parallel to the outermost extent of the striking plate portion 72. It extends backward within the range. In an even more preferred embodiment, at least 75% of the length of the toe wall 168 is 80 ° -90 ° rearward from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate portion 72 and parallel to the outermost extent of the striking plate portion 72. It extends backward within the range. In an even more preferred embodiment, at least 90% of the length of the toe wall 168 is 80 ° -90 ° backward from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate portion 72 and parallel to the outermost extent of the striking plate portion 72. It extends backward within the range. Further, 50% to 95%, more preferably 66% to 80% of the length of the toe wall 168 is rearward from the perimeter 73 of the striking plate portion 72 and relative to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the striking plate portion 72. It extends backward within a range of 80 ° to 90 °.

  In a preferred embodiment, at least 50% of the length of the rear wall 170 is substantially in the outermost range of the striking plate portion within a range of 80 ° to 90 ° relative to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the heel wall 166. It extends parallel to. For example, in FIG. 17, a line 501 indicates a line parallel to the outermost area of the heel wall 166, and a line 500 indicates a line orthogonal to the line 501. A line indicated by a dotted line indicates an 80 ° line with respect to the line 501 and a 60 ° line with respect to the line 501. In a more preferred embodiment, at least 66% of the rear wall 170 is substantially in the outermost range of the striking plate portion within a range of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost region of the heel wall 166. In parallel. In an even more preferred embodiment, at least 75% of the rear wall 170 is in the farthest area of the striking plate portion within a range of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the heel wall 166. It extends substantially in parallel. In an even more preferred embodiment, at least 90% of the rear wall 170 is in the outermost range of the striking plate portion within the range of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost area of the heel wall 166. It extends substantially in parallel. Furthermore, at least 50% to 95%, more preferably 66% to 80%, of the rear wall 170 has a striking plate within a range of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the heel wall 166. It extends substantially parallel to the outermost range of the part.

As shown in FIG. 21, the distance “Dmh” from the center of gravity CG of the club head 42 to the aft-heel edge point 150 is in the range of 1.0 inch to 3.5 inch, more preferably 2.0 inch to 3.0 inch, and most preferably 2.25 inch. It is. The distance “Dmt” from the shape center to the aft-to-edge point 155 is in the range of 1.75 inches to 4.0 inches, more preferably 2.5 inches to 3.75 inches, and most preferably 3,25 inches. In the preferred embodiment, the distance Dmt is the furthest distance on the club head 42 from the center of gravity of the club head 42. Further, due to the weight member 122b placed near the aft-to-edge point 155, the weight member 122b exhibits the greatest mass with the smallest volume farthest from the center of gravity of the club head 42.

1 is a perspective view of a golf club head of the present invention. 1 is a front view of a golf club head of the present invention. It is a front view of the golf club head of FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of preferred striking positions. FIG. 2 is a heel side view of the club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a heel side view of the club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a toe side view of the club head of FIG. 1. It is a rear view of the club head of FIG. It is a top view of the club head of FIG. It is a top view of the club head of FIG. It is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. It is a top view of the conventional club head. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 8. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the club head of FIG. FIG. 11 is a heel side view of the club head of FIG. 10. It is a toe side view of the club head of FIG. It is a rear view of the club head of FIG. It is a top view of the club head of FIG. FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 10. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the club head of the present invention and shows the angle between the walls. The bottom view of the club head of this invention is shown, and the angle which a mutual wall makes is shown. The bottom view of the club head of this invention is shown, and the angle which a mutual wall makes is shown. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the club head of the present invention and shows the angle between the walls. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the club head of the present invention and shows the angle between the walls. It is a front view of the golf club head of the other Example of this invention. FIG. 23 is a plan view of the club head of FIG. 22. FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 22. FIG. 23 is a rear view of the club head of FIG. 22. FIG. 23 is a heel side view of the club head of FIG. 22. FIG. 23 is a toe side view of the club head of FIG. 22. It is a front view of the golf club head of the other Example of this invention. FIG. 29 is a plan view of the club head of FIG. 28. FIG. 29 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 28. FIG. 29 is a rear view of the club head of FIG. 28. FIG. 29 is a heel side view of the club head of FIG. 28. FIG. 29 is a toe side view of the club head of FIG. 28. It is a front view of the golf club head of the other Example of this invention. FIG. 35 is a plan view of the club head of FIG. 34. FIG. 35 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 34. FIG. 35 is a rear view of the club head of FIG. 34. FIG. 35 is a heel side view of the club head of FIG. 34. FIG. 35 is a toe side view of the club head of FIG. 34. It is a figure which shows partially the inner surface of the face element of the golf club head of this invention. FIG. 41 is a diagram partially showing a bottom surface of the face element of FIG. 40. FIG. 41 is a diagram partially showing a side surface of the face element of FIG. 40.

Claims (61)

A front wall with a perimeter;
A heel wall extending 2.5 inches to 4.5 inches rearward from the periphery of the front wall;
An aft wall substantially orthogonal to the heel wall and extending from 2.5 to 4.5 inches from the aft edge of the heel wall;
A golf club head having a toe wall substantially orthogonal to the aft wall and extending from 2.5 to 4.5 inches from an aft edge of the toe wall. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the heel wall, the aft wall, and the toe wall have the same height. The golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the heel wall, the aft wall, and the toe wall have the same height in a range of 1.5 inches to 3.0 inches. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the volume of the golf club head ranges from 350 cubic centimeters to 500 cubic centimeters. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the golf club head ranges from 400 cubic centimeters to 460 cubic centimeters. A body having a face, a crown, a sole, a heel wall, a rear wall and a toe wall;
The body has a volume ranging from 350 cubic centimeters to 500 cubic centimeters;
The golf club head, wherein the rear wall, the toe wall and the heel wall are substantially straight. The body has a shape center point, an aft-heel edge point and an aft-toe edge point, and the distance from the shape center point to the aft-heel edge point is a distance from the shape center point to the aft-toe edge point. The golf club head of claim 6 that is equal. The golf club head according to claim 6, wherein the golf club head has an aft-heel curve section between the aft wall and the heel wall, and an aft-toe curve section between the aft wall and the toe wall. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein the aft-heel curve section and the aft-toe curve section have curves with a length ranging from 0.5 inch to 1.0 inch. The heel wall extends rearward from the periphery of the front wall at an angle of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the face by a distance of at least 50% of the length of the heel wall. Item 7. The golf club head according to item 6. The heel wall extends rearward from the periphery of the front wall at an angle of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the face by a distance of at least 66% of the length of the heel wall. Item 7. The golf club head according to Item 6. The heel wall extends rearward from the periphery of the front wall at an angle of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the face by a distance of at least 75% of the length of the heel wall. Item 7. The golf club head according to Item 6. The heel wall extends rearward from the periphery of the front wall at an angle of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the face by a distance of at least 90% of the length of the heel wall. Item 7. The golf club head according to Item 6. The heel wall extends backward from the periphery of the front wall at an angle of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the face by a distance of at least 95% of the length of the heel wall. Item 7. The golf club head according to Item 6. The distance from the shape center point to the aft-heel edge point and the distance from the shape center point to the aft-toe edge point are the maximum lengths of the distance from the shape center point to a point on the golf club head. 6. The golf club head according to 6. A face element made of a first material, comprising a striking plate portion and a return portion, the return portion extending from the periphery of the striking plate portion in a range of 0.25 inches to 1.5 inches;
A substantially square aft body secured to the return portion, comprising a second material having a lower density than the first material, and having a crown portion and a sole portion, the sole portion being a bottom section; A golf club head having an aft body positioned between the crown portion and a bottom section of the sole portion, the ribbon section having a ribbon section,
The golf club head has a substantially quadrangular shape. A body having a crown, a sole, a ribbon and a striking plate;
The volume is less than 460cc, the mass is in the range of 190g-225g, the moment of inertia around the axis Izz through the center of gravity of the golf club head is greater than 4000g-cm ² and around the axis Ixx through the center of gravity of the golf club head golf club head moment of inertia is greater than 3000g-cm ^2. A face element made of a first material, comprising a striking plate portion and a return portion, the return portion extending from the periphery of the striking plate portion in a range of 0.25 inches to 1.5 inches;
An aft body secured to the return portion, the aft body comprising a second portion having a lower density than the first material and having a crown portion and a sole portion, the sole portion having a bottom section and a ribbon section A golf club head having:
The golf club head has a volume of less than 460 cc, a mass in the range of 190 g-225 g, a moment of inertia about an axis Izz passing through the center of gravity of the golf club head is greater than 4000 g-cm ² , and the center of gravity of the golf club head Golf club head with a moment of inertia around the axis Ixx passing through is greater than 3000 g-cm ² . A front wall with a perimeter;
Extending from the periphery of the front wall at an angle of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the front wall by a distance of at least 66% of the length of the heel wall from the periphery of the front wall. A heel wall;
An aft wall extending from 2.5 inches to 4.5 inches from the aft edge of the heel wall;
A golf having a heel wall extending from the periphery of the front wall at an angle of 80 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the outermost range of the front wall by a distance of at least 66% of the length of the toe wall A club head;
A golf club head having a volume of the golf club head in a range of 420 cc to 470 cc. The volume of the golf club head is less than 460 cc, the mass is in the range of 190 g-225 g, the moment of inertia about the axis Izz passing through the center of gravity of the golf club head is greater than 4000 g-cm ² , and the center of gravity of the golf club head is A golf club head having a moment of inertia around the passing axis Ixx of greater than 3000 g-cm ² . The golf club head the golf club head according to a larger claim 19 the moment of inertia about the axis Iyy is 3000 g-cm ² through the center of gravity of the golf club head. A golf club head having a body having a face wall, a crown wall, a sole wall, a rear wall and a toe wall;
The golf club head has a volume of 350 cc to 500 cc and a mass in the range of 190 g to 250 g;
A golf club in which a volume greater than 50% of the volume of the golf club head is in front of the center of gravity of the golf club head, less than 50% of the mass of the golf club head is in front of the center of gravity, and the front side of the center of gravity is the face wall side Club head. The golf club head according to claim 22, wherein a volume of the golf club head is in a range of 420 cc to 470 cc. The golf club according to claim 22, comprising a plurality of weight members disposed on at least one of the sole wall, the heel wall, the rear wall, and the toe wall, each weight member having a mass in the range of 5 g to 30 g. head. The golf club head has a length L _gch from the frontmost edge of the golf club head to the rearmost edge of the golf club head in the range of 3.5 inches to 4.5 inches, and the center of gravity of the golf club head is The golf club head according to claim 22, wherein the golf club head is located at a distance of less than 50% of the length L _gch from a front end edge. _26. The golf club head according to claim 25, wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head is located at a distance in a range of 30% to 49% of the length L _gch from the foremost edge. The moment of inertia of the shaft Izz through the center of gravity of the golf club head is greater than 4000 g-cm ^2, the moment of inertia about the axis Ixx through the center of gravity of the golf club head according to 3000 g-cm ² greater than 22. Golf Club head. The golf club head has a height H _gch from the top of the crown wall of the golf club head to the bottom of the sole wall of the golf club head in the range of 2.0 inches to 3.0 inches. _23. The golf club head according to claim 22, wherein the center of gravity is located at a position less than 50% of the height H _gch from the bottom of the sole wall of the golf club head. 29. The golf club head according to claim 28, wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head is located in a range of 40% to 49% of the height _Hgch from the bottom of the sole wall of the golf club head. The golf club head according to claim 22, wherein 35% to 46% of the mass of the golf club head is located in front of the center of gravity. A face element made of a first material having a striking plate portion and a return portion;
An aft body fixed to the return portion, made of a second material having a smaller density than the first material, having a crown portion and a sole portion, the sole portion having a bottom section and a ribbon section. The ribbon section is a golf club head having an aft body positioned between the crown portion and a bottom section of the sole portion;
The golf club head has a volume ranging from 350 cc to 500 cc and a mass ranging from 190 g to 250 g;
A volume greater than 50% of the volume of the golf club head is in front of the center of gravity of the golf club head, less than 50% of the mass of the golf club head is in front of the center of gravity, and the front side of the center of gravity is the face wall side. Golf club head. 335. The golf club head of claim 331, wherein the golf club head has a volume in the range of 420cc to 470cc. 32. The golf club head of claim 31, further comprising a plurality of weight members disposed on the ribbon section and having a mass in the range of 5g to 30g. The golf club head has a length L _gch from the frontmost end of the golf club head to the rearmost end of the golf club head in the range of 3.5 inches to 4.75 inches, and the center of gravity of the golf club head has the frontmost end. _32. The golf club head according to claim 31, wherein the golf club head is located at a position less than 50% of the length L _gch from a portion. 35. The golf club head according to claim 34, wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head is located in a range of 30% to 49% of the length L _gch . The moment of inertia of the shaft Izz through the center of gravity of the golf club head is greater than 4000 g-cm ^2, the moment of inertia about the axis Ixx through the center of gravity of the golf club head according to 3000 g-cm ² greater than 31. Golf Club head The golf club head has a height H _gch from the top of the crown wall of the aft body of the golf club head to the bottom of the sole wall of the aft body of the golf club head is in the range of 2.0 inches to 3.0 inches. _32. The golf club head according to claim 31, wherein the center of gravity of the club head is located at a position less than 50% of the height _Hgch from the bottom of the sole wall of the golf club head. 32. A golf club head according to claim 31, wherein the face element is made of a titanium alloy, and the aft body is made of a ply of a prepreg material. A face element made of a first material having a striking plate portion and a return portion;
An aft body secured to the return portion of the face element, comprising a second material having a lower density than the first material, having a crown portion and a sole portion, the sole portion comprising a bottom section and a ribbon section And the ribbon section is a golf club head having an aft body positioned between the crown portion and a bottom section of the sole portion;
The golf club head has a volume ranging from 350cc to 500cc and a mass ranging from 190g to 250g;
51% to 65% of the volume of the golf club head is in front of the center of gravity of the golf club head, 35% to 46% of the mass of the golf club head is in front of the center of gravity of the golf club head, and the front side of the center of gravity is Golf club head on the striking plate side. A golf club head having a body having a face wall, a crown wall, a sole wall, a heel wall, a rear wall and a toe wall;
The golf club head has a volume in the range of 350 cc to 500 cc and a mass in the range of 190 g to 250 g, and less than 50% of the volume of the golf club head is behind the center of gravity of the golf club head, A golf club head in which 50% or more of the mass is behind the center of gravity, and the rear of the center of gravity is on the rear wall side. A face element made of a first material having a striking plate portion and a return portion;
An aft body secured to the return portion of the face element, comprising a second material having a lower density than the first material, having a crown portion and a sole portion, the sole portion comprising a bottom section and a ribbon section And the ribbon section is a golf club head having an aft body positioned between the crown portion and a bottom section of the sole portion;
Less than 50% of the volume of the golf club head is behind the center of gravity of the golf club head, more than 50 of the mass of the golf club head is behind the center of gravity, and the back of the center of gravity is the rear of the ribbon section of the aft body. Golf club head on the wall side. A golf club head having a body having a face wall, a crown wall, a sole wall, a heel wall, a rear wall and a toe wall;
The golf club head has a volume ranging from 350cc to 500cc and a mass ranging from 190g to 250g;
The golf club head has a coefficient of restitution with a standard deviation of less than 0.226. 43. The golf club head according to claim 42, wherein a volume of the golf club head is in a range of 420cc to 470cc. 43. A golf club head according to claim 42, comprising a plurality of weight members on at least one of the sole wall, heel wall, rear wall and toe wall, each weight member having a mass in the range of 5g to 30g. 43. The golf club head according to claim 42, wherein the golf club head has a coefficient of restitution with a standard deviation in the range of 0.226 to 0.150. The golf club head according to claim 42, wherein the golf club head has a coefficient of restitution with a standard deviation of less than 0.180. The moment of inertia of the shaft Izz through the center of gravity of the golf club head is greater than 4000 g-cm ^2, the moment of inertia about the axis Ixx through the center of gravity of the golf club head according to 3000 g-cm ² greater than 42. Golf Club head. 43. The golf club head of claim 42, wherein the golf club head has a coefficient of restitution with a standard deviation less than 0.165. 43. A golf club head according to claim 42, wherein the golf club head has a coefficient of restitution with a standard deviation of less than 0.226 at a plurality of striking positions across the face wall. 50. A golf club head according to claim 49, wherein the plurality of hitting positions are at least nine. The plurality of striking positions are a center of the face wall, a position that is 0.25 inches closer to the heel side than the face center, a position that is closer to the heel side by 0.5 inches than the face center, and a toe side that is 0.25 inches from the face center. Position close to the face side by 0.5 inches from the face center, Position from the face center by 0.25 inches to the crown side, Position from the face center by 0.5 inches to the crown side, From the face center 50. A golf club head according to claim 49, wherein the golf club head is located at a position close to the sole side by 025 inches and at a position close to the sole side by 0.5 inches from the center of the face. 43. A golf club head according to claim 42, wherein a deviation of a coefficient of restitution is less than 0.065 between the shape center of the face wall and a position offset by 0.5 inch from the center toward the sole side. 43. The golf club head according to claim 42, wherein the golf club head has a coefficient of restitution coefficient less than 0.050 between the shape center of the face wall and a position offset by 0.5 inches from the center toward the sole side. 43. The golf club head according to claim 42, wherein a deviation of a coefficient of restitution is in a range of 0.068 to 0.040 between the shape center of the face wall and a position shifted by 0.5 inch from the center toward the sole side. A face element made of a first material having a striking plate portion and a return portion;
An aft body secured to the return portion of the face element, comprising a second material having a lower density than the first material, having a crown portion and a sole portion, the sole portion comprising a bottom section and a ribbon section And the ribbon section is a golf club head having an aft body positioned between the crown portion and a bottom section of the sole portion;
The golf club head has a volume ranging from 350cc to 500cc and a mass ranging from 190g to 250g;
The golf club head has a coefficient of restitution with a standard deviation of less than 0.226. 56. The golf club head of claim 55, wherein the golf club head has a coefficient of restitution with a standard deviation in the range of 0.225 to 0.150. 56. A golf club head according to claim 55, wherein the golf club head has a coefficient of restitution with a standard deviation of less than 0.180. 56. The golf club head of claim 55, wherein the golf club head has a coefficient of restitution with a standard deviation of less than 0.226 at a plurality of striking positions across the face wall, and the golf club head has a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.825. The plurality of striking positions are a center of the face wall, a position that is 0.25 inches closer to the heel side than the face center, a position that is closer to the heel side by 0.5 inches than the face center, and a toe side that is 0.25 inches from the face center. Position close to the face side by 0.5 inches from the face center, position from the face center by 0.25 inches to the crown side, position from the face center by 0.5 inches to the crown side, from the face center 59. A golf club head according to claim 58, wherein the golf club head has a position close to the sole side by 025 inches and a position close to the sole side by 0.5 inches from the center of the face. 43. A golf club head according to claim 42, wherein a deviation of a coefficient of restitution is less than 0.065 between the shape center of the face wall and a position offset by 0.5 inch from the center toward the sole side. A golf club head having a body having a face wall, a crown wall, a sole wall, a heel wall, a rear wall and a toe wall;
The golf club head has a volume ranging from 350cc to 500cc and a mass ranging from 190g to 250g;
The golf club head has a coefficient of restitution coefficient of less than 0.065 between the center of the shape of the face wall and a position 0.5 inches from the center toward the sole.

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